I know that it has been a while since I've updated. I'm truly sorry but I have been lazy and I have had a lot to deal with lately. So let's get this started.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 14: Kings Cross

Harry leapt to the side just in time to avoid being hit by a powerful stunning curse. He fired off a stunner of his own only to have to dive away again as another curse was sent his way. Harry came out of his roll and was breathing hard. His green eyes shifted up to his opponent for his training session. Bill Weasley didn't smile at the fact that he was outdoing Harry in their training. As a matter of fact he didn't even smirk like he normally would have. Since the catastrophe at the wedding Bill tried to show as little emotion as possible. Harry hated the fact that the carefree Bill was gone. Instead the redhead had been replaced with a somewhat depressive person whose only happiness seemed to be when he was training. Even his beloved job as Curse Breaker for Gringotts didn't bring him happiness anymore. Harry felt bad for the young man and wished that there was something he could do.

"Keep your head up Harry!" Bill commanded. Harry's head snapped up and he saw the redhead begin to raise his wand. "The enemy won't give you this same chance. Multus Reducto!"

Several reducto curses burst forth from Bill's wand, in sort a sort of widespread shotgun affect. Harry waved his wand over himself and there was a small flash of gold around his body as a shield appeared. Harry waited for the curses to get a little closer before he rushed in head first. One of the curses hit him dead in the chest making him groan in slight pain. His shield flickered a second before disappearing. Harry didn't let the pain or the fact that his shield was gone distract him. He continued to rush forward and before Bill could figure out was going on he found themselves rolling on the ground. Bill came out as having the better of the exchange. When they came out of the roll his wand was pointed directly at Harry's neck. Harry hadn't done too badly himself as he was able to keep his wand pointed at Bill's waist. However, since it wasn't exactly a kill point Bill had one the match.

For the first time in the past few weeks Bill actually gave a smile. It was small and virtually unnoticeable but it was there. "Not bad Harry. Using the shield charm like that to take the hit. Good idea."

Harry withdrew his wand and so did Bill. The young man found himself to be breathing hard and beads of sweat were trickling down his forehead. "I was having a hard time keeping up," he admitted.

Bill stood up and pulled Harry to his feet. "Why don't you take a break? You definitely earned it."

"Thanks." Harry watched Bill leave the training room that they had set up in the basement of Grimmauld Manor with a shake of his head. Figuring that his training was over for the day Harry walked over and sat next to Mad Eye Moody. "Professor," Harry acknowledged.

Moody had been sitting off to the side watching Harry and the others train. He was there to make sure that the training sessions ran smoothly and to offer advice. On a couple occasions he would even get involved in their training in a physical way. Those were the only times that Harry and the others had to fear actually being physically hurt. Sure Bill, Tonks, and Remus were tough on them but Moody would hit them that much harder. The former auror didn't believe in coddling those that were still in training. In fact his favorite phrase besides 'constant vigilance' was: If it doesn't hurt then it isn't working!

The ex-auror turned towards Harry, his scarred face slid into a lopsided grin. "Not bad Potter. That was a fast bit of thinking out there," he praised.

Harry smiled. Getting praise from Alastor Moody was like winning the lottery. "Thank you," Harry breathed. "I realized a while ago that the multiple reducto curse is like a muggle shotgun. The further away the target is the more it spreads out."

Moody nodded in understanding. "It's best used at close range. So you waited for the curses to spread out as far as possible. Then you set up a shield to block the one that has a chance of hitting you. Not bad."

Harry wiped the sweat from his forehead with a small towel sitting nearby. His emerald eyes shifted out to watch the others train. Luna and Remus were off to the side of the room dueling one another. Harry noticed that they were practicing using two wands at the same time. It was impossible to notice how much Luna had progressed in their training sessions. Her skills were remarkable and her ability to learn seemed to be unparalleled. His eyes shifted over so that he could watch Draco and Hermione practice their sword movements. The two of them were still on unfriendly terms since their last argument but Draco agreed with Harry to train her. After all he didn't want to work with a weakling.

Harry turned his attention back to Moody and nodded. "I was having a hard time keeping up with Bill though" he admitted sheepishly.

Moody gave him a raspy laugh and shook his head. "I would be surprised if you didn't! The kid wasn't named the best rookie auror for no reason."

Harry nodded to what Moody said before he actually thought about. He turned to look at Moody with a questioning gaze. "Did you say that Bill was an auror?"

"He never said anything about it to you?" Harry shook his head hoping that Moody would continue with the information. "When I say this don't take it the wrong way. I think that Nymphadora has turned out to be one hell of an auror. But Bill had about three times the potential that she had. He could have become one of the best."

"So whatever happened?"

Moody sighed in trepidation. "I'm not sure that I'm the one that should be telling you that lad."

Harry was about to ask more questions when a shadow fell over them. He looked up and saw Luna and Remus standing over them. Both of them were quite out of breath and sweating quite a bit. He noticed a small smile on Remus' face and knew that he had won. Though judging by the looks of him it was a rather close match.

"So how did it go?" Moody asked.

"Remus beat me," Luna replied. She didn't seem angry or even upset that she had lost.

Remus rolled his eyes. "She came pretty damn close though." The lycan straightened up and placed a hand on Luna's head. "She's a lot stronger than I expected."

There were very few situations when Luna would actually blush. Getting complimented was one of those times. "I'm not that good."

"She's modest to," Moody replied. "I'd say that you have a natural talent for dueling. Wouldn't you agree Potter?"

Harry jumped at the mention of his name. His mind was still wrapped around the idea of Bill being a former auror. "Even though she won't admit it. I think that there are a lot of natural things about her."

Luna smiled warmly at Harry and he returned the smile. Remus looked over their heads at Moody and the two shared a knowing smirk. "I bet that you do."

Everyone turned around and saw Draco standing there. In his hands was a sword with a katana style blade. The handle was made of thick ebony. The blade was crafted out of highly polished silver. Despite the components that the sword was made of it was very light weight. The sword had many uses and quickly became the weapon of choice for all four of the teens. Hermione was standing behind Draco holding a copy of his katana. Unlike Draco she was sweating rather hard and breathing quite heavily. Still she had a smirk very similar to everyone else's.

"Alright, everyone," Moody said with a nod. "Good work today. I think that we should call it quits for now though."

Remus nodded. "I agree with Alastor. Take the rest of your days to yourself. And we can start fresh tomorrow."

Remus and moody turned to leave the basement turned training room. The girls followed close behind them, followed by Draco. "Hey Draco can you wait up for a second?"

Draco turned around and looked at Harry suspiciously. "…Sure."

Hermione stuck her head back inside of the door and looked at them curiously. "Are you guys coming."

"You go ahead. I need to talk to Draco for a second."

Hermione shrugged and walked back out of the basement. "Okay," Draco turned back to look at Harry, "what is this about Harry?" The young Slytherin sat down next to Harry and ran a hand through his platinum blond hair. "Must be important if you couldn't say in front of Granger."

"…Well I was thinking that school is starting again in three days."

"Right. So what are you getting at?"

"Nothing really," Harry answered uneasily.

"I know you better than that Harry," Draco said. Harry turned and saw Draco staring intently at him with silver eyes. He really did know him better. "What are you thinking in that Gryffindor brain of yours?"

"...I know that we sid we wouldn't go back to Hogwarts this year," Harry said quietly. "But what if we could go back and be teachers?"

Draco's eyebrows knitted together before he finally shook his head. "What the hell are you talking about Potter?" The Slytherin rubbed the back of his head with a pained sort of grimace. "You know that students can't become teachers."

"But if we could would you be willing to go back to school?"

"What would we do about the Horcruxes?" Draco sighed. "It's not like we can just forget about them."

"Well school is in a couple more days," Harry replied. "However, we could devote all of our weekends to studying them. Plus we get more than enough time off during the holidays to look for them. What do you say?" Harry asked almost eagerly.

Draco stood up and paced the floor for a second. "My grades have been rather high the past six years," he stated in contemplation. "What makes you think that we have any chance of being hired as teachers though?"

Harry smirked smugly. It was as if he was privy to knowledge that Draco didn't even know existed. "Trust me."

"Hn. That's supposed to be my line."

Later that day everyone was sitting in the parlor doing nothing in particular. Harry was looking through a book that Remus had given him on the four founders of Hogwarts. He was hoping that maybe he could find out more about them. If he did then maybe he could deduce what form Voldemort's horcruxes were taking. Earlier in the day Draco had been summoned by his dark mark to another Death Eater meeting and had been gone ever since. Hermione was sitting on the couch with Bill and Tonks. She was listing potion ingredients that they were running low on and Bill or Tonks would tell her if it was a good idea to get them. Luna was sitting in the chair next to Harry working on one of her summer assignments. Harry groaned and buried his head in his hands. He had been at it all day and had gotten virtually nowhere.

"Relaxing is essential to victory." Harry turned to look at Luna who was still staring down at the book in her hands. "Perhaps you should take a break."

Harry chuckled and nodded. "Maybe you are right. We're going to have a long day tomorrow."

"What are we doing?"

"Well if you want to go back to school we're going to have to get our books aren't we?" Harry asked with a lazy grin.

Hermione's head shot up from her list. A wide grin spit across her face. "Does that mean that we are going back to school?!" She asked in childish excitement.

"Yes," Harry nodded, "if you still want to go?"

"Of course I still want to go!" Hermione nearly shouted. "Thank you Harry!"

"Well you have kept up your end of the bargain pretty well. I had a part to keep up as well."

Tonks smiled brightly at the younger wizard. "I'm glad that you changed your mind mate. I guess I'll see you there since I'm working security."

The expression on Bill's face didn't change but he did give a nod. "They really can't keep you away from that place."

Harry smiled and turned back to look at Luna. She didn't look surprised, well any more than usual, but was just smiling serenely. "You don't look too surprised Luna," Harry remarked.

"I knew that you would come around," she sang lightly. "I know you better mthan you know yourself." Luna didn't say it to brag but merely as a simple statement.

"Oh is that so?"

"I think that she does," Tonks replied. " A large percentage of women know most men better than they know themselves. We are just more intuitive and observant than they are." Bill scoffed, causing Tonks to glare at him. "Do you have something to add William?"

"As a matter of fact I do," Bill answered. "First of all don't call me William. And I was just hoping that you weren't including yourself in that percentage of women."

Hermione's brown eyes shifted from side to side. Without saying a word she stood up and walked over to the chair that Harry and Luna were in. There was no way that she wanted to be caught in between the two of them. She sat on the arm of the chair and the three tens watched their friends. Tonks placed her hands on her hips and glared at Bill. It looked she was going to attack him at any moment.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" She asked in mock anger.

A light smile of triumph appeared on Bill's face. "Earlier on you ran into the couch then tripped over your own feet."

The heat rose in Tonk's face making her blush. "W—well the thing is...I just..." she stuttered.

Luckily she was saved the embarrasssment by Mrs. Weasley who came in to announce that dinner was ready. The five of them stood up and walked into the kitchen. The headquarters was rather empty today. Professor McGonagall had come by earlier in the day but left soon after. Remus had gone with her mentioning something about having some business to attend to. Moody had left with Wesley to conduct some business of their own. Mr. Weasley actually came by only to have to leave to deal with a crisis at the Ministry. So that just left the six of them for dinner tonight.

"Alright everyone. Have a seat, the food will be up shortly. Draco not joining us tonight?"

"He had a meeting to attend," Hermione replied.

Molly shivered and shook her head. "I do hate it when he goes to those things. It's too dangerous for someone in his possession."

"It would be more dangerous for him not to go," Bill replied. "Not only would he not be getting anymore information but they would start to suspect him."

"Besides that he is a Malfoy," Tonks replied. "I wouldn't worry about him too much."

"Yes. Draco would not be stupid enough to jeapordize himself or his mission," Luna chipped in.

Though Harry nodded along with her he was thinking something else in his mind. 'I hope that Luna is right. Not that I'm worried about Draco or anything. Not at all. But he does like to brag a bit. If he slips up then we could all be in trouble.'

Draco took a deep breath in an attempt to keep himself calm. He was sitting at a large table in what was obviously a dining room. The dining room was large and lavishly decorated with the colors and emblem of the Slytherin house. The table itself was long with each leg carved like a snake. The cherry wood of the table was painted black and had at least a dozen chairs surrounding it. In each chair was a cloaked member of the Death Eaters. So far the roster included: Voldemort, Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolpus Lestrange, Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Yaxley, Frenrir Greyback, Blaise Zabini and himself. Throughout the entire meeting Draco had been staring intently at his father, trying to get him to look over his way. For his part Lucius ignored his son and paid rapt attention while the others spoke.

"Dolohov," Voldemort requested quietly. His cold voice carried through the room making most of the present members feel uncomfortable. "How has our latest attempt at freeing the others gone."

Dolohov's tense form relaxed with the asked question. "The mission was successful my lord. With the aurors spread across the country side the plan was bound to succeed."

"Where are they now?"

"Wormtail has taken them to the reserve hedquarters," Yaxley replied. "He's filling them in on all of the new happenings."

"...Good." The two men released baited breaths and relaxed in their chairs. "Bellatrix, how are the arrangements for the attack on Kings Cross coming along?"

Draco watched the witches face light up in excitement for her chance to please her master. With her wide eyes and eager attitude it gave her the appearance of a dog trying to please it's master with a cheap trick. It made the young Slytherin sick to his stomach. Wait just one second. Did Voldemort say that there was going to be an attack on Kings Cross! Draco's silver eyes shot up and locked on to Bellatrix.

"The preperations for the attack are nearly complete my lord," Bellatrix reported. "The day after tomorrow anyone on that platform will be killed."

Lucius shook his head as his former sister in law cackled. "Do not forget the main point of the attack Bellatrix," he spat. "The whole reason that we are launching this attack is the hope that it will draw Potter out."

Draco's eyes widened slightly in shock. "Shit," he hissed under his breath.

Snape quirked an eyebrow in intrigue. Over the past few meetings he had noticed a change in the young Malfoy. Tonight he was even more different than he had been in the past. "Is there something that you would like to contribute Mr. Malfoy."

Draco's head snapped up. He glared at his former teacher for a second before shaking his head. "No. It's just a little ironic. You see, Potter has decided to go back to school." In a rare show of obedience he stared directly into Voldemorts crimson eyes. "Your plan will not fail my lord."

A sneer settled on the pale face of the dark lord. "Finally, the snake will ensnare the rat."

After another hour or so the meeting had finally ended. Draco grabbed his cloak off his chair and hopped to his feet. He walked quickly towards the door attempting to be the first one out. He needed to get back to Grimmauld Manor and warn the Order. He threw open the wooden doors and walked out into the lobby. Just before he reached the front door he froze. An icy chill ran down his spine almost making him drop his cloak. He turned around, his right hand clenching in anger. Lucius stood before him looking more smug than her ever had. Draco's left hand released his cloak, letting it fall to the ground. His hand itched to reach out for his wand but he stayed it. Dying to accomplish his goal didn't bother him but he still had a job to do for the Order of the Phoenix.

"Where do you think that you are heading off to my son?" Lucius asked in his deep drawl.

Draco tensed in anger but managed to hold his tongue. Picking a fight here wouldn't be a good idea. "I have to get back to my post. I have a job to do."

Lucius smirked evilly at his son. "Not tonight." Draco's narrowed his eyes, waiting for an explanation. "The dark lord thinks that it would be better for you to stay here. At least until it is time to go back to school." Draco tensed up. A fact that didn't go unnoticed by Lucius. "To keep an eye on you."

Draco's eyes narrowed and his hands began to shake. Did Voldemort know what he had been up to? Even if he didn't he had to get a message to Harry. Somehow he had to warn him of the attack.

The next day at Grimmauld place had everyone set on edge; especially Harry and Luna. Neither of them had heard from Draco since he had gone to his meeting. That's why the two of them were so tense about heading to Diagon Alley today. They weren't the only ones made edgy by Draco's unusual absence. Moody decided that it wouldn't be a good idea for them to go alone today. In fact he was so paranoid that he decided to send Wesley and Tonks with them. So Harry, Luna, Hermione, Tonks and Wesley were walking to their designated apparition point. After about twenty minuts the group made it to an out of the way alley.

"Is everyone ready?" Wesley asked.

Harry rubbed at the back of his neck; his sweater rode down just enough for the beak of his phoenix tattoo show. "I guess we are."

Luna gave him a small smile. She was worried about Draco as well. "I'm sure that he's fine." Harry didn't respond but Luna was sure that he had heard her. Having learned to apparate on her own she stepped into position.

"Okay everyone. Go ahead and go," Wesley ordered. Several audible cracks announced the that the others had apparated. Wesley followed their example and landed in the middle of the group. "Okay everyone. Stay close to us and don't talk to anyone that you don't trust."

"Yes Kings-er-Wesley!" Tonks said in an overexaggerated salute.

Wesley turned to her with a mocking laugh. "Ha ha," he said drolly. "Your a real comedian Nymphadora."

Tonks glared and followed him down the street. She began to mutter very unkind things about her mother for giving her that name. Hermione tapped her two friends and whispered, "These are the two that are supposed to protect us?"

"We heard that!" Wesley called back over his shoulder.

Hermione pulled a face that clearly said 'whoops!' Harry laughed and followed after the two aurors. Luna didn't even seem to notice what was going on as she was too busy looking at the clouds. Something about this annoyed Harry a little bit. He didn't like having people there to watch over him. Nor did he like people being put in danger for his benefit. However, this wasn't something that he would be able to argue with the two of them. There was no way that Tonks would let him go off on his own and Wesley seemed to take his job just as seriously.

"We need to get our robes why we are here," Luna stated out of the blue.

Harry looked at her curiously for a second before her words hit him like a ton of bricks. They had never picked up the battle robes that they had ordered from Madame Malkins. Surely they had to be finished by now! Harry walked up to the front so that he was standing next to Tonks.

"Hey Tonks! I forgot that we need to pick up some battle robes that we ordered from Madame Malkins."

Tonks rubbed her chin in thought before nodding. "Okay. Hey Wes, I'm gonna go pick up their robes. You stay with them while they go to get their books."

Wesley saluted. "You got it boss!"

"Don't call me that! I'll meet up with you guys at Florean Fortesques." The metamorpagus waved to Harry and the others before going off to her destination.

"No offense but you and Bill seem really frightened of her," Harry said.

"Damn right. That girl is really scary!" Wesley exclaimed.

The group walked into Flourish & Blotts and were immediately hit by a sea of people. As usual students were trying their best to obtain their books at the last possible minute. Harry recognized several people that he had seen around Hogwarts but didn't know the names of. Out of the corner of his eyes Harry saw a group of Slytherins that he knew all too well. Harry turned around and immediately started to look at the shelf of books. He was hoping that the new haircut might hide who he was.

Luna walked up next to him so that their faces were almost touching. She stared in the same direction as Harry in a curious fashion. "Harry are you alright?" Luna asked. "Did you see a Snipping Snogar?"

Harry turned and looked on Luna with emerald green eyes. "Luna what are you talking about?"

"You look like you have seen somthing surprising."

Harry shook his head. "No nothing," he answered softly. His eyes shifted noticing the absence of their two companions. "Where did Hermione and Wesley go?"

"Wesley went to go talk to a friend of his." She pointed over to where Wesley was talking to a rather pale skinned girl his age. "And Hermione went to go and buy some new quills."

Harry turned around and ran a hand through his black and green locks. "I just see some Slytherins over there. I'm not too keen on running into them."

Luna didn't even look to where Harry indicated. "How do you think Draco is doing?" She asked nonchalantly.

"You are really worried about him aren't you?"

Luna nodded. "I know that everyone keeps saying his Malfoy blood will keep him safe. But the truth is that he is human just like us. He needs help Harry," she whispered, "he just won't admit it."

Harry sighed and patted her on the shoulder. "I'm sure that Draco is fine. When he gets back we'll give him all of the help that he needs."

"Thank you Harry." Luna gave him one of her rare smiles and he smiled back.

"Well, if it isn't Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood," said an annoying voice.

Harry groaned and turned to look at the unwanted visitors. The group of Slytherins that he had spotted earlier had made their way over to him. At the front of the group was Pansy Parkinson. Pansy was a short, Hard faced Slytherin girl that took up the role of leader when Draco wasn't around. Behind her were two very large boys named Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. What the two of them lacked in brains they more than made up for in muscle. Standing just to the side of them was a weedy looking boy that Harry knew as Theodore Nott. Seeing the clever boy with this group was odd as he usually preferred to keep to himself. Out of reflex Harry stepped forward so that Luna was halfway hidden behind him.

"Wow Potter you actually look halfway decent for once," Pansy sneered. She turned and smiled at Luna in an almost predatory way. "Too bad you are still clinging to the dregs." Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly but Nott remained silence.

"If I was clinging to the dregs I would be with your fathers in Azkaban," Harry remarked snidely. Crabbe and Goyle tried to advance on him but Pansy held her arms out to stop them. "Hm? Sad that when Draco leaves you become the brains."

Pansy's faces contorted into an ugly sneer, which in Harry's opinion wasn't much of a change. "You may be strong Potter but I don't like your odds of four on two." She started to reach for her wand but was cut off by a deep voice.

"I think that introductions should be made in this case." Wesley walked over to the group of teens with a smile on his face. "But the four of you look familiar anyways. I wonder if you all wouldn't happen to be junior Death Eaters." He gave a big smile and pulled his coat away revealing a silver aurors badge. "I could have sworn that I've met your fathers."

Once again Crabbe and Goyle tried to draw their wands. This time though they were stopped by Nott. "You fools wouldn't stand a chance against an auror." He turned to Harry and fixed him with a glare. "I don't like this arrangement," he motioned towards the group next to him. "But I rpomise you will pay for what you did to my father." With that said the young Slytherin walked away.

"You won't have your friend here to protect you at school Potter!" Pansy sneered. She turned around and stalked off, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.

Wesley watched them go with a shake of his head. "Wankers."

"Thank you for your assisstance Wesley," Luna replied.

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I didn't want to start a fight in here."

"No problem. I just didn't know that you were this popular Harry." He checked his watch and shook his head. " Come on. We need to get your books so that we can go and meet Tonks."

Harry watched the moon through the window of the parlor at number twelve Grimmauld Place. After getting their books, robes and making a stop for Wesley they returned to headquarters. It had been hours and Draco still hadn't returned to the headquarters. Harry and Luna were starting to go mad waiting for him to come back. Even Hermione was a little worried about the Slytherin's late return. It was obvious that something must have happened to him while he was at the meeting. Did Voldemort finally figure out what Draco was up to? Was Draco actually double crossing them? Maybe he was dead? Even though Hermione hated Draco none of those thoughts were too appealing to her. Looking at her companions she expected to see the concern on Luna's face. Even as the blond retained her blank look her worry was obvious. What she didn't expect was to see the worry on Harry's face. It looked as though he was worried for the life of his best friend.

"That's it!" Harry cried, jumping to his feet. He grabbed his cloak off the back of the couch and wrapped it around his shoulders.

"Where are you going?!" Hermione asked.

"I have an idea where the Death Eater meetings are. I'm going to go and check it out!"

"I'm going with you," Luna stated.

"No. You are going to stay here."

"Both of you are going to stay here!" Hermione nearly shouted. She jumped to her feet and got in between them and the door. "You two are staying right here. You must be nuts to go and try that!"

"Hermione something must have happened to Draco!" Harry replied angrily. "We have to go and help him if we can."

"You don't even know if anything is wrong," she argued. "And even if you find him how will you help?! The place is probably swarming with Death Eaters! Harry think about this!"

Harry's breathing was becoming uneven as he supressed the urge to just push Hermione aside. Instead he turned around and kicked savagely at the couch. "Dammit!" He turned and sat down on the couch. "I made him a deal," he sighed.

Before Hermione could say anything the fire burst to life. The three teens shared a look and walked closer to the fire. A face started to form in the flames. After a second or two the face took on the appearance of Draco. He looked a little harried but otherwise fine.

"Draco? Are yo alright?" Luna asked instantly.

Draco looked at her and nodded. "I don't have much time. Harry you have to listen to me." Harry nodded. "The Death Eaters are going to attack the platform tomorrow."

"What?! When?!" Harry cried.

"Just before the train is cheduled to leave. Tell the others. Take my stuff and I will meet you-Shit!"" All of a sudden his head disappeared from the fire.

"Draco!" Harry called out to him.

There was some shouting on the other end, then the fire died out. Harry pulled his head back and looked down at the ground. Hermione and Luna shared a glance before turning to look at Harry. The savior had his eyes closed and was making no move to show that he noticed them.

"What are we going to do Harry?" Luna asked managing to keep her voice level.

Harry looked up and stared directly ahead. The embers of the fire reflected in his deep emerald pools. "...We are going to do what we have to do."

The Next Day

Harry pressed himself back against the leather upholstery of the Ministry appointed car taking them to Kings Cross. Arthur had been able to get them a couple of ministry cars to take them to the station. Sitting on either side of him was Hermione and Luna. Hermione looked a little tired and Luna was positively exhausted. She had stayed up all night worrying about Draco. Sitting across from him were Fred, Bill and George. The three redheads seemed to be deep in thought. This was a rare ocrrence for the twins but it gave them a very professional look. Bill leaned forward in his seat and stared straight at Harry.

"Okay, let's go over the plan," he said. "Tonks, Wesley, Kingsley, Moody, Emmeline and Mundungus are all in place." Harry nodded. "Our goal is to get three of you on that train no matter what."

"No," Harry said simply.

"Excuse me?"

"The people on that platform are my schoolmates. I won't run and hide while they are in danger."

Fred smirked and nodded. "Should have known that was coming."

"Chivalrous git can never do what he's told," George added in.

"We're staying to," Hermione answered.

"I go wherever Harry goes," Luna stated firmly.

Bill smirked. "At least I can tell the others that I tried. Just try and stay close to us."

The rest of the ride to the station was spent in silence. As soon as they reached Kings Cross they grabbed their trunks out of the backs of the cars. Harry even grabbed Draco's trunk and handed it to Fred. He pulled Hedwig's cage out and made sure that she was firmly attached to the rest of his stuff. (A.N: Don't ask about where she has been. I forgot about her until now!) The group made their way to the barrier and waited for a second. Bill ran at the solid looking brick wall and disappeared inside of it. Then Harry followed with his stuff, Hermione, Luna and then the twins. As soon as they reached the other side the sight of the Hogwarts Express greeted them. All over the platform students were saying goodbye to their parents. Harry noticed several of their classmates and hoped they wouldn't get caught in the crossfire.

"Okay let's form up," Bill ordered. He and the twins moved into position so that they formed a triangle around the teens. 'It's almost time. Start to move towards the train. If things get bad we have to go."

They started to walk towards the train and Harry took a look at his surroundings. He couldn't see any of the other order members waiting to attack. Maybe that's why they were the ones chosen for this mission. Without warning the sky above them started to darken. Before anyone had the chance to react several wizards apparated onto the platform. All of them were dressed in black cloaks and bone white masks. As soon as they started to draw their wands that's when it happened. The other members of the order appeared seemingly out of nowhere and the battle began.

Curses were flying everywhere making bystanders on the platform scream and move to protect their children. Some of the more experienced wizards and students drew their wands to enter the fray. Harry aimed and took down a Death Eater with a well aimed stunning spell. Not too far away Harry saw his classmate Neville Longbottom duck behind a pillar. The somewhat portly young man had his wand out and was firing into the group of Death Eaters. Harry ducked just in time to avoid being hit by a Cruciatus curse. Bill brought down one of the Death Eaters with a multiple reducto spell. He turned around and threw himself in front of Fred; a bone breaker curse hit him square in the shoulder knocking him to the ground.

"Bill!" George called out.

Fred grabbed Bill by his good arm and pulled him inside the train. "I got him! Stay with Harry! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

George swung around and hit the Death Eater that fired on his brothers. The force of the curse blew the dark wizard into a pillar, knocking him out cold. Harry turned back around and saw that a Death Eater had one of the students by her throat. Harry recognized the girl as Katie Bell. She was a girl on the Gryffindor Quidditch team that should have graduated last year. Abandoning the formation, and calls of the girls, he rushed to his friends aid. Harry ran up on the attacker and gave him a strong shoulder tackle. The force of his attack made the man drop Katie and tumble to the ground. Harry dropped down to check on the girl. She was alive but just unconcious from the lack of air. He tried to pull her up but a strong curse hit him in the back.

Harry fell forward and rolled onto his back with a cough. A very large Death Eater was standing over him. Harry tried to lift his hands up to fire a double attack from his wands. The dark wizard was faster though and placed his foot over Harry's neck. With his right hand the Death Eater removed his mask to reveal an ugly face. A face that Harry knew far too well. Walden McNair stared down at Harry with a sick sense of satisfaction. His lips curled into a hideous smirk making Harry goan in disgust.

"Well if it isn't Harry Potter," he sneered. "How the dark lord will reward me when I deliver you to him. You will always remember the name Walden McNair. Aveda Kedav-ARRRRRRGGGHHHH!"

Harry twisted the dagger in his leg forcing McNair's foot off of his throat. A stunner hit McNair in his side and launched him into the air. The executioner hit the train with a loud thud and fell to the ground unconcious. A hand hovered over Harry offering him assisstance. Harry gathered his wands in one hand and accepted the offered hand with his other. Harry got to his feet and saw a pale young boy with black hair staring back at him. The boy was wearing a haughty smirk that Harry knew all too well.

"Draco?!" Harry asked in shock.

The smirk on the boys face widened confirming Harry's suspicion. "Always saving your life Potter!"

"Bloody good to see you!" Harry shouted over the noise. He grabbed Draco and pulled him aside, saving him from a curse that was aimed directly at his head. Harry and Draco retaliatedby firing a dual bludgeoning curse that hit the Death Eater, sending him skidding across the ground. "How did you get here?!"

"They think that I'm on the train! I'll explain it all to you later!"

"Katie!" Harry and Draco turned around to see George shaking the girl. "Katie get up!"

"Get her out of here George!" Harry told him. "We'll give you cover!"

George nodded. He tucked his wand into his belt and lifted the injured girl into his arms. He turned around and started running towards the nearest door to the train. Harry and Draco ran in front of him firing off curses from both wands. Harry watched Mundungus get up close to one of the Death Eaters and deliver a sharp kick to the head that sent his opponent reeling! Tonks and Wesley were back to back firing curses at any Death Eater that got in their way. Slowly but surely they were winning.

"I got her on!" George called from behind them.

The boys nodded and moved away from the train to take cover. Draco could see Hermione, Fred, and Luna fighting over on the far side of the platform. A Death Eater was sneaking up on them and they didn't even notice it. Draco leveled wand and used his arm to steady it. "Impedimenta!" The bolt of magic burst from his wand and soared right between the girls, ruffling their hair. His aim was true; the attack hit his target dead in the chest. Both of the girls turned to look in his direction and he simply nodded at them.

Harry aimed around the corner and fired off an errant stunning curse. "I think that they are starting to give up!"

"Well we won't find out if we stay behind this pillar!" Draco said. A curse hit the stone near his head blowing achunk out of the pillar. "Are you ready?!"

Harry nodded and raised both of his wands. "I'll go left and you go right!"

As if counting to three in their heads the two teens ran out from behind the pillar with their wands blazing. Hermione ducked behind a pillar to avoid getting hit by a curse. Luna fired off a stunner that hit a Death Eater in the arm. Curses were flying all around her but she didn't move an inch. Realizing the danger that her friend was in Hermione reached out and pulled Luna behind the pillar. Hermione glared at the girl for her lack of preservation skills.

"Are you crazy Luna!" She shrieked. "You could have been killed!"

Luna cocked her head to the side as though in thought. "Who do you think that boy was that saved us?"

Hermione shook her head. "Who knows! Look I think that this is almost over!"

The Death Eaters were backing up towards the edge of the platform. Not only had they been taken off guard by the surprise defense but the combined power of the order members and the students was too much for them. Most of the Death Eaters managed to make it towards the edge of the platform. Without warning they disappeared by means of portkey. The skys above the platform seemed to clear up almost instantly. The blue skys hidden by grey a short moment ago reappeared. Harry and Draco looked at each other and nodded. They raised their arms in the air and tapped the back of their wrists together. This was a major win for their side. This wouldn't go unnoticed by Voldemort or his followers.

End Chapter

Sorry that it took me so long to update this story. Laziness, my job and worrying about money were all factors. Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed and I would really appreciate reviews. Peace!