Strength of Love

Chapter 5

The First Wave

"They're almost here," Sirius shouted, running into the room.

Christmas was over. An unfortunately, since then dark activities had been on the increase. Voldemort was out for blood, literally since his defeat, a rather humiliating one, at that by a mere girl, at the Burrow. All the students made it back to school, but it had been close. Thirty Aurors had been killed at the King's Cross Station, on the way back to school, when a rather unprecedented attack of the Hogwarts Express had almost derailed the train, and a fight between the guards and the Death-Eaters had left many injured and dead. Students, however, at the first sign of danger, were as planned in the event of an emergency, immediately locked in their carriages, sealed tight.

It took three hours, before the carriages were unsealed, and the train restarted. Rumours ran wild, and actual information was scarce. There was conjecture that the only reason the they managed to escape unharmed was because Voldemort himself wasn't present at the attack. A rare owl from Snape, who was undercover again, mentioned that the Dark Lord was in recovery. Apparently, the sword of Gryffindor's that Ginny had stabbed him with, had magical properties, and was resistant to the normal healing, leaving Voldemort weak, and rather furious. The attack at the station, he said in the quick letter to Dumbledore wasn't a strategic battle, but one made in anger to capture Harry and Ginny.

Since then, the Order, under Dumbledore, and now with the Minister's approval, had activated an active defence plan. Suspicion ran wildly over the identity of the various death-eaters and fear began to build. Attacks began to occur with regularity, and the Dark Mark was a common, if feared sight among the Wizarding population. Muggles, whose children were wizards or witches were in particular danger and the Aurors were stretched thin trying to make sure they weren't targeted. The Weasleys and other prominent families in the war were sent into hiding or moved to safer locations, from which they could work.

Hogwarts was one of these locations. Due to its immense size, and the wards already protecting it, new towers began springing up, to make place for new arrivals, specifically the members of the Order of Phoenix and their families. It was with regret, and fear that many remembered days gone by, in the last invasion of the wizarding world by Voldemort, of his tendency to use the families of his enemies as torture or persuasion. Despite these new arrivals, however, the school remained the same. In the couple of months since the Christmas vacation, those that moved in were rarely present at Hogwarts itself, but instead out on Order Business or missions of Dumbledore.

It was on one of these such missions that Sirius Black (a newly freed man) and Remus Lupin had just returned from, a mission of vital importance and strategic consequence. An unfortunately the news wasn't good.

There was a silence as the senior members of the Order of Phoenix, whose meeting Sirius and Lupin's entrance had interrupted, took the news in.

Then, a babble of voices rose, as they all began to speak at once.

Dumbledore raised his hand, and it was a demonstration of the power and respect the Headmaster of Hogwarts held, that in the midst of the most powerful witches and wizards there existed on the side of good, all the talking ceased immediately.

"How many?" Dumbledore questioned, the twinkling in his eyes fading slightly.

For a second, Sirius Black's face showed fear, before his expression blanked out, "All of them," he replied, "Azkaban has been deserted."

There was few gasps of horror, "But that's over 2000," Professor McGonagall rarely sounded unnerved, and even rarer panicked. Today was an exception.

"Yes, at least 2200, by last count," Remus affirmed, looking rather unsettled himself.

"They're all coming here?" Bill Weasley asked.

"They'll be here in less than an hour,": Sirius said, his voice carefully blank. Dementors were a sore subject for him.

"But what about the wards. Won't they hold them back?" Charlie Weasley said, rather desperately. He looked at Dumbledore.

"Unfortunately, not with that many Dementors. The wards will take out a possible 25% of them, at best," Dumbledore replied.

"What about Death-Eaters?" Arabella Figg questioned. Everyone looked expectantly at Sirius and Lupin.

"We saw only about 50...maybe a hundred..." Remus started, but was interrupted by the door opening. They all turned. There in the doorway, gasping for breath, stood Severus Snape. They waited impatiently for him to speak.

"He's ordered the first wave," Snape breathed out.

"We know. The Dementors are already almost here," Sirius said, rather disdainfully at Snape. There was no love lost between the two.

"What's his aim?" Dumbledore put in, before an argument broke out, as was likely to happen when Black and Snape were in the same room together.

"He wants Hogwarts. If you lose the school, its the start of the end. The Dementors are under orders to kiss every student except the Slytherins. He wants to take out the next generation of opposition against him."

"Is he coming?" Remus asked Snape.

"No, not for now. He isn't at full strength yet. That's how I managed to get away. He sent some Death-Eaters to oversee, but its just the Dementors," Snape said, glaring at Remus, as if it was his fault.

"What about the prisoners at Azkaban?" Arthur Weasley questioned.

"They're all free. For what's that's worth. They have been recalled," Snape answered. The faces of the Order grew grimmer with each word.

There was silence.

"What about Ginny and Harry?" It was Percy Weasley who gave word to the worry many shared. He was the most recent member of the Order, a former head boy at Hogwarts, a Gryffindor, and more importantly a Weasley. His position, as were all the members of his family, was almost guaranteed, despite his age.

"He expects them to survive. He wants them for himself. He's ordered them brought to him," Snape replied, bleakly. There wasn't much more to say.

"Alright, lets begin to evacuate the students," Sirius said, standing up, eager to begin.

"How many Patronus can we get?" Mrs. Figg asked, practical as ever.

"Don't be ridiculous. There are over 2000 Dementors. Even if we had 10 times as many we would still lose the school. Its best we begin a total evacuation. Immediately," Snape snapped. There was an immediate protest.

"I will not allow the school to be taken. Hogwarts will not be lost. We will fight," Dumbledore said decisively ending yet another argument, "Remus, how many students can perform the spell?"

"Harry, obviously," Remus began, "Ginny Weasley."

"Ginny?" It came from Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and Percy Weasley. They were aware of course, of her membership in the order, as Ron, the twins, Hermione, and Harry were - it was necessary to indict them officially, particular since they were already involved. It wasn't something any of them were happy with, but they had accepted it, with reluctance, especially since Ginny had Dumbledore's full support, and there no one in that room who would dare question him.

"Yes, Ginny. Her Patronus is extremely powerful," Remus answered, and seeing the impatient look on Mad-Eye's face hastily continued, "Ron and Hermione can create small ones, as can the Weasley twins, Lee Jordon, Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet. Three Hufflepuffs, five Ravenclaws and 6 Slytherins can also do it - the extra defence lessons have been helping," Remus finished the list, summarizing when Sirius hit him on the arm to hurry up the process.

"Alright then, Minerva, start the evacuation to the Hidden Chamber. I'll announce to the school. Have the students who can fight to remain in the Great Hall. Sirius, Remus, Bill, Charlie, and Percy make sure the rest of the students are sealed in. Leave instructions with the Prefects and the 7^th Years. Remember we have prepared for this eventuality. Alastor, contact the Aurors. Have them Apparate to Hogsmeade immediately. Meet them at the Honeydukes passage, and escort them into the school, then seal it shut.

The rest of you block all the other entrances. If they are going to invade, they'll have to come in the way we want them to," Dumbledore ordered, and already the Order had sprung into action.

Dumbledore pointed the wand at his throat, "Sonorous!" he said, and immediately his voice was amplified, to echo through every corner of the school, gathering all their attention.

"Students, and teachers of Hogwarts," he said, "Hogwarts is under attack by the Dark Forces. Dementors will be invading the school in little less than an hour. I must ask you all to be calm, and not panic. We will begin evacuating all students to a safe place, at once. Please gather in the Great Hall immediately where you will be led to the safe point. I expect you all to behave in an orderly manner. Be brave," the Headmaster finished his announcement, and with a quick "Finite Incantatem!" his voice returned to normal.

The next few minutes were chaos, if one that held some sort of logic to it. From all over the school, students rushed to the Great Hall, standing in groups that divided their houses. Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs moved closer to the Gryffindors, and the Slytherins formed a separate block entirely. Most of the students faces held fear, but for the most part they seemed unaware of the actual extent of the danger they were exposed to, and having complete confidence in Dumbledore to protect the school. The Slytherins, on the other hand seemed smug. They were ignored.

Professor McGonagall gave quick instructions to the Prefects, before she whispered several incantations, to reveal a huge doorway in what used to be merely a wall. Reeling of at least five passwords, muttered so as to prevent anyone hearing them, resulted in the door silently opening up, into a dimly lit stairway.

The stairway was wide enough for at about 6 people to walk side by side. Immediately the first years, and second years of the various houses were led through the door, prefects shouting orders. Straight after, third and fourth years followed, less hurriedly.

A clipboard, floating magically in the air, at the entrance held a long piece of parchment and quill, scribbling constantly. There was no one holding the quill, but if you got closer to it, you would notice the parchment held a list of names, all of which were being crossed out one by one as the students entered the doorway.

Lupin and Sirius had already begun to gather to them, the students with the ability to fight, or form a Patronus. They handed out huge slabs of chocolate to all the fighters to combat the cold of the Dementors as the group of them stood separately to the side, away from the lines leading to the chamber, where the older Weasley boys were spreading calm and keeping things moving. Professor McGonagall had all the teachers in another corner where she was explaining the situation to the rather terrified teachers, all the while admonishing them to hide their fear from the students.

Chaos, but an organized chaos.

Fifteen minutes later, the sixth years were entering the door, and the 7^th years stood, listening attentively to Dumbledore as he instructed them on how long to wait, and what to do in the event of a loss. Even the Slytherins looked impressed and slightly scared at the responsibility that was been given to them. Madame Pomfrey stood at the doorway, and gave each of the 7^th years a box of chocolate until every last student who was leaving was accounted for, and safe. Dumbledore waved his wand, and the door shut tight and disappeared.

Suddenly the room filled as Aurors from all over swarmed into the Hall, waving their wands, looking determined to fight the threat. Mad-Eye Moody led them, his eyes moving furiously from one end of the area to the other.

It was time. Dumbledore stood at the centre, looking out at all of them, the wave of students, teachers, Aurors, and Order members all standing before him, waiting, scared but resolute.

"The wards are falling as we speak," he began, his voice reaching to the far ends of the Hall. And as he spoke, a coldness began to spread as the Dementors were felt. "We will not lose Hogwarts," Dumbledore continued, and the certainty in his voice reassured them all.

Harry looked around him, and swallowed hard. He glanced once at Ron and Hermione who were standing beside him, as always, and smiled weakly at them. Ron returned the smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. Harry looked down, and saw that Ron held Hermione's hand tightly in his. He would have laughed, if the situation wasn't so serious. His best friends, who so obviously liked one another, no, not liked...loved was more accurate, preferred to keep each other guessing. They rarely admitted their feelings towards one another, and were definitely not ones for any public displays of affection.

He shivered slightly, as the Dumbledore began to speak, and he knew that the Dementors were already in the school. Taking deep breathes, Harry broke of a big slab of chocolate, and as he stuffed it into his mouth, he determinedly pushed back the memories, and screams that already were beginning to sound in his mind.

Ginny Weasley stood on the other side of him. She was there, despite the protests of the twins and Ron, and was the youngest person in the room. He watched as she slowly paled, the freckles on her face standing out. And looking at her, was enough to snap his mind out of it. A fleeting memory of a goodbye kiss floated through his mind, along with the plea to come back alive. Both of them had backed off since then, the microscope they were under at the Burrow, at school, in the wizarding world had been enough of a deterrent to take things slow. It didn't appear to have made much difference though, the picture of them hugging had been seen by everyone, and was graphic in its display of their innermost feelings. Now, however, Harry wasn't thinking about the articles that had followed that first picture or the conjecture that surrounded the wizarding world of their relationship. Instead, he grabbed her hand, both for him and for her. Ginny's eyes turned towards him, as she felt his touch, and he noticed the colour return to her face.

She stared intently at him for a second, and everything else faded away. The cold, Dumbledore's voice, the room. In that second all he could see were eyes. He had missed them. Seeing them up close. Watching the brown's in her eyes swirl with emotions - letting him see into her soul. An epiphany occurred to him in that moment, where nothing else existed except for her. When this was over, he promised himself, he would never let her go again. He was through being scared at the wealth of feelings she created in him. Through being scared at the thought of losing her. Ron was right. Hermione was right. He should grab every moment with her and treasure it. She smiled at him, and he knew, that as usual she knew what he was thinking, like she always did. There was relief in her smile, relief that they could stop the pretence of not needing each other.

The sudden noise of the door opening, broke the spell, and both of them jumped.

Sirius began shouting orders, and all the students who could fight, but didn't have strong Patronus. followed him as he directed them towards the Death-Eaters, who led the way in. Within seconds, the room was filled with spells being thrown back and forth as people fell.

Harry didn't have time to notice that however, as at that same moment Dumbledore yelled, "Expecto Patronum!" ,thus beginning the fight against the Dementors, whose hooded figures glided in. Hundreds of them, all in black. So involved in his feelings for Ginny, Harry barely felt the cold. For the first time ever, he felt capable of dealing with them.

No one had ever seen that many. Some of the Aurors went down immediately, the contact with so many of the Dementors too much for them. Quickly Harry pushed a piece of chocolate in Ginny's hands, leaving her with the promise in his eyes, before they were separated as they both moved to stop the Dementors.

Dumbledore's Patronus., a huge silver phoenix was flying around taking out Dementors upon touch. Other silver figures, most smaller moved in between, all in various shapes.

As the Dementors converged on him, Harry thought of the day Sirius had been found innocent, after Ginny had captured Peter Pettigrew. He held on to the happy memory of the first Christmas they spent together with everyone he loved just a mere two months ago, and yelled as loud as he could, "Expecto Patronum." Out his wand poured the staggering figure of Prongs.

On the other end of the room, Ginny did the same. She pushed back every fear she held, and glaring at the 8 Dementors all reaching around her, she thought of the last Christmas, when the whole family, Hermione and Harry had spent together, with Sirius and Remus. Out the tip of her wand silver sparks exploded joining together to form an unmistakable figure, of a boy, wearing glasses, a lightning bolt on his forehead and in his arms a huge sword. A sword everyone recognized as the one she used to stab the Dark Lord with. Gryffindor's sword.

Fred and George, who were near Ginny, and trying to fight their way through the swarm that surrounded them to get to their sister, watched in shock as her Patronus. swung its sword, and within seconds all the Dementors surrounding her disappeared.

"Figures," Fred said to George, referring to the shape of Ginny's Patronus. He used his wand to stun a Death-Eater near him.

"You're telling me," George replied, as he ducked. The twins fought like how they dealt with life, together, their backs to each other. There was no time for talking as more Dementors closed in on them.

"Nice knowing you," Fred said, his Patronus. flickering slightly, as it lost it convergence with the sheer numbers of Dementors. He didn't get a chance to say anymore as a Dementor lifted his hood. Fred stared in horror as the gaping hole that was the Dementor's mouth moved closer to him. Next to him, the same expression was on George's face. The two backed away, as their Patronus. fizzled out.

Both boys shut their eyes, not wanting to see what was about to happen to them. When after a couple of seconds nothing had happened, Fred opened one eye, to the sight of a Patronus. Harry swinging it sword wildly towards the Dementor about to kiss George. The one that was above him had already been dispensed with.

"Wow," Fred said, looking admiringly at his sister.

"Huh?" George asked, also opening one eye.

"Thought we were goners for sure there," Fred said, "Thanks." Ginny grinned, threw something at the two before swinging her wand and stunning a Death-Eater aiming at Percy, who was fighting nearby. She took of in one direction to fight some Death-Eaters while Ginny's Patronus. moved seemingly of its own accord in another, and Fred and George watched in amazement as it wove its way in and out the fighting Aurors, destroying one Dementor after the other, while they absent-mindedly chewed on the chocolate their sister had thrown. Percy panting slightly, came to stand next to them.

"That's what Professor Lupin meant," he commented to his brothers.

"What do you mean?" George asked.

"That!" Percy pointed to the Patronus. Harry, now on the other end of the room from Ginny, "He said she had a very powerful Patronus.," he answered.

"I can attest to that," Fred said. He turned and began to reform his Patronus., a much smaller one this time.

"Woah, what is it doing?" Bill Weasley asked from behind them. All the Weasleys boys turned to watch Ginny's Patronus. again. It was now jumping on the back of a stag.

"Can they do that?" Percy asked.

"That's Harry's Patronus.," Ron shouted, as he took out two Dementors.

"No," Hermione answered Percy's question, ducking to avoid a stunning spell sent at her from a nearby Death-eater.

"I've never heard of any Patronus. joining with another persons," Remus Lupin stood open-mouthed staring at the stag and its rider who had seemingly gotten bigger, since the joining, and were now riding around in circles taking out Dementors in tens.

"Figures," Fred said again.

"You're telling me," George replied, again.

Dumbledore strode over to the group standing at the edge, regaining their strength, starring at the amazing sight, "It has finally begun," he muttered softly to himself, "Now we have a chance," he said in a louder voice. His phoenix was flying around, one of the few Patronus. left, as the amount Dementors made most of the Patronus. loose both their strength and size, something that was true for all except for Harry and Ginny's Patronus.

"Did she do that?" Charlie asked.

"No, she hasn't even noticed yet," Hermione said, and they all realized it was true. Ginny wasn't facing her Patronus., or Harry as both of them fought Death-Eaters in different corners.

"Get them together," Dumbledore, "Now. There are too many of them, and we don't have enough Patronus. Bring them here now," he ordered, and Ron and Hermione took off in one direction to get Harry while the twins went to get Ginny.

"Clear the way," Dumbledore commanded Sirius, Lupin, and the Weasleys, "We need space," he said. Their Patronus., barely holding up managed together to keep a circle of space open, as Ron and Hermione pushed Harry through. A couple of seconds later Ginny arrived, sandwiched between the twins.

"What's going on?" Harry asked, anxiously as the group looked at him in amazement. Hermione pointed to their Patronus., who was now one of three still holding strong, under the constant barrage of over a thousand Dementors. Dumbledore's. Harry's. And Ginny's. Around the room lit bits of silver light flickered here and there, but the shapes were all lost.

Ginny and Harry looked in shock at the stag, and its rider, swinging its sword, and moving around taking out the Dementors.

"Recognise that?" Sirius asked.

"Did you..." Harry and Ginny both asked, each other at the same time.

"No time. We'll discuss this later," Dumbledore cut in. "We need more Patronus. now," he said, looking at both of them expectantly.

"But..." Harry began, to protest he already had a Patronus. out there.

"Now!" Dumbledore ordered. The two looked at each other, before they both raised their wands and yelled the charm.

To the amazement of all there, except for the Headmaster, more silver slight began streaming out their wands. The two of them hadn't broken the eye contact yet, and as the rest looked on astounded, the silver light began to form new shapes.

First, a beautiful unicorn fashioned, and began to jump around excitedly, taking over the protection of the circle from its exhausted defenders. Ginny, still holding Harry's eyes suddenly smiled, a huge smile, one that transformed her face and held the onlookers spellbound. Than her light formed into another figure, a red-headed, freckled girl holding a wand. The teen girl who they all recognized, ran towards the unicorn, and as the unicorn bent down, she climbed on. Immediately the joined figures began to grow in size before the unicorn took off, joining its mate, the stag.

"More," Dumbledore yelled. And without even thinking about it, Harry and Ginny moved closer together, their hands reaching out, and touching, before their wands exploded out more light.

Around the room, the remaining Aurors, students and teachers fighting started to retreat backwards to the corner where they all stood, chocolate being swallowed hastily. The death-eaters were for the most part, being less in number, already defeated. But the Dementors were too much. Dragging all those injured, and those unconscious, what was left of the fighters moved under the protection of the unicorn and Patronus. Ginny.

Out Harry's wand, in the meantime, a huge black dog appeared, followed immediately by a wolf. Sirius and Lupin smiled slightly at each other. The dog, a Patronus. Padfoot, waited impatiently as the Ginny's wand released a Patronus. Ron, before the two took together. A second later the light surrounding Ginny began to form the two identical figures. The Patronus. Fred and George held clubs in their hands, beaters. The wolf grabbed one by the leg, and recognizing its eagerness, the Patronus. twins grinned identical grins before running of with the werewolf.

Fred and George high-fived each other as they watched proudly as their Patronus. forms beat their way through hundreds of Dementors.

"Can they hold it together?" Arthur Weasley asked. He didn't look as happy as the rest, and instead seemed more anxious.

"They will," Sirius answered, also staring at the two figures, standing close together, one pair of hands holding their wands, while the other pair held on to each other tightly.

"More, Harry, Ginny," Dumbledore demanded.

"Professor," Arthur and Sirius protested together.

But Harry and Ginny didn't seem to have even heard. They were leaning towards each, their intent unmistakable, to the horror of all the Weasley boys. As the two pairs of lips met, a constant silver stream began to flow out their wands, distracting them all.

Within minutes, the two who had yet to be separated, to the disgust of Ginny's brothers, had shaped more patroni. Patronus. Charlie jumped on Harry's Patronus. representation of a dragon, while a Patronus. Bill took off a Patronus. horse. Charlie cheered excitedly as the silver dragon breathed fire taking out at least six Dementors at once.

Harry then created a huge copy of a book, and to the amazement, and laughter of all those present, especially Ron and the twins, the lettering on the book began to form the words "Hogwarts, a History." The book was picked up by a silver Hermione, escaping out of Ginny's wand, who then to their amusement picked up the book and hit several Dementors with it, totally destroying them. Hermione blushed brightly.

The next figure to come out was a huge Percy, looking rather pompous. Ginny's production was spot on, complete with a head-boy badge. In response, Harry created a huge cauldron, leaving the twins in fits of laughter. All Percy had talked about last Christmas was cauldron bottoms being regulation, and they all recognized the joke for what it was. Arthur Weasley hid his laughter in a series of loud coughs, as Percy frowned at him. Bill, Charlie and Ron didn't bother to hide theirs.

"How did they know? They're not even looking at the shapes," Hermione asked, curiously.

No one answered her. They didn't know. But the attention was back to the embracing figures.

"Do you think we can unattach Harry's lips from Ginny before he swallows her whole?" Ron asked, sounding slightly put out. He really didn't need to see his sister making out with his best friend. He wanted them happy, pushed for it actually. But no one needed to see visuals of it.

"No," Dumbledore answered immediately, "The Patronus. requires happy thoughts," his eyes twinkled as he added the next bit, "They're obviously having plenty of happy thoughts currently."

Sirius looked smug, and proud. As did Lupin. Arthur Weasley looked as if he wanted to laugh. As did Hermione. The Weasley boys however did not look amused. Several groans were heard.

"Exactly when did this start?" Percy asked, glaring at Ron.

"About half an hour ago," Ron answered, glaring back.

"Are you joking?" Bill asked.

"Do you remember us telling you anything about it before today," Fred said, "No. I don't think so. You know with all those reports, both of them have been avoiding anything till now. Well then, half an hour ago precisely, Harry decided to kiss Ginny."

"Oh, I think it was a mutual decision," Sirius couldn't help putting in. The glares all turned his way.

"They could have at least given us some warning," Charlie whined. "No brother should have to witness that."

"Trust Harry to make snogging a matter of life and death," George said, somewhat admiringly, "In the middle of a battle, no less." And the others nodded, if a little reluctantly. Harry and Ginny, of course were oblivious.

"That's our Harry," Sirius said proudly. Lupin hit him on the shoulder.

"Speaking of battles, Alastor, the report," Dumbledore ordered, just as Sirius was about to wrestle his friend. Everyone turned their attention the Mad-eye Moody.

"620 Dementors killed by the wards, of the 100 or so Death-eaters that showed up, 20 are dead, and about 75 stunned, we are missing a few, they may have escaped," Mad-eye didn't look happy at the thought of anyone escaping.

"250 or so Dementors were taken out by the Aurors, students and teachers, you, sir have destroyed about 300 with the phoenix, and..." one of his eyes strayed to the still embracing couple, "and...about 1100 Dementors, no wait 1150 were destroyed by the two of them," he continued, and for a minute, even he sounded impressed, "Never seen anything like it before. Still going strong," Mad-eye commented, idly.

He glanced again around the room. The coldness was receding, and all that was left was about 50 Dementors in one corner of the room, enclosed by all Harry and Ginny's patroni. The unicorn and the stag stood next to each other, tall, and strong, an amazing sight, with the rest spread out intermittently.

"We lost at least 40 Aurors," this time his voice sounded sad. Heads bowed in respect to those lost. "No students or teachers though," he paused, and already the mood was lighter. There would be a time for mourning later.

"That's because, those patroni wouldn't let any of the Dementors kiss us," Lee Jordon, said. He looked quite shaken, having escaped a few near misses.

All the students there nodded, "Every time one of them lifted their hoods, those Patronus. Harry and Ginny on the unicorn and stag would come riding in," Angelina Johnson added, "Personally speaking, I have never been so relieved to see them in my life. If they weren't...occupied, I'd hug them right now," she said, giving the couple a rather smug look. Fred groaned.

"My eyes," he said theatrically, and buried his face in Angelina's shoulder, "I've been traumatized for life." Everyone laughed. It was a welcome break.

"About 4 students were injured, they've already been taken to Madame Pomfrey and Molly Weasley. 65 Aurors have also gone to the Hospital Wing, and 6 teachers," Mad-eye finished the report.

Dumbledore nodded, "Alright. We can begin a clean-up immediately. Arabella, start shutting down the place. Take only those Aurors that don't need immediate rest. Harry and Ginny will destroy the rest of the Dementors, and then we can release the students," Dumbledore said, and for next while everyone was busy following orders. Several teachers, still standing went up to the hospital wing to help with the injured.

Cheers broke out as the sword carrying silver Harry swung one last time, taking of the head of the final Dementor, and with it, the room seemed suddenly much brighter, more warmer, and infinitely lighter.

"We can pull them apart now," Ron said triumphantly. He tended to have a one-track mind. Hermione hit him on the shoulder, "Ow, what was that for?" Ron turned to glare at his best friend, and possible girlfriend.

"You leave them alone, Ron Weasley. It took them way too long to get to this point and I won't have you destroying it," Hermione sounded incensed.

Angelina, Alicia, and Katie all nodded fervently in agreement, glaring at the Weasley twins to make sure they did nothing either.

"I think its romantic," Alicia said.

"Romantic! They're snogging to create Patronus. How is that romantic?" Fred sounded genuinely confused. Ron and George both nodded to show their puzzlement as well.

"You are an idiot, you know that, Ronald Weasley," Hermione said, "All of you," she glared at the twins. They shrivelled under her gaze. She had a formidable glare.

"Explain it to me," George said.

"Their patroni joined. All by themselves. Without any control. They all joined together. That means something," Hermione said.

The conversation, interesting though it was for the onlookers, namely Sirius and Remus was interrupted then by all the Patronus. suddenly racing up and surrounding them all, waiting.

"Can we separate them now?" Ron asked, rather testily, aiming his question at Hermione when it seemed clear the Patronus. were waiting to be dissolved.

Hermione glared at him, "Oh honestly, Ron. Give them some space. You know both of them haven't had it easy. Especially with all the press."

For a second Ron and the twins looked a little shamefaced but that passed quickly when they looked up, and saw Harry and Ginny kissing. "Does he have to do that in front of us?" moaned George, not for the first time, "Its bad enough that he never told us how he feels about her, even though we all knew, but this..." and all the Weasley boys looked put out.

"Give him a break, seeing who his friends are, its no wonder he's as dense. He probably wouldn't admit it out loud, like some people we know," the comment came surprisingly from Katie Bell, and with it she gave a rather significant look at both Ron and Hermione. Both of them blushed, and immediately took a step away from where they were standing rather close to each other.

"Besides, Fred, George, if I remember correctly," Alicia put in, "Just this morning I hear you say that at the rate Harry was moving with his not-so-brotherly feelings towards your baby sister, we would all be old and grey before he got round to doing anything."

"Yes, Fred, George . This is all your fault. You're the reason we have to witness this...this..."Ron spluttered.

"Yeah, you just had to jinx it..." Bill began, mock indignantly.

"Great, blame us. He's the one that kissing Ginny," Fred argued.

"Well, we can hardly blame him now, can we. They just saved all our lives," Charlie put in.

The Weasley brothers discussion on who was to blame was forgotten in that second when in a whispered, rather admiring aside to Remus, Sirius was heard making a comment, "Don't they need to breathe?"

His question was irrelevant, because at that moment, both Harry and Ginny leaned back slightly, and rested their foreheads against each other. They didn't break eye contact but seemed to having a silent conversation, that despite their disapproval at having to witness anything whatsoever, the Weasley brothers were loathe to interrupt.

"Does this mean they are a couple now?" Fred said in a loud whisper to George.

"Well, even Harry can hardly go back to Egypt," George replied.

"Egypt?" Bill, Charlie, Ron and Percy all asked together.

"You know the Nile...denial - come on, people," George answered, looking a little annoyed at having to explain it all.

You don't know Harry and Ginny," Ron said, "They're both pretty stubborn. Its beyond me how they managed to watch each other constantly and still avoid being too close for two months."

"That's rich coming from you," Alicia commented, giving Ron a pointed look. Ron blushed. No one there had any doubts at what Alicia was referring to, or rather whom.

"What is it with life threatening situations and the two of them?" Bill asked.

Hermione suddenly grabbed Ron's hand and pointed, drawing their attention to Harry and Ginny's wands where the Patronus. figures were dissolving into silver mist before being drawn, in one continuous flow, back into the tips of their wands which now hung limply in their hands.

"Is it just me, or is that rather cool?" Charlie asked, staring in awe at the sight of Harry and Ginny, still entwined, in a centre of a swirling whirlpool of silver that flowed almost in a waterfall effect back into their wands.

"How did they do that?" Lupin asked, incredulously.

"You're the DADA teacher," Sirius replied, "Aren't you supposed to know?" he grinned at his friend, as Remus glared at him. Then he turned serious (Sorry I couldn't help the pun), "Its never happened before?" he asked.

"No. Not to my knowledge," Remus answered. He sent a questioning glance at Hermione, and she shook her head.

"I haven't read anything like it, but I have a theory," she said. Ron grinned. Hermione always had a theory.

There was a loud rumble, at that moment, and the door which suddenly appeared began to open. Immediately a rush of students tumbled out, all talking excitedly over the events that past. They came to a complete stop as the school took in the amazing sight of the silver whirlpool that Harry and Ginny were. There was complete silence.

Suddenly two gasps were heard, "The Fire Lady!" Parvati breathed out, and at that second Lavender fainted, much to the shock of the crowd. The silence broken, voices rose in amazement. There were the annoyingly familiar clicks of the camera and the Weasleys spotted Colin taking pictures in quick succession, a expression of sheer excitement on his face when he identified the silver cloud as being Harry and Ginny.

"What was that?" Hermione asked, staring at the fallen girl, and the shock on Parvati's face.

"Beats me," Ron replied, shrugging.

"Well, lets go find out. Seeing Harry and Ginny obviously scared them, there must be a reason," Hermione said, pulling Ron's arm.

"That girl said something," Charlie said, looking at his brothers, "Something about fire." He followed Ron and Hermione, curious.

Just before they reached the Parvati and Lavender, a rather panicked Seamus kneeling next to her, Dumbledore appeared.

"I see you and Miss Brown have been reading the prophecies, Miss Patil," he said, his eyes smiling kindly down at her. Charlie, Ron and Hermione eavesdropped unashamedly.

"Yes, professor," Parvati replied, looking nervous. She hadn't spoken to Professor Dumbledore before. "Are they true?" the words spilled out of her, like she couldn't hold them back.

"That's the thing about prophecies, Miss Patil. You rarely know their truth until after they have occurred," Dumbledore replied, "Why don't you take Miss Brown up to her dorm," he suggested kindly, seeing Lavender opening her eyes.

Parvati nodded, and together with Seamus helped Lavender up and walked towards the Gryffindor common room. Professor Dumbledore watched them walk away, before turning to face Ron, Hermione and Charlie. He nodded at them, and to Hermione surprise, gave a very definite wink, before moving away.

"Prophecies?" Hermione said questioningly to Ron, "What prophecies have you done recently in Divination?"

"None with Harry and Ginny in them," Ron said, dismissingly.

"Ron! This may be important," Hermione replied, looking impatiently at him.

"Its Divination. You hate Divination. Always saying its a load of rubbish," Ron said, looking rather confused.

"It is," Hermione said, "But a prophecy. It must be important. Dumbledore knows about it."

"She's right," Charlie said. He'd been quiet till now, observing, "We need to find out about it. You sure you didn't do any prophecies about fire or Harry?"

"No, but the girls are always reading stuff about that. They love Divination...maybe they found something," Ron said, consideringly, looking a little more serious.

"I guess we can just ask them, then," Hermione said, looking a bit disappointed.

Ron laughed at her expression. He couldn't really blame her though, asking Lavender and Parvati about a prophecy would mean having to deal with various I-told-you-so's, it wasn't a pleasing prospect. He was sure Hermione would prefer to research it herself.

"What's going on?" Bill asked, coming up behind them.

"Ginny is in some prophecy, and we...." Ron began, but was cut of by Bill's exclamation, "What?"

"Lavender fainted, and Parvati said something, and Dumbledore winked, so..." Hermione started to explain, and then trailed off at his disbelieving expression, "Well, you had to be there."

Bill turned to Charlie, "You believe this divination stuff?" he asked.

Charlie looked thoughtful, "I think there might be something to it. And I think Dumbledore knows about it, Bill," he said and when Bill still looked a bit sceptical he added, "You have to admit that what happened is unusual. Not to mention the attack at Christmas. She broke the Imperious Curse, and...."

"Okay, okay I get it. There's something about Ginny. But other people have broken that curse, Charlie."

"Not when it was cast by You-know-who, well except Harry, but he's different," Charlie defended.

"So a prophecy, with Ginny...you think Harry is in it as well?" Bill asked, sounding a little more convinced.

"Most likely," Hermione replied, her I-want-to-go-to-the-library face on, "They looked shocked when they saw both of them."

Ron groaned, "Research...right." It wasn't a question. Hermione nodded, and looked impatient to begin. She started towards the Gryffindor Common Room, her step purposeful, no doubts in her mind that Ron was right behind her. She was right. Ron sent his older brothers a helpless look, and a shrug before following her.

Charlie grinned at Bill, "He is so whipped."

"At least he has good taste," Bill replied, laughing.

"True. Too true."

The two Weasley brothers turned back to where Harry and Ginny were separating, rather reluctantly. They smiled and exchanged an amused look, with Sirius when Harry and Ginny noticed their audience, and blushed bright red. Ginny buried her head in Harry's chest, in embarrassment, as his arms automatically went round her, and Harry stared defiantly at the twins and Fred, who were doing their best to look threatening. Percy was more successful than Fred and George, who after 10 seconds burst into laughter.

"So, Harry, mate, something you want to share with us, about your feelings towards out little sister," Fred began. A repeat of an earlier conversation in the Burrow. Harry blushed.

"Or don't tell me, you're just friends, " George continued sarcastically, before Harry had a chance to answer, "Because one should always snog their friends." Ginny blushed. Then both of them glared at the twins.

"Shut up, Fred, George," Harry and Ginny said in unison, and Ginny lifted her head from Harry's chest. She took Harry's hand pointedly, and glowering at her brothers one last time, she began to walk away, Harry following obediently.

"Wouldn't want to make her mad, if I were you," Sirius commented, laughing at the Weasley boys who were looking rather down that they didn't get to give Ginny and Harry hell for making them witness that.

"Another one," Charlie said to Bill. And Bill nodded.

"What?"

"Whipped," Bill answered Percy's question succinctly. Percy winced. Charlie and Bill had described his relationship with Penelope Clearwater the same way.

"You just wait till it happens to you," he said, unconsciously defending Harry and Ron. Charlie and Bill just laughed in return.

"At least our question has been answered," Fred said, smirking suddenly.

"Which question?" Sirius asked.

"About them being a couple," George answered.

"Judging by Harry's expression, I don't think he ever plans to let her go," Charlie said, his expression pensive.

"Besides, they've always been a couple. They just didn't know it," Sirius replied. Remus nodded in agreement.

"And now we have fabulous material to work with," Fred announced, and with that the two of them took off after Colin Creevey to commandeer some pictures.

"Back to normal," Remus said to Sirius.

"Back to normal," Sirius replied, "We'll have to watch out though. This is the second attack that has failed. He won't take it well. I have a feeling things are only get worse from now on," he looked sombre.

"We still have Hogwarts. We're alive. Harry is alive. We'll beat him," Remus replied, determinedly, and Sirius was reminded of a scene more than 15 years ago, that was similar, but where James had said those exact words.

"Yes, we will," Sirius smiled, "For James and Lily."

"For James and Lily." Remus agreed. And it was a vow. One they meant to keep.

TBC