Harry Potter: Another Chance

Chapter 409: The Last Defenders

Disclaimer: 

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.

I own nothing but the original characters I make.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 409: The Last Defenders

Moments before the attack, Hog's Head Tavern

"Do you have any idea how worried we were? Three whole days without contact!" Remus Lupin paced back and forth, his movements quick and agitated.

"Sit down, Lupin. You're ruining the mood," grumbled Alastor Moody, his magical eye spinning lazily. He took another swig of beer, simply unbothered by the tension that was filling the room.

"Should you really be drinking so much right now?" Kingsley Shacklebolt's deep, calm voice carried an edge of disapproval. "Hogsmeade could be in danger at any moment." This auror had always been a very uptight and correct individual. Seeing his former colleague behaving in such an unprofessional way, was not something he could tolerate.

"Pfft… we're no longer on official duty, remember?" Moody scoffed, slamming his mug down on the bar. "The Ministry's gone, and so's our authority. Now I can drink whenever I bloody well please!"

"Ha! That's the spirit!, and screw the Ministry!. " Abeforth Dumbledore, the owner of the tavern, said laughing and placing another pint in front of Moody.

The group's tension remained palpable until Albus Dumbledore, seated quietly in the corner, finally spoke. His voice was calm but commanding, instantly drawing every gaze in the room to him.

"In any case…" Dumbledore began, his fingers lightly steepled. "Let me first apologize for keeping you all in the dark these past days. But I assure you, it was necessary. At this critical juncture, we could not afford the risk of any information falling into the wrong hands."

Lupin frowned, crossing his arms. "You disappeared without a word, Albus. We were worried sick. Surely you could have—"

"—It was for the greater good," Dumbledore interrupted softly. His tone was tinged with regret.

Not that he planned on telling anyone either. This whole plan was something he still felt deeply ashamed of.

They have caused the death of an innocent muggle in order to deceive Voldemort.

Yes, it was a willing participant. An old actor with a terminal disease had agreed to partake in their ruse, in exchange for a large amount of money to be given to his family after his passing as compensation.

Harry used human transfiguration to make him look like an exact copy of himself and they had they had given him all the information he needed to play a believable part. As well as employ every means they had available to ensure that the muggle could not break character.

Dumbledore did not want to think about how many laws they broke on that day... several of them were even written by him.

But at least it had worked...Voldemort had accepted it completely and now he finally had the confidence to launch a full-on on assault ob Hogwarts, just like Harry wanted.

But when Severus Snape's urgent message warned of an imminent attack on Hogsmeade, Dumbledore had no choice but to act. He may not be able to protect Hogwarts but he could at least do this part.

"I trust you had your reasons, Professor," Hagrid rumbled, his large hands gripping the edge of a table. "Everyone here believes in you."

"I didn't say I didn't believe in him," Lupin muttered. "I just… never mind."

" Is Hogsmeade really going to be attacked?....by You Know Who?" The beer glass ob Mundungus Fletcher's hands was shaking hard enough to spill the liquid everywhere.

"Are we enough to stop something like this?" Lupin asked, voicing the concern on everyone's mind.

The Order's numbers had dwindled. Only eight members were present, and none could afford the losses that seemed inevitable. Dumbledore had refused Molly and Arthur Weasley's offer to join, as they lacked proper combat training and would only add to the casualties.

" No…'He' will not be coming here in person. What we are to face today…I'm honestly not certain, but it will be dangerous nonetheless, even without the presence of the Dark Lord." Dumbledore.

"And who's protecting Hogwarts if you're here?" Aberforth cut in, his sharp gaze fixed on his older brother. "Isn't that your job?"

Albus nodded. "Hogwarts is under the protection of someone more capable than myself."

The room erupted in murmurs.

"More capable than you?!" Hagrid exclaimed.

"Is this about that mysterious 'member' you've never told us about?" Lupin pressed.

Moody's magical eye swiveled toward Dumbledore, scrutinizing him. "Can you at least tell us their name this time?"

"I'm afraid their identity wouldn't reassure you," Dumbledore said, carefully avoiding the truth. If they knew he'd placed such responsibility in the hands of a fourth-year student, chaos would break out. That would benefit no one.

"Always so secretive…" Dedalus Diggle muttered, adjusting his tall top hat. "But you can count on me, as always."

Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Thank you, my friend."

The other members gained a bit more confidence after hearing Dedalus speak.

He was a short man with a colorful suit and a disproportionately large top hat. But despite his size and looks, no one would dare to undervalue him. He was a veteran who fought in the two least wizard wars and had even survived several encounters against the Dark Lord himself.

"Alright then. I'll have a beer before—" Lupin began, but his words were cut off by the sudden, jarring sound of a bell.

The room fell silent.

"The alarm…" Mundungus whispered, his face pale.

"It's time," Moody growled, standing abruptly and downing his pint in one swift motion. "Let's get to it."

"This is madness!" Mundungus protested. "We don't even know what we're up against!"

"Then let's step outside and find out," Aberforth said curtly, unlocking the doors and striding into the night.

Remus was close behind but froze when Aberforth's voice rang out, filled with shock.

"Bloody hell…"

Lupin stepped outside, his breath catching as he followed Aberforth's gaze.

Marching toward Hogsmeade's gates was an army...an endless tide of pale, shambling figures. Their eyes glowed with unnatural light, their decayed faces locked in twisted snarls.

The wind carried a bone-chilling moan, one that sent shivers down Lupin's spine.

An army of the dead.

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