They had decided that with Neville and Harry's birthday's being back to back they would have a private party for Harry in the morning and a bigger one for the both of them in the afternoon.
"Good morning my dear." Hermione purred snuggled next to Harry when their alarm went off.
"Hello." He said happily.
"Well you're fourteen. So how do you feel?"
"No different I guess. How do you think I feel?"
"Well I guess I'll have to explore to make sure." She said with a chuckle sliding under the sheets.
===xxx===xx
The Potters joined Ginny and the Grangers an hour later very happy. Ginny rolling her eyes at them both. "Good morning mum, dad." She said.
"Yes it is Ginny. Yes it is." Harry said giving her a kiss on the top of her head as he joined them at the breakfast table.
"Mom already gave you your gift. But here's mine." She said handing a small wrapped package over to Harry with a grin.
Harry took it with a slight blush, "Yeah. Uh thank you Ginny." he opened the package to find a fountain pen with a gold snitch that flew around the casing.
Giving her a hug he smiled brightly, "Thanks Ginny. This is neat."
"Grampa helped. We got it in Hogsmeade."
"Cool."
The rest of the morning went very well with the Granger's giving him a tie that was supposed to be utterly food, stain and drink proof.
They relaxed and chatted a bit before it was time for the combined party.
===xxx===xx
The party was held in the Great Hall with Minerva's permission. Neville and his Gramma had come, Lavender and her parents, Luna and her father, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot showed up with Hannah's mother. Susan apologized but her aunt had official business come up and Hannah's father had to run the pub. Seamus, Dean, and the Patil twins were the students who showed up.
The Grangers, Professor McGonnegal, Flitwick and Francis Muldoon rounded out the party guests. There was some good food and some party games which the teens enjoyed.
The party was mostly over when Madam Bones entered. She was walking with Auror Moody and it was hard press to tell who was grimmer.
Dan walked up to greet them, "Hi guys. Whose dog died?"
"I'm afraid I am not entirely in a joking mood Mr Granger." Madam Bones stated.
"Oh. So this is official?"
"Perhaps. May we speak with Harry in Private?"
"You can try but I think you'll have a few witnesses." Dan said with a shrug as Hermione and Neville followed Harry over to to see what was going on.
Looking at the crowd who were all watching her she sighed, "Very well. We received a memory crystal earlier today. After confirming that it was safe and not trapped we looked it over and you may find it of some great interest."
"Well lets retire to the pensieve then." Harry suggested.
===xxx===xx
Putting the memory into the pensieve they gathered and took a trip within. Looking around they saw the drawing room of a grand Manor House. The room appeared to have Lucius and Narcissa sitting entertaining a few others that Harry didn't recognize. Daphne and her sister were dressed to impress and circulating among the crowd with Draco. At one point they stopped to admire a display case with several antique looking dishes and goblets. One the girls seemed to linger their focus on. An older goblet made of heavy gold sat on a shelf by itself. The glass etched with a circle of runes around it.
The goblet had a large badger embossed into the side that was chased with silver. Rubies and Amber were inlaid along the rim with two handles in the shape of sheaves of wheat.
"Is that what I think that is?" Hermione gasped.
"If yer thinkin that's Hufflepuff's cup then ye'd be right." Moody growled.
"Out in full display like any other common trinket." Neville observed.
"Yeah in the middle of the Malfoy's drawing room, in the middle of their manor house in the middle of their estate surrounded by their friends." Hermione frowned with her arms crossed.
"Okay so that is a big problem but not insurmountable right?" Harry said looking at the Auror and head of the DMLE.
"No technically not insurmountable. Fortunately they do not have a large group with them, the biggest problem is they have not broken any laws at the moment." Amelia said unhappily.
"We can't even make something up to get in there. A memory crystal ain't legal evidence."
"That's an ancient artifact of the school. Couldn't you do something under the antiquities act?"
"That's a muggle tool for dealing with lost antiquities, if its owned by someone and they can show its a family heirloom there is nothing the Ministry can do."
Neville nodded, "And as old and inter-mingled as families are proving it isn't an ancient family heirloom might be a problem."
"So what are you suggesting we break in there, steal it and get out again?"
Madam Bones and Moody shared a look before she said quietly, "As you are aware the prophecy states that you are the one who will vanquish him. Not us. Under the Emergency Powers Act the prevention of the rise of The Nameless One would allow a great latitude in resolution of this."
"So in other words you expect us to sneak in, get the cup, destroy it and get out. Students who have not even had our fourth year of schooling yet? How wonderful." Hermione sarcastically declared.
"Missy yer probably as skilled as some of the cadets comin outta Auror academy. So don be given me that guff." Moody glared at Hermione.
Madam Bones frowned, "Not alone. As I said the Emergency Powers Act gives us a great deal of latitude for dealing with situations like this. We can assist you in this, we cannot take the lead as that interferes in the prophecy. However when this cup is destroyed the threat from," She paused at the disapproving expression on Harry's face, "Voldemort is over."
"So if we sneak in and destroy this cup you'll have our backs?"
"Aye that we will. We've got enough evidence we can take out the Death Eaters in one fell swoop. We've just been waiting for them to assemble. It looks like most of the free Death Eaters are at the manor so they're getting ready for the big show. We just are not sure when that will be."
"It will be tomorrow." Luna said with some firmness.
"What makes ye so sure o that?" Muldoon asked.
"Tomorrow is Lughnasdagh. The Pagan festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season. The weakening and dying of the god and goddess before their rebirth at the closing of the year." She said like it was plain as the nose on their face.
Muldoon scratched his head, "Well I must admit I'm not as up on me Irish Mythos as I should be lass but are ye certain that a group who fears Death would want ta be associated with a holy day that marks the end of the summer?'
Luna nodded vigorously, "Yes. Voldemort is the only one who actually fears death. His followers embrace it, as in death to those who they oppose. The blood supremacy movement would embrace this as in the ancient days the blood of sacrificed animals was used in the rituals to prepare the fields for fertility the next year. Father and I still follow many of the old ways so I know what I am talking about."
"I never meant to imply ye didna lass. Jest wondering if the Death Eaters know that too." Muldoon observed.
"It fits with some of their perverted ideas. Why he chose certain days to be a lot more active on." Moody agreed.
"So how much time do we have?" Harry asked.
"Well the preparations for the ritual would be going on right now. With the animals and grains and such gathered and prepared. The main bonfire rituals will begin tomorrow at sunset. As this is a harvest festival, if it was a fertility festival they would occur at dawn."
"And you're certain they need to perform this ritual ONLY at this day."
"Draco told Harry that it would be done this summer. As they already missed the summer solstice, which was in June, this must be it. Holy days like this channel more magical power into certain sites. That power is then used to fuel rituals. Bringing a shade like Voldemort back into a corporeal body must require a great deal of magical energy. That could be achieved through blood sacrifices. Muggle blood would not suffice as they do not have the magical energy within their blood we do. Have there been any mass disappearances?" Luna asked quickly.
"No there haven't been." Moody said.
"And as they care about their own lives far too much to sacrifice themselves, even for their Dark Lord they will use the extra power granted by this day and no doubt some animal sacrifices to perform the ritual."
"There was a herd of sheep that vanished from a Dorset farm just south of there. The Hoggett's claim is for 50 some sheep gone in the middle of the night and no sign of them." Moody stated looking at his notes.
"That would be the animals required." Luna mused, "So yes. I would say with absolute certainty that we have until tomorrow at sunset."
Muldoon pulled a pocket watch out and consulted it. He snapped it shut with a sigh, "Well its about four in the afternoon now, and with sunset tomorrow in Wiltshire being at 8:56 according to Greenwich that gives us about sixteen hours to prepare and act."
Hermione made an annoyed grunt then stepped closer to the display case, "This case is no doubt warded and protected by itself, then there is a circle of runes etched into the glass itself, and the cup probably has wards and protections on it too. And that's after getting into the room which has no doubt got its own protections. We are going to need some more intelligence on this."
"Dobby!" Harry called out.
Hermione raised her eyebrow at him, "I said intelligence Harry."
"Exactly. Dobby worked there before I hired him. He knows the house inside and out. Even if they changed things he would know what changed. He could be a real big help."
Hermione seemed to consider it a minute, "If he agrees. Not because you ordered him to."
"I promise Hermione. I'll give him the option but with something this dangerous we've all got the same level of risk."
"Aye but it'll determine what sort of world you leave to yer little girl." Moody said earnestly.
Hermione gave him a brief glare but nodded slowly.
===xxx===xx
Coming out of the pensieve Harry and the others started planning. Calling Dobby into their circle to explain the situation and give him the option to help.
"This will help put old masters in trouble?"
"With your help yes Dobby." Hermione, "But you are not being ordered to do this. We're asking you."
"Dobby wants to help. Old Masters were bad masters. They hurt Dobby and hurt others. Dobby cannot tell secrets of Old masters but if shows Harry potter and family the way to find secrets that will not make Dobby hurt."
"So how will we get in to do this?"
"Dobby still knows many secret ways the elves use." Nodding earnestly.
"So should we go tonight or wait for daylight?"
"We need to have more intell. I hate going into things blind." Moody grunted.
"Dobby can bring information. Dobby still has friends in the house."
"Would they be able to help us? Wouldn't their bindings to the Malfoy's prevent it?"
Dobby gave a strange feral grin and said, "No Harry Potter sir. They are not bound to the old masters. They will help. Dobby can go bring them here to talk to Harry potter and his family."
Harry looked around and Moody nodded, "If he can do that then it is a fine idea."
"Yes please Dobby we need to know more about what we are facing." Harry said to the elf who popped out.
"I hope he'll be okay." Ginny sighed.
"I'm sure the little guy will be." Dan agreed.
A few moments later Dobby popped back in with a painting about the size of a small book. In it was the image of a man with a small mustache dressed in regal but ancient looking clothes.
"Hello. What's this? Dobby said there was some people he wanted me to meet then brought me here." The main said with a strange accent Harry didn't place.
"Uh well Hello. I'm Harry Potter and this is my family and friends." Harry said introducing the various people.
"Ahh. It is a pleasure to put a face to the name I have heard bandied about so freely, and with great vitriol I must add. Allow me the great pleasure of introducing myself. I am Armand De Malfoy. The progenitor of the Malfoy family line." He gave as much of a bow as his frame would allow.
"Really? You're willing to help us?" Hermione gasped in disbelief.
The picture laughed heartily, "Young miss I have hung on the wall of the Malfoy Great Hall since I built the mansion. I have watched this family fall down into a pit of disgraceful, dishonorable vipers. This latest head of the family is a disgrace that if I were not mere paint and memories would challenge him to a duel to the death."
"But seriously. Your name means bad faith. How can we trust you?" Hermione frowned at the painting which was sitting on an easel so everyone could see him easier.
Laughing again, "Madam your french is quite well but your reasoning and knowledge fall far short. I took the name of Mal Foy as a way of snubbing my nose at the Pope. That ignorant gassy pants fool Anselm Baggio became pope and demanded I renounce my pagan ways. I joined William and invaded the English lands rather than do so. Becoming his royal wizard for a time. As a reward he gave me some land to rule in Wiltshire. Found me a plump Saxon woman to take as a wife and settled in to grow wine and pigs and enjoy my pagan ways in happiness."
"So you don't believ ein blood purity and magic supremacy?" Emma asked from across the room?"
"Madam. I believe in the supremacy of magic indeed, as it is as factual as breathing. Do I believe it makes a person better or worse no. And most assuredly not after having seen what my descendants have become. They have, what is the word that chap, Darwin, yes Darwin, invented. Going from apes to humans?"
"Evolution?" Dan suggested.
"Ahh yes that. They have gone backwards becoming jackasses." The painting earnestly nodded to the chuckles of many.
"So what can you tell us?"
"I had the manor house built, over the years a great many additions have been made. However they forgot about a great many of the old tunnels I had built. You see when you make an Italian pope angry who has friends among the Germanic houses of Hessia you learn to sleep with an eye open and a wand close to hand. But always keeping a tunnel open to flee down." He sagely advised.
"I see. So we can sneak in one of these tunnels?"
"Oh yes. There are several to choose from. They extend outside the boundaries of the wards and I know for a fact that they have been forgotten about."
"Oh and how do you know that."
"Dobby is friends with Armand. Armand would talk to Dobby as the way Harry Potter talks to Dobby." The elf said happily.
Harry did notice the frame seemed polished and well taken care of.
"So you had Dobby explore the tunnels?"
"Oh yes. I figured at some point the family would make a big enough enemy that someone would come to take them out of the picture and I wanted to be ready to help. Too bad that Voldemort fellow didn't have the effect I had hoped." The painting looked sad for a moment, But on the other hand You look like a fine sort. I had a yeoman you remind me of. He could take a bird in flight at 200 yards young man."
"I've not tried that but I'm pretty good with my wand." Harry said.
"Well good enough indeed. Although as I told William strength with a wand is not enough. One still must keep strength of arms. Lest we allow our kind to become weak and lazy. That fellow Godric I met agreed with me on that."
"The history." Hermione whispered. Harry took and patted her hand, "I think there will be plenty of time to discus things once we get the battle finished." He said.
"Yes yes. Always must focus. Now I presume you have brought me here to speak councils of war and defeat them before this big ritual they have talked about."
"Yes sir. Do you know any details?"
"No. My painting is in the Great Hall or central gallery. I only hear them as they pass through from one part to another speaking. I know they are going to perform a ritual tomorrow. They are going to use the ritual circle on the grounds to do it but nothing more of the specifics."
"How many are there?"
"I would say probably a score and five. No more than that." The painting had thought for a moment. "I have seen that many pass in the last week. Though only a few are staying in the house."
"Well given how many Death Eaters we have locked up that sounds about right for how many are left walking free." Moody looked at Muldoon who nodded.
"Aye Al. So Missy Lovegood when will they all be gathering for the ritual?"
"Probably after lunch tomorrow. Not all of them will be required for the preparations but they will no doubt want to be there to show their loyalty when their lord arrives."
"No doubt. So we'll set tea time tomorrow for the operation to begin. That sound good to ye Mister Potter?" Moody was speaking to Harry as an equal and not a child he noticed. This made him gulp but nod and say, "Lets talk to Armand a bit more about how the place is laid out."
===xxx===xx
Later that night laying in bed with Hermione Harry stared at the ceiling. Sleep was a million miles off as he kept running over scenarios and plans.
"Harry tomorrow is going to be a big day you're going to need your sleep."
"I know. I just can't help but keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong."
Hermione snuggled closer to him, "I know. But we'll not be doing this alone. We'll have help. The adults will go in and deal with the Death Eaters so all we have to do is get to the cup and destroy it."
"You make it sound so simple." Harry sighed.
"If I don't then I'll start over thinking it and get worried and spend the entire night awake. not getting any sleep and then not being ready and able to help you and support you in this. And if I let you go in there without me then who knows what might happen." Hermione stated smugly.
"I'm still not very happy with you coming along."
"Try and keep me from not going and see what happens." Hermione said threateningly.
Harry chuckled, "I wouldn't really think about it. But That still doesn't mean I'm going to be happy about it."
"I know. I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if Dumbledore had been a good person and taken care of this. If he hadn't been. Hadn't been the sort of person he was." Hermione sighed.
"We probably would have had a quiet, normal, simple life." Harry considered the thought then laughed, "nah. Somehow I get the feeling that no matter what our life would never ever be normal no matter how many worlds we went to in a blue box."
Hermione kissed him, "Maybe. Who knows, so you know what that means?"
Harry looked at her curiously.
"It just means we have to make the best of this one."