Chapter 42

“…There’s no other way.”

Anne sat up straight, one hand pressed to her abdomen. Her sudden voice startled the three people in the room.

“No other way?” Ron asked.

Anne spoke in another language, her tone powerful and solemn.

The three of them exchanged confused glances.

Anne explained. “It means: we burn our boats, fight with our backs to the river, and live only by defeating death. In short, the situation is desperate, but there’s still one chance.”

“What chance?” all three asked at once.

“A gamble,” Anne said, eyes narrowing. “Ron, go get Uncle Aaron and Grandpa Orlens. Hermione, bring me my wand.”

Ron hurried out.

“Anne?” Hermione looked at her, frowning. “Orlens said last night you can’t use too much magic.”

“This is the only chance we’ll get,” Anne said firmly.

Hermione hesitated but went to the coat stand where Anne always kept her wand.

The door opened again. Aaron, Orlens, Ron, and Diana entered together.

Ron looked uneasy.

Diana’s eyes fell on the wand in Anne’s hand. “I believe I have the right to know what the sole heir of the Roland family plans to do.”

She emphasized the word sole.

Anne pressed her lips together, then nodded slightly.

Ron closed the door.

“We’re facing an extremely delicate crisis,” Anne began, raising her wand toward the Order of the Phoenix’s seal. “I’ll keep it short.”

Aaron lifted his vice-president’s token. The defensive wards around the house flickered, the alert level dropped to C.

“C-level alert? Anne?” Aaron asked in confusion.

“That way every member holding an Order of the Phoenix token, no matter their rank, will receive a message from the president,” Anne explained. “Aaron, for those without tokens, you’ll contact them directly. Have all members gather near Hogwarts Castle.”

“What? Anne, that whole area’s crawling with Death Eaters!”

“I know.” Her voice was calm. A piece of parchment bearing the Phoenix emblem flew to her hand. Silver light streamed from her wand tip as she wrote.

“S-Class Mission: The Battle of Hogwarts?” Aaron read aloud from the token, shocked. “You’re declaring war?”

“What?” Everyone in the room cried out.

“It’s not that I want to. It’s that this battle is inevitable, and right now is our best chance!” Anne didn’t stop moving her wand. Finally, she signed her name, pressed the seal, and a flash of crimson phoenix light streaked across the parchment. Every branch of the organization would now receive the written order.

“An S-Class mission scroll? Anne, you’re mobilizing the mercenaries too?”

“All of them,” Anne confirmed. “Grandpa Orlens, I’m sure you brought some of tea. Hand it over.”

Diana frowned. Orlens studied her carefully. “Anne, are you certain?”

“As certain as I can be! We don’t have time to hesitate.”

Anne threw back the blanket and tried to stand. Hermione rushed to steady her. “What’s tea’?” she asked.

“Anne, don’t tell me you’re planning to fight in the war yourself?” Diana said sharply.

“Aunt Diana, I have to fight,” Anne said, straightening up with Hermione’s support.

“What?” “No way!” “You can’t!” Aaron, Hermione, and Harry all shouted together.

“Anne, that’s enough!” Aaron was first to speak. “You just declared a war, and now you’re going to fight in it? Do you even know what you’re doing?”

“I do. That’s exactly why I must,” Anne answered, meeting his eyes. “The Order of the Phoenix is on the verge of being torn apart. Voldemort controls the Ministry and the wizarding world. The only reason we’ve lasted this long isn’t just because of our own strength, it’s because he’s been focused elsewhere. He’s arrogant enough to think we’re a nuisance, especially after Dumbledore’s death. But after the last attack on the Society’s leader, he knows we’re a threat.”

“If things go on like this, the Order of the Phoenix will fall apart within five months, maybe less if he decides to wipe us out instead of wasting time crushing Muggle resistance.”

Aaron’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Worse still, he doesn’t yet know that the Order of the Phoenix has been sheltering Muggle-borns and blood-traitors, protecting Muggles, and hiding their identities. Once that’s exposed, you know what will happen. You’re the vice-president, you know how many will die.”

She paused for a breath. “And now he knows about Dumbledore’s S-Class mission, the one that tells us how to kill him.”

Aaron’s face went pale with shock.

“Yes,” Anne said quietly. “That’s right. Dumbledore gave us the key to destroying him, and now Voldemort knows. So this war isn’t a matter of if, it’s when. And this, right now, is the best moment, before we’re destroyed piece by piece.”

“But killing Voldemort, that’s our mission,” Hermione said, her voice firm. “You promised not to interfere.”

“I said I wouldn’t join you in finding or destroying the Horcruxes,” Anne replied, steadying her breath despite the pain. “But this is war.”

Her face turned pale; Orlens immediately handed her a small bottle of black potion.

“Anne,” he said grimly, “you’ll have eight hours. Maybe less.”

“That’s enough.” She checked her watch and drank it in one gulp.

“The Roland family will fight,” Diana said coldly.

Aaron looked stunned.

Anne nearly jumped to her feet. “No!” she protested.

“I’m still head of the family,” Diana said. Amber eyes met amber eyes; sparks seemed to fly between them.

“We’ve fought in two wars already,” Anne argued softly. “We’ve done enough. We’ve saved enough people. We don’t need to step onto the battlefield again.”

“If the sole heir is on the battlefield,” Diana countered, “I see no reason the family should stay behind.”

Anne exhaled sharply, thinking fast. Finally, she said, “Then we compromise. The family joins, but I decide how.”

“Fine,” Diana agreed. “But my armor goes to you.”

“Mine too!” Hermione said instantly.

“And mine,” Aaron added.

Anne stared at the three of them, people she loved most, the ones she most feared losing. Love, friendship, family, she had found all of them in this world.

“I’ll take Diana’s,” Anne said finally. “But not yours, Aaron, Hermione. You’re needed on the front lines. I can’t risk you. No more arguing, we’re short on time. Hermione, Ron, Harry, grab what you need. We’re Apparating to the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade.”

“Aaron, have all Phoenix members assemble outside Hogwarts’s defensive perimeter. Once I give the order, move them in groups through the Hog’s Head. We’ll gather in the Great Hall.”

Aaron frowned. “I thought all the secret passages were sealed. There’s still a way in?”

“There’s one left,” Anne said. “I found it recently, but it’s unstable.”

“Anne,” Hermione said seriously, “I still don’t see why you have to fight.”

“There’s a reason, and it’s important,” Anne said quietly. “Haven’t you wondered how I managed to escape the ambush? Four Death Eaters. I was injured, cornered, and I killed all four.”

“What?” Ron gaped. “You killed four Death Eaters? You’re sure?”

Hermione blinked, speechless.

“A secret weapon,” Anne said. “Something Dumbledore gave me, something I can only use as a last resort. Feel more confident now?”

The Order of the Phoenix’s seal flared to life. Anne glanced at it and smiled faintly. “Looks like Hogwarts is almost ready to give us one hell of a show. You three wait outside, I need a word with Aaron and Diana.”

Harry, Ron, and Hermione left. Hermione turned back at the door, worry written all over her face.

“Aaron,” Anne said once they were gone, “go to the assembly point. Tell everyone to stay calm. When they’re all gathered, move in waves to the Hog’s Head. Once inside, meet me in the Great Hall. I’ll explain everything there.”

“Anne… is this truly the only way?” Aaron asked.

“At least it’s the best I can see,” she said firmly. “If we wait, more people will die. Honestly, most of them are already itching for a fight. Moody’s been dying to go on the offensive, hasn’t he?”

Aaron gave a short laugh and nodded.

“Aunt Diana,” Anne turned to her, “the Roland family can’t all go to the front, especially not you. You’ll return to the Ministry and take two-thirds of the family’s fighters with you. Here’s a contact token. When Voldemort draws most of his Death Eaters toward Hogwarts, you’ll strike from within. If Hogwarts holds, we hit them hard. If not, we destroy as much of their strength as possible. At the very least, let’s make them lose a few teeth.”

Diana gave her a sly smile. “Are you suggesting… sabotage?”

Anne grinned. “Call it creative demolition. Tonight, you can start with that ridiculous statue in the Central Hall.”

Orlens chuckled, clapping her on the shoulder. “Didn’t think I’d live to see the day, little Anne. You’ve outdone your grandfather! Hah! Makes these old bones want to fight again!”

“Please don’t,” Anne laughed. “You’re my last line of defense. I’ll need someone to patch me up afterward. I’ll be back at the safehouse in seven hours, promise.”

Orlens nodded solemnly.

“One more thing.”

Anne flicked her wand. A small oak box, carved with intricate runes, floated from her bag. Inside were six thumb-sized glass vials, half-filled with shimmering golden liquid.

She handed two of them to Aaron and Diana.

“Felix Felicis,” she said. “It took me a lot of effort to get these. Each one lasts four hours. Drink it when you think you’ll need it most. With the luck we’ve had lately, we could use a boost.”

Diana unfastened her armor and handed it to Anne. Anne put it on, then pulled her aunt into a hug. Diana kissed her forehead. “Come back safe.”

Anne nodded. Aaron followed with a hug of his own. “Anne,” he said softly, “I’m proud of you. Always have been.”

“Thank you, Uncle Aaron.” She grinned and kissed his cheek.

She slipped on her grey cloak, her earpiece, rings, and glasses. By the time she stepped out of the bedroom, the three others were waiting.

“Let’s go,” Anne said with quiet confidence. “Destination, the Hog’s Head Inn. I’ve already sent word ahead.”