There was no way to apparate within the castle grounds. The risk of getting stuck in the sluggish enchantment on the stairs was not one either Harry or Gwen was willing to take. So they sat in Dumbledore�s office trying to think of some way to alert the others to the presence outside and the well laid plans from below.

�If we could get a hold of an owl.� Harry mused.

�That would be fantastic, but�� A thought occurred to her and her eyes grew big. �I can fly over the stairs and it might not affect animals. I can�t believe I didn�t think of it before.�

�Think of what?� Harry asked.

�I�m an animagus Harry. I can turn into a swan.�

Harry smiled. �It�s brilliant.�

�I only hope it works. I�ll try and find Dumbledore and then I�ll see if we can get you down.� Without another moment wasted she transformed before his eyes and become the snowy white swan with the tiny star etched in her breast. She took to flight without hesitation and floated down the stairs with ease. Perhaps if she could get a broom to Harry he could fly over it as well.

She did not find Dumbledore, but she ran headlong into Minerva and while returning to her human-like self began a detailed account of what she had seen and felt and the staircase conundrum. Minerva nodded as if she were not truly surprised by the transpiring of these events. �And you have not seen Professor Dumbledore?�

�Neither hide nor hair.� Gwen replied. �But we must do something, with or without him.�

Minerva appraised the young woman slightly. She had remembered very well her god-daughter�s determination and courage, but she had never seen it in play. She nodded brusquely as Gwen turned away. �But first thing�s first. I must get Harry down that staircase.�

It was as easy as she had assumed. She found a broom quickly enough, tied it so that it would hang from her neck and not strain her wings. She floated it up to him and he floated down with her, still in swan form. They met Minerva in the Great Hall, stopping short to listen. She was explaining something to the wizards and witches gathered and they were all very rapt.

Gwen recognized that stature, the tone of voice she was using. She was delivering an address to her troops.

The war was on.

To be Continued in Episode One Hundred and Two