"Payback's a bitch," stated Cho flatly, "and that should be reason enough to go along with this plan."
Eddie sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I dunno, we could get in a lot of trouble with the Ministry for this."
"That's why we're here," replied Sturgis as he and Gawain exchanged a look. "But the lady's right. Payback's a bitch--and if anyone deserves it the followers of Voldemort do."
Cormac shuddered at the mention of the Dark Lord's name but nodded his head. "I gotta agree. Death Eaters have been roaming around killing off innocent people--it isn't right. It's time they had a little taste of their own medicine. I'm in."
"Aw hell," said Kenneth with a sigh. "I'm in too. You can't keep me from getting in on breaking down Whats-His-Face's army. This is to help our side win, right? So why not?"
Cho nodded. "We've all lost someone dear to us--we can't let it happen to any more people. The Weasley Twins have their own little resistance going--they're hiding those in danger of being killed by Death Eaters. That's how they found me--but I don't want to hide. I want to fight."
The ground looked up as Aberforth joined them, lighting up a pipe as he did so. "You ever consider what you're gonna do with those families once you get 'em?" he demanded gruffly.
Gawain shrugged. "Hold them captive for now I suppose."
Aberforth shook his head. "That's what they'd expect you to do. You need to surprise them. Get some information outta those family members--scare 'em so that should they ever return to their families they ain't gonna want to join up with any followers of Voldemort in the future."
"Followers?" repeated Eddie.
Sturgis sighed. "It's possible that even after Voldemort is taken out that another will step up in his place. We don't have any idea who the likely heir could be, but it's a very real possibility."
"Then let's make sure that doesn't happen," murmured Cho, her voice sharp with anger. "If we do this we do it all the way--we make sure there's no left to pick up what Voldemort has started."
"That's murder," pointed out Kenneth after a moment.
"Sometimes you have to do things you aren't proud of," replied Sturgis in a low voice.
TICK TOCK, Time is Running Out