Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N This will be a short story in five chapters, taking place in August 1997. I wrote it to explain Colin's presence at Hogwarts in DH before I read JKR's explanation that he sneaked in when Neville summoned the DA. As there are some problems with this explanation (Colin was underage, how would he have come to Hogsmeade?), I'm nevertheless kind of fond of the explanation I came up with.

In any case, Colin is such a tragic character who deserves to have some stories, even though this is certainly not the tribute he deserves. I've revised the text as thoroughly as I could, but it contains my first OC character, and she turned out, well, really annoying. She was funny in my head, but in the text... it was worse than it is now.

Colin glimpsed out of the window of his bedroom. Behind him, his brother Dennis was still fast asleep, but Colin couldnʼt stay in bed any longer. He was always nervous of late. The Daily Prophet had published articles the last few days that were so different from the former ones. No more warnings before Death Eaters, only dark insinuations about Harry Potter. Colin had only one explanation for this disquieting change: You-Know-Who had taken over the press, and - judging from Colinʼs experiences in his fourth year - he was pretty sure that the Ministry was in control too. That was dangerous, for him and his brother more than for most other wizards. He had gone to Hogwarts for long enough to know how You-Know-Who and his followers thought about Muggle-borns. His only hope for information was now his classmate Ginny Weasley, after all Harry Potterʼs girlfriend. If anyone knew what was going on, it had to be her. Thus, he waited for her answer, hoping that it would arrive at any moment and too much on edge to sleep properly. He glanced over his shoulder at his brother. He had not told Dennis anything about his worries, though he was sure that Dennis had guessed quite a lot. Even their parents knew that something was wrong, the Muggle news reported strange accidents daily. And Colin had also told them about the special danger he and his brother were in. He stared out of the window into the dark sky, illuminated by no stars, the fog that the breeding Dementors caused taking away all their light.
As he stared on and on, the night slowly began to dissolve; however, the whole mood of the outside street remained depressed. Squinting into the slightly lifted darkness, he thought he saw something move far away. He watched, straining every nerve, and slowly the form of an owl could be made out against the sky, approaching him. Nervously he fumbled his window open, and soon a feeble, old, grey thing fell through it. Colin quickly closed the window again, then bent down, gingerly picked up the owl, and detached the letter it carried. Recognizing Ginnyʼs hand, he placed the bird on his desk and hastily ripped open the envelope to unfold the letter.

Dear Colin,
I canʼt put too much in a letter as nowadays we do not know who might intercept what. I just can tell you this: imagine the worst thing that could have happened to us, and I must tell you that it did happen.
The only advice I can give you is to get out of the country as fast as possible. Go with your whole family, nobody is safe here anymore. The Daily Prophet will tell you nothing about the dangers (it little did anyway), that paper is now being published for disinformation. I can offer you no other counsel or help but: get away from Britain and get away fast and far.
Good luck and all the best wishes,
Ginny

Colin leant against the window and breathed deeply. He had expected this, but then one never hopes that their fears come true. There was no time to lose, he had to inform his parents. He strode over to his bed and dressed quickly, having just grabbed his second sock when he was interrupted by a knocking sound at his window. He looked around to see the owl from the newspaper behind it, clicking its beak in annoyance. Half hobbling, half hopping to put on the remaining sock, Colin made his way over and let the owl in. As soon as he had taken the paper and payed the animal, it flew off again.
Colin let himself fall on his bed, spreading the paper next to him. It was still very somber in the room, therefore Colin retrieved his little Muggle torch and lighted it. The spot of the light fell on Harry Potterʼs face.
Colin stared at the picture in surprise; then he lifted his eyes to the head line.
WANTED FOR QUESTIONING ABOUT THE DEATH OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
ʻNo way,ʼ whispered Colin. With trembling hands, he flattened the page and started reading the article, but soon he was too angry to continue. ʻWhat are they playing at?ʼ he hissed, balling his fists. He turned the page, only to freeze in shock. ʻ"Muggle-born Register"? Whatʼs that supposed to mean? "the so-called Muggle-born is likely to have obtained magical power by theft or force." No way! "The Ministry is determined to root out such usurpers" O Ginny!ʼ
Colin jumped up and ran to the window, leaning against the cool handle. ʻ"To root out... To root out",ʼ he quoted several times to himself. He looked over to the little bundle in the other bed that was his brother. ʻSo we must leave,ʼ he stated, tears rising in his eyes.
The door-bell rang.
Colin froze. It was far too early for an ordinary visit. Had the Ministry already come to ʻroot them outʼ? He heard his mother approach the door, cursing under her breath. With unexpected calm, Colin wondered if they would all be dead in some seconds. At least his father was momentarily at work, probably they wouldnʼt wait for him, and he could live.
A second later, another thought pushed itself forward in Colinʼs mind. They couldnʼt go down like that! He heared the front door closing down on the ground while he stealthily moved over to his wardrobe. Imagining how their murderers ambled up the stairs, he opened one of the drawers and retrieved his wand. Hiding was impossible, but Colin would try to fight even though he knew that after five years of school, he wouldnʼt stand a chance against a Ministry Auror.
ʻHello! So sorry to disturb you this early, but itʼs really urgent,ʼ came a womanʼs clear voice from the door. Colin hesitated with his wand shaking in his hand. the voice didnʼt sound to him as if there was some danger lurking. But it was naive to assume a voice would betray so much. He could hear another male voice, and a short discourse followed that was too low for Colin to distinguish clearly. Feet shuffled in the direction of the kitchen and someone approached the door to his room. There came a knock and slowly the door opened.
ʻColin? Dennis?ʼ whispered his mother. ʻThere are some people who would like to see you.ʼ
Colin froze with his wand pointing at his mother. What did this mean now? ʻOkay,ʼ he answered shakily, stuffing the wand in the back pocket of his jeans. ʻA moment.ʼ
He bent over his brother and shook him. ʻDress!ʼ he hissed, and without having the power to say anything else, he left the room.
The next moment, he stood in the doorway to the kitchen and looked at the young couple sitting there side by side. He hadnʼt seen the burly man often, but there could be no mistake. This was Oliver Wood, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team during Colinʼs first two years at school. His fear diminished a little and was replaced by curiosity.
ʻHello,ʼ he said quietly, gliding into the chair opposite Oliver, next to his mother. Oliver smiled at him as did the woman sitting beside him. Colin knew that he had seen her before too, but he didnʼt remember where. She was quite small, had short, curly hair, big, dark eyes and a large mouth. All in all, she looked like a very tanned frog, an impression strengthened by a tattoo over her face of a treeʼs branches from which dead leaves fluttered at intervals that looked like flies floating into her mouth.
ʻHello Colin,ʼ said Oliver. ʻYou remember us?ʼ
Colin squinted at the woman, half nodding at the same time.
ʻWe met when we played the Arrows last summer,ʼ said the woman, seeming to guess what Colin was wondering about. ʻIʼm a Chaser at Puddlemere United. Serena Dennyston.ʼ
Colin inclined his head awkwardly, perfectly remembering that he attended the match and got to talk to Oliver. After a short moment of reflection, he had a vague recollection of a short woman standing near them, and he guessed that she must have been this person in his kitchen. In the mean time, he started to wonder why the two Quidditch players were sitting at his kitchen table. He glanced at his mother.
ʻDo you have an idea why we have come?ʼ asked Oliver.
Colin looked slowly from Oliver to Serena, then back to his mother who appeared very uncomfortable. At this moment, Dennis made his appearance, slogging over to the table and sliding into the seat next to his brother. Colin returned his gaze to Oliver. ʻNo,ʼ he said, aware that his voice sounded quavery.
ʻYou know whatʼs going on right now?ʼ asked Serena, leaning forwards, and her eyes fixing Colin. He noticed that she had skulls tattoed on all her fingers too, something that didnʼt exactly endear her to him.
ʻYou-ʼ Colin cleared his throat. ʻYou-Know-Who has taken over?ʼ
ʻExactly!ʼ Serena leant suddenly back and simultaneously managed to slap her fist on the table while Oliver sat motionlessly next to her.
ʻI have been in contact with a very reliable source,ʼ he said calmly. ʻThey told me what awaits Muggle-borns.ʼ
ʻTheyʼll be rooted out,ʼ said Colin, amazed at how calm he sounded.
ʻMeaning that your wand will be taken from you, and you will be chucked out of the wizarding world at best, otherwise youʼll land in Azkaban or be kissed directly. Do you intend to flee?ʼ Serena had spoken very fast and with what Colin thought a slightly sarcastic tone, slumping comfortably back in her chair. He eyed her suspiciously.
ʻI...ʼ he stammered when he noticed that she waited for an answer, glancing over to his mother, who had hidden her face in her hands. ʻI was adviced to.ʼ
ʻYou intend to follow that advice?ʼ asked Serena, leaning rapidly forward again so that the legs of the chair crashed loudly on the floor.
ʻWhat choice do I have?ʼ snapped Colin.
ʻWell,ʼ said Serena, gazing avidly at him. ʻIf you wanted to stay, if you wanted to return to Hogwarts... youʼd need a magical parent.ʼ
ʻBut I havenʼt any,ʼ said Colin, starting to feel angry. ʻAnd Iʼm very content with my parents as they are.ʼ
ʻThat will be of no use in front of the Ministry,ʼ said Oliver, gently pulling Serena back from Colin. ʻTherefore we have thought that - if youʼd prefer to stay - you might be glad if someone volunteered as parents.ʼ
ʻBut youʼre too young!ʼ said Colin confused.
Serena grinned. ʻWe werenʼt talking about us.ʼ
Colin blinked angrily as he noticed that his eyes were wet. ʻThen tell me what youʼre talking about,ʼ he said, trying to sound controlled. ʻWhere would I get new parents from, and what is to happen with Mum and Dad?ʼ Colin looked over to his mother again, but she was still hiding her face in her hands. Colin turned to his other side to look at his brother. Dennis was staring at the pair opposite, his eyes huge with what Colin supposed had to be fright.
Serena opened her mouth, but Oliver ordered her with wave of his hand to be silent.
ʻI will try to be as concise as possible,ʼ Oliver said. ʻSince the second of August, the policy of the Daily Prophet has changed considerably. Serena heard of an old friend whose father, Bertie Higgs, a close associate of Scrimgeourʼs, has disappeared. Now Terence is nowhere to be found.
ʻAs we were very worried about these suddenly increasing disappearances, we went to visit two old friends who I thought likely to know a lot they shouldnʼt. They confirmed that You-Know-Who has taken over and told us that he was planning to proceed against Muggle-borns as soon as possible. Serena already pointed out what this will mean.
ʻSo, when we got back home, I said to Serena we should do something.ʼ Serena yawned very demonstratively, showing two rows of short, sharp teeth that looked out of place in her froggish face. Oliver looked at her reprovingly.
ʻTaking all this new information into account,ʼ he started again, ʻwe wondered what we could do. In the end, we decided that we could save at least one family by claiming to be related. Therefore we began to look for some Muggle-borns we could fit in our ancestry. And then we remembered the two of you.ʼ
ʻBecause youʼre no girls,ʼ added Serena, earning herself another annoyed look from Oliver. She calmly took off her cloak, revealing more skulls on her shoulders.
ʻThe story we have prepared for the two of you is as follows: Serenaʼs got an elder sister, living in Italy. This sister can claim that she is your mother. For this plan to work, we do not have to do or change anything. It is enough if Serenaʼs sister says she was ashamed of having been connected to a Muggle, changing the Muggle registers by eliminating her marriage, wiping her husbandʼs memory, later predating his - theoretically - second marriage, and replacing the name of the mother with the one of your mother.ʼ Oliver hesitated a moment and seemed to ponder on the sentence before he continued, ʻBeing Italian by marriage, the Ministry will not risk to contradict her, not yet ready to face the opposition of the continental magical communities.ʼ
ʻAnd...ʼ said Colin slowly, searching for his motherʼs or brotherʼs gaze, but they avoided him. ʻAnd you think that can... and what will become of Mum and Dad?ʼ
ʻThey will have to get along like any Muggle nowadays,ʼ said Serena indifferently, contemplating her nails.
Colin sat on his hands to prevent himself from jumping at her, and Dennis hissed. But nobody seemed to want to add anything, and the silence soon grew heavier by the second.
ʻWhat... what do you say, Mum?ʼ Colin finally croaked, touching her wrist and forcing her to look at him.
His mother hastily wiped her eyes and tried to smile. ʻIʼm ready for anything that saves you,ʼ she said.
ʻBut it might be safer if we fled as a family,ʼ said Colin. ʻWhat do you say, Dennis?ʼ
His brotherʼs small face wavered a second, then it hardened. ʻI want to stay. I want to fight.ʼ
ʻWe wonʼt be able to fight,ʼ said Colin, trying to be reasonable and not to let himself being carried away by his brotherʼs enthusiasm. ʻWe would go back to Hogwarts and...ʼ Colin stopped, a horrible thought crossing his mind. ʻIf You-Know-Who has taken over, what will happen with Hogwarts?ʼ
ʻHeʼll control that too,ʼ said Serena lazily. ʻWe donʼt know the details yet, but it seems that attendance will be compulsory.ʼ
ʻBut it will still be education,ʼ cut in Oliver. ʻAnd education you two still need if you want to fight. Of course, it is a risk to go to Hogwarts now, but thereʼs no safety anyway in times like these.ʼ
ʻMum...ʼ started Colin but stopped as a grating sound at the window interrupted them. They all looked over to see a screech owl, sitting on the window sill.
ʻLooks like a Ministry owl,ʼ murmured Oliver as Colin got up with tottering legs to open the window. The owl swooped over and dropped two letters on the kitchen table before it flew away again.
ʻItʼs a questionnaire,ʼ called Dennis who had immediately ripped open his envelope.
Colin cautiously stepped nearer and looked over Dennisʼs shoulder. His brother was holding two sheets of parchment.
ʻ"Name of the father"ʼ Colin read out loud. ʻ"Profession of the father" Whatʼs that supposed to be?ʼ
He slid down on his chair again and opened his letter. In addition to the questionnaire there was also a letter.

Dear Mr Creevey,
The Ministry of Magic is currently running a survey concerning the students attending Hogwarts. The Ministry has intelligence that there have been accepted students who do not meet the necessary requirements.
As some doubts concerning your person have arisen, you are hereby required to answer the attached questionnaire and send it back to the Muggle-born Registration Commission, Ministry of Magic, by next Monday.
About further steps we will keep you informed.
Hoping you are well,
Yours sincerely,
Annie Gourlay
Muggle-born Registration Commission
Ministry of Magic

Colin looked up. He tried to swallow, but his mouth was unnaturally dry.
ʻWhat...ʼ He had to clear his throat. ʻWhat are we going to do?ʼ
ʻThe question just is, are you staying or do you flee? If the latter, you have to do it fast,ʼ said Oliver.
Dennis snivelled, but tried to hide it, and his mother had her face in her hands again. Colin looked between them, undecided. The weak rays of the sun started to heat up the room despite the mist, and he had to wipe his brow though he was not sure how much this depended on the room temperature.
They might have remained like this quite a while longer had not the front door suddenly opened and closed. Before Colin could panic, he had recognised his fatherʼs steps, and sure enough, only a moment later, Mr Creevey entered the kitchen.
ʻWow, thereʼs quite a gathering going on,ʼ he said as he sat down in the only free chair just as Mrs Creevey opposite him got up to get him something to eat. He had to have had a glimpse of her tear swollen face for he added, ʻIs something wrong?ʼ
ʻA lot more,ʼ was the relaxed answer of Serena as she continued to give her fingernails all her rapt attemption.
ʻThere is grave danger,ʼ said Oliver, completely earnest as he addressed Mr Creevey. ʻYou and your children are before the decision of either leaving the country at first chance, or to separate for an uncertain amount of time.ʼ
Mr Creevey was silent, watching his two sons. Colin couldnʼt look at his father and stared at the tablecloth, not able to come to a decision. ʻWell...ʼ Mr Creevey said as his wife put a bowl of porridge before him. ʻIs it this business with that wizard you canʼt say the name?ʼ
ʻExactly,ʼ said Oliver to Colinʼs and Dennisʼs nods.
ʻWeʼre in danger?ʼ
ʻEspecially your sons,ʼ said Oliver. ʻAs you and your wife both are not magical, they will no longer be accepted by the Ministry that is now under control of said wizard. That means they either have to leave Britain for a safe country, probably America, thatʼs further off than any European country and has no tradition of pure-blood doctrines. If they want to stay, we need to make up a new family tree for them. This is why Serena and I are here, weʼve got a suggestion.ʼ
ʻNamely?ʼ
ʻSerenaʼs got an elder sister, living in Italy. Sheʼs arriving this evening for a visit. She will claim that Colin and Dennis are her sons and you her former husband.ʼ
ʻEm,ʼ grunted Mr Creevey, scratching his head and trying to catch his wifeʼs eye. ʻBut the tiniest bit of research will show that this is not true. Our date of marriage is officially registered as is the birth of our sons, this wonʼt - canʼt work.ʼ
ʻYouʼre forgetting,ʼ said Serena, grinning broadly and - as Colin deemed it - completely inappropriately, ʻthat youʼre talking to wizards. Itʼd be no problem for a witch to eliminate her marriage from a Muggle register and put fake information in its place. And you not remembering would neither be a problem. A simple Memory Charm would do the job.ʼ
ʻWhat do you think, boys?ʼ said Mr Creevey, addressing his sons. ʻI donʼt like either idea, not emigrating, not losing you. But you can judge the situation better than I can. I agree with whatever you decide.ʼ
Colin looked down at his brother. His small face was sad, but determined, and Colin knew what he had decided. He looked gravely from his mother to his father.
ʻWe will stay,ʼ he said, again surprised at his calm voice. ʻFor though America is secure for now, there canʼt be any guarantee that You-Know-Who will not slowly take over there too. I donʼt want to spend my life on the run. I want to stay and learn. And then, I will fight.ʼ
ʻExactly,ʼ seconded Dennis.
Their parents both managed to smile bravely and nod. This was too much for Colin, he lowered his head on his arms and broke into silent sobs.
When he had recovered, he found that the others had already started packing, suppressing their sorrow with work. Colin smiled grimly to himself and went to help.