A/N: Thanks for the reviews. This story started out in December of 2004 as an idea that kept bubbling up at random. I tried several times to write it out, and it never came out quite the way I wanted it to. I've worked it over and reworked it and reworked it many many times. I've always had the whole plot written out, but the details have changed as the years have gone by and the last two novels came out. My last attempt at this story was in January of 2008. I had written out all the chapters in my notebook and began fleshing them out on my computer. Yet the story still would not let itself conform to my ideas of what should happen. Frustrated, I put it on the shelf. Recently, I was going through some old papers and found my handwritten treatment. I reread it and felt that it still had some potential. So I sat down with my laptop and began writing it again from the beginning. And it fought me still, the story wanted to go it's own direction. So I let it this time. As I read back over each chapter I write, I see the spirit of my original draft, but it has taken on a life of it's own. And it's a life that I feel the story needed. So at this point the story is writing itself. And although I know the outcome, know the major plot points that will come up. I am excited to see how it fleshes out. Thank you for reading this story, and thank you for reviewing. I always love reviews, even if they are critiques. I believe that every story has a life of it's own. They grow with each reading, and with each telling. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story!


DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter


Chapter Four: The Stability Of A House Of Cards

Dolores Umbridge walked to her office, a spring in her step. Today had been a particularly wonderful day. She had been able to punish sixteen disgusting half-breeds and mud bloods. A crooked grin slunk it's way across her toad like features. Yes, their punishments had been satisfyingly nasty. She had especially enjoyed the cries of the littlest muggle boy. He hadn't lasted very long under her Cruciatus. She was extremely proud of the fact that she had been able to actually split the flesh on the filthy miscreant's face.

The boy had passed out at that point and as his screams faded, she lost interest in him. But there had been plenty of other outlets for her sadistic pleasure.

Yes, today had been wonderful.

Umbridge continued down the hallway that had once been a part of the Ministry of Magic. She had once been loyal to the Ministry's causes and beliefs, but the Dark Lord had enlightened her. When he had seized control after the Potter brat had died, he had tutored her, had shown her the truth behind the Ministry's weakness. He had instituted a more perfect system. And he had posted her as governor of the London territory.

Things could not be more wonderful.

She arrived at her office door and unlocked the enchanted latch, letting herself in. The room was dark and she moved to light the table lamp. Setting herself down behind her desk, she poured herself a cup of tea. She allowed another smile to pull at her face as she leaned back in the chair.

There were reports and files spread out on her desk, and Umbridge leaned forward to shuffle through them, sparing each only a cursory glance before tossing it aside. There were the usual reports of resistance cells, but the frequency of such documents had faded over time. There were notes of important meetings, general prisoner listings and finance ledgers. Nothing out of the ordinary. But then something caught her eye.

It was a report from some low level thugs dated two weeks previous. The reported stated that Harry Potter had appeared and chased away some Death Eaters who had found a half-breed child wandering the streets. Umbridge read the report hungrily, greedily swallowing up every detail. Reports of Harry Potter were not altogether unheard of. In fact there had been many similar documents on her desk in the first couple of years after the Dark Lord's ascension.

But she hadn't received one in at least four years. Harry Potter was dead, and though there were rebels out there who hoped the brat would return, the Dark Lord was very thorough with his victims. Umbridge had no doubt that this report was just like all the others before it. Simple hogwash.

"Harry Potter, alive?" she said to herself, "impossible."

"Nothing is impossible, Madam Umbridge, if you believe in it enough."

Umbridge jumped out of her chair as the voice echoed around her dimly lit office.

"W-who are you?" she stuttered.

"The impossible."

Harry Potter stepped out of the shadows near her filing cabinet, his hair and cloak whipping about in an unseen wind, his eyes glowing bright green. Umbridge felt herself shake. Potter was dead! How could he be standing here in her office? She raised her wand and tried to fling something, anything at him, but the spectre waved his hand and her wand flew across the room. Umbridge backed up, hitting the wall and knocking askance some of her kitten décor.

"Listen, and listen well Dolores," Harry continued, his voice seemed to seep from the very walls. "This reign of ruin is over. I have returned to make right the things that you and your ilk have corrupted. Be warned, Madam Umbridge, that your time here is short. Choose well how you will spend it."

There was a flash and Harry Potter disappeared. Umbridge slid down the wall, her heart beating much faster than she could ever remember.


Harry threw off the invisibility cloak and laughed heartily, Ron was doubled over nearby red in the face from laughing too hard. Neville chuckled deeply and even Hermione was giggling.

"That was great, Hermione. I think we really scared her good."

The plan had gone exactly as they had wanted it to. Harry's appearance in Umbridge's office, combined with Hermione's theatrical spell work had put the toady woman in a right state.

As they made their way back to the Sanctuary, carefully avoiding Death Eaters, Harry pondered over the events of the past week.

After his conversation with Neville in his office, Harry had begun plotting. The information from his friends painted a clear picture for him. Voldemort's kingdom was hanging on a precipice. The Dark Lord himself had not been seen since Neville had scored his hit on him. And the governors were not nearly as loyal to each other as they were to Voldemort. There was a seed of discord amongst them. Harry wanted to grow that seed into a sapling of revolution. And fear was the best fertilizer he could think of.

Neville had been reluctant at first, but his renewed hope had won through. Ron and Hermione were both ecstatic at the prospect of something to do, a new plan of action.

Draco Malfoy had been a source of consternation however. Harry had purposely excluded the blonde from his new plan, and insisted that it be kept between the four Gryffindors. When questioned by the others as to why he explained his distrust.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that Dennis and I were attacked by Death Eaters right after Malfoy suggested I go in his place?"

Ron had agreed wholeheartedly and Neville was silent on the matter. Hermione was skeptical though.

"Harry, we thought Snape was bad too, remember. And then after you…. Died, Ron and I found Dumbledore's pensieve and watched those memories. He was with Dumbledore all along!"

"That doesn't mean Malfoy should get a free pass." Harry had replied.

And his suspicions seemed to prove right as Malfoy continually tried to pry the information out of them. He had been too curious.

But they had succeeded. The message had been delivered and now it was time to let it stew while they prepared for the next step. Harry held up the clump of hair he had surreptitiously summoned from the head of the toad, and all four of them began to laugh again.


Harry had just checked in on Hermione as she brewed the polyjuice that they needed for their plan. Rosie had been there beside her mother rapidly asking questions, showing her intense curiosity. Like mother, like daughter. He walked through the dim corridor smiling slightly at the memory. He turned a corner and found Ginny talking to Susan Bones. They both looked up as he came into view. Susan smiled then said good-bye to Ginny. She hugged Harry as she passed him.

"Thank you."

Harry felt awkward but returned the hug. He looked up to see Ginny hiding a snicker. Susan continued on her way, leaving the two of them alone.

"We've all missed you terribly."

"I know."

There was silence between them for a moment, but it was comfortable.

"Ginny, I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault, you know."

"The way I feel, it might as well be. Ginny, I left everyone behind and look what happened."

"That's life, Harry. Things happen that are beyond our control. I don't always understand it, and a lot of times I don't like it. But there's always a reason for it." she looked at him and there were tears in her eyes again.

"After you died, I wanted to follow you. I was reckless. I threw myself into dangerous situations, hoping I wouldn't survive. There were even moments where I came close to doing it myself. But every time I did, I saw your eyes, your smile. And I knew you'd hate me if I took my own life."

She paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.

"I know you're going to fight him again. And if things don't work out, I need you to know this. There's never been anyone but you. I knew it when I saw you for the first time on the platform all those years ago. And I know it now more than ever."

She was crying and Harry felt his eyes leaking too, his throat was dry and he knew what she was saying. Knew it because he felt it too.

"Ginny, I love you."

And then she was in his arms, kissing him with all her might. Their bodies pressed together and Harry was filled with a feeling more powerful than he had ever known. It was bright and beautiful. It was like a thousand sunny days rolled into one blissful moment. It was a joy that he had never known could exist. She was his Ginny. And he was her Harry. And everything was right in the world.


After spending some time catching up with Ginny, they made their way to the commissary holding hands. The warmth Harry felt refused to fade and there was a smile etched deep into his features. He had missed Ginny so much while he and Ron and Hermione had been away. It had been almost a year for him, and almost eleven for her. But none of that mattered now. They were reunited now, and Harry promised himself he would never leave her again.

As they entered the commissary they saw Ron, Hermione, Neville, and even Malfoy eating at a long table. Hermione jumped up from the table when she saw them, squealing, she enveloped them both in an embrace. Neville was smiling in a benign way that reminded Harry of Dumbledore, and Ron was whooping, pumping his fist in the air. Harry blushed and Ginny simply smiled her gorgeous smile.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Malfoy had stood up from the table, fury evident on his gaunt face.

"You left her!" he yelled. "Left her, and left all of us! And now you come back and act like nothing's wrong?"

Everyone stood in silent shock. No one had expected this outburst.

Malfoy turned to Ginny, "And you! You take him back? What about me? I do everything for you, I sacrificed my family for you!"

"What are you talking about Draco?" Ginny said, obviously perplexed.

"Of course you don't know! You've been pining over him for ten bloody years! You never even noticed me!"

Understanding swooped through all those who were witnessing Malfoy's rant. The Slytherin had fallen for Ginny. Ron looked furious, Hermione, pitying. And Ginny's face distorted in disgust.

"I never gave you any reason, Malfoy. I never did or said anything…"

"No, no you didn't." Malfoy's voice cracked. "Because of Harry Bloody Potter!"

The blonde turned and ran away. They heard the distant grind of pipes as the entrance to the Sanctuary opened, and then there was silence for a long moment.

"Well, who would of thought?" Ron's voice broke the spell.

Ginny turned to Harry, confusion evident in her brown eyes.

"Hold me," she whispered.


Three weeks after Malfoy's rather blatant display in the commissary found the polyjuice simmered to perfection.

There had been no sign nor word of Malfoy and Harry could hardly work up the energy to care. He couldn't blame the Slytherin for falling for Ginny. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and wonderful. But he knew that Ginny had not given him any sort of encouragement. And Harry couldn't help but feel smug at his victory in this decidedly mundane battle. Ginny had taken some time to adjust to the fact that Malfoy had become obsessed with her but now she would join in with Ron when he joked about the incident in the commissary. Neville mourned the loss of his spy, but understood that there was nothing he could do to change it. Hermione alone seemed to feel some amount of pity for the blonde. She had a knowing look in her eye when she told Harry that Malfoy's loyalties were now clear.

"It's just like with Snape and your mum," she had said.

Harry found the whole situation rather less funny after that.

But no matter the fact that they had lost another of their numbers, the plan continued to move forward. The group divided into teams. Neville was with Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan would be with Ron, and Hermione and Ginny would be going with Harry.

They gathered their portions of polyjuice and the other items they would need. Wishing each other luck outside the entrance to the Sanctuary, they disapparated to their separate targets.


Neville was polyjuiced as Umbridge while Dean was disillusioned. They made their way through the dank hallways of an ancient castle in Wales. Distant voices and footsteps echoed through the stone structure. This cold fortress was nothing like Hogwarts, and Neville felt a twinge of longing for his school days, long gone though they might be.

He took no effort in hiding his presence. As a territorial governor he was not out of place amongst these Death Eaters. In fact, his being seen as Umbridge was a vital part of Harry's plan. They reached the end of the hallway and a large wooden door. Two guards let them pass and then Neville was face to face with the Wales governor, Bellatrix Lestrange. Hatred burned in his heart and he fought to keep his expression blank. Behind him the invisible Dean began casting charms to prevent anyone else from entering the room.

"Dolores, how wonderful to see you." Bellatrix said silkily. "Unexpected though your visit is. What can I do for you today?"

Neville cleared his throat in an eerily accurate imitation of the toad. He knew they had to time this perfectly. He repeated his practiced lines, giving Dean enough time to sneak behind Bellatrix.

"The Dark Lord is gone. He has not been seen in over two years. Therefore we must assume that he is dead." He spoke loudly enough that the guards outside would hear. Bellatrix looked livid, but Neville pressed on.

"I am hereby relieving you of your post as governor. Your territory now belongs to me. And you shall address me as, hem hem the Dark Lady!"

Neville finished with a flourish of his wand, sparks shooting out of the end.

"YOU DARE?!" Bellatrix had her wand out, but before she could cast a spell, there was a flash of red light and her wand flew high in the air, her gaze following it's progress. Neville took the opportunity and cast Avada Kedavra at the woman who had taken his parents from him. She fell to the floor with a satisfying thump. Dean appeared out of thin air and pulled an old boot out of his robes.

Outside, the guards were furiously trying to work past Dean's enchantments. When the final one broke and they burst in, they found nothing but their dead governor.


Several hundred miles away, in a rundown suburb of London, Harry and Ginny were under his cloak while Hermione impersonated Madam Umbridge. They had known the location of Umbridge's dungeon for some time. Early in the war the resistance had staged an unsuccessful attack on the prison. According to Neville they had lost forty eight of their people.

Harry squeezed Ginny's hand and she smiled at him. They were all nervous, but ready to fight. Hermione led the way past the outer guards and into the interior of the city zoo that had been converted to house enemies of the Dark Lord. They didn't know who they would find here, but they needed reinforcements for the battle that was coming. Harry held onto the hope that he would find Hagrid alive.

They reached the entrance of a large building that had been erected in the center of the zoo and approached the large, heavy iron doors.

"Hem hem, I have come to interrogate the prisoners." Hermione said.

The second set of guards stepped aside, cruel looks of delight on their faces. The prison proper was dark and wet. Water dripped from the ceiling in random patterns. There were cages lining the walls. Not cells, cages. Ginny clutched Harry's hand tightly, and Hermione faltered for a moment. The first few rows of cages were empty, save a few corpses in various stages of decomposition. The smell was nauseating, but still they pressed on. There were no guards inside the prison itself and Harry was grateful for the blind arrogance of the Death Eaters.

The first occupied cage they found contained three people who Harry did not know. Hermione cast muffliato and opened the cage door. She stayed outside while Harry and Ginny snuck in. Harry pulled the cloak off of them, stowing it beneath his robes, and moved to the prisoners. Their eyes were blank and they seemed to not notice Harry's presence. Ginny began pulling out the pre-made portkeys and pressed them into their emaciated hands.

As they prisoners were flashed away in the blue light, Harry, Ginny and Hermione spread out, each taking a few portkeys into the different cages. In the twelfth cage he entered, Harry's breath caught in his chest. The prisoner was extremely tall and very thin. The scraggly beard looked out of place on the unnaturally gaunt face.

"Hagrid.." It came out as a whisper.

Harry rushed to his half-giant friend and turned him over. It was scarily easy, Hagrid weighed barely anything. He was a thin as a stick and Harry felt tears come to his eyes. He had to make sure his friend was alive.

"Hagrid, Hagrid please. Wake up, Hagrid."

Ginny came and knelt at Harry's side. She took Hagrid's head and cradled it in her lap. She was crying silently. Harry put his ear to Hagrid's mouth. He was breathing, but barely. A flicker of hope shot through Harry's veins.

"That's the last of them." Hermione said as she came into the cage with them. "Oh, Hagrid…"

Hermione fell to her knees as well and pulled out half of a broken Frisbee. She looked at Harry and placed the Frisbee on Hagrid's chest. The three of them each placed a finger on it's edge. Harry felt the hook behind his navel and in a flash of blue light they were gone.

By the time the guards realized that there were no screams echoing from the prison, it was too late.


Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Hagrid landed in the infirmary of the Sanctuary. People were bustling around treating the fifty or so prisoners that had been liberated that night. Harry saw a boy with deep tears in the flesh on his face and turned away horrorstruck. Susan Bones rushed over to them and gasped when she saw Hagrid's skeletal form. She immediately began casting charms on the old game-keeper. Harry moved away to a row of chairs that lined the wall. He sat with his head in his hands. He looked up just as Neville entered into the infirmary and smiled darkly.

"How did it go with Bellatrix?" He asked.

"She's dead."

"And they saw you?"

"Yes, everyone will think it was Umbridge."

"Good. Is Ron back?"

Neville took a deep breath. "Yes, and Yaxley is dead as well, apparently killed by Umbridge as well."

Harry smiled but Neville held up a hand. "Ron and Seamus got cornered though, the guards broke through the barriers before the portkey activated. Seamus got caught in the crossfire. He's dead."

Harry felt a surge of guilt as his stomach dropped into his shoes. Neville looked around the room, then nodded grimly at Harry before moving off to help with the rescued prisoners.

Harry's head swam. Seamus was his old dorm mate. And now he was dead. Dead because of Harry's plan. Ginny came up to him and grabbed his hand.

"Neville's just told us." she said.

Harry nodded mutely. She led him out of the infirmary and he followed blankly, his thoughts on Seamus. Seamus who had doubted him in fifth year, until the article in the Quibbler had been printed. Seamus who had worked so hard in the D.A. Seamus who was gone like so many others. He looked up and found himself in a hallway that dead-ended. There were construction signs hung up, but they were covered in cobwebs. This was obviously a section of the Sanctuary that had never been completed. Almost like Seamus's life.

Ginny looked up into his eyes. She was quiet but Harry was glad for her company. He sat on the floor and she sat with him. He held her in his arms and her solidness gave him comfort, her warmth seeped into him and the cold that had gripped his heart upon hearing of Seamus's death began to fade away. A single tear traced it's way down his cheek and she kissed it away. She was his strength and as long as he had her, life would go on.

They sat in silence for awhile, each pondering the next step in this overdrawn war. Ginny looked into Harry's eyes and he felt more at home in her brown orbs than he had anywhere else. He smiled at her and kissed the crown of her head.

"What comes next?" Ginny asked.

"We've sown the seeds," he told her, "Now we let them grow. Voldemort will have to prune his garden sometime."