The Falling
Darkness Rising

Chapter Four: The New War

Harry and Hermione eased down the staircase, looking for signs of life. The only light seemed to be coming from the fireplace in the sitting room.

"Just missed your mum and dad." Sirius rose from one of the arm chairs to greet them. "They stayed up for a while but finally gave up and headed up to get some rest."

"How did you …"

Sirius held up a parchment that looked like a map of Black Palace. "Marauder. Remember, Harry? Didn't have one for Grimmauld Place. Would've been bloody useful. So … did you two get a chance to talk?"

Harry folded his arms. "She told me. She also told me that you knew."

Sirius poured himself a glass of fire whiskey before returning to his seat. "That I did, Harry. I hope you understand why I didn't say anything to either of you until now. I knew that she'd tell you when the time was right."

"Of course, I understand. Thanks for letting us work it out." Harry took Hermione's hand in his. "I also assume that your silence means you understand we can't tell anyone else."

"Yes. It would do no good for this to get out. While there are some within the Alliance that would side with you two, there are many within the Order that would never forgive or understand." Sirius drained his glass in one before returning to the mantle for another round. "Guess I should keep this with me."

"So … what's the next step?"

"Well, Madam Bones has made it clear that she wishes to speak with you in private."

Harry stood up, several objects on the mantle trembling. "What!"

"Easy, lad," Sirius hissed, holding up both hands. "She sent word via Aug that she wishes to meet with you."

"That's a good thing, Harry," Hermione added, taking hold of his hand and guiding him back to his seat. "It means that she doesn't believe it was you that attacked the Ministry."

"Or … it could be a trap."

"I highly doubt it, Harry. Word is that she ordered the Prophet to refrain from reporting on witnesses until the Aurors have had a chance to investigate."

"I dunno, Sirius. Hermione said that the large blond Auror was the one following her during the summer."

Sirius rose from his seat, grabbed a poker and began to play with the logs, moving them around in the grate. "Sleep on it, lad, and let me know in the morning. If you agree to meet with her, the Order will help arrange the meeting spot."

Harry shook his head. "No need. There's only one place I'll meet her. Hogwarts."

"Meet who?"

Harry spun round to find himself nearly nose-to-chin with Bill. "Bloody hell!"

"Sorry Harry. Walking quietly is the habit of a good Curse Breaker." The smile on Bill's face rivaled any Harry had seen on Fred and George.

"What brings you down?" Sirius asked casually.

"We couldn't sleep."

"We?" Hermione repeated, standing up.

"We," Ron echoed, walking in through the doorway, flanked by Fred and George. "We've been discussing tonight's meeting and we're tired of waiting. Tired of watching this sod off wanker manipulate the entire world before our eyes. He's got Ginny, Charlie's gone and done a bunk and now our family name has added another mark."

"Another mark?" Harry inquired, stepping to the side to get a better look at Ron.

"He means, Harry, that our family is becoming less trusted by the day," Bill growled. "Our Mum's actions at the Ministry has all but eradicated any sway our family had. It was little, mind you, to begin with, but now Goblins are probably more trusted than a Weasley."

Hermione frowned, "How is your mum?"

Bill wiped his face. "Doing better. To be honest, since Dumbledore's death the Ministry hasn't been all that too concerned about the incident. They've dismissed the charges of treason and have allowed her to return home."

"How's the Order feel about it?" Harry asked, glancing between Bill and Sirius.

"Want nothing to do with her," Fred growled.

"As though Dung has never done anything spotty," George added.

"But we're not here to discuss that," Bill interjected, moving past Harry and Hermione to join Sirius near the fireplace. "As Ron was saying, we're tired of watching Voldemort win. It's time we took it to him and stopped waiting around."

Harry couldn't disagree. He was tired of all this waiting as well and the Private Drive incident had only fueled him. "What does the rest of the Alliance think?"

Hermione sighed. "The Alliance, that was in attendance, and the Order believe that it's best to sit back and wait while Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Longbottom try and work out what happened tonight with the Ministry."

"What say you, Sirius?"

"I told them to—"

"He heavily disagreed," Hermione interrupted Sirius, shooting him an odd look.

"More or less," Fred added.

"Definitely more colorful," George concluded, winking at Harry's godfather.

Harry couldn't help but smirk, imagining what the old dog probably said. The fact that Hermione blushed at the memory told him it was appropriate.

"Before you three walked in," Sirius glanced at Hermione as though looking for permission to speak, "I had just informed Harry and Hermione that Madam Bones wishes to meet with Harry in private."

"You gonna do it, mate?" Ron asked, looking alertly at Harry.

Harry folded his arms. "Depends on her. If I do, it'll be at Hogwarts."

The room fell silent for several minutes while the Weasleys took in what Harry had said. He studied the confliction etched into the faces of the first family that ever accepted him for who he was.

"What about Charlie?" Bill asked. "You agreed to meet with him. Are you still willing to do it?"

Harry nodded. "I am. Make the arrangements. Let's see where he and Tonks really stand."

"Excellent," Bill clapped his hands together. "If Charlie and Tonks can be trusted, they'll be a right addition to the plan we've been devising."

"What have you four been planning?" Hermione's eyes darted from the twins to Ron and then back to Bill.

"War, Hermione," Ron breathed. "A war the old wanker won't be prepared for."

Harry glanced at Hermione before staring into the eyes of his best mate. "What happens if he murders Ginny along the way?"

Fred clapped his hands together. "She's good as dead if we wait."

"At least she might have a sporting chance if we don't," George added.

Bill pushed his long hair back. "We understand the risks, Harry. How much more suffering will we be forced to endure if we wait for this to play out?"

Harry turned to find his godfather still leaning against the fireplace. He shook his head in disbelief at the smirk on the old dog's face. "What do you think, Sirius?"

"You can't take on Voldemort and his Death Eaters alone."

"You willing to help us, or do you plan to talk us into being sensible?" Bill asked.

"Being that any possibility of future employment opportunities has been placed on hold, consider me and my estate at your disposal." His smile faded. "I sat in hell, waiting twelve years for my opportunity to avenge the death of my brothers and sisters. I'm not about to wait for a bunch of politicians in the Wizengomat to decide what to do. By the time they figure it out, they'll be dead. What say you, Harry?"

Harry stared into the face of the closest person he had ever had to family. "Who's still here at Black Palace?"

"Besides us? Cassie, Arthur, Hermione's parents, the Lovegoods, Fleur and Viktor are all still here. Why?"

"Excellent. Wake them, if they're asleep, and have them meet us in the dining room." Harry's eyes found the Weasleys. "I want everyone to hear what your plans are at the same time."

The four Weasleys nodded. Hermione's dark expression mirrored her thoughts and Harry knew what she was thinking. They had shared almost the same dream.

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

Two days later …

"Thank you for meeting with me, Potter."

Harry turned to see Madam Bones stepping out of the large grate. He had been examining one of Professor Dumbledore's many exotic inventions.

"Thank you for the invitation, Madam Minister."

"I must say that I was surprised by the meeting place. Why Hogwarts?"

"I thought it would be obvious," Harry mused. "If this meeting is indeed private, you would have no trouble explaining a trip to Hogwarts to visit Headmistress McGonagall. Especially when it's so close to reopening. Secondly, I trust the Headmistress. Third, and most importantly, this has been my home since the day I received my letter."

"You forgot the fourth point, Mr. Potter." Madam Bones smiled, taking a seat at the Headmistress' desk. "Your Alliance is here, waiting in case this is a trap, and my Aurors are inside the grounds in the event of the same."

"All your Aurors?"

"Only the ones that I trust, Mr. Potter. I know that You-Know-Who has followers within their ranks. To oust them would be to tip my hand. Please … have a seat. May I call you Harry?"

Harry took a seat across from her. "Please do, and thank you."

"Relax, Harry. Professor McGonagall has assured me that we won't be disturbed. You-Know-Who wouldn't dare attack this castle with so many skilled wands present."

"Forgive me for asking, but why are you so quick to believe that I'm innocent?"

"Harry, if you're half as intelligent as the professors of this school believe, you would never waltz into the Ministry, flashing a smile for all to see while murdering Ministry workers. Why would you want to have the entire Wizarding world looking for you?"

"Why then, are we having this conversation?"

"Two reasons, really." Madam Bones leaned forward. "For one, too many witnesses swear that they saw you storm the Atrium. And two, You-Know-Who went to some lengths to frame you and I want to know why."

"Are you asking me to go on the run or advising me to?"

"I'm asking you to play along for a while. It will mean, of course, that you cannot return to school. I believe, however, that it's a small price—"

"Small price? What if your plan, whatever it is, fails? How do you clear someone who's been on the run? Forgive me, but a mere pardon won't cover it."

"No worries, Harry. Once my little ruse has run its course, regardless of the outcome, we shall clear your name. Based on my sources I'm certain that, with a little persuasion, one of his followers within the Ministry could exonerate you."

"Forgive me again, Madam Minister, but what if something happens to you or an Auror spots me and gets carried away?"

"There are always risks, Harry. You should know. Your group took a massive risk luring out You-Know-Who."

"It's okay, Madam Minister. You can say his name in my presence."

"Sorry. So many witches and wizards flinch at the sound of Voldemort, you tend to just start calling him You-Know-Who." Madam Bones stared directly into his eyes. "Can I count on you?"

"Well," Harry sighed, removing the invisibility cloak from he and Hermione while holding the Marauder's Map, "doesn't sound like I have much of a choice."

Madam Bones leaped from her chair in shock. "Who the bloody hell have I been talking to?"

"Sorry, Amelia," the other Harry groaned, stretching as he stood. "All's fair in war. Never known you to play wizard chess without a plan."

"Sirius Black! I should have known!" A smile betrayed her. "Polyjuice potion, I presume?"

"The same way Voldemort sent a fake Harry to the Ministry," Hermione explained. "He used hairs from Harry's room at Privet Drive."

"How do you know this?"

"He had no problem taunting us with it, when we went to check on my aunt and uncle."

"You've seen Voldemort since the battle at the Ministry!"

"Seen him. Fought him. You know how it goes, Amelia, when he and my godson get together."

"Mr. Potter," Madam Bones sighed, ignoring Sirius, "assuming you're really even here, you understand why I ask this of you? The stakes are high."

"No worries, Madam Minister. I understand the stakes. I also understand what an insurance policy is. If you want me to willingly play along, I want a copy of any evidence you have. I doubt that you're taking the word of a source."

Madam Bones lifted an eyebrow. "You had no intentions of returning to school, Mr. Potter. Am I correct?"

"Actually," interjected Hermione "we were of mixed emotions about it."

"Amelia, Voldemort's playing games with my godson's life and with the entire Wizarding world. I'm not comfortable with him playing along."

"I understand your concerns, Sirius. However, we must find a way to end this before he gains anymore power. I will provide Harry with a copy of the evidence we have that proves his innocence. Grant me three months. If we're no closer to stopping him by then, we'll exonerate him."

Sirius turned and looked at Harry. "What do you say?"

"Three months, Madam Minister."

Harry would give her the opportunity, but he wasn't going to sit around and wait either.

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

October 31st …

Charlie cautiously entered the mouth of the cave. Instinctively, he scanned the walls for claw or tail marks, knowing full well that a dragon would never be allowed to nest this close to human dwellings.

"Glad to see you could make it."

Charlie casually turned on one heel. "Interesting choice of meeting places."

"Sirius' idea." Harry rubbed one of the walls with his wand-free hand. "I think he used the catacombs that link the caves in this area as a way to move about while on the run."

"I'm sure that his furry form could navigate the labyrinth beyond with ease." Charlie settled himself on a small boulder. "But why this cave? Why here, so close to the one place they might look for you?"

Hermione tugged off the invisibility cloak. "I highly doubt that anyone would suspect Harry to show up here. Actually, being this close to Hogwarts is very covert, if you think about it."

"I wondered where your new mate was hiding."

"Like you came without Nymphadora," Harry retorted.

"I hate that name!" Tonks growled. "Oh balls. Finite!" Harry laughed smugly as Tonks appeared before them. "That was a bloody dirty trick, Harry."

"Something else you can thank my godfather, aka your dear cousin, for." Harry conjured up four chairs, set them in a circle and took a seat, motioning for Hermione, Tonks and Charlie to join him.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us today, Harry. You too, Hermione."

Harry folded his arms. "We're here, so let's get on with it."

Charlie looked at Tonks, who nodded reassuringly. "Okay, here it is. We're on the same side here, Harry. If our actions at the Ministry didn't prove that, I don't know what will."

"Your actions only prove that we have the same enemy," Hermione argued. "That doesn't necessarily mean that we're on the same side."

"We have the same goals, Hermione," Tonks interjected. "It's just that we realized we could no longer trust the Wizengamot or the Ministry. Surely by now you have realized the same thing."

"When does realizing that justify working for rogue goblins?"

Charlie smirked. "Okay Harry, I can see that you're still a tad bit testy over the dragon incident."

"Dragon? Try dragons. In less than a year I've had to face down two dragons. Both, I might add, were handled by you before I faced them."

Charlie cleared his throat. "Listen Harry, the first dragon was part of the tournament. As for the second … well, it was merely a cover for our escape. I never dreamed it would mark you as its challenge."

"Well, it did … and don't think that by bringing up the dragon incidents, you can overt answering my question."

"We needed help, Harry, and they were the only ones with the resources." Charlie shot Tonks a nasty look. "If they're going to trust us, Charlie, we're going to have to be up front."

Charlie was less than ready to be 'up front' with Harry. He had explained to Tonks his concerns about Dumbledore's power of influence over the Boy-Who-Lived before he died.

"If you're not going to be up front with me, then let me be straight with you." Charlie looked into Harry's eyes and saw nothing but determination. "There's a new war brewing. One that is going to rock Britain's Wizarding world. Madam Bones means well but the Ministry has their own agenda."

"You believe that You-Know-Who has infiltrated the Ministry?"

"It's rotten to the core and you know it!"

Charlie threw up his hands. "Easy Harry. I was just clarifying your position."

"We agree with you, Harry," Tonks added.

Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and Charlie could see him start to relax.

Charlie sighed, "Okay Harry … you want me to be perfectly up front with you? Fine. Yes, we're working with a handful of rogue goblins. They're assisting us in our fight against You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters."

"In return for what?" Hermione asked, tilting her head to the side.

"They only want what's best for the Magical world, Hermione."

"Tonks, I wish we could believe that."

"It's the truth, Hermione."

"Really Charlie?" Harry snorted, leaning back. "So, these rogue goblins haven't asked you for anything in return?"

Charlie folded his arms. "No."

"Then leave them. Fight alongside us against Voldemort and his followers. If you're not indebted to them, join us."

Charlie involuntarily shivered when Harry uttered You-Know-Who's name. "We can't."

"Why?" Hermione retorted.

"It's complicated," Tonks countered.

Harry rose quickly to his feet. "Then we've reached an impasse."

Charlie growled as he stood up. "Harry, we're offering our services to you. We want to help."

"As long as you two are working with some rogue goblins, you're a liability."

"Liability?" He could feel the heat rising about his collar. "I'm not the one that allowed Ginny to be captured by the Death Eaters and forced to fight with them!"

"Allowed?" Harry was nearly nose-to-nose with him now. "You think that I allowed Bellatrix to make off with Ginny?"

"You held back! You refused to do what was necessary to stop her!"

"Things have changed," Harry hissed through gritted teeth, the dust swirling about their feet. "Next time I see Bellatrix, Snape, or any other bloody Death Eater, I won't be holding back."

"Good. I'd hate to see anyone else suffer because the fifth-year Chosen One doesn't have the stomach to do what must be done. I'm sure Longbottom won't hesitate."

Without warning, Charlie found himself hurdling through the air before striking the wall behind him. Tonks screamed, running to his side and casting a shield charm.

"Harry, calm down!" he heard Hermione yell.

When Charlie's vision cleared, he could see Harry standing completely still, his wand at his side, and his bright green eyes focused directly on him. Hermione had one hand on Harry's face, the other on his shoulder, trying to get him to look at her. The wandless magic that Harry was projecting through the cave was borderline terrifying.

Hermione turned her gaze from Harry to where he had fallen. "When you're ready to join us, you know how to find us. Until then, stay out of our way."

Harry raised his wand hand, there was a flash of light, then Harry and Hermione disappeared in a ball of fire. The moment Charlie was certain that he and Tonks were completely alone, he sighed in relief.

"Bloody hell, Charlie," Tonks hissed. "Was that really necessary?"

"I wanted to make sure that Harry is ready to do what is necessary to defeat You-Know-Who."

She sighed, "Now they'll never trust us. You just had to mention the Longbottoms. Inadvertently blaming him for their deaths was lower than I expected you to go."

"Trust wasn't really the point." Charlie slowly pushed himself to his feet. "We have a job to do, remember? If we're not successful, it won't matter how hard Harry fights."

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

Harry growled, tugging himself free of Hermione's grip the moment they arrived. Fawkes swirled around them several times before coming to rest on a perch in the corner.

"Harry, please calm down."

"Can we assume that the meeting didn't go well?"

Hermione glared at Sirius. "No, it didn't."

"What did Charlie want?" Bill asked, sitting next to the fireplace.

"Well, from what I gathered, he wants us to trust them, but he doesn't want to stop working with those bloody goblins!" Harry slammed a fist into a nearby table.

"Listen mate," Ron interjected "I know that this room may be sound proof but let's not test it tonight, alright? We don't need a bunch of Aurors searching the seventh-floor for the source of strange sounds."

Hermione huffed, "Ron, I'm pretty sure that the Room of Requirement is sound proof. As much training as we've done in here—"

"Sarcasm, Hermione. Sarcasm." Ron smiled at her before turning to face Harry. "Did Charlie say why he and Tonks are working for the goblins?"

"Tonks said that they needed the goblins' help, but when I offered them to join us, they refused."

"Did they give a reason why?" Bill asked, walking across the room and taking a seat at the large conference table.

"They said it was complicated," Hermione interjected, walking over and standing beside Harry. "Then Harry called them a liability, Charlie blamed Harry for Ginny's abduction and refraining from deadly force, Harry got in his face, Charlie blamed us for the Longbottoms, then Harry blasted him across the cave."

"Thanks for the blow-by-blow." Hermione looked at Harry a bit sheepishly.

"He blamed us for the death of Neville's parents?" the twins asked in unison, looking around to make sure that he wasn't in the room.

"It's obvious that these goblins have gotten into their heads."

Harry took a seat at the table. "Doesn't change the facts, Bill, that Tonks and your brother can't be trusted."

The sound of a door opening and closing behind them drew their attention. Professor McGonagall had entered the room, making her way towards the table.

"The Aurors have finished sweeping the castle. They will conclude by sweeping the grounds and the Forbidden Forest before heading back to the Ministry. The Halloween Feast will start here soon." Taking a breath, she turned her focus upon Harry. "Now, what have I missed?"

~~~Darkness Rising~~~

"Tell me, Albus, is this the outcome you anticipated?" Moody growled.

Dumbledore looked up from his desk. "If I lied and said no, would it make you feel better, Alastor?"

"Maybe." Moody groaned as he collapsed into a chair across the room. "I'll be honest, Dumbledore. A second war with both its leaders running from the Ministry isn't the outcome I was expecting."

"I admit that the levels to which Harry and Tom are prepared to take this fight are disturbing, but alas it is all for the Greater Good. I told you before all this started that the chances of Harry winning this war, only to become the next Dark Lord, were quite high."

"Yes. Yes. I remember your grand proclamation of how you shall rise, like the phoenix that no longer calls you master, to save the world from the Chosen One." Moody's electric blue eye whizzed about before settling on the only wizard he had ever called friend. "But what happens, Albus, if when that day comes, that the world doesn't wish to be saved from Potter? What happens if he saves slash conquers the Wizarding world, and the Wizarding world is okay with that? Where does that leave you and your wit?"

"I do not serve the will of the people, Alastor. I serve only the Greater Good."

"Ready to die then, for real this time, for the Greater Good?"

Dumbledore straightened, sitting tall in his high-back chair. "Absolutely, my old friend, but do not worry. I firmly believe that I can defeat young Harry."

"Harry? Sure. I'll go with that. What about the rest of the Wizarding world? You ready to duel every last witch and wizard to the death?"

"Should Harry die a martyr's death, I shall gladly disappear once more into obscurity, knowing that the world is safe and that my greatest mistake has been corrected."

A/N: Greetings everyone! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please review.

Special thanks go to Critters at Play for being beta. All mistakes belong to him. ;) I'd also like to thank my son, JB, for assisting me with this chapter.