Disclaimer: Macdutton still doesn't own Harry Potter, and he likely never will.


"I would like to inform you that the former Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, has been taken into custody. Professor Dolores Umbridge will be filling his position for the foreseeable future." The tall black Auror was stood at the front of the Great Hall during breakfast. "If any of you have any evidence regarding this case that you would like to contribute, please, do not hesitate to come forward. You will be guaranteed full anonymity and protection."

Once the Auror had left, Umbridge stood up, her face a sickeningly sweet smile. "As the wonderful Auror Shacklebolt has informed you all, I am your new Headmistress. As such, there will be changes to this school under my rule, just as there have been changes under every new Head. I hope that the transition can be as smooth as possible. To ease that transition, I would like to offer all students the chance to join my Inquisitorial Squad, a select group who will help maintain the order of my new administration along with the existing prefect structure. I hope we can all prosper from these new arrangements." Sitting down, Umbridge ignored the looks of disgust and disbelief she was receiving from a large portion of those in the hall.


"So, I think we of the better House should be applying to join this Inquisitorial Squad. To allow the lesser Houses control of a new position would be simply unacceptable," Draco Malfoy said, holding court at the Slytherin table. Those around him were nodding, obviously eager for the chance at being the new power within the school system.

"So the little boy wants to buy his way into being a pawn does he?" came a scathing voice. The group of upper year Slytherins looked up in surprise. Who wouldn't want to have new political powers. If they were the personal force of the Ministry within Hogwarts, they'd be shoe-ins for Ministry positions after they graduated, right?

"I'm betting you all thing that you will get nice rewards for being the hag's own toys, right? Did you think any further than that? What about when Dumbledore's faction hits back? You're Slytherins for the love of Kami! Have you thought about the downsides at all?" The blank looks were answer enough.

Turning on her heel, Ginny walked off, muttering darkly.


"Hey Gin." George's usually jovial voice was subdued. Ginny was again lying on the icy flagstones of the rooftop courtyard the Weasleys had claimed as their own. Looking up, she saw that Fred and George were for once accompanied by Ron.

"What's up?" she asked, before looking to Ron. "How come you're here? Taking a night off from the love-birds?"

"Family meeting Gin," Fred cut in, before the younger twins could start arguing. Looking up in surprise, Ginny went quiet. Once they were sure of their audience, Fred and George began.

"Okay, put simply, we're in shit. One of our couriers has sold us out." Ginny and Ron both blanched, knowing how severe that could be. "Yeah. We've had to put a lot of faith in all of our operatives since we have so few. I guess we're paying for that." The twins shared a look before Fred said, "Pretty soon, the ministry's going to be sending in officers to arrest us. Since that's the case, we're giving you two all the equipment we've got stashed here. We'll stay as long as possible, then we're going to head for France. Fleur said she's happy to hide us for a while until we can set up there. If all goes well, we can clear this up and get back in business in a couple of months but…" the twins sighed together. "There's no chance of us finishing this year."

"What a waste," George muttered sourly.

"What do you want us to do?" Ron asked.

"Help us escape when they come to arrest us. We've never used violence, so they shouldn't send Aurors, just regular DMLE officers."

The four looked at each other before Ginny spoke up. "You'll have to draw their attention. If you do, me and Ron can take them out, then you memory charm them."

"Anyone got a better idea?" George asked, looking around.

"Kind of," Ron said. "If we can draw them into the forest, it might be easier to get them stealthily."

"Good enough for me," Ginny said. "How do we do it then?"

"Well…"


It didn't take long for Ministry Representatives to come after Fred and George. A few days after their meeting to discuss how they would make their escape, four officers from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement stormed into the Great Hall during lunch. Seeing the Weasley twins at the Gryffindor table, they walked over, wands out.

As they approached the two young men, they were confident that this would be an easy take down, the two didn't even have their wands out.

"Remain where you are, we are here on official Department of Magical Law Enforcement business," the lead officer shouted to the hall at large. Directing his attention to the two Weasleys at the Gryffindor table, he said, "Stay where you are, you two are under arrest!"

The twins looked to the approaching men. "Why would we want to do that? Getting arrested really does seem counter-productive."

Spreading out, the arresting wizards prepared to cast hexes to stun their targets, who did not seem likely to co-operate. Or at least, that was their plan. They found it scuppered when the boys they were approaching disappeared in a haze of mist.

Confused, the men looked around. They had been told to expect a simple arrest. From the doors they heard, "Come on then, weren't you going to arrest us?" They turned just in time to see the two young men run out of the hall.

Growling, the four older wizards followed, yelling at the two young men to stop or they would use force. These warnings stopped when the twins' response was a blast of water which bowled one of the pursuing wizards over. Quickly, they started firing spells to slow or trip the fleeing men. Unfortunately, aiming a wand whilst sprinting full-out was not particularly easy, and these were not the most skilled of wizards.


Reaching the trees of the ForbiddenForest, the DMLE officers looked around, having lost sight of their quarries. "Damn, if we lose these guys Director Bones is going to kill us." The youngest whined. None of the others argued.

"Alright, spread out and find them. They're only seventh years, they shouldn't be that hard to find." The leader gave his order before moving straight ahead into the forest.


Within five minutes, all four were unconscious on the ground, having been struck with the pommel of a sword, or the haft of a naginata. Piled together between two trees they looked rather pathetic.

"They seriously sent these guys to capture us?" George asked, incredulous.

"What idiot thought they could capture two Weasleys with this pack of mutts?" Fred agreed.

"Maybe that woman who runs the DMLE wanted to punish them or something?" Ron suggested, equally confused. "She's supposed to be smart, and I heard she went to school with our parents…" They all fell silent at the mention of their parents. It was still a rather touchy subject.

"So is that it? We just knock them out, you leave and we go back to our lives?" Ginny asked, breaking the tension.

"Well, yeah." Fred told her before sighing. He recognised the look she was giving the Ministry employees. "We can't really hurt them Gin. It'll cause too much trouble." He sighed again, in relief this time, when she relaxed her grip on her weapon.

Again, silence reigned.

"So you're leaving." The words were curiously clinical, devoid of any real feeling.

"Yes Ginny. It's not really like we have much of a choice. But we're not going to be that far away." Fred and George smiled. "Besides. It's not as if you couldn't come see us at weekends if you want."

Ginny turned away and began walking along the tree line. She was only just within earshot when she called back, "Just try not to die."


A/N: So, another chapter. That's right, the sick, twisted, dissatisfied Ginny of this story has once again taken up residence in my head, so I got this chapter finished. Hopefully she'll allow me to get another chapter in this week, but don't get your hopes up.

Speaking of hopes, why so few reviews? It really doesn't take much to give a few words of encouragement and criticism, preferably criticism. The amount they help is really quite amazing.