A/N: I know it's been an awful long time, and I'm incredibly sorry-- there was a giant, awful, catalyst in my life, a personal tragedy of sorts, and unfortunately it rendered me a bit too shocked and apathetic to write... but now I'm a bit better, anyway, I care more about things.

Dedicated to you, Cisnesinho, love. I hope there's a lot of sushi in heaven.

It was black-- darker than pitch and thicker than the haze from before. Johanna stifled a gasp, slightly startled at the sudden burst of light coming from the wand, the little stick suddenly flaring back to life-- she put the gun back in its holster, slightly relieved.

"Well, that's two birds with one stone," she murmured, shaking her head as she raised the light around, searching.

It was almost exactly the same as outside the door, except this time the stones were slightly greener, covered in a pea-soup moss that looked more than comfortable and twice as deadly.

"So what do we do now?" A wary-looking Firehead spoke up; she shook her head.

"I'm not sure... what did that poem thing say again?"

"I'm not gonna say the whole bloody thing all over!"

"One of the lines said that 'a treacherous road lies ahead and behind'. I suppose that means that if we go back, we're in danger, and if we go forward, we're... still in danger."

"Thanks Harry, that's comforting."

"Quiet, Ronald." Mother Hen spoke up imperiously from her place at Scarface's side, scuttling closer to the wand in Johanna's hand. "It tells us where not to go, and that's just as important as--"

"Will you NAAFI'S just shut up for a minute, ja?" Johanna said quickly-- she thought she had seen a shadow somewhere ahead.

"Whatever. Let's just move on and worry about it later. I've got the skriks." She pulled out the gun again, walking forward towards the shadow.

Suddenly, there was a shift-- a great lurch that lifted everyone off their feet and pushed them on the ground. As she groped for the light, the last thing that occured to Johanna was the eerie, complete silence.

The Great Hall was simmering, the rumours and barely contained curiosity buoying up the normal dinnertime chatter. A dark cloud came above their heads as the Headmaster stood up; the room instantly silenced.

Dumbledore coughed into his hand. "Many years ago, when I first sat in that chair, it was my hope that I would never have to give this terrible speech to you. Unfortunately, in that respect I have failed you." He coughed again, but the silence held, interrupted only by the shifting and rustling of robes on benches. He gave a grim smile.

"Those of you who were here three years ago may remember the ordeal with what was known as the Chamber of Secrets, a hidden room which contained a terrible, highly dangerous beast that very nearly killed several unlucky students. Now, there is another, much older, much more terrible evil, I'm sorry to say, that lurks beneath these halls.

Those of you who have ever read Hogwarts: A History, which I doubt has been a high priority for many of you; or perhaps, if you are well-versed in the lore of ancient myths and magics, you have probably heard of a place simply called the Labyrinth. This labyrinth has taken three students, as well as one other young woman."

There was an explosion of chatter, a colossal shudder followed by terrified and intrigued whispers. Dumbledore coughed, waiting for it to quiet down; he looked towards Professor Umbridge's empty seat with a slightly worried glance.

"This place is nothing to be laughing about, I'm afraid. It is a very old, very dark place, filled with very powerful magic that has only grown stronger with time. So now, my friends, is when I must make the transition from your friendly neighborhood old man to a stern Headmaster. There are new rules, starting in effect from tonight-- please understand that these rules are truly meant to keep you safe, and I ask that no matter the circumstances, you respect them.

They are as follows-- I would recommend staying up, Mr. Weasley, as you should take special notice:

One: You must be in your dorms by curfew. We will have staff patrolling the corridors as well as checking all dorms, and punishment is double if you are found in violation.

Two: If straying anywhere outside the main classroom area at any time, you must have at least one other person with you. For those of you in Potions, Astronomy and/or Divination, this includes the walks to their respective classes, as well as trips from the Great Hall to dorms and Prefect patrols; Hogsmeade trips will also be placed under this limitation.

Three: On pain of extreme and unrelenting punishment, no one is to go inside, or be closer than five feet from the cordoned off areas around the castle. These are crucial to our search for the missing students, and those of you who are found within the boundaries or tampering with the ribbons will recieve a punishment from both myself and your Head of House. Have I made myself clear?"

There was a murmur of confused assent around the Hall, and Dumbledore sighed.

"And, now, before you pair off and go to bed, the final announcement of the night. Would those who have any information pertaining to the current whereabouts of any of the following: Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, or Johanna Roth please come up and talk to either myself or Professor Snape. It is of the gravest and most utmost importance. I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, and rest assured that I will not rest until everyone is safe and sound in their beds.

Which, it seems, you are late to getting to. Off you go then!" He turned away from the podium, hobbling over to the door and disappearing; Professor Snape stayed close behind, an equally grave look upon his face.

Amidst the chaos, Dolores Umbridge shuffled quietly away, smiling. She left the Great Hall at a run (as best she could) to her office, leering at the fireplace as she tossed the green powder in hastily and let the name spill out of her mouth. Seconds later, a suave face appeared among the flames.

"Whatever you're calling me for, Dolores, it better be good, I'm on my way back to South Africa on a lead, and if you--"

"Call off the search."

"What?" She grinned, at his incredulous face, licking her lips as if she had just stuffed herself with the good news; she would enjoy this.

"Call off the search."

"What the hell do you mean, Dolores, calling off the search! We've been looking for her for years, she's the last one of them, I've heard nothing from Cornelius--"

"I found her, Adolph."

There was nothing but spluttering from him-- his jaw dropped.

"You mean..."

"Yes."

"You found..."

"Obviously."

"But how the hell... I mean, what the... where is she?"

The woman's smile got even wider, narrowing her eyes.

"Hogwarts."

NAAFI- No Ambition And F&!-All Interest

skriks- frights