"Alan," Merry said, "Sit down and have some dinner. I haven't see you for weeks."

"Can't Mum," Alan said, "Dean and I have stuff to do."

Alan looked at his mother and she pointed her wand and said, "Legimins." Merry hated shifting through her son's thoughts like this but it was the only way to prove is innocence. Dean was sure he was a dark cloak and they couldn't trust him until they were sure. As she moved through the memories she found several things that upset her greatly. When she finished she froze him and then sat down and cried. Dean came in and put his arm around his mother and tried to comfort her.

Once she got her control back she said, "He's imperused. He's been made to spy on the family and participate in some of the attacks. Fudge is handing out the faceless cloaks and getting supplies though WWW. Something big is going down and it's happening next week. Not sure of the day or the time he wasn't given specifics. Dean, Dennis and Greg are in on it too, but I'm not sure if they volunteered or not."

From the doorway Tomas said, "We need to obliviate him of this conversation and then let him go. I'll be checking his and the others orders to see if they have anything misappropriated since Fudge didn't."

"We can't let him go." Merry said, "We need to protect him."

"I'm going to arrange… an accident." Tomas said, "It will look bad but they won't be injured. We'll put them in St. Mungos with my security, with a strict no visitors rule. We'll be able to tell if any of the others are being controlled too. It's the best we can do. Otherwise Fudge may hurt them."

Two days later Tomas welcomed the four young men into his lab, he explained, "Now that you are full time you will be moving through the departments until we can find a suitable match for your skills. This week you will be in development with me. We are keeping it to a week because you have a lot of departments to try." Tomas' watch beeped and he looked at it, "What does he need now? Boy's hang on for a few minutes, I have to go visit with Fudge, Malant come with me he wants to see both of us."

As they left the lab Reg Malant looked back at the boys and said, "Don't touch anything, there are a lot of volatile stuff in here. I'd hate to see you blow yourselves up on the first day."

The three boys looked questioningly at Alan, he said, "He says that to everyone. Don't pay any attention. Do you think they'd put us somewhere dangerous on our first day?"

They moved though out the room glancing over different tables and cauldrons. They didn't touch anything as Malant's warning kept echoing through their minds.

"Here it is," Dean said, "Tomas' book of ideas." The other three boys converged on the table near Dean as he reached out to touch the book. His sleeve caught on a vile and tipped in over into another. The resulting explosion destroyed the Lab. When Tomas, Fudge and Malant reached the lab they ran a test to see if there were any residue in the room before they opened the door. They found the lab destroyed and four young men heavily damaged.

"The medical and security teams are almost here Tomas," Malant said, "Don't touch them, it could hurt them worse."

"You see now Fudge." Tomas yelled, "We need only seasoned professionals in these labs. If someone shows an aptitude in a lesser lab then we can try them in here."

"Don't blame this on me." Fudge said, "You're the one that left them alone."

"Only because you insisted we had an emergency." Tomas said, "Now what was so blasted important."

"Move aside gentlemen," The security chief said, "Have any of you touched anything?"

"Not since the explosion." Tomas said, "Shall Malant walk with you to see if he can identify the source?"

"No," the man said, "When I find the cause I may need some explanation but for now step outside. You may leave to accompany them to the hospital."

Malant stayed and Tomas followed the medical team to the infirmary. Fudge disappeared in another direction. Once in the infirmary each of the four were placed on a bed and then the bed took them to a special ward in St. Mungos. The beds were followed by Tomas, the medical team, and four members of his security team.

The only healer in the ward when they arrived was Jane Johnson. She stepped aside and allowed Tomas to work. He first took off the illusions of physical injuries and then he counteracted the paralysis that had hit them. Finally he removed the sleeping spell that had topped off the trick. All four of the boys lay on their beds staring at nothing. Jane then left to call a mind healer and the Aurors, as required by law when you think someone is being controlled.

Dean and two other Aurors showed up along with the head of the Dept. of Magical Law Enforcement. Since the Head Auror couldn't be present, because of his kidnapping, the next higher official was called. The mind healer confirmed that all for young men were being controlled against their will. After the statement was given by the mind healer the Head of the DMLE immediately called for the arrest of Cromwell Fudge.

Dean stopped him saying, "I'm sorry sir, but we can't do that. This is part of an ongoing investigation. If we arrest Fudge now it will blow the rest of the operation. And this is too large to stop with just this incident."

"What could be bigger than the use of four unforgivable." The head asked.

"The Dark Cloaks." Dean said, "This goes too high to stop with just four teens. I'm going to have to block this memory from you so that we can continue the operation."

"I'm not sure…" the head started.

"I have my orders sir." Dean said, "Head Auror Finnice may be missing but his orders still stand. This could affect the wizarding world in a big way sir. I must follow protocol."

"Very well." The man said, "Any idea where Finnice is?"

"No sir." Dean said, "No idea at all."

Fudge arrived with the head of security to find Tomas and Merry alone sitting across from four heavily bandaged bodies, "What did you find Carl?"

Carl said, "Evidentially Dean was reaching to grab your ideas book. And he knocked over one vile into another that resulted in the explosion. All four of the boys know it's against regulations to touch anyone else's idea book so they are being charged with attempted theft."

"Outrageous," Fudge yell, "My nephew is not a thief. It must have been that brat Alan trying to get it."

"No sir." Carl said, "Security has been implementing a new procedure. It was first placed in that particular lab. It gives undeniable proof of what happened. It even shows the boys being warned not to touch anything because there were volatile agents in the room. Mr. Weasley is not at any fault in this."

"But he left them in the room alone." Fudge yelled.

"That is not against procedure for interns. You yourself promoted them to interns for the research department." Carl explained, "Mr. Weasley, do you wish to press official charges?"

"Not at this time." Tomas said, "But I do reserve the right to press charges at a later time. As this is an intensely difficult time for my wife and I, no decisions will be made until I have time to think clearly. "

"Very good sir." Carl said, "I will remind you that this can be put on hold for no more than two weeks. If in that time you have made no charges the matter will be dropped except for a notation in their files."

Tomas nodded and pulled his wife closer. Fudge stormed out of the room and was followed by Carl Weise the Head of Security for Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. A few moments later the door opened again, the two looked up but didn't see anything. Silently Tomas wished Dean good luck on his investigation as he followed after Fudge. The two Weasley's looked at each other but didn't say a word as they knew just how good some of the stuff from WWW's could be.

At Hogwarts Dean met with Sirius, Harry and the missing head auror, "The boys are safe and have been proven to be innocent puppets of one very foul man. And something is going down next week."

"I'm glad," Harry said, "I hated to think he would turn on his family like that."

"He's never been close to any of us." Dean said, "Always preferred his friends to family. And after all the times Drake and Simon got in trouble because of him, none of us really trust him, he'll let others take the blame for his actions without batting an eye."

"I'll let Ginny know about the prank." Harry said, "She'll be relieved."

"Not yet Harry." Dean said, "Wait for this investigation to finish, I don't want any info leaked. Not even to Ginny."

"She knows about the prank," Harry said, "I'll only tell her it was successful. No details. But she's going to ask and I won't lie to her."

"Harry," Sirius said, "you know you act all tough but you're really just a pushover."

"Only for Ginny." Harry said, "You just don't know what she's capable of. I do and I don't want to go there."

"You're the one training her." Sirius said.

"True," Harry said, "but that's for her protection. That Bat Bogy Hex saved her life several times before. I know what buttons push that hex out and I won't touch them. Lying to her or withholding information will get it every time. If I tell her it was successful but that I don't have details then she can understand that."

"Fine." Dean said. "No details though."

"You haven't given us any details." Harry said. "Did anyone get a better date then just next week?"

"No."

"I will be staying with my wife for the next week or until the event," Finnice said, "I promise to keep the French and English Aurors with me at all times. And I plan to stay hidden."

"I want to be at the fight." Harry said, "If they manage to make one I want to destroy it right away, I don't want to take any chances."

"If we are able to find them, we will include you and Sirius." Dean said, "We'll need all the help we can get."

"Well done everyone." Finnice said, "I'll see you when it's finished."

Harry and Sirius went back to the common room and sat with Ginny on the couch. Harry leaned in and whispered, "Successful." Ginny looked at him with an eyebrow raised and he continued, "He didn't give any details. But I don't think it will be much longer and the two of us will be going."

"You're going to help?" Harry nodded and Ginny asked, "Me too?"

"No," Harry said, "Let's take a walk where we can talk easier, George stay here."

As soon as Harry and Ginny got up Sirius was surrounded with girls. Harry grinned as he walked out the portrait hole. They walked in silence for a few minutes before he found an empty class room. They stepped inside and Harry did several spells and said, "OK we can talk now."

"Why can't I go."

"Well first you don't know enough yet, second even if I thought you were ready Dean wouldn't let you go nor would Sirius. Can I tell you what I know about the prank now?" Ginny nodded and he said, "Ok, they pulled if off without a hitch and proved that they were being controlled. They know something is happening next week but not what we're hoping it's this grand plan so that we can follow them and stop them."

"Do you think they'll do what you thought?" Ginny asked, "I mean those soul things."

"I hope not, I hope it's something else entirely. I'd really like to be surprised by this." Harry said, "But more than anything I'm hoping when this is done that I get to stay."

"Me too." Ginny kissed him and the two shared some quiet close time away from prying eyes. Both were scared that when this was over Harry would disappear as quickly as he appeared.

The first three month cycle for the potion was up and Sirius resumed his normal appearance. Knowing the event was approaching they decided George needed to come down with a serious illness and would be out of school for the remainder of the week. The fear of Harry's possible disappearance seemed to make the time speed by and they soon reached the weekend when they believed the event would happen.

Harry and Sirius sat disguised at a table in a bar on the edge of London. Harry was remembering his goodbye to Ginny. She had pulled him very close and kissed him more passionately than ever before. As they tried to pull each other even closer it caused some interesting side effects. It was one of the most difficult things he had ever done to pull away from her and head out to the stakeout. Even now the side effects hadn't diminished and his mind had not reached the game.

"Any observations?" Sirius asked.

"No, I'm currently relying heavily on you." Harry said, "I hope you're watching."

"Yes, I am." Sirius chuckled, "You better be glad Dean didn't see that goodbye kiss."

"I am." Harry grinned, "But it wasn't just what you're thinking. That may have also been our final goodbye."

"You think you may die during this?"

"No, " Harry grimaced, "I'm just not sure I'll get to stay afterward."

"Oh," Sirius frowned, he hadn't thought about that possibility.

"I think we have our company." Harry said, he put Ginny firmly out of his mind so that he could focus. He didn't want to die tonight.

Browning and his entourage of Aurors stepped into the bar. They sat at a table in the back and started arguing. Sirius knew the two Aurors and he touched the device in his ear, Harry did the same.

"Minister," Dean said, "we can't leave you alone even for a minute. You go to the bathroom we go, just get over it. Even if you are going to meet a mistress we will go with you. We never talk about what we see if it's not illegal. You have ditched your last few escorts and you will not do so tonight."

Just then five men stood up from around the room. Harry and Sirius shielded themselves from the concussive spell that knocked the others out. They fell to the ground just the same to hide their state of awareness. As they lay their the five men moved about the room and picked up three individuals. The fourth man revived the minister and the fifth was wandering around looking at people.

"He's not here." The fifth man said.

"Who's not here?" Browning asked.

"Metter, he isn't here tonight. We're short a body."

"Hurry up and pick another." Browning said, "We don't have a lot of time."

A man standing near pulled Harry's hood down, "Here's a young fit looking man. He'll work."

Harry sent a quick spell at Sirius as he felt himself being levitated. The spell was one of his own, it blocked the body from moving for five minutes. Harry was sure it would take that long for this group to get themselves together. After they had arranged themselves they waited. One of the five looked at his watch and said, "Thirty seconds."

Harry knew it was cutting it close, it had been almost five minutes, Sirius would be able to move very soon. He was intrigued when the group waited until Dean and the other Auror were awake before they left. His confusion stayed until Harry heard Dean yell, "Finnice, what are you doing?"

Then they all disappeared.

Sirius sat up quickly and turned to Dean, "They took Harry."

"What?"

"They were short one man and they decided to take Harry." Sirius said.

"Ginny's gonna kill me." Dean said, "Martin check and make sure Finnice is still being guarded. Do you have the tracking device ready?"

"I've got it." Sirius said, "Harry is good, he told me to hold the tracking devices for his plants and he's holding the one form mine. He said it was in case one of us got taken the other can track."

"Finnice is with the Auror's," Auror Martin said, "They verified it was actually him before they replied and the French Minister is having dinner with him."

"Good," Dean said, "Let's go get Harry."