Chapter XXV - Aftermath

Fudge stood perplexed in the aftermath of the Fountain's destruction, unable to form a coherent sentence. He looked from where Voldemort had just stood to Dumbledore, who payed him no attention whatsoever.

The woman Fudge had seen briefly battle He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named cried out and fell to her knees. Fudge watched Dumbledore walk over to her and bend to comfort the crying woman, and Fudge found it in himself to speak.

"My word- You-Know-Who- here!"

Another man approached the statue under which Bellatrix had lain and spoke to the Minister, but he hardly heard.

Before him Dumbledore looked up, motioning past him to a group of people Fudge had yet to notice. A man stepped forward and Fudge gasped when he realized who it was.

Not only had You-Know-Who just been here, but now Sirius Black- wanted for the murder of no less than twelve people- Or, well, he figured he was still wanted. Fudge sputtered at Sirius. "Dumble- Dumbledore- That's Sirius Black-"

"I am aware."

"But- but- here? With You-Know-Who-? What on earth happened here?"

Fudge's question went ignored.

"Sirius..." Dumbledore said softly as the man approached, standing and in doing so helping Lauren to stand. "Take Lauren to Hogwarts."

Sirius reached out for her and she left Dumbledore's grasp, clutching tightly to him. "How? Apparate-? You know we can't App-"

"This is very important, Sirius," he answered, stepping closer. "Take Lauren to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey will examine her. Alert Severus that his suspicions were incorrect- or at least I am led to believe they were."

A melody pierced the air, and behind it followed a brilliant bird, fire-hued and streaming through the air like a star. Dumbledore glanced knowingly at Fawkes, who dipped and headed straight for Sirius and the wife he held.

"Fawkes will take you," Dumbledore said. "Reach out; he will do the rest."

Sirius did as he was told and in a flash he, Lauren, and the bird all vanished. Dumbledore stood, heading for Harry.

"Dumbledore!" Fudge exclaimed suddenly, finding his voice once more. "I demand an explanation-!"

"We can discuss this after I have sent Harry back to Hogwarts."

"Harry- Harry Potter?"

Dumbledore reached out to Harry and helped him stand, asking if he was alright. Harry nodded and Dumbledore picked up the head of the wizard statue, pointing his wand at it with a muttered, "Portus." Fudge protested, but Dumbledore handed it to Harry. "This portkey will take you to the Infirmary. Kindly inform Madam Pomfrey of the Blacks' arrival. I will meet you in the Infirmary in thirty minutes' time."

Harry held the statue's head only a moment before being transported to Hogwarts as well.

Dumbledore turned to the remaining members of the Order. "If you will, return the children to Hogwarts and see that they get the medical attention they require, and that the Ministry's Aurors handle the Death Eaters accordingly." They nodded.

He looked to Fudge. "And now, Cornelius, I shall explain everything."