disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just Arabella. Hope you all like it!

The Parting of Ways

His voice was flat and expressionless. Arabella wondered if that was because of the potion or his imprisonment in Azkaban or everything in-between.

"My mother saved me. She knew she was dying. She persuaded my father to rescue me as a last favour to her. He loved her as he had never loved me. He agreed. They came to visit me. They gave me a draft of Polyjuice Potion containing one of my mother's hairs. She took a draft of Polyjuice Potion containing one of my hairs. We took on each other's appearance."

Winky was shaking her head. "Say no more, Master Barty, say no more, you is getting your father into trouble!"

Crouch ignored her. He took a deep breath and continued. "The dementors are blind. They sensed one healthy, one dying person entering Azkaban. They sensed one healthy, one dying person leaving it. My father smuggled me out, disguised as my mother, in case any prisoners were watching through their doors. My mother died a short while afterward in Azkaban. She was careful to drink Polyjuice Potion until the end. She was buried under my name and bearing my appearance. Everyone believed her to be me."

Arabella tried her best to remember the frail woman in Dumbledore's memory. She was thin, pale and short. She must have looked even smaller in the dark, cold and haunting Azkaban cells.

"And what did your father do with you, when he had got you home?" Dumbledore whispered.

"Staged my mother's death. A quiet, private funeral. That grave is empty. The house-elf nursed me back to health. Then I had to be concealed. I had to be controlled. My father had to use a number of spells to subdue me. When I had recovered my strength, I thought only of finding my master… of returning to his service."

"How did your father subdue you?" said Dumbledore.

"The Imperius Curse. I was under my father's control. I was forced to wear an Invisibility Cloak day and night. I was always with the house-elf. She was my keeper and caretaker. She pitied me. She persuaded my father to give me occasional treats. Rewards for my good behaviour."

"Master Barty, Master Barty," sobbed Winky through her hands. "You isn't ought to tell them, we is getting in trouble…"

"Did anyone ever discover that you were still alive?" asked Dumbledore. "Did anyone except your father and the house-elf?"

Crouch's eyes flickered for a moment. "Yes. A witch in my father's office. Bertha Jorkins. She came to the house with papers for my father's signature. He was not at home. Winky shoed her inside and returned to the kitchen, to me. But Bertha Jorkins heard Winky taking to me. She came to investigate. She heard enough to guess who was talking to me. She came to investigate. She heard enough to guess who was hiding under the Invisibility Cloak. My father arrived home. She confronted him. He put a very powerful Memory Charm on her to make her forget what she'd found out. Too powerful. He said it damaged her memory permanently."

"Why is she coming to nose into my master's private business?" sobbed Winky. "Why isn't she leaving us be?"

"Tell me about the Quidditch World Cup," said Dumbledore.

"Winky talked my father into it. She spent months persuading him. I had not left the house for years. I had loved Quidditch. Let him go, she said. He will be in his Invisibility Cloak. He can watch. Let him smell fresh air for once. She said my mother would have wanted it. She told my father that my mother had died to give me freedom. She had not saved me for a life of imprisonment. He agreed in the end. It was carefully planned. My father led me and Winky up to the Top Box early in the day –"

Arabella groaned. He was right there. He was right there behind her. He must have recognized her. He must have realized that he was sitting behind her and Harry.

"Winky was to say that she was saving a seat for my father. I was to sit there, invisible. When everyone had left the box, we would emerge. Winky would appear to be alone. Nobody would ever know. But Winky didn't know that I was growing stronger. I was starting to fight my father's Imperius Curse. There were times when I was almost myself again. There were brief periods when I seemed outside his control. It happened, there, in the Top Box. It was like waking from a deep sleep. I found myself out in public, in the of the match, and I saw, in front of me, a wand sticking out of a boy's pocket. I had not been allowed a wand since before Azkaban. I stole it. Winky didn't know. Winky is frightened of heights. She had her face hidden."

If only Arabella wasn't so distracted by the Quidditch match… She could have done something…

"Master Barty, you bad boy!" whispered Winky, tears trickling between her fingers.

"So you took the wand," said Dumbledore, "and what did you do with it?"

"We went back to the tent. Then we heard them. We heard the Death Eaters. The ones who had never been to Azkaban. The ones who had never suffered for my master. They had turned their backs on him. They were not enslaved, as I was. They were free to see him, but they did not. They were merely making sport of Muggles. The sound of their voices woke me. My mind was clearer than it had been in years. I was angry. I had the wand. I wanted to attack them for their disloyalty to my master. My father had left the tent. He had gone to free the Muggles. Winky was afraid to see me so angry. She used her own brand of magic to bind me to her. She pulled me from the tent, pulled me into the forest, away from the Death Eaters. I tried to hold her back. I wanted to return to the campsite. I wanted to show those Death Eaters what loyalty to the Dark Lord meant, and to punish them for their lack of it. I used that stolen wand to cast the Dark Mark into the sky."

Arabella closed her eyes, remembering the Dark Mark in the sky, green light shining bright against the darkness. She should have realized sooner whose voice it was. She could have stopped this from happening.

"Ministry wizards arrived. They shot Stunning Spells everywhere. One of the spells came through the trees where Winky and I stood. The bond connecting us was broken. We were both Stunned. When Winky was discovered, my father knew I must be nearby. He searched the bushes where she had been found and felt my lying there. He waited until the other Ministry members had left the forest. He put me back under the Imperius Curse and took me home. He dismissed Winky. She had failed him. She had let me acquire a wand. She had almost let me escape."

Winky let out a wail of despair.

"Now it was just father and I, alone in the house. And then… and then… My master came for me."

Crouch rolled his head back on his neck, an eccentric smile stretched across his face. Arabella clenched her fist, wanting to wipe it off her face.

"He arrived at our house late one night in the arms of his servant Wormtail. My master had found out that I was still alive. He had captured Bertha Jorkins in Albania. He had tortured her. She told him a great deal. She told him about the Triwizard Tournament. She told him the old Auror, Moody, was going to teach at Hogwarts. He tortured her until he broke through the Memory Charm my father had placed upon her. She told him I had escaped from Azkaban. She told him my father kept me imprisoned to prevent me from seeking my master. And so my master knew that I was still his faithful servant – perhaps the most faithful of all. My master conceived a plan, based upon the information Bertha had given him. He needed me. He arrived at our house near midnight. My father answered the door."

Arabella was appalled and disgusted. Crouch's face broke into a wider smile.

"It was very quick. My father was placed under the Imperius Curse by my master. Now my father was the one imprisoned, controlled. My master forced him to go about his business as usual, to act as though nothing was wrong. And I was released. I awoke. I was myself again, alive as I hadn't been in years."

"And what did Lord Voldemort ask you to do?" said Dumbledore.

"He asked me whether I was ready to risk everything for him. I was ready. It was my dream, my greatest ambition, to serve him, to prove myself to him. He told me he needed a place a faithful servant at Hogwarts. A servant that would get close to Arabella Black and guide Harry Potter through the Triwizard Tournament without appearing to do so. A servant to watch over Black and Potter. To ensure Arabella Black would be at the grave before Harry Potter could reach the Triwizard Cup. Turn the cup into a Portkey, which would take them to my master. But first –"

"You needed Alastor Moody," said Dumbledore.

Arabella blinked. She remembered just before leaving the Burrow for Hogwarts Express, Mad-Eye heard an intruder in his yard. She held onto the arm of the chair, wanting to break it off and bash it over Crouch's head.

"Wormtail and I did it. We had prepared the Polyjuice Potion beforehand. We journeyed to his house. Moody put up a struggle. There was a commotion. We managed to subdue him just in time. Forced him into a compartment of his own magical trunk. Took some of his hair and added it to the potion. I drank it. I became Moody's double. I took his leg and his eye. I was ready to face Arthur Weasley when he arrived to sort out the Muggles who had heard a disturbance. I made the dustbins move around the yard. I told Arthur Weasley I had heard intruders in my yard, who had set off the dustbins. Then I packed up Moody's clothes and Dark detectors, put them in the trunk with Moody, and set off for Hogwarts. I kept him alive, under the Imperius Curse. I wanted to be able to question him. To find out about his past, learn his habits, so that I could fool even Dumbledore. I also needed his hair to make the Polyjuice Potion. The other ingredients were easy. I stole boomslang skin from the dungeons. When the Potions master found me in his office, I said I was under orders to search it."

"And what became of Wormtail after you attacked Moody?" said Dumbledore.

"Wormtail returned to care for my master, in my father's house, and to keep watch over my father."

"But your father escaped."

"Yes. After a while he began to fight the Imperius Curse just as I had done. There were periods when he knew what was happening. My master decided it was no longer safe for my father to leave the house. He forced him to send letters to the Ministry instead. He made him write and say he was ill. But Wormtail neglected his duty. He was not watchful enough. My father escaped. My master guessed that he was heading for Hogwarts. My father was going to tell Dumbledore everything, to confess. He was going to admit that he had smuggled me from Azkaban. My master sent me word of my father's escape. He told me to stop him at all costs. So I waited and watched. I used the map I had taken from Harry Potter. The map that had almost ruined everything."

"Map?" said Dumbledore quickly. "What map is this?"

"Potter's map of Hogwarts. Potter saw me on it. Potter saw me stealing more ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion from Snape's office one night. He thought I was my father. We have the same first name. I took the map from Potter that night. I told him my father hated Dark wizards. Potter believed my father was after Snape. For a week I waited for my father to arrive at Hogwarts. At last, one evening, the map showed my father entering the grounds. I pulled on my Invisibility Cloak and went down to meet him. He was walking around the edge of the forest. Then Potter came, and Krum. I waited. I could not hurt Potter. My master needed him. Potter ran to get Dumbledore. I Stunned Krum. I killed my father."

Arabella gagged as Winky wailed in despair. Arabella couldn't believe she heard that.

"'You killed your father," Dumbledore said, in a soft voice. "What did you do with the body?"

"Carried it into the forest. Covered it with the Invisibility Cloak. I had the map with me. I watched Potter run into the castle. He met Snape. Dumbledore joined them. I watched Potter bringing Dumbledore out of the castle. I walked back out of the forest, doubled around behind them, went to meet them. I told Dumbledore Snape had told me where to come. Dumbledore told me to go and look for my father. I went back to my father's body. Watched the map. When everyone was gone, I Transfigured my father's body. He became a bone… I buried it, while wearing the Invisibility Cloak, in the freshly dug earth in front of Hagrid's cabin."

Silence followed his statement as everyone stared at Crouch. Arabella still couldn't believe what she heard. Crouch killed his own father and… and turned him into a bone. He buried him with no remorse whatsoever.

Then Dumbledore prompted, "And then today…"

"I saw Arabella Black in the morning with her little friends. I told her that Professor Dumbledore wanted to have a word with her in my office about the Third Task. Foolish girl, she believed me. She followed me and saw me transform back into my original body. I was careful when I took the Polyjuice Potion today. I wanted her to see me as I truly were. She fought against me but I overpowered her easily. I couldn't help myself… I broke her leg. She deserved it. I waited until lunch was over before offering to carry the Triwizard Cup into the maze. I turned it into a Portkey, left with it and the girl. My master has a very long memory. He does not forget a slight. He was going to punish Arabella Black for what her mother did, unless she joined us. She would have been a great asset to us, if she wasn't so loyal to Potter. My master was going to give her to Bellatrix Lestrange for her loyalty towards him all these years if his plan worked. And it did. He has returned to full power and I will be honoured by him beyond the dreams of wizards."

The insane smile lit his features once more, and his head drooped onto his shoulders as Winky wailed and sobbed at this side. Dumbledore stood up and stared down at Crouch. His face was one of disgust. He then raised his wand and ropes flew out of it. They twisted themselves around Crouch, binding him to his chair tightly.

He turned towards McGonagall and said, "Minerva, could I ask you to stand guard here while I take Harry and Arabella upstairs?"

"Of course," said McGonagall at once, though she did look slightly nauseous. Nevertheless, she drew out her wand and pointed it right at Crouch's cheek, her hand steady.

"Severus, please tell Madam Pomfrey to come down here. We need to get Alastor Moody into the hospital wing. Then go down into the grounds, find Cornelius Fudge, and bring him up to this office. He will undoubtedly want to question Crouch himself. Tell him I will be in the hospital wing in half an hour's time if he needs me."

Snape nodded and swept out of the room. Dumbledore then turned towards Arabella and Harry. Harry got up and swayed slightly. Dumbledore gripped Arabella's left arm, guiding her and Harry into the dark corridor.

"I want the two of you to come up to my office first," Dumbledore said quietly. "Sirius and Remus are waiting for us there."

Arabella didn't say or do anything. She felt something surge through her. She wanted to scream or throw up. Probably both. She thought of everything. Crouch attacking her… the graveyard… Cedric's empty eyes… Pettigrew's screams… Voldemort's red eyes… Pain… Pain… Macnair's hands… Harry's last goodbye… She didn't want to think about it anymore, but she knew Dumbledore was going to question them about the events tonight. She knew it, just as she did all those years ago when Dumbledore asked her for the memory of Kassandra's death. Arabella was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she didn't pay attention to Dumbledore or Harry, nor did she realize they had finally reached the stone gargoyles.

Dumbledore pushed open his oak door. Sirius and Remus were standing there, their faces white. In one swift movement, they crossed the room. Arabella let go of Dumbledore and quickly found herself in Remus's arms, wanting to never let go.

"Harry!" gasped Sirius. "Arabella – your neck – what happened? Are you all right? I knew it – I knew something like this – what happened?"

Sirius helped Harry into a chair as Remus did the same, his hand still clinging onto Arabella's. She looked at his face, his scars more pronounced than ever. She placed her other hand on top of his and wanted to say something to comfort him, anything that would make things better. But the words died in her mouth.

"What happened?" Remus asked, her voice urgent.

Dumbledore told them everything Crouch said. Arabella was barely listening. She focused her eyes on Remus's hand, watching the bones in his hands twitch ever so often. She didn't know if he wanted to be left alone for the rest of her life or if she wanted to be surrounded by people she loved. But the thought of everyone disappearing around her, of them all melting into the background, and her aching body lying against the comfortable chair seemed almost sweet. She wanted to sleep – she wanted to feel nothing but her tender bones and her throbbing leg.

Dumbledore suddenly stopped talking. He sat down opposite Arabella and Harry, both avoiding his blue eyes. Arabella clenched Remus's hand, knowing what was going to come next.

"I need to know what happened," said Dumbledore. "I need to know what happened after Barty Crouch lured you, Arabella, into his office, and what happened after you touched the Portkey in the maze, Harry."

"We can leave that till morning, can't we, Dumbledore?" said Sirius harshly. He placed both his hands on Arabella and Harry's shoulders. "Let them have some sleep. Let them rest."

Arabella closed her eyes, almost wanting to laugh.

"If I thought I could help the both of you," Dumbledore said gently, "by putting you into an enchanted sleep and allowing you to postpone the moment when you would have to think about what has happened tonight, I would do it. But I know better. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. You both have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you. I ask you to demonstrate your courage one more time. I ask you to tell us what happened."

Arabella took a deep breath and looked at Harry. She held onto his hand as she started to tell the story. She began from the beginning, when Crouch took her to his office, claiming that Dumbledore was waiting for her, their small fight and waking up in the graveyard, tied to a marble tombstone. Then she explained the potion that revived Voldemort, the Death Eaters Apparating around them. When Arabella mentioned Pettigrew piercing Harry's arm with the dagger, Dumbledore stood up very quickly as Sirius and Remus made angry declarations. Dumbledore examined Harry's arm.

"He said my blood would make him stronger than if he'd used someone else's," Harry said quietly. "He said the protection my – my mother left in me – he'd have it too. And he was right – he could touch me without hurting himself, he touched my face."

Dumbledore returned to his seat and Harry continued on. He explained how Voldemort had emerged from the cauldron and told them all he could remember from Voldemort's speech – his long memory of Kassandra, his offer to Arabella, and her eventual torture. Sirius and Remus opened their mouth multiple times to interrupt, but Dumbledore raised his hand, stopping them. Then Harry told how Voldemort untied him, retuned his wand to him, and prepared to duel.

Arabella was more than grateful when Harry didn't mention Voldemort having Avery and Macnair hold her up and dragging her away from the circle of Death Eaters. She didn't want anyone knowing that, especially Remus and Sirius. Harry then reached the part where the golden beam of light had connected both their wands and his voice gave out.

"The wands connected?" asked Sirius, looking in between Harry and Dumbledore. "Why?"

"Priori Incantatem," muttered Dumbledore, gazing into Harry's face.

"The Reverse Spell effect?" said Remus.

"Exactly," said Dumbledore. "Harry's wand and Voldemort's wand share cores. Each of them contains a feather from the tail of the same phoenix. This phoenix, in fact." He pointed at Fawkes, who was perched up beside his desk.

"My wand's feather came from Fawkes?" gapped Harry.

"Yes. Mr. Ollivander wrote to tell me you had bought the second and, the moment you left his shop four years ago."

"So what happens when a wand meets its brother?" said Sirius.

"They will not work properly against each other," said Dumbledore. "If, however, the owners of the wands force the wands to do battle… a very rare effect will take place. One of the wands will force the other to regurgitate spells it has performed – in reverse. The most recent first… and then those which preceded it… Which means, that some form of Cedric must have reappeared."

Harry nodded as Sirius said, sharply, "Diggory came back to life?"

"No spell can reawaken the dead," Dumbledore said heavily. "All that would have happened is a kind of reverse echo. A shadow of the living Cedric would have emerged from the wand… am I correct?"

"He asked Arabella to take his body back," said Harry, his voice shaking. "The… ghost of Cedric… he spoke."

"An echo," said Dumbledore, "which retained Cedric's appearance and character. I am guessing other such forms appeared… less recent victims of Voldemort's wand…"

"An old man," Arabella said quietly. "Bertha Jorkins. Lily and James Potter. Another old man…"

"Isaak," Dumbledore said softly, his eyes flickering towards Sirius and Remus.

"I don't – I don't know," muttered Arabella, shrugging. "He just – he said that it was good to see me again. And he called me 'dear.'"

Remus's grip on her hand tightened. It was painful.

"The last murders the wand performed," said Dumbledore. "In reverse order. More would have appeared, of course, had the connection been maintained. Very well, these echoes, these shadows… what did they do?"

Harry described how the figure emerged from the wand, how Voldemort seemed to fear them, how the shadow of Harry's mother had told him what to do, how Cedric asked Arabella to bring his body back. After a couple minutes, his voice died out, unable to continue. Sirius had his face in his hands while Remus stared at Arabella's leg, his face pale and his eyes blank.

"I will say it again," said Dumbledore. "You both have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of the two of you tonight. You have shown bravery equal to those who died fighting Voldemort at the height of his powers. You have shouldered a grown wizard's burden and found yourself equal to it – and you both have now given us all that we have a right to expect. You will come with me to the hospital wing. I do not want you returning to the dormitory tonight. A Sleeping Potion, and some peace… Sirius, Remus, would you like to stay with them?'

Sirius nodded and stood up, transforming into the great black dog. Remus helped Arabella to her feet, but she could not walk properly. Her leg was swollen and the pain near unbearable. He lifted her into his shaky arms, following Dumbledore out of the office with Harry and Sirius right behind them.

"Who's Isaak?" Arabella mumbled sheepishly into Remus's chest.

"Not now," Remus whispered. "I'll – We'll tell you later."

"Promise?" breathed Arabella.

"Promise."

When Dumbledore finally pushed open the hospital wing doors, Arabella saw Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Ron and Hermione grouped around Madam Pomfrey, demanding to know where Arabella and Harry were. They whipped around as Arabella, Remus, Harry, Sirius and Dumbledore entered. Mrs. Weasley let out a strangled scream and started towards them, tears on the brim of her eyes. Dumbledore moved in front of her.

"Molly, please litem to me for a moment," he said, raising a hand. "Harry and Arabella have both been through a terrible ordeal tonight. They just had to relive them for me. What they need now is sleep, and peace and quiet. If they would like you all to stay with them, you may do so. But I do not want you questioning them until they are ready to answer, and certainly not this evening."

Arabella felt relief flow through her, even as Mrs. Weasley turned towards the others, hissing for them to be quiet.

"Headmaster," said Pomfrey, staring at Sirius's Animagus form, "may I ask what –?"

"This dog will be remaining with them for a while," said Dumbledore. "I assure you, Remus has him well trained. Harry, Arabella – I will be back to see you as soon as I have met with Fudge. I would the both of you to remain here tomorrow until I have spoken to the school."

He then left as Pomfrey let them both to two beds that were very close together at the end of the infirmary. Arabella caught sight of the real Mad-Eye, motionless in his bed. She wanted to reach out for him, but her body was slowly betraying her. She wanted to rest forever. Pomfrey handed them some pajamas and pulled screens around them. Mrs. Weasley helped Arabella into her pajamas and got into bed. Ron, Hermione, Bill, Mrs. Weasley, Remus, and Sirius then settled themselves in chairs around their beds as Pomfrey looked over Arabella's broken leg, pointing her wand at the leg, and muttering under her breath. A flash of glowing blue light erupted out of her wand and Arabella winced at the burning sensation. Then it was gone and Pomfrey wrapped Arabella's leg in heavy bandages. She then left for her office.

Remus held onto Arabella's hand, his eyes slowly filling up with tears. Sirius licked her other hand, as though trying to reassure her. Mr. Weasley was busy fussing over Harry's bedcovers, looking as though she was about to burst into tears. Pomfrey then returned with two small bottles of a purple potion, two goblets, and a small vial.

"Both of you will need to drink this – it's a potion for dreamless sleep," she indicated at the purple potion. She then raised the small vial and said, "This is for your neck, Miss Black. The bruising and swelling should go down in a couple hours."

Arabella applied the substance to her neck and took a couple sips of the potion. She felt the effects immediately. Her eyes began to droop and her fingers numb. Before she could finish the potion, Remus grabbed the goblet and placed it on the bed side table. He then kissed her forehead and pulled the hospital blanket up to her chin. The room became blurry and the softness of the mattress inviting. She mumbled something an incoherent 'goodnight' under her breath and let exhaustion carry her off to sleep.

Unfortunately, her sleep did not last very long. Arabella woke up sometime later due to the whispers around her. The room was dimly lit and she was sure it was still nighttime. She was still drowsy and wanted everyone to just be quiet.

"They'll wake them if they don't shut up!"

"What are they even shouting about? Nothing else could have happened!"

Arabella blinked at the voice. It was Andromeda Tonks. But what was she doing here? Her vision was a little blurry, but she could make out the faint outlines of Andromeda and Mrs. Weasley on their feet.

"That's Fudge's voice," whispered Mrs. Weasley. "And that's Minerva McGonagall's, isn't it? But what are they arguing about?"

"Probably about them," said Andromeda.

People were now shouting and running towards the hospital wing.

"Regrettable, but all the same, Minerva –"

"You should never have brought it inside the castle!" yelled McGonagall. "When Dumbledore finds out –"

The hospital doors burst open. Bill pulled back the screens as Arabella sat up, followed by Harry. They went unnoticed by the people surrounding them. It was then Arabella realized Ted was there as well, staring as Fudge, McGonagall and Snape strode into the ward.

"Where's Dumbledore?" demanded Fudge.

"He's not here," said Mrs. Weasley angrily. "This is a hospital wing, Minister, don't you think you'd do better to –"

The hospital doors opened once more. Dumbledore came in, looking quite surprised and displeased.

"What has happened?" he said sharply. "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you – I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch –"

"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" shrieked McGonagall. "The Minister has seen to that?"

She was practically trembling with fury. Her hair was in a disarray, her cheeks flushed and her fists balled up. Arabella has never seen McGonagall look this ever in her life. If she didn't know any better, Arabella was sure she was going to curse the Minister from here to the Ministry and back.

Snape then said, in a low voice, "When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events, he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch –"

"I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore!" snapped McGonagall. "I told him you would never allow dementors to set foot inside the castle, but –"

"My dear woman!" yelled Fudge. "As Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous –"

But McGonagall's voice drowned out Fudge's easily.

"The moment that – that thing entered the room, is swooped down on Crouch and – and –"

Arabella felt a chill go through her spine. There was no need for McGonagall to finish her sentence. Everyone in the room seemed to know what the dementor did to Crouch. The Kiss. The Dementor's Kiss. Crouch was now an empty shell of his former self. No memories, no soul – it was a faith worse than death.

"By all accounts, he is no loss!" blubbered Fudge. "It seems he has been responsible for several deaths!"

"But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius," Dumbledore said sternly. "He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."

"Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it? He was a raving lunatic! From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions!"

"Lord Voldemort was giving him instructions, Cornelius," said Dumbledore. "Those people's deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body."

Dazed and blinking, Fudge stared at Dumbledore. He then began to sputter and blink rapidly. "You-Know-Who… returned? Preposterous. Come now, Dumbledore…"

"As Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you, we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the influence of Veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort – learning of his continued existence from Bertha Jorkins – went to free him from his father and used him to capture Harry and Arabella. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort to return."

"See here, Dumbledore," said Fudge, a small smile on his face, "you – you can't seriously believe that. You-Know-Who – back? Come now, come now… certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders – but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore…"

"Barty Crouch kidnapped Arabella in the morning and brought her to a graveyard," Dumbledore said steadily. "The same graveyard Harry was transported to when he touched the Triwizard Cup tonight. They both have witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step up to my office." He glanced around the hospital wing and shook his head. "I am afraid I cannot permit you to question them tonight."

Fudge continued to smile, glancing at Arabella and Harry. "You are – er – prepared to take Harry and Black's word on this, are you, Dumbledore?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Andromeda said hotly, her eyes blazing. By her side, Sirius growled, his teeth bared at Fudge.

Fudge looked at her, affronted, but Dumbledore spoke, his eyes narrowed at Fudge.

"Certainly, I believe them. I heard Crouch's confession, and I heard Harry and Arabella's accounts of what happened after they had both arrived at the graveyard. Their stories make sense. They explain everything that has happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."

Fudge was still had a strange smile on his face. "You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer, a girl that is related to Sirius Black, and a boy who… well…"

"You've been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge," Harry said quietly.

Ron, Hermione, Bill, Mrs. Weasley, Andromeda, Ted, and Remus all jumped at Harry's voice. Fudge, on the other hand, reddened, but he had a hard look on his face.

"And if I have?" he said, looking at Dumbledore. "If I have discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having funny turns all over the place –"

"I assume that you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar?" Dumbledore said coldly.

"You admit that he has been having these pains, then?" said Fudge quickly. "Headaches? Nightmares? Possibly – hallucinations?"

"Listen to me, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, taking a step forward. Power seemed to be radiating off of him. "Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brain. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."

Fudge took a step back and said, stubbornly, "You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before…"

"We saw Voldemort return!" shouted Arabella, trying to get out of bed, but Remus was pushing her back. "I can give you the names of the Death Eaters! Lucius Malfoy –"

Snape made a sudden movement. But when Arabella shot him a look, his eyes flew back to Fudge.

"Malfoy was cleared, young lady!" said Fudge. "A very old family – donations to excellent causes –"

"Nott!"

"Also cleared!"

"Crabbe – Goyle – Avery – Macnair –"

"They have all been cleared thirteen years ago!" Fudge barked. "You could have found those names in old reports of the trials –"

"Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eaters!" snarled Arabella.

"For heaven's sake, Dumbledore – the girl was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too –"

"They're not some crackpot story!" cried Arabella, shoving Remus off her. She kneeled on her bed and moved closer towards Fudge, ignoring the shooting pain in her leg. "Voldemort is back and we saw all those Death Eaters return to him a though it was nothing –"

"Her tails are getting teller, Dumbledore, and you're still swallowing them –"

"Listen to me!"

"Miss Black, sit down!" shouted McGonagall, trying to push her back into the bed.

Arabella wrenched her hands away and screamed, "No! He has to know! He has to understand!"

"I understand plenty –"snapped Fudge.

"No, you don't!" roared Arabella. "Because those – those cowards came back – they came back to his side as though it was nothing – like they didn't abandoned him and they started taking his orders again like dogs – and if it wasn't for Harry – if it wasn't for Harry, Macnair would have – he would have – he was going to – his hands were – his order were to – he was going to –"

Her voice got quiet and the words died in her mouth. She couldn't finish her sentence. She didn't want to say what Macnair was going to do. It would make it all too real and all too horrible. Instead, she clutched the metal bed frame and flared her nose, remembering the sickening feeling of Macnair's breath on her neck and his skin on hers. Andromeda reached out her hand, about to touch her arm, but Arabella flinched profusely. She didn't want anybody in the room to touch her or come closer to her. She wanted them to disappear and leave her alone. She wanted to… she wanted to not be Arabella Black for just a moment so that the others could stop staring at her with looks of pity and worry.

"Macnair was with his wife last night," Fudge said coldly. There was no trace of sympathy in his face or voice. "He is a well-respected Ministry worker –"

"Cedric Diggory!" exclaimed Ted, speaking for the first time. "Barty Crouch Sr.! These deaths are the work of that lunatic you subjected to the Dementor's Kiss, Minister!"

"There is no evidence to the contrary!" Fudge's voice was matching Ted's. "It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!"

"Fool!" fumed Andromeda

Before Fudge could say anything, Dumbledore interrupted.

"Voldemort has returned. If you accept that fact straightaway, Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and more essential step if to remove Azkaban from the control of the dementors –"

"Preposterous!" shouted Fudge. "Remove the dementors? I'd be kicked out of office for suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the dementors are standing guard at Azkaban!"

"The rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Cornelius, knowing that you have put Lord Voldemort's most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them! They will not remain loyal to you, Fudge! Voldemort can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can! With the dementors behind him, and his old supporters returned to him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago!"

Fudge was opening and closing his mouth as though no words could express his outrage.

"The second step you must take – and at once," continued Dumbledore, "is to send envoys to the giants."

"Envoys to the giants?" shrieked Fudge. "What madness is this?"

"Extend them the hand of friendship, now, before it is too late or Voldemort will persuade them, as he did before, that he alone among wizards will give them their rights and their freedom!"

"You – you cannot be serious!" gasped Fudge, shaking his head and taking a step back from Dumbledore. "If the magical community got wind that I had approached the giants – people hate them, Dumbledore – end of my career –"

"You are blinded," said Dumbledore. His voice was rising and his eyes blazing. "You are blinded by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius! You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow up to be! Your dementors has just destroyed the last remaining member of a pureblood family as old as any – and see what that man chose to make of his life! I tell you now – take the steps I have suggested, and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever known. Fail to act – and history will remember you as the man who stepped aside and allowed Voldemort a second chance to destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!"

"Insane," whispered Fudge, still retreating. "Mad…"

There was silence. Madam Pomfrey had her hands over her mouth. Remus was standing close to Arabella, seemingly frozen, while everyone else stared at Fudge.

"If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, "we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I – I shall act as I see fit."

It wasn't a treat, or at least from Dumbledore's voice. But Fudge acted as thought Dumbledore declared war upon him.

"Now, see here, Dumbledore. I've give you free reign, always. I've had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There aren't many who'd have let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to teach your students without reference to the Ministry. But if you're going to work against me –"

"The only one against whom I intend to work," said Dumbledore, "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius, on the same side."

Fudge rocked back and forth on his feet for a moment before saying, his voice with a hint of plea, "He can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be…"

Snape strode forward and pulled up his left sleeve, exposing his forearm. Fudge recoiled at the sight.

"There," Snape said harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."

Fudge took a step back from Snape, shaking his head. He stared at the Dark Mark, appalled, and then looked at Dumbledore. He then whispered, "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry."

He had almost reached the door when he paused. He turned around, strode back down the infirmary, and stopped at Harry's bed.

"Your winnings," he said shortly, taking a large bag of gold out of his pocket. "One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances…"

Once he had dropped the bag on the bedside table, he walked out of the room and slammed the door. Dumbledore sighed and peered around the group.

"There is work to be done. Molly… am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course you can," said Mrs. Weasley. She was pale, but her voice was strong. "We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride."

"Then I need to send a message to Arthur," said Dumbledore. "All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as short-sighted as Cornelius."

"I'll go to Dad," said Bill, standing up. "I'll go now."

"Excellent," said Dumbledore. "Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry –"

"Leave it to me," said Bill. He then kissed his mother on the cheek, bid the others 'goodbye', and strode quickly from the room.

"Minerva," said Dumbledore, "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also – if she will consent to come – Madame Maxime."

McGonagall nodded and left at once.

"Poppy," said Dumbledore, "would you be very kind and go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you will find a house-elf called Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us."

Pomfrey looked startled, but she too left. Dumbledore waited for the door to close before he spoke again.

"And now, it is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius… if you could resume your usual form."

The great black dog by Andromeda's side turned into a man at once. Andromeda jumped back as Mrs. Weasley screamed.

"Sirius Black!" she shrieked, pointing at him.

"Mum, shut up! Yelled Ron. "It's okay!"

Snape had not yelled or jumped backward, but the look on his face was one of mingled fury and horror.

"Him!" he snarled, staring at Sirius, whose face showed equal dislike. "What is he doing here?"

"He's with me, Severus," said Remus, standing beside Sirius.

"Shocking," drawled Snape.

"They are both here at my invitation," said Dumbledore, "as are you Severus. I trust the three of you. It is time to lay aside your old differences and trust each other. I will settle, in the short term, for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are all on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth do not stand united, there is no hope for any of us."

Very slowly and glaring at each other, Sirius and Snape moved forward and shook it others hands quickly. Remus and Snape shook hands as well, their contact lasting a little longer.

Before Dumbledore could continue, Andromeda let out a sob and said, "I knew it… I knew it… They told me what you had done… but I… I never believed them… not for… not for one moment…"

She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Sirius's neck, burying her face in his shoulder. Sirius returned the hug fiercely, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. There was a small, sad smile on Ted's face.

"I told Ted," Andromeda whispered, her voice shaking. "I told him you were never capable… I knew… I always knew… Sirius, oh god, you're here…"

"I'm never leaving."

Sirius looked up at Arabella and Harry as he said those words.

"Oh Sirius," echoed Andromeda. "Oh… you should see Dora… she's so big now and… Oh Sirius… I can't believe you're here…"

"There is work to be done, Andromeda," Dumbledore said sternly. "I do apologize, but there is time for pleasantries later."

"Yes, yes, of course," said Andromeda, taking a step back and wiping her face quickly. There was a small smile on her face now as she sniffed.

"Now, I have work for each of you," said Dumbledore. "Fudge's attitude, though not expected, changes everything. Sirius, Remus, I need the two of you to set off at once. You are to alert Arabella Figg and Mundungus Fletcher – the old crowd. Lie low at headquarters for a while. I will contact soon."

"But –"said Harry.

He and Arabella looked at each other for a moment.

"You're leaving?" asked Arabella.

"You will see us soon," said Remus, squeezing her shoulder. "I'll be at the train station, I promise."

"We must do what we can," said Sirius. "You understand this, don't you?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "Yeah… of course I do, but…"

Sirius grasped Harry's hand briefly before kissing Arabella's cheek.

"We'll see each other soon?" mumbled Arabella.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," said Sirius, smiling at her.

Remus nodded and then looked at Sirius. They both nodded and Sirius transformed back into the black dog. They walked the length of the room, turned the handle of the door, and disappeared.

"Andromeda, Ted," said Dumbledore, "if you could please contact Nymphadora and meet me in my office."

"But – but she's so young," sputtered Ted.

"Ted," said Andromeda, her voice different now. It was harder and one of realization. She looked at Arabella and then at Dumbledore. "Promise me she wouldn't get hurt."

"I cannot guarantee the safety of Nympha –"

"No, not her," Andromeda said quietly, shaking her head. "I know my daughter too well. If you recruit her, she will want to be involved and in the thick of things. She will volunteer for every assignment just to prove herself. I worry about her, yes, but she is also a grown woman who learned everything from Alastor Moody. But I am talking about her." Andromeda looked at Arabella and continued, "I will only contact Dora if you promise me that Arabella will not get hurt or get in between whatever you are planning, Dumbledore. Promise me that she will stay safe or I swear to you, Dumbledore, I will –"

"I will do my best, Andromeda," Dumbledore said gravely. "But this is something I cannot promise."

Andromeda's nose flared. "She's just a child –"

"A child who Voldemort personally sought out," uttered Arabella. Everyone in the room, except Harry, winced. "Don't look at Professor Dumbledore to keep me safe. I can do it myself, Andy."

"Arabella –"

"Just leave and contact Nymph," snapped Arabella, clearly annoyed. She turned and laid back on her bed.

She was capable of looking after herself. She didn't need Andromeda or Crouch questioning her ability or skill. She didn't need Dumbledore or Harry or anyone else looking after her or rescuing her. She was capable of doing it herself. She just wished everyone realized that as well.

"Andromeda," urged Dumbledore. "Ted, please, time is off the essence."

Andromeda sighed and nodded. She gathered up her bag and turned to look at Dumbledore. She said, "If anything happens to Dora or Arabella, no army on earth will be able to stop me from cursing You-Know-Who. Is that clear?"

"I expect nothing less," said Dumbledore simply.

Ted gave Arabella a kiss on the cheek before leaving the hospital wing with Andromeda.

"Severus," said Dumbledore, "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready… if you are prepared…"

"I am," said Snape, his face pale and his eyes strangely darker.

"Then good luck."

They watched Snape sweep wordlessly after the Tonks. It was a while before Dumbledore spoke again.

"I must go downstairs. I must see the Diggorys. Harry, Arabella – take the rest of your potion. I will see all of you later."

Arabella watched as Dumbledore disappeared out the hospital door. Hermione, Ron, and Mrs. Weasley were all looking at Arabella and Harry, none of them speaking for a very long time.

"You have to take the rest of your potion, Harry," said Mrs. Weasley. "You have a good long sleep. Try and think about something else for a while… think about what you're going to buy with your winnings!"

"I don't want that gold," said Harry, his voice empty. "You have it. Anyone can have it. I shouldn't have won it. It should've been Cedric's."

"It wasn't your fault, Harry," Mrs. Weasley whispered.

"I told him to take the cup with me," said Harry, staring up at the ceiling.

Mrs. Weasley bent down and put her arms around Harry. Arabella watched as she saw Harry's body relax into the hug while his face screwed up, as though trying to hold back tears. There was a loud slamming noise and they broke apart. Hermione was standing by the window, holding something tight in her hands. She mumbled a small apology while Mrs. Weasley wiped her eyes.

"Your potion, Harry," she said quickly.

He drank the rest of it in one gulp and fell back onto his pillows. Ron looked at him and then at Arabella. He gestured towards the potion, but she shook her head and said, "No."

"You have to get some sleep, Arabella," Mrs. Weasley said gently.

"No," Arabella repeated. "I just… I have to see the Diggorys and explain. They should know the truth."

"And they will," said Mrs. Weasley. "Professor Dumbledore is telling them right now."

"Then I want to go home," Arabella said quickly. "I want to go home with Remus and Sirius and sleep there."

It was only when Mrs. Weasley wrapped her arms around Arabella did she realize she was crying. She was mumbling incoherent nonsense into Mrs. Weasley's shoulder, who didn't understand, but rubbed her back all the same. It was nice, Arabella supposed, being hugged like this by Mrs. Weasley. She knew Andromeda loved her, but Arabella will always be a child in her eyes. Mrs. Weasley comforted her despite everything. It was a though a weight was being lifted off her shoulders. It almost seemed as though everything was going to work out in the end.

Arabella wiped her face as Mrs. Weasley handed her the potion with a promise of staying by their sides. She drank the rest of the potion in one gulp and fell back into her pillows.

Thank you so much for reading! Hope you all like it! The next chapter should be the last in this book.