Summary: Tonks, Sirius, Snape, Narcissa, Luna, Dobby and Bob the Dementor must save the Wizarding World one evil faction at a time. Together, they walk the downward spiral to insanity.

Ratings: T (downgraded for now, because it doesn't seem as though I'll be doing anything too profane)

Timeline: Post Goblet of Fire, pre Order of the Phoenix, though keeping in mind the various character and spell introductions of the final books.

Disclaimer: (I guess I should probably include this) Harry Potter and all related characters property of J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Okay, so technically speaking, I have another 6 days to do my assignment. Here's another chapter.

Chapter Thirty One

Despite the reprieve in battle in the Death Chamber, in the Hall of Prophecies, peace had not yet come to pass. Narcissa Malfoy found herself being forced to take a side. Her husband was fighting against the Order, and she had no idea what to do. There was, of course, the thought of joining him – cementing her place as a follower of the Dark Lord. But then Draco would be effectively parentless should they be captured, and who knew what kind of consequence the Ministry's interference would have on his upbringing. Conversely, she could convince Lucius to turn, but, not only would that be difficult – even with the famous Black stubbornness – but it would put Draco in more danger than before. So she did what she had to.

Lucius had been engaged in battle with Kingsley Shacklebolt. It hadn't been a short fight, nor a particularly pretty fight. Kingsley now lay unconscious, his robes streaked with blood. Narcissa looked into her husband's eyes, obscured thought they were.

'Levicorpus.' It was the first spell that came into her mind, its appropriateness a moot point. Lucius had dropped his wand as he was lifted up into the air, and was now attempting to reach it unsuccessfully. Narcissa walked over to him.

'Just play along for now,' she whispered into his ear, before conjuring rope about his hands and feet. She did not elaborate – if she did, he wouldn't like it. Playing along for now might be all very well, but that was assuming things would end well for Lucius, which they wouldn't. Not unless one considered a stint in Azkaban ending well.

Behind Narcissa, Dumbledore re-entered the Hall, followed by Rufus Scrimgeour, Harry Potter, Sirius Black, Luna Lovegood, Dobby and Bob the Dementor. It was quite the crowd. Scrimgeour, knowing when he was out-classed, allowed Dumbledore to take point.

Narcissa could see why the Dark Lord was so fearful of the Hogwarts Headmaster. A flick of the wand, and all Death Eaters and Mafia enforcers were instantly trussed up. One wondered why he hadn't done it earlier. Narcissa remained bondless.

'Have some of your people escort the injured to St Mungo's, Rufus. There is also the unfortunate necessity of the Ministry requiring a new Minister.'

'I assume you'll be telling me just what it Merlin's name is going on, Dumbledore? We've got a sudden outbreak of evil wizards here.'

Dumbledore gave one of his enigmatic smiles that had grown famous during Voldemort's first uprising. 'All in due time, Rufus. Though as the first order of business, I believe you will find a traitor in the Department of Mysteries staff. Two in fifteen years, that really must be a Ministry record. I will inform you of all subsequent actions after a new Minister for Magic is chosen.'

Scrimgeour growled, though it was not an aggressive sound. 'No point in holding the vote, really. Amelia's got it hands down.'

'Nonetheless,' smiled Dumbledore. 'There are still things to be done, formalities. And I think we'll find that after all that, we'll find that we'll have quite a story on our hands.'

A/N: One chapter, then the epilogue. Read it, Enjoy it, Review it. Pick at least two.