A/N: There won't be an update Monday as I'm away from my computer over the weekend. Normal service resumes next week! Oh, and Happy Easter!

Minerva hadn't been wrong. The second The Daily Prophet landed on the small wooden table Molly was faced with a hideous snarling portrait of Sirius Black; it seemed the Ministry hadn't hesitated in alerting the wizarding community to the danger. Pushing the newspaper along the table, Molly caught Minerva's eye. 'It's not just your battle anymore.'

The professor, who had been in deep thought, ran her eyes briefly over the article. 'Fudge is losing his head! He wants to put Dementors on the gates of the school!'

Molly shivered. 'He can't be serious.'

'Well, the man is a joke,' Minerva answered disdainfully. 'I'll have to discuss this with Albus, it can't be done.'

'I'm sure he won't allow it.'

'He'd better not.'

'Have you noticed,' Ron said thoughtfully, tapping the end of his fork against his chin, 'that McGonagall's never at the staff table anymore?'

Choking unceremoniously on a piece of bacon, Hermione had to reach for her water. Looking up to the trio staring at her, she tried her best frown. 'What?'

Harry shook his head. 'Nothing.'

'It's a bit odd though, don't you think?' Ron continued after a moment. 'I mean, she's never out of our faces usually.'

'Come on, she's not that bad,' Ginny said mildly. 'She's treated me okay.'

Hermione was starting to feel slightly sick. She was about to mutter a garbled apology and leave when a flock of owls swooped down from the ceiling- saved by the post.

Catching The Daily Prophet neatly in her hands, she couldn't help but gasp at the leading article. 'Oh, my!'

The trio immediately looked up again. 'What is it?' Ron asked quickly.

She passed him the paper wordlessly. He took it, his eyes widening as he quickly read the article, then offered it to Harry.

Harry frowned. 'Am I supposed to know him?'

'Sirius Black,' said Ron quietly. 'He was in league with You-Know-Who.'

'More than that,' Hermione muttered, recalling what little she had been able to locate in books about Voldemort. 'He was apparently one of his most fanatical supporters, he did things no one else would.'

'How the hell did he escape?' Ron queried, glancing around. 'That's what I want to know. No one's ever got out of Azkaban before.'

'It doesn't matter how he got out, Ron,' Ginny replied softly. 'They've just got to get him back. Quickly.'

Hermione couldn't agree more. Reaching under the table she squeezed Ginny's hand.

Molly was rather surprised to see Errol lying limply on the doorstep when she stepped outside soon after Minerva had left. Her note to Arthur had been to satisfy herself, she hadn't expected a response. Picking up the tired owl, she carried him back inside and removed the scroll from his leg. His note was equally on brief but it required an answer:

Will you meet me in The Three Broomsticks at twelve?

'Surely, Albus, you're not going to allow it?'

'Minerva, I am currently attempting to persuade Cornelius that the situation doesn't yet merit. He is, however, reluctant to accept that.'

Sitting down opposite the Headmaster, she shook her head. 'Dementors in the grounds, you'd do as well to close the school.'

'The best thing for the students now is the security Hogwarts offers them.'

'And the best thing for Potter?' she questioned quietly. 'Should he be told?'

'Let him be safe in his ignorance,' Albus advised.

'If only that could be true of all of us.'

Albus met her eye and smiled slightly. 'Quite. You'll be pleased to know that I have proposed an alternative to the Ministry.'

'Really, what?'

'That we station Aurors and Ministry-trained wizards at the entrances in place of Dementors. It is the added security without the added risk. Teachers will, of course, be asked to volunteer their services alongside.'

'Yes, fine. Do you think Cornelius will accept the idea?'

'We live in hope, Minerva. We live in hope.'

Bundled up against the weather which indeed had worsened over the weekend, Molly gratefully pushed open the door of The Three Broomsticks. She immediately spotted Arthur huddled in the far corner of the pub: he had already bought the drinks.

After inwardly bracing herself for the unknown, she sat down opposite him. 'Hello.'

He looked up instantly, his eyes showing strain; though Molly couldn't decipher what was causing it- their personal situation or the national one. 'Molly…'

Now at least she knew on which side he was suffering more. Biting down on her lip, she said, 'You wanted to talk to me?'

'I didn't know who else to talk to. There isn't anyone else.'

'Oh, Arthur…'

'No, I don't want your pity, Molly,' he said, drawing himself up in his seat. 'I just need your help.'

'Of course. Anything.'

'You're back on Hogwarts soil, aren't you?' I mean, you haven't told me but I assumed with Minerva…'

'Arthur,' she interrupted, unable to hear her name at the present time. 'I'm back at Hogwarts.'

'Good, good. Now, you know Black's after Harry, don't you? I told you about it. Molly, Dumbledore'll be doing his best, they all will, but they won't tell him the truth. They won't tell him what Black's really after!'

'Well, no, I doubt they will,' she said uncertainly.

'He needs to be told! Molly, I need you to tell him!'

'No, Arthur! You can't be serious?'

'He needs to know! If he doesn't what he's up against…'

'Arthur, you expect me to tell a thirteen year-old boy who's main priority is the next Quidditch match that a vicious murderer wants to finish the job he started? Don't you think he deserves a childhood?'

'Molly, I would love for Harry to reach adulthood!'

She picked up her Firewhisky and drank it in one go. 'I can't do it.'

'At least consider it,' Arthur said quietly.

Lowering her eyes she found herself to be too wrought to look at him. 'I'll consider it.'

The afternoon Transfiguration class was a subdued affair. The news of Black's escape had settled on the class and Hermione, for one, could sense the worry. Even McGonagall was sat behind her desk, frowning absently, safe in the knowledge that the class were getting on with the reading unbidden.

Having finished the selection of questions at the end of the chapter, Hermione glanced around. Everyone else was working at a slow pace, their quills grating on their parchments, so she stood and approached the teacher's desk. 'Professor? I've finished.'

It took a few seconds for McGonagall to register her words. 'Sorry, Miss Granger?'

'I've finished the questions, Professor.'

'Ah…' McGonagall took her parchment. 'Let me see.'

As the teacher's eyes ran quickly over the answers, Hermione lowered her voice further and asked, 'Professor, are you okay?'

McGonagall glanced up quickly then smiled tightly. 'Of course, Miss Granger, though I appreciate your concern.' She went back to reading the parchment for a few moments then nodded. 'Good work, Miss Granger. If you have work for another subject you may complete it now.'

Muttering a thanks Hermione moved back to her seat. When she looked up from her Ancient Runes homework a couple of minutes later she saw McGonagall staring into the distance again. Disconcerted, she forced her eyes back downwards.

The close of the day had been slow coming. Minerva was thankful when the bell rang and she could return to Noviomagus. The concern which had been raging inside her since her impromptu trip there at lunchtime was finally sedated by the sight of Molly reading another healing book on the sofa.

After clearing her face, Minerva stepped further into the room. 'Have I or have I not been hinting for some days now that you should spend time away from this cottage?'

Molly looked up immediately, a guilty expression adorning her face. 'You came back at lunchtime?'

'Mmm,' Minerva replied, removing her scarf and depositing it on the coat rack. 'I came back at lunchtime.'

'I'm sorry…' Molly began but Minerva cut her off.

'Oh, don't apologise, I just couldn't help but worry. No, I'm relieved that you actually went out.'

'I met Arthur.'

Stopping half-way through removing her coat, Minerva turned. 'Really?'

Molly nodded. 'He wanted to talk about Black.'

Nodding, she questioned, 'How is he?'

'We didn't get round to that,' admitted Molly with a shrug. 'He was more worried about Harry.'

Placing her coat on the rack beside the scarf, Minerva moved to sit down. 'What did he have to say on the matter?'

'Well, he thinks Harry should be told.'

'Albus disagrees. I'll admit I'm undecided. Part of thinks Harry would be better with the knowledge to defend himself. If Black does somehow approach him I feel he should know why.'

'But the decision rests with Albus,' Molly said slowly.

'Yes, for the time being I suppose it does.'

'I hope Arthur comes to realise that.'

Minerva paused before asking, 'Molly, are you alright?'

She looked up. 'Oh, I'm fine. The whole thing's just a shock to the system.'

'Of course,' Minerva said with as much certainty as she could muster. 'Shall I put the kettle on?'

'Harry, I thought I'd find you out here,' Hermione said as she crossed the empty and darkening courtyard and sat herself beside her friend. 'Ron wants you to play chess with him. I'd do it, he's driving Seamus crazy.'

The boy glanced to her. 'Seamus doesn't play chess.'

'You see the problem.'

Harry grinned then went back to examining moss on the floor. 'Just wasn't in the mood for the common room tonight, that's all.'

'Don't let it get to you,' Hermione advised. 'They'll catch Black soon enough and everyone'll be safe.'

'It isn't that,' admitted Harry with a sideways glance which betrayed his anxiousness. 'Well, it isn't just that. Every time I think of anyone to do with Voldemort I get so mad, you know? Part of me wants to meet Black, to find out what he saw in him. Is that wrong?' he questioned, looking to her nervously.

'I'm not sure what's normal, Harry,' she replied, attempting a small smile. 'But you don't want to meet Black. He's dangerous, you need to stay away from him.'

'What, you think he's after me?'

'I don't know, but I wouldn't take the chance.'

'May I ask you a question?'

Minerva glanced up from instructing her wand in its measuring. 'Of course.'

'Did you know about Ginny and Hermione?'

After a moment she nodded. 'It wasn't my place to tell you. I'm assuming she did?'

'Yes,' replied Molly, washing her hands under the tap then drying them. 'She seems happy.'

'I believe she is,' Minerva answered with a small smile.

'Hermione can't be finding it all that easy though.'

'She's a resilient girl, they both are.'

'I hope you're right about that.'