Author's Notes:

- I would like to become a billionaire while getting millions of kids to enjoy reading.

- More Snape debate! A few people have pointed out that Snape did, in fact, duel fairly well against Harry in his escape in HBP. Remember, Harry had just returned from being nearly drowned by zombies during an overnight adventure. He also just saw his friend, mentor, and most powerful ally die. Snape didn't want to hurt Harry, so he only cast defensive magic as he escaped. So, less-than-good-shape-Harry vs. putting-up-an-act-Snape isn't exactly the best way to judge his skills in battle.

- Let's talk about Sirius, too. I know the crowd loves Sirius, but he was only around for a short time, unfortunately. I just don't think a man can spend 12 years in a happiness-sucking environment, one year feeding off rats and garbage, and then get his soul nearly sucked out of his body without a few mental issues as a result. I'm surprised he's even capable of being cheerful and friendly any more. Unfortunately, my Sirius won't be Harry's saviour any time soon, although he will be a good friend.

Chapter 38: Knowledge is Deception

Hermione hit the ground running after taking the portkey back to Hogwarts. She only had a few minutes inside the castle before all the staff, ghosts, and portraits were alerted to her presence. "Stalking Prey," she panted out when she reached the Fat Lady's portrait.

"What's the rush?" asked the pudgy painting as she swung open. Only a minute after Hermione was inside did another portrait visit her and inform her that the entire castle was on alert, looking for the girl who she had just let into the tower. Professor McGonagall was alerted immediately.

Meanwhile, Hermione was shoving everything she owned into her trunk haphazardly. As soon as she was packed, she closed, locked, shrunk, and levitated her trunk behind her. As she made her way back down, she heard a commotion outside the common room. The Fat Lady was explaining to someone else that she had just seen Hermione. Unable to get out the front door, she rushed up the boys' stairs and burst into Harry's dorm.

"Hey, Hermione. What's going on?" Neville asked. "Isn't Harry supposed to be at the tournament thing right now?"

Neville's question struck her painfully in her heart. The last few minutes, the fear of her own safety had kept the pain of Harry's disappearance suppressed, but the casual mention of his name brought the grief back. "Harry's been kidnapped!" she cried out. She began to cast the same spells on Harry's trunk as she had on her own.

"Wait, that doesn't mean you have to leave, too!" Neville tried to calm her down. "Just wait for the aurors... tell Dumbledore! Going off to save him on your own is... well, it's more Harry's style, to be honest."

"DUMBLEDORE?" Hermione shrieked. "He's the one responsible! He just gave up Harry to Voldemort!"

"That's stupid!" Ron shouted from across the room. "What book did you read that one out of, Hermione? That story's worse than one of Ginny's nine-knut novels!"

"Yeah, Dumbledore's always favoured Harry... now you're saying he wants Harry dead?" Dean added, slightly more politely. After hanging out with Ron much more over the past year, Dean and Seamus had begun to see that Dumbledore really did favour Harry, not Gryffindor as a whole- but they didn't really mind as much as Ron did.

"Uh... I don't usually agree with Ron, but I have to say that does sound pretty far-fetched. Professor Moody trusts him, and you know he'd barely trust his own mother," Neville told her in a neutral tone. "You're sure-"

"Yes, I'm sure," Hermione snarled. She'd learned to ignore Ron normally, but he still got on her nerves. "He wants to obliviate me because of it," she added, grabbing Harry's broom from under his bed. Hearing the some shouting from the other side of the wall, she guessed that Professor McGonagall and the prefects were searching in the girls' side of the tower. Opening a window and mounting the broom, she said, "I've got to go."

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? That's a professional broom! You can't just read about those things and think you can handle one of those!" Ron exclaimed as Hermione quickly proved him wrong. She was out the window and flying away a full minute before the others realized she'd snuck into the boys' side.

The Firebolt was certainly a hard broom to control. Almost every little twitch of her fingers or change in her grip was interpreted by the broom as a command. Hermione had ridden it a few times, but Harry was always there to support her. The only times she flew solo was with more "user-friendly" brooms. Harry made it look so easy, Hermione thought. Then again, he's always made everything look easy. Defeating the big baddie and saving the day... I hope he's made it this time, she prayed as she flew out towards Hogsmeade. Realizing that she shouldn't be seen by the villagers, she landed on the outskirts of town, a short walk from the Shrieking Shack. With no other place left to go, she headed towards the rickety building to collect her thoughts.

What have I done? I can't go back to school any more. If I head back home to Mum and Dad... Oh my goodness, I can't face them. I'm a dropout! Maybe it's best if I just stay on the run until the end of the school year. She paused at her own thoughts, then scolded herself. What am I doing? Harry's in trouble right now... he could be in danger, and I'm worrying about myself? He could already be dead, for all I know. Looking at her trunk, remembering that she still had dozens of blank sandstones to carve out some runes, she thought about sending herself back right away. She shook those thoughts out of her head. No. Have hope, Hermione. Not until I've seen proof that Harry's already gone. It didn't stop her from taking out the runes and begin carving carefully, just in case she needed to use them in an emergency.

Okay, I screwed up, Hermione admitted to herself as she was carving. How can I get everyone to know what Dumbledore's done? She reminded herself of Moody's discussion. What pieces were Dumbledore holding? For one, he was known throughout Europe for being wise and had a history of saving the world. Hermione was known throughout Hogwarts for being smart and for dating Harry. Dumbledore had the Ministry of Magic and Order of the Phoenix to back him up. She had Sirius and Remus on her side. The only trump card was that she had the truth on her side, but how could she use it?

For now, it's my word against his. He hasn't left any evidence behind! Short of spiking his drink with Veritaserum... what else can I do? One doesn't accuse the Chief Warlock of conspiracy to murder without something to back them up, after all. Then again... there was one person who had made a great reputation on writing about a whole lot of nothing- Rita Skeeter. She only asked for an article to be written, leaving out the specifics until they could meet.

She placed the letter to Skeeter in her pocket when she was done, and only then remembered the mirror in her pocket. "Remus... Harry's really gone!" she informed him.

Remus was, once again, hiding out in the lavatory of a train station. He looked pensive. "Hold up, Hermione. Are you in the Shrieking Shack?" She nodded in reply. "Stay there. I'll fetch Sirius."

The next day, Rita Skeeter found herself sitting in the back room of a very shady pub with some very shady characters. She was expecting a teenage girl. A rather powerful teenage girl who had some serious dirt on her, of course, but a teenage girl nonetheless. She wasn't expecting a werewolf and a huge, vicious-looking dog flanking her.

"So what's this all about? I thought you'd be trying to find Potter," she said as she dropped a copy of the Prophet on the table. Obviously, Harry Potter's failure to show up for the final scoring at the end of the trial didn't go unnoticed by the audience and had made front-page news. Some reporters had already scribbled out an article regarding Harry's "cheating" before the event even ended, so there were several theories floating around that Harry had cheated again and the Goblet saw fit to punish him by making him... disappear. Rita, to her dismay, couldn't write about the scoop of the decade without risking the full fury of the Ogden family coming down on her head.

"I am, and you're going to help me. I'm calling in the favour you owe me." Remus and Sirius both looked at her, surprised that she could somehow have something on Rita Skeeter herself.

"You'd better make this worth it. I'm telling you, I had to make the lamest excuse to my editor as to why I was passing over an article about something I predicted months ago. Harry Potter cheating in the tournament! Keeping our agreement could cost me as much as breaking it."

"You love smearing the names of the high and mighty with your pen. So I want you to fry the biggest fish in the ocean. Dumbledore."

Rita's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Are you kidding me?" she shrieked. Good thing for silencing wards, or else the entire bar would have come running into the room. "Look, in my line of work, you have to know your limits, and there are some things you just don't say. You don't question Moody's ability to hex your head off, Malfoy's friendliness with the minister, or Dumbledore being the greatest wizard every mother wants their little boy to become. You really want to end my career? I think I'm better off taking my chances with old man Tiberius and just pay the animagus fine instead..." She stood up and grabbed her satchel.

"We've got an angle you can work your information in," Remus said. "Publicly known facts, as well as a few... other facts that only we're aware of. He won't be able to deny your claims for this article."

"I'm listening..." Rita said without sitting down.

"We can get to him through Severus Snape. He's the one who kidnapped Harry."

"You know that for a fact?" Rita sat back down and took out a Quick-quotes quill.

"You'd better put that quill away, Rita," Hermione warned. "Nothing goes into the article that we don't want in there." Sighing, the woman took out a regular Dicta-quill instead. Remus relayed his experience as an anonymous friend of Harry's. He went on to point out Dumbledore and Snape's past history. Hermione mentioned the other champions might know about it, since she noticed Harry staying with Cedric for the entire last round of the trial. If his mirror hadn't been confiscated, Hermione would have known the full story behind that. There was a decent amount of information, but not quite enough for Rita. She decided to investigate a few leads on her own.

Hermione had to wait out two more days before the article showed up in the paper. Thankfully, Dobby, Remus, and Sirius kept her safe and secure in the Shrieking Shack. When the paper finally arrived, all of them boggled at the headline.

Dumbledore's Love and Losses! A Daily Prophet Exclusive

By Rita Skeeter

One has to wonder how such a powerful, renowned, and well-respected wizard has managed to stay celibate his entire life. Indeed, even after the fall of Grindelwald, there were many witches less than half his age throwing themselves at the saviour of Europe. How, then, has he not found anyone to confide in for over a century?

The answer isn't obvious, but after some careful digging, this reporter has found some juicy evidence of Dumbledore's love life. There IS one person who he had fought tooth and nail to protect despite all odds against them, and that person is named Severus Snape. MISTER Severus Snape.

After the defeat of You-Know-Who, a great deal of Death Eaters plead guilty to taking the Dark Mark, but of those, only one managed to escape any time in Azkaban. A few received reduced sentences for naming other Death Eaters, but Snape named none. How did he do it, then? Dumbledore came to his defense. Court records show that the only evidence presented was, and quote, "I have the utmost confidence in Severus Snape. He presented himself to me in the darkest times of the war and I stand behind him completely." He then used his powers as the Chief Warlock to close the case immediately, acquitting the man of his crimes completely. When further pressed on how he knew the man was truly reformed, Dumbledore only replied, "Any man who understands love can be redeemed."

Over a decade later, we look into the state of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. More specifically, the decline of the Slytherin house. People have placed the blame squarely on You-Know-Who's very public affinity for snakes that has caused such a low opinion of the house following the war, but it wasn't until Lucius Malfoy's son hurt himself due to the lack of discipline that the real cause was pinned down.

"You-Know-Who? You mean Snape, right? Of course he's the reason nobody likes Slytherin. They're a bunch of cheaters. He took away house points from us for breathing and gave his own house points for teasing us," says Andrew Brogden, a first-year Gryffindor. (For further reading on the state of History of Magic class, see page 12.) Many of the youngest students, born well after the aftermath of the You-Know-Who's reign, clearly saw the real reason behind the decline of what used to be the most powerful house at Hogwarts.

Even after the man was sacked, Dumbledore refused to admit Snape had done any wrong, including a possible assault on Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. An hour before the boy's disappearance, he was already completely convinced that the Snape was attempting to kidnap him and chose to stay close by Cedric Diggory for the final round in the Triwizard Trial of Champions.

"He was sure of it. I think he was scared for his life. I mean, here's a kid who's duelled Viktor Krum and weaves through a Zuu's talons on his broom, and he was terrified that he was going to get snatched away by someone. I thought he was being a little silly, but lo and behold, he's disappeared right after the tournament's over!" Cedric Diggory, the Hogwarts champion, explained. "I just wish I could have done more for that kid."

Harry Potter's muggleborn girlfriend, Hermione Granger, has insisted that Snape, and therefore Dumbledore, is responsible. Be sure to pick up tomorrow's copy of the Prophet as we delve further into Harry Potter's disappearance and Dumbledore's involvement!

"She barely wrote anything about Harry!" Hermione shouted in frustration.

"Heh, she called Dumbledore a poofter. And Snape too! That's better than anything we managed against him." Sirius laughed, clearly the least mature of the three.

Remus read the article much more objectively. "I like it, actually. It stirs up the pot and it makes sure more people will be reading the follow-up article tomorrow. Let's hope it works."

"She's got a point with this article. Maybe Dumbledore really does swing the other way," Sirius said while re-reading the article.

"Focus! Harry could be dead already! We need to do more to find him, and fast!" Hermione rapped Sirius on the head.

"Sor-ree, Hermione. I was just trying to lighten the mood. You've been stressing out too much."

"Still, we have to go and... do something..." she said weakly. She knew there wasn't much they could do. She couldn't return to school, as everyone had heard about her hasty exodus and the fact that the mind healers were after her. Sirius, of course, had to stay hidden and really couldn't do anything to help. Remus was the only one that could really travel freely, but he had his own problems.

"I'm sorry, but the full moon's coming up in a few days. I can't help you for now... don't do anything rash, Hermione," Remus cautioned her. "It'd probably be best if you head home and stayed with your parents. Tell them what's going on and lay low for a while. Skeeter might actually be able to force an investigation on Snape and Harry."

"What is the meaning of this, Snape?" Voldemort hissed from inside Snape's head.

"M-my l-lo-lord, surely you do-on't believe this d-drivel f-from Skeeter?" Snape sputtered out. Apparently, Quirrel's stuttering problem was actually a symptom of long-term possession by Voldemort. While Snape wasn't nearly as bad, he'd only had Voldemort in his head for a few days so far.

"Within every lie there is a grain of truth," Voldemort said. "And not even all that is in this is a lie. Dumbledore personally vouched for your services to him? He didn't offer such amnesty even for the lowest of my Death Eaters who got cold feet and fled. What did you do to earn so much of his trust?"

Snape was struggling to keep Voldemort out of his mind. He was a master occlumens, a practice that saved his life more than once from Voldemort's mental probing during the first war. However, defending his mind from a spirit inside him was far more difficult. He knew his mind's defences were eroding away quickly. Barty was still a few more days away from completing another body for Voldemort, and if that blasted article from Skeeter hadn't appeared, he probably could have lasted long enough. With the Dark Lord's full attention on him and questioning his loyalty, there was no way his mind would last.

"Th-The old m-man is a fool... I p-plead for-r Lily Pot-Potter's life and he b-believed I w-was redee-deemed." Even without the shakiness in his voice, Voldemort could easily tell he was lying. Without replying to his unfaithful servant, Voldemort continued degrade Snape's mind until he could read it like an open book.

"Spy. As I thought," Voldemort hissed. He could clearly see the prophecy that Dumbledore had told Snape originally- The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. The Dark Lord will mark him with death, and only he can invite Death to visit the one who slays him. He saw how Snape only delivered Harry with Dumbledore's approval, and some help as well. "So, you think that by allowing me to kill Potter, you would bring my defeat? Your prophecy is worthless! Death has attempted to visit me many times, and yet here I remain... I have taken measures against my demise far beyond any wizard, and I will be eternal!"

Snape wondered how soon it would be until he died. With all his secrets revealed, Voldemort wouldn't keep him around for very long. He did have one use left- disrupting Dumbledore's plans. Snape was to inform Dumbledore when their plans had come to fruition and he could safely contact the headmaster and inform of Voldemort's plans by way of encoded messages- a code which Voldemort now knew. Combined with Barty Crouch's spying, they could wreak havoc on the Order of the Phoenix.

Love is Blind, Love Blinds!

By Rita Skeeter

Yesterday, we were left wondering if Dumbledore could have ignored all the warning signs that Severus Snape had not, in fact, reformed. For some reason, he harboured a very personal grudge against Harry Potter himself.

"He hated Gryffindors especially, but he picked on Harry the most," roommate Dean Thomas said. "Sometimes if another Gryffindor screwed up, he'd take points from Gryffindor as usual, but blame it on Harry for no reason at all."

What reason could anyone have to hate such a young, innocent child who lost his own family when he saved Britain from You-Know-Who? Why, a former Death Eater, of course. In fact, for many years following the You-Know-Who's demise, many residents were worried about the current state of the Boy-Who-Lived, who could not be found anywhere. His health was assured by Albus Dumbledore, but it was not until he began his life at Hogwarts that any wizard had finally seen Harry Potter in person. Of course, his return to Hogwarts once again raised questions of his security. Was Harry truly in danger from one of his professors?

"Oh, definitely. Rumours have gone around that he's nearly died every single year," Marietta Edgecombe claimed.

"Well, it's about time Potter snuffed it," Pansy Parkinson stated. "Frankly, I thought he would already be dead by the end of third year."

"Snape's creepy, I tell you. I've seen him hiding around the corner and watching Harry. More than once, as soon as Harry pulls out his wand he jumps out from the corner and gives him a detention or something. I think he was trying to get Harry alone," Flora Everhart, Hufflepuff Prefect said.

Staff members of Hogwarts declined to comment, but you don't need a portrait to tell you what's painted in this picture. Why did Dumbledore not put a stop to this? Well, as any love-struck witch or wizard could tell you, we are apt to forgive the ones we love, but sometimes we let them go too far. In fact, it was only this past Valentine's Day that Cormander Cresswick was arrested for attempting to capture a unicorn to present to his love. And so, on the eighth of April, Harry Potter was yelling bloody murder, and yet Dumbledore still refused to believe it was Mr. Snape.

Dumbledore came to all but an outright denial of the man's involvement in a public statement. "Severus may not have been the kindest teacher to Mr. Potter, but we should remember there are many other possible culprits. We should focus on recovering Mr. Potter, not chasing down rumours or hearsay."

In an exclusive meeting with Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's girlfriend for the last eight months, she claimed that Dumbledore wasn't interested in finding Harry Potter at all, and was sending search parties on wild goose chases. "He'd never let justice be served. Snape's more important to him than Harry is. But to me, Harry's more important than Dumbledore will ever be. I want Harry found, and I want Dumbledore to admit everything under Veritaserum!"

Readers, I only ask this of you: if you had to choose between the one you loved and the Boy-Who-Lived, who would you choose? Nobody would think lesser of you if you picked your spouse, but in the interest of justice, we must ask Dumbledore to reveal what he knows of Snape's involvement in Harry Potter's disappearance. Perhaps Miss Granger's challenge of a Veritaserum questioning can help reassure us when we have lost our tragic hero.

"Talk about a turnaround," Remus commented. "Didn't she just call Harry a dark lord a few months ago? Now he's just a 'young, innocent child.' That woman has no shame."

"You sure you wanted your name in there?" Sirius asked. "At least you're his girlfriend this time, not some dark seductress."

"Yes. I don't know if Dumbledore will actually take the challenge, but if this works, then maybe people will listen to my side of the story more. There's no other way the Prophet will give the time of day to a muggleborn." Skeeter probably wouldn't have written the article if she hadn't, because she wanted someone to lay the blame on if it didn't work out.

The three of them parted ways for the week. Remus needed to lock himself in his house as he transformed, while Hermione headed back home to stay with her parents. Sirius returned to Grimmauld Place, keeping in touch with Hermione via mirror and informing her of what was happening with the Order. He also reminded her to keep Harry's Firebolt and invisibility cloak close at hand and even offered her a tip.

"Practice your transformation while wearing the cloak. It's got some pretty heavy enchantments so it'll take a few tries before you get it, but if you can do it, you'll be invisible in your animagus form! You have no idea how much damage an invisible stag can do... although a little bird like you could make a quick escape, Stiltwit."

Hermione winced. "Can't you just reduce it to Stilts? See you later, Padfoot, Moony." The three Marauders parted ways, hoping for the best.

The reaction was not quite immediate, as it took well over a week with no signs of Harry Potter anywhere before people started getting disgruntled at the apparent lack of action. Rita's loyal fans pointed to her article and called for Dumbledore to be questioned. It was another week until the public furor had grown to the point where the Minister of Magic felt like he needed to do something.

"Look, Dumbledore, just answer a few questions to keep the people happy, we print an article saying you answered everything, and we'll be on our way with the Harry Potter case, alright?" Cornelius Fudge pleaded.

Dumbledore hadn't expected this as part of his plans. Miss Skeeter usually didn't write about him, not after her first attempt at slandering him got her tossed out of Hogwarts- and Dumbledore wasn't even the one who had to expel her. All the other staff and students had seen to that, forcing her to change her name before she could find employment. Still, she had the insight to find out about his sexuality. How did she know? Although she was completely off the mark regarding his love for Snape, he was suspicious that she made the guess at all. Perhaps Miss Granger had managed to divine some more information? He needed to nip this little problem in the bud before it became a real hinderance. Even some of his Order members, especially Remus and Sirius, were showing signs of being disgruntled with his lack of action.

"Very well, Cornelius. I will submit myself to Veritaserum questioning- but it is important to understand that a man of my many positions has been entrusted with many secrets? After all, I have spoken with many students in trust as the Headmaster; most members of the Wizengamot would not like their votes to become public knowledge, and the wrong question for the Supreme Mugwump could spark an international incident." He gave Fudge a knowing look. Even Fudge knew that Dumbledore knew some of his less flattering habits, and should the wrong questions be asked, he would just as quickly be ousted from his very comfortable seat in the Ministry of Magic.

"Yes, yes... I agree completely," Fudge said. "What do you think? I'll ask Amelia to submit some questions for you, and you can make sure to answer the ones that won't cause any problems."

"My thoughts exactly, Cornelius. Your prudence may be what keeps all of Britain united following such a sad event." The minister beamed at the flattery.

The questioning came days later. Amelia Bones, head of Magical Law Enforcement, didn't get all the questions she wanted to ask answered, but Dumbledore had chosen to answer a set of widely-encompassing questions, which was a good sign. If he had specifically avoided an entire set of questions regarding a particular subject, that would have been highly suspicious. A few others were modified, and he had even suggested a few more himself.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, knew the power of plausible deniability. More importantly, he knew occlumency. While nobody had ever managed to completely beat Veritaserum on sheer willpower alone, a good occlumens could have enough control to maintain the difference between telling the truth and telling the whole truth.

"Did you ever suggest the idea of kidnapping Harry Potter to Severus Snape?" That question seemed to be the core of Miss Granger's accusations, so it was best to get it out of the way first.

"No." That was his only reply. He refrained from saying any more, but Snape was the one who had originally suggested the idea.

"Do you know Harry Potter's current location?"

"No." That was rather simple. When Severus reported that he had found Voldemort a few weeks ago, he didn't tell Dumbledore the exact location and Dumbledore hadn't asked. He didn't need to know where Voldemort was until the horcruxes were destroyed, and he was sure to change location in the meantime.

"Do you know how Harry Potter was kidnapped?"

"A man polyjuiced as Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt took him at the end of the sixth trial of the Triwizard Tournament." That much was public knowledge, and not saying that he knew it was Severus made it the most difficult question to answer. He did manage to do it without the effort showing on his face.

"Have you been in regular contact with Severus Snape since he was removed from his post at Hogwarts?"

"Yes. He has asked for my help at his new post and I have provided it." Madam Bones was very interested in pursuing this question further, but nobody thought to ask Dumbledore what Snape's new occupation was prior to questioning.

"Do you know what the kidnapper's goals are?" She was surprised that Dumbledore would answer a question about kidnapper's motives when he had turned down the questions on the kidnapper's identity.

"He was taken to be delivered to a Dark Lord." Everyone's jaw dropped. A dark lord? Another one, so soon? Fudge almost refused to believe it. With this answer, though, the last question made much more sense in context.

"Are you working to ensure what is best for the magical community?"

"Yes." The positive response was no surprise for anyone present.

Dumbledore Is Still Dumbledore

By Gwendolyn Farewither

For all those who were following last week's exposé on the great Albus Dumbledore and one of his former employees, Severus Snape, there is nothing to fear. Dumbledore has taken the muggleborn girl's challenge and proven without a doubt that he is still the leader of the Light.

Under a Veritaserum interview conducted by the head of Magical Law Enforcement herself, Amelia Bones, Dumbledore answered several questions pertaining to the kidnapping of Harry Potter. The hero of the Global Wizarding War continues to fight against the forces of darkness for the safety and well-being of all who live in the Wizarding World. He did, however, make a revelation under the potent truth serum: A new dark wizard is on the rise, who wanted to eliminate the hero of the last war against You-Know-Who.

Dumbledore explained that he is already moving against this dark wizard, but chose not to make this information public beforehand to prevent mass panic. He is now working with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to find this wizard before he becomes a true threat to our society, who may have incited the violence during the Quidditch World Cup last summer...

Hermione read the paper in horror. How could Dumbledore have cheated the Veritaserum? Maybe he didn't take any at all, and simply obliviated Madam Bones? Did he secretly take an antidote before the interview began? She was absolutely certain she wasn't mistaken. The first time they eavesdropped, it might have been an accident, something they heard out of context. The next several times when they deliberately spied on Dumbledore, though, there had been no mistaking it.

The truth didn't matter any more, though. The public believed what was in the paper- what they "knew" all along. Hermione couldn't show her face any more, especially with the end of the article tossing out theories that she was evil and wanted Dumbledore dead to merely being deranged and in need of a mind healer, like Dumbledore had suggested. She had to abandon the wizarding world entirely, but she wouldn't give up hope on Harry- not until she was sure he was gone. She didn't want to go before Harry did and effectively abandon him.

With the aurors being of no help, Hermione turned to the muggle police. She made up a story of how Harry disappeared and saw a man stalking them at night, describing Snape in great detail, and then discovering he never returned home after dropping her off. They obviously couldn't find Harry, but found a little amusement when the police questioned Vernon Dursley and he ended up being arrested after losing his temper. It was a small consolation, since Harry wasn't even here to enjoy it.

Two weeks later and there was little news to report. She kept her subscription to the Daily Prophet and kept in contact with Sirius and Remus, but found very little that was of use. The Ministry was quick to drum up some more excitement for the Trial of Fire as if there had been three champions all along like it was supposed to. Come see the spectacle instead! Dragons! Hermione didn't care about any silly dragons. The news on Dumbledore's side was more of the same. He had Madame Bones send aurors on token searches for Harry that turned up nothing. The Order of the Phoenix was working secretly on finding the few horcruxes that Snape had managed to report.

It was far more dangerous than any of them had anticipated- the first trio of order members died attempting to retrieve an antique wand of some kind. One of them returned only to inform everyone that they had been ambushed by Voldemort himself before succumbing to his injuries. Luckily, neither Remus nor Sirius were part of that group, but it was all they needed to distrust Snape. A few other members hung on for a few more missions until the list of casualties became suspicious. Any time Dumbledore or Moody went personally, there were only traps. Without those two, there was an ambush.

With Order members dying left and right and seeds of distrust being sown within the ranks, it wasn't long until the Order was disbanded. Hermione was almost certain Harry was dead, if Voldemort was somehow capable of keeping tabs on Dumbledore himself. She was about to take her rune cluster out of her trunk one morning when the Daily Prophet rolled itself in front of her.

The Must-Read-Me charm. They don't usually use that spell unless... Hermione braced herself for bad news. It was worse than she could have imagined. The front page was made up entirely of one word and one picture. ASSASSINATION! The picture showed a scene of destruction where there should have been celebration. Over twenty members of the British, French, and Bulgarian Ministries lay dead, with hundreds of others in the audience bleeding or wounded. On the final podium for the Triwizard Task was Viktor Krum, winner of the Tournament- still firing spells into the audience. Standing beside him, though, was an inferus- the reanimated body of Harry Potter.

Hermione had seen more than she had wanted to. Activating the runes, all she could wish for was to wake up with Harry sleeping on her lap once again.

Author's Chapter End Notes:

- I wasn't too sure whether or not I should actually should have written this chapter or not, but given what I've planned next, I felt a bit more closure would be good instead of having Hermione just explain it all to Harry afterwards.