Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or anything Harry Potter related!

Sorry it took me a couple of days to get this chapter out. This has honestly been the hardest chapter to write because there are so many details that have to be worked out... and I also have to make sure everything will flow well with sequel. I definitely rewrote this chapter about five times :P

Anyway, thanks for reading!


"Hermione... what do you mean, taken?" I said slowly, trying to keep my voice steady. I still wasn't able to keep a slight tremble out of my tone.

"Ron and I were in the common room after you left. We were just sitting on the couch when Ben and Athena came in. He asked us if we'd seen Adrien anywhere, but we hadn't. He got worried and asked a few of the first-years who admitted they hadn't seen him since yesterday. Athena's with Dumbledore right now telling him what's going on," she explained, through her sobs.

"I'm going to Dumbledore's office," I said immediately. Harry grabbed a hold of my hand, but I pushed him away.

"Ava, what if Umbridge sees you going to Dumbledore's office? It's not going to help anything,. Athena's already there. They'll let you know when they need you," said Harry, gently.

"I don't care! Adrien's missing! Because of us! Because of me! For what? A History of Magic exam?" I cried before pushing my way through a group of third-years and leave through the portrait hole. I heard footsteps behind me and I turned to see Ben jogging behind me.

I sprinted through the hallway, with Ben at my heel, to the statue of the gargoyle. I said the password, but the gargoyle didn't budge. Dumbledore must have changed the password since I had last been here. I let out an exasperated sigh. I decided to start guessing.

"Licorice wands... toffee eclair... fizzing whizbee..." suddenly the gargoyle leapt aside, allowing me entrance. I thankfully ran up the staircase and hammered on the door. I didn't even wait to be invited in before throwing open the door. Athena was sitting in a chair in front of Dumbledore's desk, while the Headmaster was standing over a large stone basin, staring thoughtfully at its contents.

"Professor Dumbledore! What are we going to do?" I demanded, panting slightly from the run.

"Avery, Ben, please take a seat. I must think," he said quietly, gesturing to a chair that he had just conjured for me. I sat down restlessly, waiting for the Headmaster to say SOMETHING! Minutes passed, and nobody spoke. Finally, I couldn't contain myself any longer.

"Say something! Adrien has been taken! Because we brought him here!" I cried, feeling the tears finally leaking out of my eyes, and falling down my face.

"I know, Ava. We will act. Adrien will not be harmed. No, he is much too valuable to Voldemort," Dumbledore assured me calmly, choosing to ignore my outburst. I sat back down and stared out the large open window of the office. Somewhere out there was Adrien, who was probably terrified. My thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang behind me.

Institutionally, I stood up and pulled out my wand, which I pointed to the source of the noise, which sounded like it was coming from outside the office door. I glance over to my side and saw that Ben and Athena were standing too, though their wands were not drawn. Dumbledore merely looked at the door in interest.

The great wood door exploded off the hinges. Chunks of wood flew towards us. I threw my hands over my eyes, waiting for impact of the wood, but nothing touched me. Athena, thinking quickly, sent a massive gust of wind through the window, deflecting the debris from us. As soon as I realized I wasn't going to be impaled, I raised my wand again.

Standing in the doorway was none other than Umbridge, who was followed by several members of her Inquisitorial Squad, including Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Put your wand down, you stupid girl," said Umbridge. When I didn't, she pulled out her own wand and muttered something. My wand flew from my hand. She had just disarmed me!

"So, Dumbledore. Are you ready to tell me the meaning of this meeting?" she asked, with a nasty smile.

"That is not your concern, Dolores. And I will not tolerate the use of magic against my students. Avery, you may get your wand," said Dumbledore.

"Stay where you are," she shrieked, as I went to retrieve my wand. Umbridge was pointing her wand straight at me. I froze where I was standing.

"Now, Dumbledore. I will only ask you once more to tell me what you are up to," said Umbridge.

"I have been very patient with your presence at Hogwarts this year, Dolores, but I am afraid you have overstayed your welcome," said Dumbledore. The twinkle in his eye was no longer present. Instead, Dumbledore was now wearing a dangerously grave expression.

"Overstayed my welcome?" she cried, with a humourless laugh. "Dumbledore! The Minister of Magic is currently in the castle. I alerted him earlier when one of the Inquisitorial Squad saw Ms. Caras coming to your office," said Umbridge. Dumbledore's expression didn't change.

"Ah, Cornelius is here. Of course. Then let us sit and wait for him to arrive, but I must insist that you lower your wand," said Dumbledore. Umbridge reluctantly lowered her wand, and Dumbledore conjured her a chair.

The goons stood behind her awkwardly. Actually, the whole room was filled with awkward tension. Nobody was speaking, though Dumbledore was whistling quietly to himself. After a couple of minutes of silence we heard footsteps coming up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.

Cornelius Fudge entered the office, accompanied by two Aurors, looking slightly red in the face. It looked as if he had sprinted all the way from the Ministry of Magic by the way he was wiping his sweaty face with his handkerchief.

"Cornelius, please have a seat," said Dumbledore, pleasantly.

"Dumbledore, this is no time for pleasantries! I have come here to remove you from Hogwarts! I have been wary about how you have been running this school for a long time now. This just cannot continue. People will not stand for it!" he cried.

"Be reasonable Cornelius. This is what you are concerning yourself with? When there are numerous disappearances and murders happening everyday? If you are not willing to admit that Lord Voldemort has returned at least take logical steps to prevent them. Instead, you are here, trying to remove me from Hogwarts with no grounds," said Dumbledore, outraged.

"Now see here Dumbledore!" started Fudge.

"No, Cornelius. You are here to remove me from Hogwarts because I was having a meeting with two students and an assistant of the school. You know as well as I do that you cannot remove me on that basis. I suggest you leave here at once. I am sure you have much more pressing matters," said Dumbledore calmly.

"But – but – I..." stuttered Fudge. It seemed that Dumbledore had stumped him. It was clear that Dumbledore had won the argument. Fudge turned on his heel and left the office. Umbridge started to walk towards the door as well.

"Oh, Dolores. I must ask you to stay for a moment longer. I cannot allow someone to teach at my school if they are willing to use magic against students. I am afraid I am going to have to request that you leave Hogwarts. I must ask that you pack your belongings and leave Hogwarts," he said seriously.

"You're firing me? I was Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic!" she cried.

"I am aware of that, but you have used magic against a student and I cannot condone that. Now if you hurry, you may be able to catch Cornelius before he leaves. Perhaps he can accompany you back to London," suggested Dumbledore. She gave him a look of loathing before pushing past her Inquisitorial Squad and storming down the stairs.

"You may also leave," said Dumbledore to the Squad. They turned to leave. Before Malfoy left however, he looked right at me, with his sickening smirk, and winked. There was something smug about that wink. It really bugged me for some reason, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

After everyone but Ben, Athena and I had left, Dumbledore repaired the door with a flick of his wand. Once it was repaired, it swung shut.

"I need to think about the situation and figure out a plan. I suggest you all go back to your respective quarters. I will send you a letter once there is a plan in place," said Dumbledore. We quietly left his office and walked down the stairs. At the foot of the staircase we saw that the stone gargoyle statue had been blasted aside. That was obviously the loud bang we had heard before Umbridge had come into the office.

We parted ways with Athena, before Ben and I continued to the common room. We didn't really say anything while we were walking. We were both absorbed by our thoughts. When we entered the common room to see that everyone was in the same position we left them in. Ron and Hermione were sitting on the couch, staring into the fire, while Harry was leaning against a nearby table. As soon as they saw us enter the common room, they all stood up and rushed over to us.

"So? What happened?" asked Hermione.

"We went there and Umbridge showed up. She apparently contacted Fudge when one of those bloody Inquisitorial Squad idiots saw Athena going to see Dumbledore earlier!" explained Ben. They all gasped.

"What happened?" said Ron.

"Well, Umbridge came into the office and disarmed Ava, as she had drawn her wand. Anyway, Fudge came and tried to fire Dumbledore but then Fudge really didn't have a reason except that Dumbledore was having a meeting with some students, so he had to leave. Dumbledore fired Umbridge though, for using magic against a student," I finished.

"What? She's gone?" said Harry with wide eyes.

"Yeah. She's packing her stuff as we speak!" I exclaimed.

"That's amazing news! What did he say about Adrien?" asked Ron.

"Well, he reckons that Adrien hasn't been harmed as he's too valuable. He told us he would let us know when he's figured out a plan," Ben replied.

"Oh. Alright," said Ron, disappointed.

"Yeah, I know. Anyway, I think I need some rest... I'll see you lot in the morning," I said, squeezing Harry's hand tightly, before going up to my room. I changed into my pyjamas and curled up in my bed.

I started thinking about today and how quickly everything had become terrible. I thought about the meeting in Dumbledore's office and the scene with Umbridge. I allowed myself a small smile when I thought about the look on her toad face as she was leaving the office. My thoughts went to Malfoy, and the little wink he had given me on the way out of the office. I couldn't explain why it irked me so much. There was just something so smug... and triumphant about it...

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. Voldemort wouldn't be keeping Adrien just anywhere. It would have to be in a location that he would trust one of the most valuable weapons he could have. Where better to hide it than the house of a trusted friend – or Death Eater in this case. A trusted Death Eater like Lucius Malfoy perhaps?

It seemed so obvious now! Of course Adrien was at the Malfoy Manor! It was the only place! He would have to keep Adrien happy and healthy so that he would want to fight on their side! Obviously, Voldemort would equate happiness to a large house or lots of money, and that was what the Malfoys would be able to provide.

I leapt out of bed and sprinted down the staircase, back to the common room. My friends were still there, talking in hushed tones.

"Guys! I know where Adrien is!" I hissed as I approached them. They all looked shocked.

"What do you mean? How?" demanded Harry.

"It was something Malfoy did. He winked at me as he was leaving and there was something about it that really bugged me, though I couldn't put my finger on it at the time. He was winking to tell me that he had won! They're keeping Adrien at Malfoy Manor!" I whispered.

"That would fit," said Hermione slowly.

"It has to be! I need to go back to Dumbledore's office!" I exclaimed.


AHH! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you wouldn't mind, I would love to hear your feedback on the things you're liking with the series and the things that you don't like. It's just important now that I'm going to be thinking about the sequel and stuff! Thanks a bunch!