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CHAPTER FIFTY

When Ginny reappeared, she and the others were in a homely-looking house. She had a million questions, but they all disappeared when she realised who was there. "Aunt Mel! Uncle Keith!" She gave her two guardians delighted hugs, and then looked guilty. "I'm sorry, I didn't even think about you."

"It's all right,"Uncle Keith assured her. "It sounds as though you had a lot to think about."

"Are you all right?"Aunt Mel asked.

"I am now." Ginny hesitated. She knew there was little chance of anyone finding them, but she also knew Voldemort wouldn't stop looking. And now, it seemed, he had most of the power of the wizarding world to call on. "I am for the moment,"she amended.

"Do you know what's happened to my parents?"Hermione asked Bill.

"I know that Remus and Kingsley had a network of places like this set up to evacuate those in danger to if something like this happened,"Bill replied. "There's talk of smuggling muggles with magical relatives out of the country. Maybe their children too if they want."

Hermione bit her lip. "I want to see that they're safe but…I can't leave. Not yet. Not while there's still a chance to stop all this."

Bill nodded. "I'll see if we can get a message to them." He saw Ginny open her mouth. "And I'll see if I can find out where Percy, Fred and George are as well. Maybe we can all get together."

"What about our parents?"Harry asked, gesturing to himself and Neville.

Bill looked awkward. "The plan was for them to evacuate with Dumbledore once they were sure all the students were safe. As soon as I get any sort of news, I'll let you know."

It was at that point that two people Ginny definitely hadn't been expecting to see appeared: Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. "It is good to see you again, Ginny,"Fleur greeted her.

"Er, likewise,"Ginny confirmed. "What are you doing here?"

"With the bonds that we formed at the Triwizard tournament, we felt it was important to come here and help our friends."

"And I would very much like to see my old friend Karkaroff again,"Viktor noted. "He used me and my fellow students to capture you. He must suffer for that."

"Now now, Viktor,"Fleur scolded him. "We must not have such dark conversations on first meeting people."

Viktor accepted the rebuke without comment. "Talking of old friends, what has happened to Cedric?"

"We're not sure,"Hermione replied. "None of us have seen him since he left school last year."

"Luna's been in contact with him,"Neville added. "But she's stayed behind."

Ginny sighed. "I guess there's a lot of people we're waiting for news of, isn't there?"

They would not have to wait long for news to arrive, but it arrived in neither the way they expected nor from the person they expected. Bill learned that there was to be a special ministerial announcement and managed to tune into the news broadcast. They all watched, aghast, as the shimmering image showed a smiling woman with very cold eyes.

"Umbridge,"Ginny said. She couldn't even muster up the energy to be surprised.

"I am Dolores Umbridge, Under Secretary to the Minister,"the image confirmed obligingly. "I am here to inform you of the major reform the Ministry is currently undergoing. We have decided to re-evaluate our relationship with the Death Eaters. For a long time, they have been the subject of much negative perception. But we have decided to start viewing them in a more positive light. The ideals they hold are ones that we all share. After all, none of us wish to die, do we? And we all want a strong Wizarding Britain. To that end, all those of weak magical status are being removed. They will not be allowed to hold office or to use magic at all. The blame for allowing these undesirable elements into our society lies with Professor Dumbledore and his staff at Hogwarts. For that reason, the Ministry is taking full control of the school. Those who have spread these lies about her people will be punished and replaced with those who teach the truth." For the first time, Umbridge seemed to show some regret at what she was saying… although whether it was genuine regret or feigned, Ginny wasn't sure. "Unfortunately, Minister Fudge was unable to accept this change of policy and has thus left the Ministry. His replacement will be announced in due time."

"I guess she decided to switch to the winning side,"Neville muttered bitterly as the image faded.

"She will not be the only one,"Fleur observed. "There will be many who will think it is not worth their while to resist this so-called new regime. They will fall into line."

"Not everyone wants to die for a cause they don't truly believe in,"Aunt Mel suggested.

Uncle Keith nodded. "They might be too scared to give an opinion."

"I doubt if any of them will enjoy it as much as this Umbridge does,"Viktor commented.

"Just because they stay doesn't mean they're giving up,"Neville argued. "Dumbledore wanted some of the staff at Hogwarts to stay on, remember? Do whatever they can there."

"Hogwarts,"Hermione said slowly, aghast. "It must be under Death Eater control now. Professor Dumbledore, our friends…what's happened to them all?"

"I don't know,"Bill said, trying not to show emotion at the fact.

"What are we going to do?"Harry wondered.

Ginny was shocked to realise they were all looking at her. Even Bill. She was even more shocked to find herself answering. "Voldemort needs to be stopped,"she said carefully. "He needs to be killed. And to do that, we need to destroy his horcruxes. There's still three of them left. We find and take care of those first. And then…then we'll have to take care of him."