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CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

It had taken a bit of persuading but Ginny had managed to convince Dumbledore to see her in his office, despite the late hour. Harry and Hermione had joined her, with Neville agreeing to stay behind to avoid overcrowding. As soon as Dumbledore had heard Ginny's story, he had sent for McGonagall, Flitwick, Slughorn and Tonks and began rapping out orders. "I believe Voldemort thinks he is finally powerful enough to succeed in taking control of the wizarding world, and maybe in time the whole world, magic and muggle. If he does attack in force now, there may not be anyone strong enough to stop him."

"What about your Order?"Ginny asked.

"We will do our best,"Dumbledore replied. "But we may be few in numbers compared to Voldemort's forces, especially if he is able to gain more support."

"But surely no-one in authority will support Voldemort?"McGonagall asked.

"They may not have any choice."

"The Imperius Curse,"Hermione realised.

"Is one option,"Dumbledore confirmed. "There are others. Threat, or maybe even simply the illusion of being a legitimate authority."

Tonks had been sent to contact the ministry and now came running back in. "Professor…things are a disaster out there. The ministry's under attack. I think Scrimgeour's dead. I'm not sure how long the aurors can hold them."

Dumbledore nodded. "We must go and assist them."

"Wait." Slughorn indicated the fireplace, which was displaying an orange flame.

Dumbledore regarded it with some concern. "There are very powerful defences in place around this office. Only a very select group of people are capable of flooing into it, and even then only in the direst of emergencies."

A moment later, two figures appeared. One was Kingsley Shacklebolt and the other, to the astonishment of everyone present, was Minister Fudge. "I'm sorry, Professor," Kingsley noted,"but I didn't know where else to go."

Dumbledore nodded a greeting to Fudge. "You are welcome, Minister."

Fudge was struggling to remain dignified. "Your man here saved my life. They would have killed me, Dumbledore. They were killing so many people, anyone they thought might oppose them. I think they got Amelia Bones. Jack Dawlish was killed trying to get me away. I don't even know if I can call myself minister anymore."

"What about my parents?"Harry asked anxiously.

"And Neville's?"Hermione added.

"I think they got out to one of our safe houses,"Kingsley replied.

Ginny took Harry's hand. She'd had to live all her life with the knowledge that Voldemort had killed her parents. She dreaded the thought of the same thing happening to him.

"Kingsley, you must get the minister to safety immediately,"Dumbledore decided. "Minerva, Tonks, alert any of our people who may have been unaware of this. We must initiate full contingency plans immediately. If Voldemort has control of the seat of power in our world, and all the power that comes with it, then very soon it will not be safe for any of us to move about openly."

Ginny sat in the crowded assembly hall. The tables had been removed and students were mingling freely, with no divisions along year or house lines. Harry was next to her, his hand tightly wrapped around hers as it had been almost all the time since they'd heard Kingsley's news. The situation was surreal. Everything she thought she could count on seemed to be falling apart around her.

"We have received news that Voldemort and his followers have been launching a concerted attack on the ministry,"Dumbledore told them. "An attack that appears to have succeeded."

There was a murmuring of horror around the hall. Ginny glanced over at some of the Slytherins. Daphne Greengrass looked as horrified as anyone. Even Blaise Zabini looked ashen.

"If Voldemort now has control of the ministry, it is likely he will also attempt to seize control of Hogwarts. If he does so, some of you will no doubt be allowed to remain students here, to be taught that which he chooses to teach you. Others will likely be considered enemies. I issue a particular warning to any muggleborns. Voldemort's narrow-minded views on blood purity are well known. Any student who feels in danger must report to Professor McGonagall or Professor Tonks immediately. We have long been aware that this is a possibility and have plans to take you to safety. Your families will also be alerted. I urge all of you to think carefully about your next move. For many of you, Hogwarts will no longer be safe."