I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

Worst Case Scenario

"Harry, are you one hundred percent certain?" Alex asked, Harry having just told him, Ron, Hermione, and Luna that he'd seen Voldemort torturing Sirius in the Department of Mysteries. "Is there a chance-"

"I told you, I saw-"

"IS THERE A CHANCE...that the dream was Voldemort forcing you to see something that he knows will draw you out?" Alex said over Harry.

Harry hesitated before shaking his head. "I know what I saw. It was just like with Ron's dad."

"Okay," Alex nodded. "Then we have a choice. Snape is in the order. He could check Grimmauld Place-"

"No!" Harry said sharply.

"He could!" Alex snapped. "Would he be furious that you're not doing you Occlumency, yes. But he could check to see if you're right before anything, and then the Order could go in force if you're right, along with Dumbledore."

"No!" Harry snapped. "I'm not going to Snape about this! We need to go!"

"Harry, this is VOLDEMORT!" Alex snapped. "Even if we went, what could we do? Only Dumbledore can stand up to Voldemort! If you're right, we'll die!"

"I don't care!" Harry said. "This is Sirius! He's the only family I've got left!"

Alex sighed, nodding. "Okay, then let me ask you this. Do you believe that Sirius will break in a day, even if it's Voldemort?"

"No," Harry said firmly.

"And do you believe that if Sirius really can get the weapon for Voldemort, that Voldemort would kill him before he does?" Alex asked.

Harry hesitated. "Not until he knew Sirius definitely wouldn't."

Alex nodded. "Then we'll go tonight, once the Ministry is empty."

"What!?" Hermione almost shrieked.

"He's going to go anyway, alone if he has to," Alex said. "And even if he's wrong about Sirius, the fact that he saw the exact location means that Voldemort knows where it is and at least knows someone who can take it to him. If that's true, it's only a matter of time before he has it. We have to stop him."

"Couldn't you send Winky to check Grimmauld Place?" Hermione asked.

"I have her watching over McGonagall," Alex said. "She's a Dumbledore supporter, so there's no telling who might want to visit her, or send her a potted plant."

All of the others fell silent. Just then, the door opened and Ginny walked in.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked.

"Nothing!" Harry snapped.

"Do not take that tone with me!" Ginny said coolly. "I heard about what happened during your exam, and I was worried, so I'm here. Now, tell me what's happening."

Alex filled her in quickly and she went pale instantly. "Now, Harry, I'm going to say this only one time. We're going to check for Sirius at Grimmauld Place before we go to London. You'll use Umbridge's fire again, and you had better shout yourself blue to get his attention. I'll handle the diversion. It shouldn't be too terribly hard. Then the rest of you will be lookouts. We need to buy Harry as much time as possible."

The others all nodded.

"I can keep people away from the hallway," Ginny said. "I can say that someone's set off a load of Garroting Gas. Fred and George were planning to before they left but didn't have time."

"I can help," Luna said. "And I won't use any of the magical creatures no one believes in as an excuse. I promise."

Alex nodded, looking around at everyone. "We'll be expelled for this. You all need to know that."

"It's worth it," Harry said, everyone nodding. "Alright, so we've got a plan. Let's get started."

"What, now!?" Hermione screeched.

"Yes," Alex said. "By the time we get to London, however we go, it'll be night. It needs to be now."

Hermione hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Harry and I will be the ones going into the office. You shouldn't be in there alone."

Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."

"Harry, go get your Invisibility Cloak and whatever else you'll need," Alex said. "I'll go find Peeves and prepare the distraction. I should warn you, I can't promise more than five minutes, even with Peeves."

Harry nodded and ran off, Alex heading for the east wing of the first floor. As he walked, he checked the classrooms. Finally, he reached his emergency stock, several Wildfire Wiz-bangs he'd made, and one of Fred and George's prototype portable swamps. Neither were up to the level of Fred and George's finished products, but it would be good enough. Finally, just as he turned away from the stock, Peeves arrived, grinning widely instantly and sweeping his hat down across his waist as he bowed.

"Does poor old Peeves get to have some fun?" Peeves asked.

"Yes," Alex said, holding out the fireworks. "Floors one and two on the east side. Only the east side. Then," he handed him the portable swamp, "whichever of the two is more crowded once the fireworks are going off. Then I need you to find Umbridge and make it impossible for her to do anything, but keep her away from her office. I have something special planned for that."

Peeves saluted and raced off, and Alex began to walk toward the Grand Staircase. And then, he heard it begin. He stopped on the stairs as Peeves shot past, streaking down the hallway Alex had just left before setting off the rest of the fireworks. Students flooded the hallway instantly, but Peeves, apparently deciding he liked the other hallway better, flew past Alex again, and a chorus of shrieks announced his use of the Portable Swamp. Alex headed for Umbridge's office, only to stop as almost the entire Inquisitorial Squad to step out in front of him on the third floor. The only ones missing were Malfoy, Millicent Bulstrode, Crabbe, and Goyle. And Montague, who was still in the Hospital Wing after Fred and George dealt with him by way of a Vanishing Cabinet. That left Warrington, Pansy Parkinson, and several Slytherins that Alex didn't care to know.

"You're in the wrong area," Alex said. "Peeves is somewhere between floors one and two, I think."

"We're here for you," Warrington said. "If we tell Umbridge we caught you starting it alongside Peeves, you're gone."

Alex narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Get out of my way, or I'll hex you all."

There was a moment of silence before, as one, all of them drew their wands. Instantly, five hexes clashed with Alex's Shield Charm, reflecting around him and causing a shower of bits of stone from the walls, floor, and ceiling. Then, Alex was on the attack. Warrington dropped from a Stinging Jinx. Another was hit with Jelly-Legs. He used his free right hand to block a pair of Stunning Spells. And then, Peeves was there. A wave of Bubotuber Pus balloons splattered over Parkinson and a Slytherin Sixth year girl. Alex sent a Knockback Jinx into a fourth-year boy, sending him crashing into the wall behind him. He ducked out of the way of a hex from Parkinson and Peeves hit her in the face with a balloon. She shrieked in pain, falling backward, and Alex flicked his wand at the girl who had been splattered before, hitting her with a Full Body-Bind Curse. He formed another Shield Charm to block the last two's curses. One was the one he'd hit with the Knockback Jinx, and the other was Warrington, his face swollen horribly but on his feet again. However, this time, as the curses deflected, Alex flicked his wand, hitting Warrington with a Stunning Spell, then flicking his hand and using Wandless Magic to do the same to the other.

"Thanks Peeves!" Alex shouted as he sprinted up the stairs again, Peeves saluting.

He sprinted toward Umbridge's office, only to duck into a small recess in the wall, casting the Disillusionment Charm on himself just as the door to Umbridge's office opened. A moment later, Hermione and Harry left the office, Umbridge just behind them, holding them at wand-point. Once they'd rounded the corner, Alex left the alcove and continued to the office. He took a steadying breath, readying himself, then blasted the door open. The effect was instant. Inside were Crabbe, Goyle, Malfoy, Millicent Bulstrode, and another girl Alex didn't recognize. All of them rounded on him instantly, only for Alex to send a Stinging Jinx directly into Malfoy's face, dropping him, then formed a Shield Charm, deflecting several curses. He flicked his wand and Crabbe yelped in pain, releasing Neville as his arms suddenly turned bright red and began to steam, steam, though within seconds it had already ended. Except, Alex wasn't alone now. Ginny had grabbed Harry's wand from Malfoy's robes and rounded on Goyle, hitting him with the Bat Bogey Hex. Luna had grabbed her wand from the girl Alex didn't recognize while she was distracted and conjured thick black cords to restrain her. Neville grabbed his wand from Crabbe as Alex hit Millicent Bulstrode with a Knockback Jinx, sending her crashing into the wall hard enough to bounce off and knocking her unconscious, then rounded on Crabbe and Stunned him. Malfoy began to stand, only for Ron to plant a kick in the side of his head as Hermione stunned Goyle. Alex sighed, everyone grabbing their wands, then looked around.

"That was amazing!" Ginny finally said.

"You should have seen the group that tried to catch me," Alex said. "Come on. I finally have an excuse to curse that toad."

They all nodded and they sprinted out of the office, Peeves directing them toward the Forbidden Forest. They all flew down the steps, then out through the Entrance Hall and out into the grounds. Within minutes, they'd entered the Forest. Alex charged straight ahead, the others all struggling to keep up. He felt a little bad making them run through the trees, but he had been waiting all year for a golden opportunity like this, and he did not want to miss it. He knew Hermione's plan was to give Umbridge to the Centaurs, and they could have her. He just wanted to curse her first.

Finally, he forced himself to slow down and calm himself, allowing the others to catch up just before a Unicorn cantered into view. "Oh, hello beautiful." He smiled, reaching out a hand and stroking its neck. "Can you lead us to the humans?"

The Unicorn brayed once before turning and cantering away, Alex and the others jogging to keep up. Finally, they reached a clearing where Umbridge, Harry, and Hermione were surrounded by Centaurs. However, it seemed they were late to the party. The Centaurs were laughing raucously and Umbridge was shrieking.

"Filthy half-breeds!" she shrieked with her hands tight over her head. "Beasts! Uncontrolled animals!"

"Be quiet!" Hermione shouted.

Umbridge had apparently snapped. She directed her wand at one of the Centaurs and cried, "Incarcerous!"

Ropes flew through the air like snakes, wrapping around his torso and pinning his arms to his sides, only for Alex to raise his wand.

"Diffindo!" Alex shouted, the ropes splitting down the front instantly and freeing the Centaur.

The chaos was instant. Half of the Centaurs continued to charge Umbridge. The rest rounded on Alex and the others. Alex tugged his collar down and exposed his gills.

"We're only here to take the two children like us out of your forest!" Alex shouted to the Centaur he had freed over the chaos. "We won't cause trouble or bother you again!"

The Centaur nodded and shouted a command to the others that Alex couldn't hear, and suddenly, they were all swarming inward. Umbridge was still shrieking, and apparently tried to stun one of them, but missed. Then, Bane had Umbridge. As he lifted her, her wand fell to the ground, another Centaur stomping on it instantly.

"Potter, do something!" Umbridge shrieked. "Tell them I mean no harm!"

"I'm sorry Professor," Harry said, "but I must not tell lies."

Umbridge shrieked in terror and outrage as she was carried away, Alex grinning widely. It was good enough. The Centaurs who had remained all rounded on Harry, Hermione, and Alex's group. A hard-faced grey one grabbed Harry by the front of his collar, another grabbing Hermione around the neck in a loose choke hold. Several of the others drew their bows back at Alex and the others, who all stowed their wands and raised their hands.

"Leave them," the Centaur Alex had freed from Umbridge's spell ordered.

"They are young," an older Centaur said. "We do not kill foals."

"These two brought her here, Ronan!" the Centaur holding Harry snapped. "And they are not so young! He is nearing manhood, this one!" He shook Harry roughly by the collar.

"One of this group is not pure human," one of the Centaurs aiming at Alex's group said. "He's half-siren."

"He can go!" the Centaur holding Harry said, almost irritably.

"Please," said Hermione breathlessly. "Please, don't attack us. We don't think like her. We aren't Ministry of Magic employees! We only came in here because we hoped you'd drive her off for us."

Alex could immediately tell this was exactly the wrong thing to say.

The grey Centaur threw back his head, his back legs stamping furiously, and bellowed, "You see, Ronan? They already have the arrogance of their kind! So we were to do your dirty work, were we, human girl? We were to act as your servants, drive away your enemies like obedient hounds?"

"No!" Hermione said in a horrorstruck squeak. "Please! I didn't mean that! I just hoped you'd be able to...to help us-" But she seemed to be going from bad to worse.

"We do not help humans!" the Centaur holding Harry snarled, tightening his grip and rearing a little at the same time, so that Harry's feet left the ground momentarily. "We are a race apart and proud to be so. We will not permit you to walk from here, boasting that we did your bidding!"

"We're not going to say anything like that!" Harry shouted. "We know you didn't do what you did because we wanted you to-" But nobody seemed to be listening to him.

A bearded Centaur towards the back of the crowd shouted, "They came here unasked, they must pay the consequences!"

A roar of approval met these words, and a dun-colored Centaur shouted, "They can join the woman!"

"You said you didn't hurt the innocent!" shouted Hermione, real tears sliding down her face now. "We haven't done anything to hurt you! We haven't used wands or threats! We just want to go back to school, please let us go back-"

"Didn't use wands!?" the grey Centaur bellowed. "Then what was the half-siren who came with you using!?"

"That's different!" the Centaur Alex had helped snapped. "Not only is he not a human like the rest of them, but he meant to help only!"

The grey Centaur snorted indignantly, rounding on Hermione again. "We are not all like the traitor Firenze, human girl! Perhaps you thought us pretty talking horses? We are an ancient people who will not stand wizard invasions and insults! We do not recognize your laws! We do not acknowledge your superiority! We are-"

But they did not hear what else Centaurs were, for at that moment there came a crashing noise on the edge of the clearing so loud that all of them, Harry, Hermione, Alex's group, and the Centaurs filling the clearing, looked around. Harry's Centaur let him fall to the ground again as his hands flew to his bow and quiver of arrows. Alex drew his wand again as two thick tree trunks parted ominously and the monstrous form of a giant, which Alex assumed was Grawp, appeared in the gap.

The Centaurs nearest him backed into those behind. The clearing was now a forest of bows and arrows waiting to be fired, all pointing upwards at the enormous greyish face now looming over them from just beneath the thick canopy of branches. Grawp's lopsided mouth was gaping stupidly. They could see his bricklike yellow teeth glimmering in the half-light, his dull sludge-colored eyes narrowed as he squinted down at the creatures at his feet. Broken ropes trailed from both ankles.

He opened his mouth even wider. "Hagger."

Alex frowned slightly. He had no idea what 'hagger' meant, or what language it was from, but he didn't care right now. He was too busy guiding the others away from Grawp before he noticed them. The Centaurs were silent, staring up at the giant, whose huge, round head moved from side to side as he continued to peer at them as though looking for something he had dropped.

"Hagger!" he said again, more insistently.

"Get away from here, giant!" the Centaur Alex had helped called. "You are not welcome among us!"

These words seemed to make no impression whatsoever on Grawp. He stooped a little, the Centaurs' arms tensing on their bows, then bellowed, "HAGGER!"

A few of the Centaurs looked worried now. However, the gears in Alex's head began to turn. He was pretty sure Grawp was looking for Hagrid. Suddenly, Grawp caught sight of Harry and Hermione, the only two humans in a sea of Centaurs, as Alex had guided the others all into the trees. Grawp lowered his head another foot or so, staring intently at them. Then, he spoke again in a deep, rumbling voice.

"Hermy!"

"Goodness," Hermione squeaked, gripping Harry's arm so tightly her entire hands went white, and looking as though she was about to faint, "He...He remembered!"

"HERMY!" Grawp roared. "WHERE HAGGER?"

"I don't know!" Hermione squealed, terrified. "I'm sorry, Grawp, I don't know!"

"GRAWP WANT HAGGER!"

One of the giants massive hands reached down. Hermione let out a real scream, ran a few steps backwards and fell over. Harry seemed to brace himself to fight off the hand without his wand as it swooped towards him and knocked a snow-white Centaur off his legs. It was what the Centaurs had been waiting for. Grawp's outstretched fingers were a foot from Harry when fifty arrows soared through the air at the giant, peppering his enormous face, causing him to howl with pain and rage and straighten up, rubbing his face with his enormous hands, breaking off the arrow shafts but forcing the arrowheads in still deeper. He yelled and stamped his enormous feet and the Centaurs scattered out of the way. Pebble-sized droplets of Grawp's blood showered Harry as he pulled Hermione to her feet and the pair of them ran as fast as they could for the shelter of the trees where the others were taking cover. Once there, they looked back. Grawp was snatching blindly at the Centaurs as blood ran down his face. They were retreating in disorder, galloping away through the trees on the other side of the clearing. Alex and all of the others watched Grawp give another roar of fury and plunge after them, smashing more trees aside as he went.

"Oh no," Hermione said, quaking so badly that her knees gave way. "Oh, that was horrible. And he might kill them all."

"I'm not that fussed, to be honest," Harry said bitterly.

The sounds of the galloping centaurs and the blundering giant grew fainter and fainter. Finally, Harry rounded on the others.

"Where were you?" Harry demanded, glaring at Alex. "And how'd you all get away?"

"Alex," Ginny said.

"He blasted through the door and started hexing Malfoy and the others," Luna said. "That gave us all a chance to get our wands back and finish up."

"And you should have seen the group that tried to take Alex when it was just him!" Ron said. "There were five of them and Alex beat them all!"

"Well, he always was the best duelist in the school," Hermione said. "Out of the students, at least."

"Not important right now," Alex said. "Harry, how are we getting to London?"

"Well," Harry considered. "I hadn't considered. "We could fly, but the only ones in our group with a broom not being guarded by a security troll are you and Ron."

"Excuse me!" Ginny said. "I have a broom!"

"Ginny, no!" Harry said firmly. "You are not coming with us! I couldn't..."

"I'm three years older than you were when you fought Voldemort over control of the Philosopher's stone!" Ginny snapped. "And I'm the same age as you were when you met him in the flesh!"

"Everyone here is coming, Harry," Alex said. "Accept it. Any ideas? Anyone?"

"Harry was right," Luna said. "We do have to fly. Just not with brooms."

Everyone but Alex frowned in confusion. Alex, on the other hand, grinned widely, kissing her on the side of the head.

"You're a genius, Luna," Alex grinned.

"How?" Harry asked. "No offense, but I don't know how to fly without a broom, do you?"

"Of course I do," Alex said. "I transform into a Thunderbird, remember?"

"Oh, that's great," Harry said sarcastically. "Let's just waist a month or two learning to be Animagi then and hope we get at least half of us to have wings."

"No no, nothing like that," Alex snorted. "Come on. Follow us."

He turned, running through the Forest, Luna at his side and everyone else following. A few minutes later, they slowed to a stop in a thinner part of the forest and Alex stuck his little fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. After a few seconds, Thestrals began to step into the clearing. Understanding finally dawned on Harry and he grinned widely.

"Yes!" Harry grinned. "We can do this."

Alex did a quick headcount. He and Luna wouldn't need one, because he'd be flying her personally, which left Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Neville.

"We need five," he said.

Five of them walked forward, and those who could see helped those who couldn't onto a Thestral. Then, before Alex transformed, Alex flicked his wand toward Hagrid's Hut, then transformed. Luna climbed onto Alex's back before he took off, Alex glancing back at her. Luna gave him a radiant, trusting smile, and he turned back to the front, quickly catching up with the Thestrals.

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