Chapter ten

After have a shower the following morning, Harry explained Dumbledore's idea to Charlie who thought it just might work but he wasn't keen on lying to his sister. Harry felt the same, he had never lied to his friends, but now he had to. So when they explain to Hermione and Ron, Albus was going to explain to Minerva, they thought they would give themselves a week to practice looks, how to act and what they could say if they needed to say anything. Hopefully having this time would help them pull off their biggest performance of their lives and make sure Umbridge believed it.

Harry called Hermione and Ron into the room and it was luck that they hadn't told Neville yet, so he went on to explain the idea Dumbledore's portrait gave him. At first Hermione was shocked but she realised that with Harry's power, he could pull this off. Now she had to make sure she could do her part just like Ron and Charlie could do theirs.

The first day of classes went fine even with Umbridge. Harry, Hermione and Ron could tell she was trying to act nothing like the way she did before, especially towards Harry. The three friends kept trying to act like that had no idea who she was and they thought they pulled it off. Some of their friends asked why they seemed stressed. Hermione was quick with her response that they seemed to believe, this was the year they had to do everything they could to pass tests, their future depended on it.

'So how was her class?' Charlie asked during their first break as they walked slowly towards the great hall.

'Okay, she pulled it together but she did give me a very,' Harry lowered his voice, 'Umbridge type look when I first walked in.'

'I casually brought you into the conversation during our staff meeting this morning. Her face changed for just a few seconds before she looked relaxed and calm.'

'Has she taken more notice of anyone?'

'No, but Minerva is keeping a close watch on the map. We should eat babe, it'll be fine, believe in yourself.'

'I do, sort of, it's you I'm worried about, you, Hermione and Ron. But as she knows we're bonded so she knows what you mean to me.'

'I know, but I'm fine, I'm even being friendly towards her without turning my back on her, she has no idea.'

'Good,' Harry sighed but kissed Charlie then watched as he walked up to the staff table and sat beside Hagrid, Harry sat beside Hermione and Ron, 'I hope it works.'

'It will mate, you have to believe it will. No one but us know, remember that.'

Harry nodded, 'My insides all in knots, it's hard to concentrate but I know I have to.'

'You haven't showed how nervous you are. I think the last few years has helped you keep your true feelings hidden,' Hermione said giving Harry a small smile, 'Now eat, you need your strength, we all do.'

Harry nodded then dished himself up some lunch but he couldn't stop glancing at Charlie who would catch his eye occasionally then give him a big smile telling Harry to smile and stop looking so upset. Harry nodded again, gave Charlie a smile even though the last thing he felt like doing was smiling, then he started eating. He couldn't blow this, he had to act like everything was okay.

That night Harry, Charlie, Hermione and Ron stood in Charlie's room, the door had been sealed from anyone entering but also from sounds going out. Then they practiced, Hermione pulled off a great performance, Ron took a while but he was able to get his act together. Charlie knew he's part would be a little different so he practiced as best he could. Harry's performance was the most startling and spectacular of all, it was so good that it made Hermione shudder. So for the next hour they practiced before Hermione and Ron left to do their homework. Harry sat on the floor leaning against the sofa, Charlie sitting behind him while he marked some papers.

'It'll be fine Harry, we all did good considering it was our first time.'

Harry sighed then tilted his head back, 'I know, it doesn't stop me worrying though.'

Charlie put his papers and quill down then pulled Harry up and onto his lap, 'You're more worried because you told me you love me, aren't you?'

Harry put his head on Charlie's shoulder, 'Yeah, it was only a couple of weeks after I told Sirius that he died. I told you just over two weeks ago. I'm so fucking scared Charlie, so scared, more than I've ever been in my whole life.'

Charlie tightened his hold on Harry, he could hear it in Harry's voice but also feel his body shudder. Harry also doesn't use strong language which told Charlie exactly how frightened Harry really was. So all he could do was hold Harry and try to reassure him that he was here and nothing was going to happen to him. Charlie just hoped he could keep that promise to Harry, because anyone close to Harry knew that if he lost one more person he cared about, Harry just might lose it completely.

A couple of days later Charlie gave Harry a smiled and a nod, then rubbed his thumb over his bottom lip, that told Harry that Minerva had explained to staff and students that they had to be in the great hall at dinner time that the minister wanted to welcome everyone. Trying to get every student and staff to go into the great hall and stay there had been their biggest concern as most would think it wasn't worth listening to anything not even the minister. But Minerva explained that any student that did not turn up would find themselves in detention for the next month. She also ordered her staff to be there as the minister was making this special trip to Hogwarts just to relay to everyone that there was no danger and all was safe. Harry put his hand down under the table and tapped Hermione's leg twice which told her all was set, she did the same to Ron and Harry noticed he sat up straighter but otherwise showed that nothing out of the ordinary was going on, he even kept eating his breakfast.

Charlie smiled at students as he walked down to where Harry was sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table. He then slowly bent down to kiss him which he did every day after each meal, just this time only Harry, Hermione and Ron knew there was a difference.

'Everything is set, I even heard her say she was curious as to why the minister was paying a visit when we're only in the first week of the school year beginning. Minerva said he wanted to relay his message of safety to the students especially after what took place the previous year, she bought it.'

'Okay, so everything is ready to go then?'

'Yes, stop worrying Harry. We'll meet up in our room just before. Now I better go, you lot should get to class, she can't get suspicious, or others if there is others,' Charlie kissed Harry again they left the great hall.

'He's right, so let's get to class,' Hermione, Ron and Harry stood along with some of their other friends and headed out ready to go to their first class of the day. Hermione and Ron kept Harry working, talking, they even got a small laugh at out him just so the three friends looked like everything was normal and there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. When the last class was over, Hermione and Ron both hugged Harry then headed to the great hall, Harry went straight to his rooms.

'Okay, let's do this.' Harry said the moment he stepped into his room.

Down in the great hall Minerva was watching to make sure all students were there, the staff were all there even Umbridge in her disguise. There was only two missing from the great hall, Charlie and Harry but she knew they would be there very soon.

Charlie walked in a few minutes later, heading to the staff table, 'Harry's coming, he needed the bathroom,' Charlie said cheerfully to Hermione and Ron as he passed.

Not long before dinner started, Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped out from the room behind the staff table. He spoke with Minerva for a few seconds before facing the students who had fallen silent waiting to hear what the minister for magic had to say.

'I can see some concerned looks, you do not need to worry. I am just here to relay that all is safe, there is no danger to anyone inside these walls. Yes there are some death eaters and supporters of Tom Riddle that did escaped during the fighting or after the death of their leader.'

'My name is Lord Voldemort, you would do well to remember that,' Voldemort glared as he strolled into the great hall clutching Harry Potter by the throat to loud screams and shouts from all students.

'Harry,' Charlie yelled jumping to his feet.

'Ah yes, the-boy-who-lived has a lover, a lover that will soon see him die,' Voldemort sneered, 'My little snakes, join me,' Voldemort glanced at the Slytherin table where a dozen older students stared with open mouth shock before they hurried to stand behind Voldemort, all bowing their heads.

'Please don't hurt Harry, he's been hurt enough,' Kingsley said.

'Oh he's going to be hurt minister, then he is going to die.'

'How, we saw you die, how are you here?' Minerva asked in a shaky voice but before Voldemort could answer she shouted, 'No, you could hit Harry.'

All the Gryffindor's were standing with their wands pointed at Voldemort, 'He couldn't stop all of us,' Ginny shouted.

'It's not worth it Ginny, there could be more we don't know about, so let's wait,' Ron whispered urgently.

'They cannot hurt me, my perfected shielding will stop any spell hitting me. Now let's see, first sit down, all of you,' Voldemort tightened his fist that was holding Harry by the throat, 'Now.'

Everyone scrambled to their seat, 'Harry,' Charlie whimpered.

Voldemort stepped closer to the staff table, gave Harry's throat another squeeze but at the same time he waved his hand slowly over each staff member.

'Ah, there you are. You should have known I cannot die Dolores, haven't I told you that enough. So tell me what this little plan of yours was?'

'M…my l…lord,' whimpered the woman, 'there are a few that helped bring me here, we wished to avenge your death by taking the boy. We were going to torture him then leave him outside the gates, we were also going to take his lover, let Potter watch him die first.'

'Ah, my servants, they show such loyalty. But you should have waited Dolores, waited until I contacted you. Now you do not need your disguise anymore,' Voldemort moved his hand again and the small woman who was sitting beside Hestia turned into Dolores Umbridge, still with her little pink bow on the top of her head.

'Please, you're killing him,' Charlie shouted, his eyes wide with fear.

'Oh I did forget myself, my hand tightened a little more than I wanted,' Voldemort gave an evil sadistic laugh, 'Now what punishment should you receive for taking matters into your own hands.'

'M…my lord,' Umbridge squeaked.

Voldemort glared, 'You should have waited for my orders,' he pointed his long bone handled wand at Umbridge, she flew towards the wall, slamming into it before falling unconscious to the floor, 'I will punish her later, now Draco, stand before me.'

Draco hurried to stand before Voldemort, his head bowed, 'M…my lord.'

Voldemort never spoke, just moved his hand over Draco's head. To everyone watching it looked like a mist or smoke was leaking from his head. For the briefest of seconds Voldemort's eyes flashed red as he glanced at Kingsley. To the ones that knew what was going on, that was the signal, then screams and shouting were heard as Voldemort had all seven Slytherin's unconscious on the floor. Harry was released as he turned back into Charlie Weasley. Charlie who had been at the staff table turned into Bill Weasley and Voldemort changed into Harry Potter.

'What in the blazes is going on?' Neville shouted, but before anyone could answer Harry fell to the floor.

'Harry,' the real Charlie said as he dropped to the floor beside him, 'What's wrong?'

'Weak, but they aren't the Slytherin's, it's the last of the death eaters. Draco and the others are prisoners, being held at the old Riddle house,' Harry panted then he fell back unconscious into Charlie's arms to more screams and shouts.

'He used a hell of a lot of power Charlie, he's just drained, badly, but he'll be okay. Hestia, Bill, DA, all of you up here now,' Kingsley called then waited until Hermione and the DA were standing in front of him, Hestia beside him, 'This lot need guarding until I can get the aurors here, they know something is going on just not what, we couldn't let anyone know as we couldn't trust everyone. Minerva bring Umbridge here, keep her bound,' Kingsley hurried from the hall, but he could hear a lot of students all asking the same thing, what the hell is going on, soon they will know exactly what was going on.