A/N Hi everybody. I know, I know, I haven't put up a chapter since April, but I haven't been completely lazy. I have the next four chapters of the story already written! That means that I can put them up whenever I want. I am sorry for taking so long, so it will go up in the next three or four days. However, if I happen to get a large number of REVIEWS then I might find time to put it up tomorrow or even later today. Thanks to Ginny H. Potter for Beta reading! Au Revior!
When Harry turned around, there was Sirius and Remus staring at him in shock. So that was why he and Hermione had fallen! He wondered why Sirius and Remus didn't say anything to him, then realized that they didn't recognize him because he was wearing the cloak and mask. Sirius started to go for his wand.
"Sirius, no!"
Sirius stopped for a moment, and then recognized the voice.
"Harry?" Harry stood up slowly and took off the mask.
"How you doing Sirius?" Sirius didn't say anything, he just continued looking at Harry in shock. The noises down the hall were getting closer.
Sirius finally seemed to recover himself. "Hullo Harry. Fancy meeting you here."
"What are you doing here, Sirius?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I asked you first."
"I'm older."
"I'm younger."
Remus pulled himself up slowly. "When you two are done, we are being chased by ministry wizards with large dogs and big teeth and such."
"I could take those dogs any day, they're all bark. Now, what are you doing here Harry?"
"Just out for a stroll after dinner."
"It's one in the morning."
"So? What are you doing here?"
"Just out for a pre-breakfast stroll."
"At one in the morning."
"Touché."
Hermione stood up at this and pulled off her mask. "Will you two please save this for a better time."
Remus was looking even more disturbed by the second. "Harry, you shouldn't be here, and Hermione, you certainly shouldn't be here. If your parents found out…"
"Leave me to worry about my parents, will you?"
The ministry wizards were almost there now. "Well, wands out, I should say," said Remus, ever the calm one.
Just then, six ministry wizards in dark maroon robes raced around the corner, each holding the leash of a very large dog. Harry and Hermione quickly threw their masks back on and turned to face them with wands drawn. Remus and Sirius quickly stepped up in front of them. There was a minute of tense standoff, then the head wizard finally spoke.
"Drop your wands right now and nobody will be harmed!"
Sirius gave him a very fake laugh and a smirk. "I'm thinking no. How about you give us your wands and I won't have to kick you asses!"
The ministry wizards took this in stride. "This will be your last warning. You have fifteen seconds to drop your wands. The alarms have been sounded and more wizards are on their way. There is no way out!"
Sirius continued smiling at him. "Are you deaf or just plain stupid? I'm going to give you one more chance to drop your wands before I'm going to go shoving mine up your-"
Remus broke in. "Sirius, think of them." He motioned to Harry and Hermione. Sirius notably softened, then slowly lowered his wand to the floor. The rest of the group slowly followed his lead.
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Unknown to the ten people who were in that tense standoff, two more sets of eyes had been watching it from behind Harry and Hermione.
"Ugh, I thought we were going to get some free entertainment."
"Too bad. Leave it to the English to screw things up like always."
"I guess we should be saving their arses now. On three then?"
"Works for me."
"Right. One. Two. Three." With that, two loud voices yelled 'Expellarimus' and all six of the ministry wizards' wands came flying towards Anton and Abby, who had stepped out from under the invisibility cloak which had concealed them. They quickly stunned all six wizards, then proceeded to stun Sirius and Remus, much to the dismay of Harry.
"What are you doing? That's my godfather and my professor! They're going to help us."
"We don't need any help."
"Still, they can't get arrested. You have to enervate them."
"All right, all right, I'll do a quick memory charm and let them go. We will proceed to Dumbledore's cell, overpower the guards, release him, then leave, maybe stopping for refreshments in the lobby on the way out, depending on time. Any questions?" Anton looked pleased with himself. "This time follow us, and try not to screw it up like you always do." He walked over to Sirius and Remus, muttering under his breath about 'friggin' English.
Hermione followed him. "Um, Anton, quick question. How are we supposed to follow you if you are invisible?"
"I'll take care of that." Abby walked over and picked up Harry and Hermione's invisibility cloak. Throwing it over Harry and Hermione, she instructed Harry to stick his hand out so that only that was visible. Putting the other invisibility cloak over herself and Anton, Abby reached out and took Harry's hand, then covered it with the invisibility cloak. They tested out this method a little bit, then Anton enervated Remus and Sirius and they set off down the hall.
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It took them awhile to find where Professor Dumbledore was being kept, going around many corners and unlit corridors. They could hear ministry wizards all around them searching, and Harry hoped that Sirius had gotten out all right.
Finally they came to a long brightly-lit hallway with cells on both sides. There were three wizards at the end lounging around a coffee table looking extremely bored and sets of magical keys all along the outer wall. Quickly stunning the guards, Harry and Hermione set off to find Professor Dumbledore while Anton and Abby looked for the right key.
Running lightly down the hall, they called out "Professor Dumbledore" until there was a response from the last cell on the right. Harry and Hermione quickly removed their masks and ran to the cell. Hermione called back to Anton, and soon he and Abby ran up. Professor Dumbledore was lying down at the back of a small dark cell, and quickly sat up at the sight of his two students and two strangers.
"Why, Harry, Hermione, what a surprise. I didn't expect to see you here. And you brought some friends." He then turned serious. "You should not be here. There is great danger and darkness in this building."
"We came here to rescue you."
"And you should not have done that."
"But-"
"No buts, Harry. You cannot continue to bounce around like this, leaving on a whim." He got out of the cell and looked around quickly, sighing. "I will continue lecturing you later. Now we must get out of here." He quickly led them up the hall, taking over control from Abby and Anton, and led them into a circular room with a trash bin on the end. He quickly walked over to that, and told them that it was a portkey that had been planted here for him by a ministry insider. It would take them to the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade, and they were to go directly back to Hogwarts. Seeing that Dumbledore had that same look in his eye that he had at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Harry knew that it was no good to argue and grabbed the portkey readily with the others. Dumbledore asked to borrow Harry's invisibility cloak, then set off, only turning to activate the portkey.
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Sirius and Remus had meanwhile been running around the ministry, trying to avoid the ministry wizards and other beasts that were roaming around searching for them. Deciding to give up their mission, they were currently trying to get out. Having just stunned two witches guarding the entrance to a staircase, they raced up it, only to be stopped at the door by another wizard. Ready to stun him, the wizards suddenly turned around and revealed himself to be Dumbledore.
"Oh, Albus, you scared the crap out of us," Remus started. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was getting some nice shuteye for the first time in many years, when I was rudely disturbed by one Harry Potter and one Hermione Granger, accompanied by two other students."
"What the hell is he doing here?"
"Rescuing me, apparently, and he was successful."
"I'm going to kill him!"
"Easy Sirius, he's just doing what he thinks is right." Remus said. Sirius wouldn't be consoled.
"He could get killed! If he keeps doing stupid things like that he will be killed!"
"Calm down Sirius! Now we have to concentrate on getting ourselves out of here without getting killed. I don't suppose one of you picked up my wand?" Remus produced Dumbledore's wand. "Excellent, we won't have any problem now. Follow me out, then we'll apparate back outside of Hogwarts."
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Back in Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione, Anton, and Abby were just returning from the Shrieking Shack. Walking into the Gryffindor common room after a refreshing stop at the kitchens. After giving Sean a swift kick each for falling asleep on the floor, Harry and Anton went up to the boy's dorms to change and Hermione and Abby went into the girl's dorm.
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"Hermione, is Sean really your cousin?"
"Not by my choice."
"You have to hook me up, he's dead sexy."
"Ugh, stop it, I'm going to be sick."
"He knows his way around, trust me."
"Okay, you know what, I really didn't want to hear that."
"Who's your man-servant here?"
"Nobody."
"Really? Why not? You're really nice looking. Hell, I'd go out with you." Abby laughed and made a face at Hermione
"Yeah, well that makes one of us."
"What about Harry?"
"Ugh, he's like a brother to me." Hermione gagged.
"Now Hermione, you don't have to get defensive about it. I saw you looking at him."
"I have no clue what the hell you are talking about."
"You can't deny it Hermione. It's okay; I'm not going to tell him. Yet."
"You better not. Not that there's anything to tell him."
"Don't worry, he won't figure it out. Guys are just naturally stupid."
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Up in the Boy's dormitory, Harry and Anton were also talking.
"Damn, Harry, can you believe that Abby likes Sean. There are so many other great guys around, ones that lead secret international organizations."
"I don't understand females."
"Not many people do Harry. As in why they go after some English guy they just met instead of an immensely successful wizard that could be the Russian minister of magic very soon."
"Strange."
"I know. Who's your woman here, Harry?"
"I don't have one."
"Why not? You're Harry Potter."
"Really, am I?"
"That scar can be like gold when it comes to stuff like this."
"Only for some girls," Harry said a little bit bitterly.
"Oh, I get it. I'm not quite that stupid, even I can see that you like Hermione."
"What?"
"You like Hermione, get over it."
"Ugh, she's like a sister to me."
"Yeah, I've heard that one before. I've seen you looking at her, you want her."
"That's disgusting Anton."
"Don't deny it. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone, yet."
"There's nothing to tell."
"Don't worry about it Harry, she probably hasn't even noticed it. Girls are just naturally insane."
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After they finished changing back into normal clothes and hid the masks and cloaks, Abby and Anton took their leave, but not before reminding them that there was an important meeting Friday night, the thirtieth of July. Anton would come around and collect them, seeing as it was their first council meeting, Friday afternoon. They would be returning after the all night meeting in the early hours of the thirty-first, so as not to be noticed. Harry didn't fail to notice that his birthday would be that Saturday, and wondered if Hermione had remembered and planned to do anything. He hoped that he would be able to see Ron then, as he hadn't seen him all summer. Not that he wasn't enjoying the company of Hermione all to himself, but he did miss his other best friend.
One week before the planned meeting and Harry's birthday, Dumbledore finally returned to the castle among considerable commotion. Fudge had been forced to give up searching for the then renegade Dumbledore when news of his arrest and the reasons for it finally reached the press. After being blasted and threatened with a vote of no confidence from the heads of the ministries, Fudge finally backed down. However, it was well known that he was not happy about having to do this, and blasted Dumbledore day after day to the press.
The first thing that Professor Dumbledore did when he returned was to call a staff meeting, which took place that Saturday in the back of the library. Unknowingly to the occupants of the room, two more people also viewed the meeting. Under the invisibility cloak, Harry and Hermione watched the encounter. Like most, it started out with a general discussion of petty problems. Finally, Dumbledore rose to speak.
"As most of you know, Voldemort has risen. He is back. There is nothing that we can do about that. He has already taken Switzerland with the help of his new allies, and he is now turning his sights on France. I expect it to fall within the week, with the exceptions of very few strongholds, such as Beauxbatons. The minister of magic is meeting with the French Premier as we speak, but Fudge will not agree to come to the aid of France. To promote the safety of the British citizens I have therefore proposed to the council of governors that Hogwarts be opened a month early, actually on Monday, August 2nd."
This drew an audible gasp from the group of professors and other staff in the room, and murmuring soon began.
"This has been accepted, and letters to students will go out today. The train will leave at the normal time on August 2nd, and all teaching positions will be filled. Also, during the year we can expect to have an influx of refugees from Beauxbatons. We will welcome all that come to us, and all will be directly sorted. That will be all. Classes will begin on Wednesday, August 4th. Please go begin to prepare."
As the teachers began to file out, Professor Dumbledore stopped Professor McGonnal and asked her to fetch Harry and Hermione. Hearing this, they raced out the door and back up to the common room, pretending to do homework while waiting for the Professor. Finally she came in and ushered them up to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Thank you, Minerva, you may go." After Professor McGonnal left, Dumbledore turned to look at them.
"I won't repeat what I just said in the meeting, seeing as you just heard it," he started, giving them a quick smile. Harry and Hermione were quite embarrassed, but didn't say anything.
"It's perfectly all right, I expected you there. Anyway, as school will start in about a week, the professors will have to get the school prepared, and I also have to renew the protective charms. While I am renewing the charms, which will take about a week, Hogwarts will be unprotected. Therefore, to keep you safe, I am going to have you spend the last week of your vacation away from Hogwarts. Now, Voldemort is aware of your presence Harry, so we are going to get you to the safest possible place. Hermione, we believe that he might also be after you and the Weasley's. Seeing as how we have already placed numerous protections there, you may spend the rest of vacation there." Dumbledore paused for a minute. "Hermione, would you leave us for a moment?" Rather slowly and unwillingly Hermione got up and went to wait outside. When she had finally left, Dumbledore turned back to Harry.
"Harry, what I and the rest of the world is most concerned about is your safety. Right now I want you to be one hundred percent protected. Outside of Hogwarts, there is only one place where I can guarantee that sort of protection."
Harry could already tell what was coming, but he didn't want to.
"The only place with complete protection for you is the Dursley's. I will not tell you, but I will make a desperate request of you to return there for this last week. You would not be able to send owls or in anyway communicate with the wizarding world. However, anywhere else you not only put yourself but others in danger. What do you say."
Harry had to think on that one for a while. The last place that he wanted to return to was the Dursley's, but if he didn't then wouldn't Dumbledore think that he was a weakling who couldn't handle them. And he didn't want to put anyone else in danger. Finally he told Dumbledore that he would do it.
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"Please, Minister Fudge, understand that there is nothing more that we can do to protect ourselves from this evil. We need help, and you have the strongest country in Europe."
"And I plan to keep it the strongest country in Europe, Premier, and jumping into frays like this is not the way to do it."
"So betraying your allies is the way to do it?"
"If that's what it comes down to, Premier!"
"Remember that millions that you are condemning to death by your actions, or lack of them, when you try to sleep at night Fudge."
"Remember the millions of your own citizens that you got killed by not being strong enough, Premier. I am a busy man, now leave! I have no time for this!"
Having dismissed the French Premier of Magic, Cornelius Fudge rocked back in his comfortable chair and congratulated himself on another job well done.
"Malfoy, you can come back in now." From a little ante room at the side of the chamber came Lucius Malfoy, in full Ministry regalia. "How was that for your master, Malfoy."
Lucius gave him an evil grin. "That will do fine for now, Cornelius. Just remember, as long as you keep England out of my master's hair the longer it survives. And the greater you are remembered." Malfoy smiled again. It was so easy to play to the vain minister's petty ambitions.
"All right then, that will do Malfoy." As Malfoy left, Fudge couldn't help but think that he was the greatest minister alive.
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