Disclaimer: You want it? It's in Ch 1.
========================================================== =====
…"Avada Kedav-"

"EXPELLIARMUS!'

The smirks suddenly vanished from Malfoy and Goyle's faces. Their wands were now clutched in the grasp of Professor Dumbledore. When he next spoke, his voice was icy.

"Mr. Crabbe, release Mr. Potter at once." Harry could've sworn the temperature had dropped ten degrees as the pressure around his arms and torso disappeared.

By this time, the Hall was crowded with students and professors. Harry spotted Professor McGonagall fighting her way through the curious onlookers. Dumbledore noticed as well.

"Minerva, get word to the Ministry at once. Tell Fudge he must get down here immediately." She nodded and rushed off.

'Maybe now Fudge'll believe Dumbledore about trouble coming' Harry thought tiredly.

Dumbledore gazed about, finding other professors to assist. "Severus, bring some Veritaserum to my office, please. Arnold (A/N: My idea of Flitwick's first name), take Harry and Miss Granger to the Hospital Wing."

"Come on, Harry." Professor Flitwick had magicked Hermione onto a stretcher and was waiting impatiently. When they arrived at the Hospital Wing, Madame Pomfrey magicked Hermione onto a bed.

"Mr. Potter, you know the routine. I'll be with you shortly."

Harry grabbed a set of pajamas, changed, and got into bed to wait. By the time Madame Pomfrey finished administering to Hermione, he was fast asleep. She tended his sleeping form as best she could. Turning around, she discovered Professor Dumbledore had entered the room. He walked over to her.

"How are they?"

"They will both need further attention when they wake. Potter will definitely live. I…" Madame Pomfrey faltered a moment, and then continued. "I cannot be certain of Miss Granger's fate at this time."

Dumbledore sighed. "Of all the things to happen here..."

"Surely they weren't acting of their own volition?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I had hoped otherwise, but Veritaserum never fails."

"But...why?"

"You may have noticed Mr. Malfoy has always disliked Miss Granger. With Voldemort's" - here Madame Pomfrey flinched, but Dumbledore didn't notice - "return, he felt he could finally release all of his hatred towards her."

"What will be done?"

"They will be expelled of course, and hopefully sent to Azkaban."

"Hopefully?"

"Lucius Malfoy still commands a great deal of respect, although he is no longer on the board of governors for Hogwarts."

"And you think this may prevent them from being sentenced?"

"That is what I fear, though it may be for the better if they do not go to Azkaban. Voldemort" - again Madame Pomfrey flinched. This time Dumbledore noticed.

"My dear Poppy, as I once told Harry, 'fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself.' You must learn to hear it, for he IS returning to power. And part of his power comes from terror. Now, as I was saying, Voldemort will likely win the dementors to his side soon enough. Even replacing them with wizards may not keep us safe from the prisoners inside, should Voldemort choose to bring them out, as I've no doubt he will."