A/N: Thank you! Everyone of you! Forty five reviews? I am so happy!

Seriously, I really appreciate your great reviews. It makes me want to update the story very soon.

There will be some more personal responds to you in the end of the chapter

Sorry, Hagrid-fans, this is a abuse of him.
You might find this chapter pretty boring, since it's talking most of the time, butI had to make thisjust for the plotforgive me!

Let's BEGIN!


Chapter Ten


"No, Father, please!"

"This is all to remind you efficiently why you have to stay home at weekends- not hanging out with those filthy little friends of yours!"

"Father, no! I beg you, father!"

"Begging and groveling takes you nowhere, it is a sign of cowardice and pathetic, so shut your filthy mouth and fight a man!"

He was dragging him outside to a very big graveyardno, he would not tolerate with thisstruggling and panting, he screamed violently with tears and blood streaming down on his face.

"FATHER, PLEASE DON'T! NO! NO! NO!"

"Shut up, damn it!"

As a shiny, hard curved, expensive looking leather boot made contact with his jaws, he could hear his bones cracking sickly. One or two of his small little teeth shot out o his bloody mouth, making him crying and screamer harder than before.

"No! No"

They had finally reached a stop. The man kicked him sideways, making him to lie on the cold ground in the middle of the yard, and then looked at him evilly.

"You shall handle this as a man, son. Do what you can to defense yourself- even if no defense is possible- I shall be waiting for you over there."

And as the dark haired, good looking man pointed to somewhere at the back of the graveyard, Severus could see, even in the midnight darkness, that he was smiling with pity and amusement.

"Good luck, then."

"Father, no"

He continued murmuring desperately, though now the shadow of his father had disappeared into the darkness. He did not want to diehe deserved no punishment; it was just a few minutes late for home

Then suddenly, a quiet growl crept onto the back of the child's neck.

"Fa- father?" he trembled as he turned slowly.

And then he knew nothing but blood, dirt, screams, howls and laughs.

* * *

"Father!"

Severus sat up wide awake, panting breathlessly. Looking everywhere, he found himself lying on a bed in the Hospital Wing, the walls and windows very solid, illuminating his fear.

Just a dream, he told himself, just a stupid dream

But that did not prevent a hurting tear from rolling down his cheek.

Drying up desperately, Severus let the memory sink into him, revealing why he had all those cuts and scraps all over him, why he had such a headache and why, did he recall the things and suffers he had tried desperately to forget

"Are you alright, sir?"

Severus whirled around to face the three last people he would have desired to meet when he was just recovering from a sulking memory.

"Not that it concerns you." He snapped, trying to bring up his best sneer, which was not easy to achieve having the fact that his face was covered with bandages and medicine that the fussing nurse, Madame Promfrey, had insisted.

Weasley, who was sitting on an individual bed beside his, scowled at him reproachfully. The bushy haired Know-It-All was snuggled on the bed opposite to Severus', and was face buried by an enormous book, titled The Basic Laws of Education and Development, as Severus could squint out. Then, beside her bed, lying unconsciously was his hated boy, Potter. He seemed to be still out.

"Oh, you've waken, Professor! How do you feel?" asked Granger concernedly, poking her head from the behind of the ancient book.

Severus grunted in reply- he did not feel like going into the matters with those three. All he wanted was the Headmaster to come and explain

And as if Dumbledore could read Severus' summon, the door opened just then and in came the wise and old wizard, Dumbledore himself.

* * *

Painsuffer ness

i"Kill the spare."/I

He could notHarry would not let him die like thishe must die with pride and proud

i"Crucio!"/I

He was incensingon fireburning open

"What?"

Harry opened his eyes tiredly. His whole view was immediately blocked by the face of none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.

"Harry, please do wake up, I beg you for a few answers to some questions."

Harry blinked several times and suddenly remembered. He was attacked by a giant, Grawp, Hagrid was to get sacked, and Snape was dying-

"Yes, Professor." He muttered and sat up slowly. Locking around, he saw Snape, Ron and Hermione sitting on separated beds, all looking solemn and tired.

Then he looked up at Dumbledore. "Er- how is everyone?"

Dumbledore smiled at him under his crooked nose. "They are fine, Harry, and so are the few professors who fought bravely tonight."

Harry looked across the room to see that McGonagall, Moody and Hagrid all sitting and lying on individual beds at the way end of the room.

Hagrid was the worst injured, his mustache soaked with blood and dirt, face completely torn in many ways, but he looked worried and sad more than painful. Harry knew exactly why. Next to Hagrid was Moody, who was still knocked out, but the reason why was clear- blood kept dribbling out of the corner of his lips. Madame Promfrey was fussing all over him, muttering things which seemed like "out of their minds" and "wild beasts" now and then as she worked. And then last, sitting upright and looking at Dumbledore attentively was McGonagall, who seemed to be shaking very slightly but held herself up high, considering the fact that there were ugly bruises planted on her arms.

Harry's heart sank horribly- so there were more attacks, which looked pretty serious and brutal. Hagrid cannot be sacked, nether less not locked into prison

"So, Harry, do you and your friends mind filling me up with the events kindly?" Dumbledore broke into his train of thoughts and worries.

Harry nodded at Ron and Hermione, who were both paled face and shaking slightly, but injuries and cuts treated.

"Well-" Harry had not even begun when the door slammed open, three people entering.

As Harry identified them under the dim torches of light, he heard Hermione gasping. It was, unmistakably, Percy Weasley, Senior Undersecretary and temporary Minister for Magic, and most of all, the real Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge himself. Besides them, wearing an expression of weary was Lupin, looking as white as ever.

"Well, well, well, Dumbledore!" Cornelius Fudge, the jolly short wizard who was wearing green laced robes, laughed heartily with a look of undoubtedly triumph as he walked towards Dumbledore. Stopping in front of the old man, he glanced around at the room, giving the patients swift, searching looks and his grin widening very time he did.
Harry felt a nasty shot of hatred- Cornelius Fudge, who did not believe Harry for the slightest when he witnessed Voldemort's return, Cornelius Fudge, who made him and Dumbledore sound like a madman and a lunatic, Cornelius fudge, who had shown deliberating weakness when dealing with the truth- Voldemort, Cornelius Fudge, who now stood before him, as healthy and happy as ever, getting ready to lock up Hagrid and perhaps demolish the school in filthy ways of his. In fact, the thing that Harry could not forgive him most was for appointing a teacher to Hogwarts last year as spy for the Ministry, turning out to be vicious and evil, and faking Cedric Diggory's death as a tragic accident.

Feeling his anger boiling up, he turned to glare at the third brother of Ron's, Percy Weasley, and also the traitor of the Weasley family. He was smiling broadly, wearing black expensive robes which Harry could have sworn that the Ministry offered Percy to it, due to his poor economic situation at the Weasley's. Percy did not show any sign of recognizing Harry and Hermione, nether less to say, Ron, who was not looking at his brother but glaring furiously at the ceiling.

Madame Promfrey stared at the new arrivals and was about to attempt refuse when Harry saw Dumbledore shaking his head very slightly. She pursed her lips but continued working on Moody, keeping silent.

"So, what do we have here tonight? Brutal and useless beasts tromping all over Hogwarts? Is it a poor planned deception or really, the horrifying truth?" Fudge smiled widely as he patted Dumbledore on the shoulders like old friends.

Dumbledore smiled calmly, his blue eyes twinkling in a way Harry did not recognize, "Good evening to you, too, Cornelius. As for your information, I regret to say that it is, undoubtedly true, that a giant has just lost his control of temper, and done a quite a few damages. You receive news such efficiently, I suppose?" Dumbledore's tone was gentle and polite, but Harry knew what he meant- surely Fudge would not get wind of the incident so fast? It was just about less than half an hour after Harry, Ron and Hermione had pulled Snape into the Hospital Wing.

Fudge continued smiling in his usual too-cheerful way, though it seemed to tightened at Dumbledore's words.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. " Fudge said, his smile starting to wear off. Then he grinned widely again as Dumbledore offered him and Percy a chair by drawling two out of his wand. Sitting down comfortably, he asked, "So, what are these exciting events tonight?"

Dumbledore glanced at Snape, who was glaring at everyone except Dumbledore in the
room, and said gently, "May we begin at you, Severus?"

* * *

Severus nodded and began hoarsely, "Yes, sir. I was taking a walk near the rivers-"

"At this time?" interrupted young Percy Weasley, who was recording everything on a clip-board. His tone was filled with accusation and mistrust as he challenged his ex-professor.

Severus continued as if he had not heard the childish question, "And then there was a deafening sound in the Forest. I decided to investigate, so I found the giant, hanging Hagrid the games keeper as well as professor of this school in midair. I performed the Disarming Charm and released Hagrid, and then Minerva, Moody and Flitwick arrived. Flitwick went off to fetch the Headmaster and we three remained to fight the giant. It knocked out Minerva and then Moody, then nearly declined my life when- when-"

He did not want to admit that he, a qualified and fully advanced wizard, was saved by a student in school, as well as his hated enemy.

"When?" Percy Weasley raised his eyebrows as Fudge chuckled. Severus felt the abashment and looked at Dumbledore, who seemed to understand.

"We shall continue with Harry, Ronald and Hermione, then."

* * *

Harry cast his friends a nervous glance- they had to be careful with their tongues or Hagrid was bound to get sacked right away.

"Well-"he began uncertainly. Hermione gave him a encouraging nod, and so he continued, "We were having the last exam in the Great Hall, and then we-"

"What exam?" questioned Percy abruptly. Harry was slightly annoyed, what did that have to do with anything?

i"Charms." /I Ron supplied for him, snarling under his breath at Percy. Percy glanced at Ron briefly, as if he had just realized his existence, and muttered, "Right. Go on."

Harry glared at Percy for a second, then went on, "Well we heard a roar from the outside, and we-"

Hermione's warning look stopped him. She was right- how on earth would he explain why they sneaked out of the Hall in the first place? Surely not because of recognizing Hagrid's brother, Grawp the giant's voice, he thought .

Fudge made an impatient noise and looked at him. Dumbledore nodded at Harry as to beckon him to go on, while Snape was eyeing Hermione, Ron and Harry with an expression of the too familiar suspicious.

"We were scared." Hermione picked up Harry's speech hastily. "We- we were frightened and wanted to check if- if-"

"You know, Hagrid's cabin near the Forest and that was the place the sound came from, so we wanted to make sure if he was OK." finished Ron nervously but with firm. Harry gaped at him for his brilliance.

Fudge made a sound which sounded like a snort then said, "Scared, were you? Scared when Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley fought through the traps to the Philosopher's Stone, as I remember? Scared of a sound when according to himself, Harry Potter faced You-Know-Who's rise and torture in his fourth year? Very reasonable, I should say."

There was a pause of silence then Lupin cleared his throat.

"Forgive me to interrupt, Minister, but I believe that has not much to do with the giant."

Harry felt a rush of gratitude towards Lupin, and took full advantage to continue without hesitate, "So we went there and the roars became more and more clear from the Forest, and we heard Hagrid's shouts. We were concerned and rushed inside to find the giant hanging Professor Snape, and"

Snape's loathing expression made Harry drop dead yet again.

"And Professor Snape released himself with his wand, then we, failing to see under the darkness to find where Hagrid was, escaped the giant and went back here."

Harry eyed Snape with displeasure as he covered the truth. Ron and Hermione too, scowled at him and Snape avoided their eyes for a while.

Dumbledore clapped his hands together and said cheerfully, "Well then- the truth has been told, no one suffered lastingly, all solved, is it? Now, Cornelius, I must ask the patients to get some rest-"

"Not quite, Dumbledore." Fudge said nastily, his smile still fixed upon the face. "I am wondering, how did the giant intruded into the ground of Hogwarts, when the place is so well secured and protected as I have seen to that myself."

Harry's heart gave mighty jerk- this would be it, Hagrid's no good at covering, he was sure to get it-

"Potter and his friends seemed to know it."

Harry looked up at Snape, who had just spoken, and gaped at him in disbelief.

"Yes?" asked Fudge eagerly. Dumbledore looked from Snape to Harry in mild interest. Ron and Hermione, too, were looking awestricken at Snape.

Snape did not smile or grin, but said very quietly, "Potter, Weasley and Granger. They called themselves as Harry andHermy, was it? They used these names when talking to the giant. They also named the giant as Grawp."

Hagrid made a sudden attempt to say something, but Harry saw Ron flashing him a warning look.

Dumbledore looked blankly at Hagrid, Ron, Harry and Hermione, then started to nod to himselfHarry could tell he was putting the pieces together, as only that old man could

Fudge grinned even more horribly and questioned hurriedly, "And what did they say to the giant?"

"They said they were not to hurt it and they also acted as the giant should remember them."

"Aha!" Fudge gave a yell of triumph, "So, explain this, can you, Dumbledore? Students making relationships with the creatures we have proven in joining the Dark side! Explain this, will you!"

Dumbledore said calmly, yet there were no twinkles in his eyes anymore, "Your questions and confusions are as much as mine, Cornelius. Perhaps we can offer a time for Harry and his friends to explain?"

At that point, Hagrid stood up and began, "Professor-"

"We did know the giant." Hermione said suddenly, loud and clear, shutting Hagrid up. Harry glanced at her as Ron, too, looked at her in bewilderment, wondering what on earth did she had in mind-

"Ah! So you admit it, do you?" Fudge exclaimed excitedly, standing up to his feet. "You little heroes admit that you sent the giant into Hogwarts? You wanted to damage the castle, didn't you? Doing that just for fun? Or-"

"Cornelius," Dumbledore said quietly, but Fudge made no notice.

i"- to work with the Dark side? /IYou did it on You-Know-Who's orders, did you? You wanted to kill Dumbledore and the staff, yes, that mostly like it, especially you Potter, you wanted to be special among the crowd, so you did this as a favor to You-Know-Who, I see, I see!"

With that, he tilted his head back to a mad laugh Harry never heard before.

There was a pause of silence, then a voice growled from the behind, "Excuse me, Minister, bu' I hid Grawp inside ther Forest."

"No!"

"Hagrid, shut up!"

"You can't-"

The protests of the three were blooming. Harry shouted desperately over the voices to shut Hagrid up- he must not admit it so soon- at least not like this-

"Pardon me?" blinked Fudge, his smile and laugh freezing in midair.

"I hid Grawp inside there, Minister, and there's nothin' ter do with those three." Hagrid seemed to make up his mind as he ignored the silent pleas and outcries of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Harry knew there was no way to stop him and sat back on his bed, feeling helpless and despaired. Hermione caught his eyes and Harry saw tears gleaming in hers. Ron was staring at Hagrid and clutching his bed sheets so tight that some of the fabric started to tear open.

Hagrid took a deep breath and began, "Grawp is my brother. I, er, hid him inside them Forest since las' year. I thought I could tame him, teach him a few lans, yeh knowhe's in his bad moods these days and er- he need someone to care fer himbefriend with himhe's lonely, yeh see"

As Hagrid spoke with difficulty and tears glimmering in his eyes, Harry hid his face under his hands. He was bound to be sent to Azkaban

He let his eyes sweep around the room through a gap between his fingers. Hermione was crying silently, Ron fallen back onto his pillow, looking disconcerted; Fudge was staring at Hagrid, wearing an expression of disbelief as well as pleasure; Snape was glaring at the floor, though Harry knew by his attentive looks that he was listening to every word; McGonagall, paled face, gasping a little while staring at Hagrid; Madame Promfrey, taking not much of a notice on the shocking news going around the room- she was deeply involved of what seemed like deciding which medicine to use on the still unconscious Moody; Lupin, looking glum as he sat down on a nearby bed; Dumbledore, wearing no smile and twinkles on his face but looking rather calm and Harry had a fleeting impression that Dumbledore was not listening- that he knew all of it already and was doing some fast thinking; and Percy, who was buried under his endless notes, was allowing his hand to fly across his parchment as he made record of Hagrid's every word.

"He was always a good giant, obeyin' an' everythin'me really sorry this happened ternigh'."

And then the brave, strong and friendly half giant sulked into his bed, burying his face and said no more.

* * *

Severus could not quite believe the news he had just heard. Though he was always aware of Hagrid's unusual habits and interests in uncommon creatures, he had no idea that Hagrid, although not exactly nice and friendly to him but treated him fairly with respect, would have gone so far as to put the castle in danger because of his exaltation.

Looking up at Dumbledore, who seemed to be measuring facts, Severus wondered if even the greatest wizard of the centaury could seek any way to escape the punishment for his trusted men.

Fudge, apparently, was overjoyed though he did showed little signs of disappointment, as the reason was, Severus suspected, that he could not get Potter for expulsion after all.
Grinning widely, the Minister Severus never truly respected rounded on Hagrid, "So you admit that you have been hiding the giant within the grounds of Hogwarts?"

"Yes." Came a hoarse voice from behind the hands and mustache of the games keeper.

Severus caught a glimpse at Potter and saw him shaking slightly, due to his relationship with Hagrid.

"Fully aware that it is illegal?"

"Yes."

" Understanding the danger you have put the students and staff of the school in?"

"Yes."

"And admitting that you set the giant on loose to demolish and damage the priceless pieces of nature, not to mention human lives, on purpose?"

"No!" the man looked up at that point, with an awestruck expression on his hairy face. "I woul' never do tha'! I don't-"

"Then why, would you keep such a thing inside the forest, when knowing perfectly that it is illegal and may cause you sentenced into prison? Why would one suffer and lose so much just for one's interest and fun? Perhaps, I say," Fudge was taking steps nearer and nearer towards the now stunned Hagrid, looking horrible, i"You finally recognize where your loyalties lie?"/I

The room was silent for a while, Severus beginning to understand. While the subject, seemed not.

"What do yeh- what do yeh mean?" growled Hagrid, mortified. Severus caught Dumbledore's eyes for a brief second, and a rush of understatement connect them two.

Fudge paced slowly around the room, an unpleasant smile hanged on his face. Then he suddenly turned to Dumbledore.

"Have we and the Ministry proved that the giants, these beastly creatures, have joined the Dark side with You-Know-Who, Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore smiled politely, "As far as I remember, we have certainly did."

"Oho!" Fudge gave cry of smirk. "And is it known that Rubeus Hagrid here, is not entirely a human being, while holding the heredity of both giant and human?"

Dumbledore's eyes flashed and but replied, "I agree so, Cornelius."

"Ha! So is it possible that Hagrid, being a half breed and sharing the blood of giants, who have joined You-Know-Who, is working against the Light and setting that giant in Hogwarts tonight to plot to kill the students and staff, as his ancestors and families have all turned their backs against us?"

Severus stared. That was utterly the inanest proposal he had ever heard. He knew perfectly that Hagrid had his heart in the right place and would die for Dumbledore just like himself.

Hagrid jumped to his feet and bellowed, evidently terrified, "No! I told yeh, Grawp's me brother so I had ter care fer him! It wasn't anythin' plottin' ter kill Dumbledore or anyone-"

"Oh, how very touching, family reunions." Fudge smirked, "So why did that beastly brother of yours go wild tonight?"

Dumbledore had not said anything to prevent Hagrid from being further insulted at all. In fact, Severus knew he was thinking of some plan- fast.

Hagrid was looking outraged. "There was this letter sent ter me, told me Fang was hurt by couple of them Chandlers, so I lef' Grawp and he wen' mad-"

"Is there any evidence or proof of that letter?" Percy Weasley asked suddenly. Fudge beamed at him.

Hagrid grunted, "You're damn righ' there is."

Then he took off his long, large coat and began to search the enormous pockets. After looking inside the left and right ones, though, he looked up with a terrified expression.
"I-I-"

"Yes?" Fudge raised his eyebrows with a shadow of a grin.

Hagrid was sweating horribly by now. Shaking his coat mentally over his head, an assortment of quite a few strange possessions dropped out; keys, dog biscuits, leaves, a handkerchief, gum wrappers, and finally, a Galleon. But there was, evidently, no parchment.

Hagrid looked horrified as he continued searching his coat desperately. Finally, Fudge took a step to him and said, with a state of pleasant in his voice, "Well, it doesn't seem like there's a letter inside, does it?"

The half giant looked up, trembling for a man so strong. "I-I- had it 'ere, sir, I really did"

"Oho! That is, obviously an utterly downright lie!" exclaimed Fudge, who actually leaped up with excitement, pecks of salvia flying out of his mouth as he babbled. "An invisible letter, is it? What a reliable proof!"

"Cornelius, may I have my word in here." Dumbledore stepped between the petrified Hagrid and the jumping Fudge. "Though I, and undoubtedly Hagrid, cannot deny that he hid a giant inside the grounds of Hogwarts, I can assure you the man's heart is in the right place and you may never find a more loyal person than Hagrid. I have trust in his faiths."

Hagrid smiled weakly through his tearful eyes. Fudge, however, did not.

"Unfortunately, Dumbledore, it isn't up to your trusts and believes to sentence him guilty or not." He said, the excitement now dawning off. Severus knew he was still afraid of Dumbledore, more or less. "It is the proof and facts that matter, and the facts add up enough for him to spend a few months living in iprison."/I

What's left on Hagrid's colorless face, left.

"Minister, I- yeh can'-"

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do. While I am Minister for Magic, you shall lie before my laws and cooperate- which you have done the exactly opposite- for that, I have every right to sue and sentence you. You will receive the date of your hearing soon, though I doubt there will be any difference or improvement in your situation. Good evening to you all."

As Percy gave a little cheer and round of applause for his master's speech, Hagrid did not tremble or shake anymore; he was too busy staring at nowhere through his now lifeless eyes.

* * *

"Minister, Hagrid did not set that giant off!" Harry bellowed suddenly, getting up to his feet. His heart was hamming very fast and blood was rushing to his ears as he forgot how injured he was as well as his tiredness, just to defense his friend.

Hermione began crying very loudly and Ron was still staring at Fudge. The wizard who was about to leave the room with his assistance turned to Harry and snapped, "Sit down, Potter. There is no need to cause more mayhem when your big friend here did enough tonight."

Harry wanted to hex that stupidly cheerful face- kill him, make him suffer, force him to take back his words- luckily, Dumbledore spoke up before he had a chance to attempt those listed.

"And what if- I had personally seen to it?"

Fudge stopped with his hand on the doorknob. Slowly, he turned to Dumbledore. "What do you mean, Dumbledore?" he snapped.

Dumbledore gave a pleasant smile and forced Harry to sit back down with a gentle hand,

"If I gave Hagrid the permission to breed Grawp inside the grounds, does it make any differences or improvements in his situation?"

Everyone in the room, including Harry, stared.

"What- what are you saying?" Fudge sputtered, suddenly looking afraid. "You gave permission to the bloke?"

"If you refer to Hagrid, yes, I indeed did that. As I have told you two years ago, we ought to offer a hand of friendship to the giants before the time is too late. Apparently, Voldemort"- everyone except Moody, Ron, Harry and Hermione flinched horribly at the mention- "won in the attempt. But we were able to pursue this giant, Grawp, to join our side. And I must say Grawp has abandoned the natural attempt to follow his others, but parted with us, which makes him on the same side as you or I."

There was a moment of silence in which Hagrid, Fudge and McGonagall stared at Dumbledore, who was smiling cheerfully, in great disbelief. Harry felt an urge to hug his Headmaster, but the move seemed to decline in the present situation.

"But- but it's illegal, Dumbledore- it's illegal to breed giants, you know that, don't you?" Fudge was clearly struggling to recover the shock.

Dumbledore nodded politely, and, still holding the pleasant smile on his face, he stated, "I am perfectly aware of that, Cornelius."

Fudge looked around as if he was hoping to see someone's sign of a joke, but no one moved or even breathed. Hermione had stopped crying and was exchanging nervous and confused glances with Ron.

"Then I'll- I'll have to take you." said Fudge uncertainly. Harry was satisfied to see him nervous.

As Dumbledore replied with a cheerful nod, Hagrid boomed, finding his voice again, "Professor! I-"

Dumbledore shot him a sharp look and Harry understood finally. Dumbledore was going to sacrifice himself just as he did for Harry in his fifth year. If Dumbledore admitted he gave Hagrid the permission to keep Grawp, then Hagrid's name would be cleared for attempting to kill the whole castle- surely Dumbledore would not have known about the creature if Hagrid really wanted to kill him? And so Hagrid would be charged for illegal breeding of dangerous creatures only, which Harry could bet with his Firebolt that he would never have to spend time in Azkaban.

"Very- very well. I see. You'll have to abdicate your Headmaster position, then. The Ministry shall appoint a new headmaster to this school." Fudge's lips curled. Harry caught Snape's eyes for a second and saw him snarling in a way Harry had not seen before.

To Harry's and Fudge's surprise, Dumbledore shook his head. "Not quite, Cornelius. I will give the authority, duties and rights of the Headmaster's to Minerva McGonagall while I am away. Minerva, I suppose you shall manage that?"

McGonagall, whose face was very white and not spoken during all these, nodded firmly and glared at Fudge.

"Good, then." Fudge's smug smile appeared again, "looks like you're going to icome quietly/I this time."

Dumbledore nodded again and Hagrid wailed dog-likely. Even Madame Promfrey had stopped working by now; she was looking from Hagrid to Fudge, and from Fudge to Dumbledore.

"We can go now, then." Fudge opened the door and gestured to it. Dumbledore turned to Hagrid, "You shall keep on your teaching as well as confidence." Then he turned to Harry, "Harry, concentrate on your Occlumency lessons, understand?"

Harry nodded soundlessly. The last thing he wanted was Dumbledore to leave, but he knew if it was not for this, Hagrid would be in Azkaban- which was guarded by Boggart-Dementors now, as Harry heard- by now.

"Severus, do what you have to." Dumbledore said simply, looking fondly at the greasy haired man. Snape merely blinked.

"Now, come on, Dumbledore, we haven't got a whole day for you to make touching farewells!" gloated Fudge, Percy chuckling beside him. Harry noticed Ron tightening his fists as he glared at his third brother.

Dumbledore made a last piece of advice to Lupin and McGonagall, then walked to Fudge and Percy. He stopped and turned over the threshold.

"I shall be back before long." His eyes twinkled as his eyes swept through the room. Harry felt a kind of warmth as Dumbledore's eyes made contact with his.

"Not quite, I'm afraid," he heard Fudge chuckling slightly as they closed the door behind them.

With a small clunk, the door closed, shielding Harry and the rest from their last hope and faith.

Responds to reviewers:

Lilybee2003: Thank you very much! And be careful, don't fall off your chair, I wouldn't want that! (grins)

Amber: I've read your bio, and you aid you love Harry abuse fictions where Severus comes to his aid- I love that too! So I guess you'll find my story pleasant to read, due to the fact that there is a chapter about Severus rescuing Harry. Anyways, thank you for your uplifting review!

Aislin: As usual you make my light. Thank youI can't say no more, just want to tell you that I really appreciate it(sniffs)

Sparkle-2003: Right-o! New chapters for you! Thanks for reviewing long, which I love! Yes, grid's going to be the main character in this chapter, as you have read. Oh, well. This is the plot, after all.
I find it a very hard time making the plot, Sparkle, but what you said definite my faith. Thank you!

Meaghan, Signe, Kim, E, Samantha: Thank you, just thank you!

Leo: Your writing is very good, I've read it myself. Thank you for giving me praises.

Lilith: Thanks, yes my story going really fast, and all thanks for the pushes and confident you guys give me!