A/N: Thank you! Thank all of you who reviewed so much! 56 reviews?! I love you guys! There are some more personal responds on the next page since I don't want them to interfere with the story. I will delete them as soon as I update the next chapter- Thank all of you once more!

Let's begin! (If you find this chapter boring, please do forgive me but everything has to be in it just for the plot and I can promise you better and exciting chapters coming up)

Chapter Eleven


"Either it was You-Know- I mean, Voldemort or some Death Eater who sent that letter." Ron came to a conclude, looking as tired and exhausted as ever.

Hermione frowned, "If only it was that simple"

It was the crack of dawn, the day after the night's shocks and illuminations. Harry, Hermione and Ron were all snuggled in an empty bed in the Hospital Wing, discussing the events without a second thought of sleep or rest. They had been talking non-stop since hours before, their Headmaster left them.

"But why does Dumbledore has to go to prison for giving Hagrid permission to breed Grawp while Hagrid only has to suffer probation and a few money penalties?" Harry questioned.

Hermione gestured to the thick book lying on the bedside table and explained, "That's the book of laws and stuff for teachers and professors- I looked up Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore's cases. They say Hagrid was only attempting to go under the line, but Professor Dumbledore actually gave him the authority to achieve it, which makes him something like, abetting him to it. And since the Headmaster's position is definitely higher than Hagrid, he has more loss- one month in Azkaban, I ask you, really."

Harry sighed deeply and inclined his head away from the direction Snape had been dozing. Snape had slept on for a very long time, showing no signs of waking up under the voices of the three. Harry, who had never saw any of his professors sleeping before, knew that he could never find anything less amusing than Snape crutching to his wand, holding it in front of his chest, hand shaking, and half-whispering, half moaning meaningless phrases now and then while he slept. In fact, Harry felt sympathy towards the insecure man, though not quite as much as his other teacher, who also happened to be his friend.

Hagrid had been wailing and sobbing all over the place right after Dumbledore's departure. In fact, he had made sudden attempts to follow the Minister and the Headmaster to confess everything, but fortunately he had his three faithful friends to stop him before he did. It was not until Snape stood up abruptly and said, "The Headmaster sacrificed himself for you- I shall expect more from you than whimpering and cowering over things irreversible."-Hagrid shut up from crying and howling rather tearfully, but went to rest without another moment of hesitate.

Perhaps what Snape said had its affect on him, Harry thought as he gazed at his thwarted friend's back- Hagrid refused to sleep facing anything but the walls for his tears were probably still running- though Snape was undoubtedly cold and difficult, Harry had to admit that Snape possessed the ability of strong words that cut deep into the mind. Harry knew Hagrid would never forget what Snape said that night, and also knew that his half giant friend would never show weakness again- just as a payback to his "great man, Dumbledore".

"But how did Fudge get here so fast? I know he might have Apparated in front of the grounds and everything, but how did news travel so fast when Dumbledore tried to cover it? That old man has his ways, you know." Hermione once again confused her two friends. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, but the hint of firm in her eyes told Harry she would fight with courage among them.

Yet againindeed Fudge seemed to know everything, the things he said, it was almost like he knew about Grawp before he met him

But how on earth would he know? Harry doubted Hagrid, although being very big mouthed and fails to achieve secretive, would slip out something as important as his brother's dear life. The only explanation could be someone saw the giant with their own eyes

"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed aloud very suddenly, remembering something. McGonagall stirred a little, but Harry did not care- he remembered a little piece of information, which left unnoticed all the time

"Huh?" Hermione asked him, lowering her voice as Snape had just growled quitely. Ron, too, looked urgently at Harry.

"Patients at St Mungo's- missing over the summer, right? One was that Melonear white guy who died, remember?" Harry did not bother to hush his voice- he was too excited.

Hermione looked blankly at Harry. "So?"

"What if- that other patient is our dear Dolores Umbridge?"

Harry waited for their agreeing and awed responds. They refused to meet his expectant.

"Umbridge?" repeated Ron. "She's in Mungo's?"

Hermione too, looked blank.

Harry got up from the bed, silencing his questioning friends, "Be right back."

Then he walked barefoot along the room, approaching the nurse's office...his heart pounded very fast as he walked- he had to know, just to make sure-

"Madame Promfrey?" Harry knocked the door.

The door opened almost instantly, by the hands of the tired nurse. She took one glance at Harry and looked very alert suddenly. "What is it, boy? Need help? Are you alright? Medicine?"

Harry shook his head, a little alarmed. "I just wanted to- to ask you a question."

The nurse relaxed. Scolding, she said, "Can't you wait till morning? And why aren't you asleep? I thought I told you and your friends off fifteen minutes ago!"

"Just one question please, Madame." Harry smiled slightly.

"Alright, what is it?"

"Last year, when Professor Umbridge was attacked by the centaurs and got injured, did you send her to St Mungo's Hospital?"

Madame Promfrey looked suspiciously at him. "Well, yes, her accident was so serious I was surprised she even could remember her own name- why?"

Harry's heart gave a leap- "And is it possible if she went back there during the summer for recovery examines?"

"I guess so, how would I know?" Madame Promfrey shrugged. "Now, young man, it's about time you and your detective friends get some rest here"

But as she fussed over Harry and his two fellow mates, Harry did not mind at all- all he knew was that he may have solved the question of Grawp's existence knowledge after
all- with good reason.

* * *

"Still don't get it?" Harry groaned. His two friends, whom he never considered as stupid, shook their heads yet again.

The morning had came and went, bringing a hot afternoon in which Professor McGonagall and Moody had resigned from the Hospital Wing, leaving the three Gryffindors, a dozing off rather steadily Hagrid and a grumpy Snape who had attempted to leave also, but was immediately scolded by Madame Promfrey like a little child.

"Now, Severus, don't be a so spoiled, take your medicine like a good boy!"

Harry and Ron found it quite hard to stifle their laughs under Snape's deadly glare.

And Harry, filled with eager to acknowledge his friends with the news he found out last night, also found it rather annoying when none of his fellow best friends could understand the idea he proposal.

"I mean, Umbridge was the secured patient in Mungo's- didn't you two read in summer two patients were missing then?" Harry explained desperately, keeping his voice down in case Snape, who was standing over the windows at the other end of the room, overheard them.

Hermione nodded, "Yes, but the Prophet didn't mention names."

"And one was found dead, remember? Melonear White, traitor of Voldemort?" Harry urged on with excitement. "So what if- the other one was Umbridge? What if she was captured by Voldemort and-"

"She saw Grawp!" Hermione suddenly caught on, "She went with us into the woods last year! She knew about the giant- she must have told Voldemort about it!"

"That's it!" Harry, relieved that someone finally understood, clasped his hands together in triumph. But Ron remained frowning.

"You're saying that Voldemort sent the letter to Hagrid or something? But why would he do that?"

Harry, too, frowned. "That's the part I can't figure out- maybe we'll wait till Hagrid wakes up, then we can ask him more 'bout the letter."

Nodding, his two friends stretched and yawned in their beds while Snape grunted and scowled at the azure sky.

* * *

Freedom.

At long last.

The evening air could never have smelled sweeter as Severus allowed himself trod out of the sickly Hospital Wing and into the flower beds. Strolling along the trees and bushes, Severus wondered for a moment why he had not as much as appreciated the nature during all those years in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then another thought, more serious and more important, dawned on him. Albus Dumbledore.

He had heard enough from those never quiet three while tolerating with Poppy Promfrey's fusses to know that his only friend and the person he cared for most in the world was locked up innocently in a cell filled with filth of those captured Death Eaters.

No matter Dumbledore thought how worth it was, sacrificing himself for an always messing up Hagrid, Severus would never, never forgive the games keeper. He had just given Severus' last hope and faith into the hands of the enemy, all because of his stupidity and wild personal interests

The moon had loomed over him as well as the now silvery grounds of Hogwarts. Severus shivered into the chilling night and hurried back towards his long missed chamber, which he had not step foot in since a week.

* * *

"I'm free! I'm free!" Ron shouted happily, stamping out of the sick room as he ran. Hermione rolled her eyes but grinned. Harry, meanwhile, stayed behind.

It was a week after the attack of Grawp, and the giant had been sent back to the mountains, by a sobbing but firm Hagrid. Madame Promfrey allowed McGonagall, Snape, Harry, Ron and Hermione to leave their treatments, but Hagrid and Moody was still in recovery. Hagrid was not at all his usual self and though he did not howl and sob as before, he seldom talked to anyone.

The lack of Hagrid's speaking concerned Harry, and so he gestured his two friends to stay for another moment, and try to beg a few words out of their grunting friend again, as they had made no success at all during the whole week. Hagrid mainly answered them with a few a "yes" and "no"s, but other than that, he either slept all day or stood by the window, deeply in thought.

"Er- Hagrid?" Harry approached him anxiously. Hagrid was sitting on his bed, looking lifelessly at nowhere.

Hermione and Ron's smiles and grins vanished as they, too, joined Harry and Hagrid with caution.

"Hagrid, it's Harry! You've been avoiding us for days! Talk to us, will you?" Harry demanded angrily. He had never seen anyone so sulked, especially when Hagrid had suffered from quite a lot of these moments, taking the execution of his beloved Hippogriff, Buckbeak, for instance.

Hagrid made no move but exhaled a little. Edging closer, Hermione said, tears now nearly in her eyes as she cried quite a lot during Hagrid's refuses to speak, "Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore won't want to see you like this! Please Hagrid; don't act like this, please?"

At that point, Hagrid looked up with a shadow of sorrow. "I'm- I'm sorry, yeh guys. I didn' mean ter damage the Fores' an' all that"

With that, he trailed off, trembling. Harry felt relieved and worried at the same time.

"Hagrid, it's not your fault. Hear me? Not your fault. Remember what Dumbledore said when he left? Continue with your confidence. And it's about time you show some." Ron said firmly, kneeling down beside Harry.

Hagrid's endurance seemed to snap at the mention of Dumbledore. Tears rolling down everywhere, he dried himself again and said croakily, "Great man, Dumbledore, grea' man"

Harry smiled at Hermione and Ron and they grinned back. They knew Hagrid was on the road to recovery, at long last.

"Yeah, he's great," Harry muttered off-handily. Then he asked, "Hagrid, there's something we want to ask you- the letter you said to Fudge about Fang getting hurt? Can you tell us more about it? We reckon it's a key."

Gulping down some water Hermione had poured him; Hagrid replied more calmly, "It was this letter ruined everythin'. Me feedin' Grawp, his temper's very bad tha' nigh', refusin' to catch animals himself and everythin'; anyways, an owl flew pas', dropping the letter. It said Fang was hur' by couple of them ChandlersI was concerned 'bout him, yeh know- forgot Grawp and everythin', dashed back to me house and foun' Fang fine. But clearly Grawp was furious when I lef' him, guess that's the reason he went mad like tha'."

"But who was the letter from? Where did the owl go after dropping the letter? And where is the letter?" asked Hermione, frowning.

"No idea, there was no signature and anythin', me got so worried 'bout Fang to think clearly, those Chandlers can go wild sometimes'as for the' letter, I couldn't find it anymore, and I know I pu' it in me coat righ' after I read itstupid me"

"Not your fault." Ron repeated firmly. Harry thought for a moment, confused in many ways. A letter from no one, a fake report about Fang's injury- what was this all about?

"Won't you have dropped it somewhere? In the Forest, while Grawp attacked you?"

"No idea, bu' don' look fer it, okay? Las' thin' now is you get in trouble in school and Fudge finds excuses to expel you lot'you get ter see the real face of a man in bad days"

* * *

He was resting his head on his desk when a call echoed through his fireplace. With a burning headache that had gone off since the giant's events, Severus heard clearly,

"Professor Snape, can you please come to the Headmaster's office immediately!"

It was the voice of Minerva McGonagall, who was fulfilling Dumbledore's duties in his office since the Headmaster's departure. Wondering what could have bothered the usual strict and cool old witch, for her voice sounded slightly shaken when summoning him, Severus put a temporary anti-headache spell on his head and stepped out.

* * *

"Come in."

Severus allowed himself inside and saw, to his bewilderment, Cornelius Fudge and Percy Weasley sitting opposite to a lip thinned, nose flared Minerva.

"Please sit, Severus."

"What do we have here?" Severus nodded politely to Minerva but ignore the two men who imprisoned his faith.

Minerva's lips continued to thin as well as her flaring nose- always a sign of danger as Severus had proved when receiving a smack on the head for his gloat when Slytherin had won the Quidditch cup few years ago- and replied stiffly, "The Minister of Magic and his assistant here, Severus, are planning to remove the Aurors patrolling within the school. As for the-"

"Why, my dear woman, this is a wise move as far as I can see-"

"Please, Minister, wait until I fill Severus in." Minerva interrupted in her cold and icy voice. Severus continued on ignoring the two sitting beside him and could not help giving Minerva a shadow of a grin.

Fudge shut up abruptly and wore a nasty look as Minerva continued on, "And their reason behind act, is that patrolling Aurors in a school may cause unreasonable terror upon the students as well as parents."

Severus suppressed a snort and turned to Fudge, "I am afraid that if we release the authorities from guarding the school, terror and fear will be more likely caused."

Fudge shook his head impatiently, exhaling loudly as though he was explaining how a door worked to a three year old child, "Not quite, Snape. The Ministry have all voted among this, and we have achieved a satisfying result gaining on the idea."

Minerva was attempted to speak but was immediately cut in by young Percy Weasley, wearing an expression of proud and pride as he showed rudeness to his ex-teachers, "Yes, we indeed have done that, and we also know that Remus Lupin is not only a dangerous half breed, a cross of both human and werewolf"- Minerva growled quietly as Fudge gave a chuckle, Severus not caring much about this statement- "but also not an Auror at all. So that stands another reason why he should be removed form the school, not to mention he is exceptionally dangerous and, ah, wild, during the full moon."

Severus felt no anger towards the insults of Remus Lupin, but all the same did not desire to allow his opponents gloat.

"Albus Dumbledore has seen perfectly to that-" he began.

"Albus Dumbledore is no longer the Headmaster of this school." grinned Fudge horribly. "And it must be time to get the school back into order- which Dumbledore indeed have damaged seriously while at his hold. The decision has been made, and I ask you to cooperate with it if you do not want to seek the same result as your precious Headmaster. A disgrace to education as well as the magic authorities, too, I must add. Good evening to you all. "

And with that, the short wizard, wearing a smug and triumphant look, left the room with his assistance, whose expression was as gloating- leaving Severus and Minerva abhorring and incensing helplessly.

* * *

Harry sighed deeply as Ron and Hermione followed him out of the small wooden cabin.

The sky was azure, deep in violet and cream, reflecting the sunset's arrival. It was a Monday and Harry, Ron and Hermione had been searching Hagrid's house with his permission in order to wish to find the whereabouts of the mysterious letter. Nevertheless, they made no succeed.

"I don't get it! How can something just disappear into thin air?" exclaimed Ron, who was, by the sore look on his face, aching everywhere after two hours' of searching.

"Especially when it's something so important." muttered a grumpy Hermione.

Harry took one last glance at their would-be hope and turned towards the castle. "C'mon, it's dinner, we can think up of something while we're at it."

They had reached the entrance of the Great Hall when Ron came to a halt, pointing to a piece of parchment posted on a board.

"Great, Hogsmeade trip this weekend! First thing we need now 's some relax"

He trailed off, suddenly aware that Harry and Hermione were taking no notice of his words. In fact, they were rather obsessed with a banner hanging in the middle of the Hall.

FAREWELL FEAST TO OUR FAITHFUL AURORS, SPECIAL THANKS

"What?" Ron's tone immediately became in disbelief. "They're sending the Order-"

"Ron!" Hermione warned as a crowd of third years past by, murmuring excited comments about their first Hogsmeade trip.

"Oh, yeah, sorry" muttered Ron, "But they're sending the Aurors away? How can they do that?"

"You know, we may never find out if you keep guessing standing here." Hermione snapped. With that, the three of them marched into the Great Hall.

* * *

As Professor McGonagall stood up and motioned for silence, the Great Hall grew unusually attentive. Harry saw Lupin, Moody -who was out of hospitality that afternoon- Tonks and Kingsley sitting up on the High Table, all looking glum. Wondering what had gone wrong with McGonagall's brains, Harry turned to the old witch as she spoke.
"Good evening, our guests, teachers and students. I ask for a moment's of time while I make some announcements.

"By the decision of the Ministry of Magic," McGonagall paused as if she was talking about something dirty, the same way Aunt Petunia would have done when she mentioned Harry, "the Aurors now guarding the school have no reason to waste their time and effort here anymore, as the dangers have been further solved. Here we give special thanks to Mr Lupin, Mr Moody, Mr Kingsley and Ms Tonks for maintaining our security during these months." She raised her cup and toasted, "To the Aurors."

There was a murmur spreading through the Hall as every student- well, almost everyone, as Harry noticed Malfoy and his two friends rooted to their spot as usual- followed her lead. Then silence dawned again as she concluded, "Now, may the feast begin, thank you."

Applause rang glumly as Harry caught Snape's eyes but both looked away quite rapidly.

"So Fudge has been interfering with Hogwarts again!" said Hermione, not touching her food but frowning without ease. "That fool, he's making mistakes everywhere!"

"Budge is a bainled gid." Ron supplied with a mouthful.

"Fudge is a brainless git." interpreted Harry grumpily. "Dangers solved, is it? What about that giant going mad and the letter? Dangers solved when Dumbledore is locked up! Who does he think he is?"

Hermione shook her head and helped herself and Harry to some salad. "Here, grab some food and complain later."

As Harry began his meal reluctantly, he caught Lupin's eyes and the old man gave him a dull grin. Harry winked glumly in reply, cursing the Minister of Magic under his breath.

* * *

The days flew by and before Harry, or most of all, Hermione, knew it, it was Friday and the results of their pop exams were out. They were sent personally by owls to the students during breakfast, which Harry found quite annoying.

As usual, Hermione's shrieks of triumph could be heard everywhere as she opened her results.

"Potions one hundred and thirty, Charms one hundred and two, Transfiguration one hundred and- my gosh- forty! And look, I got one hundred and twenty three for History of Magic-"

"Hermione!" said Harry aloud, though he was grinning, too. He had passed every subject with acceptable good marks.

However, Ron seemed not.

"What's wrong, Ron? You passed every subject!" Harry said concernedly, taking a peek at his friend's results.

"Yeah, but with average marks. And believe me, beside the OWLs, I studied the hardest for this one."

With that, he glared at everyone at breakfast all morning.
* * *
Harry had given up cheering Ron up after dinner- he had suggested a ride on his Fireboat, a walk through the grounds, a game of chess and even another search of clues in Hagrid's house, but Ron merely grunted and told him and Hermione to leave him alone.

Despaired, Harry left for Occlumency- Snape had rescheduled it for Friday- and prayed that Hermione would find some way beating a smile out of Ron.

* * *

He found himself thinking of Dumbledore a lot these days. He desired more than anything to be on the old man's side, help him as he had saved himself before

Or perhaps it was because he missed the old wizard. Dumbledore was always there for him, always coming to his aid, but now he was gone, and even though Severus knew it was just for a month, he had a really bad feeling about this departure, wondered if he would ever see his only friend again-

A knock penetrated his office door and he remembered the Occlumency lesson with Potter.

"Come in."

Potter's head poke inside, followed by his body. Severus found the extra lessons with the boy not very easy to handle anymore, as Potter was improving and often tramped into his own thoughts- with that in mind, he charmed some of his memories into the Pensive before turning to face the boy.

"We may begin- one, two, three- Legilimens!"

The lesson went off, Potter improving so much that even Severus could not find any insults to throw. By the end of the lesson, though, Potter looked very distance.

"You may leave, Potter, I am not going to repeat that." snapped Severus for the second time.

The boy looked up thoughtfully and asked suddenly, "Professor? Who do you think sent that letter to Hagrid?"

Severus blinked but found that he did not care much whether Potter was trying to discuss important matters with him. "As far as I am concerned, there is no letter."

"No letter?" Potter's tone seemed to grow with anger, "So you believe that Hagrid set the giant off himself?"

"No I do not. As a matter of fact, there is not much for me to believe. And if I have to ask you out of my office again, you will not be leaving."

Potter glared at him and began to exit when Severus called out suddenly, startled by his own words as well, "Potter, I do have a question to ask you."

* * *

Harry turned impatiently towards that fool who accuse Hagrid for nothing, "Yes, sir?" he snarled.

"Sit."

"No, thank you." Harry still could not forgive Snape for not believing his friend, for his stupid smirk and most of all, for his arrogant behaviour.

"Sit." Snape's eyes gleamed dangerously. Harry sat and stared at the ground.

"How," Snape paused, as if every of his words caused great effort- Harry noticed him wearing a curious expression as well as painful, "Potter, being so arrogant and attention seeking-" Harry glared up, hating Snape- "could you insist in keeping what you found in my possessions on your mind?"

Harry stared. He was prepared for anything but this.

"I- I don't know." He said blankly. "I guessyou forbade me to it, didn't you? And why do you want to know?"

"Manners Potter." Snape whispered softly, his eyes boring into Harry's, "I am told by the Headmaster that curiosity is not a sin. Curiosity brings me to this question tonight. Answer, please."

Harry frowned- Snape was acting very strange. "Well- I wasn't too keen on letting everyone know about my father's" -he would have given anything to avoid admitting this- "foolish acts when he was fifteen, was I?" he snapped, not wanting to admit his father's stupidity in front of Snape.

For a moment they both glared at each other, Snape's lips curling. Then-

"Very well. You may get out."

The night could never have looked more mysterious and strange as Harry stepped out.


A/N: Please do review, I love reading them, especially long ones! Thank you!