A/N – Super quick update!!!!

Hope this alleviates the frustration for those of you who were left hanging on the last chapter!… Enjoy!

Chapter 61- The Proof in the Pudding

The final dust had finally settled...

A crowd even bigger than the courtroom were huddled around by the time Remus had finally secured their portkey to Hogwarts.

Sirius was propped up on a chair on the fringe of the crowd.  He looked utterly exhausted and seemed to be suffering from shock.

Meanwhile, Dawn Inigma, and a few other brave Aurors, kept the crowd at bay surrounding the unconscious form of The Boy Who Lived who was now being cradled, with surprising gentleness by his head of house Minerva McGonagall.

"Minerva! I've got it!"  Called Remus as he helped Sirius to stand.

Carefully the two of them staggered arm in arm through the bustling crowd.

Finally the 5 of them were touching the portkey and in a matter of seconds they found themselves back at Hogwarts.

"Hospital Wing."

Ordered McGonagall, her face strained as she continued to carry Harry.

The others didn't dare say anything and simply followed her, Sirius limping as he bore most of his weight onto Remus.

They were greeted with a sombre Albus Dumbledore.

"Where's Poppy?"

Asked McGonagall with an edge of desperation in her voice as she gently laid Harry down.

Arabella Figg, Ginny Weasley and Poppy Pomfrey all entered the room as if on cue.

As soon as their eyes fell upon Harry, both Arabella and Ginny screamed and with looks of terror on their faces they fell to the ground.

"Merlin!  What's wrong with them?"

Asked Dawn crouching down beside them and quickly checking their vitals.

Dumbledore frowned and looked at Harry.

"Poppy, is it safe to wake him?"

He asked softly.

She gave Dawn a quick glance, and when she received the nod that Arabella and Ginny were all right, approached Harry and McGonagall.

After a quick sweep of her wand Poppy turned to the headmaster and nodded.

"There doesn't seem to be any reason not to wake him."

Dumbledore cast "Enervate!"

And the spell caused Harry to shake in McGonagall's arms.

"Dumbledore?"

Harry rasped.

"Yes Harry?"

Asked Dumbledore gently, stepping forward.

"Die!"

Yelled Harry suddenly, when with a single swift motion he'd snatched McGonagall's wand and pointed it straight at the headmaster.

"Avada Keda-"

"Stupefy!"

Sirius' stunning spell knocked the wind out of the boy and he seemed to 'flicker'.

He growled and then suddenly he'd disappeared.  A note fluttered to the floor from where he'd been.

"Merlin, what on earth happened here?"

Demanded McGonagall, whose face was white with shock.

Dumbledore had barely moved but spoke in a low voice.

"Well… I don't believe that was Harry… And if it wasn't, then what worries me is where the real Harry might be."

"How do you know it wasn't Harry?"

Asked Poppy sternly.

"Poppy, if you could mend Sirius' leg, and Dawn, if you wouldn't mind bringing Arabella and Miss Weasley back to consciousness."

Madame Pomfrey set about healing Sirius' leg and with a swift couple of spells Arabella and Ginny were groggily returned to coherence by Dawn.

"Alright then.  I'll explain.

Firstly, both Arabella and Ginny were deeply affected by 'Harry's presence and were conveniently disposed of.  Possibly because they both could have told that 'Harry' was an impostor,

Secondly that 'Harry' had to steal McGonagall's wand to cast a curse.  We all know that Harry is much more comfortable using his wandless magic.

And lastly…  I very much doubt that Mr Potter would actually try to end my life."

No-one seemed to want to argue with that.  It did make sense.

"Well then.  Where's Harry?  And who was impersonating him this time?"

Growled Sirius.

***

Draco didn't pause this time as he grabbed his belongings.

His anger and frustration were still very much at the surface of his mind.

This time nothing was going to stop him from leaving Hogwarts.

With a last flick of his wand he shrunk his baggage and slipped it into his pocket.

He glanced around the room that he'd become unaccountably fond of in the short time he'd had it and drew his cloak around himself.  He knew that part of him didn't actually want to leave.  But he felt such an untameable urge to leave the oppressive castle that he thought it pointless to resist.

"Goodbye."

He whispered, wondering, only for a minute, how long it would take for anyone to realise that he'd left.

And with that, Draco touched the Port-key his father had given him at the start of the year and was transported to his family home…  Malfoy Manor.

***

Remus gingerly picked up the note and unfurled the parchment.

'I have Potter.  Don't try to find him.  He will be returned to you eventually.  Hope you enjoyed the show.  SS'

Remus belatedly realised that Sirius had been reading the note over his shoulder.

He, however, made no move to stop Sirius from turning an accusing glare on Dumbledore.

"SS?  Couldn't possibly be a certain Potions Master in your employ?"

Dumbledore frowned deeply and peered at the note.

"Severus?"

He whispered in disbelief.

***

Harry's eyes flickered open and he started.

The unfamiliar surroundings surprised him and he tried to cast back for a memory as to how he'd come to be separated from his godfather.

All that was forthcoming was a memory of rumbling noise and then a sharp pain in his forehead before all had gone black.

He inspected the bare, unfurnished room and shifted his position on the floor.

"Feeling comfortable Mr Potter?"

Asked a deep mocking voice.

Harry froze, confusion and a twinge of fear creeping up his spine.

"Professor Snape?"

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A/N – 2 chapter in 2 days!!! Unheard of!

hehehe.

You might be lucky enough to get 3 in 3 days if I keep this up!

Reviews will help with that!

Thankyous…

gaul – Thanks!  I'll try!

Elucreh – I don't think I am dead… And it's a good think too or I wouldn't be posting this… So I thank you for your mercy!  (er, yeah, sorry about the new cliffhanger, *g*)

Thorgood – Super sly am I!!!! hehehe, tis too true.  It's so close I can almost taste it!  Stuff revision!  mwuhahaha.

abbey – Quakes… I hope this is soon… *glances around in fright*

bookwrm580 – Hope this was 'soon' enough!! Lol.

franny – yes, short chapters are a vice of mine that I still have not shaken… *shrugs*… The ''earthquake'' will be explained next chapter when Harry confronts his captors!

Thankyou all!!!!

luv

jona

xxx