Chapter 05 The Dementors Returns
Nobody knew what Harry was planning. He did say it to no one.
"You'll know soon." Was his answer when someone asked about it.
Something was sure: Rita Skeeter was part of his plan. The tar where she was, disappeared from Hermione's bed table the next night to the party. Nobody wanted or dared to ask him what she was doing for him. They trusted him enough to know that it wasn't something pleasant.
"She's doing some . . . work for me." Said Harry when she asked him about Rita.
"What did you give or promise her to make her work for you?" Asked curious Hermione.
"The news of the century." Said Harry with an evil smile.
"What news?" Asked confused Fred when he heard his words. The 5 MNG knew about Rita's secret and promised to not tell anyone.
"That's for me to know and you to find out, my dear Wise!" Said Harry laughing.
"That definitely is not good for anyone!" Said Ron knowing very well his friend. That phrase in his lips meant that something big was being cooked.
Not even Dumbledore, Remus or his Godparents knew about it. He kept it as a secret. The Headmaster believed that he was planning something BIG, specially remembering his words: "Nothing will be the same when I finish this play."
He had begun to gather the members of the Order. He knew better than anyone that Harry, whatever his plan was, would shock the Wizarding World to their foundations. And he had to be ready for it.
Another thing that was worrying him was the questioning of Harry that Fudge planned. He didn't like the idea of it at the least. Fudge wouldn't believe it, no matter what Harry said.
"Let him do it, Professor. But you'll see that the shot will return to him 10 times worse. I told you that I can play dirtier and worse than him." Said Harry when they were talking about this matter one day at the Headmaster's office.
"Do I want to know what are you planning about this or it's better for me not knowing it?" Asked Albus with the twinkle in his eyes at full force.
"Like I said, you'll know when the moment is right, not before, not later." Said Harry mysteriously before he left the Office.
"What are you planning this time, Harry?" Wondered Albus before he turned his attention to the Pensive.
****
In the classes, Harry didn't have any troubles. In Transfiguration, he helped to many of the students in the process of transforming them. Charms, Herbology, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures didn't represent anything hard for him. All the things learnt there, he could do it easily. In Potions, his work was perfect as usual. In his private work, the Potion was going fine. Snape believed that for Christmas it would be ready.
Meanwhile, the MNG went on playing pranks. Not big ones, just smalls. The reason was that Harry told the others that he was planning a BIG one that involved the whole school and staff. But he didn't give any indications about what the prank was or when they were going to play it.
He began the Team's practices three days per week. He discussed the new tactics of the season the matches, and trained the new and old players.
"Which games shall we play?" Asked Neville one day after practice. The reserves had curiosity about their chances to play that year and in which games they would.
"The games against Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. There's no way that I'll make you play against Slytherin. In that game I'll put the main team. I trust in you, but they are very dirty playing, specially with Malfoy as their new Captain." Said Harry with a groan.
"How much did his father pay this time? We can make bets about it." Said Fred sarcastically.
"Don't worry, Fred. If I learnt something from Oliver, is that in those games the fiercest wins. Must I remind you the Gryffindor-Slytherin of my Second Year?" Asked Harry with an evil grin.
"How could I forget it. I still remember his words for you: "Catch the Snitch or die trying!" He was crazy." Laughed Fred.
"I still remember the manipulated Bludger against you, Harry!" Laughed George.
"Then Lockhart decided to remove my arm's bones." Groaned Harry, not happy with the memory.
"What are you talking about?" Asked confused many of the reserves.
"In my Second Year," began Harry "in the match against Slytherin, someone manipulated a Bludger and it followed me always. Besides looking for the Snitch I had to worry about the Bludger. After convincing Wood to let me play without protection of them," here he pointed to the twins, "I caught the Snitch, but the Bludger broke my arm. When we landed . . . " Said Harry but he was cut off.
"Or in your case, crashed." Said George chuckling.
"When we were down, Lockhart, who was our DADA teacher that year, tried to fix my arm, but the only thing he did was leave me without bones in it." Finished Harry with a groan.
"So, what are you planning for this one, Harry? I know you very well and I'm sure that you have something in mind for it." Asked Alicia after listening and remembering that game.
"I'll make a few changes in the way that Seekers play, Alicia." Said mysteriously Harry before he finished the training and sent everybody back to the Castle.
****
"Potter, I need to speak with you for a moment!" Called McGonagall to her Godson at the end of the Transfiguration Class that Thursday.
"Yes, Professor?" Asked Harry confused about the reason of the call.
"Please, tell me that the reasons that you and the other MNG for the training were true. Because if they weren't, it finishes now." Said Minerva in a serious tone of voice.
"Let me guess, Professor Dumbledore told you who we are, right?" Asked Harry with a little groan.
"Yes, he did. I'm waiting an answer." Said the Head of Gryffindor losing her patience quickly.
"Yes, they were true. But the main reason was that we wanted to be the new Marauders, and for it we needed to be Animagus too."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"See the good side, Professor. At least we asked your help. We could have done it without you knowing it. And we'll be registered." Said Harry with a little smile.
"I must agree with it. Can you show another form one of these days? You told me that you had a few ones." Asked Minerva with a smile.
"Not yet." Said Harry and left the classroom going to the Hall to lunch.
"What did McGonagall need of you, Harry?" Asked Ron when he sat to eat.
"She knows about the group and wanted to know if the reasons that we gave her for training us were true." Explained Harry serving food in his plate.
"How did she know about it?" Asked Fred listening to his words.
"Dumbledore, and I'm sure that he also told her about the room." Groaned Harry.
"Great. It was supposed to be a secret one." Groaned Hermione.
"Hey, we are the only ones that know the Password to the entrance. They know where are the others ones, but they don't know how to enter through there. That reminds me that we have to show it to the old Marauders and McGonagall and Dumbledore." Said Harry.
"When shall we do it?" Asked George.
"When Padfoot and Moony are back at the School." Said Harry and returned his attention to the food.
****
A few days later the Gryffindor team was having practice, when Roger Davies and the rest of the Ravenclaw Team appeared in the pitch.
"Hey, Roger, what's up?" Asked Harry landing next to their Captain.
"We have the Pitch now, Harry. Your time finished." Said Davies looking at his watch. Harry checked his own one and saw that he was right.
"Everyone down! Practice finished!" Shouted Harry to his teammates.
"Hey, why don't we play a little game? A friendly one? Both of our teams need to train our reserves. We can do it in that way." Suggested Roger after discussing it with his teammates.
"Let me ask to the others, but I don't have any problems with it." Said Harry and went to talk with the team who agreed without any problem.
"Ok, people you know the rules. I hope that a referee isn't needed here. Ron, Terry, shake hands." Said Roger to the two players that were chosen as Captains of the little game. Both of them did it and a few seconds later, they were at the sky playing. Lee was there and was relating the game to the others. His replacement was like him, although a little worse. Both teams loved him from the first moment and asked him to never say anything bad against them. This was asked specially by Ravenclaw's Team that knew very well Lee's style.
"I won't say anything bad against you except maybe in Gryffindor- Ravenclaw's game." Said the boy with an evil smile.
In a moment of the game, Harry saw that there were more than 14 players: there were 16. Two Ravenclaw Chasers joined the game.
"Hey! It isn't fair!" Shouted Harry to Roger.
"I didn't tell them to play, they did alone." Replied Davies with an innocent smile.
"Alicia, Katie, Angelina, I want the three of you up!" Said Harry to the Chasers, who nodded and joined the game.
Twenty minutes later there were 28 players in the air: both teams were playing with their titular and reserves. It was a madness. The beaters played as Chasers, keepers as Beaters, all of them played in any position but their originals.
Meanwhile he was looking for the Snitch 10 meters above the level of the game, Harry saw something that he didn't like at all. From nowhere almost 100 Dementors had apparated and they were going straight to the Pitch and the School.
"EVERYBODY DOWN NOW!!!!!!!!!!" Shouted Harry using the spell to magnify his voice.
"What's wrong?" Asked Roger Davies worriedly when they landed.
"Dementors are coming here, almost 100 of them." Answered Harry with a worried voice, before he said: "Those ones of you that can't cast a Patronus return to the School and warn Dumbledore! The others stay here!"
Everybody nodded and they separated their ways. The students who didn't know how or couldn't cast the Patronus began to run immediately to the School at top speed. Harry, Katie, Alicia, Angelina, Fred, Ron, Hermione were from Gryffindor's team and Roger, Cho Chang, Terry Boot, a Beater named Pete Kinth from Sixth Year, and two other players that Harry didn't know that were in their Seventh year were the ones from Ravenclaw who stayed ready to fight against the Dementors.
"When I say it, cast it!" Shouted Harry to the others who nodded and waited for his order.
Harry waited and listened silently for the Dementors. He hated them and was ready to fight this time. Suddenly he felt the cold that he always had when they were near and began to listen his mother's last words, although they were very low.
"NOW!!!" Yelled Harry to the others.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Roared everybody at the same time. From the wands began to appear many forms: unicorns, book (Harry recognized it as Hermione's), Bludgers, Cannon Balls, Lions (this one was Ron's), and many other forms that proceeded to attack the Dementors with his forms at the Head of the attack.
The fight was hard. Dementors continued Apparating near the pitch and they were more and more every time. The students went on fighting, but they knew that if they didn't have help soon, they couldn't fight much longer.
"Why don't Dumbledore and the Professors come to help us?" Wondered Harry.
"Harry, there is a BIG problem!" Exclaimed George going to him.
"What's wrong now?" Asked worriedly the Prefect.
"The doors can't be opened! They are locked and we can't open them! We tried everything but nothing works!" Said George worried.
"Katie! Roger! Come here right now!" Shouted Harry to the Head Boy and Girl.
"What's wrong?" Asked Katie when they reached where Harry and George were.
"The doors can't be opened! We can't do it!" Said George.
"What do we do now? We can't go on with this much longer!" Exclaimed Roger worriedly.
"There is something, but it has good and bad sides for all of us. Specially for me for suggesting this." Said Harry.
"What?" Asked the other three anxious.
"I don't care how the hell you do it, open that door! Reduce it to ashes, make it explode, make a hole in it or whatever you want, just do it!" Said Harry to George.
"You can be expelled for suggesting that, you know it?" Asked Katie worried.
"I know it, but if it helps us to leave from this problem, I don't care!" Exclaimed Harry before he turned his attention to the Twin: "Do it now! I'll take the responsibility of giving the order of doing that! Just open that bloody door!"
"I'll take the responsibility too! I'm Head Boy and one of my duties is to protect the students. If anyone asks, Harry and me gave the order." Said Roger very seriously to George.
"Me too." Said Katie to his teammate.
"You three are crazy!" Said George returning to the door and leaving the three to join the fight again.
"We know that!" Said the three before they cast the Patronus again.
****
Albus and Minerva were talking with Severus Snape in the Headmaster's office. Along with them were the other two Heads of Houses, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Arabella Figg. The subject: Fudge and his plans to question Harry Potter about the Third Task.
"He's crazy!" Exclaimed Flitwick after Dumbledore told them about Fudge's intentions.
"Does he think that Potter killed Diggory?" Asked in disbelief Snape.
"It looks like that those are his thoughts, Severus." Said Dumbledore seriously.
"Isn't there any chance to elect a new one?" Asked Remus.
Before any of them could answer the question, Arabella, who was looking by the window, said: "What the hell . . . ?"
"What's wrong, Arabella?" Asked Albus worriedly going to the window that the DADA teacher was looking.
He didn't like at the least what he saw: more than 15 Patronus could be seen at the Quidditch pitch and Dementors were there trying to catch the students.
"Who is at the pitch right now?" Asked worried and seriously Arabella to the 4 Head of Houses.
"Ravenclaw should be now." Answered Flitwick confused checking his watch.
"Gryffindor had it before but I'm not sure if they returned to the Tower yet. Why?" Asked McGonagall worried.
"Dementors." Answered Dumbledore before he left the Office and ran to the entrance doors. The other Professors went with him immediately with worry clearly written in the face.
When they reached there, they found that it wasn't able to open. They tried every spell but nothing seemed to work.
"What do we do now?" Asked Sprout to the others. Before any of them could answer, the door began to tremble and a boom could be heard.
"What the hell is going on here?!?!" Asked Snape in confusion while the booms continued.
"It looks like they are trying to open the door." Answered Dumbledore understanding what was happening.
"How? Destroying it?" Asked shocked Sirius.
Like answering his question, suddenly the door burst in pieces and the students that were outside came in. Many had tired looks, others, most of them, worried ones.
"Harry and the others are at the pitch fighting against Dementors! They need help right now!" Shouted George to Dumbledore.
"Those ones who cast a Patronus come with me! The others, take these students to the Hospital Wing! NOW!" Ordered Albus to the adults before he ran to the Pitch to help the students that were there.
When he arrived there, the situation was more than bad. In a corner of the Pitch were Harry, Katie, Roger, Ron, Hermione, Cho and Fred. The other students were unconscious laying next to them. They were fighting for their life and many of them looked very tired by the fight, but they were still fighting the Dementors without rest.
He began to cast his own Patronus to help them but the Dementors continued going to the students.
"It was bloody time for you to appear here, Professor!" Shouted Harry when the Headmaster reached to them.
"We had a little problem with the door." Said Albus going on casting the Charm.
"What can we do now? Many of us are tired and won't be able to continue this much longer!" Said Katie casting her own one, a Unicorn.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to take despaired and suicidal measures here!" Said Harry to the group. "You mean more than giving the order to explode the main door?" Asked shocked Roger.
"Much more. I need that all of you touch me and think for yourself "Maximum Expecto Patronum" and concentrate in the memory that you use to cast it." Explained Harry to the group.
"What will you do?" Asked Dumbledore in confusion while the others made a circle around Harry.
"I'll show you one of my new abilities." Said Harry before he added: "do it."
Everyone touched Harry and began to do what he told them, wondering what would happen next. Everyone began to glow with a gold light and a great amount of power and energy could be sensed there.
"MAXIMUM EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!!" Roared Harry pointing his wand to the Dementors. From the wand emerged many forms, not only Harry's, also appeared the form of Katie's Unicorn, Dumbledore's Phoenix, Hermione's Book, Ron's Lion, Cho's Eagle, Fred's Fox and Roger's Cannonball. All of them were gold and were three times bigger than their usual size.
The Dementors began to go back when the forms began to attack them. They were faster than anything and five minutes later all of them had disappeared from the attack.
The whole group was shocked and surprised by what had just happened and looked at Harry who looked like he was going to faint at any moment.
"Great show, right?" Asked the teen with a little smile before he fell unconscious to the grass.
"Harry!" Exclaimed Dumbledore kneeling next to him and checking him.
"How is he, Professor?" Asked Hermione really worried when she and the others surrounded the Headmaster.
"We need to take him and the others to the Hospital Wing immediately." Said Dumbledore casting the Mobilicorpus in Harry and taking him back to the Castle. The others did the same with the unconscious students and followed the Headmaster.
****
The Hospital Wing was a madness. All the beds were busy and Madame Pomfrey was checking the students. All of them who were awake were eating a lot of Chocolate, specially those who had fought at the Pitch till the end. Dumbledore and the other teachers waited till she had finished with them to talk with the students.
"What happened?" Asked Albus to Roger Davies and Katie Bell, the Head Boy and Girl of the School, when they finished the chocolate.
"We were having a training session when Ravenclaw appeared at the Pitch. Instead of finishing our training, we began to play a friendly game between the teams. Suddenly Harry saw the Dementors and told us to land. When we did it, he explained what he had seen and sent a few of the players to warn you meanwhile the others, the ones who could cast the Patronus, stayed for the battle." Explained Katie.
"In the middle of it, George Weasley came and told us that the door couldn't be opened. Harry gave him the order to open it making it explode, make a hole in it, or whatever was needed. A few minutes after he left, the Dementors cornered us at the spot where you found us. You already know the rest of the story." Finished Roger.
"Before you say anything, Harry had our support when he gave the order. The responsibility of destroying the door is of the three, not only his." Said Katie seriously to the Headmaster, making reference to her and Roger.
"You know that the three of you could be expelled for giving that order, right?" Asked seriously McGonagall.
"We didn't have many choices, Professor. And I'll remind you that one of our duties as Prefects or Head Boy and Girl is protecting the students. And yes, we knew that." Said Roger Davies in a very serious tone of voice to the Head of Gryffindor.
"And Professor Dumbledore said that you had problems with the door too. It means that you couldn't open it either." Said Katie in the same tone that the Captain of Ravenclaw's Team.
"We'll discuss it later." Said Dumbledore firmly, before he added: "please, now rest." After he said that he turned to leave the place but was stopped by Katie's voice.
"If I'm expelled, at least I want to know why the hell there was Dementors at the pitch, Professor Dumbledore." Said the girl seriously to the Headmaster.
"I don't know the answer for that question, Miss Bell, but I assure you that I'll know it soon." Said the old wizard seriously.
"I hope so." Said the Gryffindor's Chaser before the teachers left the Hospital Wing.
"Will you . . . ?" Began to ask Arabella Figg when they were going to Albus' Office.
"Expel them? Not for this. They were right, we couldn't open the door either and it was their only chance to get help." Said the Headmaster very seriously.
"Bell asked something good: why were the Dementors there?" Asked Snape after thinking a little.
"The only one who can answer that is Fudge. And I hope he has a good explanation, because I'm sure the Gryffindors' and Ravenclaws' Quidditch players will kill him if he doesn't." Said Dumbledore before he called through the fireplace to the Minister of the Magic.
****
All the players that were at the Hospital Wing, left it to return to their Towers before dinner. The only ones who still stayed there were Angelina, Alicia, Harry, Pete Kinth, the Ravenclaw Beater, and other two players from the team. All of them were unconscious, although Madame Pomfrey was sure that they would be awake for the next day.
When they were eating the dinner, many of the players were worried by their teammates. Katie was worried about the possibility of being expelled along Roger and Harry.
"Hey, Katie, what's wrong with you? You nearly ate nothing!" Said Hermione looking at her plate that was almost untouched.
"Maybe I'll be expelled, guys." Said the girl absently.
"For giving the order, right?" Asked George worried.
"Yes, George, for doing that." Said Katie closing her eyes.
"What order?" Asked many of the people who were near them and heard George's words.
"The doors were locked and couldn't be opened. Harry ordered to the group who was sent to warn Dumbledore to make it explode or break it. Me and Roger supported him in that and the three of us can be expelled for doing it." Said Katie before she stood and said: "If you excuse me, guys, I'll go to sleep. I'm tired." After that she left the Hall.
"Can they be expelled?" Asked Dean worriedly to the others.
"Yes, Dean, the can. They destroyed part of the school." Said Fred.
"But they did it to save everyone!" Exclaimed Ginny with shock.
"They knew that it could happen, Ginny, but they didn't care about it. Like you said, they did it to save everyone." Said George before he stood and left the Hall too.
The rest of the table, went on eating the dinner silently and worried about the fate of two of his members. The group of friends left the Hall before anyone else worried about it too.
****
"What do you mean with that it didn't happen???" Asked furious Albus Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge.
The Ministry's version of the incident was that the Dementors didn't apparate at the School and the fight between the students and they were fake. Needless to say the Headmaster was more than angry with it. He did something that was strange: he lost his patience. You didn't want to be there when something like that happened.
"Let me get this straight: you are telling us that there weren't Dementors at the Pitch, that the students fought against ghosts and Potter, Bell and Davies gave the order of destroying the door for nothing?" Asked McGonagall in disbelief.
"It's exactly what we say." Said Fudge stubbornly.
"Ok, then the door wasn't destroyed and Potter and the others didn't give the order to do it." Said Severus as if nothing had happened there that day.
"They destroyed it! They must be expelled of the School!" Shouted Fudge.
"If you are planning to say that the Dementors weren't here, then we'll say that the door wasn't destroyed by students. I saw a lightning doing it, did you see it too, Severus?" Said McGonagall to her Potion's Colleague with a smile.
"Me too, a big and hard one. Did you see it, Albus?" Said Snape to the Headmaster.
"So did I." Said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes.
"This won't stay like this." Said the Minister before he stormed out of the Office furious.
"It was nice to see you, Cornelius." Said Albus when Fudge slammed the door.
"He's the biggest stupid, stubborn and crazy man that I ever met!" Said exasperated the Head of Gryffindor after he left.
"I agree with it." Said Snape angrily. "Can't we have elections for a new one?" Asked Minerva calming herself a little, but not very much.
"We'll have to wait till Harry does his movement. Something tells me that he'll be out after that." Said Dumbledore smiling.
"Speaking of Potter, what shall we do about him, Davies and Bell?" Asked Severus.
"Like I said yesterday, they won't be expelled, Severus. When Harry leaves the Hospital Wing I'll speak with the three of them." Said seriously the Headmaster signaling the end of the meeting.
****
The next morning all the players that were in the Hospital Wing were released from there after Pomfrey checked them a last time. All of them went to breakfast looking like they had a rest of days and not of a few hours.
Everyone turned to see them when they entered. Many people began to whisper between them, but they didn't pay any attention and went to sit to their tables unnerved by the chats.
"Are you ok, guys?" Asked Katie to Harry, Alicia and Angelina with concern in her voice when her friends sat down.
"A little tired but fine." Sad Alicia eating a toast.
"Fine." Said Angelina meanwhile she began to eat.
"Just fine." Said Harry before he asked to Katie: "Do you know what will happen with us and Roger?"
"No. Dumbledore said that it would be discussed later. But I don't have any idea of what will happen, Harry." Said Katie before she asked: "Do you regret it?"
"No and I would do it again if it's necessary. The only thing that cared to me in that moments was the safety of everyone. You?" Answered Harry very sure of his words.
"Same here." Said the Head Girl with a little smile.
"Mr. Potters, Miss Bell, please when you finish go to the Headmaster's Office. Your future will be discussed there." Said McGonagall going where the two students were sitting.
"Ok, Professor, we'll be there." Said Katie before she went on eating, meanwhile Harry just nodded.
"What was she talking about, guys?" Asked Alicia confused to her teammates.
"Please anyone explains it to her. I'll go to Dumbledore's Office. I'm not hungry anymore." Said Harry before he stood and left the Hall.
"Wait, Harry, I'll go with you." Said Katie before she followed Harry out of the Hall.
"What the hell is going on here?" Asked Angelina to the others.
"Maybe they'll be expelled." Said George and explained everything to the confused girls.
****
Harry and Katie entered in the Office and took seats next to the desk. Both had a worried look in their faces, and a scared one too.
"How many times have you been here before this one, Harry?" Asked Katie nervous.
"This is my fourth time. You?" Said Harry going to Fawkes' perch to pet the phoenix.
"First one." Said the girl shyly.
"Nice to see you again, Fawkes." Said Harry with a smile when the bird sang a few notes.
"It's a Phoenix, right?" Said Katie impressed going to where Harry was standing.
"His name's Fawkes. I met him in my Second Year during my first visit here. He burnt to flames that day. I was scared that he had died." Laughed Harry at the memory.
"I'm sure that it will happen next month again. He doesn't look very well." Said Albus entering the room with Roger Davies and listening Harry's words.
"Beautiful bird, Professor." Said Katie returning to her seat when Harry and Roger sat in theirs.
"We have something to discuss. Miss Bell I'm afraid that I don't have an answer to your question. According to Mr. Fudge the fight never happened and the Dementors weren't there." Said Albus not very happy with that.
"Are you kidding us, Professor? Because if you do, I don't find it funny at all." Said Harry angry.
"Neither do we." Said Katie and Roger with a mix of anger and seriousness in their voice.
"I can assure you that neither do I. The School's version is that a lightning did the job." Said Dumbledore to the three students before he said: "Don't worry, you won't be expelled. I will never do something like that when you did it because it was a hard and despaired moment and you needed help."
"Why the doors couldn't be opened?" Asked Harry thinking about everything.
"We suspect that someone cast a very dark spell on them. The only way to remove it is that the caster uses the counter course. The other one was doing what you did." Said the Headmaster with a serious tone of voice.
"Do you know who did it?" Asked Katie after the Headmaster finished.
"No, but whoever did, knew very well what he or she was doing." Said seriously Dumbledore.
"So all of this matter is a huge puzzle and we don't have even the half of the pieces." Summed up the whole situation Harry with an irritated tone of voice.
"You told it better than anyone, Harry." Chuckled softly Dumbledore.
"What will happen now?" Asked Roger Davies with great concern.
"From now on, the Quidditch practices will be under supervision always. Measurers like the ones taken three years ago will be imposed once again. I hope that I count with you three to help us in this matter." Said the old wizard to the teens in a serious voice.
"Don't worry about it." Said Roger meanwhile the other two nodded seriously.
"You know what? It was a luck that you suggested the game yesterday, Roger. If not, you had faced the Dementors alone." Said with a smile Harry to Ravenclaw's Quidditch team Captain.
"Thank God I did it." Replied Davies with a sigh of relief.
"What did you do yesterday, Harry? I mean what was that?" Asked Katie remembering the final part of the battle.
"Oh, that! Well, I just canalized your energy in my body, magnified it and sent it three times more powerful against the Dementors. The bad point of that is that it takes a lot of energy from you. That's why I fainted after doing that. I was left with not very much energy on my body." Explained Harry with a little smile.
"It was impressive!" Exclaimed Roger in a state of shock.
"I've never seen something like that!" Exclaimed Katie also in shock.
"I hope that I mustn't do it again. You can't imagine how it tires you!" Exclaimed Harry with a groan.
"I hope it too." Said the two students together at the same time.
"I don't want to see another Dementor for a long, very long time." Added Katie very serious. The two boys nodded in agreement.
"I agree with you, Miss Bell. I hope that the Dementors will not apparate here anymore. But we'll have to be ready." Said Dumbledore seriously before he added: "The three of you have received a Prize for Special Services to the School. Although you knew that you could be expelled for giving the order, you thought about your teammates and the other students above everything else. Your Houses will receive 100 points also for each of you and Gryffindor another 50 for Harry's last action." This was said with a smile and a twinkle of his eyes.
"Thanks, Professor." Said the three of them with big smiles in the face.
"Why don't you return to your Towers? I'm sure that the other students of your Houses will be worried about your future on the School." Suggested the Headmaster with a smile.
"Goodbye, Professor." Said Harry when the three of them were leaving the Office.
****
They went down the stairs silently without saying any word, but in their faces could be seen clearly relief for not being expelled.
"YES!!!" Exclaimed Roger when they were out of the entrance.
"I thought that we were dead this time." Said Katie relieved when they began to walk to their Towers.
"Same here." Said Harry and Roger at the same time.
"Luckily Dumbledore is the Headmaster and not Fudge." Laughed Harry.
"He's stupid! How can he say that the fight didn't happen and the Dementors weren't there? Does he think that we fought against ghosts?" Asked sarcastically and angrily Katie.
"It looks like that." Said Harry with a big groan.
"At least we're still here. I don't care anything else meanwhile I don't see or have to fight against another Dementor for a time. A LONG time." Said Davies with a groan similar to Harry's.
"I agree. Hey Roger, when do we finish the game? But this time a normal one not like yesterday's." Said Harry laughing.
"Whenever you want, Harry. See you later." Said Roger and went to the stairs that took to Ravenclaw's Tower Entrance.
"Thanks for supporting me on this, Katie." Said Harry when they were reaching to the Fat Lady's entrance.
"Hey, you would have done the same if I was who gave it, Harry. But, please, next times try to take measurers not so suicidally. I couldn't stand something like this again this year. I want to finish alive my last year at the School." Said Katie with a smile.
"I'll try to do it." Laughed Harry when they reached to the portrait.
"Password?" Asked the Fat Lady.
"Dragon's Fire." Said Katie and the portrait opened to reveal the Common Room.
When they entered everyone turned to see them and surrounded immediately beginning to ask questions. Harry whistled loudly and everyone calmed down and stopped asking questions at the same time.
"What happened with Dumbledore?" Asked George, when there was complete silence.
"You'll see our faces a while longer. I'm afraid." Said Harry laughing.
"It means . . . " Began Fred listening Harry's words.
"It means, Fred, that we weren't expelled. Dumbledore gave to the three of us a Prize for Special Services to the School and 100 points for each House for saving the students. And Harry got another 50 for the spell that he did at the end." Explained Katie with a big smile.
"Congratulations!" Exclaimed Fred before he hugged both of them. The rest of the House cheered and whistled for five minutes before there was calm again.
"Ok. Let's do what we should right now." Said Harry with a mysterious smile.
"What?" Asked many students confused.
"A party to celebrate all this, my dear friends." Laughed Harry before he said to the twins: "You two know what you have to do. Ron, Hermione and me will get food from the kitchens. The rest prepare the Common Room for a party. Someone cast a few silencing charms around the entrance so we won't disturb anyone. Let's get ready, people!" Said Harry clapping his hands before he left the Common Room with his best friends and went to the kitchens.
"Harry Potter Sir! You came to see Dobby!" Exclaimed the little House Elf when the trio entered the Kitchens, hugging Harry's leg.
"Hey, Dobby, nice to see you again! How is your life here lately?" Asked Harry with a smile when the elf released his leg from the hug.
"Very fine, thanks, Harry Potter Sir! Now I'm the chief of the elves at the Kitchen." Said Dobby proudly showing a badge that said: "Chief of Kitchens."
"Congratulations, Dobby!" Exclaimed Hermione with a smile.
"Miss Hermione, I hope that you aren't trying to take us to a strike again." Said seriously the little elf.
"I stopped with that last year, Dobby, don't worry!" Laughed the girl.
"What can I do for you?" Asked Dobby relieved with Hermione's answer.
"We are planning a little party at the Tower and we need the food for it. So we came to ask you if you can provide it." Said Harry with a smile.
"We would thank you if you can send it to the Tower instead of giving it to us now, Dobby." Said Ron.
"Of course we'll do it!" Said Dobby meanwhile many other elves nodded happily and began to work.
"It looks like Winky has recuperated herself of Barty Crouch's death." Whispered Harry to his friends watching the house elf working with the others. Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement.
Winky now looked tidy and clean, not like the last time they saw her. She worked happily and cheered as the others elves. It looked like the events of the Third Task and her old Master's death were part of the past forever.
"Hey, Dobby, we'll return to the Tower. When you finish the food, send it there." Said Harry when he and his friends left the kitchens.
"We'll do it in 10 minutes, Harry Potter Sir." Said the elf before they closed the paint.
When they were out, they found themselves face to face with an angry and stern Minerva McGonagall. The three gulped at the sight of their Head of House.
"May I ask what were you doing at the Kitchens?" Asked the Transfiguration Professor to the trio.
"We came to ask food." Said nervously Harry seeing that lying would be not worth.
"For what?" Asked Minerva suspiciously.
"We are planning a little party at the Tower because Harry and Katie won't be expelled." Said Hermione nervously.
"You two," Said Minerva referring to Ron and Hermione, "go to the Tower. I want to speak a few minutes alone with Harry." This last sentence was said seriously.
"We'll see you later." Said both of them before they went to the Tower.
"How are you?" Asked worried McGonagall to her Godson.
"Tired, but fine. The spell took too much energy from me." Explained Harry quietly.
"Albus told me what you did. It was impressive, I must say." Said McGonagall with a smile of proud.
"Thanks, I hope I mustn't do it again in a long time. I still can't believe what Fudge said. He's really stupid. I don't say anything else because you are here, but I can say a few other words." Said sheepishly Harry.
"I think the same things of him that you." Said McGonagall chuckling.
"In two weeks everything will change. When I do what I'm planning, he won't be the Minister anymore, believe me." Said with an evil smile Harry.
"What are you planning, Harry?" Asked curious her Godmother.
"I'll tell you only this: the Fourth Power will overthrow him. I will only give them a. . . little help to do it." Said Harry mysteriously.
"You are crazy, do you know that?" Said with a smile the old witch.
"I lost my sanity when I met Fluffy in my First Year for first time. After five years at the school, I'm not crazy, I'm completely insane!" Laughed Harry.
"I must agree with it." Chuckled Minerva before she said: "Go to the Party. Please, don't disturb anyone." The last thing was said in a serious tone of voice.
"We'll cast silencing charms, don't worry." Said Harry before he went to the Tower to join the party.
****
"What did she want of you, Harry?" Asked Ron when he returned.
The party had just begun and was noisy as any of them at the Tower. The twins had brought Butterbeers and sweets from Hogsmeade. The elves had provided the food that was served in every table. The music was loud and many of the students were dancing at the rhythm of it.
"She wanted to know how I was felling, Ron. Don't worry." Said Harry. That calmed his friends immediately.
"Hey, this is you second Prize for Special Services to the School in five years!" Said Hermione suddenly.
"Yep, my first one was after the Secret Chamber." Said Harry with proud.
"Want to dance?" Asked Hermione to Harry when a slow song began to play. Harry nodded and joined the others at the dance floor.
After a few minutes of dance, they were doing it very close one to the other. Their bodies were together. Harry looked to her eyes and knew immediately that she was the girl that he loved. His feelings toward her had changed after the kiss that she gave him at Kings Cross last year when the School term had finished.
He leaned his face to hers and tried to kiss her in the lips, hoping that she returned his feelings. Hermione looked at him and understood immediately what he was going to do. She put her lips on his and kissed him.
Both teens felt relief seeing that they had the same feeling toward each other and went on kissing for almost five minutes before they heard someone clapping. They released themselves from it and turned to see that everyone was watching him and many were cheering, whistling and clapping their hands.
Both of them blushed and Harry whispered to her ear: "If you didn't realize it, I love you. Do you want to be my girlfriend, Miss Granger?"
"Of course, I will love it, Mr. Potter." Said Hermione and kissed him again, forgetting completely about the students that were watching them.
Harry and Hermione didn't separate from each other in the whole day. Both of them had big grins in the face. A new couple had started at Gryffindor. Two people that loved each other a lot.
They only separated when it was time to sleep. At that moment, 2.30 in the morning, everyone was tired and the party was almost over. They kissed each other again, by millionth time, and they went to their dorms thinking in all that happened that day, but specially about their love.
Nobody knew what Harry was planning. He did say it to no one.
"You'll know soon." Was his answer when someone asked about it.
Something was sure: Rita Skeeter was part of his plan. The tar where she was, disappeared from Hermione's bed table the next night to the party. Nobody wanted or dared to ask him what she was doing for him. They trusted him enough to know that it wasn't something pleasant.
"She's doing some . . . work for me." Said Harry when she asked him about Rita.
"What did you give or promise her to make her work for you?" Asked curious Hermione.
"The news of the century." Said Harry with an evil smile.
"What news?" Asked confused Fred when he heard his words. The 5 MNG knew about Rita's secret and promised to not tell anyone.
"That's for me to know and you to find out, my dear Wise!" Said Harry laughing.
"That definitely is not good for anyone!" Said Ron knowing very well his friend. That phrase in his lips meant that something big was being cooked.
Not even Dumbledore, Remus or his Godparents knew about it. He kept it as a secret. The Headmaster believed that he was planning something BIG, specially remembering his words: "Nothing will be the same when I finish this play."
He had begun to gather the members of the Order. He knew better than anyone that Harry, whatever his plan was, would shock the Wizarding World to their foundations. And he had to be ready for it.
Another thing that was worrying him was the questioning of Harry that Fudge planned. He didn't like the idea of it at the least. Fudge wouldn't believe it, no matter what Harry said.
"Let him do it, Professor. But you'll see that the shot will return to him 10 times worse. I told you that I can play dirtier and worse than him." Said Harry when they were talking about this matter one day at the Headmaster's office.
"Do I want to know what are you planning about this or it's better for me not knowing it?" Asked Albus with the twinkle in his eyes at full force.
"Like I said, you'll know when the moment is right, not before, not later." Said Harry mysteriously before he left the Office.
"What are you planning this time, Harry?" Wondered Albus before he turned his attention to the Pensive.
****
In the classes, Harry didn't have any troubles. In Transfiguration, he helped to many of the students in the process of transforming them. Charms, Herbology, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures didn't represent anything hard for him. All the things learnt there, he could do it easily. In Potions, his work was perfect as usual. In his private work, the Potion was going fine. Snape believed that for Christmas it would be ready.
Meanwhile, the MNG went on playing pranks. Not big ones, just smalls. The reason was that Harry told the others that he was planning a BIG one that involved the whole school and staff. But he didn't give any indications about what the prank was or when they were going to play it.
He began the Team's practices three days per week. He discussed the new tactics of the season the matches, and trained the new and old players.
"Which games shall we play?" Asked Neville one day after practice. The reserves had curiosity about their chances to play that year and in which games they would.
"The games against Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. There's no way that I'll make you play against Slytherin. In that game I'll put the main team. I trust in you, but they are very dirty playing, specially with Malfoy as their new Captain." Said Harry with a groan.
"How much did his father pay this time? We can make bets about it." Said Fred sarcastically.
"Don't worry, Fred. If I learnt something from Oliver, is that in those games the fiercest wins. Must I remind you the Gryffindor-Slytherin of my Second Year?" Asked Harry with an evil grin.
"How could I forget it. I still remember his words for you: "Catch the Snitch or die trying!" He was crazy." Laughed Fred.
"I still remember the manipulated Bludger against you, Harry!" Laughed George.
"Then Lockhart decided to remove my arm's bones." Groaned Harry, not happy with the memory.
"What are you talking about?" Asked confused many of the reserves.
"In my Second Year," began Harry "in the match against Slytherin, someone manipulated a Bludger and it followed me always. Besides looking for the Snitch I had to worry about the Bludger. After convincing Wood to let me play without protection of them," here he pointed to the twins, "I caught the Snitch, but the Bludger broke my arm. When we landed . . . " Said Harry but he was cut off.
"Or in your case, crashed." Said George chuckling.
"When we were down, Lockhart, who was our DADA teacher that year, tried to fix my arm, but the only thing he did was leave me without bones in it." Finished Harry with a groan.
"So, what are you planning for this one, Harry? I know you very well and I'm sure that you have something in mind for it." Asked Alicia after listening and remembering that game.
"I'll make a few changes in the way that Seekers play, Alicia." Said mysteriously Harry before he finished the training and sent everybody back to the Castle.
****
"Potter, I need to speak with you for a moment!" Called McGonagall to her Godson at the end of the Transfiguration Class that Thursday.
"Yes, Professor?" Asked Harry confused about the reason of the call.
"Please, tell me that the reasons that you and the other MNG for the training were true. Because if they weren't, it finishes now." Said Minerva in a serious tone of voice.
"Let me guess, Professor Dumbledore told you who we are, right?" Asked Harry with a little groan.
"Yes, he did. I'm waiting an answer." Said the Head of Gryffindor losing her patience quickly.
"Yes, they were true. But the main reason was that we wanted to be the new Marauders, and for it we needed to be Animagus too."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"See the good side, Professor. At least we asked your help. We could have done it without you knowing it. And we'll be registered." Said Harry with a little smile.
"I must agree with it. Can you show another form one of these days? You told me that you had a few ones." Asked Minerva with a smile.
"Not yet." Said Harry and left the classroom going to the Hall to lunch.
"What did McGonagall need of you, Harry?" Asked Ron when he sat to eat.
"She knows about the group and wanted to know if the reasons that we gave her for training us were true." Explained Harry serving food in his plate.
"How did she know about it?" Asked Fred listening to his words.
"Dumbledore, and I'm sure that he also told her about the room." Groaned Harry.
"Great. It was supposed to be a secret one." Groaned Hermione.
"Hey, we are the only ones that know the Password to the entrance. They know where are the others ones, but they don't know how to enter through there. That reminds me that we have to show it to the old Marauders and McGonagall and Dumbledore." Said Harry.
"When shall we do it?" Asked George.
"When Padfoot and Moony are back at the School." Said Harry and returned his attention to the food.
****
A few days later the Gryffindor team was having practice, when Roger Davies and the rest of the Ravenclaw Team appeared in the pitch.
"Hey, Roger, what's up?" Asked Harry landing next to their Captain.
"We have the Pitch now, Harry. Your time finished." Said Davies looking at his watch. Harry checked his own one and saw that he was right.
"Everyone down! Practice finished!" Shouted Harry to his teammates.
"Hey, why don't we play a little game? A friendly one? Both of our teams need to train our reserves. We can do it in that way." Suggested Roger after discussing it with his teammates.
"Let me ask to the others, but I don't have any problems with it." Said Harry and went to talk with the team who agreed without any problem.
"Ok, people you know the rules. I hope that a referee isn't needed here. Ron, Terry, shake hands." Said Roger to the two players that were chosen as Captains of the little game. Both of them did it and a few seconds later, they were at the sky playing. Lee was there and was relating the game to the others. His replacement was like him, although a little worse. Both teams loved him from the first moment and asked him to never say anything bad against them. This was asked specially by Ravenclaw's Team that knew very well Lee's style.
"I won't say anything bad against you except maybe in Gryffindor- Ravenclaw's game." Said the boy with an evil smile.
In a moment of the game, Harry saw that there were more than 14 players: there were 16. Two Ravenclaw Chasers joined the game.
"Hey! It isn't fair!" Shouted Harry to Roger.
"I didn't tell them to play, they did alone." Replied Davies with an innocent smile.
"Alicia, Katie, Angelina, I want the three of you up!" Said Harry to the Chasers, who nodded and joined the game.
Twenty minutes later there were 28 players in the air: both teams were playing with their titular and reserves. It was a madness. The beaters played as Chasers, keepers as Beaters, all of them played in any position but their originals.
Meanwhile he was looking for the Snitch 10 meters above the level of the game, Harry saw something that he didn't like at all. From nowhere almost 100 Dementors had apparated and they were going straight to the Pitch and the School.
"EVERYBODY DOWN NOW!!!!!!!!!!" Shouted Harry using the spell to magnify his voice.
"What's wrong?" Asked Roger Davies worriedly when they landed.
"Dementors are coming here, almost 100 of them." Answered Harry with a worried voice, before he said: "Those ones of you that can't cast a Patronus return to the School and warn Dumbledore! The others stay here!"
Everybody nodded and they separated their ways. The students who didn't know how or couldn't cast the Patronus began to run immediately to the School at top speed. Harry, Katie, Alicia, Angelina, Fred, Ron, Hermione were from Gryffindor's team and Roger, Cho Chang, Terry Boot, a Beater named Pete Kinth from Sixth Year, and two other players that Harry didn't know that were in their Seventh year were the ones from Ravenclaw who stayed ready to fight against the Dementors.
"When I say it, cast it!" Shouted Harry to the others who nodded and waited for his order.
Harry waited and listened silently for the Dementors. He hated them and was ready to fight this time. Suddenly he felt the cold that he always had when they were near and began to listen his mother's last words, although they were very low.
"NOW!!!" Yelled Harry to the others.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Roared everybody at the same time. From the wands began to appear many forms: unicorns, book (Harry recognized it as Hermione's), Bludgers, Cannon Balls, Lions (this one was Ron's), and many other forms that proceeded to attack the Dementors with his forms at the Head of the attack.
The fight was hard. Dementors continued Apparating near the pitch and they were more and more every time. The students went on fighting, but they knew that if they didn't have help soon, they couldn't fight much longer.
"Why don't Dumbledore and the Professors come to help us?" Wondered Harry.
"Harry, there is a BIG problem!" Exclaimed George going to him.
"What's wrong now?" Asked worriedly the Prefect.
"The doors can't be opened! They are locked and we can't open them! We tried everything but nothing works!" Said George worried.
"Katie! Roger! Come here right now!" Shouted Harry to the Head Boy and Girl.
"What's wrong?" Asked Katie when they reached where Harry and George were.
"The doors can't be opened! We can't do it!" Said George.
"What do we do now? We can't go on with this much longer!" Exclaimed Roger worriedly.
"There is something, but it has good and bad sides for all of us. Specially for me for suggesting this." Said Harry.
"What?" Asked the other three anxious.
"I don't care how the hell you do it, open that door! Reduce it to ashes, make it explode, make a hole in it or whatever you want, just do it!" Said Harry to George.
"You can be expelled for suggesting that, you know it?" Asked Katie worried.
"I know it, but if it helps us to leave from this problem, I don't care!" Exclaimed Harry before he turned his attention to the Twin: "Do it now! I'll take the responsibility of giving the order of doing that! Just open that bloody door!"
"I'll take the responsibility too! I'm Head Boy and one of my duties is to protect the students. If anyone asks, Harry and me gave the order." Said Roger very seriously to George.
"Me too." Said Katie to his teammate.
"You three are crazy!" Said George returning to the door and leaving the three to join the fight again.
"We know that!" Said the three before they cast the Patronus again.
****
Albus and Minerva were talking with Severus Snape in the Headmaster's office. Along with them were the other two Heads of Houses, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Arabella Figg. The subject: Fudge and his plans to question Harry Potter about the Third Task.
"He's crazy!" Exclaimed Flitwick after Dumbledore told them about Fudge's intentions.
"Does he think that Potter killed Diggory?" Asked in disbelief Snape.
"It looks like that those are his thoughts, Severus." Said Dumbledore seriously.
"Isn't there any chance to elect a new one?" Asked Remus.
Before any of them could answer the question, Arabella, who was looking by the window, said: "What the hell . . . ?"
"What's wrong, Arabella?" Asked Albus worriedly going to the window that the DADA teacher was looking.
He didn't like at the least what he saw: more than 15 Patronus could be seen at the Quidditch pitch and Dementors were there trying to catch the students.
"Who is at the pitch right now?" Asked worried and seriously Arabella to the 4 Head of Houses.
"Ravenclaw should be now." Answered Flitwick confused checking his watch.
"Gryffindor had it before but I'm not sure if they returned to the Tower yet. Why?" Asked McGonagall worried.
"Dementors." Answered Dumbledore before he left the Office and ran to the entrance doors. The other Professors went with him immediately with worry clearly written in the face.
When they reached there, they found that it wasn't able to open. They tried every spell but nothing seemed to work.
"What do we do now?" Asked Sprout to the others. Before any of them could answer, the door began to tremble and a boom could be heard.
"What the hell is going on here?!?!" Asked Snape in confusion while the booms continued.
"It looks like they are trying to open the door." Answered Dumbledore understanding what was happening.
"How? Destroying it?" Asked shocked Sirius.
Like answering his question, suddenly the door burst in pieces and the students that were outside came in. Many had tired looks, others, most of them, worried ones.
"Harry and the others are at the pitch fighting against Dementors! They need help right now!" Shouted George to Dumbledore.
"Those ones who cast a Patronus come with me! The others, take these students to the Hospital Wing! NOW!" Ordered Albus to the adults before he ran to the Pitch to help the students that were there.
When he arrived there, the situation was more than bad. In a corner of the Pitch were Harry, Katie, Roger, Ron, Hermione, Cho and Fred. The other students were unconscious laying next to them. They were fighting for their life and many of them looked very tired by the fight, but they were still fighting the Dementors without rest.
He began to cast his own Patronus to help them but the Dementors continued going to the students.
"It was bloody time for you to appear here, Professor!" Shouted Harry when the Headmaster reached to them.
"We had a little problem with the door." Said Albus going on casting the Charm.
"What can we do now? Many of us are tired and won't be able to continue this much longer!" Said Katie casting her own one, a Unicorn.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to take despaired and suicidal measures here!" Said Harry to the group. "You mean more than giving the order to explode the main door?" Asked shocked Roger.
"Much more. I need that all of you touch me and think for yourself "Maximum Expecto Patronum" and concentrate in the memory that you use to cast it." Explained Harry to the group.
"What will you do?" Asked Dumbledore in confusion while the others made a circle around Harry.
"I'll show you one of my new abilities." Said Harry before he added: "do it."
Everyone touched Harry and began to do what he told them, wondering what would happen next. Everyone began to glow with a gold light and a great amount of power and energy could be sensed there.
"MAXIMUM EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!!" Roared Harry pointing his wand to the Dementors. From the wand emerged many forms, not only Harry's, also appeared the form of Katie's Unicorn, Dumbledore's Phoenix, Hermione's Book, Ron's Lion, Cho's Eagle, Fred's Fox and Roger's Cannonball. All of them were gold and were three times bigger than their usual size.
The Dementors began to go back when the forms began to attack them. They were faster than anything and five minutes later all of them had disappeared from the attack.
The whole group was shocked and surprised by what had just happened and looked at Harry who looked like he was going to faint at any moment.
"Great show, right?" Asked the teen with a little smile before he fell unconscious to the grass.
"Harry!" Exclaimed Dumbledore kneeling next to him and checking him.
"How is he, Professor?" Asked Hermione really worried when she and the others surrounded the Headmaster.
"We need to take him and the others to the Hospital Wing immediately." Said Dumbledore casting the Mobilicorpus in Harry and taking him back to the Castle. The others did the same with the unconscious students and followed the Headmaster.
****
The Hospital Wing was a madness. All the beds were busy and Madame Pomfrey was checking the students. All of them who were awake were eating a lot of Chocolate, specially those who had fought at the Pitch till the end. Dumbledore and the other teachers waited till she had finished with them to talk with the students.
"What happened?" Asked Albus to Roger Davies and Katie Bell, the Head Boy and Girl of the School, when they finished the chocolate.
"We were having a training session when Ravenclaw appeared at the Pitch. Instead of finishing our training, we began to play a friendly game between the teams. Suddenly Harry saw the Dementors and told us to land. When we did it, he explained what he had seen and sent a few of the players to warn you meanwhile the others, the ones who could cast the Patronus, stayed for the battle." Explained Katie.
"In the middle of it, George Weasley came and told us that the door couldn't be opened. Harry gave him the order to open it making it explode, make a hole in it, or whatever was needed. A few minutes after he left, the Dementors cornered us at the spot where you found us. You already know the rest of the story." Finished Roger.
"Before you say anything, Harry had our support when he gave the order. The responsibility of destroying the door is of the three, not only his." Said Katie seriously to the Headmaster, making reference to her and Roger.
"You know that the three of you could be expelled for giving that order, right?" Asked seriously McGonagall.
"We didn't have many choices, Professor. And I'll remind you that one of our duties as Prefects or Head Boy and Girl is protecting the students. And yes, we knew that." Said Roger Davies in a very serious tone of voice to the Head of Gryffindor.
"And Professor Dumbledore said that you had problems with the door too. It means that you couldn't open it either." Said Katie in the same tone that the Captain of Ravenclaw's Team.
"We'll discuss it later." Said Dumbledore firmly, before he added: "please, now rest." After he said that he turned to leave the place but was stopped by Katie's voice.
"If I'm expelled, at least I want to know why the hell there was Dementors at the pitch, Professor Dumbledore." Said the girl seriously to the Headmaster.
"I don't know the answer for that question, Miss Bell, but I assure you that I'll know it soon." Said the old wizard seriously.
"I hope so." Said the Gryffindor's Chaser before the teachers left the Hospital Wing.
"Will you . . . ?" Began to ask Arabella Figg when they were going to Albus' Office.
"Expel them? Not for this. They were right, we couldn't open the door either and it was their only chance to get help." Said the Headmaster very seriously.
"Bell asked something good: why were the Dementors there?" Asked Snape after thinking a little.
"The only one who can answer that is Fudge. And I hope he has a good explanation, because I'm sure the Gryffindors' and Ravenclaws' Quidditch players will kill him if he doesn't." Said Dumbledore before he called through the fireplace to the Minister of the Magic.
****
All the players that were at the Hospital Wing, left it to return to their Towers before dinner. The only ones who still stayed there were Angelina, Alicia, Harry, Pete Kinth, the Ravenclaw Beater, and other two players from the team. All of them were unconscious, although Madame Pomfrey was sure that they would be awake for the next day.
When they were eating the dinner, many of the players were worried by their teammates. Katie was worried about the possibility of being expelled along Roger and Harry.
"Hey, Katie, what's wrong with you? You nearly ate nothing!" Said Hermione looking at her plate that was almost untouched.
"Maybe I'll be expelled, guys." Said the girl absently.
"For giving the order, right?" Asked George worried.
"Yes, George, for doing that." Said Katie closing her eyes.
"What order?" Asked many of the people who were near them and heard George's words.
"The doors were locked and couldn't be opened. Harry ordered to the group who was sent to warn Dumbledore to make it explode or break it. Me and Roger supported him in that and the three of us can be expelled for doing it." Said Katie before she stood and said: "If you excuse me, guys, I'll go to sleep. I'm tired." After that she left the Hall.
"Can they be expelled?" Asked Dean worriedly to the others.
"Yes, Dean, the can. They destroyed part of the school." Said Fred.
"But they did it to save everyone!" Exclaimed Ginny with shock.
"They knew that it could happen, Ginny, but they didn't care about it. Like you said, they did it to save everyone." Said George before he stood and left the Hall too.
The rest of the table, went on eating the dinner silently and worried about the fate of two of his members. The group of friends left the Hall before anyone else worried about it too.
****
"What do you mean with that it didn't happen???" Asked furious Albus Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge.
The Ministry's version of the incident was that the Dementors didn't apparate at the School and the fight between the students and they were fake. Needless to say the Headmaster was more than angry with it. He did something that was strange: he lost his patience. You didn't want to be there when something like that happened.
"Let me get this straight: you are telling us that there weren't Dementors at the Pitch, that the students fought against ghosts and Potter, Bell and Davies gave the order of destroying the door for nothing?" Asked McGonagall in disbelief.
"It's exactly what we say." Said Fudge stubbornly.
"Ok, then the door wasn't destroyed and Potter and the others didn't give the order to do it." Said Severus as if nothing had happened there that day.
"They destroyed it! They must be expelled of the School!" Shouted Fudge.
"If you are planning to say that the Dementors weren't here, then we'll say that the door wasn't destroyed by students. I saw a lightning doing it, did you see it too, Severus?" Said McGonagall to her Potion's Colleague with a smile.
"Me too, a big and hard one. Did you see it, Albus?" Said Snape to the Headmaster.
"So did I." Said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes.
"This won't stay like this." Said the Minister before he stormed out of the Office furious.
"It was nice to see you, Cornelius." Said Albus when Fudge slammed the door.
"He's the biggest stupid, stubborn and crazy man that I ever met!" Said exasperated the Head of Gryffindor after he left.
"I agree with it." Said Snape angrily. "Can't we have elections for a new one?" Asked Minerva calming herself a little, but not very much.
"We'll have to wait till Harry does his movement. Something tells me that he'll be out after that." Said Dumbledore smiling.
"Speaking of Potter, what shall we do about him, Davies and Bell?" Asked Severus.
"Like I said yesterday, they won't be expelled, Severus. When Harry leaves the Hospital Wing I'll speak with the three of them." Said seriously the Headmaster signaling the end of the meeting.
****
The next morning all the players that were in the Hospital Wing were released from there after Pomfrey checked them a last time. All of them went to breakfast looking like they had a rest of days and not of a few hours.
Everyone turned to see them when they entered. Many people began to whisper between them, but they didn't pay any attention and went to sit to their tables unnerved by the chats.
"Are you ok, guys?" Asked Katie to Harry, Alicia and Angelina with concern in her voice when her friends sat down.
"A little tired but fine." Sad Alicia eating a toast.
"Fine." Said Angelina meanwhile she began to eat.
"Just fine." Said Harry before he asked to Katie: "Do you know what will happen with us and Roger?"
"No. Dumbledore said that it would be discussed later. But I don't have any idea of what will happen, Harry." Said Katie before she asked: "Do you regret it?"
"No and I would do it again if it's necessary. The only thing that cared to me in that moments was the safety of everyone. You?" Answered Harry very sure of his words.
"Same here." Said the Head Girl with a little smile.
"Mr. Potters, Miss Bell, please when you finish go to the Headmaster's Office. Your future will be discussed there." Said McGonagall going where the two students were sitting.
"Ok, Professor, we'll be there." Said Katie before she went on eating, meanwhile Harry just nodded.
"What was she talking about, guys?" Asked Alicia confused to her teammates.
"Please anyone explains it to her. I'll go to Dumbledore's Office. I'm not hungry anymore." Said Harry before he stood and left the Hall.
"Wait, Harry, I'll go with you." Said Katie before she followed Harry out of the Hall.
"What the hell is going on here?" Asked Angelina to the others.
"Maybe they'll be expelled." Said George and explained everything to the confused girls.
****
Harry and Katie entered in the Office and took seats next to the desk. Both had a worried look in their faces, and a scared one too.
"How many times have you been here before this one, Harry?" Asked Katie nervous.
"This is my fourth time. You?" Said Harry going to Fawkes' perch to pet the phoenix.
"First one." Said the girl shyly.
"Nice to see you again, Fawkes." Said Harry with a smile when the bird sang a few notes.
"It's a Phoenix, right?" Said Katie impressed going to where Harry was standing.
"His name's Fawkes. I met him in my Second Year during my first visit here. He burnt to flames that day. I was scared that he had died." Laughed Harry at the memory.
"I'm sure that it will happen next month again. He doesn't look very well." Said Albus entering the room with Roger Davies and listening Harry's words.
"Beautiful bird, Professor." Said Katie returning to her seat when Harry and Roger sat in theirs.
"We have something to discuss. Miss Bell I'm afraid that I don't have an answer to your question. According to Mr. Fudge the fight never happened and the Dementors weren't there." Said Albus not very happy with that.
"Are you kidding us, Professor? Because if you do, I don't find it funny at all." Said Harry angry.
"Neither do we." Said Katie and Roger with a mix of anger and seriousness in their voice.
"I can assure you that neither do I. The School's version is that a lightning did the job." Said Dumbledore to the three students before he said: "Don't worry, you won't be expelled. I will never do something like that when you did it because it was a hard and despaired moment and you needed help."
"Why the doors couldn't be opened?" Asked Harry thinking about everything.
"We suspect that someone cast a very dark spell on them. The only way to remove it is that the caster uses the counter course. The other one was doing what you did." Said the Headmaster with a serious tone of voice.
"Do you know who did it?" Asked Katie after the Headmaster finished.
"No, but whoever did, knew very well what he or she was doing." Said seriously Dumbledore.
"So all of this matter is a huge puzzle and we don't have even the half of the pieces." Summed up the whole situation Harry with an irritated tone of voice.
"You told it better than anyone, Harry." Chuckled softly Dumbledore.
"What will happen now?" Asked Roger Davies with great concern.
"From now on, the Quidditch practices will be under supervision always. Measurers like the ones taken three years ago will be imposed once again. I hope that I count with you three to help us in this matter." Said the old wizard to the teens in a serious voice.
"Don't worry about it." Said Roger meanwhile the other two nodded seriously.
"You know what? It was a luck that you suggested the game yesterday, Roger. If not, you had faced the Dementors alone." Said with a smile Harry to Ravenclaw's Quidditch team Captain.
"Thank God I did it." Replied Davies with a sigh of relief.
"What did you do yesterday, Harry? I mean what was that?" Asked Katie remembering the final part of the battle.
"Oh, that! Well, I just canalized your energy in my body, magnified it and sent it three times more powerful against the Dementors. The bad point of that is that it takes a lot of energy from you. That's why I fainted after doing that. I was left with not very much energy on my body." Explained Harry with a little smile.
"It was impressive!" Exclaimed Roger in a state of shock.
"I've never seen something like that!" Exclaimed Katie also in shock.
"I hope that I mustn't do it again. You can't imagine how it tires you!" Exclaimed Harry with a groan.
"I hope it too." Said the two students together at the same time.
"I don't want to see another Dementor for a long, very long time." Added Katie very serious. The two boys nodded in agreement.
"I agree with you, Miss Bell. I hope that the Dementors will not apparate here anymore. But we'll have to be ready." Said Dumbledore seriously before he added: "The three of you have received a Prize for Special Services to the School. Although you knew that you could be expelled for giving the order, you thought about your teammates and the other students above everything else. Your Houses will receive 100 points also for each of you and Gryffindor another 50 for Harry's last action." This was said with a smile and a twinkle of his eyes.
"Thanks, Professor." Said the three of them with big smiles in the face.
"Why don't you return to your Towers? I'm sure that the other students of your Houses will be worried about your future on the School." Suggested the Headmaster with a smile.
"Goodbye, Professor." Said Harry when the three of them were leaving the Office.
****
They went down the stairs silently without saying any word, but in their faces could be seen clearly relief for not being expelled.
"YES!!!" Exclaimed Roger when they were out of the entrance.
"I thought that we were dead this time." Said Katie relieved when they began to walk to their Towers.
"Same here." Said Harry and Roger at the same time.
"Luckily Dumbledore is the Headmaster and not Fudge." Laughed Harry.
"He's stupid! How can he say that the fight didn't happen and the Dementors weren't there? Does he think that we fought against ghosts?" Asked sarcastically and angrily Katie.
"It looks like that." Said Harry with a big groan.
"At least we're still here. I don't care anything else meanwhile I don't see or have to fight against another Dementor for a time. A LONG time." Said Davies with a groan similar to Harry's.
"I agree. Hey Roger, when do we finish the game? But this time a normal one not like yesterday's." Said Harry laughing.
"Whenever you want, Harry. See you later." Said Roger and went to the stairs that took to Ravenclaw's Tower Entrance.
"Thanks for supporting me on this, Katie." Said Harry when they were reaching to the Fat Lady's entrance.
"Hey, you would have done the same if I was who gave it, Harry. But, please, next times try to take measurers not so suicidally. I couldn't stand something like this again this year. I want to finish alive my last year at the School." Said Katie with a smile.
"I'll try to do it." Laughed Harry when they reached to the portrait.
"Password?" Asked the Fat Lady.
"Dragon's Fire." Said Katie and the portrait opened to reveal the Common Room.
When they entered everyone turned to see them and surrounded immediately beginning to ask questions. Harry whistled loudly and everyone calmed down and stopped asking questions at the same time.
"What happened with Dumbledore?" Asked George, when there was complete silence.
"You'll see our faces a while longer. I'm afraid." Said Harry laughing.
"It means . . . " Began Fred listening Harry's words.
"It means, Fred, that we weren't expelled. Dumbledore gave to the three of us a Prize for Special Services to the School and 100 points for each House for saving the students. And Harry got another 50 for the spell that he did at the end." Explained Katie with a big smile.
"Congratulations!" Exclaimed Fred before he hugged both of them. The rest of the House cheered and whistled for five minutes before there was calm again.
"Ok. Let's do what we should right now." Said Harry with a mysterious smile.
"What?" Asked many students confused.
"A party to celebrate all this, my dear friends." Laughed Harry before he said to the twins: "You two know what you have to do. Ron, Hermione and me will get food from the kitchens. The rest prepare the Common Room for a party. Someone cast a few silencing charms around the entrance so we won't disturb anyone. Let's get ready, people!" Said Harry clapping his hands before he left the Common Room with his best friends and went to the kitchens.
"Harry Potter Sir! You came to see Dobby!" Exclaimed the little House Elf when the trio entered the Kitchens, hugging Harry's leg.
"Hey, Dobby, nice to see you again! How is your life here lately?" Asked Harry with a smile when the elf released his leg from the hug.
"Very fine, thanks, Harry Potter Sir! Now I'm the chief of the elves at the Kitchen." Said Dobby proudly showing a badge that said: "Chief of Kitchens."
"Congratulations, Dobby!" Exclaimed Hermione with a smile.
"Miss Hermione, I hope that you aren't trying to take us to a strike again." Said seriously the little elf.
"I stopped with that last year, Dobby, don't worry!" Laughed the girl.
"What can I do for you?" Asked Dobby relieved with Hermione's answer.
"We are planning a little party at the Tower and we need the food for it. So we came to ask you if you can provide it." Said Harry with a smile.
"We would thank you if you can send it to the Tower instead of giving it to us now, Dobby." Said Ron.
"Of course we'll do it!" Said Dobby meanwhile many other elves nodded happily and began to work.
"It looks like Winky has recuperated herself of Barty Crouch's death." Whispered Harry to his friends watching the house elf working with the others. Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement.
Winky now looked tidy and clean, not like the last time they saw her. She worked happily and cheered as the others elves. It looked like the events of the Third Task and her old Master's death were part of the past forever.
"Hey, Dobby, we'll return to the Tower. When you finish the food, send it there." Said Harry when he and his friends left the kitchens.
"We'll do it in 10 minutes, Harry Potter Sir." Said the elf before they closed the paint.
When they were out, they found themselves face to face with an angry and stern Minerva McGonagall. The three gulped at the sight of their Head of House.
"May I ask what were you doing at the Kitchens?" Asked the Transfiguration Professor to the trio.
"We came to ask food." Said nervously Harry seeing that lying would be not worth.
"For what?" Asked Minerva suspiciously.
"We are planning a little party at the Tower because Harry and Katie won't be expelled." Said Hermione nervously.
"You two," Said Minerva referring to Ron and Hermione, "go to the Tower. I want to speak a few minutes alone with Harry." This last sentence was said seriously.
"We'll see you later." Said both of them before they went to the Tower.
"How are you?" Asked worried McGonagall to her Godson.
"Tired, but fine. The spell took too much energy from me." Explained Harry quietly.
"Albus told me what you did. It was impressive, I must say." Said McGonagall with a smile of proud.
"Thanks, I hope I mustn't do it again in a long time. I still can't believe what Fudge said. He's really stupid. I don't say anything else because you are here, but I can say a few other words." Said sheepishly Harry.
"I think the same things of him that you." Said McGonagall chuckling.
"In two weeks everything will change. When I do what I'm planning, he won't be the Minister anymore, believe me." Said with an evil smile Harry.
"What are you planning, Harry?" Asked curious her Godmother.
"I'll tell you only this: the Fourth Power will overthrow him. I will only give them a. . . little help to do it." Said Harry mysteriously.
"You are crazy, do you know that?" Said with a smile the old witch.
"I lost my sanity when I met Fluffy in my First Year for first time. After five years at the school, I'm not crazy, I'm completely insane!" Laughed Harry.
"I must agree with it." Chuckled Minerva before she said: "Go to the Party. Please, don't disturb anyone." The last thing was said in a serious tone of voice.
"We'll cast silencing charms, don't worry." Said Harry before he went to the Tower to join the party.
****
"What did she want of you, Harry?" Asked Ron when he returned.
The party had just begun and was noisy as any of them at the Tower. The twins had brought Butterbeers and sweets from Hogsmeade. The elves had provided the food that was served in every table. The music was loud and many of the students were dancing at the rhythm of it.
"She wanted to know how I was felling, Ron. Don't worry." Said Harry. That calmed his friends immediately.
"Hey, this is you second Prize for Special Services to the School in five years!" Said Hermione suddenly.
"Yep, my first one was after the Secret Chamber." Said Harry with proud.
"Want to dance?" Asked Hermione to Harry when a slow song began to play. Harry nodded and joined the others at the dance floor.
After a few minutes of dance, they were doing it very close one to the other. Their bodies were together. Harry looked to her eyes and knew immediately that she was the girl that he loved. His feelings toward her had changed after the kiss that she gave him at Kings Cross last year when the School term had finished.
He leaned his face to hers and tried to kiss her in the lips, hoping that she returned his feelings. Hermione looked at him and understood immediately what he was going to do. She put her lips on his and kissed him.
Both teens felt relief seeing that they had the same feeling toward each other and went on kissing for almost five minutes before they heard someone clapping. They released themselves from it and turned to see that everyone was watching him and many were cheering, whistling and clapping their hands.
Both of them blushed and Harry whispered to her ear: "If you didn't realize it, I love you. Do you want to be my girlfriend, Miss Granger?"
"Of course, I will love it, Mr. Potter." Said Hermione and kissed him again, forgetting completely about the students that were watching them.
Harry and Hermione didn't separate from each other in the whole day. Both of them had big grins in the face. A new couple had started at Gryffindor. Two people that loved each other a lot.
They only separated when it was time to sleep. At that moment, 2.30 in the morning, everyone was tired and the party was almost over. They kissed each other again, by millionth time, and they went to their dorms thinking in all that happened that day, but specially about their love.