Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize as someone else's.

A/N: Don't worry! My sister did not get married! And we didn't even have to go to England to stop it.



This is dedicated to Kala aka Ksiezniczka for her editing. It was a big help.



"Well, I guess I can give you the message," said the Dark Lighter. "The message is: Being Potter's secret-keeper will be your end."

"Sounds like something Trelawney would say," said Charlie.

"Can I vanquish him now?" asked Cadance impatiently.

"No. You know that spell uses up too much energy," said McGonagall.

"So I'll see double and be dizzy for a half hour. At least I'll be happy and the Dark Lighter would be dead," argued Cadance.

"No."

"But I really want to vanquish this one," said Cadance.

"What else is new?" retorted Snape.

Just then, they heard voices coming down the hallway. "You stay right there," said Cadance to the Dark Lighter, who had been standing there stupidly watching them argue about his fate. Cadance used her freezing powers to freeze the stupid moron just as Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked into the Great Hall and stopped in their tracks at the sight of the frozen stranger.

"What are you doing here?" barked Snape.

"I forgot my book, sir," said Hermione.

"Get it quickly then hurry to your next class," said McGonagall.

The words had barely left her mouth when the Dark Lighter unfroze. The three Gryffindors jumped. "Okay," said Cadance to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "I don't want to freak you out but that's a Dark Lighter. Please step away from him." They backed up towards the Head Table.

As they were backing up, the Dark Lighter was staring at Snape. "Wait! I recognize you! You're a Death Eater!" he exclaimed. "The Dark Lord will not be pleased when I tell him about this. And maybe I should take a prisoner with me. Harry Potter perhaps? He'd make a nice ransom for you uncle, Miss Dumbledore."

The Dark Lighter held out his hand and a crossbow appeared in it. He pointed it at Harry.

"I don't think this one's as stupid as I previously thought," whispered Cadance.

"You think?" whispered Charlie, equally as quiet.

"Come, Potter," the Dark Lighter said. Harry stood rooted to the spot.

"Thgil krad mor fed am gni eblive eno geb," said Cadance before the Dark Lighter could attack.

In a flash of white light, the Dark Lighter disappeared and the crossbow he was holding dropped to the ground.

Cadance was swaying on her feet. "Steady," said Charlie. He put an arm around her to steady her.

"I told you not to do that," said McGonagall.

"Whoa. Which Minerva said that?" asked Cadance.

"Seeing double?" asked Charlie.

"Unless you all cloned yourselves and everything in this room," said Cadance. "All right. Say it, Minerva."

"I told you so," said McGonagall.

"Thank you," said Cadance. "Now I can pass out with a clear conscience."

"You're not going to pass out," said McGonagall. "But you're going to be dizzy and lightheaded for awhile. I told you that it uses up a lot of your energy. You brought this on yourself."

"Please, Minerva. My head hurts, I'm seeing double, I feel lightheaded and you already said I told you so," said Cadance.

McGonagall turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had been standing off to the side waiting for instruction. "You three had better get to class. Tell your professor that they can talk to me if need be. Don't forget your book, Ms. Granger. And please don't tell anyone of this. There will be chaos if more students found out that there was a Dark Lighter here."

After promising not to tell anyone they got Hermione's book and headed to their next class, Charms. "I must leave to prepare for my next class," said Snape. "I trust you can take care of anything else that should be cared for."

"Go ahead, Severus. There is nothing more that needs to be done here," said McGonagall. Snape left the Great Hall.

McGonagall turned towards Cadance. "You just wait until your uncle gets a hold of you," she said.

"What? Would you rather I let the Dark Lighter kill Harry? The Timponium Charm only protects him from the Dark Lord. Not Dark Lighters," replied Cadance.

Before McGonagall could reply, two identical figures walked into the Great Hall. Cadance looked up. "Great. Now I'm seeing quadruple."

"No, it's Fred and George," said Charlie.

"Why aren't you two in class?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Our professor never showed up for class, Professor McGonagall," answered George.

"Uh-oh," said Cadance. "I think that I just missed most of a class."

"Er… yes," said Fred.

"Then I better go teach that class," said Cadance.

"Oh no you don't. You're going to bed," said Charlie.

"Charlie's right, Cadance. We'll find someone to take over your lessons," said McGonagall.

"But…" Cadance started to argue, however, Professor McGonagall gave her the evil eye and she shut up immediately.

"C'mon Cadance," said Charlie. "I'll help you to bed." Cadance consented, and Charlie was practically dragging her out of the Great Hall, as she was so dizzy she might have fallen.

"Er… Professor?" asked George. "Is she drunk?"

"No. I'll send someone to the classroom. Until then, tell Angelina that she's in charge and she should not hesitate to give detentions," said McGonagall.

"I'm never going to vanquish another Dark Lighter again!" called Cadance from the hall, causing McGonagall to threaten the twins with more detentions than even they could handle, should they tell anyone about the Dark Lighter.

Five minutes later, Charlie was walking to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall was already there.

"Charlie," said Professor Dumbledore. "How is she doing?"

"She passed out once we reached her room," said Charlie.

"I'm going to get an 'I told you so' when she gets up," said McGonagall.

"Minerva has just told me the whole story," said Dumbledore. "I've called Remus and he and Sirius have already arrived. Sirius is sitting outside the Charms room in Animagus form as he waits for Harry. Remus is teaching the 7th years about defending themselves against the dark arts. Now I'm going to go check on my niece. Charlie, the password to Gryffindor Tower is 'Phoenix Tears' if you want to spend the rest of the day there." He walked out of his office.

"I didn't tell him about the message," said McGonagall as soon as he left.

"He probably already knows," said Charlie.

"I'm sure Cadance wants to tell him anyway," said McGonagall. "I have a class soon. I must prepare for it. I'll see you later, Charlie."

Charlie headed for Gryffindor Tower. He found that the 4th years had a break. He decided not to tell Jen about Cadance. He and Ginny played wizard's chess until she had to leave to go to her next class.

Sometime after lunch, he decided that he better go check on Cadance. He went through the Common Room that she shared with Minerva and knocked on her door. Hearing no reply he quietly opened the door. She was still sleeping. He was about to leave when she woke up.

"Have a nice nap?" he asked, leaning on the doorframe.

"Splendid. I feel much better and I only see one of you," said Cadance.

"Remus Lupin is taking over your classes and… um… nobody ever told your uncle about the Dark Lighter's message," said Charlie.

Cadance got out of bed. "Let's go tell him then," she said. She grabbed his arm and pulled him out of her room, through her Common Room, and through the hallway. She went into her uncle's office only to find that he wasn't there.

She walked over to his desk and sat behind it. Charlie took one of the seats in front of it. "Now, Mr. Weasley," said Cadance getting a serious look on her face. "Why did you put those dung bombs in the Slytherin Common room?"

"Well, sir," said Charlie getting this equally serious look on his face. "To tell you the truth, I was teaching Cadance the easiest way to sneak into the Slytherin Common Room and since we just happened to have a large pack of dung bombs with us, we couldn't let those go to waste."

Cadance broke down laughing. "I remember that!" exclaimed Cadance. "And the Slytherins woke up when I knocked over a chair because I thought it moved and it scared me."

"And we had to run for it," said Charlie.

"And I had to freeze Mrs. Norris because she heard us running," said Cadance.

"And then we dropped the invisibility cloak."

"You dropped the invisibility cloak."

"Oh yeah."

Just then, someone emerged from the fireplace. "Cadance," he said acknowledging her. "Charlie." Charlie nodded with a friendly smile.

"Hey, Bob," said Cadance. "What's wrong?" It was Bob Reynolds, Head Auror.

"We're having a meeting. All of the aurors who were at the last Death Eater attack and all of the Heads of the Departments are supposed to attend. It's time to elect a new Minister."

* * *

Five minutes later, Cadance, Minerva, and Remus were at the Ministry. Luckily, Remus had been thrilled to have the opportunity to teach again, and had finished all of Cadance's classes for the day. Dumbledore took over for McGonagall's last class.

Most of the Heads of the Departments were already there. They were seated on the right and the Aurors were instructed to take a seat on the left. The latter of the two were a little harder to round up.

Cadance, Minerva, and Remus saw Arabella and Cati and went to sit next to them.

"Hey, Cati," said Cadance. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Now since we sent Lucius Malfoy that dung bomb," said Cati.

"Cadance Rose Dumbledore and Catalin Marie Nuperson!" exclaimed McGonagall.

"Oh no! She knows our middle names!" exclaimed Cadance.

"We're doomed!" replied Cati.

"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor," said Remus.

"It was another five minutes before the Ministry had rounded out everyone. There were about 50 Aurors and the Heads of 59 out of 60 departments. They hadn't replaced Percy yet.

Bob Reynolds stood up and all stopped talking. "These past few days have been hard on the Ministry. We had to find replacements for all of those who were killed. We still haven't found all of the replacements that we need. And we've had to do this without a Minister."

"Not that Fudge would have been much help," said one Department Head.

"True. Which is why we're here. To select a new Minister of Magic," replied Bob.

"Doesn't our law have rules for succession if the current Minister is unable to perform his duties… or dies?" asked Mundungus Fletcher.

"It does indeed. As Head Auror, I would be next in line for Minister. But that would mean that I would have to give up my position of Head Auror and with You-Know-Who back, I'm not sure if we have time to train a new Head. Our law says that if the Head Auror turns down the position, a council is to be called to select a new Minister. Which is why you're here."

"Is this going to take long? I left my oven on," said someone.

"Aurors will get to your house before it burns to the ground," said Bob. "Down to business. First the Council will be open to nominations for Minister of Magic. The person does not have to be present to be nominated and don't bother nominating Albus Dumbledore because I already talked to him and he won't leave Hogwarts."

One Head of a Department stood up. "I nominate Lucius Malfoy!"

Cadance gave a cough, which sounded an awful lot like she was saying "Death Eater."

Cati gave a cough back that sounded like "No, duh."

"Any other nominations?" asked Bob. Nobody said anything. "If there are no other nominations and nobody has reason that they can prove right this very minute showing why he should not be nominated, Malfoy gets it… if he accepts that is."

"He's a Death Eater!" exclaimed Cadance standing up.

"Ah. I was wondering when you would say something, Cadance. Sit down. If you can't prove that he's a Death Eater right this second, then you're case doesn't hold water," said Bob. "I'm on your side with this one, but the law says that if you can't prove it immediately, then the nomination stands."

"Do I look like I care what the law says!?" exclaimed Cadance.

"Cadance, sit down," said Cati.

Cadance sat down. "How come she listens to you but she won't listen to me?" asked Bob.

"Selective hearing," said Cadance.

"Right," said Bob. "Please, somebody nominate someone so we can have a choice on who we want for Minister."

Cati turned to Cadance and whispered something in her ear. "Do it!" said Cadance.

Cati stood up. "I nominate Arthur Weasley!"

"There we go!" said Bob. "Now we vote. Who says Lucius Malfoy should be our next Minister of Magic?" Two people raised their hands. "And Arthur Weasley?" Every other hand went up. "That settles it. I'll write to Arthur and tell him. If he accepts, we have a new Minister of Magic!"

* * *

Cadance, McGonagall, and Remus got back to Hogwarts just before dinner. During dinner, Cadance and Charlie argued about nothing at all, and everything that existed, to the point where McGonagall put a silencing Charm on the both of them. After dinner, Cadance, Charlie, McGonagall, Snape, Remus, and Sirius, met with Dumbledore in McGonagall's office before the Order of the Phoenix meeting.

"What was your meeting about?" asked Dumbledore.

"You'll have to wait to find out," said Cadance. "We're not telling."

"Oh. Yeah. Now you keep a secret," said Sirius.

"You're just have to wait until the rest of the world finds out to know," said Remus.

"That's a bit immature," said Sirius.

"That sounds real good coming from a 35-year-old who still pulls pranks on a daily basis," said Remus.

"Will you two stop fighting and listen for a minute?" asked Cadance.

"What's the matter?" asked Sirius.

"How did you know something was wrong?" asked Cadance.

"You're biting your nails," said Sirius.

Cadance drew her hand away from her mouth. "Right. Um… Uncle Albus, when Minerva told you what happened this morning, she didn't tell you everything. The Dark Lighter had a message for you. He said that the Dark Lord says that being Harry's Secret-Keeper would be your end."

"Cadance, I already knew," said Dumbledore.

"How?"

"That's besides the point," said Dumbledore.

"So does this mean that Voldemort knows about the Timponium Charm?" asked Cadance.

"I believe so," said Dumbledore.

"I didn't say anything to him," said Snape. "Someone else must be gaining information and passing it on. A psychic demon maybe? Or a Seer?"

"I smell a rat," said Cadance. As soon as she said it, they heard a squeak on the ground. All eyes fell to the floor as a little rat ran out from under McGonagall's desk and squeezed under the door. They looked at each other. "I KNOW THAT RAT!" exclaimed Cadance. They all bolted out the door. Sirius transformed into a dog.

Pettigrew, having a rat's mind but not a rat's instinct (other than the one that tells him to stab his friends in the back) ran in a straight line down the hallway out in the open. He had a head start but his lead was lessening.

"You know what?" called Cadance as the six adults and one dog, looking quite stupid, ran down the hall after the rat. "This would be a lot easier if we had a cat, if you'll take my meaning!"

McGonagall nodded then transformed. With catly speed she caught up to Pettigrew and pounced on him. The other six had stopped running and were leaning against the wall panting. McGonagall carried Pettigrew back in her mouth.

"Get that out of your mouth!" exclaimed Cadance. "You don't know where filth like that has been."

Sirius began barking wildly. McGonagall, who was smart enough to retain catly instincts, got spooked and hissed. She dropped Pettigrew. Cadance swept down and scooped him up. McGonagall was hissing at Sirius and Sirius was barking back.

Remus pulled out his wand and pointed it at the two crazed animals. A flash of bluish-white light came out of it and McGonagall and Sirius were transformed back into humans.

"Thanks, Remus," said Sirius. "I needed that."

"No problem," said Remus as he pocketed his wand. Cadance handed the rat to her uncle. They all started back to McGonagall's office. On the way they met Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Sirius!" exclaimed Harry. "What the heck are you doing out of Animagus form?"

"Chasing Rats," said Sirius.

They blinked at him. "Perhaps you should follow us," said Cadance. "Quickly."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed them into Professor McGonagall's office. Dumbledore shut and locked the door. They were packed in the room like sardines; seven adults, three fifteen-year-olds, and one rat. Hogwarts offices aren't quite big enough.

"Harry," said Cadance. "Something big has just happened."

"Is it a good big or a bad big?" asked Harry.

"It's the best thing to happen since Charlie graduated and we didn't have to see his ugly mug around here until just recently," said Cadance jokingly.

Charlie gave Cadance and playful shove. "Thanks, Cadance. I love you, too."

"Are you two done?" asked McGonagall.

"Yeah, I think so. I'm not in the mood to think up insults," said Cadance.

"That's good," said Sirius. "Because someone has to tell Harry that we just caught Pettigrew!"

"WHAT!?" exclaimed Harry.

"I told you it was big," said Cadance.

Dumbledore held up the struggling rat to show Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"That's him, all right," said Ron.

"Well, let's find out what he knows," said Cadance. "Then we can take him down to the Ministry, tell them what we know, watch them try him, and then find Cati and make her admit that I was right and that Sirius was innocent. She thought I was crazy. But she was wrong. I am not crazy!"

"You keep telling yourself that," said Sirius.

Harry was in total shock. "Sirius! Do you know what this means?"

"No, Har'. I just wanted to catch Pettigrew to see how he was doing because I haven't talked to him in a while," said Sirius.

"Really?" asked Remus. "I wanted to catch him to see him put in Azkaban."

"Can somebody please just change the rat back into a person so we could interrogate the little moron!" exclaimed Cadance. "My patience is wearing thin!"

"All right. Chill out, you crazy person," said Charlie.

"I am not crazy!" exclaimed Cadance. Dumbledore pulled his wand out and pointed it at the struggling rat. The Bluish-White Light erupted from the wand. The next second Peter Pettigrew was standing in front of them. They forced him into a chair and tied him there.

"Hello, Peter," said Dumbledore.

"P-P-Professor Dumbledore," stammered Peter.

Sirius's eyes narrowed at Pettigrew. "Sirius," said Pettigrew. "I'm surprised to see you out of Azkaban."

"Why?" asked Cadance. "In case you haven't noticed Peter, the good side always comes out on top. No matter how many tricks the bad has up their sleeves."

"Well hello, Cadance," said Pettigrew.

"Don't you 'hello, Cadance' me," said Cadance.

Dumbledore looked at his watch. "The Order will be arriving shortly. I better go inform them of recent developments. Keep an eye on Pettigrew." He motioned for Snape to come with him. Luckily, Pettigrew hadn't noticed him, since he had not said anything and hung back at the back of the group.

Snape and Dumbledore walked swiftly from the room. "Severus, will you please inform Voldemort that Pettigrew has been caught. Pretend that you had nothing to do with it and that you just heard about it."

"Yes, sir," said Snape. They continued to the staff room and went into the Meeting Room.

All of the remaining Order Members were there. All of the Auror's were in their uniforms because they had just come from work. Snape apparated away immediately. Dumbledore explained the newest developments.

"Let me get this straight," said Arabella. "You just left Pettigrew in a room with Cadance and you're not there to supervise?"

Dumbledore thought for a half-second. "I better get back. We'll bring Pettigrew down in a few minutes."

Meanwhile, back in McGonagall's office, Pettigrew was being stubborn. He wouldn't say anything.

"You're a lot braver now that Dumbledore isn't here," said McGonagall. "You're scared of him, aren't you? Voldemort is scared of him and now you're scared of him, too."

"What are you going to do with me?" asked Pettigrew.

"We're taking you before the Order of the Phoenix. And then you are going to the Ministry," said Dumbledore's voice from the doorway. He was back from his trip down the hall.

"Is the Order here?" asked Cadance.

"Yes they are," said Dumbledore. "Now if you would all follow me we can get this done as quickly as possible. Minerva, will you take care of the chair?"

"I'll tell you nothing," said Pettigrew. However, there was a spark of fear behind his eyes; a spark lit by Dumbledore.

"You're beginning to get annoying," said Cadance. She waved her hand and froze Pettigrew. "That's better," she said.

McGonagall transfigured the chair to make it alive. It was now able to walk on its own.

"Er… Professor?" asked Harry.

"Yes?" said Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall at the same time.

"Should we go back to the Common Room?" asked Harry.

"Now," said Dumbledore. "You three are directly involved in this. You deserve to know what Pettigrew has to say. Follow us."

"We have to hurry though," said Cadance. "Pettigrew isn't going to stay frozen much longer."

* * *

Three minutes late, they were in front of the Order of the Phoenix. The table was pushed back a bit so that Pettigrew's chair could stand apart from it. Three chairs were added for Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

As soon as the chair had walked Pettigrew into the room he unfroze. He struggled to get out of the ropes that held him to the chair. Professor McGonagall guided the chair with her wand to where it was supposed to sit. He continued to struggle helplessly as the Order watched. Cadance looked amused at the sight of him struggling against all hope.

"We should get some popcorn over here," said Cadance.

"Well, I'm glad someone is getting some enjoyment out of this," said Dumbledore.

"You have no idea," said Cadance.

"Can we get this interrogation going?" asked Sirius impatiently.

"You've been waiting for 15 years. You can't wait a few more minutes?"

"No."

"All right. I suppose you have a point. Hey Pettigrew! Stop struggling and listen up," said Cadance.

"I'll tell you nothing," said Pettigrew.

"Peter, it will be easier on you if you just answer our questions," said Dumbledore.

Peter looked thoughtful as if he was considering what Dumbledore had said… or fearing what he could do to him. "This is driving me nuts!" exclaimed Cadance. "Why won't you just agree to answer our questions? Once we turn you over to the Ministry they'll put you in Azkaban and Voldemort won't be able to get you."

"Actually," said Charlie. "Voldemort has control of the Dementors and the Dementors have control of Azkaban so he can get to him."

"Well, once Arthur accepts his position as Minister of Magic he can remove the Dementors from Azkaban," said Cadance.

"Excuse me?" asked Arthur.

"Yeah," said Cadance. "That's what our meeting was about."

"Smooth, Cadance. Ruin the surprise," said Remus.

"Oh yeah, by the way, we found out who the spies in the Ministry are. They nominated Lucius Malfoy for Minister," said Cadance.

"Carl Munsen and Derek Masters," said Pettigrew.

"So you've decided to talk, you worthless rat," said Cadance.

"Wait a minute!" said Arthur. "Back up and rewind or whatever."

"Yes, Mr. Weasley. We've elected you Minister of Magic and if you don't accept, Lucius Malfoy gets the job," said Cadance. "You'll get an official letter tomorrow."

"Dad, that's great!" exclaimed Bill. Charlie picked up Cadance and swung her around.

"This is wonderful," he said.

"Charlie, watch it!" exclaimed Cadance as she narrowly missed kicking her uncle.

"Dad, this is so cool," said Ron.

"Wonderful," added Harry.

"Splendid," put in Hermione.

"Hey! What about me! I'm going to talk now!" said Pettigrew.

Cadance froze him again. "You're getting annoying again."

"Cadance," said her uncle. "Please unfreeze Peter. We have to start to question him. We can celebrate later."

"All right," said Cadance. She waved her hand and unfroze Pettigrew. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic," said Dumbledore. "Okay Peter. Tell us everything we need to know. First, where is Voldemort's base?"

"Little Hangleton. It's his father's old house," said Pettigrew. "But he's been speaking of moving it to Azkaban."

"Not that I'm not thrilled, but why are you suddenly talking?" asked Cadance.

"Because you people scare me," said Pettigrew.

"Okaaaaaaaaaay…Are there any more spies?" asked Cadance.

"Severus Snape," said Pettigrew. "But I think that's it."

Dumbledore paced back and forth. He stopped as if he were going to ask a question, then he started again as if he decided not to. He repeated this process several times before Cadance stopped him. "You're making me dizzy."

"Harry," said Dumbledore. "Would you like to ask Pettigrew anything?"

"I want to know why," said Harry.

"That's quite simple Harry," said Pettigrew. "I had nothing to lose. I wasn't brave, although I was in Gryffindor. I couldn't play Quidditch. I wasn't that great at any of my classes. I wasn't the stereotypical Gryffindor. Sure I had a few friends, but I was a failure. Then one day, a Death Eater approached me and I immediately took up his offer."

"And when was that?" asked Cadance.

"The summer before our fifth year," said Pettigrew.

"You mean to say that you've been working for Voldemort the whole time I knew you! I thought that it was just a recent development; an after Hogwarts thing. You are such a jerk."

"Thank you, Professor Obvious," said Charlie.

Cadance ignored him and kept going. "You're a rat. You're worse than that. You're a flee on a rat. You're…"

"Cadance, calm down," said her uncle.

"Yeah, Cadance," said Pettigrew. "Calm down."

"Hey rat, I don't remember speaking to you. Do I look like I care what you're saying?" asked Cadance.

Pettigrew was about to open his mouth when the alarm went off. "There. Voldemort's upset," said Pettigrew triumphantly. "He sent Death Eaters out to wreak havoc. Maybe he'll offer a trade; a village for me."

"Don't get your hopes up," said Sirius as Cadance and McGonagall ran off to change into their Auror's uniforms and the other active Aurors apparated to the Ministry to find out where the Death Eaters were attacking.

Just as Cadance and McGonagall ran back, dressed in their uniform, Snape apparated in.

"You!" exclaimed Pettigrew.

"Don't go anywhere," he said to Cadance and McGonagall. "You'll just be wasting time. The Death Eaters are here. They should be making their way up from Hogsmeade."

"The other Aurors are going to get stuck behind the Death Eaters, then," said Cadance. "They're not going to make it past them to protect the castle. We're screwed unless the Death Eaters completely turn around and go into an all-out battle with the Aurors. If they ignore them and keep moving and leave only a few behind to hold them off… they're going to get into the school."

"We're standing here chatting about it when we should be fighting Death Eaters," said McGonagall. "Let's go Cadance."

"I'll try to wake the other professors to help you," said Dumbledore. "Don't get killed."

"We'll try not to," said Cadance. She and McGonagall left.

"Do you want Bill and I to go with them, Albus?" asked Charlie.

"If you wouldn't mind," said Dumbledore.

"We'll all go," said Nicholas Flamel.

"Yeah," said Harry.

"Nice try," said Sirius.

"Someone has to watch Pettigrew anyway," said Dumbledore.

In the end, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed because Dumbledore wouldn't let them risk running to the Common Room. Sirius stayed with them since he was still a wanted man. Snape and Hagrid stayed as well to guard Pettigrew. Also, Snape couldn't be seen by any Death Eaters.

"Take care of Pettigrew's memory," said Dumbledore. "Don't let him remember seeing you, Severus."

The rest left. Snape took out his wand. "Obliviate," he said. Pettigrew's head dropped to his chest. "He's not going to remember a thing he told us when he wakes up. And that won't be for a while."

"So he's knocked out for now?" asked Sirius.

Snape nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"Cadance would be very upset if we didn't turn his hair purple or something like that," said Sirius.

"I have no desire to participate in such juvenile pranks," said Snape.

"Suit yourself," said Snape.

"Well, I'm in," said Harry.

"Me, too," said Ron and Hermione.

Sirius pulled a few permanent markers out of his robe pockets. "I'm not even going to ask why you have markers in your pockets," said Harry.

"You never know when an occasion like this will present itself," said Sirius.

He picked up a Red marker and wrote 'Gryffindor Rules' across Pettigrew's forehead. Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined in. By the time they were done (about 20 minutes later), Pettigrew's face was singing praises to Gryffindor. Sirius had turned his hair gold for an end effect.

They were just stepping back to admire their handy-work when Cadance and Charlie came bursting through the door. Cadance took one look at Pettigrew and fell to the floor laughing.

"Whoa. Cadance, are you okay?" asked Sirius.

Cadance stopped laughing and stood up. "I'm all right, I'm all right," she said. She looked at Pettigrew again and started laughing. "I'm sorry. I'm okay." She paused. "I hate that man."

"She got hit in the head with a chunk of cement. Can you tell?" asked Charlie.

"Hey guess what. I was right. Only a few Death Eaters are holding the Aurors back and the rest are trying to get in," said Cadance.

"So why are we sitting around here instead of out there fighting?" asked Sirius.

"Because my uncle is so pissed off right now that I'm just going to do what he says for fear of getting turned into a frog," replied Cadance.

"Dumbledore wants me to go to all the Common Rooms and ask 7th Years and only 7th Years for assistance," said Charlie.

"Did Dumbledore get the professors up?" asked Sirius.

"Yes, but Trelawney is out there predicting everyone's deaths. That's how Cadance got hit in the head. She was about to tell her to shove her predictions up her you-know-where when she got hit with a chunk of cement because she wasn't looking. I'm going to leave her here for a while. Her sanity has been a bit off since she got hit. When it returns, feel free to send her back out."

"Hey Charlie, I've been thinking," said Cadance.

"Is that so?" replied Charlie.

"Yeah. I was thinking about One-Hour Photo Shops. One hour isn't really that short of a time. Wanna help me start the first Half-Hour Photo Shop?"

"Do you see what I mean? She said weird stuff like that the whole walk up here. Like I said, when her sanity returns fell free to send her back out," said Charlie. And with that, he left to go recruit 7th Years. Sirius turned to Cadance. "Are you all right?"

"Never better. Why?" asked Cadance.

"Because you got hit in the head with a chunk of cement," said Sirius.

"Oh that. No, I'm fine," said Cadance. "How about you?"

"I'm doing all right," said Sirius confusedly. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. Just thought I'd be polite and ask you in return," said Cadance. She turned her attention back to Pettigrew and started laughing so hard that she had to sit in one of the chairs. "That is good. That is funny. Whose idea was that?" asked Cadance.

"Who else?" asked Sirius taking a bow.

"I should have known. Only a Marauder could think of something like that," said Cadance.

They waited about two more minutes and then McGonagall came running in. She was out of breath and her hair was completely messed up. "Dumbledore wants you to turn Pettigrew into the Ministry, Sirius. Cadance, go with him. Severus, you have to get out of here. Hagrid, Dumbledore wants you to escort these three back up to Gryffindor Tower." She gestured to Hermione, Ron, and Harry.

"How goes the battle, General?" asked Cadance with a mock salute.

"It's almost over. The Death Eaters made it to the Front Door but a couple of hundred Charms kept them from getting in. The Aurors are now able to get here to help so it shouldn't be long," said McGonagall. "Now if you'll all do what you've been asked…"

"We're going, we're going," said Sirius. "Snape, get out of here so we can wake Pettigrew up." Snape left.

"C'mon Harry. Ron. Hermione. It's a good thing tomorrow's Friday. You only have a couple o' classes," said Hagrid.

"Actually, Dumbledore wants to cancel classes again tomorrow," said McGonagall.

"If we keep canceling classes, these kids are never going to get an education," said Cadance as Hagrid left with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "And what about the Quidditch Final on Saturday?"

"Not effected," said McGonagall. "Now just take Pettigrew into the Ministry."

"All right, all right," said Cadance. "Hey Pettigrew! Rat! Wake up!" He didn't move. Cadance took out her wand. "I don't have time for this. Ennervate."

Pettigrew opened his eyes. "What happened?"

"What was the last thing you remember?" asked Sirius.

"Being strapped to a chair and being walked in here," said Pettigrew. "What happened?"

"Cadance punched you and knocked you out," lied Sirius. Cadance raised her eyebrows but said nothing. They left to find a fireplace so they could Floo Power to the Ministry.

* * *

By 4 AM, the Death Eaters were gone. No one had died and the students were all tucked away in their Common Rooms. The Heads of the Houses had all gone to the Common Rooms and announced that classes would be canceled. Also, Bob Reynolds had contacted Dumbledore and told him that he wanted to have Auror's living in Hogsmeade and patrolling the castle at night. Dumbledore consented and it was announced to the Houses as well.

By 6 AM, Dumbledore was beginning to get worried. Cadance and Sirius weren't back yet and they had been gone for a couple of hours. Arthur Weasley had gone to the Ministry to see if he could learn anything.

He went down to the Great Hall to meet with the small group of Aurors who would be guarding Hogwarts. In all, there was about fifteen. Remus, Arabella, Mundungus Fletcher, Moody, and Cati Nuperson were among them. Dumbledore knew that if Sirius were freed, he would get his position of Auror back and would probably be assigned to this group.

The Aurors all listened as he gave them instructions then left to get some rest. They wouldn't be moving into Hogsmeade until the following weekend because rooms would need to be set up for them, however they would begin patrolling Hogwarts immediately. Like the professors, they would leave over the summer if they wished.

Dumbledore was about to leave the Great Hall with the Aurors when Cadance came in. "How did it go?" asked Dumbledore.

"Tiring," said Cadance. "First we had to turn Pettigrew in. Then we had to be questioned. Then they had to question Pettigrew. Then they had to hold a trial and we had to stay for that. And then…"

"But what about Sirius?"

"Well…" said Cadance.

To be continued. Mwahahahahahahahahaha!