Disclaimer: I swear I don't own it if you recognize it as someone else's. I do own a few things. I don't own most things.

A/N: By the way, for those of you who can't understand the language that Cadance and Cati were speaking at the end of Chapter 26, I suggest you read it backwards. Just like the Mirror of Erised. Read the inscription backwards and you get "I show not your face but your hearts desire". Keep that in mind, as the language does might come up again.

Everyone remembers the "Betty" conversation in an earlier chapter (basically Cadance insisted that everyone refer to the Dark Lord as Betty if they won't refer to him as Voldemort). Betty references will appear in this chapter.

"Stop whining, Tom," said Dumbledore. "You and I both know that you can't hurt Harry as long as I'm around. I know that your little rat told you about the Timponium Charm. So that means that your fight is with me tonight."

"Fine," said Voldemort. "I was going to shoot a few spells into the crowd first. I was going to give you a chance to round up a few of these Death Eaters. But you want to get right to it. Let's go." Voldemort rose his wand into the air.

"Slow down a second, Tom," said Dumbledore. "Not in here. I will not risk the lives of my students and colleagues."

"Well where in the bloody hell do you want to go?!" asked Voldemort. "The Quidditch Pitch?!"

"That will work perfectly," said Dumbledore.

"Are you serious?" asked Voldemort. "I was only joking you know."

"Yes, well, in your joking you stumbled across a good idea," said Dumbledore. Then he added in an undertone, "For once."

"Fine, let's go," said Voldemort angrily.

"I'll meet you there in five minutes," said Dumbledore.

"What? Why? Where are you going?" asked Voldemort.

"I'm old," said Dumbledore. "I walk slower than you do."

"Who said anything about walking?" asked Voldemort. He snapped his fingers and both he and Dumbledore were gone in a puff of smoke.

"No!" exclaimed Cadance. "Damn!"

"Nobody move! We're in control here. Put all your wands away!" exclaimed the Death Eater that Cadance had gone up to. "And if I see just one fireball this turns into open war!" Charlie grabbed Cadance's arms and pinned them to her sides just in case she liked the idea of an open war.

"Charlie, my sister is in here. Do you really think I'm going to start an open war?" asked Cadance exasperatedly.

"Good point," said Charlie letting go.

"We are in charge here," said the Death Eater. "If we tell you to jump up and down and then stand on your head, you sure as hell better jump up and down and then stand on your head."

"Hey, Hitler?" asked Cadance calmly. "What happens if we refuse?" The Death Eater threw off his hood and took off his mask. "Lucius Malfoy," said Cadance. "I should have seen that one coming." Harry looked over to see what Draco Malfoy's reaction was to this revelation. To his surprise, Malfoy was not present. Neither was Crabbe or Goyle. Harry decided he would have to tell someone as soon as he got the chance.

"First off," said Malfoy. "If you call me Hitler one more time, I'm going to Avada you on the spot. Second off, if you refuse to do as we tell you, we'll Avada you on the spot."

"Fine, geez, I was just checking," said Cadance rolling her eyes.

"Death Eaters!" exclaimed Malfoy. "Over here. It's time we have a brief meeting."

Cadance nudged Charlie and they started sneaking over to where Lily and James were standing with Harry. They motioned for Cati and Remus to follow. Sirius had already started over.

"So what are we going to do?" asked Cati once she got there.

"Lily, James?" asked Cadance. "Can you two still orb?"

"Yes, I think so," said James looking towards Lily.

"One of you needs to stay here, and the other one needs to orb me to the Quidditch Pitch," said Cadance.

"Cadance, no," said Charlie. "We need you here. And it's too dangerous."

"Charlie's right," said Cati. "Cadance, we need you here."

"All right, I'll make a deal with you," said Cadance. "If one of you orb down to the Quidditch Pitch and keep an eye on my uncle, I'll stay and kick some Death Eater ass."

"Deal," said Lily. "James, I'll go. You stay here with Harry." She kissed him for a long time.

"Are you two looking to break Cati and Bill's record?" asked Cadance as they finally broke off.

"Bye, Harry," said Lily kissing him on the forehead. "I'll be back before I get sucked back into the mirror at midnight. I promise."

"Hurry up, it's 8 o'clock already," said Sirius.

"Cover me," said Lily. They all checked to make sure the Death Eaters were still busy and then they scooted in front of her in a we're-not-covering- someone sort of way. She orbed out. None of the Death Eaters noticed, although a few Gryffindors did look over but looked quickly back to where they originally were.

"We need to get a message to all the Order Members and teachers without the stupid minions of Betty seeing," said Cadance. "Tell them to wait for Cati and I to provide a distraction and then wait for a signal to attack from Mr. Weasley."

"I'll go," said Cati. "Sneakiness is my middle name."

"I thought your middle name was Marie," said Charlie giving her a weird look. Cati whacked him on the back of the head.

"I'll meet you back here," said Cati. She slunk off sneakily.

"So what do we do now?" asked Charlie.

"Okay, now Charlie and I will go to Mr. Weasley, and find out exactly what he wants us to do," said Cadance. "We'll meet you back here." Charlie and Cadance began slinking to the Head Table where Mr. Weasley was sitting with Mrs. Weasley and a few teachers.

Cadance and Charlie snuck behind the head table and tapped Mr. Weasley on the shoulder. He and Mrs. Weasley turned around.

"So what do we do, boss?" asked Cadance.

"Boss?" said Mr. Weasley confused.

"Yes, you are the Minister of Magic," said Cadance.

"Oh, right, the Minister of Magic," said Mr. Weasley.

"Look, we got every member of the Order plus all the teachers waiting for you command after Cati and I provide a distraction," said Cadance.

"You hear that, dear, you have people waiting for your command," said Mrs. Weasley. "I'm so proud of you."

"What are you going to do for a distraction?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"I don't know. We'll improvise," said Cadance.

"Just be careful," said Mr. Weasley. "After you start the distraction I'll give a signal, then we'll all attack. Just make sure the students don't get hurt."

Cadance and Charlie started sneaking back to where they were meeting the others. Cati and Cadance started over to where the Death Eaters were still meeting. They were breaking away. Lucius Malfoy stepped forward. He opened his mouth to speak but Cadance and Cati were up by them in a second. "Hey, guess what," said Cadance excitedly.

"What?" asked Malfoy angrily.

"We know something you don't know," said Cati. "Shh! It's a secret."

"What is it?" asked Malfoy suspiciously.

They looked left than right simultaneously. Then they leaned forward a little bit. "That guy over there," whispered Cadance pointing to a random Death Eater. "I think that he's really a she."

Malfoy glanced inconspicuously toward where she pointed. Out of the corner of her eye, Cadance saw Mr. Weasley give the signal. "Cati, duck!" exclaimed Cadance as a rush of spells was sent towards their way. Cati and Cadance hit the ground.

Several Death Eaters were knocked out. Cadance and Cati crawled back over to where Sirius, James, Harry, and Charlie were. "There are too many of them," said Cadance. "They may be stupid, but we don't have enough people to counter them."

"What are our resources?" asked James.

"Resources?" asked Cati. "What the hell are you thinking? We're in the frickin' Great Hall!"

Cadance looked around. "We've got about 24 wands, Cati's and my firepower and one White Lighter against about 50 Death Eaters," she said.

"And there's an Elder locked in your classroom!" exclaimed Cati. "A powerful Elder!"

"Right," said Cadance. She thought intently for a second. Then her gaze fell to James's costume. "Does that light saber work?"

"I don't know," said James.

"Give me it," said Cadance. James gave it to her and she pushed the button. The light saber turned on. It was red. "Harry, give me yours." Harry gave her the light saber that came attached to his belt. "Here, Cati," said Cadance tossing one to Cati. "Let's go release the horror within my office."

Cati grinned evilly. She turned on her light saber. Her and Cati jumped out and headed through the Great Hall, blocking spells with the light sabers. Lucius Malfoy stepped in front of them. "Where do you think you're going?" he sneered.

"Out of my way," said Cadance.

"Running away," said Malfoy. "You're a coward. And your parents were cowards, too."

"Do you know what it feels like to have a laser thrust through you and splitting you in two?" asked Cadance. "Because you're about to. Step aside."

Malfoy stepped sideways and sneered at them. "As you wish."

"This isn't over Malfoy," said Cadance. "I'll be back."

Cadance and Cati ran out of the Great Hall and turned off their light sabers.

Peter Pettigrew was at Lucius Malfoy's side as soon as they were gone. "Follow them," hissed Malfoy.

Cadance and Cati were running through the hallways and made it to Cadance's classroom. Cati kicked the door open. The Elder was tied to a chair in the front of the classroom. She had a piece of packing tape across her mouth. Cati rushed in and ripped the tape off. Cadance closed and locked the door behind them.

"Untie me at once!" exclaimed the Elder. Cati began untying her.

"Death Eaters are attacking and we need your help," said Cadance.

"What? You want my help after tying me up and putting me in your classroom!" exclaimed the Elder. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Let's start over," said Cadance. "Hi, my name is Cadance Dumbledore. I'm a full-time professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm also a part-time Auror. I admit that I'm a bit of a troublemaker but I promise I'll try to be better if you just help us." She held out her hand for the White Lighter to shake it.

The Head of the White Lighter Council looked at her suspiciously and then she sighed. She took her hand. "My name is Prudence McGrady. I am a full-time Elder; Head Elder to be exact. Your mischief has really made you a pain in all our asses, but I'm willing to give you another chance. I will help you."

"Thank you," said Cadance. "I don't mean to put a stop to this touching moment but we should probably go now."

"Okay, let's go," said Prudence. All three started towards the door, when Pettigrew stepped into the doorway.

"Cati, Prue," said Cadance. "I'll meet you in the Great Hall. I have some unfinished business I need to take care of."

"Be careful," said Cati.

"And it's Prudence, not Prue," said Prudence.

"Got it," said Cadance. "Here, take these." She tossed her light saber to Cati. Prudence put her hand on Cati's shoulder and orbed into the Great Hall.

"Peter," said Cadance.

"Cadance," said Peter.

"You're a rat, you know that, right?" said Cadance.

"I try," said Pettigrew. "Do you remember everything I taught you?"

"Every motion, every strike, every defense," said Cadance. "Would you like to see first hand?"

"That's why I'm here," said Pettigrew.

"I figured," said Cadance. She summoned two swords from behind her desk, sending one towards Pettigrew. Cadance started throwing pushing desks off to the side so that the middle was open.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I've been ready for 15 years," said Cadance. She took the first strike. Pettigrew blocked it.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, Bill and Charlie had flipped a table and were using it as a fort. Harry, James, Sirius, Remus, and Drew had joined them. Prudence and Cati had orbed in right in front of it. "Hello, James," said Prudence.

"I'm not going, you can't make me," said James grabbing onto Harry's arm as if to anchor himself down.

"James, chill out," said Cati rolling her eyes. "Prudence is here to help."

"Oh okay," said James letting go of Harry.

"So," said Cati. "Why don't you whip out some of that White Lighter magic and blow them all up."

"I may be powerful, but I can't do that," said Prudence. "I'm a pacifist!"

Suddenly a spell came flying towards them, narrowly hitting Cati. Bill grabbed her wrist and Sirius grabbed Prudence's and they pulled them behind the table.

"I think you should un-pacify yourself or we're all dead," said Cati.

"It's a little crowded in here," said Prudence looking around. She waved her hand and suddenly, in a swirl of white lights, all of the students in the Hall disappeared.

"Uh, Prudence?" asked James staring at where Harry had been. "Where'd you send them?"

"Hmm?" asked Prudence. "Oh! Uh, they're in their Common Rooms. Unless they were really injured. Then they're in the Hospital Wing."

"Nice," said Cati smiling and shaking her head in approval.

"Out of sheer curiosity," began Charlie. "Where's Cadance."

"Oh yeah," said Cati. "She's sword fighting Peter Pettigrew."

"SHE'S WHAT!?" was the reaction from several people.

"Is that a bad thing?" asked Prudence.

"You practically signed her Death Certificate by letting her even attempt it," said Charlie.

"Catalin, you didn't tell me that!" exclaimed Prudence throwing her arms down. As she did this, all of the Death Eaters fell flat on the floor.

"I thought you said that you were a pacifist," said Sirius.

"I thought I was," said Prudence.

"James, maybe you and Prudence should head to the Quidditch Pitch while we go rescue Cadance from the mad rat," said Sirius.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," said James.

"Why?" asked Prudence.

"You'll see when we get there," said James. "Let's go." He and Prudence both orbed out.

"Okay," said Sirius. "Cati, Charlie, Bill and I will go find Cadance. Remus and Drew, you need to check on the students."

"Translation," said Drew. "We need to go make sure that Harry's all right while the only other two that can sword fight goes with you to rescue Cadance because she is, once again, in over her head."

"Exactly," said Sirius. "Plus, Drew, you're the most level-headed of these three. If I send them, they'll frighten the first years."

"I see your point," said Drew.

"Well, let's get a move on," said Sirius. Bill, Charlie, and Cati followed him down the hallway. "Where exactly did you leave Cadance?"

"In her classroom," answered Cati.

"Well, let's go," said Sirius. He started to run and the other three followed suite. They reached Cadance's classroom. Inside, one of the most gruesome battle since Helm's Deep was taking place. Cadance and Pettigrew had both not escaped all of each other's blows. Both were bleeding badly.

"Freeze, Peter!" exclaimed Sirius whipping out his wand. Cati armed herself with a fireball. Bill and Charlie had also pulled out their wands.

Both Cadance and Peter stopped sword fighting and stared at them for a second. Then Peter grabbed Cadance's wrist and pulled her towards him, causing her to drop her sword, and holding her at sword point. "Un-arm yourselves or she dies," he said acidly.

Sirius, Bill, and Charlie lowered their wands. Cati was hesitant, however, to put out her fireball.

"Cati, put it out," said Charlie.

"You won't kill Cadance," said Cati. "You don't have it in you. You're a coward."

In a flash, Pettigrew whipped an athame out of his robes and threw it at Cati. She ducked and the athame flew out into the hallway.

Cadance tried to break away from Pettigrew. He held her wrist tighter.

"Reg nolon ereh yats. Gni eb luo fenog eb!" said Cati. Cadance's wrist was dislodged from his grip and he was thrown against the wall as if being yanked by an invisible person. He was knocked unconscious.

"Someone needs to run and go get Drew and Remus. And someone should run down to the Quidditch Pitch and get one of our lovely White Lighter buddies," said Charlie.

"I'll run to the Quidditch Pitch," said Sirius. "Bill and Cati, why don't you run and find Drew and Remus. Try the Gryffindor Common Room. Cadance and Charlie can tie up Pettigrew and then we'll meet in the Great Hall."

Sirius ran towards the Quidditch Pitch while Bill and Cati ran towards the Gryffindor common Room.

When Sirius arrived at the Quidditch Pitch, he saw Voldemort and Dumbledore. They were both shooting spells at each other. Sirius ran over to where Lily, James, and Prudence were. When he reached them he rested his hands on his knees and began panting heavily. "They both are pretty beaten up," said James. "And Dumbledore seems to be getting tired. But he's still more powerful."

"James, shut up a sec," said Sirius panting. "We need one of you up at the school. We have Peter Pettigrew."

"I'll go," said James.

Sirius grabbed James's arm. "C'mon. Orb me. Faster. Orb me. Faster." James orbed him and Sirius out of the Quidditch Pitch.

Meanwhile, Bill and Cati were on their quest to find Drew and Remus. They ran through the hallway and into the Gryffindor Common Room.

Remus and Drew were trying to explain to the Gryffindors exactly what was going on without emotionally scarring them. They turned and looked when Bill and Cati came into the Common Room. "We got Pettigrew and he's all knocked out and junk."

"Let's go!" exclaimed Drew. All four of them started back for the Great Hall. The reached it at the exact same time that Sirius and James orbed in.

"Where's Cadance and Charlie with Pettigrew?" asked Sirius.

"I don't know," said Bill.

Just then, Charlie came in carrying Cadance, who was bleeding profusely and unconscious. "What happened?!" exclaimed Sirius.

"Pettigrew," said Charlie. "He came to and pulled out another athame. I stunned him but not before he could throw it. It hit Cadance." By this time, McGonagall, Snape and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had made their way over.

"Holy shit," said Bill. "Very nice, Cadance. All but one of the Death Eaters was unconscious, and you still managed to get yourself in some deep- ass trouble."

Cati dug her head into Bill's shoulder. "Eww. Blood," she said.

"You're a wimp," said Bill.

"Damn proud of it."

Charlie laid Cadance down on the ground. "James, can you heal her?" asked Charlie.

"I think so," said James. He knelt down and put his hands over Cadance. White Lights emerged and Cadance's wounds disappeared.

"Is the blood gone?" asked Cati.

"Yes," said Bill. "You can look now."

"I'll go get Pettigrew," said Drew. He walked out of the Great Hall.

"She's coming to," said Charlie

Cadance's eyes opened and she sat bolt upright. "Okay, where is he!?" she exclaimed.

"She almost died and the first thing that she thinks of is Pettigrew," said McGonagall throwing her hands into the air and shaking her head.

"Calm down," said Charlie. "He's knocked out in your office. We already sent Drew to go get him."

"I have an idea," said Cadance. "What did you do with all the Death Eaters?"

"Eh, Minerva just had everyone pile them over there," said Bill nodding towards the side where they were all tied up. Drew walked in with Pettigrew, unconscious, in tow. Pettigrew was tied up.

"Eynek awa," said Cadance. All the Death Eaters, including Pettigrew, started to come to. "Oh, this is gonna be fun." She was grinning evilly.

"Oh no," said McGonagall. "She's smiling. This can't be good."

"Cadance, are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" asked Cati grinning.

"Depends," said Cadance. "We're you reading my mind?"

"Yes," confessed Cati.

"Then yes," said Cadance. "I was thinking what you think I was thinking."

"Ohh," said Cati. "I love it."

Meanwhile, on the Quidditch Pitch, Voldemort and Dumbledore were in intense battle. Dumbledore, being old (not just old, but old), was beginning to get tired. Voldemort showed no signs of tiring. Lily and Prudence stood off to the side, unable to aid Dumbledore in anyway.

"Expelliarmus!" cried Dumbledore for about the thirteenth time. This time, however, it worked. "Give up, Tom." Voldemort was on the ground, his wand out of his reach.

"You think you're so god damned powerful don't you?" asked Voldemort icily.

"As a matter of fact," said Dumbledore, "I'm not. There are a few people more powerful than I."

"Yeah!" exclaimed Lily from the side. "And one of them is going to kick your ass!"

"You'll never win," said Voldemort. "I will destroy you, I will destroy your line, I will destroy young Potter, and I will destroy the heir of Gryffindor!"

Lily and Prudence began laughing hysterically from off on the side.

"Why do all the good guys laugh when I say that?" asked Voldemort.

"Tom, turn yourself in," said Dumbledore. "You've been beat."

"Yes, well, the good guys aren't the only one with tricks up their sleeves," said Voldemort. "Regno lon ereh yats. Thgil fog ni eb enog eb." Dumbledore flew backwards and hit the ground with a dull thud.

Voldemort grabbed his wand just as Dumbledore was getting to his feet. There wands were pointed at each other once again. "This is not over," said Voldemort coldly. He snapped his fingers and he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What a chicken," said Lily. "That is the man whose name everyone fears?"

"He'll be back," said Dumbledore. "He has a score to settle. Let's get back to the castle. There has been a strange new turn of events, and I want to see what Cadance has to say about it."

"Okay," said Prudence. Lily put her hand on Dumbledore's shoulder and they all orbed into the Great Hall. When they got there, the sight that greeted them was not one that they would have expected.

All of the Death Eaters were suspended from the ceiling in four or five big clusters. Pettigrew was suspended on his own. They were all being raised and lowered by a pulley system, originating from one strong rope attached to the wall. Some people were hitting them with baseball bats. They were charmed to raise and lower themselves.

"Oh my god," said Dumbledore. He closed his eyes. "Let me guess. Cadance?"

"Hey, we tried to stop her, but she was very insistent," said Sirius who had a bat in his hand. He looked at it, then threw it over his shoulder and grinned innocently. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had come from the Gryffindor Common Room to watch the fun when James had gone in to check on Harry.

"Uncle Albus, have you ever heard of a piñata?" asked Cadance.

"Yes," said Dumbledore.

"Well, we just turned the Death Eaters into giant piñatas," said Cadance. "Do you want to try? C'mon, it's fun. Take a whack at a Death Eater. Pettigrew is over there."

"Please tell me you haven't seriously been beating the Death Eaters," said Dumbledore.

"No," said Cati.

"YES!" exclaimed all the Death Eaters suspended from the ceiling.

"This has got to be the most irresponsible plan the two of you have ever come up with, Cadance and Cati," said Dumbledore. "Someone get them down from there."

"Okay," said Cati. She pulled a knife out of her pocket and cut the rope that held them all. They fell and hit the ground with a series of dull thuds and groans of pain.

"Cadance Rose Dumbledore and Catalin Marie Nuperson," said Prudence. "We leave you two-"

"Hey, wait a second!" exclaimed McGonagall from the Head Table on the side. She, along with the Order Members who hadn't partaken in the beating of the Death Eaters, the other teachers, and various other guests who hadn't chosen to go home after the Death Eaters were knocked unconscious by Prudence, had been sitting at the Head Table discussing the night's events. "I am the only one who is allowed to use their middle names!"

"Oh shut up, Minerva," said Prudence.

"Why don't you shut up?" said McGonagall. "It's no wonder you've been appointed Head of the White Lighter Council. You've never met a rule you didn't like. You've always been like that. Break some rules, have some fun."

"Ladies?" asked Sirius. "Am I mistaken or do you two know each other? No, you know what? I don't wanna no."

"Harry, Ron, Hermione," said Dumbledore. "Go back to the Gryffindor Common Room. "I want to have a word with the so-called mature adults of this room. More specifically, Cadance and Catalin." Cadance and Cati exchanged a glance.

"Oh, we are in so much trouble," whispered Cati to Cadance.

"Oh yeah," whispered Cadance. "We're dead meat."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had started walking to towards the exit of the Great Hall. All of a sudden, Voldemort stepped into the entrance of the Great Hall. Everyone was on their feet with wands out.

"Oh shit," said Cadance.

"Lord Voldemort comes into the Great Hall and all you have to say is 'oh shit'?" asked McGonagall.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione froze.

"Ah, young Harry," said Voldemort. "Wait around a while. You'll witness a few deaths before your own comes about."

"Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size?" asked Cati. "He's, what, 16 years old?"

"Cati, don't provoke the Dark Lord," said Cadance.

"I'm not provoking the Dark Lord," argued Cati.

"Yes you are," said Cadance.

"No I'm not," said Cati. "Hey, Voldie? Am I provoking you?"

"CATI!" exclaimed Charlie, Bill, and Cadance.

"Cati, stop annoying the Dark Lord!" exclaimed Cadance. "It's not his fault his plans keep getting messed up!"

"Okay, Dumbledore," said Voldemort. "I'll make a deal with you. You give me my Death Eaters that you captured, Potter, and the two loud mouths over there and I'll leave quietly."

"Hey! I object!" exclaimed Cadance. "We aren't that loud!"

"Tom," said Dumbledore. "Just leave."

"Uncle Albus, you're not being a good host," said Cadance. "Rushing the guest out the door that quickly. Why doesn't he stay awhile? I'm sure that we can get a few Aurors in here. And we got an entire Order. It could be fun. Almost as fun as the Death Eater piñatas." The Death Eaters protested.

"You turned my evil minions into piñatas!" exclaimed Voldemort.

"Let's put you on ice for awhile," said Cadance. She waved her arms in an effort to freeze him. Voldemort laughed. "Uh oh. He's not freezing."

"Cadance, I meant to tell you after I was finished yelling at you," said Dumbledore. "He sent me flying with a spell."

"He disarmed you?" asked Cadance.

"No," said Dumbledore. "He didn't use a wand."

"What?" asked Cadance. Then she understood. "Ohhhhh. That would make him- ?"

"Yes," said Dumbledore.

"Oh," said Cadance. "But then I know of something that can temporarily take care of him. Cati?"

"Good idea," said Cati.

"Of course it's a good idea," said Cadance. "Now."

"Emoc lewton erau oy. Gni eblu ofen ogeb!" exclaimed Cadance and Cati at the same time.

But Voldemort countered them. At the same time they recited their spell, he said "Emoc lewton erau oy. Thgil etihw fosec ruos en ogeb!"

Their spells hit in the middle causing an explosion that caused everyone to be blasted off their feet. Voldemort snapped his fingers and all of the Death Eaters were released. They got up and stood by Voldemort.

"This really sucks," said Cadance.

"You know what's even suckier?" asked James.

"Yes, James?" answered Cadance.

"It's eleven o'clock," answered James. "We only have one more hour."

"Don't worry," said Voldemort. "I'll make it quick then. Dumbledore, you and young Potter come with me and I'll spare the rest of the people in this room. Refuse and I give my Death Eaters permission to attack."

"Why would you even ask that question?" asked Cati. "You are such a moron."

"CATI!" exclaimed Sirius, Remus, and James.

"Go away, Tom," said Dumbledore. "Just leave. Take your Death Eaters and go."

"Well, you see, Dumbledore," said Voldemort. "I could go right now. But I'd have to take a hostage."

"I dare you to try and take one," said Sirius grabbing Harry and Hermione's wrists and pulling them behind them while Remus grabbed Ron's wrist and did the same.

"Oh, thank you, but I've already got my hostage. Actually, I have two," said Voldemort.

"What the hell are you talking about?" asked Cadance.

Voldemort snapped his fingers and two black-robed demons came in escorting Jen and Ginny.

"You bastard," said Cadance filling with rage.

"Thank you," said Voldemort with a sweeping bow. "So what'll it be, Dumbledore? You lose your niece and her friend, who happens to be the Minister's daughter, or you and Potter come with us. Make your decision wisely."

"How could you be so evil?" asked Charlie.

"Years and years of practice," said Voldemort.

"Hey, Voldie?" asked Cadance. "Can I talk to my uncle for a second?"

"Sure," said Voldemort. "Go right ahead."

"Someone record that Voldemort did a nice thing today. I want it on a calendar some day," said Cadance walking to her uncle. "Uncle Albus, what are we going to do?" she asked in a whisper.

"I have no clue," said Dumbledore. "I don't really know."

"I have an idea," said Cadance. "But you're not going to like it."

"What is it?" asked Dumbledore.

"We have to forfeit our ultimate bargaining chips," said Cadance. "The Book of Light and the Book of Shadows."

"Maybe," said Dumbledore. "It's worth a shot." He turned to address Voldemort.

"Have you made your decision?" asked Voldemort smiling evilly.

"We want to offer you a different trade," said Dumbledore. "If you release my niece and Ginny Weasley we'll give you the Book of Shadows and the Book of Light."

"How about if I release one and you add the Book of Shadows and the Book of Light into our previous trade?" asked Voldemort

"Please," said Cadance, now resorting to pleading. "Please let them go."

"You're all trying my patience," stated Voldemort. "I'm going to have to kill one of you to show you that I am very serious." He covered his eyes and pointed his wand blindly. It fell on Cati. "You lose. Avada Kedavra." Cati fell.

Meanwhile, back at the Ministry.

About 10 Aurors were seated around a circular table in a very important meeting.

"Marcus," said one roughly. "Got any threes?"

"Go fish," said Marcus.

"I have a feeling we've forgotten something."

"Hogwarts! Get the Aurors together! We were supposed to be there two hours ago!"

Back at Hogwarts

Cati fell. She hit the ground with a dull thud. She felt a weight being lifted from her. Was this dieing? She didn't think that dieing would feel exactly as living did.

This is when Catalin Nuperson realized that she was not dead. She tried to open her eyes but could not. Instead she had to listen to all the sounds around her.

Some screams. Some spells fired. She then heard as two more bodies hit the ground beside her. Or was it three? She heard the sound of many boots clicking on the stone floor as many people walked swiftly down the corridor. Cati finally forced herself to open her eyes. She was looking into her uncle's eyes. "What happened?" she asked.

"You were knocked out of the way before the spell could hit you," said Snape.

"Out of the way?" asked Cati. "By who?"

Snape paused. "By Drew."

Cati sat bolt upright and let it sink in.

"Bill! Bill, god Damnit, you're supposed to be the best curse-breaker around! Get the god-damn door open!"

"I'm working on it, Cadance!"

"Work faster, my sister is out there!"

"So is mine, Cadance! I'm working on it!"

"What's going on?" asked Cati whipping tears from her eyes.

"Voldemort ran," said Snape. "And he took Jennifer Dumbledore and Ginny Weasley with him. And he put a curse on the door so we can't get out."

"Look out Bill. I'm going to try using a little of my own magic," said Cadance. Bill stepped to the side. She threw a fireball at the door. It hit the door and backfired. Cadance ducked and it went flying over her head and hit the table behind her, causing it to catch fire. Professor Dumbledore put it out with a wave of his wand.

"Good news," said Bill. "I now know what charm this is. The bad news is I have no clue how to break it. More good news. It's only temporary."

"Temporary?" repeated Cadance. "Temporary! Look out, I'm blowing it up!" She was about to wave her hands to blow up the door but Sirius grabbed her wrists.

"Are you nuts!" exclaimed Sirius. "Anything you do just backfires! You're going to blow us all up!"

"Lily, James, Prudence," said Dumbledore. "Try to orb." They did. White lights started bouncing off the walls and then they hit the floor of the Great Hall.

"Damnit," said Cadance.

"There are people coming up from Hogsmeade," said Professor McGonagall. She was looking out the window. "I think they're Aurors."

"The window," said Cadance. "The window! We can climb out the window! We can meet the Aurors and cut off Moldy Voldie as he comes out the door."

"Too late," said McGonagall. "Voldemort just walked out the front door. And here come the Aurors."

"Okay, someone break the window," said Cadance.

"Cadance, why don't we just leave this one to the Aurors?" asked Bill.

"Because my sister is out there and so is yours!" exclaimed Cadance.

"Yes, and our friend is dead!" exclaimed Bill.

"I know and I don't want any more to die!"

"Cadance, is right," said Cati sounding choked up. "We can't leave it up to those Aurors."

"But out the window!?" asked Bill.

"Oh, c'mon. We're on the first floor," said Cadance throwing a fireball through the window. "Cati, why don't you stay here?"

Cati's eyes fell on her dead brother's face. "No," said Cati. "I'm coming."

"Okay," said Cadance. "I'll go first." She slid out. One by one, the people trapped in the Great Hall slid out the window until only Sirius was left inside with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"You stay here," said Sirius. "If you even come within a five meter radius of this window you'll be in big trouble." He slid out the window.

"Okay, I have an idea," said Cadance. "We need to sneak over and attack the two Death Eaters that have a hold of Jen and Ginny. And then we let the Aurors take care of the rest. I mean they are a good 2 or 3 hours late. They can take this fight, we did the last one."

"First of all," said McGonagall. "While I agree with that, that is a horrible mentality and we should all be ashamed of ourselves. Second of all, I'd like to point out that the two Death Eaters we're aiming for are at the back of the group and you'd be pleased to know, Cadance, that your sister and Ginny are putting up a royal struggle that would put even one of yours below it."

"Okay, let's go," said Cadance.

* * * Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting down at one of the tables. "I think that we should go over the facts," said Hermione.

"Why?" asked Ron.

"Because it's something to do," said Hermione. "First of all, we have continued a tradition of something exciting happening on Halloween by being attacked by Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy ends up revealing his self to us."

"And meanwhile, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle and a few other Slytherins are missing," said Harry. "And then Voldemort attacks again. And then he takes Ginny and Jen as hostages and everyone else just hopped out the window."

"Wow, that sounded almost not weird up until the end," said Ron.

"Guys," said Hermione. "Do you know what I just realized?"

"What?" asked Ron.

"We're in a room with a dead man," said Hermione. They all looked at each other.

"AHHHHHHHH!" they all screamed.

* * * "It's almost midnight," said James to Lily and Harry. They were sitting in Cadance's classroom. After rescuing Jen and Ginny and sending them back to the Common Room, as there was currently no room in the Hospital Wing and they weren't injured anyway, they had gone there to avoid questions that might arise should the many reporters that were crawling around Hogwarts see them. They hadn't talked much. There was nothing more that needed said. Yes, Voldemort had attacked. And, yes, Drew Nuperson was dead. That was all there was to it. It's painful to know that someone had died, but they couldn't talk about that. Not yet.

Just then Sirius and Remus walked into the room. "Okay, Cati's bunking with Cadance and Minerva, Snape is hiding from everyone down in the dungeons, Professor Dumbledore is swamped with paperwork and Professor Trelawney keeps bugging him, and Cadance just punched a reporter."

"Why?" asked James.

"She tried to break into her Common Room to try to talk to Cati. Cadance just lost it," said Sirius shrugging.

"What else is new?" asked Lily. "Who was it?"

"Rita Skeeter," answered Remus.

"Oh, well, then she deserved it," said James.

"Yeah, pretty much," said Remus.

The clock struck once, twice, three times.

"Uh oh," said Lily. She kissed Harry's forehead. James clamped a hand on his shoulder.

Four times. Five times. Six times. Seven times. Eight times. Nine times.

"Goodbye," said James

Ten. Eleven. Twelve. They were gone.

END CHAPTER