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Remember. Read things backwards if you can't read it forward!
In May, the 7th Years took their NEWTS. There seemed to be little reason for class after that, but they had them anyways. It was to be their last classes in their educational careers. About a week after the NEWTS, the 6th Years were having Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Cadance was in the middle of class when four Aurors came into the room, their wands out. "Don't move, Professor," said the one. "We've got her, Bob!" Bob Reynolds came into the classroom.
"Oh for goodness sakes," said Cadance rolling her eyes. "I swear I haven't done any illegal vanquishing. I even went to the so-called Department of Sorcerers and Sorceresses and picked up the handbook!"
"I'm disappointed in you, Cadance," said Bob Reynolds. "The Ministry trusted you. Go ahead, men." The four Aurors took a step forward and Cadance took a step backwards.
"What are you talking about?" asked Cadance.
"You are being arrested for treason," said Bob. "Men, go ahead."
"What?!" exclaimed Cadance.
"I said go ahead!" called Bob.
"I'm so sorry, Commander Weasley," said one as he stepped forward. He clearly looked like he would rather be elsewhere.
"You can't arrest her!" exclaimed Jen standing up.
"You sit down, Miss Dumbledore!" exclaimed Bob Reynolds. "You're being investigated, too, to make sure you didn't pledge your allegiance to Voldemort as well. And to think that you were raised by your uncle, Cadance. We'll be reviewing the connections of all the Order of the Phoenix Members after this. We'll see how many other people have turned their back on your uncle and the Minister. He's going to be so upset when he hears the truth about you."
"I'm not a Death Eater!" exclaimed Cadance.
"The Ministry has gotten tips from several prominent members of the Wizarding community," said Bob.
"How would they know that I'm a Death Eater unless they were ones themselves?" asked Cadance.
The four Aurors and Bob Reynolds looked at her in silence for a few seconds. "I'm taking that as a confession," said Bob. "We're bringing you in for a trial."
"You're not bringing me in anywhere," said Cadance. "And you're frightening my class."
"I'm very sorry to have to do this," said the one who had apologized before.
"It's alright, Preston," said Cadance. "And I'm sorry to have to do this." She waved her hand and he flew back into the other Aurors knocking them over.
"Now we can add resisting arrest to the list," said Bob. He pointed his wand at her. "Let's go. Keep in mind that I'm an Auror and I'm allowed to use Unforgivable Curses."
Cadance allowed Preston to come over and lead her towards the door. "Preston, when we get back have warrants drawn up for the rest of the Order of the Phoenix, with the exceptions of Dumbledore and the Minister. I want them all examined." Cadance waved her hand behind her down the corridor very discreetly. Jen nodded but Cadance couldn't see that. She was being led away.
* * *
Jen and Ginny ran down the hallway to Professor McGonagall's classroom. They almost fell through the door as they entered. "What is going on?" asked Professor McGonagall sternly. "I have a class! Honestly!" They looked around and noticed the 7th Years were there.
"They just arrested Cadance!" exclaimed Jen.
"What?!" asked McGonagall. "What are you talking about!?"
"Five people came and arrested her in the middle of class and then they said that they're going to arrest the rest of the Order of the Phoenix, too!" exclaimed Ginny.
"Except for my uncle and Mr. Weasley," said Jen. "We have to get my uncle so he can go get Cadance out of trouble!"
"Oh dear," said McGonagall. "Your uncle has gone with Mr. Weasley to speak with the American Ministry! They won't be back until tomorrow! We have to call Charlie."
"Charlie's in Romania and he won't be back until next week!" exclaimed Jen. "We have to do something!"
"Go to the Common Room," said McGonagall. "All of you go to the Common Room." She strode out the door.
* * *
It took less than fifteen minutes to assemble much of the Order of the Phoenix. Arabella, Cati, Sirius, Remus, Hagrid, Snape, McGonagall, Moody, Bill, Fred, George, and Mundungus Fletcher were there. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jen, and Ginny were there as well. "What are we going to do?" asked Bill.
"Something weird is going on here," said Sirius. "I think we should go and break Cadance out of Azkaban."
"We can't do that," said McGonagall. "That will get her in more trouble."
"Then what are we going to do?" asked Sirius.
"First," said McGonagall turning to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jen, and Ginny. "You're going to go to the front door and keep any Ministry people from coming in. Cati, I want you to go and set them up. You know what to do." Cati nodded. They got up and went out of the meeting room and down the hallway.
"Cati?" asked Harry. "Where are you going? The front door is that way."
"We're making a pit stop first," said Cati. They went into Cadance and Charlie's room. She opened Cadance's tall wardrobe and pulled out two long coats, one Indiana Jones hat, and three belts with bull whips, daggers, and rope attached to them. She handed one belt to Jen. "You never know when you're going to need this. Let's go." They went to the front doors. "If anyone comes up, you're to say that you've been told to send anyone away because of the arrest made earlier. Say that you can't be sure that they're not really Death Eaters, or something like that."
"What are you going to do?" asked Harry.
"What I always did in school," said Cati donning a coat and the Indiana Jones hat and a belt and putting the other coat and belt over her arm. "I'm going to completely ignore Professor McGonagall's instructions." She walked back down the hallway and the five students went to the front door. Cati got as far as the staff room before she heard the sounds of a heated argument from inside.
Professor McGonagall was screaming, "Fine! Do what you want then! But I still think we should wait for Dumbledore to give us instructions!"
"By that time it may be too late," said Remus calmly.
Sirius, however, wasn't quite as calm. "Don't you see!? She's been set up! I think we need to get her out of there now or else she may end up in the hands of Voldemort!"
"Then go and do what you think you must," said McGonagall. "Too many people will attract attention. Everyone else, stay here and keep trying to get a hold of Charlie or Albus or Arthur. I'm going with you, Sirius."
The door opened and closed and then McGonagall and Sirius came out. "I take it we're going to need another coat and belt," said Cati. "I was expecting Sirius, but I wasn't quite expecting you, Professor McGonagall."
"No coat, just an invisibility cloak," said McGonagall. "And we're going to have to hurry."
"Have fun storming the prison!" George called from inside.
"Oh boy," said Sirius. "You know what I just realized?"
"That your head is shaped kind of weird?" asked Cati.
"What?" asked Sirius.
"Nothing."
"I just realized," said Sirius. "That everything Cadance has said came true. When she was reading tea leaves, I mean. I just got in a heated argument and now we're doing some unexpected traveling."
"And Cadance's cup?" asked Cati.
"The snake and the lightning bolt," said Sirius. "I don't think all of this is ending with Cadance. Let's go."
* * *
"I'm not a Death Eater!" exclaimed Cadance. She was before the Wizengamot. "And how can you have a Wizengamot meeting? My uncle is the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot!"
"Yes, but he is currently unavailable," said Bob Reynolds. "As Head Auror, I act as Chief Warlock in his place."
"Wait a second," said Cadance. "I'M IN THE WIZENGAMOT!"
"Yes, your membership is revoked," said Bob.
"Fine, whatever," said Cadance. "But I know the rules. I'm supposed to be allowed to call witnesses on my behalf."
"Not when you're a Death Eater," said Bob.
"I'm not a Death Eater!" exclaimed Cadance. She looked around and noticed that only about half the Wizengamot was present.
"Let's get this started," said Bob. "Bob Francis Reynolds presiding over the hearing of one Cadance Rose DiGeniva………"
Cadance cut him off. "Hey now, easy on the DiGeniva business."
"As I was saying," said Bob Reynolds. "I, Bob Francis Reynolds, presiding over the hearing of one Cadance Rose DiGeniva Dumbledore Weasley for the crime of treason."
"You're wrong," said Cadance.
"Tell me," said Bob. "Is it true that you along with a Catalin Marie Nuperson once walked out of your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, who happened to be a Ministry Employee, and threatened her?"
"Yes," said Cadance. "But………"
"And is it also true that you went out of your way to humiliate, pester, badger, and in all other ways annoy late Minister Cornelius Oswald Fudge?"
"You've got to be kidding me," said Cadance. "You're going to convict me because I hated the former Minister?!"
"Do you have a sister?" asked Bob.
"You know I do," said Cadance sighing.
"What is her name?" he asked.
"Jen," said Cadance.
"Her full name," prompted Bob.
"Jen Dumbledore," said Cadance.
"I said her full name, Mrs. Weasley, and don't make me ask you again," said Bob.
"Jennifer Dumbledore," said Cadance.
"Mrs. Weasley!"
"Jennifer Brianna Felicia Dumbledore!" exclaimed Cadance.
"And you taught her to vanquish demons and the like?" he asked.
"Is this about vanquishing demons illegally?" asked Cadance.
"I think we've heard enough," said Bob. "The Wizengamot sentences you to getting better acquainted with one of the few Dementors that have remained in our control."
"What?!" exclaimed Cadance. "You're sending me to Azkaban! I'm not a Death Eater!"
"Actually," said Bob. "I was thinking about you getting a little more acquainted than that."
"Oh no," said Cadance. "No."
* * *
Cati, Sirius, and McGonagall ran through Azkaban.
Cati was making noises like horse galloping. "Cati, will stop that?" asked Professor McGonagall.
Cati pretended not to hear. Sirius looked at Cati and said, "Whoa Patsy." Cati stopped. "I am King of the Britons!" exclaimed Sirius.
Cati looked at him. "Who are the Britons?" she asked.
"We are!" exclaimed Sirius.
"Funny………I don't remember voting for you………"
"You don't vote for king. I was appointed by GOD!" exclaimed Sirius. "The power of God is vested in me! Mwahahahahahaha!"
"Alright, that's enough of that," said McGonagall. They had searched through three sections of the prison and there was no sign of Cadance anywhere. There was really no sign of anyone.
They ran down the hallway and up a staircase. Bingo! They could hear people talking. There was an Auror standing outside a cell talking to someone inside. Cati waved her hands and froze the person. They ran over.
"Cati! Minerva! Sirius!" exclaimed Cadance hopping up from the floor. "Oh God, I'm so glad to see you!"
"Listen, Cadance, we're going to try to break you out," said Cati. "Who's got the key?"
"Bob Reynolds," said Cadance. "But there's no time………"
"Where is he?" asked Sirius.
"I'm not sure," said Cadance. "And there's no time anyway because………"
"We're going to have to find him to get the door open," said Minerva.
"But you're not listening………"
"Maybe he's in an office somewhere," suggested Cati.
"LISTEN!" exclaimed Cadance. They all looked at her. "There's no time to go looking for him."
"Why not?" asked Sirius.
"I know I may be thinking a little selfishly here, but I'd rather not end up as a lifeless blob of nothing and that's what I'll be in about fifteen minutes if I'm not gone by the time Bob Reynolds and the Dementor get here!" exclaimed Cadance.
"What?!" asked Minerva.
"Yeah," said Cadance. "That's exactly what I said."
"Stand back, I'm blowing up the door," said Cati.
"You can't, there are charms on it," said Cadance.
"Oh yeah?" asked Cati. "Watch." Cadance backed up. Cati waved her hands in front of it. Nothing happened. She did it again. The bars quivered a little. She did it again, and they loosened off their hinges. Cadance kicked the door and it fell outward.
Cati held out the long coat and belt and Cadance took them and put them on. Then she took the hat off of Cati's head and put it on her own. "Let's go," she said.
* * *
"It has begun," said Moody as he looked out of the window in the Order of the Phoenix Meeting room.
"What are you talking about?" asked Fred. He and George were playing Exploding Snap.
"Oh nothing," said Moody. "Except that Death Eaters are now surrounding our school."
They all rushed to the window and looked out. "How can you tell?" asked Snape. "It's pitch black outside." Moody pointed at his magical eye. "Oh."
"Oh God," said Arabella. "Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jen, and Ginny are still by the front door." They all looked at each other and nobody moved for a full second and then without another word they all bolted out the door. They were all sitting in the entrance hall looking terribly bored.
"Potter! Weasleys! Granger! Dumbledore!" exclaimed Snape. "Get away from the door."
They looked up lazily. "What?"
"Death Eaters," said Arabella. "Go to all the Common Rooms, we'll try to keep them occupied long enough. You need to try to get everyone out and meet back up in Hogsmeade.
"What are you waiting for!" exclaimed Snape. "Run!" They all scattered in different directions.
* * *
"Well, well, well," said a voice from the shadows. "What do we have here? The Order of the Phoenix."
Voldemort stepped out of the shadows. The Order was surrounded by Death Eaters. They had been overtaken after only a few minutes. They hoped that the students had already gone out one of the back doors.
Little did they know that Harry and Hermione weren't Head Boy and Head Girl for nothing. They already had a plan. They got the Prefects to lead them out in small groups and many had been able to already exit the castle. The others were waiting for the coast to be clear.
But back to their current predicament………
"You know, Alastor," said Arabella. "It would have been nice if you would have told us we were terribly outnumbered."
"Where is everyone else?" asked Voldemort sharply. "There should be more in this Order."
"Not really," said Arabella.
"You're lying. I already know about the dear Professor Weasley's predicament, and I also know that Dumbledore and Weasley are out of town on business. That's why I choose tonight to attack, you see," said Voldemort.
"You know," said Bill. "Perhaps you should stop before you reveal your whole plan." He looked off to the side at Arabella and said, "That one was for Cati."
"Who else is missing?" asked Voldemort. Arabella stepped on Snape's foot when he was about to answer.
"No one," said Arabella.
"Then where is dear Harry?" asked Voldemort.
"Harry who?" asked Arabella.
"I can tell this is going to be a long night," said Voldemort.
* * *
Voldemort had left after placing them under the guard of Death Eaters. They were able to talk quietly without attracting the Death Eaters' attention because they were all playing Exploding Snap. Yes, the Death Eaters were playing Exploding Snap.
"We're going to get out of this," said Arabella.
"How do you know?" asked Moody.
"Because," said Arabella. "Cadance, Cati, Sirius, and McGonagall will be able to get us out. And Albus and Arthur. Don't forget them."
* * *
Almost all of the students made it to Hogsmeade. Only a few were unaccounted for. It was while Harry and Hermione were counting that Cadance, Sirius, McGonagall, and Cati showed up.
"What is going on here!" exclaimed McGonagall.
"Death Eaters," said Harry calmly.
"Oh, that explains a lot," said Sirius. "Cadance, you got arrested so that you would be out of their way."
"Mrs. Figg and the rest are trying to hold them off," said Hermione as she ran by with a checklist.
"Okay, I've got a plan," said Cadance. "Sirius and Minerva, you two stay here and formulate and plan of attack with the Aurors. Cati, you're coming with me."
"Ohh, this is going to be fun, isn't it?" asked Cati.
"We need to make a pit stop at your house first," said Cadance grinning evilly.
* * *
In Hogwarts………
The Order was beginning to give up hope of ever being rescued. But I'm the author so I win.
Cadance and Cati, from around the corner, shot flaming arrows into the Great Hall and then ran in, swords drawn. "I give you bonus points on a dramatic entrance," said one Death Eater.
Arabella pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. "Alright, the winner is Bill!" she exclaimed. "You were closest with 'Cadance and Cati; Army of Elves and Flaming Arrows'. You win the poll!"
"Yes!" exclaimed Bill. "Cadance, I'd kiss you right now if you weren't my brother's wife!"
"Well, Cati's available," said Cadance raising her eyebrows suggestively.
"Let me see that," said Cati taking the paper from Arabella. She read off the top of the page. "'Who is going to rescue us and how. Poll: 50 galleons.' Hey! Bill you better be splitting the money with us!" She glanced down again. "Uncle Severus! You thought it was going to be Professor Dumbledore with an army of Aurors?! You have such little faith in us!"
"I really hate to break this up," said a Death Eater, who happened to be Lucius Malfoy.
"Looks like you weren't the only one who made a prison break, Cadance," said Cati glaring at Malfoy.
"We have a consolation prize for all of you. We snuck into Hogsmeade when Miss Nuperson and Mrs. Weasley here went off to Miss Nuperson's house. The place was crawling with Aurors but we were still able to snag us a couple of hostages," said Malfoy.
"Note to self," said Cati. "Fire head of security in Hogsmeade."
"Cati, I don't think you have the authority to do that," said Bill.
"Back to our hostage situation," said Lucius.
"What?" asked Cadance, not comprehending.
"Bring them forward," said Lucius.
Two random Death Eaters stepped forward dragging Ginny and Harry behind them. They were gagged. Cadance and Cati immediately dropped their swords and took out their bows. They took aim. The Death Eaters held Ginny and Harry in front of them.
"So what now?" asked Lucius coldly. "What is the great Order of the Phoenix going to do now?"
"First of all," said Cati, turning her bow so that it faced random Death Eater number 3. She fired, and hit him in the shoulder. He hit the ground, wounded. Cati pulled out her own wand and said "Accio Wands!" The wands of her fellow Order Members flew into her outstretched hand. She handed them to Bill who proceeded to pass them out. "There we go."
Cadance, meanwhile, had been staring at the Death Eater who had hold of Ginny. "You can't hide behind her forever," she said. "Peter." Dun dun dun.
Pettigrew gave a hollow laugh and through off his cloak. "You're outnumbered, Cadance," he said. "Give up."
"Sirius is in Hogsmeade with Aurors and junk. It won't be long before they come up here, and Sirius will kill you first and ask questions later if he sees you," said Cadance. "Let Harry and Ginny go. This is between you and me now." Pettigrew laughed again.
By now, everyone had their correct wand (Kudos points to Bill). The Order was still outnumbered, yet none of the Death Eaters would fire as they had not been given orders to do so. "Okay, I've got an idea," said Cadance, her eyes and bow still trained on Pettigrew. "As soon as I give the signal, everyone who is not a hostage, get your butt to Hogsmeade and reorganize. Cati, you stay with me and we're going rescue Harry and Ginny and then meet back up in Hogsmeade."
"But………" began Arabella.
"Arabella," said Cadance finally taking her eyes off of Pettigrew and looking backwards at Arabella. "Trust me." Arabella nodded.
Lucius laughed. "You think you're going to be able to distract us all so that they can escape and then rescue these two on your own?! Impossible."
"Oh it's possible," said Cadance. "NOW, CATI!"
Cati turned her bow upward sharply and released. The arrow cut through the rope holding up the big chandelier in the Entrance Hall. It began to fall. The Death Eaters all jumped and scattered. "GO!" exclaimed Cadance. The rest of the Order ran to the front door. Bill yanked it open. Two guards stood outside and Arabella and Snape stunned then before they even realized what happened. They ran the entire way to Hogsmeade.
In the Entrance Hall, Pettigrew and Random Death Eater number two had let go of Harry and Ginny when they dove out of the way. They ripped off their gags. Cadance had dropped her arrow and shouldered her bow. She ran over and pulled Harry and Ginny off the ground by their wrists. The Death Eaters began getting to their feet and shooting spells at them. They ran down the hallway. They turned a corner and stopped for a second. It was then that they realized that Cati wasn't with them. Cadance was about to turn the corner to look for Cati when she ran smack into Lucius. He grabbed her and yanked her wand out of her hand.
"It was a nice attempt," said Lucius. He pocketed her wand and threw her backwards in the corridor. But Harry and Ginny had already ran. "NO!" he exclaimed. "You will pay dearly for that, my dear."
He dragged her to the Entrance Hall. "Where's Cati?" asked Cadance.
Lucius looked at her sharply then looked around. Cati was nowhere insight. Cadance grinned. "It looks like we're winning, after all," said Cadance.
Lucius shoved her to another Death Eater. "Lock her in a room and supervise her," he said. "Pettigrew, follow me. We've got to find the other one."
* * *
Cati, however, had bolted in the opposite direction. She turned a corner when she heard a sound above her. She looked up and saw a figure coming down the staircase. It was Voldemort. She slipped behind the corner knowing that if Cadance, Harry, and Ginny had any hope of getting away, Voldemort would ruin it. She snapped her fingers. A bucket of water appeared in her hands. Voldemort reached the bottom of the stairs and Cati jumped out and splashed him with the water.
He stared at her for a second, clearly shocked. "You didn't expect me to melt, did ya?" he asked.
"No," said Cati.
"These robes were dry clean only! How am I supposed to be menacing now?! My robes are all spotted! You can't be menacing with spotted robes! And now that they're wet they don't do that flowy thing!" he exclaimed.
"Uh……… sorry?" said Cati uncertainly.
"You! You're coming with me!" he said. "I need to find new robes! Get me into Dumbledore's office!"
Cati raised an eyebrow at him.
"NOW!" he exclaimed. Cati jumped and lead the way to Dumbledore's office. She said the password and they climbed the staircase. There was a wardrobe standing in the corner of Dumbledore's office. Voldemort opened it. Purple robes. Blue robes. Red robes. No black. "DAMNIT!" he exclaimed.
"I think you should go with the blue robes. It'll dull the eerie redness in your eyes," suggested Cati. Voldemort glared at her. "Or, I could let you into Cadance and Charlie's room and you can borrow a pair of Charlie's robes."
"WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!"
* * *
Robes were thrown around the room. They were hanging off of the bed posts, lying across the chair and strewn about the floor. Robes came flying out of the closet faster than Cati could pick them up. Her arms were stuffed full. She dumped all the robes on the bed. "Honestly! Do you have to make such a mess?" she asked.
"I'm an evil Dark Lord," came Voldemort's voice from inside the closet. "Of course I have to make a mess." He came out holding a pair of robes. "I like these ones."
"Uh, okay," said Cati cocking an eyebrow. "But those are Cadance's."
"Argh," said Voldemort as he dropped them and went back into the closet.
"Argh?" questioned Cati. "What, are you a pirate or something now?"
"Actually," called Voldemort's voice. "Pirates say 'Arrrr'. Disgruntled postal workers say 'Argh'. It's a common mix-up."
"Really?" asked Cati.
"Yeah, isn't that something?" Voldemort came out of the closet. "I give up!"
"Well, actually, Betty, your robes are dry now, so they billow menacingly again," said Cati.
"They do?" asked Voldemort. He looked behind him as he took a few steps. "They're flowy again! And don't call me Betty."
"But it's very hard………" began Cati before Voldemort cut her off.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. It's very hard to be scared of a man named Betty. So I've heard," said Voldemort. "Now let's go downstairs and see what's going on with your allies."
"Ha, they've all made their getaway by now," said Cati.
"We shall see," said Voldemort grabbing her above the elbow and leading her away.
They went into the Entrance Hall to see some of his Death Eaters huddled around Lucius Malfoy. "What is going on here?" asked Voldemort. They turned around to face him.
"My Lord, you found her," said Lucius. "We have the other one locked in a classroom but this one got away."
"The other one?" questioned Voldemort.
"Dumbledore's niece. These two are accomplices," said Lucius.
"I should have known when you made that pirate comment," said Voldemort. "How did she escape from Azkaban!?" Lucius stared pointedly at Cati. Voldemort sighed and said, "Where are our other hostages?"
"Well, about that, my Lord," said Lucius. "They got away."
"I should have seen that one coming," said Voldemort. "I knew I should have had someone go in and kill Dumbledore's bratty niece directly. We should have known that she would escape before Bob Reynolds could get to her with that Dementor."
"If I were you, my Lord, I wouldn't put this one in with the other one," said Lucius to Voldemort. "Cadance already made three escape attempts and if you add this one in, they just may start working."
"I'll watch this one myself," said Voldemort. "The rest of you, stop standing around. Search this castle and bar all entrances!"
"And while they're at it, they can look for Potter and the youngest Weasley. They may still be in the castle somewhere," said Lucius.
"GO!" exclaimed Voldemort. He released Cati as the Death Eaters scurried out of the Entrance Hall and he began to contemplate why he ever allowed people who couldn't keep hostages in his ranks.
Cati began whistling "Easy Like Sunday Morning" and Voldemort began considering his plans for world domination. After about five minutes Cati's lips grew numb so she began humming it.
Five minutes later………
"That's why I'm EEEEEASY! I'm easy like Sunday moooooooooorning!" Voldemort sang. "I wanna be high! So high! I wanna be free to know the things I do are right! I wanna be free! Just me!" Cati looked on in shock as the Dark Lord began to play an air guitar.
"You're certifiably insane, you know that?" she asked him. "We'd get along great if it weren't for the fact that you're evil."
"You know, I used to want to be an Auror," said Voldemort as he sat down with the back against the wall. Cati sat down next to him. "It's true you know. I used to want to help people."
Cati raised an eyebrow. "You kinda went the opposite way there, didn't ya?" she speculated. "You didn't miss anything. It's not so great to be an Auror. Take me and Cadance for instance. We didn't want to be Aurors when we grew up, but then Cadance had this premonition, see? She found out that you were going to come back. I was already set to go into Medical Training and Cadance was set to go be in politics. But shit happens, and we ended up in Auror training, and let me tell you it was pure hell. And now we're captured by the Dark Lord. You know this never would have happened if we would have done what we originally planned. But then again, if you would have done what you originally planned then we never would have had to become Aurors. Isn't it funny how many lives can change because of one person's decision?"
Voldemort nodded and there was silence for a few seconds before he said, "Auror training was hell, you say?"
"Oh yeah," said Cati. "Like this one time, at Auror Camp………"
* * *
A little later.........
"Wow I didn't know that was physically possible," said Voldemort as he looked at Cati with wide eyes.
"Oh yeah, it's possible. Just very unusual," said Cati.
"Wow, you know, that story may have changed my life," said Voldemort.
"Oh, so you're going to let us all go now, and spread peace and joy throughout the earth?!" exclaimed Cati.
"No," said Voldemort.
"Oh," said Cati. Silence again for a little bit, then Cati said, "You know, Voldie, if I ruled the world, I'd create a country called El Baño. It'd be a little country in the Pacific Ocean and it'd be communist. And I'd rule over it with my army of Disney Characters. And ducks would be sacred there. And whenever you're sentenced to death, we give you a million paper cuts and let you slowly bleed to death."
"Wow, what a beautiful thought," said Voldemort sincerely. "You should talk to my friend Sancho. He'd be the guy to help you out on that."
"Maybe before Harry vanquishes you, I can get his number from you," said Cati.
"Yeah, maybe," said Voldemort.
Cati snapped her fingers and a tennis ball appeared. She began throwing it at the wall opposite and catching it as it bounced back. Then she and Voldie began tossing it against the wall and taking turns catching it.
"You know, Voldie," said Cati. "You're alright."
"Thanks," said Voldemort. "You're alright, too."
"Maybe sometime after all this is over we can go out sometime," said Cati.
Voldemort looked at her strangely. "Are you asking me out on a date?" he asked.
A crazy grin crossed Cati's face. "Maybe."
"Right," said Voldemort.
"I have to go to the little girls room," said Cati. "I'll be right back." She got up and walked down the hallway. As soon as she rounded the corner and was out of sight she broke into a run. She ran all the way down the hallway and turned another corner. She almost ran into Cadance, who was leaning against the wall holding her hat in her hands.
"What took you so long?" asked Cadance calmly flipping her hat back up onto her head.
"FINALLY!" exclaimed Cati. "It's a good thing I got your telepathic message. I thought I was going to have to pretend to like the Dark Lord FOREVER!"
Cadance cocked an eyebrow and said, "What?"
"Cadance," said Cati slowly. "I've done stuff tonight that I'm not proud of. And let's just leave it at that."
"Okay then," said Cadance calmly. "Let's go."
They were running down the hallway, when Cati stopped. "Wait! Where are Harry and Ginny?" she asked.
"I think they may have made it out," said Cadance. "I've been listening and watching and the Death Eaters haven't caught them yet."
"Alright," said Cati. "How are we going to escape then?" Cadance grinned evilly.
* * *
"Sirius!" exclaimed Dumbledore when he and Arthur Apparated into Hogsmeade.
"Professor Dumbledore! Arthur!" exclaimed Sirius running over to them.
"My God," said Arthur looking around. "The school………"
"Sirius, are all the students accounted for?" asked Dumbledore hurriedly.
"They were," said Sirius. He paused and then added slowly. "And then now I'm told that some are kind of unaccounted for."
"Unaccounted for?" questioned Arthur.
"Yes," said Sirius. "Hermione's been retaking head counts for the past half hour. It's a long story, but basically, Cadance was arrested and Minerva, Cati, and I had to go break her out because they were going to give her the Dementor's kiss and then we came back and there was mass pandemonium among the Aurors down here because the rest of the Order was captured and Harry and Hermione were running around trying to make sure all the students had gotten away from the castle and then Cadance and Cati told us to stay here and that they had a plan and then a little while later Hermione realized that we were missing two people and then Arabella and the others came running down saying that Lord Voldemort has two hostages and then they ran in that tent that the Aurors set up as a temporary headquarters and I really should be in there, but I have a funny feeling that something is missing and I can't quite put my finger on it." He said it all in one breath.
Dumbledore and Arthur looked around. "Where's Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
Sirius looked around. "Shit."
Jen came running over. "UNCLE ALBUS!" she exclaimed loudly enough to break the sound barrier. "I CAN'T FIND GINNY!"
"And that's the other one," said Sirius.
"Get Aurors in that castle IMMEDIATELY," exclaimed Arthur. "Every Auror we've got had better be in that castle in fifteen minutes!"
"Calm down, Arthur. Nothing is going to happen to them," said Dumbledore. "We need to make a plan before we just go traipsing through the castle. Get the other teachers into the tent and every Auror and Prefect you can find." He turned to Sirius. "Where are Cadance and Cati?"
Sirius looked around. "Uhh......... well, you see," he began. "They never……… I don't………they………"
Suddenly they heard a sound coming from the direction of the castle. They head a loud, "WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO! YEAH!" and then a loud splash.
"There they are," said Sirius pointing in the direction of the lake.
They saw Cadance and Cati running towards them. It took a few minutes, but when they got to Hogsmeade they were out of breath and wet. They dropped to the ground and just laid there panting. "Hey, Cadance?" asked Cati lifting her head a little to look at Cadance.
"Yeah?" said Cadance doing the same thing.
"Let's do that again sometime," said Cati. They both let their heads fall back to the ground.
Dumbledore and Arthur were at their sides in a second. "Are you two alright?" asked Dumbledore frowning.
Cadance lifted her head up off the ground again. "Where were you a few hours ago when the Wizengamot sentenced me to the Dementor's kiss?"
Arabella's head poked out of the tent. "Cadance. Cati," she said sharply.
"Over here!" called Cadance and Cati from the ground.
"Where are Harry and Ginny?" asked Arabella.
"You mean they're not here?" asked Cadance as she and Cati jumped up from the ground.
"No," said Arabella.
"Uhhhh, well, I guess we'll be right back," said Cadance as she and Cati turned towards the castle. Dumbledore and Arthur grabbed the back of their robes.
"You've got to stay here," said Dumbledore. "The Aurors are reconvening. At least wait for backup."
"It may be too late by then," said Cadance.
"I have to agree with her," said Sirius.
"Then if you don't listen to an old man's simple request, you'll listen to your legal guardian's orders," said Dumbledore. Cadance sighed and they all went into the tent where everyone was sitting around a big table.
"Oh good," said Arabella when she saw them. "We were just discussing what best to do with the students."
"It's pretty obvious that you can't send them out on a train," said Cadance and she and Cati took seats by Minerva. Sirius, Arthur, and Dumbledore sat across from them.
"No, the Death Eaters will surely put a stop to that," said Arabella.
"What about………" began Cati before Cadance cut her off.
"Oh, Cati, that's crazy!" said Cadance.
"Stop reading my mind," said Cati.
"But it's insane!" exclaimed Cadance. "Even I wouldn't have suggested it!"
"I know, that's why I had to," said Cati.
"Technically nobody's suggested anything!" said Arabella.
"She wants to send the students through the Forbidden Forest to the very edge where the Elves live. And then, she wants them to ask the Elves to watch them!" exclaimed Cadance. "You know those Elves hate humans!"
"Are we talking short little Elves or Elves like in Lord of the Rings?" asked Sirius.
"Door number 2," said Cati.
"It may work," said Sirius.
"I can't believe I'm hearing this!" exclaimed Cadance. "You want to send those kids through the forest by themselves at night!"
"No, Cadance," said Dumbledore, a twinkle in his eyes. "Not by themselves."
* * *
"I cannot believe we're actually doing this," said Cadance. She and Cati were bringing some of the students through the forest. Some students stayed behind in case they needed help. All of the Prefects stayed, all of the 7th Years stayed, and a lot of the 5th and 6th Years stayed. 4th Years and below had to go with Cadance and Cati.
"Professor Weasley?" asked 1st Year coming up next to them.
"Yes," said Cadance.
"What's going to happen?" she asked.
"Well, I don't know," said Cadance. "But nothing's going to happen to any of you if we can help it. We're going to see the Elves to ask for help."
"Short elves or Elves like in Lord of the Rings?" she asked.
Cadance sighed. "Lord of the Rings."
"Cadance, I think we're walking around in circles," said Cati.
"Don't complain, this was your idea," said Cadance.
Suddenly, Cadance and Cati stopped. The students directly behind them ran right into them. "What?" asked one.
"Shh!" said Cadance and Cati at once.
"Gniht emosra ehi," whispered Cati.
"Ootti reahi," answered Cadance.
"Sevle ehts tik nihtu oyod?" asked Cati.
"Draug rouyno eb," said Cadance.
Suddenly, two dozen Elves darted in front of them on white horses. Each of them had long silver hair and pointy ears. They each wore light cloaks. They stopped, blocking their path. Each of them had their bows pointed at the group. Instinctively, Cadance and Cati reached to their shoulders before they realized they didn't have their bows. Cadance reached to her waste, but then remembered that she had been completely de-armed by the Death Eaters. She had pirated her wand off of a stupid Death Eater on the way out, but little good that would do against 24 Elves. Nobody moved.
"You have trespassed on sacred territory," said one riding closer. "Leave now and never return."
"We need your help," said Cadance. "We need you to give these students shelter. The Dark Lord has attacked our school. Please."
"We are not babysitters," he said.
"We've come to you for help. Please. You can protect them like we can't at the moment," said Cati.
"You look familiar," said the Elf lowering his bow. "Have you been here before?"
Cadance and Cati looked at each other.
"Oh no," said another Elf, also lowering his bow. "It's the two terrors!"
"Cadance, look!" exclaimed Cati. "It's Haldir/Elrond/Legolas!"
"Do you two know each other?" asked a 4th Year.
"Unfortunately," said the Elf. "When they were young they came into the woods and tried to kidnap me."
"We were going through a phase," explained Cadance.
"Nerdlih cehtm rala ott nawt nodew," said Cati to the Elf.
Cadance picked up where she left off. "Wonth girelbu ortnisid nikruo," she said.
The Elf that Cadance and Cati had tried to kidnap once upon a time sighed and spoke, "Uoyp lehnac ewsp ahrep," he said.
The other Elf spoke up next. "Nik-draziw ruoy plehot nrutery amu oyosu oy mradnam ehthc tawll ew," he said.
"Ouyk naht," said Cadance.
"Hasalof," said the Elf, addressing Cadance and Cati's Elf-friend. "You and Ramandir will escort these children to our encampment. Give these two your horses and they will ride with us so we may guide them out of the forest." Ramandir and Hasalof dismounted and Cadance and Cati grabbed the reins of the horses.
"Edir stel!" exclaimed the Elf. Cadance and Cati quickly mounted and sped after the Elves. They rode quickly and didn't speak. They got to the forest's edge and the Elf said, "If you are ever in need of aid again, don't hesitate to call me. I am Aurelius, Lord of the Forest Elves. You two seem good-hearted. There are many dark wizards in the world these days." He waved an Elf forward and he gave them each a bow with a few arrows and two knives each and some rope. Cadance and Cati put the knives and rope in their belts.
"Thank you," said Cadance. "Thanks a lot."
"And sorry about that whole trying to kidnap Hasalof thing," said Cati. "We were young and stupid."
"No we weren't," said Cadance quietly. Cati shushed her.
"Good luck to you," said Aurelius. He and his riders rode back off into the forest.
Cadance and Cati dug their heals into the horses and rode quickly to Hogsmeade. They dismounted and looked around. They tied the horses to a tree and went into the tent.
"So what's our plan?" asked Cadance as she sat down and balanced her chair on two legs and plopped her feet up on the table.
"Ah the valiant warriors are back and they're armed," said Arabella. "That's good."
"Yeah, so what's going on?" asked Cadance.
"Well, while you were gone, we came to one conclusion," said Arabella. She looked around at the others who nodded at her to go on. "This is it."
"This is what?" asked Cadance.
"It," said Arabella. "This is the end. This is the final battle. By tomorrow morning we'll see who comes out on top; Voldemort or us."
"Well seeing as how Voldemort currently has the one person who can vanquish him in his clutches, things aren't looking so good for us," said Cadance.
"Everyone knows what they're going to do already," said Arabella. "Only a small group of people are going in to the castle."
"Voldemort has too many Death Eaters in there for them to be handled by a small group of people," said Cati.
"Yes, but our objective is not to fight the Death Eaters," said Arabella.
"What is are objective then?" asked Cati.
"To win!" exclaimed Cadance.
"No," said Arabella.
"No!" repeated Cadance.
"Our objective is to get Harry and Ginny out of there," said Arabella.
Cadance cocked an eyebrow. "But Voldemort is in there," said Cadance. "Shouldn't Harry stay there so he can vanquish him?"
Arabella was silent for a minute and then she nodded to Dumbledore, who inconspicuously left the tent.
"We have decided that we cannot put a 17-year-old wizard in that position," said Arabella.
"What?" asked Cadance and Cati.
Cadance continued. "Just a few months ago you were telling me that I should try to persuade my uncle to tell Harry about the prophecy that said that the was the one who was meant to defeat Voldemort and now you're telling me that you're not going to let him complete it!"
"It's too dangerous," said Arabella.
"So then who is going to put an end to this?" asked Cadance angrily. "You said this was the end."
Nobody said anything. Cadance looked around and noticed that her uncle was gone as was McGonagall and Moody. "No," she said disbelievingly as she looked at Arabella.
Arabella looked at the floor. Sirius and Remus stood up.
"He won't make it out of there alone!" exclaimed Cadance. She stood up angrily.
"He's not alone," said Arabella quietly. "Alastor and Minerva went with him."
"Arabella, don't play those games with me!" exclaimed Cadance. "They're not going in there to help my uncle, they're going in there to get Harry and Ginny out!"
"Cadance, how many times have I asked you not to poke around inside my mind?" asked Arabella exasperatedly.
Cadance turned to head out of the tent, but Sirius grabbed her arm. "Let go," said Cadance.
"Cadance, I can't let you go," said Sirius. Cadance struggled against his hold. Remus grabbed her other arm.
"Cadance, if anything goes wrong in that castle, we'll know about it and I promise you we'll have Aurors in there faster than you can say Merlin," said Arabella.
"It'll be too late by then!" exclaimed Cadance as she struggled harder.
"Remus, Sirius, let her go before she hurts herself and you," said Cati.
"Cadance, you're going to get yourself killed if you go after him!" exclaimed Sirius whipping her around so that she was in front of him. She was ripped from Remus's grip. Sirius grabbed her by both arms and forced her to look at him. "Cadance, listen to me! For once, just listen!"
"Sirius if you don't let me go, I'm going to enflame you," said Cadance hotly.
Arabella pulled out her wand. "Cadance, don't make me stun you. I will do it, so help me God, if you try to interfere with what's going on. It's for your own good and for the sake of us all that Albus went up there and you're not to interfere!"
"She has every right to interfere!" exclaimed Cati standing up and thinking of what she would do if her Uncle Severus had gone up there.
Snape, who was pretty good and knowing what Cati was thinking, said, "If I were in Dumbledore's place, I wouldn't want you to come after me."
"Yeah, but I wouldn't listen!" exclaimed Cati.
"Everyone stop arguing!" exclaimed Hermione. Everyone turned and looked at her, wondering how long she had been watching them. "This is not the time to turn on each other! And, Sirius, for heaven's sake let go of her." Sirius let go of Cadance. Cadance immediately headed for the door but Hermione said, "And don't you go anywhere. Everything is happening for a reason and Mrs. Figg has everything thought out. Now everyone calm down take a deep breathe and stop worrying! Three of the greatest witches and wizards in the world are up there and I'm sure everything will work out for the best, whether it be life or death!"
Mr. Weasley came into the tent just then. "Hermione, I just heard everything and you're absolutely right. Which is why I want you to go round up the students and put the prefects in charge. Make sure they're ready for anything. Cati, I want you to start trying to contact Charlie, for heaven's sakes. I don't care if you have to send someone out in the Romanian wilderness to look for him. Arabella, put your wand away and start making backup plans. Cadance, come with me." He put his hand on Cadance's back and steered her out of the tent.
"You still haven't gotten a hold of Charlie?" asked Cadance now shifting her concern from her uncle to her husband.
Arthur shrugged helplessly. "He's out in the forests of Romania and we've contacted his bosses and they're trying to get in touch with him," said Arthur. "But listen, Cadance, you don't understand what's going on up in that castle. You're too young."
"I'm not all that young!" exclaimed Cadance in defense.
"That's not what I mean," said Arthur. "In that castle, a prophecy is being fulfilled."
"No, it's not. Arabella isn't letting it. They're getting Harry out of there," said Cadance.
"That's not the prophecy I'm referring to," said Arthur. "I'm referring to another prophecy. A prophecy that we all knew after your father's death would come true eventually. One that you're too young to remember."
"Oh no," said Cadance realization donning on her. "In the night under no moon, Death shall come to one of the three remaining. There's no moon out tonight."
"Where did you hear that?" asked Arthur.
"I know more than most people realize," said Cadance. "That's the prophecy, isn't it?"
Arthur was about to answer when there was a burst of flame and Fawkes the Phoenix flew out of nowhere and landed on Cadance's shoulder. "And that means that something is wrong with my uncle!" They both turned and ran back into the tent.
* * *
"Ah, Albus," Voldemort sneered. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Far too long, I'm afraid," said Dumbledore. "Now, I believe during our last battle you fled and I won."
"I've learned more since then," said Voldemort. "Where are the other two?"
"Minerva and Alastor? They're around here somewhere," said Dumbledore.
"That's not who I'm referring to," said Voldemort.
"I know," said Dumbledore. "It's called evading a question."
"Now, Dumbledore," said Voldemort. "I have your wand and I have a binding potion. Just work with me here."
"My powers aren't bound yet," said Dumbledore. He threw his hand out in front of him and Voldemort flew back against the wall.
Voldemort threw his hand out and Dumbledore flew against the opposite wall. "I can match your power, Dumbledore. I've gotten stronger," he said icily as he got to his feet.
"Then we've found ourselves at an impasse," said Dumbledore getting to his feet as well.
"Not quite," said Voldemort. Lightning quick, he pulled a dark binding potion out of his robes. He threw it at Dumbledore's feet.
* * *
In Hogsmeade, Cadance and Arthur rushed into the tent. "Something's wrong," said Arthur. He looked over at Cadance, expecting her to explain. She was staring ahead blankly. "Cadance!"
"Oh, I know that look," said Cati, who was over by the fireplace. Cadance suddenly snapped out of it and grabbed her chest and breathed deeply a few times.
"Cadance!" exclaimed Arthur grabbing her by her shoulders.
"They bound his powers," said Cadance. "I can feel it."
"There's only one thing left to do," said Arabella.
"Listen to me, like we should have done in the first place?" asked Cadance.
"Don't get cocky," said Arabella. "But yes. And I think I know just the people to lead the attack on the castle. Cadance, Cati, I'm turning this over to you."
Dun dun dun!
A preview of the next chapter:
Pirates
Indiana Jones
Someone's struggle between what's right and coffee
The truth about the Dumbledores
