Chapter 32. Darkest Before the Dawn

            Harry was unsure what to do. Tonks whispered, "Back out the gate." Harry and Neville went back to the alley while Tonks levitated Arabella and pulled her underneath her invisibility cloak. She then followed them and whispered to them to walk down the alley out of sight of the house.

            They walked a short way before they saw Tonks and Arabella magically appear in front of them. Tonks put her cloak away while Harry and Neville did the same. Neville pointed his wand at Arabella and some ropes wrapped around her, tying her tightly.

            Harry was still standing there. "So…it's been Arabella who has been spying?"

            "She seemed so nice," said a disappointed Neville.

            "Spies often do seem nice," said Tonks. "But I am not one hundred percent sure this IS Arabella."

            "Why do you say that?" asked Harry.

            "Look closely. What doesn't seem right?"

            Harry and Neville studied her closely. Neville finally gave up, but Harry sensed something. He looked for nearly five minutes before it dawned on him. "There's no cat hair."

            Neville looked up. "Cat hair?"

            Harry looked at Tonks who was smiling. "Yeah. Arabella Figg has quite a few cats, but this person has no cat hair on them anywhere. Mrs. Figg was always fussing about it on her sweater."

            "Very good, Harry," said Tonks. "Look for any flasks." They searched for just a few seconds when a smiling Harry pulled out a flask and a small sandwich bag with some hair in it.

            "Polyjuice potion, no doubt."

            The fake Arabella started stirring. As she opened her eyes, she gasped as she saw Harry Potter looking at her with daggers in his eyes. She struggled to move but couldn't; she had been securely bound.

            "How…what happened?" she asked.

            "You tell us," said Tonks. Harry looked up at the tone of her voice. He had never heard Tonks angry before; after this, he was going to be sure that she never got angry with him.

            "Why am I tied up? Harry, you know me. Let me go!"

            "I don't know you. I know Arabella Figg. Where is the real Arabella?"

            "I am Arabella."

            "Prove it."

            "All right. How?"

            "What is the name of your favorite pet?"

            "Whiskers."

            Harry laughed. "You should have done your research better. Well, no matter…we will find out who you are in another forty-five minutes at the most."

The fake Arabella slumped over. "What are you going to do with me…kill me?"

            "That," smiled Neville evilly, "depends on how cooperative you are."


            Delores Umbridge had left Hogwarts and gone into hiding for over two years. She had been fired by Cornelius Fudge, the former Minister of Magic, for carrying out his orders. He had ordered her to infiltrate Hogwarts and find out how to get rid of Dumbledore and discredit Harry Potter. Fudge knew that there was some kind of special relationship between Dumbledore and Potter; something beyond the normal student-teacher one.

            So she had accomplished her goals and sat as the Headmistress. Then those wicked children had tricked her into the Forbidden Forest and the centaurs had been so cruel. Those half-breeds needed to be taught a lesson! And she wouldn't forget to thank Harry Potter for ruining her career and her life. So when the Dark Lord made himself known, she became one of his most loyal and trusted followers.

            Then a year ago, Harry Potter entered the picture again. She had been dispatched to Scandinavia to recruit some more Death Eaters when it happened. Somehow, Potter had beaten her Master and captured many of the other Death Eaters. But when she returned she gathered the remaining ones and kept up the attacks in hope that Lord Voldemort would rise again.

            After a few months, she was scouring the paper for news when she saw that Potter had graduated with all his little friends. Somehow, he must have paid someone to get the Order of Merlin; he definitely didn't deserve it. Then Draco, Lucius Malfoy's son, discovered a way to bring their Master back.

            Potter continued to have good things happen. Marriage and a new job; an inheritance that made him richer than the Muggle Queen. So she followed Draco's direction and they began to attack those who had been kind to Potter. She chose a path from outside his circle of friends to the very heart of it; it was designed to make him fear them. And it was working.

            Draco came up with another brilliant idea. In order to track them and their ultimate target, someone needed to be inside Hogwarts, and Dolores was the one with the most knowledge of the school. So they ambushed Weasley and Figg and Umbridge took the Polyjuice and became Figg. They had an ample supply of the potion and Umbridge kept a flask handy. It was a brilliant idea; Barty Crouch had pulled off something similar a few years back for a whole year.

            But now she was caught; after several months of passing information back to Draco, she had been hit with a simple stunning spell. But they were too late; the plan that they had started in August was already in motion, and its intended victim was just hours away from finding out…and so was Harry Potter.


            Ginny got back to her room late in the afternoon. She knew that she had to rest, but she wasn't tired. She missed Harry and was longing for a way to help him. She grabbed her books and some parchment and started to Ron and Hermione's quarters. As she walked by, everyone asked how she was doing, and everyone was staring at her. She hurried to get to Ron and Hermione's door. When she finally reached it, she knocked and was relieved when Hermione opened the door and she stepped inside.

            "Hi, Gin…what's up?"

            "I just really didn't feel like being alone, and I have some homework. Do you mind if I hang out here?"

            "Do I mind? I am going nuts here with Ron out looking for Bill."

            "WHAT?"

            "He left a couple of hours ago for London and then I don't know where he is going. I can use some company; let me grab the papers I have to grade and something for us to drink."

            Ginny sat down on one end of the couch and started sorting her books when she saw one that didn't look familiar. There was a note sticking out that said it was a cookbook with Harry's favorite dishes in it and it was signed Arabella Figg. Ginny shrugged and sat it aside to work on her potions essay.

            Hermione sat down at the other end of the couch and began grading papers. After an hour, she stood up and went in to the bathroom. Ginny looked up and realized how long she had been writing. Setting her things aside, she got up and stretched as she walked to the window and looked outside. The day was winding into night; she watched as an owl flew to the owlery. After a few minutes she went over to the pitcher and poured herself some more juice and settled back down to continue her homework.

            As she sat down, she realized she had sat on a book. She pulled it out from under herself and looked at it. It was the one that Arabella had given her. Looking at her watch, she decided that a couple more minutes of break wouldn't hurt; besides, she wanted to know what kind of foods Harry liked. Setting her juice on the table, she picked up the book and opened it. There was a flash of light and everything went black.


            Hermione heard Ginny moving out in the common room as she splashed some water on her face. She had gone to the bathroom to stretch her legs and get something for a headache. She had been under a bit of stress lately and between teaching and pregnancy, she felt tired and confused. She had always done well where books were involved; but there were no books that told you how to be a good mother, although many claimed to have that knowledge.

            She smiled to herself as she straightened her jumper. She knew that no matter what, she could always count on Ginny to be there for her. They had become more like sisters than friends. She brushed her hair and headed for the door. When she opened it, she saw Ginny sprawled on the floor, unconscious.


            Neville was the first to notice the transformation start. "Thor, Nymph! It's happening!"

            Harry and Tonks came over just in time to see who had been playing Arabella. Harry gasped and looked at his hand when he realized that it was Umbridge. Tonks watched as Harry's face went from a look of shock to pure hatred. "You! I should have known!"

            Umbridge laughed. "Why, Potter? You were always so stupid. The only thing that ever saves you is luck."

            Tonks pulled a vial out of her robes. "Recognize this, Umbridge? It's Veritaserum. You are going to tell us everything. I just wanted you to know that beforehand." Tonks pulled the stopper out of the vial as Harry and Neville helped hold her mouth open as Tonks dropped three drops down her throat. Umbridge struggled but swallowed the serum.

            Harry watched as the potion took effect. "What is your name?"

            "Delores Umbridge."

            "Did you use Polyjuice potion to become Arabella?"

            "Yes."

            "When did you start this?"

            "Shortly before term started at Hogwarts."

            Neville gasped. They had been right there with her the whole time; she had been there the whole time with them; there was no doubt that she was the one that was spying against them. It also explained why she acted differently.

            Harry cleared his throat. "How did you change places?"

            "During the attack on Weasley and Figg. We took Figg and I took her place."

            "Where is Figg now?"

            "In the secret tunnels below the house."

            "What about Bill Weasley?"

            "He is inside as well, in the cell across the hall from Figg."

            Harry went on to question her about other things, realizing at the time that he had noticed things about her that should have clued him in that she was not Arabella. He chided himself for not seeing this sooner.

            "What has Draco got planned from now on?"

            "First, we will curse Ginny Potter, and then kill you while you are distracted."

            "Ginny? What will you do to Ginny?"

            "I don't know the exact curse; it was my job to pass a book to her that Draco gave to me."

            Harry paled. He looked at Tonks who took over questioning about the layout of the house and things that they would need to know to get Bill and Arabella out safely. Harry walked around the corner and ran to Katie's shop. Katie was inside behind the counter.

            "Katie! I need someone to go to Hogwarts immediately!"

            "What happened?" Harry quickly explained what he had found out from Umbridge about what they were planning to do to Ginny. The look on Katie's face told him that she would go for him.

            "I'm on my way Harry!" She quickly ran to the fireplace and grabbed some floo powder and was gone. Harry was just coming out of the shop when he felt an icy coldness come over him. Dementors! He looked down the street to see two floating towards him.

            He ran back to warn the others, but as he ran into the alley, he saw that they were already fighting. As other Aurors began to show up, Harry turned and yelled "EXPECTO PATRONUM" and watched as his Patronus ran up the street to take care of the Dementors that had been following him.

            He felt his hair stand on end as a curse just missed him. He turned and muttered "Protego" to shield himself. He watched as one of the Death Eaters attacked Neville only to have Neville roll and punch his opponent in the stomach.

            Tonks was like a wildcat throwing hexes and weaving in and out of the Death Eaters. Harry expected that there were possibly fifty or sixty against seven Aurors. Harry could make out Shack and Moody in one area and Lock & Key in another.

Harry saw that some Dementors were coming down behind the other Aurors as his Patronus came running by. Harry was taken aback because normally Patronus faded after the initial attack and had to be recalled.

            Harry ran to help Neville who had gotten cornered by three robed figures. He raised his wand and threw a stunning spell at them. He saw a ripple in the air and felt a concussion similar to a bomb as his spell hit all three Death Eaters and they fell to the ground. Neville looked up in surprise before having to fend of more opponents.

            Harry saw a shaft of red light come from the house; he looked to see Draco standing at one of the windows. Harry sent a stunning spell his way. Again, he saw a ripple pulsate as he watched the spell hit the window where just moment before Draco had been. He watched in amazement as all the windows shattered as the spell hit the house. He didn't have time to be amazed as he ran past Tonks into the yard to get to Draco.


            Katie fell out of the fireplace into the Headmaster's office. Sirius, Remus and Albus were there talking. Sirius came over to meet his wife as Luna burst through the door to tell them about Ginny.

            Katie started crying. "I'm too late."

            Albus looked at her. "Katie, what do you mean?"

            "Harry came running into the shop and told me that Ginny was going to be cursed and asked me to come warn her."

            "Why didn't Harry come?" asked Remus.

            "He was fighting and there were Death Eaters and Dementors."

            Albus looked up. "It has started. Luna, go get Professors Snape, McGonagall and Flitwick and get them to look at Ginny. Katie, you go to Hermione. Fawkes, alert the Order. Remus, you and Sirius come with me." Everyone left to do as they were ordered.


            Colin had carried Ginny to the Hospital Wing just as Minerva arrived. Hermione quickly explained what she knew and held out the book and note. Flitwick walked in and gasped. "Where did you get this?"

            Hermione explained as Katie came in and filled them in about Harry. "I see. Severus, do you have any Rejuvenating potion?"

            "No, but it's a simple one to brew and it only takes a few moments; but I am currently out of asphodel."

            Minerva took a sugar cube and transfigured it into asphodel. Severus smiled as he went to Madam Pomfrey's apothecary room to brew the potion. Flitwick tenderly removed the blankets from Ginny's body and began chanting a spell that no one, not even Hermione, recognized.

            Albus, Sirius and Remus walked in as he stopped chanting and tapped her with his wand. A faint blue glow emanated from her as Severus returned with the potion. He carefully poured five drops into a vial, which Flitwick levitated. Minerva gently opened Ginny's mouth as Flitwick cautioned everyone to kneel. As he kneeled, he moved the potion over Ginny's mouth and caused it to pour down her throat. The liquid in her mouth caused her to swallow. Suddenly a strong wind swept through the room, blowing vials about, smashing glass and turning over tables. It was gone as quickly as it had come. Madam Pomfrey quickly ran to Ginny's side and checked her pulse.

            She turned to everyone and smiled. "Now she is just sleeping normally."


            Neville watched as Harry ran past and into the house. He started to follow when Umbridge, who had been released by her fellow Death Eaters, jumped in front of him. He threw a Jelly-Legs Jinx at her but she blocked it. She threw a tickling charm at him that he easily avoided while casting a silencing charm on her. She grew furious as she tried to use spells until the charm wore off. Finally she cast a "Petrificus Totalus" that missed him, but caught another Death Eater squarely in the back. They dueled for several minutes, each firing curses while the other blocked. "Not bad, Longbottom. I see that you are not the sniveling little coward that you were when I was at Hogwarts."

            "I think you will find out that I am much stronger than you suspect."

            She levitated a rock at him and he dodged. "And I think you will find that I easily took out your father and mother all those years ago, so you will be no problem." At her words, a rage exploded in him that he had never known. He turned squarely to face her and muttered the words that no one, including himself, had ever thought he was capable of…"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

            Umbridge stared in horror at the green light that enveloped her before she slumped lifelessly to the ground. Tonks stared at Neville as he ran past Umbridge to find Harry.


            Bill heard the sounds from above him and knew that there was a battle going on. He looked over at Roberts and smiled. "Looks like the cavalry is here!"

            Roberts didn't look as please as Bill. Bill looked strangely at his coworker. Bill heard the door at the end of the corridor open and a whistling sound. He covered his ears and Roberts did the same, letting gravity pull the sleeves of his robes to his elbows. That was when Bill noticed the Dark Mark on his arm.

            Roberts realized his mistake too late. Bill was advancing toward him as he drew his wand, but Bill was quicker. With reflexes hones from years of Quidditch and curse breaking, he delivered a series of punches to Roberts' midsection in a lightning fast manner. With an upper cut that caught Bill on the chin, Roberts gained a second's respite. Bill's foot shot out and caught Roberts in the groin, and he doubled over in pain, dropping his wand. Bill scurried over and picked it up. Roberts was rolling around on the floor in pain as Bill hit him with a stunning spell and watched as he fell unconscious.

            Bill ran over to the door. "Alohamora!" The lock clicked and Bill stepped cautiously out into the corridor. Both guards were lying on the floor so Bill quickly went over and opened the other cell. He went in and saw Arabella, bruised and hungry, but alive. He helped her to her feet and they moved out into the corridor. Bill quickly removed the guard's wands and weapons before levitating them into Arabella's old cell. He added Roberts and then locked the door and stuck the key in his pocket. He motioned for Arabella to follow him as he headed for the room he had been in earlier. He had a small repayment for Draco and he was going to give it to him personally.


            Harry entered the house cautiously followed by Key. Key went over to the secret entrance to the dungeons and opened it. Harry saw him pull out a metallic object that looked like a boomerang. He threw it into the corridor beyond the opening and Harry could hear the strange whistling sound grow fainter as he moved toward another door in the room.

            Harry cautiously opened the door and peered inside. It appeared deserted, but Harry was taking no chances. Harry heard a door on the other side of the room open slightly as he entered. He readied his wand and was prepared to strike when he saw Neville's head pop in. Neville smiled weakly at him and motioned toward a third door set in the far end of the room. They moved together toward that door, wary of anything coming out of the shadowed recesses of this room. Harry stood to one side as Neville turned the doorknob and moved to the other just as a ball of fire went right past them. Harry dropped and rolled so that he could throw a lightning spell into the room. As Harry completed the spell, three shafts of lightning shot out and into the room. They both heard someone fall to the ground.


            Katie and Hermione stayed with Madam Pomfrey to watch over Ginny as Albus and the others went to his office to floo to Hogsmeade After all six had made it to the shop, they ran out and quickly heard the fighting. Albus, Remus and Sirius went one way while Minerva, Severus and Flitwick went the other.

            Tonks looked up and saw Minerva and the others and motioned toward the house. "Harry's in there with Draco. We found out that Arabella is being held in the dungeons along with Bill." When Flitwick looked at her strangely, she smiled. "I'll explain it later. Go help Harry." Tonks and the others were moving among the bodies looking for survivors as Minerva ran past her.


            Bill heard the sound of someone falling over in the other room. He carefully opened the door and saw a robed figure slumped against the far wall with their robes smoking. He started in and saw Harry entering from another door. Harry quickly ran over and hugged his brother in law. After making sure he was all right, he told him to leave and take Arabella outside, but Bill refused.

            Harry gave in, sensing the Weasley stubbornness he had come to know over the years. He motioned for them to stay behind him as they moved to a door near the motionless figure Bill had noticed earlier. Harry opened the door, jumping to one side; nothing happened. Cautiously he entered the dark room; "Lumos," he whispered, as his wand lit.

            Bill recognized this as the room that Draco and he had met in earlier. Just as Harry was ready to move forward, a chair swung around. In it was sitting Draco; he smiled as he saw they that recognized him. "Welcome, Potter. I was wondering when I would see you." Harry looked at Neville strangely as he flashed back to the day that he got his wand and Mr. Ollivander had said those same words to him.

            "Malfoy…what have you done? Why did you bring him back?"

            "To finally get rid of you, Potter. You've become insufferable since defeating him. And why were you awarded an Order of Merlin? Poor, sad, Harry Potter. Well, I have had my fill of you."

            "Why did you kill all those innocent people? What about the Muggle boy? Or Oliver Wood?"

            "I did it because it created fear. And Umbridge helped me see the beauty of slowly hurting or killing those close to you. Eventually she knew that you would have to play the hero." Draco was so intent on Harry that he didn't see the door behind him open and Minerva, Severus and Flitwick sneak into the room.

            Harry needed to keep his attention. "Well, I think it's funny that after all your hatred of Muggles you invited someone who wasn't pure blood to share your body."

            Neville looked at Draco. "And I think it's funny that you listened to Umbridge again. She got you in trouble during our fifth year and now you are in trouble again. Last time, she ran away and left you. She's gone this time too."

            "What do you mean, Longbottom?"

            "She's dead, Malfoy." Harry watched as the rage built up inside Draco, waiting to make his move.

            "She won't be the only one dead today. I hate to tell you Potter, but today your wife was cursed. I felt the curse hit her…and after it hit, she only had one hour to live. Sorry, Potter, but that hour is up." Draco laughed evilly.

            Minerva watched Harry and was proud to see him restrain himself. But at the mention of Ginny being cursed, she watched Harry stiffen. When Draco laughed, she stepped forward. "Well, it's a good thing we saved her fifteen minutes ago, then, isn't it?"

            Harry watched as Minerva told Draco about Ginny and the fact that she was okay. He seemed to glow for a second and Harry watched in horror as Draco pointed his wand at Minerva and shouted the killing curse.

            Time seemed to slow down. Harry knew he couldn't get there in time but he concentrated on Minerva. She saw it coming and closed her eyes, a single tear her only emotion. Harry watched as Severus shoved her out of the way as he dove in front of her. Flitwick rolled to his right out of the path of the spell.

            The green light hit Severus squarely in the chest while he was in midair, killing him instantly. His lifeless body tumbled to a heap on the other side of Minerva, who was dazed. Harry turned back to Draco as he watched him slowly turning with his wand. Harry watched as Draco's face went from a look of hatred to one of horror. Harry bent his knees, ready to spring when Draco shot a spell at him, but no spell came.

            "Harry!" Draco's voice sounded anxious. "I am holding him back, but I can't forever. Kill me and I will hold him till he dies."

            Harry incredulously looked at Draco. "What are you pulling, Malfoy?"

            A voice from behind Harry said softly, "He isn't pulling anything Harry." Harry recognized Dumbledore's voice. "You have to do it, and because now your magic power is linked with Ginny through your child, you have the power."

            Harry looked at Draco. "I'll make sure that they know you came back in the end." Harry watched Draco smile weakly as Harry shouted the Killing curse and watched as the wave of power disintegrated Draco Malfoy into dust before he blacked out.