orli*N*keira: Thank you. Now, where's your next chapter? I'm getting a bit curious as to what's going to happen.

Kathy: I love writing suspense. I've got a surprise for you in some of the later chapters!

TheMex: I already have most of the story written, but I'm a review whore so I put it up slowly.

Ollie'sgal: It goes something like that…or does it *laughs maniacally*

Disclaimer: As we established a LONG time ago. Harry Potter is the property of the lovely JK Rowling, not me. If it was mine I would be a hell of a lot richer.

A Rash Decision

Dumbledore paced anxiously back and forth across the floor of his office, rubbing his temples to relieve the throbbing in his head. They were so close, so close to finally ridding the world of Voldemort once and for all. Unfortunately, things were transpiring that Dumbledore had not expected. Voldemort's network of spies reached much further than they had thought before. Within two weeks they had lost three more members of the Blue Flame despite all the protection provided. Their numbers were growing low, and they desperately needed Germany to join.

He sank into his chair with a sigh. He was beginning to wonder if it was a good idea to send Katie into negotiations with a suspected deatheater. Yes, they needed Germany desperately, and she was their best negotiator, but he had a feeling that her mind was not on her job the way it should be. Of course, that was partially his fault. He had been the one to decide to take Oliver, Fred, and Angelina over there. He had failed to see the possible consequences of his actions.

The sound of someone walking down the stairs into his office brought him back to attention.

"I believe you may have been right, Professor McGonagall," he said as she reached the bottom of the staircase.

She looked at him curiously. "Right about what, Albus?"

"About allowing Miss Bell's friends access to her."

He looked to the pensieve, grateful that so many of his memories were stored there. He was already so weary, so very weary. McGonagall gently touched his shoulder. She had noticed how tired he had been lately.

"Does this have to do with Oliver Wood visiting her so often?" she asked.

"Breaking Hogwarts rules is one thing, but to disobey strict Ministry regulations…" he murmured.

"I believe you broke them first by allowing her visitors," she reminded him.

"If only I had known they would place themselves in this much danger."

"How exactly are they in any more danger?"

His eyes were beginning to close as though he were falling asleep. He reached for the pensieve, desperately, his hands failing to grasp it.

 "There is too much," he moaned, "too much pain and suffering. We need Miss Bell focused on Germany…Please, Minerva."

She held the pensieve for him, the grayish liquid sloshing around and nearly over the rim. Some days she worried that someone would see him like this after he took such great pains to hide the condition he was in. If Voldemort knew what state the headmaster was in, he would use it to his advantage. It was a miracle that no one suspected anything.

His hands clutched the rim of the pensieve. "If Voldemort was to find out…He can't find her, but he can find Oliver. He will not hesitate to…I do not want to be responsible for another death."

His face became a pale, ashen color and McGonagall wondered if she should go to Pomfrey.

"Do not worry, Minerva," he whispered, "I'll be fine in a few moments. Just leave me to rest."

************************************************

Katie thumbed through the stack of papers on Germany and the Minister of Magic, Stovald. Negotiations would take place soon and she needed to be prepared. Dumbledore was expecting her to succeed, and she could not let him down.

A loud cough caused her to look up. There was no one there. She turned her attention back to the reports, but within minutes there was another cough.

"Hello?" she called out, "Oliver?"

"I'm afraid Oliver can no longer come."

She turned around quickly to see Dumbledore staring at her gravely.

"Why not?" she asked.

He shook his head sadly. "You knew the rules Miss Bell. You chose not to follow them."

She could feel her stomach twist itself into a pretzel.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied.

"You were carrying out a romantic relationship. Do not lie to me," he said, "I can see it in your mind. I know you broke the rule."

"Where's Oliver?" she asked again.

"I am afraid Voldemort found out his connection to you."

"Where is he?" she demanded to know.

"He was killed just moments ago so that Voldemort could not use him to find you."

"No," Katie whispered, "No, you're lying! It's not true!"

Her body began to shake.

"Katie?"

Her eyes shot open. She was lying on her couch, her head on Oliver's lap and he was looking at her, his face etched with worry.

"You're not dead," she whispered, "Dumbledore didn't kill you."

"Of course I'm not dead, and why would Dumbledore kill me?"

She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as she could.

"We can't keep going on like this. If Dumbledore finds out…"

He kissed her forehead. "He's not going to find out."

"Angelina and Fred did, and I think Dumbledore is much more intelligent."

He sighed. "So what do you want to do about it?"

She furrowed her brows in thought. The only hint anyone had about their relationship was the massive amount of times that Oliver would contact Dumbledore so he could see her. They had to cut back on that number.

"If you could apparate here without Dumbledore so no one knew how often you were here…"

Oliver frowned. "I don't know if that's such a good idea, Katie. There's a very good reason the Ministry hasn't revealed your exact location."

"Only you would know."

He ran his fingers through her hair and thought the suggestion over. Part of him thought it was a good idea. Dumbledore was bound to guess what was going on if Oliver kept having him transport him to Katie's flat whenever he was not on assignment. The second he figured it out, Oliver and Katie would be separated. Besides, if no one suspected that they were together, no one would think to look to him for her location. But another part of his mind was yelling at Oliver not to do it, that he was placing both of them in danger. The former won out.

"All right, Katie. How do I apparate here?"