Chapter 3: Armed and Dangerous

Harry's scar tingled but it didn't disturb him as he slept. The morning would come all too soon and there were things to be done. His thoughts were as fluid as if they were in a pensieve. Ron's words came back to him for a brief moment, 'We beat up a few Ministry Aurors today does anyone here think that Fudge is just going to sit around and do nothing?' The tingle grew in intensity as Harry's concentration wavered. 'Let Voldemort rage all he wants I'll choose my own time. The DA isn't ready but we will be.'

In the castle Dumbledore sat at his desk contemplating his encounter with Harry. Rarely had the headmaster had a discussion quite as frustrating as the one he had with the young wizard and his group. He had tried to broach the subject of the group finishing their magical education but they had flatly refused. Harry said that they'd been through the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. books repeatedly over the course of their three-year stay in the room of requirement. Thanks to Hermione the younger members of the DA were now on the same footing as the older ones. 'Hermione's a tough taskmistress,' Ron told the professor. After a heated argument they finally agreed to sit for the N.E.W.T's. Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He replaced them at the sound of fluttering wings. A very pompous looking eagle owl dropped a letter onto the middle of his desk and departed. It bore the seal of the Ministry of Magic. He wasn't surprised or happy to see the correspondence from Fudge. The Aurors on loan from the Ministry must have reported back to the Minister already. He was surprised to find that the letter wasn't from Fudge but Percy. As Dumbledore read the letter his eyes lost their twinkle and he now looked every bit of his one hundred plus years.

Chief Warlock,

Minister Fudge, the ?, Obliviators, and hitwizards will be arriving tomorrow to arrest Harry Potter and his confederates. They are being charged with five counts of breaking long-standing wizarding laws. I do not agree with the way you have been handling things thus far especially where my family is concerned but I know that if Harry is involved then Ginny and Ron are as well. I do not wish to see them in Azkaban so get them out of Hogwarts now.

Sincerely yours,

Percival Arthur Weasley

Harry and the others woke early and began the previous evening's discussion anew.

"Voldemort and his Death Eaters are still out there. That isn't our only problem. We still have Dumbledore and the Ministry to deal with. Does anyone here think the Order is just going to let us walk out of here on our own? Even if they do there'll be someone watching us every moment. We need to decide what to do soon. Dumbledore will be arriving soon to discuss our future plans."

"You're right Harry but we'd be watched whether we stay or go."

"Not necessarily. They'd have a harder time finding us in the Muggle world."

"We don't know anything about the Muggle world."

"We don't have to there are enough muggle-borns here to help the rest if they make any slips."

"What about some of the younger members?"

"They will just have to come with us."

"Then it's settled." Ron said with a hint of finality.

Around midday the Headmaster met the Minister and a large group of officials at the castle entrance. At the back Albus could recognize Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Step aside Dumbledore there's nothing you can do for them. Those traitors are coming with me."

"Cornelius, they are hardly traitors."

"They have broken the law and must answer for their crimes." Said a thin brown robed witch with a floppy green conical hat.

"What are their crimes?" Dumbledore asked in all seriousness.

"Enough of this. It's none of your concern." Fudge shouted as he moved to push past Dumbledore. The crack of thunder stopped the Minister's advance.

"On the contrary, Cornelius, it is most definitely my concern. You are here to arrest a group of young wizards and witches under my charge."

A portly wizard in navy-blue spoke without hesitation his voice cracking from nervousness as he read from a piece of parchment. "Chief Warlock, Mr. Potter and his friends are charged with the following: Trespassing, Vandalism, Underage wizardry, Assault, Breaking of Temporal decree 29865, and Breaking the Magnus decree."

Dumbledore was stunned but didn't show it. The charges the fat wizard had read were true to a certain extent…well all except practicing the Dark Arts. He couldn't bar them from entering. He had no choice but to move aside and allow them to search the grounds. "Well ladies and gentlemen I have some important business to attend to so I'll leave you to your own devices."

"I don't think so Albus." Fudge said eyeing the older wizard suspiciously. "Kingsley escort the Headmaster to his office and stand guard." The auror acknowledged the Minister as he moved to intercept Dumbledore. After they were out of sight Fudge turned to one of the hit wizards and began to speak softly, "Jarvis, follow them. Stay out of sight and make sure they're not up to something."

Kingsley and Dumbledore made their way quickly to his office. Albus moved to the mirror and stepped through with Kingsley on his coat tails. Jarvis made it just in time to see them enter the glass. Moments later they both appeared in the Shrieking Shack. The mirror had once again been moved to another area of the house. There were no sounds to be heard throughout the house. The two men didn't stop for a second as Dumbledore led the way into the room the DA had occupied hours earlier. They were shocked to find the room completely devoid of life. They both turned at a sound. Jarvis had entered the room with his wand drawn.

"You two have a lot of explaining to do." Kingsley withdrew his wand.

Dumbledore shook his head and with a wave both wands flew into his outstretched hand. "Gentlemen, that will not be necessary."

Hours later, Remus Lupin limped across the threshold of the school the full moon had been one night before and he still had not healed from his wounds. Tonks walked beside him. As she entered the school she wasn't her normal clumsy self. She and Remus walked with a purpose. They had both been on assignment when they'd received word from Harry. They had been able to finish their work but the injuries incurred during the onset of the lunar cycle held them back a few hours.

Professor McGonagall met them at the entranceway. At that moment Tonks tripped over her robe. Remus smiled to himself and McGonagall frowned at her uncoordinated display. McGonagall's lips were drawn into shut a tight line she looked as though she had no mouth at all. 'This couldn't be good. Harry, what have you gotten yourself into now?' Remus thought as they continued on to the Headmaster's office.

"The werewolf's here." A very snotty Auror said as Lupin entered the room. McGonagall gave the auror a stern look. Lupin contained his humor at the look of pure fear on the young man's face. It always amazed him how years after graduating Minerva could still intimidate her former students.

"What's going on here?"

"We'll ask the questions Lupin and you better answer the questions truthfully if you know what's good for you." Fudge said his tone making many of the Ministry officials uneasy.

"Have you been contacted by Harry?" Kingsley asked carefully.

Remus hesitated as he answered.

Fudge was boiling his face red. "Where is Harry Potter you loathsome beast?" He screamed as he pulled a silver dagger from his cloak.

"Accio!" The blade flew to Kingsley. "Minister have you taken leave of your senses."

"This beast knows where those criminals are."

"What criminals?"

The witch wearing a floppy green conical hat Remus recognized as Lindsey Porter an Unspeakable. 'This must be serious if the Unspeakables are involved.' Lindsey took a piece of parchment from a portly wizard to her left and began to read.

"Harry James Potter and the members of the self-styled DA are charged with the following crimes:

1) Trespassing on Ministry of Magic property namely the Department of Mysteries

2) Vandalism

3) Tampering with classified materials

4) Several counts of underage Wizardry

Use of various charms and curses by underage persons

Violating the decree of secrecy, specifically the use of magical creatures in a highly Muggle populated area

5) Assault on Ministry of Magic personnel

6) Violation of Temporal decree 29865, No person of persons may advance magically, spiritually, or economically through temporal manipulations

7) Violation of Magnus decree, No student attending British schools of magical learning are allowed to become practitioners of Dark Arcana and neither shall such arts be taught as curriculum to students attending these organizations.

8) Resisting arrest

Lindsey stopped as an aide entered walked up to her and whispered in her ear. Lindsey looked shocked at what the aide had said.

9) Violation of longstanding wizarding practices

10) Apparating without a license

11) Theft of restricted materials

"This can't be true."

"I'm afraid it is Remus my aide just informed me that there's a new apparation signature near the Shrieking Shack and that several shelves are missing from the library's restricted section. Now we must ask you again for Harry and the others sake has Harry Potter contacted you?"

"No, my girlfriend and I have been out of the country for some time now."

"If Mr. Potter contacts you make sure you contact the proper authorities."

"Until we get this settled Harry Potter and his confederates will be deemed traitors and fugitives from the Ministry of Magic." Fudge stalked over to the fireplace. "The Daily Prophet!" Fudge disappeared in a burst of green fire.

TBC