Disclaimer: - I think it's about time I printed another one of these to keep myself in check! I do NOT, regretfully, own ANY of the characters or scenes…however – the character that is to appear in chapter 16 will be my own creation and her mannerisms I can claim full credit for…but everything else is J.K. Rowling's…

A/N: - Here is the next chapter – what has been typed up is starting to come dangerously close to catching up with what's written on paper! Argh, the stress of it all! I hope you like this chapter, although I must confess that I didn't finish the Dream Invasion scenario the way I originally wanted to – but we can't have everything!

Chapter 14 – Losses and Returns

"Harry! Harry, guess what I saw!" Hermione came running up to Harry and Ron as she'd just finished Medicines Club.

"What?" both boys said at once.

"The captured spirits have been rescued! Hagrid, McGonagall and Fred were all in the hospital wing and recovering when I was down there!"

"That's great news, Hermione! How were they rescued?" Harry beamed at the news.

"I'm not sure, but I bet the teachers that left dinner early yesterday had something to do with it."

"Most probably – are you coming to the Defence club?"

"No, I think I'll give it a miss this time, if you don't mind. I have a lot of homework to do." Replied Hermione briskly, walking off in the direction of the common room. Harry and Ron shrugged and continued on their way to the club. But upon reaching the door of the classroom, they discovered that no-one was there, not even Lupin.

"Hmm, I wonder why it's not on…"

"Maybe something's happened in the Order and Lupin's had to cancel," suggested Ron brightly.

"But where's everyone else – the other students----"

"We're late anyway, so they probably already got here and left or tore off the notices that said it was cancelled just to be funny."

"Let's go back and find Hermione and we can use my invisibility cloak to sneak into Dumbledore's office and see if there's a meeting there," Harry said, running back in the direction of the Gryffindor tower, closely followed by Ron.

"You're sure no-one was there?"

"Yes, Hermione, we're sure – nobody was there!"

"Did you check Lupin's office? You're forgetting that the full moon is tonight – did you even think that maybe that's why the club was cancelled?"

"No, but----"

"Bo 'buts' Harry; you have to stop snooping around or they'll never tell you anything when you actually ask. Needless to say, you'll also be slowing down their meetings when they could be close to finding a solution to Voldemort's attacks," Hermione looked thoroughly exasperated.

"Well, if you don't want to help us then that's your problem but we're going to find out what's going on!" Harry snorted, smirking as Hermione stormed off.

"They're all in here," Ron whispered. They had searched the entire school and had finally found some of the Order members in Hagrid's hut. They hid outside and listened.

"It's too dangerous," McGonagall said darkly, "we'd be sending you to your deaths."

"Minerva, we must have spies at the protest."

"But if Voldemort finds out there's a spy---"

"He won't. Arthur, Alastor and I will be keeping an eye on things from a safe distance and when all is over then I'll return here and Alastor and Arthur can wait there. Remus, you know Umbridge is bound to be there, don't you?"

"I know," Lupin's mild voice sighed, "but I'll keep out of her way."

"You will also be the only one there with your human wits still intact – all the others are Voldemort's spies and will probably be under his control…they're aim is to cause a stir and cause the whole of werewolf-kind to be shunned from society completely."

"I know,"

"As soon as you're discovered you must get yourself out and make your way back to the Shrieking Shack right away. We don't want you putting your life in too much danger. You're our only link to this area of Voldemort's recruiting plans."

"Not to mention he's the best teacher we've ever had," Ron whispered to Harry, who nodded vigorously.

"Dumbledore, I get the distinct feeling we are not alone," Lupin said.

"I had noticed; young Mr. Weasley really should learn to be a little more light-footed."

"Really?" Hagrid looked round dumbly, searching for any signs of Harry and Ron.

"Come in, you two," Dumbledore called. Harry and Ron entered the hut and were greeted by several amused glares and also a few irritated ones.

"Harry, you must answer me something and answer it honestly," Lupin had gone rather pale.

"What?"

"How much of what was said just now did you hear?"

"From where Professor McGonagall said 'it's too dangerous'. I have a rough idea of what's going on and I think it's stupid."

"Harry, as unintelligent as it may sound, it is less dangerous for bother Remus, the Order and Hogwarts than it would be if Voldemort's werewolves were loose. We need someone at this protest. And also to protect Fudge, Umbridge and the other Ministry of Magic workers. They are under the impression that they are at a meeting, called by Macnair, to figure out how to disguise the truth from the Muggles for as long as possible."

"I should get going," Lupin stood, "I want to be there early and check out the surroundings."

"Good luck, Remus, and be careful. We do not want to send you to your death so don't take any unnecessary risks," Dumbledore's face was solemn, "Arthur, Alastor and Bill will all be standing by."

"Bill?"

"He insisted on going as well to keep an eye on things."

"Be sure to contact us when it's all over, Remus," McGonagall added.

"'Ave fun, Remus," beamed Hagrid. Snape glowered but decided to be civil just this once.

"Good luck, Lupin – you have the purging potion?"

"Yes, thank-you, Severus, although I'm sure I won't be going anywhere near any silver unless no other choice is available." Lupin smiled warmly at everyone before leaving everyone in a stunned silence.

"I think you two should be enjoying your free period," Dumbledore sighed, breaking the awkward, icy silence that had formed when Lupin had left. He looked meaningfully at Harry and Ron over the top of his half-moon shaped glasses.

"Yeah, I suppose," Harry mumbled as he and Ron left the hut and wandered back up the castle to tell Hermione what was going on.

"WHAT?!" screeched Hermione.

"Hermione, calm down – no-one is supposed to know!" hissed Harry in an urgent whisper.

"They'd better start looking for a new Defence teacher then because Lupin won't be coming back!"

"Hermione, they wouldn't have sent him if they hadn't discussed every possibility and risk and how to handle it."

"I still don't know about this, guys,"

"Neither do we – but there's nothing we can do about it. We just have to wait for news. Meanwhile, we should probably be getting to the Care of Magical Creatures Club." Harry sighed, leaving the Common Room and heading down to Hagrid's hut for the second time in the past half an hour, with Ron and Hermione right behind him.

"S'madness, tha's what it is," Hagrid muttered to himself while inspecting Harry's work. They were mixing special vitamin dishes for the Thestrals and were also learning how to feed them properly.

"Excuse me, Hagrid, but what's madness?" Harry asked nosily, knowing how useless Hagrid was at keeping his mouth shut.

"S'none of yer business, 'Arry. I'm under strict orders to keep quiet abou' this whole scenario."

"Are you angry about what's happening tonight?"

"Wha's happenin' tonight is not to be mentioned to anyone, yeh got that?" Hagrid's tone of voice suddenly became very dark and his eyes held a mixture of fear and fury. Harry decided to stop pushing his luck at that point as Hagrid was clearly not going to say anything else.

That night, Harry and Ron sat in silence in the common room, awaiting the return of Hermione.

"The attack at the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures Committee will have begun by now."

"Uh-huh,"

"What do you think will happen?"

"Dunno,"

"I wonder how long Lupin will last before Voldemort finds out he's a spy and---"

"Ron, I don't want to talk about this, ok?" Harry snapped, but seeing that startled look on his friend's face made him stop abruptly and regret losing his temper immediately, "sorry," he whispered.

"S'ok, you're just worried," Ron shrugged, smiling good-naturedly.

"Can you really and honestly say you're not?"

"No…I'm worried too. What if Voldemort caught Lupin and the back-up team from the Order attempt a rescue? Or what if one of the Order on their own attempted a rescue?"

"I assume when you say 'one of the Order' you mean your Dad or Bill?"

"Yeah," Ron nodded miserably, "you know what Dad's like."

"Dumbledore and Moody will be with him, Ron – don't worry."

"Ok, thanks mate."

"No problem," Harry said, laughing inwardly at how he and Ron had so quickly swapped roles halfway through their conversation.

"Harry? Ron?" Hermione staggered back through the portrait hole, books piled high in her arms.

"What are all those?!" Ron asked, gob smacked, causing Harry to thank the stars that he'd been distracted from thinking about what could be happening at the attack.

"Books," Hermione answered simply.

"What are they about?"

"I got one for our Potions homework, one for the DA – and three for my medicines club."

"That only makes five – there are six there…" Harry's gaze was fixed on the sixth book.

"It's a record of all protests and attacks at the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures committee right up until last year." Hermione explained, handing the black and silver book to Harry, who fingered through it in shock.

"It lists all the casualties and deaths…" Harry's voice trailed off.

"Yes, it does. I though you should see how much deaths and casualty numbers have steadily decreased over the years. Compared to fifty years ago, the figures of today are nothing…I just thought it might cheer you up or comfort you or something."

"Thanks, Hermione, but you're forgetting that this is Voldemort attacking. No-one who's against him stands much chance of emerging unscathed…even alive…the whole point of this attack is to kill…"

"Not possible – how did he get past the borders? We have them guarded! Are you sure?"

"I would know him anywhere, Master, even in this form."

"Kill him, Worm – he is not to leave here alive or someone will pay," Voldemort smiled maliciously.

"Yes, Master,"

"Professor McGonagall?" asked Harry at Battle Club the following day.

"Yes, Potter?"

"Any word from---?"

"Not a word," McGonagall cut in before he could finish, "but I assure you that we would know if anyone had died…"

"How?"

"We have out methods. Now, get on with dueling Miss. Granger as she is looking positively fed-up."

"Yes, Professor," sighed Harry, returning reluctantly to his duel with a rather impatient looking Hermione.

"Professor McGonagall, can I have a word?" Dumbledore said, having strolled casually into the room. Harry's head snapped up instantly on hearing his Headmaster's voice and he stared at the two teachers as they spoke quietly in a corner, seeming to keep their faces worryingly expressionless. Hermione noted Harry's distracted behaviour and walked off in a huff, taking on the role of teacher and telling everybody what they should be doing and exactly how to do it.

"Mr. Weasley, come here," McGonagall called sharply. Ron hurried over. He was told something by Dumbledore and led out of the room. McGonagall motioned for Harry and Hermione to follow.

"What's going on?" Harry asked as soon as they reached Dumbledore's office.

"The protest finished at five o'clock this morning when most of the werewolves were back in their human forms. They were whisked off by Voldemort not long afterwards. Arthur is searching the site for Remus... he refused to wait for Remus to find us."

"And?"

"They haven't contacted us yet…"

"You don't think they've been killed, do you?"

"We don't know, Ronald, but Alastor and Hagrid are now looking for them along with Bill Weasley. We will have news soon." Dumbledore smiled reassuringly at the three students before him, who were all looking very anxious with hate for Voldemort showing plainly on their faces.

"Can we see them as soon as they get back?" Ron asked hopefully.

"You and Harry will have to miss the Quidditch Match against Slytherin."

"I think this is a valid reason to miss it," Harry smiled grimly, thinking about what might have happened to Mr. Weasley and Professor Lupin.

"Harry?" Hermione's eyes were red-rimmed as she found Harry in the Quidditch Changing Rooms, getting ready for a match.

"Hey Hermione, you seen Ron anywhere?"

"Harry…we've got news from the Order…" Hermione's voice shook.

"What?! Is everyone ok?" Harry jumped up eagerly.

"No, Harry, they're not,"

"Ok, let me rephrase that; is everyone alive?"

"That depends on what your definition of 'alive' is, but I'd say not exactly."

"What do you mean by 'not exactly'?"

"Voldemort had hidden Dementors in the forest so that people attempting to hide or escape from his werewolves and Death Eaters would be caught."

"No…someone's had the Dementor's kiss," it was more a statement than a question, "someone from the Order?"

"Ron's up in Dumbledore's office – I think it's best if he tells you, so you get the whole story. Ron already knows and has gone to see his Dad."

"What's wrong with Mr. Weasley?" Harry felt his stomach turn.

"All will be explained, Harry," Hermione wiped her nose on a handkerchief and Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office with her, pressing Hermione for more information, but getting none.

"Ah, Harry, do come in – Miss. Granger, I think it would be best if you left and went with young Mr. Weasley to Headquarters."

"No, I want her to stay," Harry's voice was soft and reflective, with a kind of sadness.

"Very well – you may want to sit down, Harry, as this may come as quite a shock," Dumbledore sighed, looking totally at a loss of what to do, "ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Harry replied.

"Bill Weasley was with Professor Lupin and Arthur Weasley in the forest protecting them from the Dementors, but – and there is no easy way to say this – he received the Dementor's Kiss."

"Ron…" Harry's mind leapt to his friends.

"Arthur Weasley is at Grimmauld Place with the others along with the others. Alastor Moody and Hagrid have emerged, for the most part, unscathed. Professor Lupin is suffering from shock and also took a lot of bashing from the other werewolves once they found out who he was."

"But how's Ron?"

"The entire Weasley family and the Order is at Grimmauld Place. Do you wish to join them, along with Miss. Granger?"

"Yes," Harry replied, leaping to his feet once more, not caring in the slightest that he was about to miss Gryffindor's Quidditch match against Slytherin. Quidditch Matches could be postponed; time and lives couldn't.

The mood at Grimmauld Place was depressed - there was no other word to describe it. When Harry, Hermione and Dumbledore arrived they didn't earn so much as even a mere glance. The Weasley's were all sat together and sobbing quietly. The Order were all sat still, heads in hands and tears rolling down their faces. Only Tonks offered a small greeting smile as they walked in. But the next arrival caused a great deal more surprise and shock.

"Percy!" Ginny exclaimed tearfully.

"Dumbledore told me how to find you and what happened. I've been such an idiot. Please forgive me – I don't want anyone else to die before I am able to make my peace with you."

"Forgive and forget," Mrs. Weasley said quietly, embracing her son. Mr. Weasley scowled and remained silent, not really in the mood to talk to his son.

"Please, Father, I want to help you," Percy pleaded, "you and my brothers."

"Um, if it's ok then I think I need to turn in for the night," Lupin said softly, looking as if he would pass out at any second."

"No problem, Remus," Arthur Weasley finally spoke up, managing a small smile in Lupin's direction.

"It's inconsiderate," Percy mumbled. Lupin left the room, pretending not to have heard Percy but looking decidedly uncomfortable nevertheless. Several people glowered at Percy who simply turned up his nose pompously.

"Percy, I want you to leave – I am not ready to talk rationally at the present time. I will contact you when I am ready," Mr. Weasley's voice was cold and hard. Percy sniffed in a rather arrogant fashion and stormed out of the house. Mrs. Weasley burst into floods of tears and ran out the room and up the stairs, continuing to cry hysterically. Both Ron and Ginny ran after her and Harry, out of pure instinct, followed.

He decided halfway up that he would not follow the Weasleys upstairs after all as they needed time alone. So Harry instead decided to seek out Lupin as he hadn't looked too good when he'd left the scene of depression downstairs.

"Professor Lupin?" Harry whispered, peering into the room in which he knew Lupin to be staying. There was no response. Harry edged further into the room, holding his breath. It was almost pitch black: he turned the light on…

A/N: - So many questions, so little time…is Lupin there or is he not or is he alive or is he dead? I will warn you now that Bill Weasley is the first of many that will perish in this battle…and I can tell you that the next death will be in chapter……….hmmm, maybe I won't say after all! And while I remember, thank-you again to ClearGreenWater, who continues to faithfully review my humble story! Right, that's it until next time!