Chapter Twenty: A Threat

That night, Harry had problems sleeping. He kept dwelling on all the people Voldemort had either hurt of killed. He knew that there was a good possibility in Katie dying while fulfilling her prophecy. He also knew that, when the time came to defend the wizarding world, many of his friends would be killed. The next morning, Harry quickly dressed and went to the Great Hall.

'Same time, same place.'

Soon the mail came. Ron received a letter from his parents and a clipping from the Daily Prophet.

New Minister of Magic

Yesterday afternoon, the Wizengamot announced

that they had removed Cornelius Fudge

from his post as Minister of Magic.

"Upon receiving numerous

witnesses, the Wizengamot unanimously

voted to remove the former Minister,"

said Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of

Magical Law Enforcement, "We have decided

to promote Arthur Weasley, previously Head

of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."

"As my first act as Minister, I shall

remove the dementors from Azkaban. I also

would like to withdraw all criminal charges from

escaped prisoner, and now deceased, Sirius

Black. He was a pivotal member of the

Order of the Phoenix. I also would like

to award him the Order of Merlin,

First Class. Since Sirius is deceased, his medal

shall be awarded to his godson, Harry Potter at a later date,"

reported the new Minister.

"This is excellent," said Ron as a brown owl landed in front of Harry.

Harry opened the letter and let out a groan.

"Oh, no. I was hoping this day would never come," said Harry.

"What is it?" asked Katie.

"Next Saturday is going to be the reading of Sirius' will. I have to be there," replied Harry.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," said Hermione.

"Let's go train, I could use a distraction," said Harry.

Over the next few hours, Harry taught the Guard all of the advanced spells be bad learned over the summer. He also cast a spell from Moody's spell book on them that let them see through various types of disguises. Just as Harry finished showing the Guard their uniforms, his scar exploded with pain. Harry fell to his knees.

"What's the matter, mate?" asked Ron as he ran to Harry.

"He's not happy, that's for sure. I had better warn Dumbledore," said Harry as he turned and ran to the Headmaster's office.

Just as he was about to say the password Professor McGonagall saw him.

"Potter, what do you need?" asked McGonagall.

"Warn the Order, retribution's coming," said Harry as McGonagall's eyes widened in shock, "I think it's because he no longer has any control over the Minister."

"Round up the Phoenix Guard, I'm now placing you on duty. Go now!" ordered McGonagall as she rushed off to warn the Order of the Phoenix.

'Guard, to me!'

Eleven student's wearing white robes appeared at his side.

"What's up?" asked Katie.

"We're on patrol as of now. We need to set up a perimeter around the school. The teachers who are in the order have left, so be prepared. Use your Animagus transformations and invisibility. Dean, Seamus, Ernie, Hannah, Cho, and Luna, you're on the perimeter, you'll be able to cover the most ground. Go! The rest of you, we're patrolling the corridors and dungeons," ordered Harry, "Ron, you've got the first and second floors. Hermione, you've got the third and fourth floors. Ginny, you've got the fifth and sixth floors. Neville, you've got the seventh floor and all the towers. Katie, you've got the ground floor and the Great Hall. I'll take the dungeons. Let's go."

For the next few hours, the Phoenix Guard patrolled Hogwarts without incident. At about four in the morning, Dumbledore found Harry.

"Harry, are you sure that your warning to Professor McGonagall was correct?" asked Dumbledore.

"I believe it was, Professor," answered Harry.

"Then it must be a prolonged or delayed revenge. Of course, he could just be using it as fuel for his anger," said Dumbledore quietly to himself.

"So, nothing happened?" asked Harry.

"No, but if you are correct, he will be planning something, "said Dumbledore, "Knowing his tendencies, it'll be horrible unless we stop him. The Phoenix Guard is to now patrol every night from nine o'clock at night until six o'clock in the morning. Of course, I recommend you patrol in shifts. You are relieved for tonight. Good night, or rather, good morning."

'Guard, stand down and get some shut eye, I'll see you at breakfast.'