A short chapter this time, but the next one should make up for it…I hope. Enjoy!

Prongs Rides Again

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Escaping of Dumbledore

It was soon April and with the impending OWLs coming up as well as the DA meetings, James had his work cut out for him and he struggled to meet the deadlines he set. Umbridge continued to keep a close watch on him, her gaze forever pierced in his direction. Thankfully she hadn't followed him during his evening walks with Sirius, otherwise she would've arrested him by now for consorting with a wanted criminal. Whenever James felt they were away from Hogwarts he would allow his friend to transform, for just a few minutes so that he could be himself again.

It was a huge risk James had to take.

His life had been made worse by Umbridge's continuing inspection of his lessons. Hagrid tried his best, but James felt that his giant friend was falling apart, and most of the time, James had to mend the damage caused. Hagrid had lost his confidence, and with the OWLs approaching, James as hard pushed to cover all the topics.

Thankfully when Umbridge had threatened James with expulsion, Dumbledore had stepped in, and strongly advised her to let him teach without being interrupted by her. Umbridge had been furious at the request but had promised to do so. On that particular incident no one knew about save for Dumbledore, James and Umbridge.

She had promised James that Dumbledore wouldn't be there to protect him forever.

And she was right.

The DA club continued to meet during the week, whenever the members could find time together. Every student who had joined had come a long way, and recently, Harry had confided in his father, the pride he felt whenever his fellow student mastered a spell.

They had finally begun work on producing a Patronus. James had been surprised and pleased to find that Harry's Patronus was his own animagus form. He felt extremely proud.

It was in the latest meeting that something bad happened.

The door to the Room of Requirement opened and James caught sight of a small elf, who made its way towards Harry, whisper urgently to him, and then fade from site. Harry's face went from joy to shock, and he bellowed: "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? RUN!"

Students made a run for the door, and James fought towards Harry. "What's happened?"

"Umbridge." Harry panted. "She knows."

"Holy crap!" James shouted. "Come on! I'm getting you out of here!"

Wrenching the door open James hurried Harry though, pushing him in front of him, forcing his son to the left. They ran a few steps.

"Abrascio!" James whispered to the side of the wall, and a small tunnel opened up. "Get inside it! Follow the passage! It'll take you back to Gryffindor Tower!"

Harry nodded and ran into the darkness, lighting his wand as he did so. James muttered the same words again and the panel closed, just as he heard the unmistakable footsteps approach from behind him.

"Mr Potter." Umbridge said.

James turned, forcing a smile onto his face. "Yes, Dolores? May I help you?"

"You certainly can. You can explain to me why you were involved with an illegal club." She stated.

James made his expressions surprised. "What do you mean by that?"

"You'd better come to the Headmaster's Office, hadn't you? I'm sure we can clear this little mess up in no time." Umbridge explained evilly.

James swallowed and numbly followed Umbridge to Dumbledore's Office. At least Harry was safe.

He was unsurprised to find Cornelius Fudge and a two Aurors waiting with Dumbledore in his Office. This is bad. James thought. He was doing this for Harry, he kept reminding himself. At least this way he was protecting his son.

Minerva McGonagall waited to the side, her eyes running over the people present in the room.

"Where is Harry Potter?" Fudge asked. "I understand that he has broken several Ministry Decrees."

"That is correct." Umbridge said proudly.

"Then why isn't he here?"

"I did not catch him, but Mr Potter, here, was involved to."

"Ahh…."

James locked eyes with Dumbledore. He read in his eyes: Deny everything. James realised that the headmaster had a plan. He could see sadness reflected within the aged depths and he felt himself worrying what the Headmaster was planning to do.

"Please, sit down, Mr Potter." Cornelius Fudge instructed, waving his wand and producing a wooden chair.

James obeyed.

"Now, I have assurances from a witness that you have been involved in an illegal student organisation. Is that correct Mr Potter?" the Minister asked, leaning forward.

"No," James answered. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I am unaware of this, if there is such a club."

"You are lying!" Umbridge accused him. "You were there! I saw you walk away from the scene of the crime! Tell us the truth Mr Potter! Or I will summon your 'son' here."

"And that's supposed to scare me?" James questioned. "I tell you the truth. If I knew anything about an illegal organisation, don't you think I would try and stop it? I support every one of your Ministry Decrees. After all you are reforming the school to make it better for future generations!"

Umbridge glowered in anger, whereas Fudge seemed to look confused by James' choice of words.

"I think I had better fetch our informant."

"Yes, yes, Dolores, please do. Perhaps she can clear up this little mess here." Fudge said.

Umbridge left the Office to collect the witness, and James stole a glance at the Headmaster. When she returned he was shocked to see Marietta, Cho Chang's curly haired friend. Harry had told James that on Valentine's Day, the day he had done the Quibbler Interview, he had been with Cho Chang on a date, but it had not turned out well. James had been sympathetic towards his son and had tried to give him advice. Things at the moment seemed to be working out between them, whether or not it became serious or not, was up to them.

Marietta was holding her face in her hands. It was clearly a hex, and James wondered if Harry had been the one to administer it, but then, Hermione had said that in order to protect the club she had jinxed them, so perhaps this was her handiwork. He would have to ask her later, if he was allowed to remain at Hogwarts.

James listened to the conversation that followed, and was surprised when he realised that Marietta was not telling them the whole truth. The DA meetings had been going on for over six months, but Marietta shook her head when asked if there had been more then one meeting.

When she turned her head in his general direction he noticed that her eyes were oddly clear, and he realised that someone in the room had put some sort of memory charm on her. Very clever.

To James' horror, Umbridge produced a list of the names of the pupils involved. He couldn't believe it. Sure enough, right at the top of the list was the name 'HARRY POTTER'. There was no way he could deny his son's involvement now. He swallowed waiting for the accusations and questions to begin, but they didn't come. Instead Dumbledore was speaking.

He explained how he had been the one to create the DA club and that tonight was to be the first meeting. He wanted to know how many people turned up. He said that James knew of the room where the club was being held but had no idea that the students were going to be there. To prove that James had been in the room for a valid reason, Dumbledore produced some of the students work, showing James' handwriting when he marked it. It was also dated for that very day.

Umbridge refused to believe this, but Fudge didn't listen to her as his excitement about Dumbledore's plot seem to grow on him and he ordered the Headmaster's arrest. James was too late to prevent or even argue against the verdict.

As the two Aurors attacked, James was pushed to the ground, as white light flashed overhead. He ducked. Dust settled when the fighting was over and he risked a glance.

Dumbledore remained standing. The two Aurors lay unconscious as was Umbridge and Fudge. The headmaster dusted the mess off his robes.

"What are you going to do?" James asked.

"Leave. And quickly." Dumbledore answered. "Minerva I leave you in charge. James, protect Harry at all costs. Don't let him run off."

James nodded. "I understand."

"Where will you go?" McGonagall asked.

"Into hiding. I can't say where in case they find out. I must go before they wake." Dumbledore answered. He called Fawkes to him, clasping him by the feathers and then they were gone in a flash of light.

"Where are they?" Fudge yelled as he regained consciousness.

"I don't know! He can't have disapparated!" an Auror shouted.

Fudge turned to Minerva. "Where's he gone?"

She shrugged, pointing to the stairs.

"After him!" Fudge bellowed.

The two Aurors and Umbridge departed.

"Well, this looks like the end to your friend Dumbledore." Fudge said stubbonly.

"You think so, do you?" James whispered to himself. He didn't doubt Dumbledore. He knew the Headmaster was doing what he thought was right. But whether he would return to Hogwarts, was another matter entirely.

James couldn't help but feel that this whole thing was his fault.

TBC

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Just a quick note: I'm not going to do author/review responses anymore mainly because I've heard a few people have been banned from the site for making them way too long, whether this is true or not, I don't know, and I don't want to risk my membership with the site. However if anyone who reviews this story has a comment that I would like to reply to then I will email that person and respond that way. Hopefully this will work out. If I cannot get hold of you then I will find another way to respond to you. Thank you.

Great thanks goes to everyone who has been reading and reviewing since the beginning! Your comments make my day ;-)

Next chapter: Getting to know the father - in which Harry learns more about his parents and grandparents as well as gets some careers advice…coming hopefully next Saturday…

Thanks for reading!

MissBlackPotter