The week zoomed by leaving everyone in its saddened wake. News was spreading throughout the wizarding world of a number of attacks. The heads of several departments within the ministry had been killed, and only a few had been left without injury.
The Gryffindors had watched as Joseph left a week early with Frank to attend the funeral of his father, Ginny had wanted to attend but Joseph had refused to let her go with him. The school was filled with gossip as the prophet was spread among the students reading articles about an evil wizard.
Among the many rumours Peter had heard the best was that his father was in St. Mungos after being attacked and that he was expected to die at any minute. People kept looking at Peter wondering why he was still there. He was enjoying the rumours that were floating around although the truth was something to horrible to think of.
From among the school only a small number knew the absolute truth of the situation. Peter was spending many hours sitting around tables with Sirius, Amanda and Andromeda trying to work out what they were going to do with the up coming summer.
The other third year Gryffindors were trying to get information from them about what was happening but they knew that by telling them they would spread more danger and were careful not to say anything more to their friends than that already said.
As well as the four of them they had heard low gossip of things changing within the Slytherin dungeon rooms. Amanda had managed to get Severus on his own for half an hour to find some information out. All she got was that most within the dungeon didn't know what was happening.
He was careful with what he had passed on but by the end of it she knew that Bella was involved and would be joining with them when she left along with Rodolphus. She also discovered that her brother was involved with it all along with Lucius and that they were convincing Regulus he should be too.
By the time the leaving feast was spread in front of them only eleven students knew the truth, knew who was involved and why they were being targeted. Only those four Gryffindors from the evilest of families along with their brothers, sisters, cousins and of course Lestrange knew what to expect.
The hall was filled with whispers that werewolves were behind the attack, causing Remus anxiety not that anybody noticed. Another rumour was that it was muggleborns trying to rid the world of the prejudice purebloods. But no one had considered that it could be a relative of one of the four founders of Hogwarts, nobody had heard of a boy who had once attended by the name of Tom Riddle.
The mass of students were unaware of the transformation that this boy had undertaken in the twenty years he had been out of Hogwarts. Not one knew of his connection to the Slytherin founder and none knew of his plan to rid the world of the impure of wizard kind. Tom Riddle had finally found his feet and had decided it was time that he was known to the world.
The meal that was taking place on that final night was subdued. No celebrations rocked the air no shouts of joy from the Gryffindors who had won the Quidditch Cup and none from the Ravenclaws who had beaten them to the House Cup by ten points.
There were no celebrations for the exams that were passed, and no rubbing in of the standing of the Gryffindor third years (Remus had topped the year followed by Severus Snape, Branwen, Lily and then Alice. James had come tenth in the year followed by Ginny two below him. Then Peter was down in twenty third with Sirius at thirty and Amanda at thirty three)
There was no laughter in the hall only shared whispers of rumours. The food was eaten in almost complete silence and when Dumbledore stood to make his end of year speech he only had to clear his throat once and the small sound died away.
"Another year has ended and what a year it has been. Each and every one of you have grown and matured and some have faced horrors that most would think unbelievable. I am proud of each and every one of you for facing your demons and for the way you have all behaved in the last two weeks."
"I think it is time that these rumours that are spreading come to an end. You know that something is happening you are all smart and nothing gets by you. Your parents will not be happy that you know these things they will want you shielded but I believe that if we leave you without the truth you will not be prepared for what is to come."
His eyes roamed the room landing on Peter and he nodded at the small boy.
"We are at war although the papers have yet to declare it. The Minster is doing his best to ignore the threat and we must assume that he is wishing the problem away. There is trouble but there is nothing for you to truly fear at the moment. I and my close friends believe that they are ridding themselves of high officials and that you will all be safe."
"So tomorrow go forth into the world and don't fear what you hear. Most of you will return after the summer and for our leavers I wish you all the luck in the world, don't forget what you have been taught and use your brains, stand up for what you believe to be right and don't get forced to think in another's way."
"Remember who you are, remember where you came from and remember to live life to its fullest, enjoy everyday but don't take stupid risks. If ever you need help the doors to the school will be open to you and as long as you're true to yourself you will find help from within. Now off to bed you all must go and rest your sleepy heads for tomorrow will be a long day for all."
He sat down and more whispers spread through the room. The students stood up and left the hall heading to their dorms and sleep. Sirius however signalled to Peter to hold back grabbing Amanda and Andromeda's hands.
The four left the hall together and headed to the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Sirius and Amanda had spent so much time there that they knew the password by heart. They made their way up and knocked on the door.
Silence greeted them but that didn't stop Amanda from opening the door and heading in. It looked the same as it had for the last three years and she moved straight to Fawkes who was in the prime of his life, stroking his feathers gently.
"He likes that Miss Dixon."
The four students turned to see the headmaster enter the room; he was smiling sadly at them all as he took a seat. He waved his wand and four chairs appeared in front of him. Sirius and Peter took the two seats on either end leaving the middle two for the girls.
Andromeda found herself next to Peter while Amanda took the last seat Fawkes landing gently on her lap allowing her to continue stroking him.
"Now it is always a pleasure having you join me like this but I believe there is a reason you are all here."
"We can't go home tomorrow."
Dumbledore's eyes moved to Sirius' and he saw the intense look the young boy wore he was determined and he couldn't be blamed who'd want to go back to a home like theirs. However Dumbledore knew they must.
"I am sorry Sirius but you must return home, all of you."
"But what if they try to –"
"Mr Black you must return home otherwise your fathers will know that we've discovered their involvement. You needn't stay too long with them I've already spoken to Henry Potter he will be having you and Mr Pettigrew over after three weeks."
His eyes turned to look at Andromeda
"You my dear will be going to stay with Trinity. They are vacating in Mexico this summer and you have been invited along with them. You leave after two weeks at home and you do not return until the week before you come back here, so you will be safe all summer."
The three were smiling now glad that their dilemma had been sorted but from within the silence he heard the fourth voice speak up.
"I shall not be returning home at all. I don't care what father thinks or your plan. Ginny has already sorted it out with her parents I'm staying with them all summer, and there's nothing you or anybody else can do or say that will make me go home."
The headmaster looked at her; the determination on her face brought a smile to his face.
"I had planed for you to stay with Branwen all summer but if it has been sorted for you to stay with Miss Dunn then that will be fine, I will let Ddraig know that you will be safe. Now why don't the four of you go back to your dorm you've got an early start."
The four Gryffindors returned to their rooms to find everyone sitting around the common room talking about what had been said. It was a long night where nobody slept to busy trying to come to terms with the problems of the outside world.