Disclaimer:

J.K. Rowling is the owner of Harry Potter. Stories she has written and characters that she created are not mine. I don't take credit for any of her work. I do thank her for providing such a wonderful universe to dream about and write in.

Harry Potter and the Shadow of Evil

By: Starwin

Chapter 26 – One Minute Before Midnight

The dance had ended at ten o'clock, but because of the special occasion, the usual curfew had been pushed back to midnight. The dance had ended at ten o'clock. Many students had gone back to the dormitories though and the hallways were empty as Ginny and Harry walked slowly up the stairs. Ginny was holding onto his arm and her head was resting on his shoulder. They were still a good distance from Gryffindor tower and neither of them was in a hurry to get back.

Harry couldn't take his hand off the new wand in his pocket. It felt so smooth. The tips of his fingers didn't stick as he slid his hand along. It was soothing to have a wand again. The uneasy feeling that had been in his mind for more then a month was finally gone.

Harry turned his attention to the girl embracing his arm. Harry took a deep breath. He had wanted to do something all night long but there had been too many people around. Harry stopped walking and pulled Ginny to a halt along side him. He turned to face her. She was obviously thinking the same thing because without waiting she put her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

It was very dark and the hallways were empty except for them. Harry's heart was pounding very fast. The thrill of having the whole school to themselves, well this hallway at least, made Harry feel a rush of excitement. They broke away for air. Harry had his hand around Ginny's waist holding her hips against his.

"Do you remember that time in your room," Harry said seriously. Ginny licked her lips trying to hold back a smile.

"Not really, maybe you could describe it for me in detail," Ginny teased. Harry gave a nervous laugh.

"You know I love you, Gin," Harry said looking into her eyes. "But I'm not sure how far we should go. What if we go too far and we can't come back. I have this fear that I might lose you. That you won't like me anymore."

"I understand," Ginny said genuinely. "But that doesn't mean we can't still express our love. We don't have to go all the way if you don't want to, there are other things we can do."

"Really?" Harry said surprised. "Like what?" Ginny giggled and was about to tell him when a noise pulled their attention down the hall. The two broke apart and both pulled their wands out. Harry could hear a groaning of someone in pain.

"Come on," Harry said moving down the hall. Ginny followed right beside him. The sounds were growing louder and now Harry could hear words.

"uhhh… he…lp… uhh." Harry moved faster. The sounds were coming from the stairs down to the first floor. Harry saw a man lying on his back halfway up. He was clutching his side as though trying to hold something in. Harry moved quickly down to him.

"Oh my god," Ginny said. "It's Lupin!" Harry knelt down beside him. It was dark but Harry could still see blood running between Lupin's fingers and down onto the stairs. Harry took hold of his hand and pulled it away. A horrible wound had been opened in Lupin's side and Harry could see parts of his insides trying to escape. Lupin's breathing was ragged and each intake brought fresh blood oozing to the surface.

Harry could feel bile rising in his throat as looked at the torn flesh. Hermione had suggested that the DA practice healing magic, but they hadn't even begun researching it yet or even putting together a lesson plan. They had been too busy training with Lilith.

"This is really bad," Harry said looking up at Ginny. She had turned her head away and closed her eyes. "I don't know any healing spells, and I don't think we could get to the hospital wing." Ginny was shaking now as she looked away. Harry turned his attention back Lupin who was dying in front of him.

Harry couldn't see any other choice. He held his hands before his eyes. His fingers begun to meld together and shining red feathers tipped with black grew quickly out of his arms. Talon stood next to Lupin a moment later. Turning his head over the wound, Talon let the magical healing teardrops fall from his eyes. There was a hissing sound like something being burned. The wound began to close. Quickly Talon transformed back into Harry.

"Lupin," Harry said shaking the man. He hoped he hadn't been too late. "Lupin, answer me." Lupin's head rolled to the side his eyes barely opened as he looked at Harry.

"They are coming…" he whispered. An instant later shouting erupted downstairs and there came a great splintering of wood. It sounded as though the gates to Hogwarts had been blasted apart.

"Voldemort!" Harry said looking at Ginny. She looked very frightened. "We have to move to higher ground." Harry pointed his wand at Lupin and levitated him into the air. The sounds of shouting and footsteps were growing louder. Harry pushed a tapestry aside and pulled Ginny into the secret passage hidden behind it. Harry put his eye against the edge of the tapestry and looked into the hall.

Men appeared at the top of the stairs. Harry felt his face go slack. They were not Death Eaters, they were Aurors.

"Search the castle!" shouted the man at the front. Harry was sure his voice sounded familiar. "Don't let the werewolf get away." The Auror walked very slowly down the hall following after a group of Aurors that had just run off. He looked around as he walked, his eyes locked with Harry's for a moment and Harry was sure the man had seen him, but his gaze moved on.

Harry knew where he had seen this man before. He had been the lead Auror in St. Mungos, the one that had wanted to snap Harry's wand and kill Solaris. The man's footsteps faded away down the hall.

Why were Aurors after Lupin? So many reasons popped into Harry's head that he had to shake it to clear his thoughts. What do we do now? He could think of only one place to go, Dumbledore's office. But they would never be able to make it.

"We can't stay here," Ginny said. "We have to get him some place safe."

"I know," Harry said. He had to think, how could they get out of here? He could become a Phoenix and teleport them. No, he had never teleported anyone except himself before, and the one time he had tried to go some place that wasn't right in front of him he had ended up somewhere else. "Come on." Harry said flicking his wand to lift Lupin off the ground again.

Harry and Ginny ran down the secret passage, Lupin floating behind them. Harry wasn't entirely sure where this passage came out. Voices ahead of them brought Harry and Ginny to a halt. Aurors were here too. They were surrounded.

"I can get us out," Ginny said. Harry turned and looked at her, she looked nervous. "Nightmares can become ethereal, and anyone riding one does too. We could walk right past them and they wouldn't even see us." Hagrid's words seemed to jump in to Harry's mind. Nightmares are evil. Harry was sure he had never once before heard Hagrid call any creature evil.

"Alright," Harry said trying to hide the worry in his voice. He didn't see any other choice. Ginny closed her eyes focusing. Her face became longer and her hands lit with fire. She leaned forward and a moment later a Nightmare stood in the passageway with them. Its eyes opened, they were filled with flames.

Harry guided Lupin onto Ginny's back, then he slung himself up. Ginny's hoof struck against the ground sending sparks and flame into the air.

"What was that!" shouted a voice from outside. Harry looked at his hands, they were still visible. Whatever Ginny was going to do she had better do it quickly. Harry felt her body move beneath him. Slowly Ginny walked forward out through the tapestry into the hallway. But the tapestry did not move as she walked through it. It was almost like she was vanishing into the fabric. Lupin sunk away through the fabric next and Harry braced himself to crash into it and be forced from Ginny's back. Instead he felt an icy chill and the world became without color.

A group of Aurors stood in front of the tapestry now. Ginny was walking right through an Auror as though she were a ghost horse. A moment later one of the Aurors whipped his wand and the tapestry fell from the wall.

"Check it," said the Auror calmly. His voice sounded funny, like he was speaking through a long cardboard tube. With their wands out Aurors began to file down the passage.

"Don't worry they can't hear us," Ginny said turning her long face to the side to glance back at Harry. Harry was surprised.

"You, you can talk?" Harry said his voice sounded strange like a distant echo.

"Not talk," Ginny said looking forward again. "The ethereal world is a world of the mind. You are hearing projected thoughts." Harry nodded. He needed to be careful what he thought then.

"We need to get to Dumbledore's office Gin," Harry said. Ginny nodded, it was a very strange sight to see a horse nod.

"Right, and by the way, my name is Shadow in this form," Ginny said. Harry licked his lips uncomfortably. "Hold on, we're going to fly." Harry leaned forward against Lupin's back There wasn't anything to hold on to. All Harry could do was tighten his legs against Shadow's sides.

Shadow took two great sprinting steps and launched herself into the air on a trail of bright yellow and red flame. Fire seemed to be the only thing with color in this colorless world. It didn't feel like they were flying at all. In fact it felt like they were standing completely still.

Harry winced reflexively as they moved through the ceiling and up into the next floor like ghost. It was only moments later that they emerged into Dumbledore's office. The room was empty save for Fawks who was asleep. Harry shifted his weight to get off.

"NO!" Shadow cried. Harry's hand shot out and grabbed painfully at Shadow's skin working to pull himself back up. "If you dismount before we return from the ethereal plane you'll be trapped here. Without a physical anchor you would be sent spinning out into the infinity with no point of return." Harry righted himself. His heart was beating very fast. Shadow struck her hoof against the ground and walked forward very slowly.

As she moved the air parted as though she was walking though a hole in the air. Harry felt a chill as he passed through. The world once again had color.

"Can I get off now?" Harry asked. Shadow did not say any words but nodded her head. Harry swung his leg over thankful to be on solid ground again. Taking hold of Lupin Harry helped him off Shadow's back and she shrunk back to herself.

"Dumbledore isn't here," Harry whispered. Fawks opened his eyes and watched the three people that had just suddenly appeared in his master's office, with mild curiosity.

"Did you hear that?" Ginny said. Harry listened he could hear footsteps outside the door.

"Come on, help me move Lupin" Harry said. Ginny nodded and moved to Lupin's other side and put his arm around her shoulder. The three of them moved behind Dumbledore's desk and underneath the staircase that led up to the second level. A moment later Harry heard the door open and voices talking.

"The ministry has authorized us to use any means necessary to apprehend any dark wizard," said a voice. It was the same voice as the man from the hospital and the downstairs landing.

"What makes you think that the man you are looking for is here?" Dumbledore asked, his voice was calmly.

"We tracked him here, we lost him just inside the castle but he could not have gotten far, we wounded him badly." The Auror said.

"So," Dumbledore said and this time there was annoyance in his voice, "Instead of asking for our assistance you destroyed the front gate and risked the lives of innocent students."

"We, uh, there wasn't time. This man is very dangerous," the Auror answered. Something about the way he was talking told Harry that his words were not truthful. "He's a Werewolf and as I'm sure you are well aware, injures consistent with that of a werewolf that were responsible for the death of the late Minister."

"I have heard such claims," Dumbledore said. "However I have not seen anything to support them. Nor have you given me any reason to permit your Aurors to continue to tear apart my school."

"But the werewolf," the Auror protested.

"Is obviously not here. Unless he can fly or turn invisible," Dumbledore said. There was the sound of running footsteps, someone had just entered the room but was not speaking. Harry listened with all his might but there just seemed to be silence.

"It would appears you are correct, Headmaster," the Auror said. "My searchers can find no trace of him. My apologies." It did not sound like he was sorry at all. Dumbledore did not answer. There was the sound of slow footsteps walking away. "Oh, and Headmaster," the Auror said. "I don't need to remind you that if he should turn up it is your duty to contact us."

"Of course, if I see any werewolves I will send word to the ministry immediately." Dumbledore said. "Goodnight." There was another long pause of silence. "You can come out now. Harry and Ginny moved out from under the stairs. Dumbledore was looking at them.

"He was lying," Harry said. "Almost every word he said, Lupin would never do anything like that."

"I know," Dumbledore said holding up his hand and nodding softly. "However I fear something horrible has happened tonight. Is Remus in any condition to speak?"

"I've been better," Lupin said from behind Harry. There was a grunt as he got to his feet. "But I do I seem to have lost some injures." Lupin said rubbing the hole in his robe. "The Order," Lupin said panicked. "We were attacked. The house at number 12 has been overrun by Ministry officials. Moody and Tonks have been captured. The ministry is calling a special execution at midnight"

"Then we do not have much time," Dumbledore said. He looked very tired and very old in Harry's eyes. "We will have to act quickly if we are to save their lives."

"We want to help," Harry said volunteering himself and Ginny. Ginny nodded. Dumbledore looked at Harry as though sizing him up.

"You're not seriously considering it!" Lupin said shocked. "He's only sixteen, we can't get them involved in this!"

"But they are involved," Dumbledore said slowly. "Still I think it would be better for you to remain here, Harry. Solaris, will you ensure Harry and Ginny return to the dormitories and remain there." For a moment Harry was confused and then he felt a hand on his shoulder. Solaris had suddenly appeared out of thin air.

"Of course, Headmaster," Solaris said giving a Harry a forceful lead towards the door. Harry knew argument would be useless. Dumbledore was an old fool after all.

---

"Have you been following us all night!" Harry said angrily to Solaris as they moved down the hall towards Gryffindor tower, there was no one else about.

"Yes," Solaris said simply. Solaris hand held very tightly to Harry's shoulder.

"So you were what was pulling on my tail," Ginny said.

"Yes," Solaris said.

"Look," Harry said pulling out of Solaris grip and turning to face him. "Dumbledore won't listen, but we can help. You just have to let us go. Moody and Tonks are our friends too. You know we can do it!"

"I'm sorry," Solaris said. "Dumbledore as asked me to make sure that you get back to your dormitories."

"He didn't say when though," Harry said quickly. Something had entered into his head. Maybe Dumbledore had given them a loophole. "We will go back to our dormitories, but curfew isn't until twelve o'clock, that still gives us…" Harry looked at Ginny who checked her watch.

"Almost an hour," Ginny said. Harry could see that she was following along.

"But first we need to make a stop in London," Harry said. "You can escort us of course." Solaris stood looking at Harry for a long moment. This wasn't going to work. At any moment Solaris would start laughing and start them moving back towards the dormitories.

"Alright," Solaris said. "As long we make it back before curfew." Harry was so surprised that he almost laughed.

"Okay, now we just need to find a way to get to London." Harry said. He could of course fly but London was hours away and by then it would be too late. Ginny could run very fast, but fast enough to get them to where they were going? Harry didn't think so.

"Solaris," Harry asked. "Do you still have that stone thing you used back in St. Mungos?" Solaris shook his head.

"It did not return with us." Solaris said.

"What about a portkey?" Harry said looking at Ginny to judge her opinion of the idea.

"But Dumbledore will never make one for us," Ginny said. Shaking her head.

"Who said anything about asking Dumbledore, Hermione probably knows how to make one, if we can just go wake her up…" Harry said.

"I will remind you that if you enter the dormitories I will be bound to keep you there." Solaris said.

"Solaris, please she's our… only…" Harry paused. Someone was running down the hallway towards them. "…chance." Harry said looking over at Ginny who looked just as confused. It was Hermione, still dressed in her red gown and Ron being pulled along behind her. "Hermione?" Harry asked surprised as she came to a stop in front of him. Both Ron and Hermione looked out of breath from running. "What are you doing here?"

"She's crazy this one," Ron said confused. "One minute we were, uh talking, and then Hermione just sort of grabbed me an' dragged me along and won't tell me what's going on."

"It's the Order!" Ginny said. "They've been attacked and…"

"The ministry is going to kill Moody and Tonks," Hermione said. Even Solaris looked at Hermione in surprise. "Yes it is a little creepy, Harry."

"I didn't say that out loud," Harry replied feeling uncomfortable.

"No, have you forgotten our minds are still connected!" Hermione said. "Ron give me your shoe." Hermione's normal sense of insightfulness was unnerving enough but this new trend almost frightened Harry. Just how much of Harry's thoughts could Hermione hear?

"What?" Ron said puzzled. At least Ron was still as dim as ever, which Harry found amusing and annoying at the same time. "Why do you want my shoe?"

"Ronald!" Hermione and Harry said together.

"Alright," Ron said looking a litter unnerved. He took a knee and started to undo his laces.

"I won't be able to cast the full portkey spell on the Hogwarts grounds," Hermione said. "But Solaris should be able to help me around that, right Professor?" Hermione asked.

"I will assist," Solaris said.

"Here," Ron said holding his shoe out to Hermione. She swiped if from Ron's hand without a thank you and pulled her wand from her robes.

"Portus," Hermione said and then she struck the shoe very hard with her wand tip. It glowed a dull blue for a moment. Solaris held his hand out over the shoe and glowed again, a brighter blue this time.

"Alright," Hermione said, "Everyone take hold." Everyone reached out and touched a part of the shoe in Hermione's hand. A moment later Harry felt a hook someplace behind his navel and his feet were pulled from the ground.

---

The five of them landed in a dark alleyway. Harry wasn't entirely sure how far away they were from the Ministry of Magic or even where they had landed. He hoped that Hermione had not taken them to the wrong place.

"Ah, yuck!" Ron said lifting his socked foot from a puddle of muddy water. "Honestly that's not fair." Ron said angrily shaking his wet foot.

"How far are we away from the Ministry?" Harry asked looking at Hermione.

"Two blocks, there's a magical barrier around it preventing us from porting any closer." Hermione said handing the shoe back to Ron who took it shaking his head.

"Come on then let's go!" Harry said.

"Harry, wait!" Hermione said taking hold of his shoulder. "We don't have a plan. It's not going to be like last time, there'll be Aurors there and ministry officials. Even if we can save Moody and Tonks they'll see us and start hunting us. We need a plan! We can't just rush in!" Harry fought back the urge to push her off and burst in through the front door. But she was right, they needed a plan.

"Almost all of us are animagus," Ginny said. "We could rescue them like that."

"But Solaris and Ron aren't," Harry said.

"Then you're just going to have to go without us," Ron said. Harry, Hermione and Ginny's eyes all fell on Ron with surprise. "It's the only plan we have. A good strategist knows when and what pieces to use."

"Solaris you'll have to wait here too." Harry said. "You might be able to hide yourself but it's too big a risk for you to come along. They already saw you once at the hospital and tried to kill you."

"Then I will just have to ensure they do not see me," Solaris said. Harry wanted to argue more but they were wasting time.

"We don't have time for this." Harry said. "It's your decision, but you'll only be putting our lives in danger if you come along.

"They will not see me," Solaris said again. He was more stubborn than Harry sometimes.

"Let's go," Harry said. Focusing he became Talon. Flame burned around Ginny as she became Shadow and Hermione dropped to her hands and knees as she transformed into Paws.

Leading the way Harry flapped his wings flying just off the ground while a Nightmare and a Kasar running along behind him.

---

"Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks," Lucius Malfoy said looking coldly down at Moody and Tonks who stood in front of him. Their hands were bound behind their backs and two Aurors for each of them, standing on either side, held them fast. The death veil loomed behind Lucius its black curtain blowing gently even though the air in the room was still. "You have been sentenced to die for your crimes against the Ministry of Magic and the Wizard of Britain. We give you this one last chance to tell us the names of the other conspirators and the location of your werewolf friend."

Tonks spit on Malfoy. The many wizards that were sitting on the stone benches watching whispered and talked in offended voices.

"We would never tell anything to a death eater like you," Tonks said angrily. One of the Aurors grabbed her hair and pulled her head back hard.

"You may kill us," Moody growled loudly, "but wizards will figure out soon enough that you're just one of Voldemort's pawns." Malfoy leaned forward, his eyes icy cold.

"Only death eaters would speak so freely the name of their dark master," Malfoy said. "It is sad that two good Aurors could be corrupted into his embrace. I take no pleasure in what we are about to do," Malfoy straightened up and now he was addressing the whole room with false sadness in his face, "but it is something that must be done. Action must be taken. And those that do evil must be punished." Malfoy lowered his voice and looked down at his robe and then at Tonks. "Send her through first."

The Aurors began to move Tonks up onto dais and towards the veiled arch. She struggled against her captors shouting. Moody was cursing loudly. Malfoy pointed his wand at Moody's mouth and silenced him.

"No!" Tonks screamed trying to fight off the two Aurors. Malfoy was watching, enjoying ever second of her struggle to live. Suddenly there was a loud bang and burst of flame erupted near the ceiling of the room and a great red phoenix soared out from a burst of flame. Shouts erupted from the spectators and the Aurors stopped pushing Tonks.

"It's Dumbledore!" Malfoy sneered, "push her through, NOW!" The Aurors gathered their strength readying to make one great push and shove her through.

The long black head of a horse emerged from the veil, its eyes glowing with fire. People began to scream as the scrambled over each other trying to get away.

The Aurors looked horrified. A phoenix song rang throughout the room and suddenly spells began erupting outwards from the bird. One of them hit the Auror that had been holding Tonks and he collapsed to the ground. The other let go and ran past Malfoy following after the crowd that was trying to escape.

Tonks was frozen with fear looking into the fiery eyes of the Nightmare that had emerged from the veil of death. It turned its head and its teeth took hold Tonk's shoulder and pulled her back through the veil. Malfory was frozen with fear. Death had just reached out and taken someone right before his eyes.

There was a low snarl from behind Malfoy. He whirled around to see a great tiger like beast crouched ready to spring.

"No!" Malfoy cried backing away. "Stay back!" The heel of his shoe caught on the edge of a raised stone and he toppled backwards with a scream. His arm passed through the veil. He looked at it horrified. Rolling away his arm followed limply. It had turned gray and the skin began to peel away from it. Malfoy looked horrified as he watched his arm turn to dust before his eyes.

Even if Moody had not been silenced he felt too weak to form words. His friend had been taken by death. It had just reached out of the veil and grabbed her. Yet the justice that was supposed to be equal for all had spared Lucius Malfoy.

Moody turned to look for the Kasar that had caused Malfoy to stumble, but it had vanished. Suddenly Moody felt talons dig into his shoulders and with a burst of flame found himself outside.

"Hold on," said a voice from behind Moody, "I'll have this off you in a second." Moody tried to respond but he was still silenced and no words came out. Moody felt the bindings fall from his wrists. He turned to see who it was that had commanded the Phoenix! To his great surprise it was not as he had first thought, it was not Dumbledore. Harry Potter stood there smiling.

"Looks like we cut it pretty close," Harry said smiling. "At least we still have a minute to make it back before curfew."

Authors Notes:

And so is Chapter 26. Yeah wow I keep think damn! 26 chapters, that's crazy. And then I go around the site reading some other stories and they are like 70+ chapters. Yeah that's a little beyond how far I want to go. I am shooting for like 30ish chapters I'll know exactly as I get closer to the end which should be fairly soon. Cuze I wrote it last night.

I would also like to remind everyone that this story is DRAMA first which means lots of plot twist, Deus ex Machina's and plot devices will be thrown in. Pretty much everything short of Harry's evil twin, Hernado, will get added into this story if I can. Or maybe Hernado is the good twin?...

Tomorrow is Friday, I get my book at midnight and will most likely have it finished before morning. So, while I didn't get my story done before book 6 but that doesn't mean I won't get it done.

You can still look forward to the ending, (because guess what I have already written it!) if you still want to know how it all turns out.