In the Shadows Chapter 5, a harry potter fanfic

Madam Hooch had had a bad. A very bad day. New students learning to fly was a trying situation on its own to begin with, but the fact that Slytherin were getting worse attitudes every year wasn't helping. So she'd had to separate the Slytherin house from the rest of the class and teach them individually. One thing she noticed was that that Slytherin seemed to rally behind Draco Malfoy and Gryffindor rallied behind Harry Potter.

'I wonder how they Slytherin house felt about Harry injuring dear Draco today?' she thought with a malicious glint her yellow, hawk like eyes.

Contrary to most people, Madam Hooch hated the summer end of the Hogwarts calendar and was much more inclined to the winter months of the year. Her office was the worst in summer, a big window let the heat right in no matter if her curtains were drawn or not. Her dislike for summer, an apparent lack of romance and other sort of activities in her life had earned her the unimaginative name of 'Ice Queen' from the less intelligent sects of Hogwarts female students.

"Sometimes I wish I could kill them though. If only to stop them giggling" she muttered, approaching her office door.

Muttering its password, Madam Hooch walked in and was given the most amazing surprise of her life. Her office was cool, despite a sun outside doing fairly nasty things to the window, the office was very cool. There were also large ice sculptures dotted around the room, including one that went in a spiral slide from the top of her office to the floor.

"What on earth?" she was confused, but was unable to keep a very gleeful look from appearing on her face.

"Yes. I feared I may have gone overboard with the slide, but it was Ms. Lovegood's idea. Very strange young girl that one" a voice made Madam Hooch turn around.

Sub Zero was in a chair, likewise made of ice and was sipping ice water from a glass made of ice (Madam Hooch wondered for a moment if Sub Zero had spent too long in an ice cave). He was wearing the same outfit as when he assisted her in defeating the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade. This allowed Madam Hooch to recognise him immediately.

"You, you were in Hogsmeade the other day" she shouted at him.

"Indeed I was, sorry it took me this long to track you down but I forgot to ask your name when I met you the first time" Sub Zero was trying to be charming, however from him it seemed humorously nervous.

"My name is Rolanda, now, what are you doing in here?" she asked, feeling unthreatened she was casual with her words.

"Well, I thought that would be obvious" he replied with a grin, hidden because of his mask.

"Well it isn't, unless you are some deranged Fairy Godfather here to give me an ice made amusement park in my office" she said with a smile.

"I resent deranged, but why not have your own amusement park. As you already know, this won't melt" he put down his glass and jumped to his feet.

Sub Zero was a tall man, towering well over six feet tall and Rolanda was only a short woman, not much taller than five foot nine, so it was a bit unnerving to look up at him. Sub Zero removed his mask and placed it on the chair he had been sitting on. His face was lined with a middle aged refinery and dignity, a long scar going down the right side of his face: his old death mark.

Well, Rolanda, my name is Sub Zero and I am honoured to meet you" he said, bowing.

"You've been practicing that haven't you?" she asked with a grin.

"For about ten minutes, how was it?" Sub Zero asked.

"Very nice, was this your first idea or one of many?" Rolanda asked, enjoying the easy banter.

"Actually my first thought was to strip naked and prostrate myself across your desk" he admitted.

Rolanda snorted, then burst out laughing at the very thought of anyone willing to go through that much trouble to find out her name. It was in its own bizarre way, very sweet of him but also bordering in total and complete madness.

"What may I ask put you of that, stimulating approach?" she asked after calming down.

"Well, I thought for a first real meeting, it might be a bit, rude. Also, master of ice or not, cold does cause shrinkage and, I didn't want to offend any guests" Sub Zero admitted.

"You are a very strange man, and Sub Zero, what kind of a name is that?" Rolanda asked, still smiling.

"My brother and I were named Sub Zero, after our father" he explained, making his voice sound mysterious.

"So is that how you address yourself to anyone?" Rolanda asked.

"No, Tonks just calls me Ray" Sub Zero admitted.

"So, you are an Auror" she said with glee.

"Nope" Sub Zero was grinning widely now.

"But, that freezing charm you did on the Death Eaters…" Rolanda trailed off when she saw Sub Zero shaking his head.

"No, what I did is a deeper power, not to just make things freeze, but to control the very element of ice itself. That is what I can do" Sub Zero demonstrated by creating several shapes with ice in his hand.

When he caught the almost wondrous look in Rolanda's eyes he upped the ante. Now using a mist, he made it look as if they were standing on clouds. The mist was cool and pleasant to touch, demonstrating how much control Sub Zero had over its power.

"Well I'm afraid, Ray, that I have another class soon, and a Quidditch match in a few hours, and so I must prepare and depart for those" Rolanda seemed to be have fun; she'd used a water spell to create snow and had made a small snow man.

"As you say, this will all be here when you get back" Sub Zero understood obligation so her leaving didn't bother him.

Smiling to himself, Sub Zero bowed and retreated from the room, mask in hand. As Rolanda shut the door gently, Sub Zero began walking a very cunning plan running through his warrior mind.

Oh yes, I think I will do exactly that Sub Zero remembered that Hanzo would be at that room where Harry was.

"Better check back with him, in case that magical ministry decides to do something foolish" Sub Zero replaced his mask and began running.

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Harry and Tonks were still in the room of requirement: Harry still felt very weak but was up to having guests. Dumbledore had been the first to visit: the two of them had a sit down and a long talk, at the end of which Harry apologised profusely for hurting his Headmaster.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much Harry; I've been hurt far worse in my time" Dumbledore assured.

"Still, I had no right to fly off the handle like that, at you or Draco. Despite everything I think I really put the wind up him" Harry said with a rueful smile.

"Indeed, although we are not as the muggles say, out of the woods yet. Mrs. Malfoy was here during your convalescence and was demanding your expulsion" Dumbledore warned.

"Think she'll take it to Scrimgeour, he may not be as soft as Fudge but money still speaks an enchanting language" Harry mentioned.

"It is doubtful that Rufus would do anything for her, but if she changes tactics and goes via official channels and calls the Aurors, you may have to answer before a full tribunal again, but personally, given her husband's reason for imprisonment, they may just warn you" Dumbledore gave Harry a reproachful look.

"Yeah, I gathered as much" Harry said, rubbing his hair.

"For now though, I daresay you can return to your dorms, although practical lessons in Defence against Dark Arts are something you should pass up. And I must insist that you allow Ms. Weasley take your place as Seeker" Dumbledore knew this would be hard on Harry.

"Oh, you really are punishing me" Harry joked.

Dumbledore chuckled and stood up, dusting his robes off and saying goodbye to Tonks and Harry. Harry was then set upon by Ron, Ginny and Hermione. Luna and the twins also making an appearance to see how their friend was.

"Aside from feeling very silly, I'm fine" Harry said, drinking a butterbeer. The house elf Winky had provided the drinks and some food.

Tonks was content just to watch Harry converse and joke with his friends, something he got precious little time to do. Soon however, Tonks became aware of the looks Harry's friends were directing towards her, her only response was to let a predatory grin melt onto her face.

"So, Harry. Fred and I recently were made aware that you and the lovely Tonks have become, shall we say, an item" George leered at Harry, making the younger man go very red.

Tonks' ears became very alert, listening for Harry's answer. This would be stepping stone number one. Everyone else gave Fred and George a bit of snap and a whack for asking such an invasive question. Harry knew however that he would have to answer and did so.

"Yeah, we have. And this makes me, the single most blessed person in this room" Harry answered.

Tonks smirked: he was all hers and no one else could have him. The severe nervousness in his voice as he spoke acted as a better lie detector than any truth serum. Snuggling down onto the bed, sighing contentedly with a very smug look on her face, Tonks went to sleep.

"Well, let us be the first to ask the other burning question" Fred was about to speak when the door opened, revealing Madam Pomfrey.

She ushered the students out, saying that she needed to examine Harry and that it would require privacy and quiet: something she knew was not attainable while George and Fred were around. And despite the quiet nature of the others, she did genuinely need privacy for the examination.

"Okay Harry, take your shirt off; I need to listen to your heart and lungs" Madam Pomfrey requested.

Harry gingerly removed his shirt and jumper. He had a few old scars from various mishaps on the Quidditch field and other sources. Using her wand like a stethoscope, Madam Pomfrey checked his heart rate and ability to breathe. Satisfied that those aspects were operating at capacity; she examined his eyes and reflexes.

"Well, despite needing to gain some weight to bring you up to proper weight for your age; you are fine" Madam Pomfrey explained as she began preparing a potion; Tonks now sitting behind Harry, hugging him.

"I dare say Mr. Potter that most of the healing you will need will be here" she tapped his head with her wand.

"Something I am sure Ms. Tonks here will be happy to help you with" a smile was exchanged between the two women on a level Harry could not fathom.

Madam Pomfrey left the room, giving Harry and Tonks some privacy. Harry, feeling very tired simply leaned back into Tonks' arms.

"I don't deserve your affection you know" Harry said as Tonks began to massage his shoulders.

"Oh and why is that?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"You should be with a grown man, with a steady job and a disposition that doesn't lead to seemingly regular weirdness and attempts on his life. Instead you're stuck with a skinny, underfed boy with severely temperamental disposition with people trying to kill him on a regular basis" Harry extrapolated his thinking.

"What about you? What do you deserve?" Tonks asked seriously.

"Well if the universe were truly fair on these matters, I'd probably have ended up with Cho Chang. Instead fate bestows untold fortune upon me, bringing an enchanting, funny and never dull woman into my life. I meant what I said Tonks, in this relationship, I am the one who gets the better end of it" Harry was feeling very self depreciating.

"Well, Harry James Potter, let me tell you what I think I have got in this relationship. I believe I have a young man who is wise beyond his years. A young man of courage and principal, a young man with strength of will and character to do what is right no matter how hard it may be" Tonks paused and turned Harry around so he faced her.

"And I believe I got a young man with a good heart that cares for me on an emotional and spiritual basis as well as a physical one. A young man who will grow into possibly one of the finest men this world will ever know" Tonks kissed away a tear on Harry's face.

"I take it no one has ever, given you that kind of praise before" Tonks asked, cradling his head in bosom.

"No, not really, least of all the most beautiful woman I've ever met" Harry couldn't resist calling her beautiful; he liked how the word rolled off his tongue.

"Well you remember it well; because so help me I'll send Howlers to you if you forget it and make sure this whole bloody school knows what kind of man you are, and show all those young women what they missed out on" Tonks teased him, poking him on the nose.

"Well, threat of Howlers alone well ensure I never forget; mind you, it would do my fragile ego well to have a woman with a voice as sexy as yours tell my school I've got so many good qualities" Harry joked with her in return.

"Nice try, not to subtle but nice try anyway" Tonks shoved Harry so he fell onto some cushions.

What resulted was Harry's first ever Lover's Pillow Fight.

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Harry spent that rest of that day in the Room of Requirement just, having fun or snogging with Tonks, which was about all the exercise he was likely to get for the next few weeks. He also told her about his early life, something that almost broke her heart to hear about. Likewise she shared stories of her own childhood, including the story of what Hanzo and Sub Zero did to her first boyfriend, conjuring a copy of the picture to prove it. Soon though it became time for her to return to Grimmuld Place, Lupin wanted to know what was going on, as did Moody.

"So, will you come for the Halloween Masquerade Ball?" Harry asked.

"Harry, the ball was my idea. You bet I'll be there. So dress nicely, and I mean nicely" Tonks used a very threatening voice, laced with humour.

"It will be on the top of my priorities list" Harry assured her.

"Good, I'll see you in a few weeks Harry" Tonks blew him a kiss as she walked out and went towards the front doors of Hogwarts.

"I look forward to it" Harry called out as he walked towards Gryffindor common room, a sort of resigned weariness on his face.

Three weeks time would herald the first Hogsmeade weekend and Harry resolved to get himself some very fine dress robes for the occasion. If a woman as beautiful as Tonks would consent to dance and be seen with him in such a social event, then he was going to make damn sure he rose to the occasion.

Harry's return to the common room however was not noticed as most of the students were crowded around the noticeboard. Curious as ever, Harry approached the board and tried to see what was on it. After a few people noticed him and moved out of his way, Harry could see why they were so riveted. It was an article from the Daily Prophet:

'NEW SECTIONS OF MINISTY OF MAGIC'

'In a surprise move today, Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour has announced that he has newly formed two new sections of the Ministry of Magic. Named the 'Department of Truth' and 'Peace Office', these two new sections were created to help in the war against You Know Who. The Department of Truth's goings on will be treated as if they are an Unspeakable section and none of its staff or even its representative is known to the public. The Peace Office however is to be headed by former Undersecretary Delores Jane Umbridge, also a former Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"This is very bad" Hermione said, shaking her head.

"Why?" Ron asked, genuinely confused.

"A couple of years ago Ron, I read a book called Nineteen Eighty Four, it had Ministry departments much like those ones, although ironically, the Ministry of Peace was in charge of a never ending war and the Ministry of Peace's sole purpose was to constantly rewrite history to suite the government's version of events. Propaganda" Hermione explained.

Harry had heard of the book but never read it. He had once heard a teacher at his primary school call some security measures she encountered overseas as Orwellian, he never did understand that description. He did however know what propaganda was; and the very possibility that the Ministry of Magic was contemplating such action was very chilling.

"Think we're in trouble?" Harry asked.

"Not sure, they could just be more stupid moves on his part, like locking up Stan Shunpike, but what has me worried are two things. One, the Department of Truth is unable to be put under public scrutiny and the Peace Office is under the control of Umbridge" Hermione furthered her reservations.

"Surely something like this would have to go before the people…" Harry trailed off as he remembered something: never before had he heard of any kind of Wizard Parliament.

"Hey, wait a minute. Surely forming a new section of the ministry would have to be approved by another ruling body or the public, I mean, isn't that what Democracy is about?" Harry was feeling oddly nervous.

"I'm not sure; bills like this obviously can't be tabled in the House of Commons, so at best guess only the Wizengamot can approve or disapprove of such an action. And since most of Dumbledore's supporters resigned from their positions last year, Fudge filled them with his own 'yes men' and like minded individuals" Hermione was now holding Ron and Harry as a rapt audience.

"So this isn't good then?" Ron asked, hoping for a yes or no answer.

"No, it's not good at all" Hermione shook her head sadly.

The students slowly left the noticeboard, talking amongst themselves, occasionally looking at Harry. Harry chuckled; yes he'd most likely be the talk of Hogwarts for the next week or so.

'I did give quite a performance after all' Harry lowered his head, still a little ashamed of losing it the way he did.

Soon, Harry decided he was very tired and went up to bed. The other students were staying awake a little longer: Ravenclaw had won the Quidditch match that day and they were celebrating; others who were fans of Ravenclaw also or just good sportsmen and sportswomen.

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------Ministry of Magic------

Delores Umbridge was a very cunning and unscrupulous woman. Her own political manoeuvring had ensured that she was kept on when Fudge was sacked and made herself seem so good at her job. For her efforts she was indeed rewarded with heading this newest department. Under direct control were several new Aurors and some of the more, conservative existing ones.

"Well, time to set the country straight" she said and began writing on a parchment.

Umbridge was writing up the first act to help combat dark wizards. The Watchers would be a voluntary organisation, all one would be required to do was wear a red and white armband and be observant for any dark behaviour. Recruiting young people would be her main objective.

The legislation would allow any member of the public to come to Aurors anonymously and give information. The Aurors would also be given increased powers in matters of detention, and information extraction. Penalties for many offences, including the underage magic statute would incur a six month stint in Azkaban.

"Yes, these are the first steps on creating a peaceful Wizarding Britain" she smiled and sealed the parchment and sent it to Scrimgeour.

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---------12 Grimmuld Place---------

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Tonks arrived back at Grimmuld Place only to be practically set upon by Lupin and the returned Mad Eye. After calming them both down; Tonks sat and explained what had happened. The grin on Mad Eye's face when he heard how powerful Harry had been for a few minutes was very disconcerting while Lupin grew a bit grim upon hearing of Harry's devastating attack on Malfoy.

"Is he going to get into trouble?" Lupin asked, casting a worried glance at Tonks.

"Well by all rights he should, however, that would involve revealing what Draco had said to Harry, and since it involved Sirius, I doubt they'll try for that. Dumbledore's main concern is that Harry may get carted off to St. Mungo's or Azkaban as an order from the Minister" Tonks explained, her hair changing from pink to red and back again.

"Hmm, if that happens we'd have to hide him, but that means we'd be going up against the Ministry, which is some pretty big guns. Can we do that?" Lupin looked worried.

"We could, but it would mean really abusing my friendship with Sub Zero" Tonks admitted.

"How so?" Mad Eye asked, training his blue eye on Tonks.

"Well, we could either ask Sub Zero to hide him in the headquarters of the Lin Kuei or, bring his men in to fight with us" Tonks didn't want to ask that of her friend.

"How many men has he got?" Lupin stared wide eyed.

"Over a thousand I think" Tonks guessed.

"A thousand men, as powerful as he is?" Mad Eye looked as if Christmas had come early.

"Not with his power, but each of them would be trained in his martial arts styles and espionage and other ninja like disciplines" Tonks let the bomb drop.

"Wow, when you said to Severus that you had some good contacts, we had no idea you had such a person at your disposal" Lupin was positively bouncing with renewed hope.

"I don't want to ask him to commit all those people to us though, this isn't his fight" Tonks objected.

"While that it is true for now, how long until Voldermort makes himself known to the world. It's going to involve him eventually. The more he helps now, the less he loses later" Mad Eye put the grim truth to Tonks.

"I know, but I can't ask him. One of you two will have to" Tonks replied and walked upstairs.

"Hmm, they must be good friends. Although in all fairness it would be hard to ask a friend to commit these kinds of resources to us, considering we're nearly renegades" Lupin admitted and sat down.

Moody said nothing: it was getting close to the full moon and as much as he respected Remus, he'd keep an eye on him at all times during this time. Truth be told, Moody's paranoia was the only kind not minded by anyone since it was more his nature than his attitude. Moody had even been worried about Harry going funny on them at one stage.

"True, but still, something about that Sub Zero character is very, odd" Moody admitted.

"Everyone's a bit odd according to you Mad Eye" Lupin said and closed his eyes; he felt very tired.

Mad Eye said nothing and went back into the kitchen, pouring over a copy of the Daily Prophet, reading and re-reading the same article that hung on Gryffindor's noticeboard. Like Hermione, Moody wanted to read through the pomp and between the lines. However, like Hermione again, all the suspect evidence Moody could come up with from the article was the fact that Department of Truth was headed by Unspeakables and that Peace Office was headed by that sow Umbridge.

"There is a foul plot afoot here, I can smell it" the old Auror growled as he slapped the paper down on the table.

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September passed without much more incident; Harry saw little of Sub Zero and Hanzo. Where they had been hiding was anyone's guess, although most students noticed a distinct lack of Peeves being a pest, even Filch was smiling a little at that.

Another bizarre thing that some students noticed was that Madam Hooch walked around not only smiling a great deal, but she was humming too. Although hardly a Snape with different reproductive methods, Madam Hooch is not known for her sociable nature. Halloween approached fast, and so did the masquerade ball.

"I hope my dress robes are okay" Harry muttered for what could only be described as the billionth time that morning.

"I swear Harry, if you don't stop saying that I'm going to deck you" Ron groaned from his bed.

"Sorry, but, I'm worried that I'll make Tonks look a little, silly, if my robes are no good" Harry admitted.

"Harry, this is probably the only time I'm ever going to give you relationship advice, so listen. For whatever reason Tonks has chosen pursue that kind of intimacy with you, it isn't because you look good in dress robes" Ron had swung himself upwards and was looking Harry in the eye.

"Very profound, Ronald" a dreamy voice floated across the room towards them.

"Hey Luna" Harry greeted casually.

"Hello, Luna. You look good, someone must be feeling lucky" Ron smirked at his girlfriend.

"That was good advice you gave to Harry, Ron" Luna ignored her boyfriend's appreciative stares and casually sat on his lap.

"I'm good for that sort of advice about once a year. He's on his own now" Ron replied, wrapping his arms around Luna's waist and resting his head on her back.

Harry left them alone: no doubt the kissing would begin soon and there was only so much of it he could take. Leaving the dorm with a red face and a nervous mind, he wandered down to the common room: Parvarti and Padma were helping Hermione and Ginny try on dresses.

The twins were some of a select few who were truly uncaring to Hermione and Ginny's sexual preference: by happenstance, their aunt was gay and as such had instilled in them the same sort of message that Hanzo had imparted when he first met them.

It had been rough going for a while; some of the girls left dead animals in Hermione's bed and wrote abusive messages in the girls' bathroom about them. Despite her anger, Hermione refused to sink to that level and simply ignored it, but it got to Ginny pretty bad. The only thing that stopped more direct abuse was the simple fact that everyone knew her brothers and her friends would rain down a shit storm of trouble on them.

'I wonder how Larry is doing?' Harry thought as he sat down to be the objective male judge, as Padma called him, on the dresses chosen for his friends.

Larry was a seventh year with fewer brains than a kettle. Being in Ravenclaw that came as a great surprise to all involved but, one day he upset Hermione so much that she locked herself in a closet and refused to come out for a few hours. Again the creatively sadistic side of Sub Zero manifested itself.

During dinner that night, the upset Hermione being finally coaxed out by the supportive Patil twins and her other friends were treated to a huge shock. The doors of the great hall flung open and in walked Sub Zero, hopping behind him was Larry, cocooned in gaffer tape from head to toe: a snorkel for breathing and a large ball of ice near his crotch. As he walked past it became clear that the ice was frozen around his genitals and his hands were only just able to reach and hold it up. Sub Zero had sat him on a chair in front of everyone.

"Okay, you can just sit here and think about what you've been saying to people. That ice will melt in around fifteen minutes. Now don't move" he had said and then presented Hermione with a letter.

It was from Larry's mother, Mrs. Lucktar, apologising for her son's shameful behaviour with assurances that Professor Glacier (Sub Zero grinned) would make the boy learn his lesson and soon he would be man enough to come and say sorry himself.

"Harry!" Parvati snapped her fingers in front of his eyes.

"Sorry, remembering something funny. Are they done?" he asked.

"Are they done? Harry works of art like these dresses and their wearers are not 'done' they are 'completed'. And I assure you that they are complete" Padma spoke incredulously.

"You two are doing wonders for my education on the opposite gender" Harry cracked.

"Well we're glad, anyway, here they are" Parvati.

Hermione and Ginny weren't wearing any makeup but it didn't seem to matter. Hermione's dress was a simple modification of the one she'd warn at the Yule Ball but also seemed as if Padma had picked it right out of a half a million different styles.

The upper body was tighter around Hermione's belly and the two cups pushed her breasts up and together, but they were skilfully hidden beneath a lace that covered all her exposed skin, including her arms. The actually dress section then also billowed out a little, a delicate Celtic design travelling down the body of the dress and to the bottom. This time the colour was dark purple, the Celtic design in red.

Ginny on the other hand looked like she belonged in a fifties film noir: the top of the dress started above her breasts, swooping down the back in an oval shape so it came together at the back in the middle of the spine. It then clung to her like a second skin and went all the way down to her shins. Black lace up heels and gloves that went up to her bicep completed the look. The dress itself was a shade of black so smooth the eye seemed to glide off it. Ginny also wore a dark green corset on the outside that had blood red lace; the corset had been modified to be inline with the rest of the dress.

"Good lord, are you two going into business?" Harry asked a genuinely surprised look on his face.

"Told you two that you'd stun everyone" Padma smirked while Parvati stuck her tongue out at Ginny and Hermione.

"Thank you Harry, the compliment is appreciated" Hermione said, ignoring the two dress makers.

Harry excused himself from the common room and went downstairs to the great hall: he wanted to read the Daily Prophet, see what was going on in the wizard world. He'd stopped reading the Prophet for a while; but being a Sunday he figured he may as well see what the Qudditch rankings were.

"The Department of Truth, what rot" he muttered and picked up the paper and sat down.

Harry chose the wrong time to drink some pumpkin juice: as soon as he read the front page he spat it all out across the room. The headline read something about a spate of overnight arrests in Britain of people suspected of seditious actions. But the names among them made no sense. One pair of accused traitors were the Patil twins parents, another was Neville's grandmother. A smaller separate article noted the Ministry seizing the Quibbler from Mr. Lovegood.

"This is insane" Harry muttered and burst into a run back towards Gryffindor.

Another side affect of Sunday was that no one ever went down to breakfast on time, and with the Patil sisters working hard on Hermione and Ginny's dresses, they wouldn't have seen this. Harry arrived at Gryffindor common room, rather breathless.

"Harry what is going on?" Ron asked, looking up from the Wizard's Chess game he was having with Dean; Luna watching with her wide eyes.

"Neville, Luna, Padma and Parvati you need to read this" Harry handed the paper to Luna as the others he mentioned approached. Harry stood from their way and let them absorb what were very real tragedies for all mentioned.

Luna, looking highly vacant but also aimless gravitated towards Ron and just collapsed and wept on him, tears staining his jumper. Padma and Parvati took to a small corner and began talking in a language Harry didn't understand. Neville's reaction was the most extreme, scrunching the paper up and throwing into the fire, a string of curses following it.

"Harry what was in that newspaper?" Hermione asked in hushed tones.

"Neville's grandmother and Mr. and Mrs. Patil have been arrested on charges of sedition. And last night also the Ministry seized the Quibbler from Mr. Lovegood, no doubt placing him under arrest too" Harry explained so only Ginny and Hermione heard.

"You can't be serious. None of those people would dare do such a thing, and surely they need evidence for such strong charges" Ginny was infuriated.

"Not according to new decrees passed by the Peace Office and Department of Truth early last night" Hermione said, her nose buried in a piece of parchment.

"What do you mean?" Padma stood up; being in Ravenclaw she had a great affinity for subjects like laws.

"These new decrees allow Aurors to 'arrest and interrogate person or persons involved in acts of sedition, Dark Art rituals or support of Anti-Ministry person or persons'. Anti-Ministry, that means Dumbledore and those that support him" Hermione explained.

Padma swore loudly in her native tongue. Neville was looking positively murderous and Luna had stopped crying, but was still curled up on Ron's lap. Gently hefting her, Ron took her up to his bed, asking Ginny to put a few of her family privacy charms on his bed so Luna could rest a little.

"This is madness Hermione, I feel something is going to come to a head and we need to prepare for it" Harry admitted.

Before Hermione could respond; the portrait door swung open and revealed two large men and one woman in wizards robes, they entered as Ginny and Ron reappeared. Each bore a symbol on their robes of the number '451'.

"Padma and Parvati Patil, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. You are required to accompany us to the Ministry of Magic. As your legal guardians have become enemies of the Ministry you are to be placed with an approved caretaker" the woman read names off a list.

"They aren't going anywhere" Harry yelled, getting in front of the group.

Ginny and Dean followed suit, Ron too, looked murderous now. Neville now stood tall and proud for the first time in a long time and Seamus took up a position beside him. It was no secret that Dean and Seamus had a soft spot for the Patil twins, although each for a different one and felt much like Ron did.

"This is official Ministry business, young man. Goodspeed, search the dorms here for the Lovegood girl" the woman said. As soon as the man moved, Ron was in his way.

"You go near her and I'll drop you where you stand" Harry could feel a cold heat emanating from Ron's body.

"You are making a very bad choice my boy" Goodspeed said as he reached for his wand.

"That will do you three" a new voice entered the fray.

Albus Dumbledore stood in the archway in as if nothing were amiss. He cast a mournful look at the stricken Patil twins. Although he never seemed to lose his casual manner, Harry could tell he was ready for whatever would happen.

"Professor Dumbledore, I appreciate that your students are only being protective of their friends. However this is official business" again the woman addressed them.

"And you're name young lady, is?" Dumbledore asked, leaning forward.

"Jane, Jane McLenan. Apprehension officer of the Peace Office. And there two gentlemen are Enforcers Goodspeed and Lensman of the Department of Truth" she said.

"I see, you are aware I'm sure of the law that states a student may not be removed from Hogwarts unless asked for by a parent, the student's own well being or expulsion. Since I have levelled no such penalties on any of the students you mention, you cannot take them" Dumbledore made his case clear.

"But their family members are involved in criminal activities" Lensman finally spoke up.

"Alleged criminal activities, thank you young man. As I say, if the Wizengamot agrees that the evidence your departments provide is adequate then I believe justice will be served" Dumbledore chose the wording of that statement very carefully.

"I see, well, we shall return with an exception order and we will remove them from Hogwarts until such time as they can be placed with caretakers" Jane stiffened and turned on her heel.

Goodspeed (who'd still been locking eyes and horns with Ron) carefully stepped away, keeping one eye on the boy in case. The tension in the room could be carved up and used to feed the hungry in all of London it was so thick. Eventually the two Enforcers left, following their senior office. Once they were gone, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"They can't stay here, Professor, they'll just come back and take them with authority this time" Hermione said.

"I agree, and I don't wish to dwell on what sorts of information gathering techniques they will use" Dumbledore looked a little lost for the first time since Harry had known him.

"Well where can we hide?" Parvati asked now that she was roused back into speech at last.

Dumbledore looked at the two girls and Neville, and thought of Luna upstairs. There would be one possible way to keep them safe and allow them to continue studying a little. It would be however a huge gamble and Dumbledore didn't want to do it unless he was sure there was no other way.

"I shall confer with Professor McGonagall, I ask that you stay here until I return" Dumbledore left with a torn look on his face.

The old professor strode to his office in a great haste. Hermione had been right: it wasn't safe for the students of the people arrested in last night's raids here at Hogwarts now. Silently Dumbledore blamed himself for failing to keep the school the safe haven it was meant to be.

"Oh, Sub Zero. Hanzo, I didn't expect to see you both here" Dumbledore stood fast as he saw the two warriors.

"Dumbledore, a serious problem has arisen we've heard" Sub Zero said.

"Yes, the parents of some students were recently arrested on charges that are dubious at best. I am trying to solve it as we speak" Dumbledore didn't notice the worried look on Sub Zero's face.

"Yes, well that is certainly a problem but I believe a bigger one has arisen" Sub Zero said urgently.

Hanzo handed Dumbledore a copy of the Daily Prophet. Confused, the headmaster took it and began scanning the pages until he saw a large picture of Scrimgeour, Umbridge and two other men. One wore vibrant red robes and knee high gold and black boots and had a very dangerously handsome look. The other wore a deep violent coloured robe with a black over throw and large shoulder mounts. He was also bald with very pale skin and two tattoo lines going from atop his eyes over his head.

"Who are they?" Dumbledore asked.

"Most of the Wizard World will know them now as the Top Enforcers in the Department of Truth…" Sub Zero trailed off, letting Hanzo speak.

"We know them as Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, two very dark sorcerers with connections to Shinnok, the fallen Elder God of Shadows" Hanzo finished.