Chapter 44: Parting of Beginnings

Albus was now completely exhausted as he briefly talked to Madame Pomfrey about Harry's condition. She had promised that he had no serious injuries… at least physical injuries. He glanced back at the small crowd around the boy's bed to see that he was already sleeping. He watched Molly gently lift off his glasses and put them on the side table without really looking at the scene. He had been running those words over and over again in his mind like a chant.

"He's back! He's back! Voldemort's back!"

Looking down at him like this, he had never viewed Harry Potter as he did now. He was fast asleep before he even finished his potion. And here, without his glasses, sleeping, he looked so much younger… almost as if he was a small child.

"More courage than the whole of the Ministry…" he murmured absently to himself as he sighed, and headed to the door.

"Albus?" Poppy asked and he stopped as he placed his hand on the doorknob. He looked back at her and she held up a bottle that was filled with swirling memories. "Alastor came to just before you got here…" she explained nervously. "He—he wanted me to give you this."

And so after that, with his head pounding, he poured the images of what he had learned tonight in his pensieve the second that he got back to his office… determined to remember any details that might help them before he turned to the memory that Alastor wanted him to see. He picked up the bottle and poured the memory in before he dove in, dreading what this was about…

He recognized where he was at once when the memory slowly appeared around him—it was Alastor's home. It had served as a temporary headquarters for the Order during the first war. Soon, enough, Alastor came limping into the room with an assortment of clothes under his arm before he put it on the bed, packing them into his suitcase.

He frowned, this must've been the night before the start of the year—his eyes widened as he realized what this was about. He knew what was about to happen, but Alastor had wanted to show him first-hand. He watched as the memory Alastor would sometimes pause in his packing and focused on listening to his dark, silent house as if he thought he heard something, but often times it was the slight banging of a tree branch hitting the window.

But then… suddenly he heard a very loud creak. Alastor heard it to, for a split second later, his wand was out and he was pointing it at the door as if he expected someone to come bursting in and attack… but nothing happened. It had been a sharp, squeaking sound like a floorboard creaking. Rising to his feet Alastor grasped his wand in one hand and his wooden staff in the other. He stumped briskly downstairs until he was just outside of the sitting room and paused there to take a quick survey. Albus followed him, and watched as his magical eye whirled and scanned the room and peered through the walls to check outside.

Suddenly he went to the door that led to the sitting room and kicked it open. He followed close behind him…

A man was calmly sitting in the next room. While he couldn't see the intruder's face, but he could make out the depression in the cushions of the chair that he was sitting in, weighted down by an unseen body.

"Disillusioned…" Alastor muttered."No wonder I couldn't see you right away. But, I'm on you now, you scum."

"Then, there's no sense in hiding any longer, is there, Moody?" the quiet yet hoarse voice responded. A slight shimmer filled the air in front of the chair, and then, a man had reappeared. Albus's eyes narrowed, the same man he had seen not even an hour ago in that office.

"Crouch!" Alastor snarled, pointing his wand dead-center on the intruder's chest. "Barty Crouch Jr.! I'd heard you'd died and were buried in Azkaban!"

Crouch Jr. grinned maniacally. "Now, now… Mad-Eye. I missed you to."

"How did you get out of Azkaban? And how did you get in here without me knowing?" he growledthreateningly.

"How? Well, I had help from people of course. But, I didn't come for small talk, Moody. I have a mission to complete, and you're the key."

"I can guess," he snarled back. "But, your vengeance will come with a heavy price tag, Crouch. You aren't leaving this house except in a pine box for what you did."

"Believe me, Moody; I would kill you right now if I had my choice for putting me in Azkaban in the first place," he said, his grin fading slightly. "But, I'm after a grander objective and I need to keep you alive."

"You're as big a fool now as you were back then, Crouch," he barked back and Albus was started at how angry Alastor was getting. This wasn't like him. "If you couldn't handle me with Bellatrix, Rastaban, and Rodolphus backing you up, what makes you think you're up to the task now, when you're alone?"

Crouch's eyes, tinged with madness, lit up at Alastor's words and he laughed an insane cackle.

"Oh, yes; because of our impatience of learning the truth, you made it your mission in life to bring us to justice at whatever the costs," he answered when he stopped laughing, the insane glint still shining in his dead eyes—he looked quite inhuman. "I had nearly forgotten about that little incident. So, tell me, Moody… When's the last time you saw the Longbottoms? I remember the last time I saw the two of them and I don't think I had ever seen a more pitiable sight."

He began to laugh as he stood up. Once again, Albus's anger began to fill up inside him, his hands curled into fists as he thought what happened to two of his favorite students… where they were now…

"Sobbing… crawling on all fours like the animals they were… unable to remember who they were…"

But he had finally gone too far.

"SHUT UP!" Alastor roared, striding forward and letting loose a blast from his wand.

Barty Crouch was blown backwards by the explosion, landing in a heap on the carpet.

"I ought to kill you right now for what you did to them," he growled, advancing on him, fury in his eyes now, glaring at Crouch with nothing but pure loathing… that was when Albus saw a dark figure behind him—but Alastor—his attention wholly on Crouch—didn't notice it. "Azkaban was too good for you after what you and your pals did. If I had it my way, all four of you would've been killed long ago and the rest of the world wouldn't have to deal with scum like you. Rouges like you deserved to be damned."

Crouch watched him approach, again laughing his hysterical cackle. "No, Moody; I've learned much more since we last met. I'm smarter and far more dangerous than when you captured us." He paused to twist his face in an insane smile and Albus felt sick to his stomach at the look. "And you aren't actually young anymore are you? Old… but still deadly. So do you honestly think that I would've come here without some backup?"

Alastor was so angry, that he hadn't been paying attention to anything but Crouch—and it cost him.

"STUPIFY!" shrieked a squeaky voice that could've only belonged to Peter started to fade around them, and knew that Alastor's memory ended here. The last thing he heard was Crouch shouting out, "Well done, Wormtail! The master will be most pleased. Now, hurry… the authorities will be here soon."

Albus shook his head once he returned to the present. He regretted ever looking into that memory… the sick amusement in Crouch's face made him sick. He wished that he could forget that look…

But before he could…

"Albus!" Dilys's voice shouted and he looked up grimly. Now what has happened? "It's Fudge!" she cried. "He's looking for you and heading down to the hospital wing. He and Minerva are almost screaming at each other!"

Albus shook his head irritably. After all this, the last thing he wanted was for Fudge to bother Harry now. He raced down to the hospital but just as he got to the fifth floor he could hear yelling coming from just below.

"Regrettable, but all the same, Minerva -" he heard Cornelius's voice, much louder than it normally was.

"You should never have brought it inside the castle!" Minerva yelled at him furiously. "When Dumbledore finds out -"

He didn't like the sound of that… what did Fudge do this time? He heard a door burst open just as he reached the end of the hallway.

"Where's Dumbledore?" he heard Fudge demand.

"He's not here," Molly's furious voice sounded. He resisted the urge to curse Fudge for his stupidity. Bursting into the hospital wing like this? It reminded him bitterly of when Sirius escaped last year and Severus's reaction. Whatever reason they had for acting like this better be good.

He reached the doors just as Molly said heatedly, "This is a hospital wing. Minister, don't you think you'd do better to -"

He opened the doors and came sweeping up the ward to see Minerva and Fudge standing there; both of them red in the face with suppressed fury.

"What has happened?" he asked sharply looking at them both as he would over children who were being too loud. "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you - I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch -"

"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" she shrieked at once. "The Minister has seen to that!"

He stopped at that. It was the first time he had ever seen her lose complete control of her anger like this. She normally was able to keep calm no matter what the situation—but here she was, her face red, her hands were fists, and she was trembling with fury.

Suddenly a new voice interrupted and he turned around in time to see Severus entering the room, looking angry as well, "When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events, he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch -"

Albus felt a cold go through him that always came with the effects of the dementors. They were here? Those monsters were here in the castle where the students were?!

"I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore!" Minerva shouted, noticing the look on his face. "I told him you would never allow dementors to set foot inside the castle, but -"

"My dear woman!" roared Fudge in fury, "as Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous -"

He had nothing against that—but why not an Auror? Albus most certainly would rather die than bring one of those specters within range of the children here. What was Cornelius thinking? Albus turned to him furious, but Minerva shouted over Fudge, pointing a shaking hand at him as she croaked out, "The moment that - that thing entered the room it swooped down on Crouch and - and -"

But he didn't need her to finish as she struggled to find words. He knew… he knew what the dementor must have done. It had administered its fatal kiss to Barty Crouch. It had sucked his soul out through his mouth. He was worse than dead.

"By all accounts, he is no loss!" blustered Fudge at once and Albus turned to stare at him. "It seems he has been responsible for several deaths'."

But Albus was now looking had him long and hard as if seeing him in a whole new light. Was this the kind of person really in charge? He may have hated Barty Crouch Jr. with a passion for all that he had done… but not even he would have ever have wished such a terrible fate on him. He continued to stare at this short, angry wizard in front of him, who was trying to excuse what his actions had done. "But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius. He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."

"Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it?" blustered Fudge again. "He was a raving lunatic! From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions!"

Albus didn't say anything for a moment, wondering how to break this to him. He then said slowly and carefully, hoping that his words would be enough to get through Fudge's head. "Lord Voldemort was giving him instructions, Cornelius. Those peoples deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body."

Fudge opened his mouth as if he was about to argue again until his jaw dropped open in horror at his words. He looked as if someone had just tried to deliver a knock-out punch to him as he staggered slightly where he stood and stared at him as if he was sure that he had lost his mind.

Finally, he was able to stutter weakly, "You-Know-Who… returned? Preposterous. Come now, Dumbledore…"

"As Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you," he said with a nod towards them, "we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the influence of Veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort –" he couldn't have cared less if Fudge filched here, "learning of his continued existence from Bertha Jorkins - went to free him from his father and used him to capture Harry. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort to return."

Suddenly a small smile appeared on Fudge's face and Albus could see that he didn't believe this story any better than the idea of the tooth fairy. "See here, Dumbledore, you - you can't seriously believe that You-Know-Who - back? Come now, come now… certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders - but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore…"

Albus shook his head and explained slowly to him, "When Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight, he was transported straight to Voldemort. He witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step up to my office."

He suddenly looked up and wasn't at all surprised to see Harry was awake and staring at them both. With all the yelling going on around him, he had a feeling that he had been awake from the moment that he walked in. And knowing that Fudge would want to question him, he shook his head and told him firmly, with no hint of relenting, "I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight."

Fudge's only continued with the mad smile before he also glanced at Harry before he glanced back at him to ask, "You are - er - prepared to take Harry's word on this, are you, Dumbledore?"

There was a moment's silence, which was broken by Sirius growling. His hackles were raised, and he was baring his teeth at Fudge as if to say, 'how dare you?'

Albus understood Sirius's anger very well. His eyes narrowed as he fought to keep his own fury under control. He could see where this was going… and he had to prevent it from happening. "Certainly, I believe Harry," he told Fudge firmly. "I heard Crouch's confession, and I heard Harry's account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup; the two stories make sense, they explain everything that has happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."

Fudge still had that strange smile on his face, still not believing him. Once again, he glanced at Harry before answering, "You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a boy who… well…"

Fudge shot Harry another look, and finally Harry spoke, "You've been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge." The others all jumped, clearly not realizing that he was awake—but Albus continued to look at Fudge who's his face started turning red.

"And if I have?" he demanded, looking at him accusingly. "If I have discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having funny turns all over the place -"

"I assume that you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar?" he asked calmly. While, at the same time, he wanted to tell him that it wasn't any of his business what every single student here was capable of or not.

"You admit that he has been having these pains, then?" he demanded quickly. "Headaches? Nightmares? Possibly - hallucinations?"

He stepped forward, his anger now starting to spill over. "Listen to me, Cornelius. Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."

Fudge had taken half a step back from him but he still kept fighting back, refusing to give in, "You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before…"

Well that would be because there has never been a scar like Harry's before. But before he could voice this, Harry suddenly started shouting.

"Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" He tried to get out of bed again, but Molly was preventing him from moving. "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy -"

"Malfoy was cleared!" said Fudge, visibly affronted, and Albus knew that he was upset to remember that Lucius's bribes were indeed illegal. "A very old family - donations to excellent causes -"

"Macnair!" Harry continued.

"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"

For the wrong reasons of course…

"Avery - Nott - Crabbe - Goyle -"

Albus finally shot Harry a warning look. This wasn't helping.

"You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago!" said Fudge angrily. "You could have found those names in old reports of the trials! For heavens sake, Dumbledore!" he turned back to him, "The boy was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too - his tales are getting taller, and you're still swallowing them - the boy can talk to snakes. Dumbledore, and you still think he's trustworthy?"

Albus finally had enough of Fudge's treatment of his student and, if he recalled correctly, he was the one dying to meet Harry for years. Judging a child because he had a power he couldn't help… It isn't your abilities that make you good or evil, it is how you use them! What's more, he's the Minister of magic, and it was his sworn duty to protect the magical community, yet he brushes this information off as lies!

"You fool!" Minerva cried, voicing what he was thinking. "Cedric Diggory! Mr. Crouch! These deaths were not the random work of a lunatic!"

"I see no evidence to the contrary!" shouted Fudge, now matching her anger, his face purpling—downright refusing to see all the evidence that was right in front of him. "It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!"

Albus knew that if he didn't except this soon then it would only cost the lives of innocent people. Fudge was so determined to hang onto the idea of being in charge of his peaceful little world, that the idea of being the leader during a war scared him. Yet the fact remained that he wasn't a leader… even if he did believe this story, he would never be able to guide the country through this hard time.

"Voldemort has returned," he repeated, hoping that he could remind him that his duty was to the people, not to his reputation. "If you accept that fact straightaway Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban from the control of the dementors -"

"Preposterous!" shouted Fudge again. "Remove the dementors? I'd be kicked out of office for suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the dementors are standing guard at Azkaban!"

How he could ever trust those terrible creatures was beyond him when his own dementor just did to Crouch upstairs. "The rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Cornelius, knowing that you have put Lord Voldemort's most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them!" he said firmly, reminding him that dementors show no loyalty to anyone.

"They will not remain loyal to you, Fudge! Voldemort can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can! With the dementors behind him, and his old supporters returned to him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago!"

The idea of having the dementors breeding would only serve to worsen the situation; having more people panic and the feelings of darkness would press deeper on them from all sides.

"The second step you must take - and at once," he went on with Fudge was too stunned to speak, "is to send envoys to the giants."

"Envoys to the giants?" Fudge shrieked, remembering how to speak again. "What madness is this?"

'Not madness, but reason,' he thought bitterly before he went on explaining, remembering how the giants had joined Voldemort during the first war hoping for a better life.

"You - you cannot be serious!" Fudge gasped, shaking his head and retreating further from him as if afraid that he would catch some disease. "If the magical community got wind that I had approached the giants - people hate them, Dumbledore - end of my career -"

Albus felt the need to curse him. That was what he was concerned about? His job? When so many people were now at terrible risk?! "You are blinded," he came close to yelling, "by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius! You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!"

That had always been Fudge's greatest weakness… he was a weak man. Easily swayed such as with Lucius keeping him in his pocket, and now… power. He could see that the idea of giving up his position of Minister, along with all the power and privileges that came with it was something he would not do.

"Your dementor has just destroyed the last remaining member of a pure-blood family as old as any - and see what that man chose to make of his life!" he cried out, hoping that he could get through to him here. "I tell you now- take the steps I have suggested, and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever known. Fail to act - and history will remember you as the man who stepped aside and allowed Voldemort a second chance to destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!"

"Insane," whispered Fudge, still backing away. "Mad…"

And then there was silence. Madam Pomfrey was standing frozen at the foot of Harry's bed, her hands over her mouth, as though horrified that they could be arguing like this. Molly was still standing over Harry, her hand on his shoulder to prevent him from rising while the others were all staring at Fudge as if they expected to see someone else there.

But he kept his eyes on the trembling man in front of him. He knew that Fudge wasn't going to listen. He knew that it would just be easier for him to believe that it was all a lie, and so he gave him a warning, "If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this, Cornelius, we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I - I shall act as I see fit."

If Fudge truly refused to take action, then the whole world would suffer because of his stubbornness. He may try to stick his head in the sand and ignore everything that was happening around him, but that won't change anything.

"Now, see here, Dumbledore," he said, waving a threatening finger. "I've given you free rein, always. I've had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There aren't many who'd have let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to teach your students without reference to the Ministry. But if you're going to work against me -"

Albus shook his head. It was him who was fighting against them by letting Voldemort do what he wants. "The only one against whom I intend to work," he reminded him, "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius, on the same side."

It seemed Fudge could think of no answer to this. He rocked backward and forward on his small feet for a moment and spun his hat in his hands. Finally, he said, with a hint of a plea in his voice, "He can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be…"

The idea of the dark wizard returned to the world was terrifying as they all remembered how terrible it had been before he was here. But it was the truth. Before he could say this, suddenly, Severus came up and showed him the mark on his arm.

"There," he snapped harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight?"

Albus blinked, he had forgotten about Karkaroff. Well, he wished him luck, unless he left the country completely, he had a feeling that he wouldn't live for much longer.

"We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."

He glanced back at Fudge. It seemed now that they just gave him further evidence, however given Fudge's reactions thus far, he was sure to brush this aside.

Fudge stepped back from Severus too like he did to him before. He was shaking his head. He stared, apparently repelled by the mark before he whispered, "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry."

He had almost reached the door when he paused. He turned around, strode back down the dormitory, and stopped at Harry's bed.

"Your winnings," he said shortly, taking a large bag of gold out of his pocket and dropping it onto the bedside table. "One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances…"

But Albus knew that Harry wouldn't want that money. That sack of gold wouldn't do anything but remind him of what happened tonight. He watched Fudge until he went stomping out of the room and slamming the door behind him like how an angry teenager would do after an argument with his parents. The moment he had disappeared, Albus looked to them all, knowing that he had a lot of work to do to make up for Fudge's idiocy.

"There is work to be done," he said. "Molly… am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course you can," said she said at once, her face pale but determined. "We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride."

Albus nodded in agreement; Arthur should've been promoted at least five times by now. "Then I need to send a message to Arthur. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Cornelius."

"I'll go to Dad," Bill offered at once. "I'll go now."

"Excellent," he told him in relief. "Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry -"

It would cost Arthur and several other people their jobs. And they needed to have as many on the inside as possible.

"Leave it to me," Bill told him with certainty before he clapped a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder, kissed Molly's cheek and left.

When he was gone, he suddenly thought of a job for Hagrid this summer. "Minerva," he said at once, turning to her. "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also - if she will consent to come –" he wasn't sure if she would be willing, but it was still a chance… "Madame Maxime."

Once Minerva left, he knew that he now had a very difficult task here as well. But as he looked to Poppy, he remembered Crouch, and asked if she would go and take care of Winky. Startled, but she obeyed without any complaint as she also left. He waited until he was positive that she was gone before he shut the door and turned to the two in the room that needed to speak to each other face-to-face.

"And now," he said bravely, "it is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius… if you could resume your usual form."

Sirius had turned back, causing Molly to scream. Thankfully, a few words from Ron were able to get her to stop, but she hovered protectively over the three of them as if she thought that the escapee would attack them at any moment. Severus on the other hand…

"Him!" Severus snarled, staring at Sirius, whose face showed just as much hatred. And Albus knew that the only reason that the Potion's Master hadn't pulled out his wand was because he was there. "What is he doing here?"

"He is here at my invitation," he told them both, "as are you, Severus." He reminded him carefully. "I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other."

He knew that what he was asking would need nothing short of a miracle as he watched them both continue to glare at each other. But… "I will settle, in the short term," he said firmly, hoping that they would remember that they were grown men, not school children anymore, "for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth do not stand united, there is no hope for any us."

And at those words, the two of them very slowly came closer and shook hands—though it was clear from the looks on their faces, that they wished nothing but a very painful death for the other. The handshake didn't last long, but that was about the best he could've asked for.

"That will do to be going on with," he spoke up as he stepped, between them once more. "Now I have work for each of you. Fudge's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything."

He had a feeling all along that Fudge would've acted like this, and wasn't going to change his mind over night. He turned to them both and gave them orders. He had told Sirius to go and contact all the other members of the Order and to hide out at Remus's until further notice. He also knew that Remus would want to know what happened here. He had been receiving a few letters from him asking how Harry was doing…

"But -" Harry's voice interrupted them. Albus glanced at him and he could see that Harry didn't want Sirius to go already.

"You'll see me very soon. Harry," said Sirius, turning to him. "I promise you. But I must do what I can, you understand, don't you?"

"Yeah," said Harry, "Yeah… of course I do." But Albus could see that he still didn't look happy and he felt that familiar bit of guilt rise again now that his anger was gone. Sirius was a form of comfort for Harry that he had never known before… and he hated having to take that away so soon, however, there was no choice in the matter.

Sirius walked back over to him and grasped his hand briefly, but tightly and he could see that this was painful for Sirius as well. He sighed as he turned back to him and transformed into the dog again and then walked out of the hospital… he couldn't help but wonder briefly how everyone would react once they saw a dog walking the halls.

Once he was gone, he then turned to Severus who had gone paler than usual. Both of them knew what was about to happen. He will have to return to the death eaters, as a spy. But they won't kill him if he played his cards right. He had every confidence in Severus, he was sure he is very capable, otherwise I would not ask him to do this. "Severus, you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready… if you are prepared…?"

"I am," he answered.

"Then good luck," said he said, worried he watched him leave as well. He knew that returning to serve the man who had killed Lily would be almost unbearable to him… but they needed him…

"I must go downstairs," he said finally. "I must see the Diggorys." He looked to Harry, feeling retched that he wasn't able to offer any other forms of comfort. "Harry - take the rest of your potion. I will see all of you later."

He then left and headed back up to his office were Minerva was with Hagrid and Madame Maxime. He couldn't help but vaguely wonder when he would be able to get another good night's sleep.

*The Next Day*

Molly had gone back home to the Burrow the next day after she was sure that Harry would make a full recovery, but before she did, she came to see him.

"Please, Dumbledore," she pleaded. "Why not have Harry come straight over to our house this summer? I'm sure that he does need to be with his friends… especially last night…"

Albus sighed and answered grimly, "Molly, I'm sorry, but I must insist that he goes back to his relatives at least for a short time."

"But with the Ministry refusing to believe us," said Molly upset, "It won't be any easier on him."

"Harry has sense," he tried to assure her, though inside he was also worried. He knew that Harry wouldn't take well to being forced to go back to that house after all this had happened… but it was the safest place for him. He could only hope that that his reckless nature wouldn't get him into any trouble. "He won't go looking for more trouble," he added softly… trying to convince himself of that.

"But…" she stated and he interrupted her gently.

"I appreciate that you care about his well-being, Molly. But you must trust me." When she continued to look angry, he asked, "How is he anyway?" and at the question, he could see her anger faded slightly from her eyes to be replaced by a sad look.

"He's in a horrible state, Dumbledore," she said tearfully. "He blames himself for that boy's death. He didn't come out and say it, but I know he must. He was almost crying last night after you all left."

Albus gave her a sad look. "We'll do what we can to help him, Molly. I just need you to continue to care for him."

She sniffled once, but she left without another word. As she reached the door however, she stopped for a moment, as though she wanted to say something else, but if she did, it passed. He watched her go… as he continued to sink deeper into shame. He felt sick at heart knowing that he was forcing Harry to return to Privet Drive. But there was nothing for it. Now that Voldemort was back, he needed to be safe as possible. He needed a break from the wizarding world.

He had asked Dilys to keep a very close watch on Harry; and she had informed him when the Diggorys came to see him.

"He tried to give her the money," she told him sadly. "But I don't think either of them want it."

"I'm not surprised," he said grimly. That money was nothing but a reminder of Cedric's death. He briefly wondered what Harry would do with it, but then again, that wasn't any of his business. Dilys had been keeping a close watch on him on his orders without complaint until he had been released from the hospital later that night. For the rest of the time, he had them following him around and keeping him in their sights at all times. The last thing that he wanted was for the boy to remain unguarded. After all… who's to say that something like this could happen again?

Most of the time Harry had been spending his time with no one but Ron and Hermione, and he was now enduring the faint whisperings of the rest of the students to how they thought Cedric had died. He was glad that he had told the student body to leave him alone before Harry was released from Madame Pomfrey. This wasn't what he needed now…

A few days later, it was the leaving feast. Tonight, instead of the normal bright colors that celebrated the House who won the House Cup, he had put up the black drapes in memory of Cedric before the rest of the staff and the students came in. Alastor took his spot next to him… but now more paranoid than ever before. They all had to be careful what he said to him when they spoke to him… he kept jumping at every little thing—not that he blamed him. As for Madame Maxime, she was there sitting next to Hagrid, but Karkaroff wasn't there anymore, and Albus vaguely wondered where he was now.

Severus was also there, very pale… he knew that it hadn't been easy, but he had been able to convince Voldemort that he was his spy.

Once everyone was in here, he stood up and the hall became quiet.

He looked around at them all before he said, "The end of another year."

He paused, as his eyes went to the miserable Hufflepuff table. He felt his heart ache for them… feeling the pain so clearly…

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," he said softly before he turned to the rest of the hall, knowing that he was going to let them know the truth of Cedric's death before they hear nothing but a lie from the Ministry.

He raised his head and looked over to the Hufflepuffs again, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here, enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

And he was glad that they did… everyone had stood up and raised their goblets in honor of the brave young man whose life was cut short before it even started. Once they drank to his memory, he went on to tell them just what kind of person that Cedric had been. To let them know that it was these kinds of people who would die in this war…

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house," he said, wanting them to know that he meant everything he was saying and that they never forget it. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."

He sighed deeply before he said loudly and firmly, without a shred of doubt in his tone… "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall. People were staring at him in disbelief and horror. He knew that many of them grew up with stories of the first war, and the idea of a second one would scare them. But he stayed calm, patiently waiting until they fell silent again.

"The Ministry of Magic," he said, trying his best to hide the distain in his voice at them, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so - either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."

He felt anger boiling inside him at the thought of them treating Cedric's death as nothing but a freak accident. How dare they?

He then went on with another important matter that he felt he had to address. "There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedrics death. I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."

As he predicted, everyone turned to look at Harry's pale face before looking back at him. He then went on, "Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him."

He wanted them to remember that a madman, a murderer, or a liar wouldn't have done that. He looked directly to Harry—hoping that he understood that he still believed in him as he raised his goblet again. They drank to him, though he had a feeling that many Slytherins—mostly the children of the Death Eaters—refused.

Once they sat again, he continued to remind them all the true meaning of why the tournament had been held. "The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened - of Lord Voldemorts return - such ties are more important than ever before."

He then looked at Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table. Viktor Krum, especially looked afraid. He knew that being controlled and forced to attack Cedric as he did must've been painful for him.

He gave them all gentle looks, trying hard not to think of a former Durmstrang student he once thought he knew. He pushed those feelings away and told himself how much they would need their support now more than ever. "Every guest in this Hall, will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again - in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemorts gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

He had hoped, despite everything that had happened this year, that they had grown to be friends. That everyone in this hall would leave here having learned something vital from their foreign acquaintances and see that they were not as different as they thought they were.

"It is my belief - and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken - that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder."

He did his best not to look at those students.

"A week ago, a student was taken from our midst. Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort."

He held his head high, pride mixed in with his grief for the young Hufflepuff. "Remember Cedric Diggory."

*The Next Day*

Albus watched from one of the countless windows of an empty classroom at all the students getting ready to leave. They were all gathered together, all three schools, with all the students mixed together hugging and saying goodbye. He smiled slightly at the warm site, reminding him that some good had come from all the hardships and tragedy of this year. He watched as Hagrid and Madame Maxime exchanged their goodbyes—but knew that it was for only a short while. He had been pleased when she had agreed to accompany Hagrid for his search for the giants over the summer on the condition that she would be back in time for the next school year.

He watched as the final Beauxbatons student climbed into the carriage and the horses spread their wings to take off. Then he stared sadly at the Durmstrang students all pile onto the ship and sank beneath the waves before he sighed again and turned his attention to his own students all climbing into the carriages to take them down to the train.

It was sadder than usual when he watched them travel across the grounds—the carriages in a single, winding line… only for them to return next year to be either believers… or like the ministry… think that they were only making up stories.

Once the final carriage was out of his sights, he glanced up to the clear and sunny sky, it couldn't have been more different from his mood if it tried. He heard the door behind him open then…

"Headmaster?" Severus's voice said.

Albus turned to see him. "Hello, Severus. Tell me, how is it going?"

"The Dark Lord wasn't happy when I appeared," Severus said coming to stand next to him. "If he wasn't so interested in why I came back in the first place, he would've killed me on the spot. But once I was able to convince him otherwise, he is now very pleased with what I told him."

"You must be careful, Severus," he warned anxiously. "If he were to ever find out the truth…"

"I know how to take care of myself," he told him firmly. Severus didn't look at him, but he asked, "What of the ministry?"

"Still refusing to believe the truth," he sighed miserably. "And knowing Fudge, it will stay that way. He won't believe us unless he sees Voldemort himself. But more than anything I'm surprised that Rita hasn't written anything since the day of the Third Task. I have to say, it's not like her."

"And the boy?" Severus asked coolly. "The Dark Lord is furious that he managed to escape him and all his Death Eaters like that. He feels that the boy humiliated him in front of his servants. He can't figure out how it happened."

Albus glanced at him sadly. Of course not… he knew that Tom would never understand. But now feeling as if his pride was now heavily damaged… he won't show any mercy should he meet Harry again… which Albus knew he would.

Tom wouldn't want to risk that again… he wants to kill Harry as quickly as possible for escape once again. "Harry is doing as well as can be expected," Albus told him. "He will remain with his mother's sister for the blood wards. It is the safest place for him now. I will have several of the Order members keeping an eye on him this summer as well. Should anything happen, the ministry will be there to try and find an excuse to expel him. Later tonight, will be the first Order meeting."

They stood there in silence for a long time, looking out at the sunny grounds… never of them so much as moved as they watched the scarlet train depart from the station and disappeared beyond the green fields.

Finally, Albus asked almost absent-mindedly, "What are our chances?"

Severus didn't ask what he meant, but he didn't need to. He sighed before he turned and left the room with a grim response, "Don't ask…"

(Done with another year! Finally, we get to move onto year five. I have a question though. I do plan on finishing up through year seven of course. But should I write a version where Dumbledore is watching over Harry and his friends, or his portrait version? Please write what you think it should be and why. Also, I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I've been having a hard time trying to think of inspiration for this story.)