The Prince-Who-Lived

Chapter Forty-one

Usually it was Alan who had information about the outside world first, but apparently this time around was to be different. After the very successful weekend lesson with Geoffrey, with promise of another in the next few weeks, Harry was enjoying classes with a small joy of defying Umbridge. However, it was during Herbology Wednesday when suddenly the small key necklace he wore went bitingly cold. He yelped; it was directly against his skin. Neville and Hermione both looked up at him as he awkwardly fished it out. No one else noticed, as they were working with Fanged Geraniums; a yelp was not out of place. Professor Sprout bustled over impatiently as Harry stared at the faint blue glow on his key with dread. When she saw it, she gasped.

"Potter, I didn't know you had a watchkey."

It was uncommon for parents to give their children a watchkey, the necklace that had panicked his parents in his first and second years by alerting them when his life was in danger. More unusual, and more expensive on an already exorbitant price, was a key where the parents could contact the child in the other direction, to tell the child the parents needed help. However, a number of purebloods had them as heirlooms - they were reparable for a large fee - and thus their signs were fairly well known.

"Professor Sprout, I need to see Professor Dumbledore about this."

Professor Sprout pointed to the door. "Go. You're excused."

Harry nodded to her, glanced to see Neville nodding – his bag would be taken care of - and then turned and ran out the door, his necklace loose against his robes. He didn't know why his parents had activated it; surely there were more people they could contact easily. But they knew the moment they did so, his unmentioned personal opinion aside, Harry would run immediately to Professor Dumbledore. Maybe that was all they needed … Harry hoped that was it. He didn't want to think his parents were in danger.

The unfortunate thing with Herbology was that it was outside, and the Headmaster's office was inside and Harry had never learned where it was. Sure, he may have gone there a time or two, but he'd never paid attention to how to get there himself. He supposed it was fair to look, or he could pull out the map … Harry cursed. Neville had the revised map in his bag, and now it was too late to get it. If all else failed, he'd seek out McGonagall, but he hoped it wouldn't.

Running up the stairs, Harry eyed the empty halls carefully, wondering what was going on and where he might go in the meantime. He raced past a corridor with a huddled group of taller students, and then paused, looking back down. Two of them had red hair.

"Fred! George!" Harry called.

The twins turned, and their companions – the black Lee Jordan, and the lean Jonas Hodges – straightened and hailed him cheerily before motioning for silence. Harry ran over to them and shook his head at their joyous looks. Jonas' eyes went immediately to the faintly blue necklace resting against Harry's robes.

Harry didn't wait for greetings. "Guys, I need to know where the Headmaster's office is. I have to contact him now, don't you have your Map on you?" He was beyond secrecy.

Fred and George frowned, but answered his urgency by handing the blank, worn parchment over. Harry tapped it without speaking and activated it, waiting impatiently for the lines to coalesce, asking, "You don't know where it is offhand?"

"No." Fred answered warily.

Harry shot a look at Jonas and got a wary smile. "Surprisingly, neither do I know. I don't usually end up there."

"Huh." Harry offered, flipping through the pages fervently. "Something you don't know."

"Amazing, isn't it?" Jonas returned dryly.

Harry smiled tightly back at him and scanned the map for Albus Dumbledore. Unfortunately, this one did not home in on a name at the sound of it, so he had to look and struggle until the twins pointed out the office with Dumbledore pacing slowly inside. Harry breathed a short sigh of relief, and then tried to find himself. Jonas easily answered before he spoke.

"You want two floors up, hang a right, bypass three corridors and go down the fourth, and then you want to look for the deep alcove with the gargoyle. How to get past the gargoyle I wouldn't know." Jonas quirked his lips, his eyes greedily trailing over the details on the map. "That map is really useful. I never knew that gargoyle was his."

Harry nodded without thinking too hard, handed the map back and then paused. "You know where Umbridge is?"

"Staring irritably at Sinistra's class." Lee answered. "You're in the clear for the time being."

Harry smiled shakily and took off running again. Dumbledore's office was still a ways away.

Fortunately, the stairwell was nearby and he'd been repeating Jonas' directions in his mind obsessively. He was up, down the hall and looking for the alcove before he worried about the gargoyle problem. When he found it, Harry eyed it nervously and sighed. Well, he was here. He just had to find out what that meant for him. He coughed lightly and addressed the Gargoyle quietly.

"Hello, I uh … I need to see the Headmaster. It's urgent; I got a message from my parents. Do you have any way of talking to the Headmaster, or something? C'mon, I need up!"

Thankfully, the Gargoyle ground aside a few moments after he spoke, revealing a staircase moving slowly upwards. Harry stepped quickly onto it, too shaken by worry to stop fidgeting. The gargoyle ground back into place, and he slowly moved upwards to meet a door with a brass griffon knocker. Harry knocked timidly, and then answered the faint welcome by cautiously opening the door. Dumbledore's face was surprised a moment before he smiled warmly and greeted him, his eyes scanning down and then locking on the blue-glowing key.

"Harry, I am surprised to see you. What brings you here?"

"Sir, my watchkey went cold about ten minutes ago while I was in Herbology. Do you know where my parents are?"

The Headmaster's eyes sharpened, and he turned to go behind his desk sitting and addressing a spindly silver device. Finally, however, he sighed, and looked back over at Harry.

"I do not know at this moment, however I know I am needed. The warning is timely. Which parent keeps the other watchkey?"

"My mother." Harry answered simply. "Why go through me? If they needed you, why me? You have other communications."

"Harry, I cannot tell you –"

"Bollocks!" Harry spat.

"Harry, calm yourself –"

"My parents are in trouble, and you're refusing to answer me! I'm old enough to know if you're going to use me as some messenger boy. Now either tell me, or get to work on helping them."

Dumbledore's face turned into a disapproving frown, but he waved at the chair before him and Harry threw himself into the seat sullenly as Dumbledore moved to organize several things before looking at the small silver device again. He sighed heavily, and then looked over his glasses at Harry.

"Harry, I do not have the leisure to explain everything at this moment, but I would be much more able to divulge the information to you at a later time. I can send a message as soon as your parents' condition is assured –"

"Oh, and just happen to forget to send it? Or gloss over everything. I don't trust you." Harry could've bitten his tongue as he said the words, but his frustrated anger wasn't listening to him. He wasn't even that angry; it just burst out.

Dumbledore's twinkles died, and he gave Harry a long searching look. Harry wasn't oblivious when he sent a subtle probe into his mind and petulantly, Harry blocked him, knocking the attempt aside as firmly as he could. Dumbledore's eyebrows rose.

"Very well." He allowed. "I believe you are free come the weekend. I will see you … Saturday afternoon, perhaps, to share some tea as well? And you will receive a message as soon as your parents' condition is ascertained. You don't need to worry yourself; I will do the best I can, but I cannot keep you informed while I give aid. Please."

Harry nodded a little too quickly. He knew Dumbledore was needed elsewhere; he didn't even know where the frustration had come from. "Alright sir, I'm sorry about …"

"It is completely understandable. Please, return to class. Keep your watchkey close."

Harry's hand closed over the glowing, cold metal. It wouldn't warm up until his parents deactivated their side. If it broke … "Of course, sir. T-thank you."

Harry hurried down the stairs with his mind in a tumult, biting his lip carefully as he stepped past the gargoyle and watched it go back into place. He'd be back here Saturday afternoon, then. Hopefully he'd be able to calm down.

IIII

Of course, Neville and the others asked after what happened immediately, but Harry had no answer for them. No answer came at all that day, and Harry went to his room clutching his key. The glow had disappeared shortly after supper, the metal warming, but no note had come from Dumbledore. He'd stayed up until midnight, and even when he gave in and attempted sleep well after everyone else, he got nowhere with it. Finally, resigning himself to a sleepless night, Harry pulled out his bag and returned to the common room, working on refining his assignments and then revising against the subjects he wasn't doing so well in. Arithmancy was the OWL he least looked forward to, only because Alan was tutoring him in Potions and History was a lost cause.

It was probably about five in the morning when McGonagall came through the Portrait hole and saw him working there. Surprise crossed her face. Harry looked up blankly at her, and then felt his own features tighten as hers settled from her surprise into lines Harry had never noticed before.

"Your parents are both fine, Harry." McGonagall quietly assured him.

Harry nodded slowly, but he could tell something was wrong. She didn't elaborate, and finally Harry just tilted his head to the side, silently encouraging her to continue.

McGonagall took a deep breath before she managed to collect herself enough to answer. "The Minister has removed Dumbledore from being Headmaster and attempted to arrest him. Dumbledore escaped, but Dolores Umbridge is now Headmistress of the school."

Harry's quill slipped from nerveless fingers, and he managed to thinly ask, "How? What happened?"

McGonagall rubbed her face tiredly. "Regulus Black was captured by Aurors earlier today. I believe that would be what prompted your father to get you to tell Dumbledore to contact him. When Regulus named Dumbledore as someone to vouch for him not being a Death Eater, the Ministry ran wild with the name and tried to call him in on harbouring a Death Eater and a dangerous fugitive. Of course Dumbledore didn't allow them to arrest him, but he cannot return until the Ministry reverses its position. He –he said to send his regrets on the postponement of the conversation he promised you."

She sent him a curious look, but Harry wasn't in the mood to explain. He was too horrified at the thought of losing Dumbledore, and at Umbridge having free reign in the school. Finally, he bit his lip, and then sighed.

"Alright, thanks. I should … get to bed." Harry offered.

McGonagall nodded. "I'd offer you the morning off, but Madam Umbridge would not tolerate it, and probably find it suspicious. Please, go sleep. I'll see you later, Mr. Potter."

"Goodnight." Harry called. He watched her leave with a tight expression, and then gathered his books and papers. He could probably get an hour or two of sleep if he could relax. Lying down would at least help. It wasn't like he could do much else.

IIII

It was as McGonagall had said. Neville woke a very tired Harry in the morning with a frown, and then he became suspicious when Harry asked if he had his communications mirror for his parents. Neville had nodded without speaking, and Harry had sighed before telling him there'd probably be an announcement downstairs. Neville had straightened, and, after another searching look, told Harry to be smart about getting ready and to meet him downstairs. Harry had taken his time anyways, and when he met the others, Neville was waiting with an accusatory look in his eyes.

"Pray tell how you knew this was happening, Harry." Neville shot.

Harry gave him a tired smile. "You think I stayed up all night for nothing?"

Hermione frowned, but Neville's gaze wasn't giving an inch. A small motion from him stopped Hermione's question. Harry idly wondered how long it'd take them to get back together, but he snapped back to attention when Neville asked again,

"You didn't know this would happen. You were worried about your parents. You got news, then?"

Harry nodded. "McGonagall told me. Oh dear …" Harry went pale as he remembered just what had preceded Dumbledore's dismissal. He'd missed it the night before. "Alan will be fit to be tied. Shit."

Neville gave him a curious look and then eyed the ceiling. "At least I'm not alone when he makes these little jumps. Harry, what - happened?"

Harry smiled weakly. "You decided to not be quite as reticent anymore?" He offered.

Neville sneered.

Harry just shook his head in return, and rolled his eyes distinctly; it was meant to indicate the people around them. Neville frowned, but straightened and picked up his bag as he caught on. "Fine. Food. Ron, lead the way, will you?"

Ron looked between them all and succinctly summarized his feelings, "You're all mad."

Hermione huffed. "Let's just go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll be somewhere where we can tie these two up and interrogate them. And maybe Alan and Blaise too."

"What would they have to add?" Ron asked, confused.

"You'd be surprised at what those two might know." Harry shot. "They know more stuff they shouldn't than they should, I swear."

Ron looked only more confused and Hermione just sighed, sending a short glare Harry's direction. Harry simply shrugged blithely in return, impatient to get into the Great Hall and see what was up. He was surprised when Alan and Blaise were sitting in their seats far calmer than Harry expected. Harry looked up at McGonagall, but the woman was sitting next to Madam Umbridge and looking like she was trying not to gag. Harry brazenly walked over to Alan and his friends, leaning over his shoulder.

"What do you think of this fine morning's missive, dear friend?" Harry asked as pleasantly as he could manage.

Alan sniffed delicately. "It's the biggest piece of horse pucky I've seen in a long time, and I can't wait for it to be sorted out."

Harry's heart sank. Alan didn't know. Oh, he so didn't want to be the messenger. "You heard anything from your dad about what happened?"

Alan tilted his head; leaning on his shoulder, Harry felt the action more than he saw it. "No, I haven't. Do you know something of what happened? I can't imagine how they sacked him."

Harry bit his lip a moment too long, because Alan looked up at him with his eyes narrowed. Across the table, Lucille and Salvador's conversation became stilted, and Blaise shifted on his other side. The attention of the group shifted palpably, but Harry immediately put on an act; they knew he knew, but he didn't want it out of their group. As Slytherins, they would notice immediately when he lied so obviously.

"I don't know either." However, the whole school must know he left Herbology, so he couldn't leave it at that. "I did get a message from my dad, though, through my watchkey, so Dumbledore left to take care of that. I haven't heard anything about it past that my parents are alright."

The Slytherins nodded carefully, but the tension didn't leave them. Alan caught Harry's eye carefully, and Harry tapped his free necklace, the serpent from his father. Alan's face opened deceptively. He looked more relaxed, but Harry recognized the acquisition of a full mask. He was hiding himself. He knew Harry couldn't tell him here, and with the level of secrecy he'd requested, going to the Chamber of Secrets, it was something big. And for all Harry knew, Alan could very well know it was a secret Harry did not want to tell him. He was about to try for more conversation, bumping lightly against Blaise to request the seat – Neville, Ron and Hermione had continued to Gryffindor – when Draco drawled behind him,

"Potter, I think you're a little lost. This is the Slytherin table. The place for thick-skulled buffoons is on the far side of the Hall."

As one, Alan's group turned their attention to Draco like a pack of wolves. He stiffened visibly, but kept his bravado by puffing out his chest. Light glinted off a small badge pinned prominently on his robes, and he smiled thinly.

"I think I'll have to take points for that, Potter. Ten points for such a horrendous mistake."

"There are no rules about mixing with other houses, Draco." Blaise growled. "What's the new shiny? A gift from home?"

Draco grinned with much more confidence now. "No, it's a sign of my superiority. I'm the one trusted by the new Headmistress; one of her eyes and ears in the school. A member of the Inquisitorial Squad."

"Good Merlin," Daphne swooned, "did you come up with that name too? It's as terrible as the little ditty you tried out at the match with Gryffindor earlier this year."

Draco paled. "Better watch your mouth, Greengrass." Draco snarled. "I don't think the new Headmistress will be so lenient on your attitudes. I suppose it's more the entire group here that's the problem; Potter isn't so out of place hanging out with you scum."

"You hear that Alan?" Harry jibed. "I'm as Slytherin as you are."

The entire group burst out laughing, and Draco paled again. Behind him, Montague stepped up and eyed the ruckus. "Enough." He grumbled. When the attention moved to him, he flinched minutely but turned his glare on Harry. "No Gryffindors allowed. Go cuddle your little badger if your own table is out of sorts. Slytherins don't disgrace themselves. So get, before you're in detention."

Harry frowned, but when Montague reached for him he ducked and danced out of reach, his small frown still in place. "Fine." Harry faked a yawn. "I suppose the fumes of the rest of you were getting to me anyways. Really, Alan, have some courtesy next time and clean the air around your group. I know you've had to get used to it, but my nose is still delicate. We don't have such undesirables in Gryffindor." Harry turned a wry eye on Montague and then strolled as quickly as he could away while still looking leisurely. Montague and Draco were still confused, but Alan's group was stifling laughter. Harry felt Umbridge's eyes watching him with malice as he rejoined Neville and the others. Neville sent him a questioning look, but Harry just shook his head slowly. Neville frowned and subsided; he wasn't invited.

"Will you explain yourself?" Neville asked curiously.

"Eventually. I just need to tell Alan first."

"What happened over there?" Hermione asked.

Ron swallowed and nodded. "It looked like Malfoy found some balls." He was unfazed by Hermione's fierce glare for the wording.

"It seems Umbridge has made her first change." Harry sighed. "She elected an 'Inquisitorial Squad'. Malfoy and Montague are in it, and apparently several others. None of Alan's friends are members. I don't even know if it extends past Slytherin, but they're above prefects." Harry idly took a bite, and then mused, "There goes our chance for the House Cup. We'll just have to win at Quidditch."

Ron gave a wicked grin, and Ginny, having overheard just smiled. "I'll pass the news on, if you like." She offered, nodding her head at the main Chasers.

Harry smiled. "Do that. And tell Fred and George to look for the little 'i' badges when they target students. But warn them the punishment for being caught will probably be severe."

Ginny nodded and her, Nanna and Melanie moved down the table to talk to the rest of the Quidditch team. Hermione sighed and Ron sullenly dug into his food. Neville's silence had returned, as it always did, and he turned idly towards the sombre Staff Table. Harry didn't need to reminder. Alan would have a fit when he heard …

IIII

'Fit' wasn't quite accurate. Alan paled, and then immediately left the Chamber, Harry tailing him all the way to Severus' rooms. His father wasn't there, and Alan ignored the floo in favour of the mirror on the mantelpiece, immediately calling to Geoffrey. When that got no one, he went through a whole list of names from ones Harry recognized to ones Harry hadn't even heard before. Finally, Andrew picked up and grinned.

"Alan, you haven't contacted me in ages. What's up?"

"You heard anything from your dad, Geoffrey, or Green?"

"Green's in an experiment; dad's in some hot spring. I don't think anyone's heard from Geoffrey. Hey, glass, Alan, glass!" Andrew quickly called, apparently reading Alan well from just seeing his face. He was plainly itching to smash something; his frustration was palpable. "Whoa, what went wrong Alan? What's happening?"

Alan ground his teeth, and then thrust the mirror to Harry while he stormed into the lab, slamming the door behind him and magically locking it. Harry watched him go for a moment, and then jumped when Andrew called, "Earth to Potter! Houston, hey!"

"Sorry! Alan just stormed out."

Andrew waved him off, the image in the mirror showing that he was surprisingly under-dressed, and holding the mirror far enough back to show his shoulders and his feet waving up and behind his head; presumably, he was lying down with the mirror out in front. Harry tried to fight his blush, but Andrew just snickered.

"Relax, already. I'm in shorts and too worried and too far away to consider ravishing you senseless."

Harry scowled. "I was not worried."

"Then you've got to work on the attempts at dying your hair. The red should be in the hair, not your face."

Harry wondered how Alan put up with Andrew's foibles; there were a Hell of a lot of them.

"What gives, though?" The concern in his voice startled Harry. He'd forgotten Andrew had reason to be worried. "Alan doesn't go off like that for nothing."

Harry hesitated, but reminded himself Andrew knew Regulus better than he did. "Regulus got arrested. When he tried to get them to let him contact Dumbledore about his innocence, they took it and called Dumbledore on housing a dangerous fugitive."

Andrew firmly proved that he hung out with the Alfaerus as he vehemently swore. "They didn't!" He continued, staring wide-eyed at him. "How stupid are they? Geoffrey'll have their guts for fucking garters! Are they mad? Seriously!"

Harry huffed. "Well, they did it and now Umbitch is Headmistress. I don't know what's happening now. Geoffrey and Severus were here long enough for classes and then skedaddled before supper. I don't even think they were at lunch."

Andrew leaned on his fist and sighed. "Ginger is probably going to do most of the work at talking to the officials; she's had legal training. They haven't contacted Lucille yet, so they probably don't need any threats at the present moment. Something will have to break; Geoffrey can't let that lie."

"Why?" Harry asked curiously. "Obviously he's a friend, but I've been hanging around Slytherins too long and you said 'can't' not 'won't'."

Andrew grinned. "We have been around too many Slytherins. You're making sense to me. And the answer is Slytherin as well. Letting the British government convict a man the Alfaerus had labelled safe and changed would be a slight to us, and the Alfaerus have several reasons to do a bit of grandstanding, especially in Britain. Not only do they not like being called wrong, they also need to show the power to protect those they've claimed."

"What's the deal with Britain?"

Andrew scratched the back of his neck, and then sighed. "You met Jonas Hodges?" Harry nodded. "That's why. Ask your dad who the Hodges are. You said he's an Auror, so he'll probably sigh heavily or whine." Harry winced. Alan perked immediately. "What?"

"Andrew … damn." Harry did not want to explain this to him.

"Oh, no you don't get away with evading this." Andrew's voice warmed with teasing. "I'm curious now. Don't ever make a vampire curious."

"Andrew … I was told the Hodges are only ever Ravenclaws when they love books more than people. Otherwise, they're Slytherins. My dad hates Slytherins."

Andrew blinked a moment, and then sighed. "Man, I thought Alan was exaggerating when he told me that. Guess not. That's fucking sad." He gave Harry a coy look. "Can I bite him?"

Harry blinked. "What?"

"Alan and my dad both told me I'd be an instant Slytherin if I ever went to Hogwarts. So I want to needle him sooo badly. Please?"

Harry sighed, and then smiled. "Go right ahead. He's currently not talking to me since I openly made friends with Alan. Course, neither's Severus."

Andrew snorted. "He would be closemouthed about that, wouldn't he?"

Harry sighed and nodded, wincing when he felt a wave of something arc across the room from the lab. Oh boy. Andrew was observant, but waited until Harry's face cleared before he simply raised his eyebrow. Harry shrugged weakly.

"Something just washed over me from the lab."

He didn't expect Alan to swear again. "Harry, look if there's a way to contact Severus or Geoffrey. Alan's got it bad; he's gonna make a mess of himself and anyone else. If you can't get them on this mirror, go get either your Healer, or the strongest adult you trust. He might have hurt himself with that, and if he didn't he might hurt himself later because he's not going to stop."

Harry's eyes widened, and he nodded quickly before bidding him a quick goodbye. Andrew cut the line before Harry could, and Harry quickly breathed both Severus and Geoffrey's names. On his second try for them, Severus picked up and then scowled dangerously. Harry didn't let him start the dangerous deprecations that waited on his tongue.

"Severus, Alan's really upset right now. I heard from McGonagall about Regulus and told him. He's locked himself in your lab, and a wave of power just shook up the room. Andrew told me to try for you and Geoffrey again, or fetch someone in case he hurt himself. Please, Professor Snape." Harry hoped he didn't lose points for picking up Alan's habits of calling him Severus. He needed him to take care of Alan first …

With how vile his expression was, Harry couldn't tell what was the main cause, but his voice was clearly worried. "I can't leave, and neither can Geoffrey at the moment. Did he ward the lab?" Harry nodded curtly. "Then fetch McGonagall first and tell her he might be injured." His scowl somehow deepened; Harry had thought it couldn't happen. "Do it discretely, if you're anything like Alan says. Umbridge does not need to know. I have to return to business. Tell Alan we are taking care of it, and I should be back to my rooms this evening, but he is to be in his dorm and not give Umbridge reason to penalize him. That is directly from his father. Use my clear words, and he might actually listen."

Severus cut the connection abruptly and Harry cast a worried gaze at the lab before leaving promptly. It was both worry for Alan, and a desire to impress Severus: he could do exactly as he was told. As he ran, he worked the words Severus had said over and over in his mind until he was quite confident in his ability to relay them to Alan later on. McGonagall, he knew, would be in her office, and he wished he had Neville's wind to be able to run all the way there. Unfortunately, he ran into Umbridge almost literally and barely skipped out of her way, backing up and impulsively bowing before he moved to take off again.

"No running in the halls, Potter. What has you in such a hurry?"

"Sorry Madam Umbridge." Harry panted. "Neville wanted me to check if he'd left his notebook in the Great Hall, but it's nearing curfew and I need to be back in Gryffindor tower. I'll stop running, Ma'am."

Umbridge smiled sickeningly at him, but she nodded and waved him off, "Well then, best hurry. You've ten minutes child."

Harry nodded hurriedly again and moved up to McGonagall's office, feeling a wave of relief when he remembered that for once he did have his invisibility cloak on him. He'd put it in his bag when he realized that Umbridge was now in control. Good. He'd be able to get back to his dorms afterwards, and Neville would cover for him until he got back.

He came to McGonagall's door and knocked hard. The Deputy Headmistress wrenched the door open, and then frowned lightly at Harry.

"Potter, curfew is in five minutes and you're a ways from Gryffindor tower. What are you doing, risking Madam Umbridge's anger?"

"I told Alan the news about Regulus. He tried to contact Geoffrey or Severus, but neither was answering so he locked himself in his father's labs and warded the door. I waited, but after about fifteen minutes a shockwave went through the room. Professor, he might have hurt himself. I finally got Severus, and neither he nor Geoffrey can come back so he told me to get you."

McGonagall's lips thinned, but she nodded curtly. "Alright. You can return to your dorm-"

"McGonagall, I need to deliver a message to him from Severus and I want to know he's alright. If I can step in, I have my father's invisibility cloak."

McGonagall gave him a careful frown, but stepped back. Harry entered the office feeling a little awkward, and quickly dug his cloak out and pulled it on. When he felt he was covered, he asked, "Is it all covered?"

McGonagall nodded. "Alright. Keep pace with me, then. I'm not sure I know how to get into Severus' labs, either."

"Well, if you're there I might be able to and I'll just put the blame of any damage on you." Harry offered quietly. "I'll be right behind you."

McGonagall nodded again, then swept out of her office, holding the door a moment for Harry to slip out behind her, and then she went quickly down the stairs. Harry had to struggle a bit to keep up with the very tall teacher, but after several minutes he found the pace to hold to follow along behind her comfortably. As expected, there weren't very many people up and about, so he had no difficulties beyond making sure the cloak wasn't revealing his legs with how quickly he was walking. Still, it was a long walk and he was quite worried when he got back down, up until another shock rumbled the stones. McGonagall paled.

"Is that what you felt earlier?"

"Yes." Harry answered softly. "Do you know the password?" McGonagall shook her head, and Harry sighed. He couldn't remember it either, but he did know what Alan had told him. He stepped up to the stones to look for it, as McGonagall huffed.

"Did you bring me down without knowing how to get back in yourself?"

"Pretty much, but … here." Harry stepped back and stared at the discrete snake carved in between two stones; it was a bypass for Parselmouths. Alan had assured him they were everywhere in the dungeons. Apparently Slytherin hadn't trusted any of the lower levels outside of his control. "Open for the snake-tongued." Harry commanded. The words were a soft hiss, and McGonagall made a small startled gasp as the door opened. Harry slipped inside quickly, followed by his teacher and he doffed the cloak easily, moving over to the lab door. Would the wards prevent him if he found a similar mark there?

"The lab is there, I presume? I can almost feel the layers of wards; I don't know some of them, Mr. Potter. How am I to help?"

"I don't know." Harry groused. "You were just the person everyone else recommended, and I wanted a teacher. I'm not supposed to be taking care of everything."

McGonagall didn't seem to know what to say to that. He wasn't sure if he wanted to call it luck someone suddenly knocked on the door or not, but Harry quickly snatched up his cloak, and McGonagall went to open the door and act like she was supposed to be there. She jumped when she looked outside.

"Filius! What brings you down here?"

"Probably the same thing that brought you. What are those shocks, Minerva? They're coming from down here, I can tell."

Harry bit his lip a moment, but when McGonagall looked around the room in confusion, Harry hoped he was right and dropped the hood of the cloak. Flitwick squeaked, and stared between them.

"Professor Flitwick, it's Alan that's causing the shocks, and we're trying to get to him to calm him down. He's locked himself in the labs, and Severus can't return to deal with it. Would you be willing to help?" Harry knew Flitwick wasn't in the Order; he didn't know about Regulus, but Flitwick also knew something about wards and Harry didn't want to play with Alan's wards blindly if he didn't have to.

"Minnie! Oh my. A student, you say?"

"Yes." McGonagall bit out. "Please, come in. Umbridge would have a field day."

"Yes, well, I suspect she didn't even feel anything coming from down here at all." Flitwick squeaked as he trotted inside. "My, those are some wards. Some are American patents; the Yanks have the most fascinating spellwork."

He went immediately to the door to the lab and started to stare and poke at the area. Harry and McGonagall remained farther back, Harry cautiously stepping out from under his cloak, folding it over the couch. He wondered if Alan had given a mirror to one of his schoolmates, because Harry needed one of them to get him into his dorm. Trying it himself would rather accentuate the fact that he was out of bounds. The Slytherins weren't that hung up on keeping within the common room; only the dungeons. Perhaps Blaise would be on patrol.

Flitwick was still staring at the wall, so Harry pounced on his bag and pulled out the new Marauder's Map, knowing McGonagall was watching him intently. He activated it silently, and then felt McGonagall look over his shoulder at the writing.

"Mr. Potter … what is this?"

"My dad made it, with his friends." Harry offered, hoping to direct her to bug James, and not him. Harry traced the dungeons and there! Blaise was patrolling, but with him was Pansy Parkinson. He bit his lip … would they be able to oust Pansy to get Alan back to his room? Maybe if he were cloaked … but would he be able to get back to Gryffindor tower uncaught without his invisibility cloak?

"My my." McGonagall suddenly chuckled. Harry blinked, and looked up at her. She hesitated, and then pointed to an upper level Harry had left exposed. Madam Umbridge was at the corridor where the Headmaster's office was, and with the footprint markers, you could tell she was pacing angrily, and then stomping her foot. Harry snorted. McGonagall echoed him.

"Watch yourselves!" Flitwick suddenly called. Harry and McGonagall looked up instantly, and with a flash of sparks, Flitwick brought down what must have been a few layers of wards. He squeaked, and then tapped the wall again. "Oh my. We still need to get the door open, and I don't think Hogwarts would like us to fiddle with it."

Harry suddenly remembered, and stood and walked to the wall quickly, glancing down at the map. When he got to the door, a tiny speech bubble appeared and his footprints said, "Amber spoke"

"Weird." Harry offered quietly, but he hesitated, and accidentally hissed the password. How in the … Parseltongue. He was focused on another speaker, maybe? Either way, the door pulled open, and Harry, suspecting Alan's mood, quickly erected a shield he was immediately grateful for as Alan's spell blasted into him. Unbalanced, he fell onto his ass immediately, but yelled, "Alan, get your fucking act together; I got a hold of your father, dammit, and we're out of curfew!"

Alan stormed to the doorframe, but hesitated and slowed upon seeing Flitwick and McGonagall behind Harry. He snarled. "Fine." The word was a virulent hiss; Harry only barely realized he'd been speaking parseltongue before as well. "What – happened?"

Harry delicately stood and dusted himself off. He wasn't sure if he should try and get out of the parseltongue or not, but decided Severus could explain later. Flitwick wasn't in the Order. "He didn't say. He promised he'd be back to his rooms tonight, but he wants you in your dorm." Alan opened his mouth angrily, and Harry quickly repeated Severus' words, "They are taking care of it, and he should be back to his rooms this evening, but you are to be in your dorm and not give Umbridge reason to penalize you. That is directly from your father." Harry's mouth quirked, "Pretty much word for word, too."

Alan's mouth twitched. "Did you memorize that?" The words had become English.

Harry smiled. "He said I should, although he seemed to think I couldn't. He also said you'd be more likely to listen if I did."

Alan simply shook his head, and then swooned. Harry quickly stood, and stepped over to him, catching him before he fell. "Dammit Alan, what the Hell were you doing?"

Alan groaned and held his head. He didn't answer, but Flitwick gave a strained laugh. With a bit of a sinking feeling, Harry turned and eyed the black wall at the far end of the room. He strongly suspected it hadn't been black before Alan went in there. Sighing, Harry hefted him again and dragged him into the room proper, letting him sag into the couch.

"Blaise is on patrol, but he's got a tagalong, Pansy Parkinson." Harry offered. "You could use my cloak to follow them and get back to your room without notice. Surely Blaise can take care of Pansy long enough, right?"

Alan nodded without opening his eyes. Harry was surprised when McGonagall came back into the room – he hadn't known she'd left – and handed Alan a glass of water.

"Drink. You've caused enough trouble tonight."

Alan looked up at the brusque order and just smiled, accepting the water with a careful nod. A cautious look was exchanged between the teachers, when McGonagall sniffed. "Potter, if you're going to be heading back to Gryffindor tower with your invisibility cloak, you might want to come with me. I can say I was checking, so no one will question the open door."

"Actually, McGonagall, he's lending me the invisibility cloak because I've got the Inquisitorial squad to avoid. He'll just be running up to the tower naked."

Harry cuffed Alan on the shoulder. "I'm dressed, fool. Go stalk Blaise and Pansy. See how many times you can make that girl see ghosts."

"Yessir. I'll go make sure my dad stares in awe at you for getting me to listen. You go follow your teacher like a good little boy." Alan stood shakily and snatched up the silvery fabric, drawing it about him without raising the hood. He fit the cloak quite well, actually. It was too large for Harry.

Harry stuck out his tongue and then eyed the map. "Hey, Blaise is going to be coming around sometime soon. I presume neither you nor Flitwick will be executed for being out, but I can get back on my own. No one in Gryffindor will turn me in, so it'll almost be easier."

McGonagall's lips thinned, but she reluctantly nodded. "Alright. I could give you a note, if you wanted. Just in case it will grant some leeway from Umbridge, although I wouldn't rely on it." She looked like she'd swallowed something nasty.

Harry eyed her oddly, but nodded and waited until Blaise and Pansy had passed the door. Once they were gone, the teachers and students left, Harry eyeing the map for the nearest shortcut, and waving as he jogged off, a short note in his pocket, leaving his Head of House behind. As he left, the last thing he heard Flitwick chirp to McGonagall,

"Students like those make you proud to be a teacher. Clever, resourceful, powerful …"

"Yes." McGonagall agreed. "They also make me glad I am not their mother."

A/N: Here we go, what every one of you knew was inevitable. And then I prove once again I am a brat and send you back onto the lovely little rollercoaster of mine. Get ready for a nice little false drop ... you know what to expect. Love you all, and thank you for anyone who reviewed!

Fire & Napalm