Adam
March 8th 1997
Adam stared numbly as the rest of the Gryffindor team walked slowly towards him. He felt bitterly disappointed. He'd blown it. He'd missed the Snitch.
Ginny reached him first and wrapped him in a hug.
"Don't worry!" She exclaimed brightly, forcing a smile. "It's just one of those things. You were unlucky."
"Yeah, mate," Ron added as he approached. "We only lost by ten points, so it hardly matters in in relation to the cup."
"Yeah, Adam," Katie added. "It's ten points, 140 to 150. That's nothing."
The rest of the team surrounded him and all offered their consolations.
"Thanks, guys," Adam said, trying to shake off his disappointment and figure out how he had missed the Snitch.
Adam hadn't even seen the small golden ball until the Hufflepuff Seeker had nearly caught it, and by then it had been too late for Adam to do anything about it.
Was it just been bad luck? Or had he been distracted? Could he have caught it first if he'd concentrated more?
"Stop it," Ginny commented, giving him a gentle nudge. "The Snitch floated right into his path. Not even Krum could have caught it before him."
With the jubilant Hufflepuff team having now left the field, the Gryffindor team started walking slowly back towards the school.
"Do you have to go and see Dumbledore now?" Ginny asked as the two of them walked hand in hand back towards school.
"Well, he said to come as soon as the match finished," Adam replied with a sigh. "So I guess I do."
"I'll walk you there, then," Ginny answered. "We don't get as much alone time anyway," she added wistfully. "What with Umbridge and her patrols, the DA, your lessons, Quidditch, our practices AND school work," Ginny finished with an exaggerated sigh.
Adam could only shrug in response as they approached the Gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office.
"Okay," Ginny said as they approached the office. "I'll meet you in the common room later?"
"Sure," Adam replied, giving her a quick kiss as the Gargoyle slid aside. Professor Dumbledore must have realised he was there. "See you later!"
Adam climbed the stairs to Professor Dumbledore's office, knocked on the door and entered.
"Good afternoon, Adam," Professor Dumbledore greeted him. "I hear commiserations are in order about today's match."
Adam nodded. "Er, Thanks, sir," he replied.
"If it is of any consolation, I too have had a tiring day. Professor Umbridge saw fit to dismiss Professor Trelawney and it was all I could do to prevent her from being removed from the school. Now I need to find another Divination teacher."
"Sir," Adam replied. "If she was fired then shouldn't she leave?"
"Ah, very astute, Adam. Ignoring that fact that Dolores' dismissal was undoubtedly unfair, Professor Trelawney needs to be kept under my protection. She was," Professor Dumbledore paused to stroke his beard, "the seer that made the Prophecy regarding yourself."
Adam felt a strange and irrational surge of hatred for the woman that he quickly squashed. She couldn't help that she had made the Prophecy after all.
"It is strange that such a witch should have made the most critical Prophecy of our time, a Prophecy to which she is blissfully unaware of ever making."
"Then why protect her?" Adam asked. If she didn't know that she had made it, why did she have to be protected.
"She is not consciously aware of the Prophecy, but an experienced Legilimens may be able to extract useful information from her. A chance I would prefer not to take. As you are aware, Voldemort still does not know the last part of the Prophecy and for him to hear of it would be most damaging for our cause."
Adam nodded numbly. He knew he had to defeat Voldemort in the end, but it seemed so far off. They had to find all the Horcruxes first, he had so much still to learn from Professor Dumbledore and he needed to become a far better duellist.
"Sir," Adam asked hesitantly. "Is there any news on Horcruxes or anything?"
"Not yet, Adam," Professor Dumbledore replied. "And Voldemort himself is being quiet since he was repelled at Christmas. I have heard that he believes his operation against you was betrayed."
"Dobby!" Adam exclaimed.
"Maybe so, but luckily for Dobby, Voldemort, like most wizards, would never even dream that a house-elf could act against his interests."
Adam nodded. "So he's just doing nothing?"
"No," Professor Dumbledore replied. "He is recruiting, both followers, magical creatures and, I believe, attempting to gain more influence over wizards within the Ministry."
"Influence?"
"It is my, and the Order's belief, that he has at least one agent within the Ministry and that agent has placed several others under the Imperius Curse."
"Can't you do something?" Adam demanded, nearly jumping out of his seat.
"We are, but Voldemort is very shrewd. His agents are keeping a low profile, acting normal. It is proving very difficult to locate them. We believe he has at least one agent within the Department of Magical Transportation. Far more worryingly, is my belief that they have at least one agent within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, which resulted in Sirius being blamed for the release of the Death Eaters last year."
"And the Minister still claims that Voldemort is not back?" Adam demanded angrily.
"That is still his position," Professor Dumbledore replied gravely. "But in his case I feel that his incompetence is due not to Voldemort's influence but fear."
"What can we do?" Adam asked.
"At this stage, Adam, you do not need to do anything, rather you must work with me to further our quest for the Horcruxes. Members of the Order within the Ministry are attempting to locate those that have been placed under the Imperius Curse, but they must not only work against Voldemort's followers, but against the Minister as well. Not an easy situation," he paused. "Anyway, we have digressed from the topic of today's lesson. Once again I am afraid we must sneak out of my own school."
Together Professor Dumbledore and a Disillusioned Adam left the school. Once they left the grounds, Adam allowed Professor Dumbledore to carry him away by Side-Along-Apparition.
Adam had half expected a visit to some magical site, or maybe another person that might be able to tell them more about the Horcruxes. He had definitely not expected to find himself standing in a completely empty field.
"Where are we?" Adam asked, bemused as to why he had been brought here.
"We are not actually that far from Hogwarts, Adam," Professor Dumbledore began. "This field is a nice secluded spot for what I have planned today."
"Sir?" Adam questioned.
"Apparition lessons!"
Adam suddenly felt a burst of excitement. He had thought Professor Dumbledore would never get around to teaching him.
"Now," Professor Dumbledore began. "You may find my methods of instruction differ slightly from the Ministry Approved Syllabus, but in the end the result is the same. Today we will attempt to get you to Apparate from where you are standing onto," Professor Dumbledore waved his wand a conjured a white square on the nearby grass. "This white square."
Adam nodded.
"You will hear others who have been taking lessons talking about the three Ds. Determination, Destination and Deliberation. A far more accurate way to describe it is that you must be able to visualise yourself at your desired destination, you must have the intent to travel there and you must move you body to act a trigger for the magic."
"A trigger?" Adam asked, not quite understanding the Headmaster.
"In a similar way to which an incantation is a trigger for a Curse or Charm. Your body movement is a trigger for the Apparition effect. That is what we will start on today. Watch."
Adam watched as Professor Dumbledore deftly spun on the spot.
"That is the standard movement that is associated with Apparation, a full turn on the spot. Now you practice."
After several tries, and one trip to the floor, Adam managed to successfully swivel on the spot.
"Excellent, now the key to Apparation is; as you turn, you must visualise yourself at the destination and you must be completely sure that the turn will take you there. As sure as you are when you say the destination to a fireplace or take hold of a Portkey," Professor Dumbledore continued.
Adam nodded, not quite sure how he could be sure that he would arrive at the destination. He visualised himself standing on the white square and began to chant silently, I will be on the white square. I will be on the square. He then turned on the spot.
Nothing happened.
"Do not worry, Adam, it takes significant practice for one to master Apparition. In fact I would not be surprised if your only success to day is mastering the turn."
Adam nodded, disappointingly. He really wanted to learn to Apparate.
"We will come here for the next few weeks to practice, so you will have plenty of time and, I dare say, with one on one tuition from myself you will master it far quicker than any of your fellows. Anyway let us try again!"
Adam concentrated again on the white square, willed himself to travel and spun on the spot.
Once again nothing happened.
Adam groaned. It was looking like it was going to be a long afternoon.
Ginny
March 26th 1997
In Ginny's opinion, the DA was making excellent progress. Today they were once again practicing the Patronus Charm. At the last meeting, pretty much all of the DA members were able to at least conjure white mist and a few, such as Hermione, Ron, Luna and Neville had managed summon Patronuses that were beginning to resemble animals.
"Harry! Harry!" Ginny heard Hermione's excited cry.
Ginny looked over and saw a silver otter swimming through the air around Hermione.
"Well done, Hermione!" Adam exclaimed in response. "You did it!"
Ginny looked around the room in satisfaction as several other corporeal Patronuses joined Hermione's. She spotted a silver swan, which she hadn't seen before.
Someone must have just gotten it right! Ginny thought with delight.
The meeting continued like that for some time, with Ginny and Adam..., no Harry she mentally corrected herself, moving around the class and helping the others. The vast majority of members had achieved, either today or in previous lessons, some measure of success with the charm and, while only a handful had been able to summon corporeal Patronuses, everyone had made progress.
The meeting was in full swing when suddenly the doors to the Room of Requirement opened. Ginny turned to look and paused in surprise. It was Seamus Finnegan.
"Seamus?" Ginny exclaimed loudly, causing the room to quieten. He wasn't a member of the DA, so what was he doing here?
"Seamus!" Hermione's voice suddenly echoed. "You made it!"
Ginny suddenly noticed that Seamus had paused as soon as he came in the doorway, resting his hands on his knees and breathing hard. Hermione, Adam and several others had apparently noticed as well, as a large group quickly congregated around him.
"Umbridge!" He gasped.
"What!" Adam exclaimed from behind her.
"Hermione, told me I can could come along. I was late," he wheezed. "On the way I heard Umbridge and a few of the Slytherins talking about the meeting. They know you're here! I had to come and warn you!"
The room suddenly went deathly silent. Ginny looked around the room watching the frightened looks that had appeared on the faces of many of the students. Would Dumbledore really let Umbridge expel people for being in the DA?
"I think she's going to try and catch us!" Seamus added.
Ginny spun around and looked at Adam. He was staring blankly at the doorway.
"Okay, everyone," he said in a loud voice. "Get out of here."
To Ginny's surprise no one moved.
"GO! MOVE!" Adam shouted.
Immediately the room erupted in panic and people began bolting from the room. Ginny felt herself being pushed towards and then through the door of the Room of Requirement as the members of the DA scattered.
Once outside the room, Ginny held her ground and glanced around, looking for Adam. She couldn't see him. Good. Hopefully he'd had the good sense to use the cloak. Him out of everyone could least afford to be caught.
"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. "We need to get out of here!" Her voice then lowered to a whisper. "Do you know where...?"
"He'll be fine," Ginny replied. "Let's go! We can hide in the girl's toilets downstairs!"
Ginny and Hermione pounded down the seventh floor corridor, they only had to descend one flight of stairs and they could reach the girl's loo, where they could pretend they were doing make up or something.
They dashed down the stairs and onto the sixth floor, then, suddenly, Ginny felt her legs give way under her and she and Hermione landed in a heap on the floor.
"Hah!" A voice exclaimed from nearby. "Got two, Professor! The Weaslette and Granger!"
Ginny shuddered, recognising Malfoy's voice.
"Shut up, Malfoy!" She spat.
"Well done, Mr. Malfoy!" Umbridge exclaimed as she appeared, looking slightly flustered, from around the corner. "I'll take these two the Headmaster's office. You keep looking."
Umbridge roughly pulled both Ginny and Hermione to their feet and they very reluctantly followed her to the Headmaster's office.
As they walked Ginny fought hard to quell the sense of panic building up inside of her. What would happen to her and Hermione now? Would they be expelled? If she was expelled her mum would kill her! If she was expelled she would hardly get to see Adam anymore! She would have to go to Beauxbatons or something and he would stay at Hogwarts!
As they reached the Headmaster's office, Ginny had to blink her eyes furiously. She wasn't going to cry! She noticed Hermione was also looking very pale.
They entered the office and Ginny immediately saw that it was full of people. Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, the Minister of Magic and a tough-looking wizard with very short wiry hair were all clustered around the Headmaster's desk. Ginny also spotted Kingsley Shacklebolt, who she knew from her time at Grimmauld Place during the summer, and... her brother, Percy!
"Ginevra!" He exclaimed. "Don't tell me that you have been involved in this! What will Mother and Father think?"
"I suppose you'd know wouldn't you, Percy!" Ginny spat back. "When was the last time you actually saw them!"
"Now, Ginevra, you can't speak to me like that!"
Ginny was about to bark another reply at him, when Professor Dumbledore interrupted.
"Now, now, Miss Weasley," he said in a loud voice.
Ginny looked over towards Professor Dumbledore, and saw that the entire room seemed to be watching her and Percy face off. While they were at it, Hermione and Umbridge and had entered the room.
Once Umbridge had closed the door, Ginny heaved a sigh of relief. From the look of it Umbridge hadn't actually managed to catch any other members of the DA. Adam had escaped! He had enough on his plate and didn't need this on top of everything else.
"Well then, Cornelius," Professor Dumbledore said. "Shall we begin?"
"Well," Fudge replied. "Well, well, well…"
"These two were heading back to Gryffindor Tower," said Umbridge, in an excited tone. "The Malfoy boy cornered them."
"Did he, did he?" said Fudge appreciatively. "I must remember to tell Lucius. Well, you two, whatever your names are… I expect you know why you are here?"
"Err..." Ginny began.
Suddenly she caught sight of Dumbledore's face. He was not looking directly at her, but as she watched, he shook his head a fraction of an inch to each side.
"No," Ginny replied, hoping Hermione would play along. "I don't know why I'm here."
"You don't know why you are here?"
"No," said Ginny and Hermione simultaneously.
"So you have no idea," said Fudge in a voice positively sagging with sarcasm. "Why Professor Umbridge has brought you to this office? You are not aware that you have broken any school rules?"
"School rules?" said Hermione, before Ginny could answer. "No."
"Or Ministry decrees?" amended Fudge angrily.
"Not that I'm aware of," Hermione continued.
"So it's news to you, is it," said Fudge, his voice now angry. "That an illegal student organization has been discovered within this school?"
"Yes, it is," said Ginny sweetly, deliberately putting a smile on her face.
"I think, Minister," said Umbridge silkily from beside him. "We might make better progress if I fetch our informant."
"Yes, yes, do," said Fudge, nodding, glaring at Dumbledore as Umbridge left the room.
There was a wait of several minutes, in which nobody looked at each other, then Ginny heard the door open behind her. Umbridge moved past her into the room, gripping by the shoulder Cho Chang's friend Marietta, who was hiding her face in her hands. As she entered the room Ginny heard Hermione emit a muffled squeak.
"Don't be scared, dear, don't be frightened," said Professor Umbridge softly, before Ginny had chance to figure out why Hermione had made that noise. "It's quite all right, now. You have done the right thing. The Minister is very pleased with you. He'll be telling your mother what a good girl you've been. Marietta's mother, Minister," she added, looking up at Fudge. "Is Madam Edgecombe from the Department of Magical Transportation. Floo Network office."
"Jolly good, jolly good!" said Fudge heartily. "Like mother, like daughter, eh? Well, come on, now, dear, look up, don't be shy. Let's hear what you've got to — galloping gargoyles!"
As Marietta raised her head, Fudge leapt backward in shock, nearly landing himself in the fire, and Hermione made a sound like a strangled cough. Marietta gave a wail and pulled the neck of her robes right up to her eyes, but not before the whole room had seen that her face was horribly disfigured by a series of close-set purple pustules that had spread across her nose and cheeks to form the word "SNEAK."
"Never mind the spots now, dear," said Umbridge impatiently. "Just take your robes away from your mouth and tell the Minister..."
Marietta gave another muffled wail and shook her head frantically.
"Oh, very well, you silly girl, I'll tell him," snapped Umbridge. She hitched her sickly smile back onto her face and said. "Well, Minister, Miss Edgecombe here came to my office shortly after dinner this evening and told me she had something she wanted to tell me. She said that if I proceeded to a secret room on the seventh floor, sometimes known as the Room of Requirement, I would find out something to my advantage. I questioned her a little further and she admitted that there was to be some kind of meeting there. Unfortunately at that point this hex," she waved impatiently at Marietta's concealed face. "Came into operation and upon catching sight of her face in my mirror the girl became too distressed to tell me any more."
"Well, now," said Fudge, fixing Marietta with what he evidently imagined was a kind and fatherly look. "It is very brave of you, my dear, coming to tell Professor Umbridge, you did exactly the right thing. Now, will you tell me what happened at this meeting? What was its purpose? Who was there?"
But Marietta would not speak. She merely shook her head again, her eyes wide and fearful.
"Haven't we got a counter-jinx for this?" Fudge asked Umbridge impatiently, gesturing at Marietta's face. "So she can speak freely?"
Marietta suddenly took one hand gingerly from her face and pointed at Hermione. "She knows!" she cried in a high pitched voice.
"You, Granger?" Umbridge said, turning on Hermione. "You did this?"
"N-N-No," Hermione said shakily. "She signed a binding contract!"
"Dolores," Fudge interrupted. "We can sort out how the word 'sneak' came to be written on our informant's face later. Can you continue with evidence, if she won't speak for herself."
"Certainly, Minister. You will remember that I sent you a report back in October that a number of students met in the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade..."
"And what is your evidence for that?" cut in Professor McGonagall.
"I have testimony from Willy Widdershins, Minerva, who happened to be in the bar at the time. He was heavily bandaged, it is true, but his hearing was quite unimpaired," said Umbridge smugly. "He heard every word this group said and hastened straight to the school to report to me."
"Oh, so that's why he wasn't prosecuted for setting up all those regurgitating toilets!" said Professor McGonagall, raising her eyebrows. "What an interesting insight into our justice system!"
"The purpose of this meeting," continued Professor Umbridge, completely ignoring Professor McGonagall, "Was to persuade them to join an illegal society, whose aim was to learn spells and curses the Ministry has decided are inappropriate for school-age... "
"I think you will find that you are wrong there, Dolores," said Dumbledore quietly.
"Oho!" said Fudge, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet again. "Yes, do let's hear the latest cock-and-bull story you've concocted now Dumbledore!"
"Cornelius, I am merely pointing out that Dolores is quite wrong to suggest that such a group was, at that time, illegal. If you remember, the Ministry decree banning all student societies was not put into effect until two days after this meeting, so none of the students were breaking any rules in the Hog's Head at all."
"That's all very fine, Headmaster," Umbridge said, smiling sweetly. "But we are now nearly six months on from the introduction of Educational Decree Number Twenty-four. If the first meeting was not illegal, all those that have happened since most certainly are."
"I see," said Dumbledore, surveying her with polite interest over the top of his interlocked fingers. "They certainly would be, if they had continued after the decree came into effect. Do you have any evidence that these meetings continued?"
Ginny heard a quiet rustle from behind her as something brushed against her back. She also thought that Kingsley whispered something. She then felt a second touch against her side but when she looked down she saw nothing.
"Evidence?" repeated Umbridge. "Have you not been listening, Dumbledore? Why do you think Miss Edgecombe is here?"
"Can she tell us about six months' worth of meetings?" said Dumbledore, raising his eyebrows. "I was under the impression that she was merely reporting a meeting tonight."
"Miss Edgecombe," said Umbridge at once. "Tell us how long these meetings have been going on, dear. You can simply nod or shake your head, I'm sure that won't make the spots worse. Have they been happening regularly over the last six months?"
Ginny suddenly felt another surge of panic. This was it, Dumbledore couldn't save her now.
"Just nod or shake your head, dear," Umbridge said coaxingly to Marietta. "Come on, now, that won't activate the jinx further. …"
Marietta shook her head.
"I don't think you understood the question, did you, dear? I'm asking whether you've been going to these meetings for the past six months. You have, haven't you?"
Again, Marietta shook her head.
"What do you mean by shaking your head, dear?" said Umbridge in a testy voice.
"I would have thought her meaning was quite clear," said Professor McGonagall harshly. "There have been no secret meetings for the past six months. Is that correct, Miss Edgecombe?"
Marietta nodded.
"But there was a meeting tonight!" said Umbridge furiously. "There was a meeting, Miss Edgecombe, you told me about it, in the Room of Requirement!"
"Well, usually when a person shakes their head," said McGonagall coldly. "They mean 'no.' So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans —"
"Dolores," said Fudge. "The meeting tonight, the one we know definitely happened?"
"Yes," said Umbridge. "Well, Miss Edgecombe tipped me off and I proceeded at once to the seventh floor, accompanied by certain trustworthy students, so as to catch those in the meeting red-handed. It appears that they were forewarned of my arrival, however, because when we reached the seventh floor they were running in every direction." She turned and pointed at Hermione and Ginny. "These two lingered and we were able to catch them."
"You can't deny it now," Fudge snapped at them. "You two were involved. You appear to have written some sort of binding contract," he continued pointing at Hermione. "Were you the leader of this little club?"
"Cornelius," Professor Dumbledore began, shaking his head. "I'm sure Miss Granger did no such thing."
"Dumbledore," Fudge snapped. "These children have violated a Ministry Decree."
Ginny gulped.
"Weasley," Fudge continued, this time turning to look at Percy. "Begin writing up an order to have these two expelled."
"You have shamed the family, Ginevra!" Percy said, looking almost remorseful.
"The only shame to the family here is you!" Ginny spat in response.
"Now, Cornelius," Dumbledore began, shaking his head fiercely from side to side.
"Albus, I have authority here. These two are clearly the leaders and will be expelled."
"Stop!" A new voice said loudly and suddenly Adam was standing in the room.
"H-Harry!" Dumbledore exclaimed, and to Ginny's surprise a frown had formed on his face.
"Potter!" A simultaneous cry went up from Fudge and Umbridge.
"I led the group, it was all my doing. Punish me, not them," Adam stated loudly.
"No!" Ginny exclaimed in horror. He couldn't let himself get expelled for her!
"Oho, Potter!" Fudge exclaimed. "At last we meet the Boy-Who-Lived. For your involvement, you will of course accompany me back to the Ministry. Of course I must wonder how you, who are not even a student at this school, came to be involved."
"I–" Adam began.
"Cornelius," Professor Dumbledore interrupted sharply. "The answer is quite obvious; he couldn't have done it without my involvement."
Fudge just stared at Dumbledore, as if he couldn't believe his luck.
"Harry," Professor Dumbledore added. "I believe you have a certain piece of parchment that I gave you in your pocket. Show it to the Minister, please."
Adam looked confused for a second before rummaging in his pockets and pulling out a folded sheet of parchment. How had Dumbledore put that in there?
"Give it to the Minister, Harry," Professor Dumbledore ordered.
Adam handed the paper over to the Minister who started it for several seconds, before passing it to Umbridge. When Umbridge read it she gave a squeal of delight.
"You see what they've named themselves?" said Fudge quietly. "Dumbledore's Army."
"As you see, Cornelius, the game is up," Professor Dumbledore replied simply. "Would you like a written confession from me, Cornelius — or will a statement before these witnesses suffice?"
Ginny saw Adam make eye contact with her briefly, he didn't seem to have any more idea what was going on than she had.
"Statement?" said Fudge slowly. "What — I don't — ?"
"Dumbledore's Army, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, smiling. "I organised it, I got young Harry here involved. I drafted the contract and I recruited the students."
"I knew it!" Umbridge exclaimed. "I knew something was fishy all along, Minister!"
"Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting," said Dumbledore. "Merely to see whether they would be interested in joining me. I see now that it was a mistake to invite Miss Edgecombe, of course."
Marietta nodded. Fudge looked from her to Dumbledore, his chest swelling.
"Then you have been plotting against me!" he yelled.
"That's right," said Dumbledore cheerfully.
"NO!" shouted Adam, but he was completely ignored.
Fudge, by this point, was almost rubbing his hands together in delight. "Well, well, well — I came here tonight expecting to expel a couple of students but instead I get Potter and Dumbledore!"
"It's like losing a Knut and finding a Galleon, isn't it?" Professor Dumbledore surmised cheerfully.
"Weasley!" cried Fudge. "Weasley, have you written it all down, everything he's said, his confession, have you got it?"
"Yes, sir, I think so, sir!" said Percy eagerly.
"Very well, then," said Fudge, now radiant with glee. "Duplicate your notes, Weasley, and send a copy to the Daily Prophet at once. If we send a fast owl we should make the morning edition!" Percy dashed from the room, slamming the door behind him, and Fudge turned back to Dumbledore. "Albus, you and Potter, will now be escorted back to the Ministry, where you will both be formally charged and then sent to Azkaban to await trial!"
"Ah," said Dumbledore gently. "Yes. Yes, I thought we might hit that little snag."
"Snag?" said Fudge, his voice still vibrating with joy. "I see no snag, Dumbledore!"
"Well," said Dumbledore apologetically, "I am afraid I do. It is just that you seem to be labouring under the delusion that I am going to — what is the phrase? 'Come quietly.' I am afraid I am not going to come quietly at all, Cornelius. I have absolutely no intention of being sent to Azkaban and I can under no circumstances allow you to have Harry."
Fudge stared at Dumbledore with a very silly expression on his face, almost as if he had just been stunned by a sudden blow and could not quite believe it had happened. He made a small choking noise and then looked around at Kingsley and the man with short grey hair, who alone of everyone in the room had remained entirely silent so far. The latter gave Fudge a reassuring nod and moved forward a little, away from the wall. Harry saw his hand drift, almost casually, toward his pocket.
"Don't be silly, Dawlish," said Dumbledore kindly. "I'm sure you are an excellent Auror. I seem to remember that you achieved 'Outstanding' in all your NEWTs, but if you attempt to 'bring me in' by force, I will have to hurt you."
"So," sneered Fudge, recovering himself. "You intend to take on Dawlish, Shacklebolt, Dolores, and myself single-handed, do you, Dumbledore?"
"Merlin's beard, no," said Dumbledore, smiling. "Not unless you are foolish enough to force me to."
"He will not be single-handed!" said Professor McGonagall loudly, plunging her hand inside her robes.
"Oh, yes, he will, Minerva!" said Dumbledore sharply. "Hogwarts needs you!"
"Enough of this rubbish!" said Fudge, pulling out his own wand. "Dawlish! Shacklebolt! Take him!"
A streak of silver light flashed around the room. There was a bang, and the floor trembled. A hand grabbed the scruff of Ginny's neck and forced her to the floor. Then Fawkes screeched, and a cloud of dust filled the air, making it near impossible for Ginny to see. There was a another bang, a crash and then silence.
Ginny looked up to see who was half-strangling her and saw Professor McGonagall crouched beside her. She had forced her, Marietta and Hermione down onto the floor.
"Professor Dumbledore has gone," Professor McGonagall said in a quiet voice, still crouching on the floor near them. "Miss Weasley, you and Miss Granger had better head back to Gryffindor tower. It's going to be messy when they wake up, but there should be no repercussions from Dolores. She has bigger fish to fry now I fear."
"Pro..." Ginny began.
"No time. Go." Professor McGonagall ordered.
Ginny and Hermione didn't need to be told twice. They picked themselves up and dashed out of the office, trying desperately to brush the dust and soot off their clothes as they ran through the school. Eventually they reached Gryffindor tower. They entered through the portrait and, making a bee-line for one of the sofas, sat down.
Ginny looked around the common room and, to her surprise, she couldn't see any of the other DA members.
"I guess Ron and Neville decided not to come straight back here..." Hermione commented.
"That was probably a good idea..." Ginny replied.
Before she had chance to finish, Adam emerged from the boys' staircase. He walked casually into the common room, as if he had just come back from a quick trip to his room or the toilets.
Hermione gasped slightly, and Ginny glared at her. If he had somehow managed to slip back in unnoticed, then he didn't need Hermione giving him away.
Adam, obviously having seen them, trotted over to the sofa.
"Hi..." he said, still sounding shocked at what had happened.
"Are you okay?" Ginny asked looking right into his eyes.
"Yeah.." he answered, glancing around at the other Gryffindors sitting near them. "I was just having a little nap."
Adam sat down next to Ginny and the three of them fell silent. Ginny knew they were going to have to think carefully now. With Professor Dumbledore gone, things were going to be significantly more difficult.