Chapter Twenty-Five: Panic and Pandemonium, in Eight Parts

"Where's Fornier?" Charlie said tightly, his voice barely registering with Remus as he studied the Marauder's Map with growing concern.

"I don't see him anywhere."

Charlie swore colorfully then tried to take a few calming breaths. "What about Fred and George?"

"Nooo . . . I don't see them, either. I'll check with Minerva." Keeping his eyes on the map, Remus tapped his wand on the colorful splash on the corner, which looked like nothing so much as a haphazard drip from an obnoxiously-colored candle. In a few seconds, Professor McGonagall's wilted voice could be heard.

"Terrible news, Remus. The Aurors must have let Lucius through. Theodore Nott and Rawley Hughes were found dead in the Slytherin Common Room. None of the students will say what happened."

Horror froze Remus for a long moment. "Where is Severus? Shouldn't he have been with the Slytherins?"

"Yes, of course he should have, but no one seems to know where he's gone. Could the Marauders' Map possibly come in handy in that respect?" Sharp sarcasm bit into the words, but Remus knew worry when he heard it.

"I see him but—" Remus registered the name "Snape, Severus" just as he saw the name beside it: "Malfoy, Lucius."

"Bugger," said Charlie, looking over Remus' shoulder, "he's with Lucius."

McGonagall inhaled sharply. For a long moment, no one said anything. Remus and Charlie exchanged a glance. It could mean anything. Severus could be intercepting the dangerous party in order to put him off, or, the unthinkable—he could be helping him.

"Surely he's trying to contain the wizard," McGonagall said in a once-again firm voice. "Dumbledore is on his way to the Infirmary. Perhaps it would be a good idea to accompany him . . ."

As she trailed off, Remus agreed with her, then asked the status of the students in Gryffindor. McGonagall said that half of them had been put through the Emergency Floo in the Common Room fireplace. All Hogwarts students were being evacuated after the attack on Harry and the arrival of Lucius.

Charlie looked disturbed when McGonagall replied to his question about the twins by saying they had not checked back in. McGonagall expressed concern over Harry's safety, which Remus was able to assuage with his news that Harry, Draco and Ron were locked in the Room of Requirement.

"Good news, indeed," she said with a satisfied air. "However, you should keep a guard posted outside, as no wizard since Houdini has ever been able to find a way into and out of scrapes as well as our Mr. Potter."

"Duly noted," Remus agreed and signed off, wondering where he'd find someone to spare in all the chaos.

Charlie moved ahead to the corner and looked both ways. "How difficult is it to stick your head back through the Floo and let people know that you're okay?" he groused as Remus caught him up. "You'd think, since there's two of them to make decisions, they'd occasionally remember to be thoughtful. How long have they been gone?"

"Nearly an hour. Molly wasted no time in getting news to us that Arthur wasn't himself. She's a brave witch to be so bold after spending hours with Lucius."

Charlie clenched his fists so hard that several of his knuckles popped. "He'd better not have laid a finger on her."

Remus was silent so long, trying to contain the sudden pain he felt, that Charlie looked back at him.

"What is it? Remus. Did he do something to Mum?" Charlie's voice rose precariously on the last word, but Remus was already shaking his head. "Then . . . what?"

Remus took a deep breath and leaned against the wall, rubbing a hand over his face. "If I ever doubted that Lucius had abused Harry in a way other than what we expressly knew of . . . well, I . . . have no doubts now."

"But Snape said—"

"I have no doubts."

Charlie studied his face before turning to swearing violent curses under his breath. "Then do we have any doubts that Severus is helping Lucius right now?"

"Hardly," Remus said stone-faced.

"Did Harry tell you . . . never mind. Stupid question. Don't need to know anyway. Need to focus."

"Right."

"Need to get to Lucius. And if Wormtail hurts my father, they'll be burying him in a matchbox. Him and Lucius."

"Wait—" Remus raised a hand. "Aurors Mitchington, Helbrams coming up the stairs on the right."

Charlie paused. "Mitchington and Helbrams?"

"Hired by Fornier. Unknown allegiance."

"Do we have time to take them down?"

"Not if we want to catch Dumbledore. He's on the move again, heading downstairs from the Gryffindor Common Room. Severus and Lucius are still on the second floor, not moving." Remus paused, clicking through possible scenarios. "Let's go down on the left."

"Agreed."

Moving quickly and quietly, the pair covered the distance to the stairs and started down. Remus checked the map to make sure the Aurors weren't following. Instead, they were moving toward the Gryffindor Common Room, where, just outside, the names "Wafting, Tobias" and "Twitchtie, Uzima" had appeared.

Remus froze. "What do they think they're doing?"

Charlie turned. "Who? The twins? Harry and Ron?"

"No," Remus shook his head. "First years, in the direct paths of the Aurors. They've—" then he paused. "No—they just ducked into the corridor leading to the Headmaster's office. Curious, though they may have simply heard the Aurors' footsteps."

As he watched, the two students headed far down the corridor until they should have been behind the guarding gargoyle.

To his further surprise, they entered the Headmaster's office.

"But the Headmaster isn't even there," Remus said softly. "How . . .?"

Back down the corridor, the two Aurors hesitated at the corner and then continued on to the base of the Gryffindor Tower, where Remus knew the Fat Lady and the recently-installed gargoyle would do their jobs and repel the Aurors neatly. He took a deep breath. "The students are safe and the Aurors are now knocking around outside Gryffindor Tower."

"Good luck to them," Charlie grinned with wicked eyes. "Let's go catch Professor Dumbledore."

Tobias did not let go of Zimmy's hand even after they had gained entrance into the Headmaster's office. "Hullo?" he called out into the quiet, still air. Dust motes drifted lazily through the sunbeams that lit the room. Far through the windows, Tobias caught a glimpse of the milling crowd still outside and frowned.

"Are you sure we should be in here?" Zimmy asked quietly. "It doesn't seem quite right."

Tobias turned back to look at Zimmy. He wasn't surprised to see tears still standing in her eyes. "The Headmaster told us to come here, remember?"

Her gaze met his miserably. "But still . . . it doesn't seem right." She pulled her hand away to wipe at tears as they began to fall again.

Tobias took a deep breath and stepped toward her. Awkwardly, he put one arm around her shoulders and bent his head, trying to see into her eyes. He wanted to reassure her. To his surprise, she turned and buried her face in his chest; sobs making her whole frame shake.

Tobias froze, then started gently patting her on the back, trying to remember what Harry did when Ginny was upset. Not that she was often, but hadn't there been once or twice when she was worried and he'd held her like this? He'd more often seen Ron and Hermione interact, but since she usually ended up mad at Ron, Tobias had decided not to copy Ron's moves.

"Listen," he croaked, then cleared his throat, "you're safe now. I won't let them get to you."

"But everyone's going home and I can't go!" she sobbed. "Even Nelda and Primmy get to go home, but not me!"

Tobias sighed. She was right, and it was all his fault. She'd come to him today, desperate, warning him that Harry was in danger. Thoughtlessly, he'd left Zimmy where she stood and run to Hermione, yelling everything at her from two rows away. All the Gryffindors had heard Zimmy's warning, which did help speed up things a bit, but now he knew better. He should have known the Slytherins had spies among them, even if there was no way he could have foreseen that Lucius Malfoy himself had been there in disguise.

Now Lucius was after Draco for again being a traitor, as well as Zimmy and Tobias for foiling the plan. The worst part was that it wasn't just Lucius, but all the Slytherins who had sworn to kill Harry, too. The castle was not safe for any of them now.

Even worse, Zimmy's family were dark wizards through and through, and leaving the castle might put Zimmy in even worse jeopardy. She'd said goodbye to her sisters, after they'd sworn to let her know if and when it was safe to go home. All three of them had been spying for the light side while at school, though their parents thought differently. Only two of them could keep up the charade now.

After leaving the sisters, Zimmy and Tobias had run to the Gryffindor Common Room, where Professor Dumbledore listened gravely to their story and warned them of dangers they'd had no idea about.

Tobias shuddered as images of his previous capture and brief torture went through his mind. Harry and Ron had rescued him that time. This time, they wouldn't be able to help. Tobias swallowed. He couldn't let that happen to Zimmy, nor did he have any desire to repeat the experience. For now, they would stay here and wait safely. Before he had left for the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore had assured them that this was just what Harry was doing at the moment.

Harry? Hiding safely? Somehow, Tobias didn't think that would last long.

"Stay down, you two!" Tonks shouted, her voice muffled by the tapestry. "Petrificus Totalus!"

"We are!" Ginny hissed back as she crouched beside Hermione. Anger broiled in her veins.

"Maybe we should just take the shortcut down to the second floor," Hermione suggested. "Then we can come up the—"

"We don't want to go to the second floor," Ginny hissed. "We want to get to the Hospital Wing for Cho—and Dean! It makes no sense to carry them down and then back up again."

"It does if this way is blocked by Aurors with evil intent!"

"Aurors with evil intent?"

"Don't make fun, Ginny—this is not the time for it!"

Ginny ground her teeth. Everyone treated her like she was incapable of doing anything, when she could do anything the Order members could—sometimes better. Suddenly, she knew why she was so angry, and her way seemed brilliantly clear. "I'm going back up."

"NO! Ginny! We have to take Cho—"

"You have to take Cho," Ginny retorted, already pushing her way out of the tapestry.

"But, Ginny—"

Ginny gave one look back. "I have to go help Harry."

Hermione froze, her mouth open to speak. Ginny was changing—sprouting tawny fur on her face, white fur on her hands and feet. Her clothes disappeared next, showing pleasing, glossy fur all over. Then she shrank, a tail appeared and with a small shuuuuup, Ginny was a cat. It had all happened in a matter of seconds.

"Oh. That's really fair," Hermione huffed.

Ginny knew it still aggravated her that she hadn't been able to study her way into being an Animagus, though, as Ginny had pointed out several times, Harry and Ron hadn't either.

Ginny meowed a small chuckle, nosed the tapestry aside and sinuously ducked under it.

Tonks, high above, was using a shield to repel several curses. When they went flying down the hallway back toward the Aurors, the two men leapt aside. Perfect timing.

Ginny sprang for the corridor several yards to the left and zipped inside before any more curses could be thrown.

She knew exactly where she was headed. With her noiseless tread, she zipped down the corridor, using every sense to feel for danger. Nothing. But then—well, maybe she didn't know exactly where she was headed. She sighed a cat sigh. When in Hogwarts, one always had to be flexible when dealing with stairways. There wasn't a stairwell there now. Instead, there was a wall. Farther up ahead, there was a single doorway, one that she didn't think she'd noticed before. It smelt interesting to her cat senses—of tears and anguish, desire and despair. And Magic—very strong Magic.

There were no sounds of pursuit behind her. Ginny moved forward and sniffed the air of the room tentatively.

The air was stale, and the emotional fragrances that stained it were not nearly as new as she'd first thought. In fact, they might be years old, and they centered on the object standing tall and imposingly on the other side of the room. It was an enormous mirror, one so high that its top would be out of reach even for Hagrid. Surrounding the mirror were ornate carvings in gold that ended down at its clawed feet. An inscription carved around the top read something that Ginny, so low to the ground, could not make out. She walked closer, glad for the silent pads of her cat feet. Noise would have felt out of place here.

But even when she was closer, the writing at the top remained a mystery to her. She growled in frustration, and raised up to rest her paws on the cool, smooth surface. With a start, she saw that the mirror did not reflect her strange but familiar cat Animagus form.

Instead, she saw herself as she was in human form, but a little older. And here, her face was transformed, not only by age, but by a look that seemed almost alien to her—contentment. Her smile was gentle, her eyes without hardness or mocking, without horror or fear. Curls hung down her back and she suddenly saw a familiar hand comb through the ends. The hand that she knew so well, long and lightly-calloused from hours of Quidditch, moved forward to rest on her stomach. Ginny pulled away from the mirror, balancing on her haunches for a long moment, then fell down on all fours to lope back farther away for a better view.

From this vantage point, she saw the face she loved most in the world, and the expression on his face nearly broke her heart. It was Harry, yes—but a Harry as she'd rarely seen him—no dark circles under his piercing emerald eyes, no hunted, haunted look that spoke volumes about what he would not mention, no weight of impending prophesies to bow down his strong shoulders. Harry—as she desperately wanted him to be one day, older, carefree and loving her.

In the mirror, the two embraced and kissed, and Harry didn't pull away. It was some time before Ginny could leave.

Hermione stewed for only a minute before concluding that Ginny had been right. She left Cho lying as comfortably as possible on the stairs, made sure Dean was secure and pushed the tapestry out an inch or two. From her vantage point, she could see that Tonks had one Auror down, and had pressed the other back farther down the hallway.

Ginny was nowhere to be seen. Clever girl.

Hermione pointed her wand out to the side of the tapestry and aimed at the Auror's knees. "Petrificus Totalus!" she whispered, focusing hard and waving her wand just right.

The Auror's heels snapped together and he went backwards with a loud thump.

Tonks let her shield down and wheeled about in surprise. "Hermione. Nice wand work." She shook her head as she went to collect the Aurors' wands. "Now would someone explain to me how it is that I'm guarding you?"

"You did very well, yourself," Hermione said as she renewed her Mobilicorpus spell on Cho and lifted her through the tapestry. "But don't try telling the boys we did just fine on our own. Idiocy apparently comes with the male hormones, part and parcel."

Tonks stopped and sighed. "Right you are, mate. Right as rain. Now. On to the Infirmary?"

"Yes."

"And will we be seeing Ginny again, cat form or no?"

"Hmmm . . . I think not. She's gone to help Harry."

Tonks went pale and clapped a hand to her face. "Charlie is going to kill me. Oh, if only I'd gotten a look where she'd gone, but I was too busy!"

"She'll be fine, Tonks. I'm sure of it. And if you need to stay and take care of the Aurors, feel free. I don't need an escor—"

"—Hermione, Lucius Malfoy is running amuck in the castle."

Hermione went pale. "And he . . ."

"Would dearly love to get his hands on anyone Harry loves. Anyone."

"Tonks, Hermione?" came Remus' voice from ahead. "We saw you might be in a spot of trouble, but . . . looks as if you've done just fine on your own." Professor Lupin looked tired, but cheered to see them safe. He spun a quick Incarcerous about each of the Aurors.

"Let's go, girls," Charlie appeared at the corner. "We're headed for the Infirmary as well. Only stay back." He paused, looking over the girls before speaking again. "Professor Snape and Lucius Malfoy are two floors down. There's a chance we may intercept them. Let us deal with them. But we've got to hurry if we're going to help Dumbledore."

"Right you are, except for the part about me hanging back," Tonks popped off to get Cho and Dean. Hermione raised her wand and performed a Mobilicorpus on Dean when Tonks nodded at her. They fell into a line—Remus, Charlie, Tonks and Hermione, each with a suspended Auror or student.

"Tonks—just—fine. Just keep Hermione to the rear, all right?" Charlie slammed to a halt. "Wait—where's Ginny?"

Harry listened to the uncomfortable silence grow. He had no idea what to say. Mostly, he felt empty, as though some private dam, filled to brim with stinking, stagnant water, had been broken by a spear thrust—a very pointed and very painful spear. Now that the stream had died down to a trickle, he had no idea what to say.

"Master Harry Potter, sir?"

Harry jerked up. There was Dobby, floating pale and miserable, two meters off the ground.

"How did you get in—oh, never mind," Harry cut himself off, remembering that ghosts went through walls all the time. It just hadn't occurred to him that it would work here as well. "How is Dumbledore?"

Dobby hesitated. "He is being very good, Mister Harry Potter, sir. But . . ."

"But what?"

Dobby somehow managed to fidget in mid-air. "He is going to the Infirmary."

"Is he hurt?"

"No, sir, but . . . it is dangerous!"

Harry listened in growing horror as Dobby explained what the Headmaster was walking into and for what purpose. "You have to find a way to get us out of here!" he finally managed. Ron was already blasting spells at the door.

"Dobby is not knowing a way to get Harry Potter out!" the elf ghost wailed.

"Well then FIND SOMEONE WHO DOES!" Harry bellowed. "Find Remus! Get him up here and GET ME OUT!"

"But the bodies, sir!" Dobby squeaked. "Dobby has to warn you—"

"WHAT BODIES?"

"The two Slytherins—Nott and Hughes—dead, sir!"

Harry jerked a glance over at Draco, who had gone very pale and very still. Ron exchanged horrified glances with Harry, and then turned back to hurl spells at the door again.

Harry turned back to the house elf ghost. "Find Remus and GET ME OUT OF HERE!" he snarled. "And tell the other House Elves to go to Dumbledore and help him! If he dies, then they're free! And we know most of them don't want that. Do you hear me?"

Dobby blinked his huge eyes, nodded once and disappeared with a whispered, "Yes, sir! To Dumbledore, sir."

Harry started pacing as soon as the House Elf disappeared, fingering his wand compulsively. Hermione and Ginny had been on their way to the Infirmary, too. He should have never agreed to hide like this. He should have fought Remus and started a row rather than be tossed in a locked room like a naughty tomcat. Neutralized. While Lucius ran around the castle with his wand.

Harry's heart beat loud in his ears as his blood sang for revenge.

Professor Dumbledore strode down the long hallway. Despite his intent, there was no telltale desperation in his movements, only a heady cocktail of adrenaline, purpose and the culmination of years of preparation singing in his veins. He felt almost fifty again, and a jaunty tune was bubbling to the surface. Just as he began to whistle, the distant Infirmary doors whispered open—and Severus Snape stepped out.

"Severus—" and the warm words of greeting died on the Headmaster's lips. He faltered to a stop. "Why are you not supervising the exodus of the Slytherins?" his voice echoed down the hallway.

A familiar sneer settled on the dark man's face, but did it have a new flavor? Was that . . .

"Always so concerned for the students. How touching. I'm not sure the history books will quite do you justice. Here you are, moments away from annihilation and yet, you are completely unconcerned. It must be that pesky optimism you exhibit so often."

No. Despair crushed Albus' light heart like a tower of stone. His whole world shifted, turned and flattened out, all the while a smile played on his lips. "Forgive me, old friend. Someone must counter the damaging effect of your unique blend of cynicism, narcissism and pessimism, Severus." Further words died on his tongue at the appearance of another wizard, and immediately the pieces began to fall into place. Ah, yes . . .

"Lucius, we meet again," Albus' smile widened, which drew a startled look from Lucius that quickly eased into a smile.

"Albus," Lucius inclined his head, which was still ridding itself of Arthur's russet-colored tones. "I'm afraid your plans may have to be altered, that is, if you were planning to gain entrance to the Infirmary. Lord Voldemort has ordered otherwise."

"Indeed?" the Professor said slowly, taking a quick glance at Severus, whose face showed only what it wanted to show. Then he sighed. "Flexibility is the key to a long life. However, I believe that it lies at your feet today to make the necessary adjustments. I must insist that you move aside."

Severus and Lucius stepped in closer together and raised their wands, disdaining further talk, seeming to enjoy the Headmaster's surprise. Albus felt a deep pang of darkest grief at the doubts that once again assailed him before beginning the summoning of his magic. How to clear the way without injuring one for whom he had spent so much of his own lifeblood? Even now, his heart fluttered like a canary in a cage, crying out that Severus must be acting under the influence of dark magic, must be planning to switch sides at the last possible moment . . .

But no matter. The result was the same and it had to be dealt with. Now.

Closing his eyes, simultaneously blocking the powerful spells spun his way, he opened his hands and readied a curse—

Pfftt!

Pffttt!

Dumbledore held his magic in check, watching in delighted amazement as House Elves careened into the hallway—thirty of them at least, scattering in all directions and facing the three wizards, two of whom seemed pleased to see them. Albus only had time to wonder at this before the first House Elf curses were shot—in his direction.

"For the last time, everyone stand back!" McGonagall's voice cracked on the last word, showing the strain of the past hour.

"Stand back, she said!" Neville echoed, putting down the bucket of Floo Powder to help to sort the students back into a line. "Back you beasts," he said with a stilted grin, barely managing to get a smile out of the frightened second year at the front of the line. "Let's do a count off! See how many are left."

McGonagall nodded tersely as Ginger Buttons began the count. The line snaked back behind the girl, on for far too long where McGonagall was concerned. "Eighty-four," called the last Gryffindor. Far too many. Thank goodness for Neville. Though the boy's face had paled when neither Harry, Ron nor Dean had showed up back at the Common Room, he had been eager to help and volunteered to be the last student to evacuate.

"Get a move on!" called someone in the back, where most of the older students were waiting.

As many voices chimed in, Ginger stepped forward, waving as though she weren't two meters from her teacher. "I'm next, Professor McGonagall!" she said

"Yes, Ginger, that is rather apparent," the professor said tersely. "Now remember to see Madame Hooch once you are there and she will set up your trip home."

The girl nodded, trembling, and took a pinch of powder from the bucket in Neville's hands.

"Goodbye, Ginger. And don't worry," Neville said, smiling as she looked at him with anxious, wet eyes. She nodded again, then turned to wave at the others before stepping forward and pitching the powder into the fireplace. "Ministry of Magic!" she cried into the Floo. Then with a swirl of her skirt, she was gone.

The next second year was getting a pinch of Floo Powder when the fireplace let out a belch of magical fire. Neville jumped back, pulling the younger student behind him.

"But I'm next," she wailed.

Neville shushed her, looking over at McGonagall. His wand was already out.

"Take cover!" She said crisply, striding toward the students. "D.A. students—wands out, protect the younger ones!" There was a reassuring surge of motion from the back of the line, and the front students began to scramble. Then the fire started sparking and something came through. Neville gasped.

A single scream rent the air.

Professor McGonagall turned, wand at the ready.

Ginger Buttons lay on the floor, eyes open wide, body lifeless. She'd been thrust back through the Floo. But that meant—

"TAKE COVER!" McGonagall shouted.

The room exploded into motion. All except for Neville. He was staring down at Ginger, dark familiar emotions keeping him there. He'd just told her not to worry. He'd smiled at her and sent her through the Floo . . . to her death.

There was no time to do more than blink back tears before the wizard stepped through the flames.

Neville looked up, and found himself face to face with Head Auror Claude Fornier.

Ginny slipped noiselessly up the stairs, her tail twitching. Ahead were some interesting smells—smells that said "Caution." She was glad to comply. They seemed to be coming from the direction of Gryffindor Tower. Using her elevated senses, she spied two groaning lumps not far from the gargoyle guarding the Tower. A catty smile curved her lips. She could smell fear and pain, from two men that also smelled of Dark Magic.

No need to worry about them.

She delicately retraced her steps and bounded up the staircase, ready to find Harry. Suddenly, a presence startled her. She froze and fluffed up to twice her usual size, an angry yowl rumbling in her throat. But the ghost that floated overhead was no reason to panic. Unfortunately, that was one cat instinct she had yet to conquer.

Disgusted with herself, she forced herself onward, trying to ignore the puffy fur screaming "Stop and groom me!" with every step. Being a cat could be extremely annoying sometimes.

But then she was up the stairs, smelling dusty, worn stone and faded tapestry, heading for Barnabas the Barmy's wall hanging.

Now, how to get inside? Ginny paced back and forth three times, thinking only of Harry. Could the room feel her desperation? Could it judge need?

Ginny stopped and sat expectantly.

But the answer was no. She settled a furious gaze on the wall and waited, only the twitching tip of her tail giving evidence that she was not a statue. Inside, she was running through the full list of spells, curses and magical devices she knew of, legal and illegal, but nothing seemed promising.

Ginny's ears perked up. Her tail went still. What was that sound? A hissing? She whipped around, eyes searching the stillness, quivering muscles ready for action. It was coming from the stairs. Ginny trained her eyes on the shadowy entrance to the hallway. Who was coming? Again, her ears perked forward. Heavy steps, harsh breathing. Someone big. And closer, much closer, something was coming fast—too fast!

Ginny turned to streak down the hall, a panicked, orange-brown blur. Strong magic was chasing her—something she couldn't fight, coming right up on her, snapping at her heels!

With a sizzling pop, Ginny shot into the air and came down in a fluffy yowl of terror. She landed on her feet, but was terribly, horribly frozen. She couldn't move a muscle. All she could do was watch as two sickly green House Elves sidled up, laughing.

"Garly is sorry the kitty is having such a bad night," said the first, coming down to squat and peer into Ginny's face.

A growl rumbled low in Ginny's chest.

"Don't worry," said the second House Elf, a squattier and squash-nosed version of the first one. "Everyone will be having a bad night tonight." A nasty giggle shook his pinched shoulders. "Bad night for good wizards. Good night for bad wizards."

Garly, the first elf, laughed, his green eyes glittering. "Good night for House Elves. House Elves who follow Him."

Ginny's growl froze in her throat. House Elves who followed Voldemort? Was that even possible? Panic clawed at her chest, even as the heavy footsteps she'd heard earlier suddenly reappeared.

"You did it! You found her!" Millicent Bulstrode? Ginny couldn't look up into the girl's face, but there were thick tears clogging her voice. "Yes! Now I can give Potter what he's got coming to him. And it'll all . . . finally . . . be over. Finally."

A/N: House Points to Millicent--she's right. We are ending this story with the next two chapters . . . so get ready!