Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling

"Greetings, Harry," Dumbledore smiled. "Thank you for coming."

"No problem, sir," Harry replied, looking around the Headmaster's office. "Nothing's changed here, I see. I remember coming here for the first time," he said. "Seems so far ago now."

"Indeed. Much has happened since your first arrival. Speaking of which, how did you like the World Cup?"

"The outcome was never really in doubt," Harry mentioned importantly.

"My, was it really not? Such remark would surely make Mr. Krum distraught."

Harry grinned. "He was brilliant, I admit. Cedric was certain he'd be carrying the Cup back."

"Oh? I understand that you have made friends with your seniors too?"

"I wouldn't say friends yet, but we are getting there."

"I'm glad to hear that. I take it you are planning on resuming your professor duties this year?"

Harry sighed. "If that's what it takes to make Minnie happy, so be it."

Dumbledore chuckled. "I was hoping you'd take a liking to the job by now. It's regrettable to hear your sentiments."

"I never was too keen on managing a classroom of people well enough not to make them bored," Harry added. "My interests lie elsewhere."

"Of course."

"Professor Dumbledore, how come you've never solved the mystery of the jinx on the professor's seat? If someone could do it, you'd be my first candidate."

Dumbledore sighed. "It is unfortunate, but no object pertaining to the curse has yet been found, despite my best efforts."

"Whoever cursed the position has done a very good job, it seems."

"They have indeed."

"Pretty sad, to be honest. Having Sirius with me would make the job more enjoyable," Harry pouted. "Anyway, back at the celebrations, you said that you wanted to speak with me later. Is this why you invited me?"

"Yes. I've wanted to give you a rather important item. I would very much appreciate it if it was kept in your possession from now on."

"Oh? Now you're making me curious."

"Oh, it's nothing particularly special in itself. Here it is," Dumbledore waved his hand and a glistening, red pendant materialized, falling onto his palm. It was decorated with two phoenixes touching their beaks mid-flight at its top while their tails entwined at the bottom.

The headmaster rose from his chair and walked over to Harry, who curiously extended his arm. He felt a tinge of kind, welcoming magic tickle his palm as the old wizard handed him the pendant.

"This is enchanted with a protean charm," Harry stated. "This is..." his eyes went wide.

A brief silence ensued.

"Is this an invitation, Professor?" Harry asked in a low voice.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Not at all. This is me extending my services to you. If you are in great danger or need, I shall answer your call. All you need to do is will it."

Harry stared at the Headmaster with an open mouth. "You... I... I can just... think you into existence?"

"In a way, yes. That is a correct conclusion," Dumbledore chuckled again. "There's no need to invoke any magic. Your mind is plenty."

"This is... incredible... I have never seen anything like this. Is this your work?" Harry gushed in awe.

"It is one of my recent inventions. This is one of the first samples. The first one to work as intended. I admit, the magic behind it is not perfected."

Harry levitated the pendant for a while, admiring its beauty in silence. It returned to his hand as he clutched it.

"I don't know what to say, sir. Thank you so much," Harry uttered.

"You are welcome, Harry. Really, it is a small favor on my part."

"But sir, why are you giving me this now? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful. It's just that... this is an unbelievably priceless gift."

"It is merely something to think about if you desire more freedom for yourself," Dumbledore inclined his head slightly, looking at Harry. "If you desire to admire more of the world than what you are accustomed to."

Harry smirked at the realization. "So that's how it is."

Dumbledore nodded intently. "Of course, I would advise you to exercise more caution. Your... adventures have not gone unnoticed, as you well know."

"That was a one-time mishap, sir," Harry scratched his head, looking away guiltily.

"I hope so. I sense you are well-versed in the art of Occlumency. Your passive usage of it is a testament in itself."

Harry happily hovered the pendant over his neck. He felt as if it had a warm, pleasant glow around itself as he donned it.

"You could say that. I'm looking to teach my friends some of it. Well, hopefully."

"Good. Then I don't need to worry," Dumbledore finished.

Harry had a worried look on his face. "Sir, what can we expect from the future? With everything that has happened recently, I can't help but think about it."

"I wish I had the answer to that, dear Harry," Dumbledore let out a long sigh. "What I can say for certain is that we are doing our utmost to prevent disaster. But I would be lying to you if I said with confidence that everything will end well."

Harry pursed his lips, looking at the crimson pendant. He then shot Dumbledore a grave look.

"Will he return, Professor?" he asked quietly.

Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I will do everything in my power not to let that happen, Harry. But given enough time? I believe he will."

Harry slouched. "Thank you for being honest with me, at least."

"Hope is far from lost, Harry. I also believe that... if we get fortunate enough, you yourself might be able to stand on equal ground with him, if he wishes to go after you once more."

Harry looked at the Headmaster in surprise. "Me? As in... fight him?"

"Is that so surprising?" Dumbledore asked in a naive tone. "Yes, I place great faith in your potential."

Harry gripped his pendant again. "Thank you, Professor."

"Perhaps, in a few more years or even less, I might consider tutoring you myself," Dumbledore winked.

Harry's mouth dropped. "You... teaching me? Wow, that's... that's just... I have no words," he said quietly.

"You will learn a few tricks that would surely prove useful to you aside from just fighting."

Harry snorted. "Oh, I'm pretty certain what you know goes above and beyond "tricks", Professor."

Dumbledore smiled widely. "I suppose you will come to see more of my capabilities soon enough."

"Jesus... another night of crap sleep..." Ron rubbed his forehead. "Same thing, over and over, and over again-"

Molly came into the room without knocking, seeming a bit agitated.

"Ron, have you—"

"How about you knock before coming in uninvited?" Ron cut in sharply.

"I'm in a hurry, son. I'm looking for Percy's papers. They have to be stored somewhere in this mess of a room."

"You could still have knocked."

"Enough of that, young man! Have you seen any documents lying around?"

"No, I haven't. Why are you running errands for him? Make him collect them himself."

"Percy is busy and active, unlike yourself still lying in bed. He asked me to borrow the documents in his stead."

"Alright, get your fucking documents then. I'm out of here."

"Hold on, Ron. What did you just say to me?" Molly asked in a cold voice.

"What you heard. I can't bother with you this morning."

"You better watch your tongue, Ronald."

"Why?"

"That is not how a son speaks to his mother!"

Ron laughed mirthlessly. "That's quite rich, coming from you! All summer your mouth has been full of Percy, Percy, Percy, one would think he became minister the way you are talking about him!" he shouted.

"Where is this coming fr-"

"Have you bothered to ask how I was doing? Have you thought about asking what was happening in my life? Has it ever crossed your mind?" Ron continued.

"What do you mean, Ron?" Molly asked faintly. "Of course I'm interested, that's just—"

"Are you now?" Ron yelled. "How about this? How about me getting terrifying visions every third night? How about that? Or how about the fact that I'm an animagus? Are you interested now?"

Molly stared at Ron in shock.

"No, it's all about the grades, isn't it? It's all about the standing of the family. Bill, Charlie, Percy. That's all there is with you."

"I-"

"Well then? Aren't you glad you've got another successful son? Too bad, that son isn't a lifeless career-obsessed idiot!"

"Ron, what are you talking about..."

Ron punched one of his posters, leaving a crack in the wall.

"I'm done, that's what I'm talking about."

With that, Ron stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him, leaving a still-shocked Molly alone.

"What's that ruckus?" Fred asked while rubbing his eyes. As Ron descended from the fifth floor, he scuffed his shoulder with Fred on accident, not caring to stop and apologize.

As Molly came rushing down from upstairs, George came out of the twins' room as well.

Before anyone could say anything, however, Ron waved his hand to open the house window and transformed into a badger. He darted out of the house with blinding speed.

"What just happened?" Fred uttered, his eyes fixed on the window.

"Did Ron just turn into an animal?" George added quietly, looking at Fred.

"What is going on?" Ginny came out of her room as well.

"I think we have a problem..." Molly whispered, her hand covering her mouth in shock.

...

...

Harry heard a knock on his door.

"What? Who could it be at this time?"

"Ron? Miney?" Harry shouted, coming to open the door. "Alright, I'm coming."

"Expecting someone?" Ron muttered as Harry stared at his guest.

"Uh... no? What's going on with you?" Harry exclaimed. "You look like you've been put through the ringer."

"You could say that. Mind if I come in?"

"Not at all. No one is coming today, hopefully," Harry said. "Come in, please."

Ron entered the house as Harry pointed to his bedroom.

"So, "Miney" comes here regularly as well?" Ron grinned.

"Not really. She was supposed to come to visit tomorrow from Grimmauld Place, so I thought she might have mixed it up."

"Right. Hermione mixing things up, sure," Ron whistled. "It's okay, mate. Both Nev and I know."

"You do?"

"Well, you didn't really do a good job hiding it now, did you?" Ron's grin grew.

Harry smiled. "Well, I suppose there was too much commotion back at your place to tell you."

"Certainly there was. There still is," Ron sighed.

"Is everything okay?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Not really, mate. I ran away," Ron said.

"So you did..."

"That's a much tamer reaction than I expected, to be honest. Did you know I was coming?" Ron chuckled.

"Your mom's been calling us in case you managed to stumble to this house. She seemed distraught," Harry said.

"It hasn't even been a day... I do admit I feel a bit guilty. But I just had to get away from there, if for a short while," Ron replied, throwing himself on Harry's bed.

"I've got no problem with you staying over until school starts, but I think you should still call your family back," Harry warned.

"Right, I intended to anyway. And thanks, I'm not going back until Christmas, at least."

"What happened, even? Mrs. Weasley wasn't exactly clear on that. Apparently, you just exploded at her, confessed you were an animagus, and bolted through the window in your bloody badger form."

Ron burst into laughter. "That actually sums it up closely, yes."

"Why did you have a fit, though?"

"Let's just say I wanted air. I wanted some distance put between me and that house."

"I understand."

"You do?"

"We had a talk like this before," Harry lay beside Ron, putting his hands under his head. "Whatever you need, I'm here."

Ron's voice quivered a bit. "Thanks, mate."

...

...

"Good going with Hermione, by the way," Ron beamed. "It happened when Fred and George dragged us away, right?"

"Yes, pretty much."

"Wasn't a surprise, really. Nev even mentioned it a few days beforehand."

"Mentioned what?"

"That you two could be a thing."

"Good eye. Well, it was obvious."

Ron snorted. "Surely it was. Is that from Hermione?" he pointed at Harry's pendant.

"Not exactly. Professor Dumbledore gave me this. In case things go... awry, I can call for him personally."

Ron's eyes went slightly wide. "Having the most powerful wizard in the world at your service. Not bad."

"It's unbelievably advanced magic as well. I don't think there's another example like this made," Harry added.

"Well, at least something is going right..." Ron let out a sigh.

"It's going to be fine, Ron. You'll make up with them."

"I hope so. I wanted to ask you something, by the way. Can we redo the ritual we did a while back? The visions weren't as frequent when we did it. I'd like to not dream that stuff ever again, but dreaming it less is still preferable."

"Yes, we can. We can even do it in this house, before Hogwarts."

"Appreciated."

...

"This poker thing isn't too bad. Think we could teach people in Hogwarts to play this? Some muggle-borns or even half-bloods might know how to play. I think people would like a game or two," Ron muttered.

"Definitely. Something tells me Fred and George would, especially like this," Harry grinned.

"You know, it wouldn't surprise me if they already knew how to play it. No, it wouldn't surprise me if they goaded some poor bastard into playing with money..."

"You think they would cheat?" Harry smirked.

"The amount matters," Ron sniggered. "If it's small, easily. If it's big, I think they would back off."

"Pfft. Petty criminals. Anyway, we had enough. Go and call your mother."

"Oh come on, just one more?"

"Nope, call her now."

"Alright, whatever," Ron rolled his eyes. "Time to endure a very long fit of nagging."

"I mean, can you blame her? Your son drops some bolting news on you and escapes from your house. What would you do?"

"Depends on the news."

"Enough, you git! Go and call her!"

"Look, Merula, I just can't help but worry," Sirius said, pinching his nose. "Dumbledore suspects more people have escaped. But even if it's just Bella, it's bad enough on its own."

"A fact which you have mentioned how many times so far? Fifty?" Merula rolled her eyes.

"Have you looked at the newspaper?" Sirius asked worriedly, showing the newspaper and pointing to the front page. "Barty Crouch Sr., former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was found dead in his house along with his elf. Traces of forcible entry were located in Crouch's home, though no suspects have yet been identified," he folded the newspaper and put it on the desk. "Who would you think did this? I can't imagine why someone would target a man with little political power left."

"Sirius, you don't need to explain it to me like I'm a kid. I get it."

"The point is, she is running amok with no checks to her. First, she kills her sister, then she kills the man who imprisoned her. What's next?"

"Even if she is identified, Fudge will ensure he puts enough aurors on her. Besides, we have means to communicate. We'll be fine."

Sirius slumped in his chair. "I don't know about that. You can expect anything from her, honestly."

Merula went over to Sirius and massaged his shoulders. "If half of what you are saying about her is true, I can't help but wonder how she became like this."

"Well, my family's known to be very fanatical to begin with, but she was an extreme example even amongst us. I'll tell you this, she was just as much of a lunatic before Azkaban."

"What could make a person so volatile..."

Sirius shrugged. "You could name a hundred things. I know for a fact she delved deep into dark magic long before she became a Death Eater. I think one of my cousins mentioned she knew spells as a first year that would make seventh years uneasy. That's who you are dealing with."

"You think that's what poisoned her mind?"

"Not really. At least not entirely. Blacks studying dark magic from a young age was sometimes the norm. You even had people study dark magic and then completely turn a new leaf and leave the family altogether. I have no idea why she is the way she is. Sometimes I also ask myself."

Sirius stretched his arms. He leaned to kiss Merula on the cheek. "Your massages really do wonders for me. Not even magic can trump them."

Merula smiled. "I had a lot of practice with one of my friends in school. I suppose the skills stayed."

"I'm so worried, Merula."

Merula lightly slapped his shoulder. "Enough already! Let's just relax and talk about something else. Have some faith in people who defend your country, Siri. How's Harry doing? I haven't seen him since the party."

"Pretty well, actually," Sirius grinned. "He's gotten himself a lady."

"Oh? Has he now?"

"It happened at the Weasleys' as well. I always knew, of course."

"Of course you did," Merula giggled. "Will he be coming soon? I've grown fond of him."

"There have been talks of a few of them organizing a poker party at our place," Sirius noted.

"A poker party?"

"It's a muggle game where you bet your money against others on luck with certain card combinations. I could teach you if you want."

"Of course, you know it already. And of course, you would enable your godson in gambling."

"Oh, come on, they won't gamble their houses. It's just an amicable game between friends, a couple of galleons just to raise tension. Make it more fun."

"Because just playing a game wouldn't be fun. There just has to be something else for it to be exciting for the two of you. I'm beginning to think you've actually been a bad influence."

Sirius smirked. "That's what you think. Wait till you see once he grows up a bit more. We will raise hell together."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about."

The pair looked at each other for a brief moment before breaking into laughter.

"See? That wasn't so hard!" Merula exclaimed.

"I admit that gloom and doom don't suit me much," Sirius shrugged. "How about me teaching you that game?"

"You're not getting any money, though."

"Sirius Black needs no poker money. Well, usually."

Dolores Umbridge barely waited for Hogwarts staff to do a security check before going straight to the Headmaster's office. She was flanked by four aurors, two of them being Kingsley and Copper.

As she barged in, she found Dumbledore serenely looking at her in his seat.

"Common courtesy seems to escape you, Ms. Umbrige," he said calmly.

"I don't need common courtesy for present business. Besides, who knows what you are ready for," Umbridge said.

"What is this sudden intrusion about?" the Headmaster asked.

"We simply wanted this over with before the year starts. As it starts very soon, here we are."

Umbridge placed a small bundle of neatly placed papers on Dumbledore's desk.

"These are the documents pertaining to your temporary dismissal as the school headmaster. They also include everything you need to know."

Dumbledore merely looked at Umbridge quizzically. "My dismissal? And who will take my place?"

Umbridge smiled widely. "Me, of course."

"What grounds do you base my dismissal on?"

Umbridge sighed. "As I said, you have everything you need to know in here," she tapped the bundle. "I suppose we owe you an explanation. I'll keep it brief — due to all the recent events that happened in the school, the ministry has decided to conduct a thorough search of Hogwarts and inspect its staff quality. That includes background checks."

"And you cannot do that in collaboration with me but have to forcefully dismiss me from my position?"

"I fear that due to your mishaps and... previous history, you will be held under scrutiny as well."

"I see."

An auror was intently observing the books and various artifacts adorning the office.

"If your "search" also includes tampering or wrongfully taking any of my possessions or objects here, I would advise against it. I am very skeptical about your ability to deal with the magic protecting them."

"That will be for us to decide. But why are you so concerned with that? Are you hiding something? Keeping something important?" she scanned the room.

"Perhaps. Nothing that would warrant an aggressive and intrusive search, such as this, however."

"Well, that is unfortunate indeed. In any case, I initially planned on taking the Defense professor's job, but then I thought... why shouldn't I take both? After all, it's good to lend an ear to both the children and the staff."

Dumbledore rose up, carefully inspecting all the people present. Kingsley nodded.

"If that is final, then so be it. I will warn that you are doing nothing but chasing after a white rabbit, Ms. Umbridge."

"We shall see, Albus, we shall see."

"They have broken through the anti-apparition! Go after them, now!" Dawlish yelled. "What are you waiting for, GO! I can handle this piece of filth!"

The wizard quickly apparated in front of Edward Crabbe. The latter spat at the ground, swearing under his breath.

"I might not have gotten Bellatrix, but look at this!" Dawlish hissed. "One less rat in the government."

"You are making a mistake by taking me on alone," Crabbe grinned. "You are too arrogant."

"Me? Arrogant?" Dawlish laughed, sending a massive blasting curse which Crabbe barely apparated away from. "Want to tell me that again?"

Crabbe shot a savage look at the auror. "Just wait. We'll see how long you'll be able to blabber like that."

With nothing else to say, the fight started. Countless bolts streamed through the air, some blasting craters into the ground.

"PROTEGO DIABOLICA!" Dawlish roared, completely nullifying Crabbe's reductor curse. Green flames sprouted from the ground, forming a giant figure of a lion running towards Crabbe.

In a panic, Crabbe tried apparating away from the battlefield altogether. However, Dawlish had counted on this, as the flaming lion jumped into the air in time to engulf Crabbe in fire.

The Death Eater screamed as his wand burned away. Dawlish swiftly waved the spell away as Crabbe fell toward the ground.

"Incarcerous. Vulnera Sanentur... Vulnera... Sanentur..."

"Guh... I don't need your filthy help! You muggle-loving-"

"Silencio," Dawlish continued chanting over Crabbe as the latter tried mumbling incomprehensibly.

"Vulnera sanentur..."

Crabbe continued mumbling as his wounds healed.

"Oh, just shut up. Finite."

"Go to hell!"

"Immobulus. Now then, I would like to drag you through the entire procedure and all, but why do that when we are all alone? Just tell me where Bellatrix is and I will ensure that you don't spend a day in Azkaban."

"No, no, no — I'm not telling you anything."

"Huh? Really? You are that loyal to her? Didn't seem like a fanatic before..." Dawlish scratched his chin.

"Go and throw me into Azkaban. See how long you can keep me in there. The Dark Lord will free me in time anyway."

"Will he now? You must put a lot of faith in him. Where does this belief come from? You ran with your tail between your legs before."

"Again, I'm not telling you anything."

"You don't have to. How about I take a little peek?" Dawlish grinned savagely.

Crabbe went pale. "What peek?"

"You know what kind of peek, Mr. Crabbe. I am skilled in legilimency. Sometimes you just have to do things... more discreetly, if you know what I mean," Dawlish winked.

"No, please, please no legilimency. Please," Crabbe went on. "Just... please..."

"Oh, don't be such a baby. It'll end in no time."

"PLEASE, I BEG OF Y-" Crabbe couldn't even finish the sentence as he dropped dead on the spot, without a trace of a warning.

"Huh," Dawlish uttered, frowning at Crabbe's body. He crouched and hovered his hand over Crabbe's arm.

"Hmm. An unbreakable vow on a mere grunt?" Dawlish whispered. "What did this poor bastard know?"

Two aurors apparated with two figures dressed in black robes.

"We have detained them successfully, sir!"

"Good going. Get them into their cells. Also, do not ask them any questions and prevent anyone else from probing them for information in any way for now, do you understand?"

The pair of aurors looked at each other cluelessly and then nodded. "Roger, sir."

"I'll get you, Bella. Just you wait," Dawlish whispered seethingly.

"What happened to this person?" one of the aurors asked.

"Unbreakable vow. He died immediately."

"Oh..."