Chapter 22.

Pain.

Harry knew he had two more wands in his pocket, but any attempt to grab them would end up with him being cursed by one or all four of the approaching Wizards. They all seemed to be waiting for one of the others to do something first, or for him to make a move. Worst of all if one of them missed him they would hit Ginny. He could only see one choice left to him.

He shuffled backwards until he was level with Ginny and then covered her body with his own while still facing his attackers. He had no idea if his sacrifice would work this time, but it was all he had left. Ginny's life was far more important than his own.

So intent was he on the men approaching him he never heard the sounds of shouting and fighting going on down below, and when the men suddenly turned and started to run out of the office it took him completely by surprise. A flurry of spells headed towards them from where Harry had last seen the Professor and Palladino. Two of the four men went down, one with a high pitched scream as his broken thigh collapsed under his own weight.

Making the most of the distraction Harry rolled off Ginny, who still hadn't moved, pulling one of the two wands out of his tattered robes. Palladino was now standing up his face a mask of uncontrolled fury as every basic defence spell there was, blasted from his wand. His aim though was poor most of them passing over the Wizards heads.

"Look out," Harry shouted as a curved shaped purple spell exploded from one of the enemy wands. Palladino tried to bring up a shield but the curse passed straight through like a knife through butter and it hit him straight on the chest. He fell out of sight without a sound. Not even aware of what he was doing Harry stabbed the wand in his hand towards the one responsible.

"Reducto," he yelled hitting the man in the shoulder which crumpled under the force from what turned out to be Ginny's wand. Blood spurted out from where the splintered bones pierced the skin. The man passed out from the pain before he'd even hit the ground. The last man of the four fell down hit by a stunner that came up from the factory floor.

Without thinking Harry rushed to the top of the stairs to see who had fired the stunner only to have to dive down to avoid the second stunner that was aimed at him.

"Bloody hell Harry I could have hit you," shouted Ron lowering his wand. The factory floor was now full of red suited Aurors although there were still signs of fighting going on where the lorry's engine had been turning over earlier.

"Fat chance you're a rubbish shot, besides I've been stunned enough for one day," Harry said relief washing over him as he realised they were finally safe.

"Are you ok Harry?" a bedraggled looking Hermione said as she emerged from beneath the staircase.

"Yea, yea I'm fine, Ginny's hurt though." He looked around and saw an Auror working on an injured Muggle who had somehow been shot by his own side. "Hey Weinstock!" he shouted, "leave that scumbag alone Ginny needs attention."

Startled at being recognised and addressed in such a manner Weinstock waved over another Auror and pointed at the man he had been working on. He grabbed a bag and ran up the stairs taking two at a time.

"Where is she Mr Potter?"

"Over there in the middle of the room," he pointed. Weinstock started to move in that direction stepping over the bodies and destroyed furniture that littered the office. "Wait a minute you better look at the others first," he added remembering Urquhart and Palladino.

"Are you sure?"

"I don't know they've only just been injured." Hell Palladino could already be dead he thought. Harry led the way to find Urquhart conscious with blood still dripping onto the floor adding to an alarmingly large pool. He was raising and lowering his wand over Palladino's chest and it was clearly a great effort for him. Every time he moved his wand Palladino's chest rose and fell with it.

"I'll take over now sir," Weinstock said imitating the professors' movements. "Harry this isn't my area of expertise I need you to get Bates. Tell him I've got what looks like a paralysing lung spell."

"What about the Professor?" he asked as Urquhart had now passed out the effort having been too much.

"In good time Harry, all in good time, all he needs is some blood and some basic healing. This lad is the priority at the moment." Harry didn't linger, the sooner he found this Bates. The sooner Ginny could be looked at. As he reached the doorway yet again he ran into two Aurors who were looking at the scene in shock.

"Either of you Bates," Harry snapped.

"No," they both replied.

"Well find him," and when they didn't immediately move added. "Now, get him now he's needed."

"He's busy attending a casualty," one of them said.

"Well get him unbusy he's needed here." For a moment Harry thought they were going to argue further but both of them turned and ran down the stairs. Unnoticed by Harry Ron and Hermione had found Ginny and were kneeing beside her.

"Harry do you know what happened to her?" Hermione asked.

"Punctured lung Urquhart seemed to think. He fixed the broken ribs. How's she doing?"

"She's not breathing very well, but I suppose that's to be expected," Hermione said clinically, but her concerned face belied her words. Harry looked at Ginny and if he was honest with himself she was struggling more now, and her face was as pale as he had ever seen it.

"Are Neville and Luna here?" Hermione asked.

"Yea they were guarding the other stairs," he said distractedly Ginny's worsening condition was beginning to scare him. "Where are they? They should be here."

"I'll go look for them," Ron said looking anxious, The state of his sister had clearly shocked him.

"Over there Ron," Harry said pointing him in the right direction. He half nodded and made his way through the office.

"Harry what's this all about?" Hermione asked.

"I'll tell you later. I can't think about it now. Don't let anybody take that stack of documents though," he said indicating the wrapped bundle besides them. Hermione glanced at them her expression showing that she desperately wanted to know what they were, but she managed to restrain herself from asking.

"Harry are you sure you're ok you've got blood all over you and your neck is covered in bruises, and frankly you look a mess."

"It's not my blood, it belongs to the guy who tried to strangle me, and when do I ever not look a mess."

"True," Hermione said with a half smile.

"Alright let me see her," Weinstock said. The office was now full of Aurors removing the dead and injured. It was an efficient operation due to the sad fact that they had had plenty of experience in it over the last few years.

Harry stepped back to let Weinstock work on Ginny. Instantly she began to breathe more easily and some of the colour began to return to her cheeks. Harry stood there wanting to ask how she was, at the same time he didn't want to interrupt Weinstock who was working hard.

"I've done all I can Mr Potter. She needs to go to St Mungos to make a full recovery."

"She's going to be fine?" Harry asked

"In time, but to make a full recovery she needs to go to St Mungos." Relief flooded through Harry.

"She can't go to St Mungos," Hermione said.

"It's the best place for her Miss Granger. They have the expertise and facilities," Weinstock insisted.

"She can't go there, not with the way things are at the moment."

"Mr Potter you're her husband it's your choice, but she'll get the best treatment at St Mungos." He wanted to do what was best for her, but if the Wizengamot discovered she was there they'd arrest her. In fact there was a risk that they would stop any treatment she was getting.

"We take her to Hogwarts. In fact we take everybody to Hogwarts. I'm not leaving anybody to be taken as a hostage. If they need specialists then we'll take them to the hospital wing."

"What if they won't go," Weinstock said.

"Then we'll arrest them and take them there by force if we have to," the deep voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt said from behind. One of the more noticeable things about Shacklebolt was the lack of emotion that usually showed on his face. Today though Harry saw deep anger, if it had been directed at him Harry would have fled for the hills.

"Yes sir," Weinstock said. "I'll arrange transport immediately."

"We need transport for four more bodies as well I'm afraid." Harry knew who they belonged to, and now understood what had made him so angry.

"I'll sort it sir."

"Good, thank you. Harry I need you to stay behind for a while. I know you want to be with her," he added when he saw Harry's face, "but I need to clear a few things up first."

"Ginny won't be coming round for a while yet Mr Potter," Weinstock said.

"Fine I'll…" Harry was unable to finish.

"A little help here," Ron said almost falling into the room. Neville was hanging on the shoulders of Ron and Luna, his face was constricted in a mask of pain. His right leg looked as though it had been broken in several places. Two Aurors were assisting them before Harry even thought to move.

It took fifteen minutes before all the wounded had been transported to Hogwarts. Luna went with them to, as she said, explain things and promised Harry that she wouldn't leave Ginny's side. He wasn't sure how Luna explaining anything was going to help, but he was comforted by her promise not to leave Ginny's side. In that he knew she was completely reliable.

This left Harry with Ron, Hermione, and Shacklebolt sitting on the few undamaged chairs around the spot where Ginny had been Portkeyed away. Tonks also decided to join them uninvited, but nobody thought to turn her away. Hermione kept trying to peek at the orange folders she was seating by to see what they were about, and Harry couldn't stop the smile on his face. She would never change.

"First things first where was the gold coming from?" Shacklebolt asked.

"Gringotts," Harry answered.

"I thought as much. I sent an Auror to them earlier just in case. That'll wipe the self satisfied smirk of the goblins faces."

"They had help from some goblins to do this," Harry said.

"I'm sure, wonder how much they got away with," Shacklebolt mused.

"A lot from what I saw. They got away then?" Harry didn't mean it to be an accusation but that's how it sounded.

"They did but we'll find them," Shacklebolt said confidently. Harry didn't share it though. "So Harry I know you don't want to but can you go through it from start to finish."

"You're right I don't want to," Harry answered, but he did it anyway. For the next twenty minutes he spoke about what had happened. He'd done the re-living bit before, and by now he thought he might have gotten used to it, but he hadn't. He felt the same fear and anger that he had at the time, and when it came to describing what had happened to Ginny his voice choked up.

"Alright Harry we can guess the rest," Shacklebolt said. "The only question left is what we do next."

"What do you mean?" Harry said. "You find these bastards and bring them to justice."

"That's not what I meant. We'll do that to the best of our abilities no matter what. What I want to know is do we continue with the same plan we had this morning or do we change it.

"What plan is this?" Tonks said looking confused.

"If Harry and Ginny were to be found guilty on any of the charges, the Aurors were going to remove the Wizengamot," Hermione said calmly.

"You have got to be kidding me!"

"I wouldn't joke about something like this Tonks," Hermione answered. It had always surprised Harry that throughout their secret discussions Hermione had been the most vocal for change, even more so than Ginny, while it had always been him who had wanted to find another way out. Hermione had strong views on most things, but deep down she believed in the fundamental rule of law. There was no question that he and Ron had been a bad influence on her over the years.

"I know that I was the one wanting to wait and see, and give them the benefit of the doubt, but no more," Harry said sitting up straighter as some of his anger at the days events returned. "We go with Hermione's original plan tomorrow morning. Is that enough time for you to prepare Kingsley?"

"It can be done," he replied after a moments pause.

"We arrest and charge all those we were going to, but I think we might have many more to arrest and charge if my guess at what's in these is true," Harry continued, slapping the palm of his hand on the files next to his chair.

"What's that then?" Ron said.

"A list of illegal payments to most of the Wizengamot, and I suspect many others as well."

"Is my name in there?" Tonks asked.

"Why, should it be?" Harry said noticing the glint in Tonks' eyes.

"I don't think so, but if it is I'd want to complain to someone because I didn't get my payment. I'm broke at the moment." Despite the grim surroundings Harry's spirits rose slightly at the weak joke.

"We need to go through them all," Hermione said. "If we have proof of widespread corruption it will give us more legitimacy."

"Hermione there must be fifty or sixty files there it could take days to get through them all," Ron moaned.

"He does have a point," Harry said.

"Don't look at me," Tonks added, "I don't do paperwork." There was a deep rumble from Shacklebolt, and Harry realised that this must be a long standing cause of friction between them.

"I'll just skim through them and note down one or two chargeable offences on each person. If there are more they can be dealt with in detail once they are behind bars."

"All the same Hermione that's a lot of work, and you never skim anything," Ron said.

"I'm quite capable of skimming. Besides we have enough information on seventeen members of the Wizengamot already, so I won't have to look at theirs."

"But you will though. I know you."

"You seem to be forgetting that I have an Auror department at my disposal," Shacklebolt said interrupting the fledgling argument.

"I'm not letting these files out of my sight," Harry said firmly.

"No problem I'll use a duplicating spell. The copies only last a few weeks but that'll be long enough for our purpose. What do you intend to do with the originals?"

"I have a safe," Harry answered.

"With all respect Harry just how secure is it. Most safes you can buy on the open market can be broken into. The Aurors have a specific course on how to do just that."

"There are only two people on this planet that can speak the password, never mind know it." Shacklebolt immediately understood what Harry was referring to. Tonks though still looked confused. "You're not the only one with unique abilities," he added.

"Oh, right that snake thingy you do," she said then her face looked confused again. "Just a minute who's the other person?"

"Ginny."

"Oh," she said her face lighting up. "Does this mean all your kids will speak snake thingy?"

"How am I suppose to know that?"

Shacklebolt stood up and cast a spell over the files causing them to shimmer and for a moment Harry thought something had gone wrong and he had destroyed them. With a small pop there were now two piles of orange files one slightly paler than the other.

"Right Hermione I'll see you in the Ministry Atrium. Harry I'm going to get two Aurors to escort you back to Hogwarts, you too Tonks. I'll tell everybody at the Ministry that you are under close house arrest. In reality they'll be guarding the hospital wing in case Umbridge gets any ideas. If she does then those she sends will be arrested if they don't take no for an answer."

"Do you think some of these people might flee?"

"If they do it'll make our job tomorrow easier," Shacklebolt answered.

"What are you going to do Ron?" Hermione asked.

"I thought I'd come with you. If I'm going to become a sports agent I thought I'd better find out how an office works and what spells they use. That duplicating one looks really useful."

"Honestly Ron you can do that anytime. There are more important things. Harry needs your support."

"I'm fine, you go with Hermione Ron. You know you want to."

"Are you sure mate?"

"Go, I need to check on Ginny."

XXXXX

The walk from the Hogwarts gates up to the castle seemed to sap the little energy he still had left. The adrenalin had left his system and by the time he arrived at the hospital wing he was as weary as he had ever been. His first thought was to drop off the files in his room, but his overwhelming desire was to see Ginny so that's where he headed.

He chose to ignore the looks and stares he got from the students at his battered state, and the bizarre sight of him dragging a stack of bright orange files behind him with an escort of three Aurors. He passed Professor Kittleson and Rossi talking on a landing that connected one moving stair with another. Kittleson looked shocked. Rossi on the other hand looked horrified. He chose to ignore them. The idea of having to explain again was too hideous to contemplate.

He paused outside the hospital wings doors and drew breath. He knew that there would be endless questions from those inside and it filled him with dread.

"We'll be right out here," Tonks with an unusually serious look on her face. Harry just nodded in return, opened the door and stepped in.

The sight that met Harry as he opened the door was one of organised chaos. The hospital wing seemed to be full of Healers as were the beds. It appeared that the Aurors hadn't all got away scot free. At the far corner next to the end window he saw a shock of red hair spread across the beds pillow, and sitting on a chair next to it was Luna. He was about to walk towards them when Madame Pomfrey saw him.

"Mr Potter a word please." He nodded in reply not trusting himself to ask how Ginny was. "First she'll make a complete recovery given time. Secondly I want you to make sure that she takes these potions. She refused to take them until you arrived." It was clear from her expression that Madame Pomfrey considered this a grave insult.

"Right I'll make sure…" he began to say but was interrupted.

"You will also tell her that she will be in a delicate condition for the next few days, and she is not to push herself in any way shape or form. Do I make myself clear," she said raising her eyebrows.

"Yea crystal, but I don't know that she'll pay me any attention."

"I'm making you responsible for her health Mr Potter. I have far too much to do here without worrying about awkward and difficult patients, thanks to your activities." Harry was about to protest, but was cut off before he could say anything. "Make sure you come and see me before you leave so I can check you over. I suspect you maybe suffering from the early stages of shock." Having said her piece, and leaving Harry standing there speechless, she disappeared into her back room.

Holding the potions in his free hand he strode down towards the far end, still dragging the orange files behind him which he dumped at the end of her bed.

"Harry sit here," Luna said standing up from her chair."

"Don't get up I'll sit on the bed."

"Don't be silly I've had a nice chat with Ginny and now you're here I can search for the Winklepickers. They always like to hide under hospital beds in the afternoon." Harry as always never knew quite what to say when Luna started to talk about her strange creatures so he chose to ignore what she had said.

"Thanks Luna thanks for everything. If there is anything that Ginny or I can ever do for you, you only have to name it."

"I already told her that," Ginny said in a croaky voice. Luna though had drifted off, but was making no effort to look under any beds as she did so. "I think she made those Wrinklepluckers up you know," she added once she was out of earshot.

"I think she called them Winklepickers," Harry said. "She's a very good friend."

"She is I'm sorry Harry I messed up."

"No you didn't it was my fault I distracted you. How are you feeling?"

"To be honest not good it would be easier to tell you where I'm not hurting."

"I've got some potions you're meant to take," Harry said remembering what he was holding. "There's a pain killer and dreamless sleep."

"Not yet I want to know that you're ok first," she stretched her arm out resting her hand on his wincing in pain as she did so.

"I'm fine," he answered.

"Is that Harry Potter fine, or fine in that you are fit and well?"

"I'm fine I came here under my own steam. I'm just worried about you that's all. Madame Pomfrey said you were going to be a bit delicate for awhile, and that you were to take things easy and not strain yourself."

"She did, did she?"

"Yes, now take these potions, and do as you're told."

"Not until you tell me what's going on. Luna explained how you rescued them, but what's going to happen tomorrow."

"It all changes, everything."

"Oh thank Merlin for that, you've finally come to your senses. I want to be there," she demanded. Her voice was weak but her expression more than made up for it. Harry was about to say no she wasn't strong enough, but he wasn't up for the inevitable argument that would follow.

"We'll see how you feel in the morning, ok."

"I'm coming!"

"Look just take your potions and get some rest. I'm sure you'll be fine tomorrow, Madame Pomfrey is usually over cautious, but if you can't walk out of here without help then you must stay. It could be a rough day."

"Alright I'll take the damn potions, but you better see me before you leave tomorrow."

"I will I promise, tomorrow will be easier if I have you beside me." Ginny knocked back both potions grimacing as she did so. Harry held her hand and they stared at each other not saying a word until she finally succumbed to sleep. Gently he lowered her hand, adjusted the pillow, and stood up. He watched her breathing slowly in and out her face calm and relaxed. He had come so close to losing her today and the thought of life without her physical hurt. He tore his eyes away from her determined to not let these thoughts consume him. He still had things to do.

Four beds down he saw Neville, his leg all strapped up, across his chest lay an open herbology book showing a gruesome picture of a man being attacked by some type of animated vine. He was fast asleep no doubt Madame Pomfrey had drugged him with something. She did that a lot. He supposed that's how she liked her patients, quiet and unmoving.

"Mr Potter?" Harry turned towards the voice and saw Professor Urquhart beckoning him over.

"Thank you Professor for coming for us. I'm sorry that you've ended up here though. Ginny and I owe all of you big time," Harry said conjuring a chair and sitting down beside his bed.

"You don't owe me anything Mr Potter no-one forced me to go."

"If I say we owe you then we do, that's how it works, or so I'm told, and besides you're a member of Slytherin how can you not want me to owe you."

"My days of wild ambition are over Mr Potter all I want now is a nice quiet life teaching. Unfortunately trouble seems to find me, or at least I can't turn away when it does." Harry couldn't help himself and laughed.

"You and me both. I'd hoped the DADA curse had been lifted but it appears it hasn't."

"Oh don't think I'm not coming back next year," Urquhart said. "I'll be here regardless."

"I hope you do. You're a good teacher. I'd better go Madame Pomfrey is giving me a dirty look," he started to stand up again.

"Before you go I recognised one of those men in the factory, the one with a ponytail." Harry sat back down again, Urquhart had his complete attention.

"Where did you see him?"

"At the staff Christmas party. He was talking to Professor Rossi."

"How were they? Did they know each other?" A new surge of adrenalin was pumping through Harry's veins. He had been told that they had been watched.

"It's difficult to say, but I'd hazard a guess that they did."

"Anything else you can tell me?"

"No not really, just watch your step around her Harry. It maybe nothing but…"

"Don't worry I will are you sure there isn't anything I can do for you?" Harry asked, once again standing up.

"Yea there is," his voice now dropped to a whisper. "If they don't catch these bastards soon, and you find out where they are, I want to be there. I owe them." Urquhart's face turned to one of suppressed anger and Harry didn't want to find out what he would do or say if he turned him down. Instead he just nodded and said.

"I'll keep you informed as much as I can."

"Mr Potter I need to check you over," Madame Pomfrey said.

"I'll come straight back," Harry said as he opened the hospital's wings doors wanting to escape her clutches.

"If you don't I'll send someone to get you," she said back. "By force if need be." Harry didn't bother answering. The trip to his room was without incident and the incriminating documents locked away and secured by a password in Parseltongue. He conjured two extra guards just in case, and grabbed the Marauders map before closing and locking the door behind him.

Walking away from his room Harry's mind was in turmoil. He had yet again escaped death, this time with no real consequences for himself. The others had not been so lucky, but it wasn't over yet. He had nearly lost Ginny, again, and he had killed again. Was this going to be his life leaping from one crisis to another fighting and killing?

Harry stopped striding down the hallway and stared out the window at the peaceful scene of Hogwarts school grounds where a group of first and second years were chasing each other around without a care in the World. Without any warning his body began to shake uncontrollable. His knees began to give way forcing him to lean on the waist high window sill for support. He should have listened to Madame Pomfrey he was in no state to be wandering around, but those documents needed to be put in the safe, and only he could have done it.

He looked down at his hands both of which were trembling. Neither of them seemed to belong to him, they looked alien. He was having some sort of post shock attack his mind thought with a strange detachment. It almost made him wish that he was out cold so he didn't have to go through the experience.

He tried taking deep breaths and emptying his mind of the racing random thoughts that were competing with each other for his attention. He stood there unaware that his whole body was shaking, with his eyes were tight shut as he waited to regain full command of his body.

"Harry are you ok?" His body still shaking he opened his eyes and saw Hilary and Irene Widdick. He didn't know what to say or do. He knew by their demeanour that nobody had informed them of their father's murder. For just a moment he thought of saying that he was fine and running away as far as possible.

"I think you should see Madame Pomfrey," Irene said. "You don't look well at all, and is that blood all over your robes?"

"I've just left there," he stammered out. "It's not my blood."

"You're very pale Harry," Hilary said. "We should get you to sit down before you fall over, come on." She grabbed his hand and began to drag him down the corridor. His mind still desperately wanted to find a way out of this, but it wasn't working coherently, He desperately wanted someone else to tell them the bad news, but their kindness to him was making that less and less possible.

They reached an unused classroom, but it wasn't empty, two six years were romantically entangled in it. The sight of two relative strangers was enough for Harry to regain temporary control of himself.

"Get out both of you," he barked. He wasn't prepared to be understanding or lenient.

"You can't order us about like that," the boy said his face red with embarrassment. "We've done nothing wrong."

"Get out now," Harry said drawing his wand adrenaline coursing through his veins again. "Get out before I make you." The boy, and that's how Harry saw him, looked horrified at the threat of violence, and grabbing his appalled looking girlfriend scuttled out of the room.

"Sit Harry," Hilary demanded while pulling out a chair. Harry sat down without protest.

"Now are you going to tell us what's going on," Irene said. "I thought you were meant to be at that stupid trial." Both girls got their own chairs and sat opposite him. Their eyes locked onto his daring him to defy them. There was no way out he would have to pass on the bad news.

"We never got there. The Portkey took us all somewhere else…" Harry hesitated to say anymore how could he. Here they were trying to look after him and he was going to destroy their world.

"Took you where?" Hilary asked the first sign of alarm on her face. They were both in Ravenclaw and joint top in their year. Harry knew that they could connect his tattered robes and the fact that he had left Hogwarts with their father.

"I don't know exactly but we were all attacked," he couldn't put it off, and there was no easy way to say it. "I'm sorry your father was killed." Irene's face looked as though he was joking for just a moment before it collapsed in front of him. Tears welled up in her eyes and the colour drained from her face.

"No you must be mistaken," Hilary whispered her face going a pasty white. Harry didn't trust himself to speak and just shook his head. For what seemed like an eternity to Harry the three of them sat there as the enormity of what he had told them sank in.

"I'm sorry if there had been anything I could have done I would have, please believe that, but your father and three Aurors weren't even given a chance to defend themselves," Harry said eventually. "I doubt he had time to be aware of what was happening. I know I didn't."

"Then why aren't you dead as well," Irene said. It was a familiar accusation to Harry. Usually he was the one making it to himself after a near death experience, especially when someone else had done the dying.

"They needed Ginny and I alive at that point." Harry could have added more and explained the whole plot, but what would be the point. Tears were starting to flow down both girls cheeks unchecked. Harry, his emotions drained, drew his wand and conjured two handkerchiefs for them. It wasn't the best magic he had every done but they were good enough for their simple purpose.

"Why?" Hilary muttered.

"It doesn't matter now I'll tell you both another time if you want, I promise. I should take you to see Professor Flitwick. He's probably looking for you both right now. I gather he was contacting your mum. I'd image she'll be here soon."

"Is Ginny all right?" Irene asked in a whisper fear on her face at the possible answer.

"She's in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey says she'll be fine soon." That was skirting over her injuries, but Harry didn't want to burden the two first years anymore than he had to. He knew that they had liked Ginny almost as much as she had liked them. They were kindred spirits, and Harry had caught the three of them giggling and whispering together on more than one occasion. His natural paranoia had always assumed it had been about him.

"I'm glad Harry," Irene said looking anything but.

"We'd better go and find the Professor then," Hilary said to Irene. "You know how he worries about us."

"I'll escort you there," Harry said. They made the trip to Flitwick's office mostly in silence. Harry wanted to say something to alleviate their pain but no words could ever manage that. There were a few strange looks from the small number of people they passed, but one look at Harry's face and his battered condition was enough to prevent anybody from asking what the matter was.

By the time Harry knocked on Professor Flitwick's door both girls were listless and withdrawn, and seemingly unaware of their surroundings. Flitwick's face was one of compassion and concern as Harry guided them both into his office. He didn't need to ask if the bad news had been passed on.

"I've made a Portkey to take you back home girls. Your mother is waiting for you there." Both nodded letting him know that they had heard him. Harry wanted to say that everything would be fine, but it so obviously wasn't going to be he didn't, instead he said.

"I want you to know that I am going to do whatever it takes to catch those responsible, and when I do they'll wish they had never been born." Hilary and Irene both looked at him a determined look in their eyes.

"Do you mean that?" Irene said.

"I swear it," Harry answered meaning every word.

"Good," Hilary added.

Once the twins had Portkeyed out Harry turned on his heel and headed back towards the hospital wing. He didn't want to, but he knew he had no choice in the matter. On a whim and to avoid noticing the looks he was getting Harry unfolded and activated the Marauders Map looking for any unusual activity, and when he saw one name and where that name was a hard coldness swept through his body. Someone else was going to be suffering pain today.

"Harry there you are Madame Pomfrey is going nuts," Ron bellowed from three flights of stairs above him. Harry looked up as did half the student population of Hogwarts. Ron had never been the subtle sort Harry thought wryly. Hermione was standing next to him looking appalled at the scene he had just made. They met on the second floor landing, just as all the stairs decided to do a complete change. It didn't happen often, usually only one or two decided to move at once. When all of them did it together the noise was deafening.

"What are you doing here Harry you belong in a Hospital bed," Hermione said clearly annoyed with him, or Ron or both.

"I had a few things to do," he said not wanting to explain, "and I still do. Hermione at what stage is your test for the antidote of Veritaserum." For a moment Hermione was startled by the sudden change in subject matter.

"Well it's not perfected. I'm sure I've told you that it takes up to two weeks for the antidote to leave a persons system once they've taken it. All my test will do is tell you if they have taken any, not how long they have until it is cleared from their bloodstream. It's quite an interesting problem actually. What I want to do is…" Harry didn't have the time or energy to go into what was exactly interesting about a subject that was way above his intelligence quota, so he was forced to interrupt.

"So it works then."

"Well yes but…"

"Could you go and get it and meet me and Ron in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom?"

"Well I suppose but why?"

"I have the perfect person for you to test it on."

"It won't work on ghosts Harry," Ron said.

"It's not going to be for a ghost. At least it won't be if we get to my room in time." Hermione looked as though she wanted to know more.

"I'll explain there ok," Harry said marching off. Ron hesitated for a moment and then with a shrug to Hermione followed Harry.

"So do you mind telling me what this is all about?" Ron asked as they approached Harry's room.

"Some one has broken into my room," Harry answered drawing out his wand as he stood outside his door. The door handle and lock had been blasted off. Harry gentle opened the door not wanting to scare his extra security.

"It's me," he hissed in Parseltongue.

"Enter master, we have caught an intruder." Lying on the floor wrapped in the coils of a ten foot boa constrictor, while an eight foot cobra looked on, was the potions Professor a look of complete terror on her face.

"Merlin's underpants it's Professor Rossi!" Ron exclaimed taking a step backwards as the cobra turned its attention in his direction.

"Yes it is," Harry said looking at her with cold merciless eyes. "Let her go." The boa constrictor slowly unravelled itself and slithered away from Rossi. Harry then stunned her and put her in a full body bind.

Hogwarts had seen many strange sights over the years, but the sight of two students escorting an unconscious and bound teacher had to rank high on the list. Even stranger than that though was that no-one dared say or do anything about it. Even Filch stared on in silence. Harry had come to a silent agreement with the caretaker over the year. Filch would ignore anything Harry did or say.

Unimpeded they soon arrived at the least used bathroom in Hogwarts, so easy had been their progress that Hermione had yet to arrive. This left them with the dubious pleasure of Moaning Myrtle.

"Ooooh Harry what have you done?" she said with malicious glee. "She's a Professor."

"She's a piece of scum. That's what she is," he answered, "Enervate." Rossi came round her eyes glancing every which way. It was the only part of her body that she could move. Harry stared at her but said nothing, maybe he wouldn't need to use Veritaserum, fear might be enough on its own.

"If you kill her here I'm not sharing my bathroom with her Harry," Myrtle said. "Take her somewhere else."

"I don't intend to kill her Myrtle," Harry said. A flicker of hope flashed across Rossi's face. "At least not here. I have some where else in mind if she doesn't cooperate. Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber for ever. Accio Firebolt."

In full view of the Professor Harry walked over to the sink that have never worked gazed at the engraving of a snake, and watched as it sank out of sight revealing a pipe wide enough for a very large man to slide down. Harry looked at the hole and then at Rossi the inference was clear she was going down there if she didn't talk. Harry though still didn't bother to ask her anything, or let her speak. He was waiting for Hermione to turn up, and the uncertainty to work its own magic.

"Harry you'll get in terrible trouble," Myrtle pouted, "and then I'll never see you again."

"Trust me Myrtle this is the least of my problems," Harry answered, "but as the old muggle saying goes you might as well get hung for a sheep instead of a lamb."

"Frankly I prefer lamb," Ron said. "It's not as tough as mutton."

"You are so insensitive," Myrtle sudden screamed making Ron jump in shock. "Talking about food when… when I can't…" Myrtle gave out a high pitch scream and dived into her favourite toilet, water splashing everywhere.

"Barking," Ron said shaking his head.

The door to the bathroom banged open announcing the arrive of Hermione, who suddenly gave a scream of her own and dived to the floor. The reason was quite apparent as Harry's Firebolt swept into the room shuddering to a halt next to him.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Ron asked glaring at Harry as he helped her back onto her feet.

"Yea I'm alright. It just gave me a start that's all."

"Sorry," Harry said placing the offending broom against a cubicle. "Do you have the test?" Hermione dug into her bag and pulled out a series of strips of pink paper.

"All you need to do is place a drop of blood on one end and if it goes white then there's no antidote. If it goes darker then there is antidote present. I'm trying to get it so that different shades will tell us how much antidote there is."

"If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times. You're a genius Hermione," Ron said.

"I second that," Harry said. "The only trouble is I doubt you'll get the marks for it considering who the test subject is." Hermione only then noticed the bound body on the floor.

"Well I guess Ginny will be happy. She never could stand the woman," was her only comment.

"She'll be unbearable," Ron added.

"Yea she will," Harry agreed. Bending over with one of the pink strips in his hand. "So Professor do you want to do this the easy or hard way? What no reply then I guess it'll have to be the hard way." With the tip of his wand he made a larger than necessary cut on her right thumb, pressing the paper onto the blood that oozed from it.

"How long does it take?" Ron asked.

"A couple of minutes, that's all. I got the idea from muggle litmus paper." Both Ron and Harry looked at each other bewildered they had never heard of litmus paper."

"Clever idea," Harry said hoping to forestall any long winded explanation. The paper was beginning to darken before his eyes. There was no question that Veritaserum was not going to work on her. He had expected it. He passed the paper to Hermione who watched it with delighted fascination. A wave of his wand removed the top half of the bounds and allowed Rossi the freedom to speak.

"You'll be expelled for this. I'll have you arrested you…" She was unable to say anymore as Harry had silenced her. She wasn't going to play ball.

"Fine if that's how you going to be," Harry said. "Dobby."

"Yes my great friend Harry Potter," Dobby said popping into the bathroom.

"Dobby I would like you to get enough food and water for five days for one person."

"Right away," and the little house elf was gone again.

"Harry you're not going to…" Hermione asked.

"Yes…yes I am." Harry then levitated the partial bound Rossi and dropped her into the hole. Send Dobby down will you when he gets back." Climbing on his broom he flew slowly down the pipe. He was very much cleaner than the last time he came down here. The same could not be said of Rossi who was lying in unmitigated filth.

Harry walked slowly along, Rossi in tow, passing through the gap where the ceiling had collapsed until he finally arrived at the wall with two entwined serpents craved on it.

"Open," he said in a low hiss. He stepped through remembering his feelings the first time he had come here. This time the Chamber was in total darkness, none of the flaming torches were lit. He lowered Rossi to the ground and freed her from the last of the bonds. "This is where you'll stay until you decided to cooperate with me. I need to know where the Santangelo brothers are hiding out." He then removed the silencing charm.

"When my brothers find you they'll tear you limb from limb for what you have done to me," she yelled.

"Wrong answer," Harry said silencing her again.

"My great friend Harry Potter I have the food and water you asked for," Dobby said beside him with two enormous baskets stuffed with food and bottles of water. Harry gave an internal sigh there was enough food there to feed Hagrid for a week. He had intended to leave her five days rations for a week in order to encourage cooperation.

"Thank you Dobby you've been most helpful."
"Do you want me to clean up this filthy place," he said excitedly at all the work that would involve. "I could get more Elves to help me. They would love to do it now that we can get here."

"No Dobby I want it just the way it is." Dobby's face fell, "but once I've finished with it you can clean it to your hearts content." The smile reappeared on Dobby's face, and he popped away. Harry turned towards Rossi, who had now stood up, and he picked one of the baskets. "This is your last chance," but it was clear that Rossi had no intention of giving in yet. Harry stepped back through the wall he had opened, having left only one of the two baskets behind.

"I'll see you in a week's time then, close." The wall shut with a thundering bang.