Even if you wanted to pay me two million pounds for this story, which I'm sure you don't, I wouldn't be able to accept it as it doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 23

Thunderclap.

Harry woke up in his room with a start, and the sun blazing in his eyes. It had burst through his open curtains that he had failed to shut the previous evening before collapsing in total exhaustion. Madame Pomfrey had got her way in the end and treated his minor cuts and bruises. She'd also given him a specialised calming potion suitable for those suffering from mild shock. He had even been prepared to spend the night in the hospital wing, He would have had Ginny in the next bed after all and his room would be unnaturally empty without her.

Unfortunately he had to forgo that pleasure when an excitable Colin Creevey had burst into the wing saying that Professor McGonagall was on her way up wanting to know what he had done with her potions Professor. Thanking Colin and deciding that he didn't want that conversation just yet Harry legged it for his room. He managed to avoid the Headmistress on the way, thanks to the map, and sealed his room from the inside and put up a silencing charm so he wouldn't be disturbed.

Looking around, once he had put his glasses on, Harry noticed that a brand new set of robes had been laid out, he guessed by Dobby, but he decided not to wear them today. Today he was going to make a point, and muggle clothing seemed the best way to show his distain for the Wizarding World, and their current rulers. He pulled on a battered and well loved pair of jeans. A simple white collared shirt that was covered by an equally well worn black leather jacket.

He had wanted to get back to the Hospital wing before the bulk of the students had got up, but the rumour mill at Hogwarts was in overdrive and everywhere he went there were small groups of students earnestly talking in low whispers. As Harry passed they all turned and stared at him in silence until he had passed by and then the whispering would begin again even more intensely. None of them dared speak to him.

He knew that Ginny was still asleep before he even opened the doors of the Hospital wing. The connection they shared thanks to Riddle had grown deeper, and more important to each other over the year, and much less of a bother. He found that if he concentrated he could tell exactly what state of mind she was in. At the moment she was sleeping calmly, which helped him feel more relaxed as well. He liked that feeling.

He sat on the chair beside her bed and saw that a little colour had returned to her cheeks. He gentle pushed the inevitable errant hair that always seemed to stray across her face and thanked the powers that be that she was still alive. The events of the previous day began to overpower him again as the what ifs began to fill his thoughts.

To stave them off he grasped Ginny small and delicate hand in his and began to massage it gentle between his own. He was rewarded by a small smile appearing on her face. Her eyes remained closed.

"Morning Harry," she murmured.

"Knew it was me then?"

"No one else does that quite like you," she said opening her eyes.

"So someone else has done this before then!" he said in mock outrage.

"Of course not you idiot," she answered, "but if someone did, it wouldn't be the same so how are you Harry, did you sleep well?"

"Oh I'm fine went out like a light, missed you last night though."

"You didn't go off partying or anything?"

"Wouldn't be much of a party without you, so no I didn't go partying. You look much better, but do you feel up for a long day?"

"I'll manage," she said a stubborn look coming over her. "I'll crawl if I have to." Harry frowned but decided to let sleeping dogs lie for the moment.

"You're awake Mrs Potter, and looking a bit better than when you came in yesterday," Madame Pomfrey said suddenly from behind Harry. He was sure that she practised sneaking about just so she could make him jump."

"I'm feeling much better thank you Madame Pomfrey, and how are you?" Ginny said. Madame Pomfrey's eyes narrowed at her politeness.

"Don't think that means you can leave anytime you like. I'd recommended at least two if not three more days of bed rest, and then taking it easy for a week after that." Harry felt that he was now between the immovable object and the irresistible force, but he knew who he would put money on to win. Fortunately before battle could commence Hermione and Ron arrived with Kingsley Shacklebolt. Shacklebolt looked exhausted, and Harry guessed he had had very little sleep the night before, if any.

"How's my favourite sister," Ron said seemingly very pleased with himself this morning,

"I'm your only sister, prat," Ginny replied, but clearly glad to see him anyway.

"She is a long way from being fully recovered is the answer to your question Mr Weasley," Madame Pomfrey said. "She is in no state to go gallivanting off doing Merlin knows what." There was a strained silence as all eyes turned to look at Ginny, no one expected her to take that statement lying down, even though she actual was.

"What!" she exclaimed. "I'm just some sideshow now am I?"

"No, no of course you're not," Harry said quickly.

"If you think I'm staying here you're very much mistaken," Ginny added.

"I don't think any of us thought that," Hermione said, while giving a nervous sideways glace at Madame Pomfrey.

"I strongly recommend that you follow my advice Mrs Potter. I don't say these things lightly. You may be strong enough to walk down to the Main Hall or even to the School Gates, but it'll set your recovery back by days if not weeks. Your lungs are still damaged."

"Thank you Madame Pomfrey I'll bear that in mind," Ginny said wincing as she swung her legs out of bed so that her feet dangled just above the floor. The sight of her bare legs distracted Harry for a moment, even though there was a bandage on one, and two on the other, so he never heard the question he was asked.

"Mr Potter!"

"Sorry what did you say?" he eventually asked after regaining his faculties.

"I suggested that you should persuade your wife to change her mind," Madame Pomfrey said. "Or has she bewitched you."

"Probably," he said, "come on let's see how fit you really are then Gin." Harry indicated that she should try and stand up. He offered his hand but she refused and pushed herself up from the bed. No sooner had she stood upright than she swayed alarmingly and Harry was forced to grab her before she fell over. He didn't say anything but lowered her back down so she was sitting down again.

"Alright, alright I'll stay here," she eventually said a scowl on her face. Hermione and Ron both smiled in evident relief. Harry's feelings though were mixed he wanted her to be with him at all times. This had become a core need of his over the last few months. At the same time he was glad that she would be safe here, and out of harms way.

"I guess it's for the best," he said. "Anyway your mum will be on the warpath if you're not resting."

"I suppose… but I want to be there."

"We have everything planned, and as far as we know they have no idea what's going to happen," Hermione said. "There's really no need for you to be there Ginny."

"I hope you're right," Harry replied, "if they do know, things could get very messy."

"We'd know if they were wise to us," Ron said looking at his watch. "They would have acted against us by now if they did."

"What are you lot talking about?" Madame Pomfrey said shooing them away from the bed.

"Nothing Madame Pomfrey, but you'll probably know one way or another by lunch time. I'll see you later Gin," Harry said just before the nurse blocked his view as she descended on her.

"You'd better!" Ginny said.

They were half way down to the Main Hall before any of them spoke.

"You know neither of you have to come as well you know," Harry said.

"We know Harry, but we're coming anyway," Hermione said loping her arm round his.

"This isn't your fight."

"We're making it our fight," Ron said loping his arm with Hermione's as well so they were all linked together, with her in the middle. Harry loved having friends. He had spent the first half of his life without any, and the fact that he had some still surprised the hell out of him on occasion, and this was one of those.

"Thanks… I really appreciate your support."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Hermione said. Harry could tell she meant it when he looked at her face. There was a fervour to her eyes that suddenly reminded him of Luna when she had realised that the Quibbler was going to be banned.

"I can't wait to see Umbridge's face when she realises what's going on," Ron said. "Hey how about we hand her over to the Centaurs."

"I think that would come under cruel and unusual punishment," Hermione said with a small smile.

"It's no more than she deserves," Harry muttered.

"I meant for the Centaurs not the toad," Hermione said making Harry and Ron laugh. By now they had reached the Main Hall and their laughter caught someone else's attention, and she was not amused in the slightest.

"And just where do you think you three are going!" The three close friends untangled themselves from each other, and turned to face the one person that was still able to make them feel guilty with just a look. Harry doubted that would ever change, no matter how old he got.

"Good morning Professor, how are you?" Harry said trying to give himself time to pull himself together.

"Don't good morning me Mr Potter. It may escape most students notice that it takes a great deal of organisation, and hard work to keep a school running successfully. The job is not made any easier when one of my Professors is in the hospital wing, and another seems to have been kidnapped."

"Ah… well… I can explain about Rossi," Harry stammered still off guard.

"I don't care about explanations Mr Potter. I want my Potions Mistress. Exams are only a few short weeks away, and she is needed."

"Well that's going to be difficult. I suggest you try and find a substitute. She won't be returning."

"Where is she Mr Potter? I take the welfare of my teachers just as seriously as I do my students." For some reason that angered Harry, and his temper that had been so explosive recently surfaced.

"Well her welfare is no longer your concern," he snapped back. "She'll never teach here, or anywhere else again."

"Mr Potter..."

"No I don't care what you're going to say about her. She is right at the heart of this whole mess, and until she tells me what I want to know she's staying right where she is, and nothing you can do or say will change my mind."

"And where is that?"

"She's currently in the Chamber of Secrets contemplating the errors of her ways, and she's not coming out until I say so! Oh and I wish you the best of luck trying to get her you might find it difficult to find a Parselmouth. I gather they're rare." Professor McGonagall's mouth opened and closed. "We have better things to do today than worry about an evil Witch like that." By now a small crowd had gathered listening agog at the Headmistress and Head boy going hammer and tongs at each other. Harry though didn't care, He was no longer prepared to be reasonable with anybody.

"And what would that be?"

"We're going to arrest the Wizengamot and take over the Government," Harry said before he could stop himself.

"I don't appreciate your attempt at sarcasm Mr Potter. This doesn't end here, and now I know where she is I will find a way to release Professor Rossi. You can be sure of that." McGonagall glanced at Shacklebolt, and then turned on her heels and stormed off shouting at a group of third and fourth years as she did so, making them and others scuttle away. Harry was saw that she wouldn't have given in so easily if Shacklebolt hadn't been there.

"Blimey Harry she's not going to forget that in a hurry," Ron said.

"I don't care," he replied and he didn't.

"Harry?"

"Yes Luna," Harry said when he noticed that the Ravenclaw had joined them.

"You weren't being sarcastic were you?"

"No," Harry whispered. Her eyes light up.

"I better find Daddy then and tell him to be there. Of course he'll have to go in disguise, but he must be there. It's what he's been waiting for, for years."

"Luna you don't know where he is. You told me he was hiding under the Fidelius Charm," Hermione said.

"Of course I know where he is. I'm the secret keeper."

"Of course you are," Harry said smiling, "you're the obvious choice. Look Luna we need to get on, keep an eye on Ginny for me please."

"You know I will, and be careful of the Heliopaths."

XXXXX

As the trio reached the school gates there was a small group waiting for them.

"Wotcher Harry," Tonks said her arm around Remus's waist. Remus gave them a tired smile as the new moon was only three days old, "ready for the big day."

"I don't know, are we?" Harry asked looking at Shacklebolt and Arthur.

"I believe so," Shacklebolt answered. "Everybody I trust has been forewarned and knows what is expected of them. There were four members of the Enforcement Squad here last night, but they've been placed in … protective custody until we decide what to do with them."

"I suggest they're fired and banned from the Ministry," Harry said, "anybody who's joined must be unsuitable for any sort of position within the Ministry. What were they up to anyway?"

"Apparently they'd heard a rumour you and Ginny were here, and had come to arrest you if you were," Shacklebolt said.

"You mean they weren't sure?" Harry said.

"As far as we can tell they don't know about anything that happened yesterday," Arthur said.

"How can that be?" Harry exclaimed. "Gringotts was robbed and tens of thousands of galleons taken, and what about all the people killed how can they not know!"

"There are rumours Harry," Shacklebolt said. "There are always rumours, but we've tried to keep things quiet. That way things might go more smoothly today. Gringotts aren't likely to tell anybody they've been robbed if they can help it. People might panic and start a run on it if they did, and I don't think we need that either."

"How much did they lose?" Hermione asked biting her bottom lip, a sure sign of her anxiety.

"A lot as far as we can tell, but the Goblins aren't telling. They're being very nasty and aggressive, more so than usual. That can only mean bad news."

"I think this is a distraction at the moment," Remus said. "If we succeed then we'll have to deal with it, until then we should concentrate on the matters at hand." Harry nodded his agreement.

"So how many do we have dirt on now?"

"Forty two Harry," Hermione said, "and there are another sixteen people who aren't on the Wizengamot, but have positions of influence."

"That many," Harry said stunned at how bad things had become.

"We're arresting those sixteen at the moment," Shacklebolt said looking at his watch. "We should start heading towards the Hog's Head. I've arranged for the Flue watch to be lifted for the next half hour, so we'll arrive at the Ministry undetected."

Harry was happy to notice that two Aurors remained at the school gates. He didn't want anybody sneaking in while he was away. He looked around at the scenery which had become so familiar to him since he had first come to Hogwarts all those years ago, and wondered if he would still be a free man by the end of the day. The enormity of what they were about to do suddenly threatened to overwhelm him, and he tripped over a loose rock on the path that he had failed to see.

"All right there Harry?" Mr Weasley asked beside him.

"Yea I'm fine Mr Weasley, just a lot on my mind that's all."

"I'm sure you have, we all do." Harry looked at his companions and saw the same serious faces that he had no doubt been wearing. "And I really think you should call me Arthur if we're about to overthrow a government." Harry couldn't help himself and let out a laugh.

"Habit can be a terrible thing sometimes … Arthur," Harry said smiling.

"They've left us little choice Harry. There comes a time when you have to stand up and be counted, and I'm proud to have the privilege of standing beside you." Harry felt his chest constrict at these words, no matter how many times someone said something like this to him it always took him unawares.

"The privilege is all mine. I'm just sorry that Ginny wasn't fit enough to come with us."

"I'm not," Arthur said. "Molly was beside herself when she heard the news last night, and was all for coming immediately, but the house is being watched and we couldn't risk bringing unwanted guest with us. I think Shacklebolt is the only person persuasive enough to prevent her breaking down the doors of the school, and Merlin knows what she would do if Ginny had dragged herself out today."

"Oh she wanted to, but even she knew that she wasn't up for it. I just like having her beside me that's all."

"I understand Harry. Anyway once things get under way Molly will be along later this morning to visit." Harry would be quite glad not to be there when that happened. He was still feeling guilty that she was in hospital at all. The rest of the walk to the Hog's Head passed in silence as everybody concentrated on what was ahead of them.

As Harry entered beneath the battered sign of a boars head Harry could tell that very little had changed in the pub since the last time he had been in here. The small dingy room was still as filthy as before, and the floor seemed to stick to the soles of his shoes. There was one thing that had changed, although Harry conceded that his nose might be blocked, there was no characteristic smell of goats that he associated with the Hog's Head.

The room was empty, but considering the time of day that was hardy surprising. Shacklebolt dug out a bag of Flue powder and handed it over to Tonks taking a handful for himself first.

"I'll go first and clear the way for the rest of you. Tonks bring up the rear," Tonks made a mock salute causing Shacklebolt to raise an eyebrow before shouting out 'Ministry of Magic Atrium' and in a flash of green flames he was gone.

Harry stood in line waiting as the others went before him. It had been felt that he shouldn't be seen for as long as possible. Harry hated the Flue he would much rather have apparated there, but apparently there where all sorts of wards in place now to prevent direct access to the Ministry. Still it could be worse at least he wasn't going by Portkey. He hated those now more than the Flue.

"Stick your hand in Harry there's plenty left," Tonks told Harry as he watched Remus spin out of sight in front of him. The moment had come he could refuse to go and that would be the end of it. Except of course it wouldn't be, the time for that had long gone, plans were in motion and if he didn't turn up in person then they would continue without him. Before his nerves took over all together he threw the powder, and the world began to spin much like his mind. To his utter surprise he stepped out the other end without incident. He had been so distracted that the worry of falling down hadn't entered his head.

"Nice one Harry," Hermione whispered.

"Thanks must be a good omen."

"There's no such thing," she said removing the soot from his leather jacket with her wand. "I meant to ask did you get into muggle clothes on purpose."

"I did. I wanted to make a statement."

"What's that then?" she asked. Harry just shrugged.

"I don't know really it seemed like the right thing to do first thing this morning." Harry would have gone on and explained that he was sick to death of the Wizarding World and their backwards looking mentality, but someone had spotted him. Like the ripples in a pond after a pebble had been thrown in the news spread throughout the Atrium.

"We can't hang about now. We need to get moving while we still have surprise on our side," Shacklebolt said his deep voice seemed to reverberate through the hall. All of them began to march towards the set of golden gates at the far end of the hall. The further they progressed the more Aurors suddenly joined their group. Some were in full uniform and others in robes. Harry found himself at the front of the expanding group. He didn't really want to be there but they had all joined the group behind him. He tried to let people pass him but none of them would, instead he was given a push in the middle of his back when he slowed down by Ron who was immediately behind him alongside Hermione.

"This is mad," Harry muttered.

"You're telling me," Ron whispered back.

"Just remember what these people have done," Hermione hissed. Harry's nerves vanished and were replaced by a cool anger. An image of Hilary and Irene breaking down in Professor's Flitwick's office had swum across his vision. Despite all the death that he had witnessed it was that image more than any other that now angered him the most.

Peoples reaction to what was happening tended to be one of two. The majority looked at the marching group, sensed trouble was brewing, and hurriedly left the Atrium as quickly as possible. Others just stood there with stunned looks on their faces, unable it seemed to move. Harry noticed that another group was hurriedly forming by the golden gates, a group that was wearing purple robes, the new Enforcement Squad. They were now about thirty yards away and if anything was going to happen it was going to be very soon.

"Stay where you are," one of them shouted unable to disguise his fear. Harry though didn't break his stride and kept moving towards the man and locked his eyes onto his. "I'm w… warning you," he stuttered while aimlessly waving his wand around. Harry's insides were starting to boil with anger. A part of him wanted a fight, but that would lead to who knows what. It would be better if this was handled quietly, and quickly. Harry only stopped his advance a foot away from the man. Up close he could clearly see the sweat forming on his forehead and his skin had a sickly pallor to it. There was no fight in the man, and his dozen or so colleagues where not looking much better.

"Lower your wand and nobody needs to get hurt," Harry said. He recognised the voice as his own, but he heard it as though he was disembodied. It was calm, but forceful, unlike the emotions he was feeling under the surface.

"You're to be arrested on s…sight and brought b… before the Wizengamot," the man said a trickle of sweat running into his eye making him blink nervously.

"We'll don't worry. We're on our way to see them," Harry said. "Now I'm going to have to insist that you and all your men hand over your wands." There was a pause and an echoing silence that seemed to reverberated throughout the Atrium. Harry's eyes never left the man in front of him, and he could sense rather than see the Aurors fanning out behind him. He stretched out his left hand and indicated with his fingers that the wand should be placed in it.

"But…"

"If it's any help you're surrounded as well as out classed." The man jerked his head round and saw four more Aurors in full dress on the other side of the gate.

"We're stuffed Egbert," another member of the Enforcement Squad said behind him. It wasn't quite how Harry would have put it, but it did sum up their hopeless position. Within seconds they were all disarmed and their hands magically tied behind their backs.

"Put them in a holding cell," Shacklebolt said to two junior Aurors. "Good job Harry that was beautifully handled. Now it's time for the main event."

"How many more of those jokers are we likely to run into?" Ron asked.

"That depends on how many want to face us, and how quickly we reach the courtroom. The news of our presence will have spread like wildfire," Shacklebolt answered.

"Then we'd better get a move on," Harry said striding through the gate. He wanted to get this over with. As they approached the lifts Harry had a nasty thought. "I think we'll take the stairs." He didn't fancy getting stuck in the lift either by accident or on purpose. The noise of what had now had become forty pairs of feet on the stone staircase was deafening and speech became quite impossible, although Harry didn't have anything he wanted to say.

"It's Potter," a shocked voice shouted as Harry reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped into a long corridor. Four members of the Enforcement Squad had obviously been told to stand guard outside the courtroom, and their noisy arrival had bought them to the base of the staircase. For a fraction of a second Harry thought about negotiating with them as he had the others, but instantly decided not to. Speed was more important now.

Wordlessly he stunned the two nearest him and then cast a shield charm which deflected the only spell cast at him. The other two were stunned by Hermione and Ron.

"Useless tossers," Ron said stepping over one of the unconscious bodies.

"Ron!" Hermione said.

"Sorry," he replied. Harry looked askance at his two closest friends. He couldn't believe that at this moment, one was ticking off the other about his language, and the other was apologising for it. The pair of them were barking mad. He ignored the bodies on the floor and began heading towards courtroom number ten checking that each of the heavy wooden doors they passed were locked and bolted. He wanted no surprises springing out behind them.

Finally he reached the grimy door which was closed but not locked. He could hear faint voices behind it as they continued his and Ginny's so called trial. He looked back down the corridor and saw that it was now filled with Aurors and his friends and family.

"Are we ready?" he asked to no one in particular.

"As we'll ever be," Ron and Hermione said together bringing a smile to his face, which they returned. Shacklebolt gave a short nod along with Arthur and Remus. Harry drew his wand, pointed it at the door and blasted it off its hinges. It flew into the room for ten feet and then crashed to the floor.

The effect was like an enormous clap of thunder.