Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I only own my characters that weren't mentioned in the series.

Chapter 26

Nikki

"You can't be serious," Ernie said.

"And why not?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

"Because you have no idea what she's capable of," he replied.

"You don't know how ad she's gotten ever since she's been locked up in Azkaban," Mara said. "I may not know what's going on but I know she may have something up her sleeve."

"But unless we get together, we could possibly beat her," I said.

"That may be true but we need to figure out how and when to do it," he said.

"She could attack at any moment and we won't know it," Mara said.

"You don't know that," I said. "For all we know she's waiting for the right moment for it to happen and then she'll make the attack. We just need to be prepared."

"That I have to agree on," Ernie said while Mara gave him an incredulous look. "Look I know what's going on but you do need to forget about the argument between you and Cedric for awhile. We do have more important things to worry about."

"Then what's the first step?" I asked.

"Nick, you can't be thinking what I'm thinking," Mara said.

"Well what other choice do I have?" I said.

Mara was quiet for a minute. She knew I have a point. We need to do something about what was going on.

The problem is though, what?

We arrived at the Ministry later that night. I was covered up in a newspaper boy hat and some dark jeans and a black shirt. I did managed to wear a sweatshirt with the hood over my head as we walked through diagon alley.

"I hope you know what you're doing," I muttered to Ernie.

"I was hoping the same thing from you," he said in a low voice.

"I know what I'm doing I just hope this works. I honestly didn't think this would get so bad when I wasn't here," I said.

"Believe me when I said that we're on high alert," he said.

"Has you know who been; well you know…"

"As far as I know, he hasn't made his appearance but knowing him, he might," he replied.

We got inside and headed towards a set of elevators. We got on to one of elevators and it took us up. I just realized what the hell we're going to do once we meet with the ministry. I wouldn't even know what to do when I see Cedric if he's there.

"What are we going to do when we get there?" I asked in a low tone.

"Just let me do the talking," he replied.

I wasn't so sure if that's even the right idea.

The elevator made a stop and we both got off. I held on to his wrist and my eyes cast down as he led me through the crowds of people rushing to get to wherever they're going. He led me and we appeared in front of two double doors.

"Remember what I said earlier and just don't do anything stupid," he said.

I raised an eyebrow at him as we entered the room. There was a long table and chairs lined up one either side with the two other chairs at the end of each table. I stood there for a second before Ernie pulled me into the room.

"Ah Mr. McMillian so nice of you to join us and…I'm sorry I wasn't aware that you could bring someone," the man with the white hair said staring at me.

"Well I think this person is more than willing to help us," Ernie told us.

"And just what makes you think that?" the man said.

"Now, now let's give him a chance to explain," the second man with red hair said. I recognized him immediately as Ron's brother Percy. "Ernie do continue."

"Right," he said, finding the way to explain everything. "Nicholas here, can be very useful because he may know how to defeat Bellatrix once and for all."

"Are you sure about that?" Percy asked warily.

"I'm pretty sure right?" he asked, turning towards me. I simply nodded my answer.

"Great now what good can come out of using a minute?"

"Let me talk to them just wait outside," Ernie said, in a low tone.

I nodded as I walked outside and waited. I looked around and there were people going in different directions. I only got a few people staring at me curiously but nothing out of the ordinary since I'm keeping an eye out at everything.

I felt a presence and turned to look at Ernie.

"Well?"

"Looks like you'll be working with us," he replied.

"Really?" I said in surprise.

"Yeah they think that you could be of some help considering you've dealt with her before," Ernie said.

"That's good but there is something else that I just realized," I said.

"What's that?"

"Why would you tell them I'm Nicholas?" I asked. "You couldn't come up with another name?"

"Sorry Nick, I didn't think of that considering they wanted to know who you were," he said.

I rolled my eyes as we headed down the hallway. We managed to get out of the building and started to head towards the road. It wasn't before I saw someone familiar that I stopped.

"You okay?" Ernie asked.

"Cedric. Shit I didn't think I would see him now," I said. "I'm not ready to face him yet."

"Okay, okay but I think…."

"Ernie," Cedric's voice rang out as I ducked behind an alley.

"Oh hey mate…"

I know, I know what you're thinking. I'm being such a wimp. But right now, I'm not ready to face Cedric and if he knew what I was planning, I would be locked away only to see some daylight. I love him to death but he also needs to know when I can take care of myself in certain situations.

At some point, we're going have to see each other and talked things out. I know deep down, he wouldn't cancel our wedding. We've been working so hard on trying to plan it together that I don't want it to be gone for good over a petty argument.

"Hey," Ernie said, as I turned towards him.

"Did Cedric tell you anything?" I asked.

"Not much really I could tell he's been stressed over everything but I have a feeling that he may want to talk to you because he's been mentioning you in the conversation," he replied.

"Great now I just feel even worse," I said.

"Don't be like that. You two will work things out and you'll get married," he said.

"You really believe that?" I asked.

"Of course but don't tell Mara. Otherwise, I wouldn't hear the end of it," he replied.

"You're secret is safe with me," I said as we headed back to his apartment.

Little did I know; everything was going to change.

A/n: I know, I know it's been a year since this has been updated. I'm sorry for that I just have so many stories to work on I'm trying so hard to make multitasking work and it's slowly but surely coming along.

Trapped in Hogwarts editing/rewrite will happen once I'm done with my stories or half of them. This will be done also it'll be a few while before I get on that. I do plan on making that story better. I just have so much going on.

Leave a review if you guys are still there. I'm going to try to get the next chapter out soon since I kind of know what will happen next since it's been ages. You guys amaze me and I thank you guys for your patience and support!

Until next time,
Spike