Instead of a celebration of the victory of one of the champions, the end of term feast instead became a memorial service for Cedric Diggory and an opportunity for Dumbledore to spread the word about Voldemort's return. All of this turned what was supposed to be a joyous occasion into one of utmost gloom. The gloom stayed through the departure of the other schools, righ onto the Hogwarts' express itself. Here however, all thoughts were turned excitedly towards the summer.

'What do you think you'll be doing? Anyone going anywhere nice?'

'No, not this year. You?'

'No, nothing much. Just staying at home.'

'Me too.'

'Well, perhaps I'll see you round?'

'Yeah, perhaps.'

'That'd be nice.'

At the station Draco was collected by Noctifer, who apparated them both home.

'How're you doing, Draco, alright, I trust.'

'I'm alright, thanks. Anything interesting gone no while I've been at school?'

'Nothing you don't know about.' Noctifer said darkly. 'Well, there is one thing. I've just got a new contract in. It's huge, absolutely huge, so I probably won't be around much this summer, I'm afraid, at least, not during the day.'

'Oh?'

'Sorry kiddo, I can't tell you any more.'

'Ohh.' Said Draco, slightly crestfallen.

'Don't worry. I'll tell you all about it when I'm allowed. And before I forget, I'm laying down a few new rules, what with the return of the Dark Lord. I don't want you heading out without me. The garden's fine, but no further than that without me. You should be safe that way.'

'Ok' Draco groaned.

'There's no need to take that tone, it's for your own good, you know.'

'S'pose so.' Said Draco, sulkily. This was not the start to the holidays that he'd been hoping for.

'Well, dinner's in the oven, just needs to be left alone, but I've got to go. I'll see you later.' And with that, Noctifer disapparated. That was to be the first day of a very quiet holiday, no invitations were forthcoming from Harry, Ron or Hermione and all of his were ignored. What had gotten into them?

An isolated summer grew more so when Draco's Hogwarts' letter arrived, hand-delivered by Noctifer.

'Well, looks like we'll need to get your stuff for next year. Oh, and congratulations on your badge.'

'Yeah.' Said Draco, downcast, seemingly not having heard the last utterances of Noctifer.

'What's up?'

'Oh nothing'

'Really?'

'Yeah, just missing my friend that's all. They haven't even replied to a single letter I've sent them.'

'Ah.' Noctifer almost blushed. 'That might have been an oversight on my part. When I cast all the anti-Voldemort charms on the house I may have not let your post get through.'

'What happened to it?'

'Well, I set up something that burns all post that isn't from my list of approved senders.'

'Why?'

'Well, last time one of his favourite strategies was to send people cursed letters, just a touch could make all sorts of things happen. I seem to have, ha ha, forgotten to add your friends to the list.'

Draco didn't seem to find this funny and guessed that his friends wouldn't either, so set about sending them all letters explaining what had happened. Despite Noctifer having subtly altered the spell to allow letters from Ron, Harry and Hermione through, Draco still received no reply from his friends. Whatever could be happening?

Draco found the answer out on the First of September.

'Hi guys, mind if I join you?'

'Mind, why would we mind?'

'Well, there was that mix up with the letters, then you didn't reply to the one I sent explaining about all of that.'

'We weren't allowed.'

'What do you mean you weren't allowed?'

'Dumbledore told us we couldn't contact you-we weren't even allowed to talk to Harry until he arrived.'

'Arrived where?'

Ron looked about cautiously before continuing in hushed tones.

'The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.'

'Nope, still no idea.'

'Well, the Order's a secret organisation, it was founded by Dumbledore to fight against You-know-who the last time. Can't tell you where, but it's a brand new building, wonderful place, even if it is still a building site. We've spent most of the summer making it more homely. I'm surprised you haven't heard about it, really, after all, it's your uncle who's building the bloody place.'

'So that's what he's been doing.'

'Didn't he tell you?'

'No, well, sort of. He said he'd had a big contract and refused to talk about it. I'd thought he might have been on the other side and trying to keep it secret, after all, he's been oddly absent over the years, including at the Cup when the Death Eaters attacked those muggles.'

'Well, Dumbledore seems to trust him. That should be enough.'

'Dumbledore trusts Snape.'

'Touché.'

The train rumbled on into the dusk as the four friends caught up. Aurors patrolled the corridors, making sure that the country's densest source of wizarding hostages were not intercepted. Whether because of this or because he was biding his time or if he hadn't really returned, no-one was really sure, but Voldemort made no attempt on the train. At the station they disembarked to the now familiar sound of Hagrid, yelling at the first years. With everyone else seeming to be pushing their way to the front in an ugly crowd, they waited. And waited. Eventually the final carriage was waiting for them and a strange blonde girl that Draco had seen about school but never really paid much attention to. Perhaps for good reason.

'Everybody, this is looney, hm,hm, sorry, Luna Lovegood, she's a Ravenclaw in the year below us.' Hermione explained.

'Nice to meet you.'

Nice to meet you too.'

'Draco Malfoy.' Draco extended his hand. When Luna took it, he bent forward and pecked a kiss on the back of her hand.

'Enchanted, I'm sure.'

'The pleasure is all mine.' She replied as the coach set off. The last person to say hello to Luna was Harry, who did so very distractedly.

'Harry Potter.' He was looking out towards the front of the coach, which as per usual, wasn't attached to anything.

'Can you guys see that?'

'See what? The coach is pulling itself, just like normal.'

'No its not, there's a great big skeletal Horsey thing there.'

'Don't be daft, there's clearly nothing there.'

'He's not being daft.' The airy voice of Luna replied, 'i can see them too.'

This didn't seem like a great recommendation to Draco, who tried to hide a scoff. Either Luna didn't notice or she was too polite to mention it, for she continued regardless.

'It's called a Thestral. They can only be seen by people who have seen death.'

'Thanks, Luna, that's really comforting.' Said Harry drily. Was that a hint of sarcasm? Draco couldn't tell.

They arrived at the castle fractionally before the doors were shut for the new students' welcoming ceremony. Saying goodbye to Luna, they took their seats at the Gryffindor table and waited. The sorting happened, new first years, just what was wanted. A constant source of irritation for the new prefects. Dumbledore got up to give his usual start of term notices and had just introduced the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher when he was interrupted by a coughing. The new teacher was going to make a speech. Oh dear.

'Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. What a pleasure it is to once more be back in this Hall, this Hogwarts hall which has seen many faces of witches and wizards pass through it, ever finding more ground to cover in the eternal quest for knowledge. In this hall many young women and men have looked up at the headmasters and headmistresses and wondered what their future will hold.

They have worked hard to secure their futures, now long history, just as you are working hard to secure yours, yet what of those whose future is smaller than their past who reside within these very walls, what are they doing to aid you in this quest? Certainly they must be your guides and yet what if they do not know the way? Those who blindly follow age old paths simply because they are age-old do not connect with the dreams of the founders of our greatest school, to expand the horizons of magical knowledge and potential.

Potential exists within all of you, and it is up to you to fulfil it. Nothing can come from nothing, yet from hard work all good things become plentiful. Plenty is the food that you have eaten, plenty are the days you have ahead of you. But our time of plenty must be maintained. Maintained at the cost of keen and penetrating thought. For many of you iit is not thought that has brought you here tonight, but tradition. Tradition dating back many generations, years of wizards being sent to this school. Now, tradition is a valuable thing, for once it is broken it can take centuries to restore, yet that is not sufficient reason to keep it intact, for when tradition stands in the way of progress, one must yield. When the past meets the future, one must yield. When fiction meets fact, one must yield. When it comes to truth, loyalty and respect, none can be yielded, for that way lies chaos and utter ruin.

It cannot be denied we live in uncertain times, yet surely certainty must be sought. It cannot be denied that we live in dangerous time, yet safety must be sought. We are told He-who-must-not-be-named has returned, we must seek the truth. For in truth lies safe knowledge of certainty, which you must all seek in your time here.' Professor Umbridge sat back down and Dumbledore continued.

'What was that all about?' asked Ron.

'Well, it was all about how we must break with tradition and seek truth loyally.'

'Yeah, but what does it all mean?'

'It means,' Hermione began darkly, 'that the Ministry doesn't believe you-know-who's back. It means. It means the ministry's interfering at Hogwarts.'

Dumbledore finished his notices and sent them all to bed. Harry and Ron took an early lead, as Hermione and Draco had to shepherd the first years up to the dorms. It was an uneventful journey, save for having to save one first year from the invisible step, there was nothing to worry about –not even Peeves showed up.

The first years were soon sent to bed and the older students began to relax in the common room. Games of cards were beginning to spring up around every table and raucous conversations were happening on every sofa. On one sofa sat Lavender Brown. Draco smiled to himself at the thought of her. Well, she tried at least, even if there was little else Draco could say about her. Ron seemed to be able to say more, at least, Draco hoped so given how often his glance went that way. As the conversations in the common room died away and students drifted off to bed, Draco found himself deep in conversation with Hermione. The last ashes of the fire were glowing but dimly in the grate as Harry and Ron finished off their game of gobstones and headed to bed. Still Draco and Hermione talked.

'I wasn't particularly impressed with the new Defence textbook, were you?'

'Not really, far too much theory in it.'

'Yes and half of its wrong.'

'Yes, it did seem to contradict some of the other things I'd read, I sort of assumed I just hadn't understood it.'

'Nah, you probably had. Tell you what, though, that speech from the new teacher, what's-her-name..'

'Umbridge?'

'Yeah, that's the one, Umbridge...does rather put a different perspective on things, don't you think?'

'Come again?'

'Well, you said yourself that the Ministry doesn't believe Harry and wants to interfere at Hogwarts.'

'Yes...' Hermione said, uncertainly.

'Sol, if they don't believe Harry, they don't think the Dark Lord has returned, if they don't think that, then why is Dumbledore putting so much into Defence?'

'Well, if he reckons that You-know-who is back, wouldn't that explain why?'

'Not if you think Dumbledore's lying.'

'Go on.'

'Well, if you think Dumbledore's lying, then why do you have Defence lessons -they don't at Beauxbatons, they just incorporate it into other lessons. If you ask me, I reckon the Ministry thinks Dumbledore's lying. I reckon the minister is feeling threatened by Dumbledore –reckons that Dumbledore is trying to take over.'

'I'm not with you.'

'Well, if you want to take over you need an army. An army needs soldiers, who have to be trained.'

'I'm with you. So you reckon the ministry is trying to stop us being taught to defend ourselves so Dumbledore can't build an army to take over the Ministry.'

'Yup.'

'You're cracked.'

'So how do you explain it then?'

'Well, perhaps Professor Umbridge believes that a good theoretical basis is what you need. Maybe she's going to do the practical side off her own back.'

'Maybe. But I'm still sticking with my idea. After all, I do know the minister slightly better than you do.'

'Yeah, but how well do you know him?'

'Well enough to know he sees threats to his power everywhere.'

'That's politicians for you.'

'You old cynic. Well, we seem to be the last people down here. Time for bed?'

Hermione yawned so much that for a moment Draco thought her head must come off before agreeing. They eagerly anticipated the next morning, full of new lessons, as well as the delightful new task of helping first years find their way.

At breakfast the next morning, as per usual, Professor McGonagall handed out timetables to her house as soon as most of them had arrived for breakfast. A quick look over the thing told Draco that he had Defence against Dark Arts first thing, followed by Potions and Transfiguration all before lunch. What a terrible day.

It started off earlier than expected when a horde of first years from all houses needed help finding their way to various lessons. By the time Hermione and Draco had sent them all on their way, they were running late. They rushed through the corridors and secret passages, but they had only gotten half way when then bell went to mark the start of lessons. Its sonorous tones reverberated throughout the castle and the halls fell suddenly silent, save for the sound of the footfalls of Draco and Hermione. Thirty seconds later, they arrived. The door seemed noisier than ever it had before as they arrived at the classroom of Professor Umbridge.

'I'm glad you could join us. Speak to me afterwards.' Professor Umbridge said sharply. They took their seats at the back of the class, disappointed, because usually everyone wanted to be at the front in Defence classes. Umbridge started the lesson from the beginning-had she restarted for their benefit? Looking around Draco decided that she hadn't.

'This is your OWL year. You all know that OWL stands for Ordinary Wizarding Level, of course, and by now you should be able to at least pass it. Your education in this field however has over the last few years been rather, varied. Only one teacher you've had would've passed a Ministry inspection, and that was in your first year.

'Oh yeah, Quirell was brilliant, if you overlook the fact that he had Voldemort sticking out the back of his head!' Harry suddenly burst out. Umbridge was certainly nonplussed by all of this, yet carried on, choosing to ignore the comment.

'At any rate, your knowledge is far behind where it should be, so we are going to have to abandon the usual course and instead opt for a purely theoretical course.'

'What? No Magic!' Seamus spat.

'No magic, Mr Finnegan. It is felt that a thorough theoretical grounding is all you need to pass your exams, and that, after all, is why you are here.'

'Absolutely, after all, there's no need for us actually to defend ourselves, is there?' Harry sarcastically said.

'Mr Potter, that is the second time you have spoken out of turn, I don't want to have to remind you again.'

The lesson went on and everyone learnt nothing. Then, to the relief of all, it ended. Draco and Hermione remained behind to talk to Professor Umbridge.

'Well, you arrived late. Why?'

'We were helping the first years find their way to their lessons, Professor.'

'So why were you late?'

'It takes time, Professor.'

'No excuse. You should be on time to your lessons. I want to see you this evening for detention. Well, off you go.'

They left moments before the bell went, making them late for Snape. The day seemed to be going from bad to worse.

'You two are late. Why?' Snape demanded the moment they entered the dungeon.

''Sorry, sir, Professor Umbridge kept us behind after the last lesson.'

'Did she now, very well, take your places. Today we will be making a powder of antipathy. It is a particularly powerful powder used in the treatment of addictions and various other medical conditions. It is notably not strictly a potion but a powder, but since it is formed by the dehydration of a potion, it is indeed our concern and no that of the alchemists. A very simple potion to make, so long as you can follow instructions and one that is quite safe. It is a nice easy potion to ease you back into things- we don't want too many exploded cauldrons today, do we Longbottom? The potion is brewed by the dissolution of three wolf hairs, which shall be provided, in oil of castor, over a gentle heat. To this, add a pinch of lacefly wings and four level size two spoons of grated dandelion root. The addition of a sprig of yew wood completes the active base, which is then made up with five parts water to one part active base. This should take you the whole lesson. The potion will then be left on a low heat for a week until the solvation of the mixture has decreased by a facto of two thirds, at which point, this should be in the next lesson, it is to be heated rapidly to remove the remaining liquid content and produce the powder. Whilst the recipe for the production of this powder is naturally unique, the methods learnt today will provide you with the knowledge of how to make any general powder. Are there any questions? No, then you may start.'