This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter universe, which are trademarked by J.K. Rowling. I do not claim ownership of these characters nor the locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, etc. that are Rowling's creations. This work also includes Pokémon, which belong to the Pokémon Company, and I again claim no ownership of these characters.

I thank both Rowling and the Pokémon Company for the universes they have created that allows me to do something like this for my own entertainment and, hopefully, the entertainment of the readers.

The effect of Dumbledore's departure was felt around the whole school. The very next morning the news spread like wildfire that Dumbledore was on the run but, despite Umbridge's best efforts, few if any believed in the crimes he was accused of. Nobody knew for sure what had happened in Dumbledore's office, the only story coming from Theodore Nott, and no one believed him.

Dumbledore's departure further divided the school into two factions. The Gryffindors, outraged that Dumbledore had been forced from the school, were loud in their protests. They also didn't hold back against Marietta Edgecombe either.

Marietta had kept her head down since the incident, but that did not keep her from being the centre of attention. While generally not well known outside her house and year group she had now drawn the wrath of the whole of Gryffindor House, angry as they, correctly, believed her to have betrayed their house mates to the devil herself.

The Hufflepuffs were not much better. While not outwardly hostile to Marietta they did favour her with a cold indifference. Betrayal was a cardinal sin in any house, particularly Hufflepuff, and they had a few DA members who had suffered from Edgecombe's actions.

Even Ravenclaw and Slytherin didn't hold many friends for the beleaguered sixth year girl. The Slytherins, while gleeful that those in the other houses were in trouble, did not care about Marietta as anything more than a means to an end. Meanwhile the Ravenclaws were split with those who were friendly with Marietta beforehand backing her up and those who were friends of the Ravenclaw DA members, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot and Michael Corner, actively shunning her.

In all honesty Harry didn't much care for the drama surrounding Marietta Edgecombe. She could suffer all she wanted or get away scot-free as far as he was concerned. She'd already done her damage.

While Harry's quick thinking had prevented him from being expelled - Umbridge forgot to even punish him for being out after curfew - he, and the rest of the DA, still paid the price for Marietta's treachery. Though she had no evidence of anything untoward Professor Umbridge still sought to punish them. And with Dumbledore gone, and a list of names provided by Marietta, there was nothing to stop her from taking her revenge.

And so on Saturday Harry found himself in the Great Hall surrounded by the rest of the DA, aside from Marietta and Cho, scratching away on the paper before him. As the students wrote their lines aurors, on duty to ensure Dumbledore would not return, stalked the aisles in silence as the professors sat at the high table, McGonagall's face taught, Umbridge's featuring a broad, toad like smile.

For hours they were kept there, not even being allowed to leave as periodically their desks were removed for the Hogwarts House tables as they were joined by the rest of the school for lunch and dinner.

Eventually, as curfew drew closer, Professor Umbridge stood up.

"Well, I think that should be enough for today, don't you." She was met with glowers from the students but nobody spoke. "Yes, I think you've all had plenty of time to learn the error of your ways. Now, everyone off to bed. I would hate to catch any of you out after hours, hm."

The response from the students was lethargic. Nobody moved for a moment, just glad to finally be able to stop writing. The sharp clack of heels on the stone floor sounded and Harry looked up to watch Umbridge strut down the centre of the desks, her head high, a self-satisfied smile on her face.

"Bitch," Ron muttered darkly as she left. Like everyone he was nursing his writing hand, wincing with every touch, but some had it worse than him.

"It's okay, Luna," Neville was saying softly, gently guiding Luna out of the room. The blond girl was close to tears. "It'll be alright. Just… try not to think about it."

"I can't believe Umbridge actually went through with this," Ron said as he, Harry and Hermione followed Neville and Luna out the hall. "Is this what it was like for you, Hermione?" Hermione nodded.

"Yes," she said. "But not as bad. I wasn't stuck writing for anywhere near as long as this. It took a whole week before my hand felt this bad."

Harry supposed they really shouldn't have been surprised but he had thought Umbridge would have been less severe with a larger group. He had clearly underestimated her.

The group of students split up once leaving the Great Hall, each heading back to their own house common rooms. All with the exception of Luna who remained by Neville's side, Ginny quickly finding her way to Luna's other side as they walked. Together the Gryffindors plus Luna made their way to the Gryffindor Common Room and fell into seats around the fire.

"Well, I'm going to bed," Fred announced dully after a while, standing up. "Lets just get this hellish day over with, shall we."

"Here here," George and Lee muttered, leaving the Common Room for the dormitories and soon to be followed by Angelina, Alicia and Katie. Soon only the younger members of Gryffindor House remained.

"Sorry," Harry muttered into the silence. There was not much else to say.

"Mate, not to be funny or anything," Seamus responded. "But what the heck are you talkin' about?" Harry looked up.

"This," he said. Surely it was obvious. "The detention. Umbridge. I'm sorry I got you guys all caught up in it."

"Well, it's not like it was your fault," Dean told him.

"Yeah, we all were part of the DA," Seamus said. "It's thanks to you we weren't expelled."

"But you wouldn't have been in trouble at all if it wasn't for the DA," Harry pointed out.

"You mean we wouldn't be in trouble if it wasn't for Umbridge," Ron countered. "It's her fault, mate. It's why we started the DA in the first place."

"And if you have forgotten it was my idea," Hermione pointed out. "If you want to blame anyone for this blame me."

"No," Harry said. "No, you chose me as leader. It is my responsibility to look out for you. No one else's."

"Do you honestly not hear how ridiculous that sounds?" Ginny told him. "You are acting like we need to be looked after. I know we haven't battled Death Eaters or You-know-who but we're not that different, Harry. We all knew the risks of joining but we also knew why we had to do it."

"I don't regret joining the DA," Neville spoke up. "I've learned loads, and made some new friends. I don't know how much use I'll be fighting Death Eaters but at least I know something that might help."

"Me too," Parvati said. She was sitting next to Dean, her hand in his, and it appeared that their fight was now over. "I've never been strong or smart but at least now if my family are attacked over the holidays me and Padma will be able to do something about it."

"Same here," Seamus said. "I don't regret any of it. I've got me mam to look after. She doesn't have anyone else to protect her."

"We all feel the same way," Dean said, the gathered students nodding in agreement. "We know what's coming, we know we have to be ready. And we're thankful for everything that you've done."

And Harry believed him. It was never a problem of worrying that they would blame him for his actions. It was that they didn't know the consequences, not really. And Harry was starting to realise what Dumbledore had been getting at. They'd chosen a side and the opportunity to back out was fading away.

Hermione looked up at the clock. "It's almost curfew," she said. "You'll have to leave now if you want to get back to Ravenclaw Tower, Luna."

"She doesn't have to," Ginny interjected. "She can stay here if she likes." Hermione looked strained, her normal rule abiding nature fighting against the idea, but fortunately Luna came to her rescue.

"It's alright," she said serenely. "I should be getting back. My dorm mates might worry if I don't return." From the look on Ginny's face that seemed unlikely, and it was clear what Ginny thought of the matter.

"I'll come with you," she said eventually, rising from her seat.

"Me too," Harry said, also standing up. "I don't think any of us should be out on our own tonight." Ginny shot him a suspicious look but did not argue. Meanwhile, Luna beamed at him and Harry became uncomfortably aware that this sort of kindness was rarely offered to Luna by anyone other than Ginny.

"Don't be too long," Hermione said, looking worried. "You know how much Umbridge would love to catch you out after hours, Harry."

"I'll be careful," he promised. "See you when I get back."

The journey between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Tower wasn't a long one as both common rooms were situated on the same floor, albeit at opposite ends of the castle. The majority of it passed in silence. Then Luna spoke.

"It was very nice of you to accompany me, Harry," she told him.

"I just think we need to be more careful at the moment," Harry responded. "Without Dumbledore we're a lot more vulnerable."

"Still, it was very nice," Luna said. "Nobody else did."

"Ginny did," Harry pointed out. The redhead didn't seem offended by Luna's words but there was a stiff quality to her features, cast in shadow.

"Ginny's my friend," Luna said simply. The implications of this statement stopped Harry in his tracks.

"I'm your friend too, Luna," he told her softly. "You know that, right?" Luna turned to survey him, cocking her head curiously to the side before smiling.

"I suppose you are," she said happily. "Oh, we're here. Thank you very much for the company, Harry. And Ginny, I'll see you tomorrow?" Ginny nodded. "Alright. Goodnight then," and she walked into the Ravenclaw Common Room, closing the door behind her and leaving Harry and Ginny alone in darkness.

For a moment they did not move.

"Potter." Harry recognised the voice and thoroughly wished he'd already left. Marietta Edgecombe was standing behind him, evidently returning to the Ravenclaw Common Room as well, with Cho standing behind her.

"Marietta," Harry said blandly. He didn't want this to escalate.

Evidently Marietta realised this and she did not say anything, at least to him.

"Come on, Cho," she encouraged, gesturing her friend towards the common room and moving as though to shield her from Harry as she passed. They reached the door to the common room and entered, Cho's head bowed so as to avoid eye contact, and with one last hateful glare from Marietta the door snapped shut behind them.

"What a piece of work," Ginny spat, glaring at the closed door.

"Yeah," Harry agreed but his heart wasn't in it. He couldn't bring himself to hate Marietta for what she'd done, even though it had put him and the rest of the DA in an awful position. It was just hard not to understand her motives.

Ginny gave him a weird look. "Why are you acting like this?" She asked. "I'd have thought you'd be as angry as the rest of us after what Edgecombe did. What do you know that we don't?" Harry hesitated.

"It's nothing," he said, though knowing immediately that she'd never believe him. He started to walk away. "I've just got other things to worry about." But Ginny wasn't going to let this go in a hurry.

"You've been acting weird in general," she told him, following him down the corridor. "Like walking back with Luna."

"I wanted to make sure she was alright," Harry said simply.

"She's a tough girl, she knows how to look after herself," Ginny told him. "And she's gone four years dealing with things without your help, why does it suddenly matter now?" Harry didn't have an answer to that so he stayed silent.

"And what's with all this taking blame for yourself?" Ginny continued, not in the slightest bit interested in stopping. "Why are you so sure this is all your fault?"

"Because it is my fault," Harry snapped, whirling around to face her. "Getting caught, Dumbledore leaving the school, that was all my fault." He looked away, running a hand frustratedly through his hair. "Look, if you don't agree with me then that's fine, but it's the truth. If you knew what Marietta knows you'd understand why she did what she did."

"How do you know that?" Ginny challenged. "Instead of explaining to me what I'd think you should just tell me what happened and allow me to form my own opinions. I might surprise you." Harry didn't want to, the shame was such that he'd rather nobody else knew, but he realised he'd already gone too far to back out now.

He sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"She's doing it for Cho," Harry admitted, feeling exhausted. "That's why she turned on us."

"Okay," Ginny said, her tone reasonable. "So what happened?" Harry took a breath, then told her.

"It was one of the last DA meetings," he told her. "Cho stayed behind to talk to me, she wanted to talk about Cedric. She got really emotional and then one thing led to another and she kissed me and I… I pushed her away." Harry turned his head, preferring to look away at the blank stone wall instead of meeting Ginny's gaze. "I tried to fix it but she ran and then Gardevoir teleported her away. That's why Marietta betrayed us, she was getting back at me. I'm just sorry the rest of you got caught up in all this."

Ginny was silent for a long time, Harry could just imagine the condemnation in her gaze, but when she spoke her words were soft.

"So that's what you've been worried about," she said. "Oh Harry." Harry looked up. There was no condemnation from Ginny, just a sad yet fond look on her face.

"I messed up," he told her. "My personal problems ruined it for the whole DA. I should have handled the situation better."

"No one could have handled that situation," Ginny denied.

"I shouldn't have pushed her away," Harry continued, ignoring Ginny's protestations. "I should have just completed the kiss and then tried to talk to her."

"Harry, who knows what would have happened if you'd done that," Ginny told him. "No one could be prepared for a situation like that, let alone a fifteen year old boy in the middle of his first kiss." Harry looked away awkwardly.

"That wasn't your first kiss?" Ginny asked, surprised. "Who - Never mind, I don't want to know." Harry was grateful. His kiss with Daphne was not something to talk about with anyone.

"I'm just saying that it is not your fault this happened," Ginny told him. "You were put into an impossible situation by a girl with absolutely no control of her emotions."

"This isn't Cho's fault," Harry said quickly. He couldn't have Ginny thinking that. "She loved Cedric. They went to the Yule Ball together and everything."

"So did we, Harry," Ginny reminded him.

"You know that was different," Harry said. "Cho and Cedric had something special. I've been struggling with his death and I barely knew him. I can't begin to understand how Cho must feel. You can't lose someone you love and just be fine. She looked like she was coping so we forgot. She didn't. It's not her fault."

For a moment there was silence. Then Ginny sighed.

"I know it's not her fault," Ginny said. "But it's not your fault either. Sometimes there is no one to blame, it's just a matter of circumstance and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Cedric loved her," Harry said, his voice cracking. "He'd have wanted me to look after her. He would've hated me for what happened."

"I don't think he would," Ginny told him, shaking her head. "But I'd point out that you have been looking after her. You've been teaching her how to look after herself."

"It's not enough," Harry denied, shaking his head. Ginny leaned forward, taking hold of his chin and pulling it so that he was forced to meet her gaze.

"You're a hero, Harry," Ginny told him, her voice soft but firm. "You are a hero to me, you are a hero to Sirius, you are a hero to everyone who stands against Voldemort for just speaking the truth when the Ministry and everyone else calls you a liar. But you're not god, Harry. You can't do everything." She let go of his chin, taking a step back and his gaze followed.

"But it's incredible to watch you try."

A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed.

To Jacebralor: I'm glad that my story has been able to help you keep your spirits up. I know how tough it can be coming back from work sometimes and I don't even have to deal with customers on a regular basis. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Thanks also to those who responded to the question of the day in the last chapter. In answer to what your favourite starter is we had mentions of Bulbasaur, Charizard, Sceptile, Feraligatr, Cyndaquil, Torterra and Infernape, all of which are great Pokémon in my opinion. In fact, there are very few starters I don't really like, though I would've really been surprised if anyone had claimed Meganium was their favourite starter.

For the question of the day in this chapter I've decided to move away from the Pokémon side of things and ask instead a question from the Harry Potter side: A question that I'm sure everyone will already know their answer to.

QOTD: What is your Hogwarts House?

I'm definitely a Ravenclaw. I'm not particularly loud or outgoing, like a Gryffindor, and I can end up procrastinating way too much, so no to Hufflepuff, and I follow the rules way too much to be a Slytherin. However I am really smart and value intelligence so the house of the brainy has to be it for me.

What is your Hogwarts House? Are you perhaps a mixture of more than one? Please let me know in the reviews.