Harry Potter's POV

Dudley and I were arguing at the park when, out of nowhere, it started to rain. We both raced inside a nearby tunnel that often redirected rainwater in the winter, but it was usually completely dry now, in the summertime. As we continued to bicker, suddenly, the lights went out. A second later, a terrible chill swept through the tunnel.

An ominous feeling came over me, but it was only when I heard that frightening, rattling breath ringing out in the tunnel that I realized there was a dementor coming for us.

"DUDLEY, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! WHATEVER YOU DO, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!"

Dudley, being the idiot he was, thought I was playing a joke on him and punched me in the face.

"DUDLEY, DAMN IT, YOU MORON!" I frantically searched the ground for my wand. "C'mon, where is it, where is it?"

Finally, I felt my fingers bump up against my wand. I grabbed it and yelled, "Lumos!"

Scrambling to my feet, I held up my wand and turned around. My stomach dropped as I caught sight of a dementor gliding smoothly over the ground, headed right at me.

"Expecto Patronum!" A silvery wisp of vapor shot from my wand, but it quickly disappeared.

"Come on, come on." I took a deep breath. "Expecto Patronum!" A small jet of silver light blossomed from the end of my wand this time, and the dementor slowed – but then, it reached out, and its gray, slimy hands slid out from its long, black robes and shattered the silver light. A rushing noise filled my ears – and then, I heard my mother's voice… "Not Harry, not Harry!"

I tried to hold my wand up again. "Ex – Expecto Patro – Guh!" Disgustingly wet and bony fingers forced themselves into my mouth, cutting off my spell.

"Lily, take Harry and go! I'll hold him off!"

You can't hold him off, Dad… You can't… You're – You're going to die…

The rushing noise was becoming louder, until it felt like the entire world was made of wind – except for the slimy fingers forcing their way into my throat, choking me, and forcing me to open my mouth so the dementor could suck out my soul…

Die… Die… Die…

Just then, the wind disappeared. The dementor released me and I fell to the ground. A faint, silvery creature pushed the dementor away from me. The dementor tried to come for me again, but the creature growled furiously, leapt forward, and pawed ferociously at the dementor, chasing it back.

Professor Kingsley, I recognized. However, the Patronus was very faint – and even now, as it fought the dementor, it was fading away. She must be far away, I realized. I have to get up. Honestly, I felt that I didn't have the strength to get up, but I had to. Professor Kingsley's trying her best to keep me alive. I have to do what I can to earn that.

I pushed myself unsteadily to my feet. I glanced over at the lynx, which gave me an encouraging nod back. I sensed in the lynx's presence the same wisdom and careful kindness that I felt whenever I was near Professor Kingsley.

I thought of Professor Kingsley, and the way she had smiled uncertainly at me as she invited me to stay the summer at her home and promised that we could prank Professor Lupin together. I remembered how tightly she had hugged me after she and Professor Lupin had saved me from Barty Crouch Jr. last year. And I recalled how she had let me sit on top of her shoulders as we tried to place the gold star on top of the Christmas tree, and how we had laughed endlessly at how unsteady we were and how we were still too short to easily reach the top of the tree.

I want to see her again, and Sirius too, and Professor Lupin – and Ron and Hermione…

"Expecto Patronum!" An enormous silver stag erupted from my wand. It ran forward until, using its antlers, it caught the dementor and thrust it savagely into the air. The dementor swooped away, defeated. The lynx blinked tiredly at the stag before it finally disappeared.

I fell back against the wall. I took a moment to steady myself, and then I called out, "Dudley?"

Just then, I heard a long, rattling sound. I froze. There's another dementor.

Panicked, I shouted out, "Dudley!"

There was no reply. I wheeled around, only to see a dementor leaning over Dudley.

I roared at my stag, "THIS WAY!"

It was just in time, too, for the dementor had clamped its arms lovingly over Dudley's face and was clearly about to suck out his soul –

"GO! GET IT!"

The stag galloped onwards and rammed its antlers straight into the dementor crouching over Dudley. The dementor tried to fight against my Patronus, but the stag caught it once again in its antlers and threw it up into the air. Finally, the dementor soared away, realizing it would lose the fight.

All at once, the tunnels lights came back on. Outside, the sound of rain disappeared at once, and the night air immediately took on its usual warm and summery temperature again.

A voice shouted worriedly from just outside of the tunnel. "HARRY! HARRY?"

"Here, Professor!"

Professor Kingsley came running down into the tunnel. "Oh God, this is where you were! No wonder I couldn't see you – you were in a tunnel!" She ran straight to me and grasped my shoulders. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," I assured her.

She frowned when she saw my face – sweaty and blanched. She pulled up her sleeve and gently wiped my face. "You don't look all right, Harry."

"I'm fine," I said, trying not to show how embarrassed I suddenly felt at being taken care of. "Honest - "

My words were swallowed up as Professor Kingsley stepped forward and enveloped me in her arms. She held me tight and whispered, "Thank Merlin. When I couldn't find you, I feared the worst. I thought maybe I wouldn't reach you in time and - " She let out a hard breath.

I was getting more embarrassed by the second, but at the same time, her embrace seemed to chase out the lingering cold in my blood from the dementors' presence. I felt a sudden urge to hug her back, as I probably would have done if she were my real mother – but just then, Dudley let out a moan as he slowly found his way back to consciousness.

Professor Kingsley blinked. "Is that Dudley? Oh, no… Please tell me -"

"He's all right," I said grimly. "He's still got his soul. But the dementor nearly got him."

Professor Kingsley hurriedly strode over to Dudley. She put her hand on his forehead and then pressed her wand tip to his temple. "Hm… He'll be all right physically, but he seems to be in a slight state of shock."

Suddenly, I heard a cough at the end of the tunnel. I turned around, only to see none other than Mrs. Figg standing there. I hurriedly stuffed my wand back into my jeans pocket, when Mrs. Figg burst out loudly, "Oh, I'm going to kill Mundungus Fletcher! Dementors, can you believe it? And Dumbledore told him that it was a serious assignment, that it wasn't just any ol' watch!"

I blinked. Huh? Did Mrs. Figg just say…?

Behind me, Dudley gave an enormous grunt as he, still unconscious, was lifted up by Professor Kingsley.

"Merlin," Professor Kingsley cursed under her breath. She managed to get Dudley's arm around her shoulders. Then, noticing my awed look, she explained to me, "Mrs. Figg is magical, Harry. She's Dumbledore's friend."

"I'm not magical. I'm a Squib," Mrs. Figg corrected. "I've never so much as Transfigured a teabag."

"Well, of course you decide, but I'd say you're still magical, Mrs. Figg," Professor Kingsley said easily.

A light shade of pink appeared on her wrinkly cheeks, but Mrs. Figg merely said, "Well, let's not be sitting ducks and simply wait around here, waiting for those dementors to come back."

Professor Kingsley nodded. "Lead the way, please, Mrs. Figg. Harry, you stay right in front of me, all right? And don't have your wand out, but keep your hand on it. It isn't worth it to be seen with your wand out in a Muggle neighborhood, but as I've got to take care of your cousin, I won't be at my fastest."

"Yes, Professor."

Finally, we came to the Dursleys' house.

"All right, Harry, take Dudley and get inside," Professor Kingsley instructed me. "Mrs. Figg - "

"Yes, I'll alert Dumbledore," she said, and she trotted off at once.

"Oof," I slumped slightly as Professor Kingsley transferred Dudley over to me.

"Careful."

"It's – fine," I panted out. "But, Professor - " I poked my head out from under Dudley "Why was Mrs. Figg keeping a watch on me? And who is Mun – Mundung – er… that person she mentioned? And how come there were dementors after me tonight? Did Voldemort send them?"

At that moment, the front door burst open and Aunt Petunia came out. "Oh, Diddy, there you are! About time, too, I was getting quite – quite – Diddy, what's the matter?"

Aunt Petunia raced over. I turned my head back around to look at Professor Kingsley, but she was already gone. I barely caught a glimpse of the tip of a large bottlebrush tail slipping underneath Uncle Vernon's car.

I let out a heavy sigh and, with another grunt, hefted Dudley forward towards Aunt Petunia, who was now all but wailing over Dudley.

Remus Lupin's POV

A silver lynx leapt into the kitchen of the Order, where Sirius and I were having a quiet drink.

"Remus," the lynx spoke, "it's Harry. I need you at Privet Drive now."

Unfortunately, before I could deal with responding to Raylynx, I first had to deal with Sirius, who had bolted up so suddenly that his glass had gone flying and shattered on the floor – much to Kreacher's dismay, for the glass had been an old relic of the Black household.

"Sirius, no!"

"Let go of me!"

"No, get back down –" I growled as I grabbed the front of Sirius' shirt and yanked him back down – "into your seat!"

"THAT'S MY GODSON!" Sirius roared.

"You won't be doing him any favors by being seen!" I yelled back.

"WELL, I CAN'T JUST STAY HERE, CAN I?"

"YOU HAVE TO, SIRIUS!"

But Sirius was stronger than me (though his prolonged stay in Azkaban had evened out our strength somewhat, making a petty fight between us possible) and after a couple of minutes of grappling, he grabbed both of my wrists and pried my hands off of his shirt.

Desperate, I looked over to Kreacher for help. Feeling terrible (because I knew I was calling on Kreacher's bad motivations to want payback on Sirius), I nonetheless called out, "Kreacher! Keep Sirius in this chair, please!"

Kreacher's eyes glimmered. "Yes, Kreacher will do that," he croaked out. "For Master, of course."

"Kreacher!" Sirius roared. "Don't you - !"

Kreacher snapped his fingers before Sirius could finish speaking aloud a contrary order. Ropes appeared, tying Sirius down to his chair. A piece of cloth also appeared over his mouth, silencing him.

"Sorry, Pads!" I yelled, as I half-tripped and half-ran out of the kitchen.

"Whoa! Blimey!"

I ran straight into Tonks, who had been about to enter the kitchen for her Order shift.

"Look after Sirius!" I shouted at her, and then I dashed off.

"Huh? But why - ?" Just then, Tonks peered into the kitchen, only to see Sirius furiously struggling against the ropes. Her eyes widened. "Merlin's saggy Y fronts. What is going on here?"

Kreacher, who was standing atop the table and collecting the most precious of the Black glassware to store them all away in his secret hidey-hole, murmured silkily, "Kreacher is doing Master a favor. Kreacher is serving the noble house of Black most wisely, by keeping Master safe."

A garbled sound came out of Sirius' mouth, and no one could quite make out what the word was, but at the same time, everyone knew that the word was definitely a choice word.

"Remus! Here!"

I nearly ran straight past Raylyxnx, who had Camouflaged herself against a tree. Fortunately, she spotted me and reaching out, she caught me by my shoulder and pulled me behind the tree, hiding me from any passerby or from anyone inside of the Dursleys' home.

"Are you all right?" I asked her urgently.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's Harry we've got to worry about. He was just attacked by two dementors –"

"What?" I blanched.

"- Mrs. Figg's gone to alert Dumbledore, and I've sent a Patronus to Moody."

"But Harry's safe now?"

"Yes, Harry used the Patronus Charm to protect himself. He's inside the house now."

"Oh, good," I breathed out.

Raylynx continued, "But I'm frightened of the repercussions. I'm afraid the Ministry was able to detect his spell as underage magic, like they did when he blew up his aunt - "

"It sounded like she deserved it, insulting James and Lily like that - "

"Yes, Remus, but that's hardly the point."

"Right, right," I agreed hastily. Sensing her anxiety, I guessed, "You think that the Ministry might use this as an excuse to try to control Harry or to paint him in a bad light. Harry using Underage Magic, I mean."

"Exactly."

I sighed. "Realistically speaking, I think that's bound to happen. After all, the Ministry has been leaning heavily on the Daily Prophet to discredit both Harry and Dumbledore. They've been throwing every attack they can to make them appear crazy."

Raylynx's eyebrows looked all but knitted together as she replied, "Yes, but I'm also afraid that the Ministry will use this incident to try to suspend Harry."

I frowned. "Can they do that?"

"They could try. If you grow up in a Muggle household and you're the only magical person in the residence, the Ministry can detect magical activity. The Ministry has a system set up to know where only underage magical people reside, so if they pick up on magic there, then they automatically send out a warning. But Harry's already gotten a warning, from his second year and his third year…" She blew out a breath. "I mean, they shouldn't be able to suspend him, since he was defending himself from dementors, but unfortunately, I don't think the Ministry's in the right mood to listen to facts right now."

"I see your point," I said. "But what can we do, Raylynx? Usually, we could trust Dumbledore to take care of it, but even he's not in good standing with Fudge right now. And you and I don't exactly have the best of reputations at the Ministry - "

"I know," Raylynx agreed. "I want to go and talk to Sola."

"You think your sister can help us?"

"Yes."

I guessed, "And in the meantime, you want me to keep watch on Harry?"

"Yes. Will that be all right with you?"

"Of course."

Raylynx warned me, "There were Death Eaters in the neighborhood, along with the dementors. I think the dementors are gone for tonight, but there's no telling whether the Death Eaters will come back. Be safe, Remus."

"I will." I urged, "Go, Raylynx. If the Ministry means to act, they'll do it quickly. Go!"

Raylynx nodded. A second later, she Apparated, disappearing into the night.

A minute later, a sound from inside the Dursleys' house attracted my attention. Poking my head out from behind the tree, I decided the coast was clear enough that I could shuffle my way discreetly to the hydrangea bush in front of the house. From there, I could peek in and see and hear just about anything, especially since the kitchen window was open. Of course, I made sure to turn away and scan the street behind me every ten seconds or so.

Inside the house, a rather loud and messy conversation was going on, and from what I could tell, poor Harry was caught in the middle of it:

"He's ill, Vernon!"

"What is it, son? Did Mrs. Polkiss give you something foreign for tea?"

"Why are you all covered in dirt, darling? Have you been lying on the ground?"

"Hang on — you haven't been mugged, have you, son?"

Aunt Petunia screamed. "Phone the police, Vernon! Diddy, darling, speak to Mummy!"

"Who did it, son? Give us names. We'll get them, don't worry."

"Shh! He's trying to say something, Vernon! What is it, Diddy? Tell Mummy!"

"Him."

"BOY! COME HERE!"

I winced. Oh no.

Inside of the house, Uncle Vernon growled at Harry, "What've you done to Dudley here?"

In a bland voice, Harry replied, "Nothing."

From the resigned tone of his voice, I realized, Harry already knows the Dursleys won't believe the truth. I sighed. Poor Harry. He had to fight off two dementors, and now he's getting yelled at when he actually saved his cousin.

However, I reminded myself, the important thing is that Harry is safe. While Uncle Vernon continued to shout at Harry, I swiveled around and carefully checked the street. All clear.

At that moment, Aunt Petunia asked Dudley, "Did he use — his thing?"

Dudley must have answered in the affirmative, because a second later, Harry burst out sharply, "I didn't - !"

"BOY!" Uncle Vernon shouted loudly, cutting Harry off.

"I swear, it wasn't me!"

"YOU – YOU FREAK!" Uncle Vernon spat out loudly.

"I'm going to fucking kill him."

I nearly wheezed in surprise when I heard Sirius' voice, clear as a bell, in my ear.

"What in Merlin – Sirius?!" I gasped.

"Shush, you fool." An invisible hand clapped over my mouth, silencing me. "At least use my nickname."

"Buhhowdeeyoueezcaype?"

Sirius sighed in my ear, "If you think I'd lose to Kreacher, you've sorely underestimated me, Moony. That little git is lucky I let him live…"

Just then, we heard a loud screech behind us. I whirled around (though I stayed crouching) and raised my wand. However, it was only a screech owl, which swooped in through the kitchen window and zoomed right back out three seconds later.

"OWLS!" Uncle Vernon bellowed. "OWLS AGAIN!"

At that moment, a crisp, professional voice sounded out, saying, "Dear Mr. Potter, We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle. The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Damn it, I cursed in my head, Raylynx was right.

Sirius growled lowly, "Those idiots!"

I felt a rush of wind beside me as Sirius made to get up. I hurriedly grabbed at the air beside me. Invisible, soft cloth slipped this way and that way in my hands as I tried to get ahold of Sirius.

"Moony, you're practically petting my head - "

"Shut up and listen!" I hissed.

" - Ministry representatives will be calling - "

Frustrated, Sirius burst out, "How can you just sit here and let this happen? Harry's going to be expelled. We need to go to Dumbledore or Fudge right now."

" - at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand."

"Dumbledore knows, and Raylynx went to deal with the Ministry already."

" - As you have already received an official warning - "

"How, exactly?" Sirius pressed, impatient with me.

" - for a previous offense under section 13 of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy - "

"I don't know exactly, but I trust her, Pads."

" - we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on August 12th. - "

"I trust Lynx, too, but we can't just rely on everyone else."

"It's not about that," I said firmly.

Inside, Uncle Vernon yelled victoriously, "AHA! See? You're a criminal, boy!"

Sirius growled so ferociously I felt his breath pass across my cheek. Sirius muttered furiously, "I want Harry out of this goddamn house now. Or else I really will murder that piece of shit uncle - "

"Agreed that we've got to get Harry out of here," I said hastily, trying to stop Sirius from following through with that thought. "But no murders, Pads."

Sirius replied grimly, "I've already been to Azkaban for it. Thirteen years. I reckon I should get a free pass for murders every now and - "

"Padfoot," I said sharply, cutting him off. "We need to check in with Dumbledore first. We can't just make these decisions on our own. Remember, Dumbledore had a reason for Harry staying here. We don't want to upset any protections Dumbledore may have in place here."

Inside, the letter finally finished with an unapologetic, "Hoping you are well, the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry of Magic."

Finally, Sirius grunted, "All right. But let's make it quick."

"Right," I agreed. I began to stand up, so that we could Apparate, when Sirius suddenly said," And remember, Moony, I was never here."

"Huh?"

I could sense a certain hesitance in Sirius' voice as he muttered, "Just… Don't tell Raylynx about me coming out here, all right? I don't want her to worry."

I tossed a skeptical look at the air beside me. "You know, if you really feel that way, the best thing for you to do would be to actually stay at Grimmauld Place." Heavy irony laced my voice, as I said, "Have you ever thought of that, Pads?"

Sirius' voice floated towards me lightly, as he merely said, "C'mon, we're wasting time talking. Let's get the hell out of here."

Raylynx Kingsley's POV

Arthur, Sola, and I were all desperately arguing with ten different members of the Improper Use of Magic Office and the Wizengamot. Furthermore, Moody and Tonks were arguing with Lucius Malfoy, keeping him in a heated discussion to stop him from barging into Fudge's office, where Dumbledore currently was making a plea on Harry's behalf.

Currently, Mafalda Hopkirk, the on-call clerk at the Improper Use of Magic Office was saying, rather peevishly, "We've already made the decision. We've even sent out the letter already."

"Well, take it back," I snapped.

Another witch butted in. "We can't. Our legal protocol states that - "

"I don't care about your protocol. You broke the law when you made that decision," I retorted angrily.

"How, exactly?" Mafalda said, disgruntled.

"My sister already explained it to you - "

"She's a member of the Wizengamot," a snide voice snuck in. "She's not accustomed to the practices of the Improper Use of Magic Office."

"The law is what the law is," I fought back. "If the protocol of the Improper Use of Magic Office was truly followed to this nonsensical outcome, then that protocol is illegal."

"Besides," the snide voice, which belonged to none other than Dolores Umbridge, continued, "Sola Kingsley is particularly partial to Muggles. She may have wanted something like this to happen, just so she can spread magic to more Muggles. She probably wants to revoke the Secrecy statute altogether, isn't that right?"

At this, all of the members of the Improper Use of Magic Office and Wizengamot looked startled and gave my sister alarmed looks.

I finally burst out, "YOU'RE JUST MAKING STUFF UP! LISTEN, HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN, YOU CAN'T TAKE SOMEONE'S WAND WITHOUT HAVING A FULL-BLOWN HEARING!"

Sola suddenly gripped my shoulder so tightly her nails dug into me. She hissed into my ear, "You – cannot – lose – control."

Umbridge tutted at me. "Tsk, I see you still haven't learned to keep that temper of yours under control. You didn't learn your lesson even after the Auror Department let you go?"

The crowd began to whisper and point at me.

"That's right. I remember now – she was let go from the Aurors."

"And she was even locked up in a cell afterwards, for defacing the Ministry."

"I heard she went completely crazy. Even Mad-Eye thought she went mad, and that's really saying something."

Umbridge blinked innocently at me.

"Enough." Sola abruptly stepped forward. "Both the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy share a common exception – an exception so fundamental to our law, to our very being, that to ignore or to overturn this exception would be a violation of our fundamental rights. For, we are allowed to protect our lives and to save the lives of the people around us in emergencies. That is the exception." Slowly and calmly, Sola continued, "Does anyone seriously wish to challenge that exception? Is anyone here truly suggesting that if you use magic to save someone's life or your own life, we should take away your wand and snap it in half?"

There was a beat of silence.

Then, Umbridge chirped, "Well, it wasn't a life-threatening situation."

Sola stared Umbridge dead in the eye. "But how can you prove that without a hearing?"

Silence descended over the group. Umbridge's toadlike mouth suddenly turned quite thin – into a perfect line.

"Fine." Mafalda sighed heavily. "We'll revise our decision and send a follow-up letter immediately to state that the consequence of Mr. Potter's actions will depend on the results of a hearing - "

" – A full hearing," Umbridge interrupted.

"And that, until such time, he may keep his wand, but he may not use it," Mafalda finished.

"Thank you," Sola said softly.

Everyone began to file out of the room. Arthur came up to Sola and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Well done."

"We don't know that yet," Sola replied tiredly. "The hearing still has to happen."

Once the room was clear, Moody sneaked his way into the room and approached us. In a low voice, he informed us, "Well, the silver-tongued snake is with Fudge now, but we managed to hold him off until Dumbledore had had his say with Fudge."

Chirpily, Tonks observed, "Fudge didn't look all too happy when Dumbledore came out."

"Yes, well - I'd say we've done all we could here, at least for tonight," Arthur said, trying to keep some measure of optimism in our worn-out group. "Let's regroup back at headquarters."

Moody grunted and nodded.

In a loud voice, Arthur blurted out, "Well, well, now! I didn't realize a matter with bouncing tires would interest the Auror Department! Very well, I'll get the memo to you tomorrow morning, first thing."

Playing off of Arthur very well, Tonks said merrily, "'Course bouncing tires are interesting to us! Thanks a lot, Mr. Weasley!" With that, we left the room and each headed off in different ways.

That night, the Order gathered at Grimmauld Place.

When Mundungus Fletcher appeared, he skulked around, keeping to the corners, afraid to run into Dumbledore or Sirius. Unfortunately for him, Sirius was waiting for him already. Knowing that Mundungus would be avoidant, Sirius had stationed himself behind the huge glass cabinet in the dining room, hiding himself away from view.

As soon as Sirius spotted Mundungus, he leapt out and grabbed Mundungus by the scruff of his neck. Mundungus yelped as Sirius dragged him forward and slammed him down on the dining room table, in front of everyone.

"Sirius," Remus said meekly. "Go easy - "

"I'll give you one chance, Dung – one chance to tell me what the hell was so bloody important that you abandoned your post tonight and left my godson to the dementors," Sirius growled menacingly.

Mundungus' short, bandy legs were too short to reach all the way to the carpet, so he kicked his feet messily in the air as he tried to escape Sirius' chokehold. "Well – I – I – wheeze – Couldja let me breathe a little?"

"No," Sirius seethed. "Answer me."

Mundungus mumbled, "Erm… It was – was a very good bus'ness opportunity, y'see – a 'undred stolen – er, I mean, refurnished cauldrons – Ack!" Mundungus' explanation was shortly cut off as Sirius suddenly squeezed his hand around Mundungus' neck.

"That is quite enough." Dumbledore's calm, yet threatening voice rumbled through the room. He had just arrived with Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Snape. Sirius suddenly hissed, as though his hand had been burnt, and he instinctively let Mundungus go. Mundungus immediately scampered away, to the far corner of the room, hiding behind Dumbledore. Dumbledore frowned at Sirius, but Sirius (and I, for that matter) were still busy staring daggers at a cowering Mundungus.

"Now, I understand that Professor Lupin, has a proposal for the group," Dumbledore said, though his eyes remained on Sirius, watching him with a grim expression.

Remus stepped forward. "In light of what has happened tonight, I propose that we organize a mission to bring Harry to Grimmauld Place. He will be safer here."

Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke up. "I agree, but that will not be a simple matter. The Ministry is bound to be on high alert and they will be watching for any witches or wizards who Apparate into the neighborhood now. Portkeys and Floo Powder will also be risky."

"What about broomsticks, then?" I offered. "We can Camouflage, and I'm sure enough of us know how to fly."

"Sounds like fun. When?" Tonks asked brightly.

Remus, thinking of what a difficult time Harry was having at the Dursleys' house, suggested, "As soon as possible. Tonight even."

But then, Dumbledore interjected. "No, not tonight."

"Why not?" Remus asked, frowning.

Sirius immediately backed up Remus. "Isn't there any way - ?"

"There isn't," Dumbledore said firmly. "Not tonight." His eyes flickered over to meet mine.

Oh, it hasn't been enough time for Petunia's blood protection to fully kick in yet, I realized. Tiredly, I sighed, "Then when, Dumbledore? Tell us."

Dumbledore tilted his head back and stared up at the chandelier for a moment, before he answered, "In four days' time."

"I'd like to volunteer," Tonks said, lifting her hand.

"Me too," Seth pitched in.

"I haven't ridden a broom in years, but assuming my rear end can take it, I'll go," Elphias offered.

Other people began to lift their hands. In fact, there were so many volunteers that Remus scratched his head over the unexpected number, until he realized that everyone was quite eager to see "the Boy who Lived" with their own eyes.

"Oh, but how will we make sure the Dursleys are out of the way?" I wondered. "Vernon and Dudley leave for work and school every day but Petunia is often at home."

Tonks' eyes flashed brightly. "Leave it to me!"

Remus and I traded looks, and then Remus glanced over at Tonks curiously. "What are you - ?"

"Oh, Remus, don't worry," Tonks said happily. "I've got a great idea."

Remus hesitated. "You're not going to do anything bad to them…?"

"Wouldn't mind if you did," Sirius chirped in. "Teach those stupid Muggles a lesson."

Remus elbowed Sirius in the ribs, and at the same time he said to Tonks, "It can't appear magical, whatever it is, and you can't harm them, you know."

"Remus, please," Tonks said, looking him directly in the eyes. "What do you take me for – a sadist?"

Remus blinked at her. In his mind, he was thinking, Well, I don't know anything about you, do I?

Dumbledore coughed lightly.

"Right," Remus concluded hurriedly, looking away from Tonks. "That's decided then. In four days' time, we'll fly to Harry and break him out."

"Is that it, then?" Moody growled. "Can we break?"

"No, there's something else," I said. "I'd like to hear your thoughts on another matter."

Dumbledore nodded at me. "What is it, Professor Kingsley?"

I reached into my robe and brought out Yaxley's wand.

Dumbledore's eyes flashed. He realized that I had disobeyed him and gone to Privet Drive to see Harry. I ignored his gaze and instead explained to the group at large, "There were two Death Eaters at Privet Drive today. They were the ones who guided the dementors to Harry. One of the Death Eaters was Yaxley, whom we all know quite well - " a low ripple of assent and grumbles sounded out throughout the room " – and I Disarmed him tonight."

I set the wand on the table. Then, I took out my own wand and pointed it at Yaxley's wand. I began to draw Runes with light, and the Runes floated over and surrounded Yaxley's wand. A soft gasp rose from the group, as many were not very familiar with Ancient Runes. I closed my eyes and began to concentrate. The spell that I was laying out was a derivation of the Priori Incantanto spell – the Reverse Spell, which forced a wand to show which spell it had last produced. However, this Runic version allowed me to go past merely seeing one spell, and it would reveal all the spells that the wand had performed, in reverse order, until my focus broke or my energy ran out. It was an extremely tough spell to keep going, however, so I braced myself.

From across the room, Remus began to ask, "Raylynx, what's - ?"

I shook my head at him. Can't break my concentration, keep going, keep going…

When the final Rune was laid down, Yaxley's wand suddenly hovered in the air and began to shiver and then – the Cruciatus Curse showed itself first, as Yaxley had fired that terrible curse at Mrs. Figg. Slowly, our battle played out in reverse order.

By the end of the showing of Yaxley's battle spells, my mind was starting to waver and my hand was starting to shake. My breathing became lighter, and I began to feel dizzy. What was worse, now, whenever I used Runic magic in any intense way, that terrible fire that still remained in my veins (from the time I tried to destroy the Goblet of Fire) would start to flare up again, and subject me to that god-awful, brutal pain.

Keep going, I whispered fiercely in my head. Don't let this lead go.

A series of Unlocking and Disguise Spells began to appear…

"Alohomora, Alohomora, Camouflage, Illusion, Alohomora again," Kingsley recited, watching the ghosts of the spells rise from Yaxley's wand.

Can't… take… anymore – I staggered backwards as the strength in my legs gave out.

But everyone's eyes were on me, so I tried my best to hide how weak I felt. I took a quiet, shuddering breath to steady myself.

"Lass," Moody barked at me. "You said that those were Yaxley's past spells, right?"

I nodded tiredly.

"Strange," Flitwick observed. "Why were there so many Unlocking and Disguise Spells?"

"And in such quick succession," McGonagall pointed out. "There weren't any minor, household charms like Accio or Lumos to break up the Unlocking and Disguising spells."

Ah, I groaned in my head, distracted as that ever-familiar flare of fire spurted up in my veins for a moment, further exhausting me. Thankfully, it faded away quickly.

My eyes were suddenly drawn to a figure across the room – and I realized that Sirius was staring at me with narrowed eyes. He couldn't say anything, however, as just at that moment, Dumbledore folded his hands neatly atop the table before suggesting, "It seems that Mr. Yaxley was in a rather labyrinth-like place that required many Unlocking and Disguise spells to progress forward."

"A labyrinth-like place…" Kingsley mused thoughtfully.

Much more impatient than Kingsley, Emmeline voiced aloud what we were all thinking, "How in the world does that help us narrow down where he was? There are countless places that could be labyrinth-like."

"That is true," Dumbledore acknowledged. "However, Lord Voldemort is not interested in any labyrinth-like place. No, he is not one to waste his energy seeking some vague end. He will have sent Mr. Yaxley to a very specific place, on a very specific mission."

Emmeline frowned and shook her head. "Headmaster, with all due respect, I don't see how that narrows down an infinite list of possible places. Don't we need more information here?"

Dumbledore stared down at the table thoughtfully for a long moment. He was thinking about what Aberforth had told him – that a particular Hogwarts professor was drinking his bar dry of sherry.

"Severus." Dumbledore spoke so quietly that only those nearest to him (the Professors) heard him.

Barely moving his lips, Snape replied quietly, "Headmaster?"

"Years ago, when you sought me out, you gave me a crucial piece of information. You told me what was occupying Voldemort's mind. Do you remember?"

Snape's dark eyes flashed. He answered, in a grim voice, "Yes."

"Minerva," Dumbledore said, "please keep an eye on Sibyll. She should be safe, since she prefers to remain in the castle. However, it would ease my mind to know that you are watching over her."

Professor McGonagall nodded firmly, though internally, she sighed a little, for Sibyll Trelawney was someone she would much rather avoid, than watch over.

By now, the discussion amongst the Order members had splintered into several different groups as people tried to theorize where Yaxley had been and what Voldemort wanted.

Dumbledore stood up, and everyone fell silent. In a quiet voice, he announced, "I believe Voldemort is attempting to take something from the Ministry of Magic."

"The Ministry?" Kingsley said, surprised. "But in that case, why would Yaxley need to use Unlocking and Disguising Spells? Yaxley is second in command at the Department of Magical Enforcement, so he has clearance for nearly every department. Why would he - ? Oh." His eyes widened slightly as he realized the significance of his own words.

"Yes," Dumbledore said gravely.

"What?" Emmeline pressed. "What did you realize, Shacklebolt?"

Kingsley replied, "Yaxley must be trying to get somewhere inside the Department of Mysteries."

"Oh," Emmeline realized, in a hushed voice. "Right, only the Unspeakables can access the Department of Mysteries."

Dumbledore decided, "We must establish shifts to watch over the Department of Mysteries entrance."

The Department of Mysteries. As I thought about that somewhat frightening place, I felt a sense of terrible foreboding come over me. The only time I had been in the Department of Mysteries had been when I was an Auror, trying to capture Augustus Rookwood after Karkaroff had named him as a Death Eater and a spy. However, that mission had led me all the way to Albania, where I then learned that Voldemort was pursuing knowledge about the soul and immortality. And I knew where that research had led Voldemort – to Horcruxes.

As Dumbledore was leaving, he happened to pass by me – or so it seemed anyways. When his gaze landed on me, he said, "And so you visited your godson anyways."

My jaw tensed slightly. "I didn't speak with him. I merely kept watch over him. I'm allowed to do that, aren't I?"

Dumbledore let out a soft sigh. "When he arrives at Grimmauld Place, I must caution you - "

"Not to get too close to the boy, not to give him any information, and not to show him any speck of affection," I listed off dryly. "Did I get that right?"

Not taking my sarcasm for an answer, Dumbledore replied seriously, "You did, and it is more important than ever that you follow those principles."

"You're treating him as less than human, Dumbledore," I said tersely.

At this, Dumbledore's eyes flashed at me. I read his reply in his eyes: He is less than human. He is a Horcrux.

I flushed with anger. "He needs to be care for, especially after that godforsaken TriWizard Tournament. I told you that you would regret allowing the Tournament to come back."

Dumbledore paused. "I do not regret it."
"What?" I said, in disbelief. "You don't regret it?"

"I do not regret it."

"But you subjected him to the horrors of that Tournament, and left him vulnerable to Voldemort's attacks, and now you wish to isolate him," I said, becoming more heated by the minute. "You say you want to train him, and yet you don't want to give him information. What's your game, Dumbledore? Because if this isn't using a person, I don't know what is."

Dumbledore merely gazed back at me. In his eyes, I read his words, I warned you not to get too close to the boy.

I slumped over, suddenly feeling exhausted. "I don't understand," I said tiredly, passing my hand over my face. "Voldemort has returned. Shouldn't we be keeping Harry closer than ever?"

"Raylynx, please come with me." Dumbledore guided me into the empty hallway, leaving everybody else behind in the meeting room.

"Voldemort has returned to power," Dumbledore continued, and a certain intensity entered his demeanor and voice. His eyes flashed, as he spoke. "We both know that he will stop at nothing to kill the boy. But he is cunning. While the boy lives, Voldemort will mean to use him."

"Like he did in the graveyard," I said slowly. "Using Harry's blood to revive himself."

"Do you know what that means to Harry?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

I hesitated, before I spoke aloud the thoughts that had been endlessly circling my mind ever since the night that Voldemort came back. "It means that Voldemort can harm Harry in ways that he couldn't before. Harry can't defend himself anymore, the way he could against Quirrell. It means that Lily's protection… is gone."

"Do you think so?" Dumbledore said lightly. "Do you really think Lily's protection is so easily defeated?"

I looked up at Dumbledore, confused.

"Regardless," Dumbledore continued, "it means that Voldemort and Harry are becoming tied together – First, their souls, through the Horcrux. Now, their bodies, through the use of Harry's blood. And I foresee that Voldemort will perhaps attempt to use Harry's mind."

I inhaled sharply. "Use… Harry's mind?"

"I believe that, through Harry, Voldemort will attempt to gain information and to manipulate those around him."

I swallowed hard. "Is this why you're telling us not to give him information?"

"Yes."

I looked emptily at Dumbledore. Yet another terrible thing that I can't protect Harry from. Yet another terrible thing that's happening to him. He's just a boy. And he's supposed to be my godson.

"What can we do?" I asked Dumbledore, trying to find a way to be closer to Harry, even though I knew I was asking the impossible of Dumbledore. "We can't isolate Harry because of Voldemort, Dumbledore. Isolation… Loneliness… These are the worst things. We'll hurt Harry if we keep him out of everything. And he has a right to know."

"I would never disagree with your argument that Harry has a right to know," Dumbledore replied steadfastly. "But I value his life, his soul, above satisfying his temporary emotions."

I shook my head. "Dumbledore, we are all human beings. Our emotions shape our souls. They do. Peter Pettigrew… Do you think he wanted to betray James and Lily? Or do you think he was manipulated into believing that he would be worth something, worth more if he did?"

Dumbledore spoke in a soft, pitying voice. "Raylynx, if I believed that by you taking Harry under your wing and running off with him would save Harry, I would allow you to do so. But it won't help him, I'm afraid. His destiny is beyond us both. And the more you try to interfere, the most tangled up you become with his destiny, and it will only cause you both harm. That is why you must trust your godson."

"Why are you so certain? Do you think his fate is decided because he's a - a – because of what he is?"

"Fate is too complicated a master to be tied to one cause, which explains why Voldemort is now after the prophecy," Dumbledore answered. "However, some things are certain, such as the eternal fight between good and evil. Harry happens to be caught up in the current iteration of that cycle, and for his part, the boy is endlessly brave – yet he is still a mere piece, caught between larger forces. We must accept that, for ignoring this does us no favors."

"If you think we must accept that, then you've given up, Dumbledore," I said, shaking my head at him. "And I haven't. That's the difference between you and me."

Dumbledore looked at me sadly. "I am afraid I do not see that difference in truth, only in desire. Why do you commit yourself to things you do not truly believe? You are tying yourself down to despair."

"I – I do believe," I whispered. I spoke firmly, but I suddenly felt like my heart was breaking. Unwilling to cry in front of Dumbledore, I quickly stepped away, leaving him alone in the long, empty hallway of Grimmauld Place.

However, as I walked away, Dumbledore called after me softly, "You will see for yourself how he has changed. And when you wonder why he's so changed, remember what he is."

to Mallory J: Thank you! :)