"Mass breakout from Azkaban!" the headline was unavoidable, along with black and white photos of around 12 Death Eaters, but my mind didn't take in any of them apart from two people.

My stomach dropped as I looked down at my father leering up at me looking insolent, my mother, trying her hardest to look just as arrogant but the only thing I could see in her eyes was fear.

"Maximilanus and Carmelina Megera, convicted of countless murders and muggle torture, the murder and mutilation of Benjy Fenwick and the murder of the McKinnon family." read the legend beneath their pictures.

Though the great hall was full of students chatting and eating breakfast, I couldn't even hear the noise around me, only the blood thudding around my head and my heart began racing as I scanned the article.

"Speaking to reporters from his private office, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, confirmed the above high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening. "We find ourselves unfortunately in the same position we did when the murderer Sirius Black escaped" said Fudge, "But we do not think that these two events are unrelated, as we remember the Black was the first known person to escape he would be ideally placed to help others, which include his cousin and estranged in-laws, Bellatrix Lestrange and the Megeras!" When asked about Death Eaters Maximilanus and Carmelina Megera's daughter Meghana (who was awarded an Order of Merlin First Class and became the youngest member of the Wizengamot after she successfully lead to Ministry to the arrest and conviction of Maximilanus and Carmelina) and her safety, Fudge grew impatient saying "I will not divulge into any member of my Ministry's personal business! I'm sure she will not want to discuss it but rest assured we are doing all we can to round up these criminals and beg the community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached!"

I suddenly became nauseous and completely lost what little appetite I had. Although I was far from it, I calmly folded the newspaper and placed it on the table in front of me before pushing out my chair and standing up. I glanced down the table and saw Dumbledore and Minerva in a whispered discussion and Dolores glaring into her breakfast.

The one good thing left about my position at the Ministry is that I knew no one would miss my absence at Hogwarts as I turned to leave the Great Hall in pursuit of the only place I needed to be right now.

"Voldemort didn't break them out so that they can come for you" Sirius said softly.

I had arrived at Grimmauld place, finding Sirius quite alone to my greatest relief.

"I'm not worried about that" I lied stiffly, shifting slightly closer to him on the dusty settee.

"Yes you are," he said, leaning over and kissing my forehead. I closed my eyes as his lips touched my skin. "I know what you're thinking" he said and a small smile crept onto my face despite myself.

Of course he did.

He always did.

He was always the only person that would understand.

I took in a breath before admitting what was worrying me the most "I'm scared of what I'll do to them."

I opened my eyes and lent into him as his grip around my shoulders tightened. There was a long pause before he spoke again.

"Look, I won't sit here and pretend they're not angry about what you did-" he said gently "- getting them thrown into Azkaban and all that but, when have you ever been scared of them? I know you'll always do the right thing"

I didn't reply but the tightness in my chest lessened at his words and he grinned at me, seemingly on purpose, because he knew it made me bend to his every whim.

I raised my eyebrows as I looked into his eyes and returned his grin.

"So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?" He asked in a voice as casual as he could possibly make it.

"As in my plans or yours?" I smirked.

He gave me a look that suggested he wanted to say something contemptuous but thought better of it. I chuckled and said slowly.

"Well, I have 3 options. I could go back to Hogwarts, go to the Ministry or -"

"Stay here" he finished and reached over grabbing my face and pulling me towards his own not giving me the chance to answer as he kissed me deeply.

Every time he kissed me it felt like the first time. The sensation of his tongue pushing its way into my mouth was electric, sending shivers down my spine, igniting every nerve with passion and longing. Time seemed to slow down as we lost ourselves in the intensity of the moment. The kiss deepened further, our bodies becoming closer still and becoming an expression of our emotions, a wordless communication of love and desire. I feel his hands start to lower towards my breasts as we continue to kiss passionately and my body starts to hum with the familiar excitement that he created by touching me.

Just as things started to intensify, a loud BANG echoed through the room, causing us to break apart in surprise. We both turned our heads towards the source of the disturbance and saw Dumbledore and Tonks who had tripped over the umbrella stand. She jumped up, brushing the dust off herself as Dumbledore raised an eyebrow "Meghana, I'd assumed you were going to the Ministry when I saw you leave - I do hope we didn't interrupt anything" he added a smile playing around his mouth, his eyes twinkling.

I found myself thinking more and more about Sirius now that he was once again a constant in my life. The possibility of us working was constantly on my mind and I had started to think towards the future, beyond Voldemort and whether or not we could once again share our lives together. But I was not sure if too much had changed between us. Obviously the majority of me wanted it to work but the logical, unemotional part of myself knew that Sirius' mind was not in a state where he could make it work. He was consumed by guilt and grasped at every opportunity to try and relive the past. He wasn't the man he had been prior to Azkaban and I wasn't sure I could fix that, let alone make up for all the years he had lost. I didn't know if I made him happy anymore and that came with an intense sadness that seeped out between us.

I was jolted out of my own head by a sharp knocking on the closed classroom door I was in. I sighed and looked down at the homework scattered around my desk waiting patiently to be marked whilst I stared blankly at nothing in particular trying to sort out my life.

"Yes?" I called and the door swung open to reveal Draco Malfoy who entered with a look of uttermost satisfaction on his pale face.

I raised my eyebrows at my youngest cousin as he strode over to my desk.

"Professor Umbridge has requested you attend the Headmaster's office at once," he said as soon as he reached the other side of my desk.

I sighed again and closed my eyes for a brief second "Do you know why?" I asked, reaching over to dip my quill in ink and looking at the first essay in front of me.

"Potter and a bunch of his traitor friends got caught gathering at an illegal Defence Against the Dark Arts group" Draco said laughing darkly.

My eyes snapped to his face, his smirk rivalling his father's and I got up from my chair

"Very well," I said standing up and stepping around my desk, Draco following me.

"Go back to your common room, Draco," I called over my shoulder at him, a look of disappointment replacing his smirk.

My mind was racing as I quickly made my way to Dumbledore's office.

Mundungus had mentioned that Harry and the others had organised a "club" to practise defence spells but I didn't think it was actually still happening after Educational Decree No.24 passed.

"- and that Granger girl got out a bit of parchment and convinced 'em all to sign it. Then they all left." Mundungus finished his report rather lamely. I studied his blood shot eyes for a moment before I turned my head to Arthur Weasley who was sitting at the end of the table, looking thoughtful.

"Well, that explains why Educational Decree Number Twenty-four came into effect so quickly."

"Indeed," he said as he surveyed me over his glasses.

I looked around the table. "Question is, how did she know about the meeting?"

"It could have been a coincidence?" Offered Tonks and I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Unlikely," I replied and she half shrugged glancing at Remus who was sitting next to me.

"Well, regardless they would be expelled for sure if any of them participated in this group and their futures would be ruined!" Molly burst out loudly causing everyone to look at her.

"Hold on Molly," Arthur said "Surely the children won't still go ahead after the Decree passed."

"They're too young to be worrying about this right now! There will be plenty of time to learn how to defend themselves once they've left school!"

This, in essence, was very true, but there was part of me that knew that there unfortunately wouldn't be time after school to learn how to defend themselves. "They should be learning in school-" I started quietly as all eyes turned to me, Molly's glare piercing me.

"Meghana - you of all people should not be encouraging illegal -"

"They should be learning in school with a competent teacher." I said louder, raising my eyebrows and drowning out Molly's attempted scolding.

Molly looked apologetically at me for a beat before she opened her mouth and said "Yes, I agree - you should talk to them Meg, tell them on no account are they to take part in this illegal group and to remember that I have their best interests at heart!"

Arthur glanced at his wife before looking at me.

"I don't think it would be such a great idea if Megs was caught talking to Harry at school." Remus said and Arthur nodded.

"Especially after what happened with Sybill Trelawney." Arthur added.

"I'll tell them," Sirius said, leaning back in his chair folding his arms across his chest looking at me, a slight mischievous grin creeping onto his face.

"And how do you propose to do that?" Molly snapped, turning to him.

"Use the fire," he said as he gestured his head towards the fireplace.

"Fizzing Whizbee," I muttered to the stone gargoyle which jumped aside, the wall behind opened, and I ascended the moving stone staircase wondering if Sirius did get the chance to talk to Harry.

I could hear voices behind the closed door but did not bother to knock as I strode straight inside and looked around.

Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, his expression serene, the tips of his long fingers together. Minerva stood rigidly beside him, her face extremely tense. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, was rocking backward and forward on his toes beside the fire, apparently immensely pleased with the situation. Kingsley Shacklebolt was positioned on the left side of the door like a guard, and Percy Weasley hovered excitedly beside the wall, a quill and a scroll of parchment in his hands, apparently poised to take notes.

Cornelius glanced at me as I entered the room.

"Well," he said, turning to look at Harry. "Well, well, well…"

I looked over at Harry who shot the Minister a dirty look.

"He was heading back to Gryffindor Tower," came Dolores' voice. She sounded excited. "The Malfoy boy cornered him. I then sent Malfoy to fetch Professor Megera."

Fudge nodded appreciatively again, glancing at me.

I frowned as I looked over at Dumbledore who was staring at the floor, apparently listening as the Minister turned around again. "I must remember to tell Lucius of his son's success. Well, Potter . . . I expect you know why you are here?"

"Yeh — no." Harry said changing direction mid-word also looking at Dumbledore.

My eyes snapped to Harry, still frowning.

"I beg your pardon?" said Fudge.

"No," said Harry, firmly.

"You don't know why you are here?"

"No, I don"t," said Harry.

Fudge looked incredulously from Harry to Dolores.

"So you have no idea," said Fudge in a voice laced with sarcasm,"why Professor Umbridge has brought you here and have no idea that you have broken any school rules?"

"School rules?" said Harry. "No."

"Or Ministry decrees?" added Fudge angrily.

"Not that I'm aware of," said Harry blandly.

"So it's news to you, is it," said Fudge angrily, "that an illegal student organisation has been discovered within this school?"

"Yes, it is," said Harry, hoisting an unconvincing look of innocent surprise onto his face.

"I think, Minister," said Dolores silkily from beside Harry, "we might make better progress if I fetch our informant."

"Yes, yes, do," said Fudge, nodding, and he glanced maliciously at me as Dolores left the room. "There's nothing like a good witness, is there, Madam Megera?"

I bit back a retort and inclined my head as I glanced once again over at Dumbledore who was now looking at the floor at my feet.

There was a wait of several minutes, in which I looked anywhere but the Minister, then Dolores moved past me into the room, gripping the shoulder of a Ravenclaw student, who was hiding her face in her hands.

"Don't be scared, dear, don't be frightened," said Dolores softly, patting her on the back, "it's quite alright, now. You have done the right thing. The minister and I are very pleased with you. We'll be telling your mother what a good girl you've been. Marietta's mother, Minister," she added, looking up at Fudge, "is Madam Edgecombe from the Department of Magical Transportation. Floo Network office — she's been helping us police the Hogwarts fires, you know."

I rolled my eyes at this information, another Ministry employee that Dolores had obviously wrapped around her little finger.

"Jolly good, jolly good!" said Fudge heartily. "Like mother, like daughter, eh? Well, come on, now, dear, look up, don't be shy, let's hear what you've got to — galloping gargoyles!"

My eyes widened as Marietta raised her head,and Fudge leapt backward in shock, nearly landing himself in the fire. He cursed and Marietta wailed and pulled the neck of her robes right up to her eyes, but not before the whole room had seen that her face was horribly disfigured by a series of close-set purple pustules that had spread across her nose and cheeks to form the word "SNEAK."

I had to fight back a smile as I observed her. This was pretty clever magic and although Marietta was a student, the thought of someone hexing her for running to Dolores was a little bit funny to me.

"Never mind the spots now, dear," said Dolores impatiently, "just take your robes away from your mouth and tell the Minister —"

But Marietta gave another muffled wail and shook her head frantically.

"Oh, you silly girl! I'll tell him," snapped Dolores, clearly starting to lose her temper. She hitched her sickly smile back onto her face and said, "Well, Minister, Miss Edgecombe here came to my office shortly after dinner this evening and told me she had something she wanted to tell me. She said that if I proceeded to a secret room on the seventh floor, sometimes known as the Room of Requirement, I would find out something to my advantage. I questioned her a little further and she admitted that there was to be some kind of meeting there. Unfortunately at that point this hex," she waved impatiently at Marietta's concealed face, "came into operation and upon catching sight of her face in my mirror the girl became too distressed to tell me any more."

"Well, now," said Fudge, fixing Marietta with what he evidently imagined was a kind and fatherly look. "It is very brave of you, my dear, to tell Professor Umbridge, you did exactly the right thing. Now, will you tell me what happened at this meeting? What was its purpose? Who was there?"

But Marietta would not speak. She merely shook her head again.

"Haven't we got a counter-jinx for this?" Fudge asked Dolores impatiently, gesturing at Marietta's face. "So she can speak freely?"

"I have not yet managed to find one," Dolores admitted grudgingly, turning to look at me "Professor Megera? Do you know of any counter-jinxes that would work on this?"

I hesitated for a second whilst I looked at Marietta, imagining the embarrassment she was experiencing. Of course I knew a counter-jinx for this type of hex but in the interests of trying to avoid Harry from expulsion, I decided to lie "Not off the top of my head, unfortunately."

"Well it doesn't matter if she won't speak, I can take up the story from here. You will remember, Minister, that I sent you a report back in October that Potter had met a number of fellow students in the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade —"

"And what is your evidence for that?" cut in Minerva.

"I have testimony from Willy Widdershins, Minerva, who happened to be in the bar at the time. He was heavily bandaged, but his hearing was quite unimpaired," said Dolores smugly. "He heard every word Potter said and hastened straight to the school to report to me —"

"Oh, so that's why he wasn't prosecuted for setting up all those regurgitating toilets!" said Minerva, raising her eyebrows. "What an interesting insight into our justice system!"

I made a small noise of agreement whilst I looked at Minerva.

One of the portraits of a past headmaster started to shout his disgust at the Minister.

"Thank you, Fortescue, that will do," said Dumbledore softly.

"The purpose of Potter's meeting with these students," continued Dolores as though she had not been interrupted, "was to persuade them to join an illegal society, whose aim was to learn spells and curses the Ministry has decided are inappropriate for school-age —"

I frowned slightly as I remembered when Mundungus had told us when that initial meeting had been. It was way before Dolores' educational decree.

"You're wrong, Madam Umbridge," I said slowly, eyeing her across the room as her beady eyes met mine.

"Oho!" said Fudge, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet again looking between myself and Dumbledore. "Merlin's beard! Go on, then, Meghana, go on — Willy Widdershins was lying, was he? Or was it Potter's identical twin in the Hog's Head that day? Or is there the usual simple explanation involving an escaped murderer, a dead man coming back to life, and a couple of invisible dementors?"

Percy Weasley let out a hearty laugh."Oh, very good, Minister, very good!"

I raised an eyebrow at Percy, slightly disgusted at him and then turned back to the Minister after glancing quickly at Dumbledore who was smiling gently at me.

"Minister, I'm not saying that Harry wasn't in the Hog's Head that day to recruit students to a Defence Against the Dark Arts group. I was merely pointing out that Madam Umbridge is wrong to suggest that at the time, such a group was illegal. The Ministry decree banning all student clubs was not put into effect until two days after that Hogsmeade meeting, so Harry, nor his friends, were breaking any school rules or decrees in the Hog's Head."

Percy looked as though I had struck him in the face with something very heavy. Fudge remained motionless in mid-bounce, his mouth hanging open.

Dolores recovered first.

"That's all very fine, Professor Megera," she said, smiling sweetly. "But we are now nearly six months on from the introduction of Educational Decree Number Twenty-four. If the first meeting was not illegal, all those that have happened since most certainly are."

"Well," I retorted, narrowing my eyes slightly, "they would be, if they had continued after the decree came into effect. Is there evidence to the contrary?"

"Evidence?" repeated Dolores flashing a wide smile. "Have you not been listening, Professor Megera? Why do you think Miss Edgecombe is here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise she could tell us of six months' worth of meetings?" I said laughing sarcastically as Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "I was under the impression that she was only reporting on one meeting tonight."

"Miss Edgecombe," said Dolores at once, "tell us how long these meetings have been going on, dear. You can simply nod or shake your head. Have they been happening regularly over the last six months? Just nod or shake your head, dear," Dolores said coaxingly to Marietta. "Come on, now, that won't activate the jinx further. . . ."

Everyone in the room was gazing at the top of Marietta's face. Only her eyes were visible between the pulled up robes and her curly fringe and it may have been a trick of the firelight, but I could swear her eyes looked oddly blank. Marietta shook her head.

Dolores looked quickly at Fudge and then back at Marietta.

"I don't think you understood the question, did you, dear? I'm asking whether you've been going to these meetings for the past six months? You have, haven't you?"

Again, Marietta shook her head.

"What do you mean by shaking your head, dear?" said Dolores in a testy voice.

"I would have thought her meaning was quite clear," said Minerva harshly. "There have been no secret meetings for the past six months. Is that correct, Miss Edgecombe?"

Marietta nodded.

"But there was a meeting tonight!" said Dolores furiously. "Miss Edgecombe, you told me about it, in the Room of Requirement! And that Potter was the leader, that Potter organised it — why are you shaking your head, girl?"

"Well, usually when a person shakes their head," said Minerva coldly, "they mean "no." So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans —"

Dolores seized Marietta, pulled her around to face her, and began shaking her very hard. A split second later Dumbledore was on his feet, his wand raised. Kingsley started forward and Dolores leapt back from Marietta, waving her hands in the air as though they had been burned.

"I cannot allow you to manhandle my students, Dolores," said Dumbledore. He now looked angry.

"You want to calm yourself, Madam Umbridge," said Kingsley slowly. "You don't want to get yourself into trouble."

"No," said Dolores breathlessly, glancing up at the towering figure of Kingsley. "I mean, yes — you're right, — I — I forgot myself."

I frowned as I watched Marietta stand exactly where Dolores had released her, neither perturbed by Dolores' sudden attack, nor relieved by her release. She was still clutching her robe up to her blank eyes, staring straight ahead of her. I felt one corner of my mouth creep into a smirk as I suddenly realised someone must cast a spell on her.

"Dolores," said Fudge, with the air of trying to settle something once and for all, "the meeting tonight — the one we know definitely happened —"

"Yes," said Dolores, pulling herself together, "yes . . . well, Miss Edgecombe tipped me off and I proceeded at once to the seventh floor, accompanied by certain trustworthy students, so as to catch those in the meeting red-handed. It appears that they were forewarned of my arrival, however, because when we reached the seventh floor they were running in every direction. It does not matter, however. I have all their names here, Miss Parkinson ran into the Room of Requirement for me to see if they had left anything behind. . . . We needed evidence and the room provided . . ."

I watched in trepidation as she withdrew from her pocket a list of names and handed it to Fudge.

"The moment I saw Potter's name on the list, I knew what we were dealing with," she said softly to Fudge.

"Excellent," said Fudge, a smile spreading across his face. "Excellent, Dolores. And...Merlin's beard..."

He looked up at Dumbledore, who was still standing beside Marietta, his wand held loosely in his hand.

"See what they've named themselves?" said Fudge quietly. "Dumbledore's Army."

My heart started to thump harder in my chest as I watched Dumbledore reach out and take the piece of parchment from Fudge. He gazed down at it and for a moment seemed unable to speak. Then he looked up, smiling.

"Well, the game is up," he said simply. "Would you like a written confession from me, Cornelius — or will a statement before these witnesses suffice?"

I glanced at Kingsley who looked back at me, fear in his face that was surely showing on my own face. I did not understand what was going on, and neither, apparently, did Fudge.

"Statement?" said Fudge slowly. "What — I don't — ?"

"Dumbledore's Army, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, still smiling as he waved the list of names before Fudge's face. "Not Potter's Army. Dumbledore's Army."

"But — but —"

Understanding blazed suddenly in Fudge's face and he took a horrified step backward.

"You?" he whispered.

"That's right," said Dumbledore pleasantly.

"You organised this?"

"I did," said Dumbledore.

"You recruited these students for — for your army?"

"Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting," said Dumbledore, nodding.

"Merely to see whether they would be interested in joining me. I see now that it was a mistake to invite Miss Edgecombe, of course."

Marietta nodded. Fudge looked from her to Dumbledore, his chest swelling.

"Then you have been plotting against me!" he yelled.

"That's right," said Dumbledore cheerfully.

"NO!" shouted Harry.

I saw Minerva widen her eyes at Harry threateningly.

"No — Professor Dumbledore!"

"Be quiet, Harry, or I am afraid you will have to leave my office," said Dumbledore calmly.

"Yes, shut up, Potter!" barked Fudge, who was still ogling Dumbledore "Well, well, well — I came here tonight expecting to expel Potter and instead — "

"Instead you get to arrest me," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It's like losing a Knut and finding a Galleon, isn't it?"

"Weasley!" cried Fudge, now sounding excited, "Weasley, have you written it all down, everything he's said, his confession, have you got it?"

"Yes, sir, I think so, sir!" said Percy eagerly.

"The bit about how he's been trying to build up an army against the Ministry, how he's been working to destabilise me?"

I looked around the room trying to keep up with what was going on, what was Dumbledore playing at?

"Yes, sir, I've got it, yes!" said Percy, scanning his notes joyfully.

"Duplicate your notes, Weasley, and send a copy to the Daily Prophet at once. If we send a fast owl we should make the morning edition!"

Percy dashed from the room, slamming the door behind him, and Fudge turned to me "Madam Megera, I'm sure you remember your auror training, you will read him his rights and arrest him" he said clearly.

My stomach dropped as the office fell into a deafening silence. I looked at Miverna to Kingsley who were both looking shocked but remained silent.

I looked at Fudge "M-Minister -I-" I started quietly not quite believing what he just asked of me.

Fudge walked over to me looking at me furiously "I suggest that you chose your next words very carefully Madam Megera, as I remind you that your position in the Wizengamot AND your employment at my Ministry is hanging on by a thread after your blatant disobedience earlier this year" he was talking fast and angrily and was very close to my face "I also suggest that you quickly make your mind up as to where your loyalties LIE" he shouted the last word in my face as I took a few steps back glaring at him.

I felt like my brain had frozen.

Surely Dumbledore had something up his sleeve to get them out of this?

Surely he wasn't about to let this happen?

But as I glanced over at Dumbledore I found him looking at a spot over my shoulder as though he was patiently waiting to see what was going to happen next.

Guess I'm on my own then I thought.

I swallowed as I decided that I had no choice but to perform my duty to the Ministry - that is, after all, what Dumbledore wanted me to do.

I closed my eyes briefly and took in a breath as I lifted my wand to point it at Dumbledore, I flicked my free hand slightly and a scroll appeared in it. Words appeared on the scroll as I spoke them creating a formal statement.

"With the power vested in me by the Court of Magical Law and the Ministry of Magic, I hereby place you, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, under arrest effective immediately-"

I paused as someone tried to lower my wand arm saying "Meghana! No!" but I stared blankly at Dumbledore's shoulder and continued, "-for your breach of Educational Decree number 24 and conspiracy against the Ministry of Magic itself. You do not have to say anything. Anything you do say may be used as evidence against you when you are brought before the Council of Magical Law"

"Ah," said Dumbledore gently, "yes. Yes, I thought we might hit that little snag."

"Snag?" said Fudge, his voice still vibrating with joy. "I see no snag, Dumbledore!"

"Well," said Dumbledore apologetically, "I'm afraid I do."

"Oh really?"

"Well — it's just that you seem to be labouring under the delusion that I am going to — what is the phrase? "Come quietly" I am afraid I am not going to come quietly at all, Cornelius. I have absolutely no intention of being sent to Azkaban. I could break out, of course — but what a waste of time, and frankly, I can think of a whole host of things I would rather be doing."

"I strongly advise you to not -" I started quietly, my wand still pointing at Dumbledore as he finally looked at me.

"My dear sweet Meghana," he said softly walking around from his desk "You really should lower your wand now, as I have just said, I have no intention of being sent to Azkaban"

I lowered my wand slightly and frowned as I swore I saw Dumbledore wink ever so slightly at me.

Fudge made a small choking noise and I saw him look around at Kingsley, who gave Fudge a reassuring nod and moved forward a little, away from the wall his hand drift, almost casually, toward his pocket.

"Don't be silly, Kingsley," said Dumbledore kindly.

"So," sneered Fudge, recovering himself, "you intend to take on Shacklebolt, Dolores, Meghana and myself single-handed, do you, Dumbledore?"

"Merlin's beard, no," said Dumbledore, smiling. "Not unless you are foolish enough to force me to."

"He will not be single-handed!" said Minerva loudly, plunging her hand inside her robes.

"Oh yes he will, Minerva!" said Dumbledore sharply. "Hogwarts needs you!"

"Enough of this rubbish!" said Fudge, pulling out his own wand and shoving me aside. "Shacklebolt! Take him!"

A streak of silver light flashed around the room. There was a bang like a gunshot, and the floor trembled. I heard several yells, a screech, and a cloud of dust filled the air.

Coughing in the dust I saw a dark figure fall to the ground with a crash.

I heard a shriek and a thud and somebody cried, "No!"

Then the sound of breaking glass, frantically scuffling footsteps — and silence as I felt myself fall to the ground.

I was vaguely aware of myself waking up but I did not open my eyes. My head was throbbing from hitting it on the ground when I fell.

"Are you all right?" I could hear Dumbledore's voice but it sounded as though it was far away from me. I felt someone push my hair off my face and touch my cheek softly.

"Yes!" Minerva's voice came from somewhere I couldn't recognise but again, sounded as though it was far away.

"Unfortunately, I had to hex Kingsley and Meghana too, or it would have looked very suspicious," Dumbledore's voice came in low. "Kingsley was remarkably quick on the uptake, modifying Miss Edgecombe's memory like that while everyone was looking the other way — thank him for me, won't you, Minerva? Now, they will all awake very soon and it will be best if they do not know that we had time to communicate — you must act as though no time has passed, as though they were merely knocked to the ground, they will not remember —"

"Where will you go, Dumbledore?" I heard Minerva whisper "Grimmauld Place?"

"Oh no," said Dumbledore. "I am not leaving to go into hiding. Fudge will soon wish he'd never dislodged me from Hogwarts, I promise you. . . ."

"Professor Dumbledore . . ." I heard Harry's voice.

"Listen to me, Harry," Dumbledore said sounding alarmed, "you must study Occlumency as hard as you can, do you understand me? Do everything Professor Snape tells you and practise it particularly every night before sleeping so that you can close your mind to bad dreams — you will understand why soon enough, but you must promise me —"

I groaned softly as I half opened my eyes, pain exploding even more in my head. I saw Dumbledore seize Harry's wrist and whisper. "Remember — close your mind — you will understand."

I saw Fawkes circled the office and swooped low over Dumbledore. Dumbledore released Harry, raised his hand, and grasped the phoenix's long golden tail. There was a flash of fire and the pair of them had gone. I blinked and pushed myself up into a sitting position rubbing my head where I had hit it.

"Where is he?" I heard Fudge yell from somewhere behind me "Where is he?"

"I don't know!" shouted Kingsley who was just beside me. He leapt to his feet.

"Well, he can't have Disapparated!" cried Dolores. "You can't inside this school —"

"The stairs!" cried Kingsley, and flung himself upon the door, wrenched it open, and disappeared, followed closely by Dolores.

Fudge hesitated, then got to his feet slowly, brushing dust from his front. He held out his hand to help me up but I got to my feet without his assistance glaring at him. Fudge turned away from me and there was a long and painful silence before he said nastily.

"Well, Minerva," he straightened his torn shirt- sleeve, "I'm afraid this is the end of your friend Dumbledore."

"You think so, do you?" said Minerva scornfully.

Fudge seemed not to hear her and looked around at the wrecked office.

"You'd better get those two off to bed," said Fudge, looking back at her with a dismissive nod toward Harry and Marietta.

Minerva said nothing, but marched Harry and Marietta to the door. I followed shortly after them without a word to Fudge wondering what the fuck we were going to do now.