By the time Larshall had arrived in the unused classroom that had been designated as the Hogwarts Analysis & Investigation Team’s ‘office’, Kemester was pacing across the room, swearing under his breath with every step as his boots rhythmically hit the floor.

   “You’re early for the meeting,” Larshall said quietly, watching as Kemester slowed his pace. “Dinner not appetizing for you?”

   “I had no desire to sit at the table in that hall and bloody watch as Potter flaunted his success in front of me,” Kemester growled. “What the hell are you doing here, anyways? You should be back at the Ministry.”

   “I’m supposed to give an eyewitness report to Professor Dumbledore regarding the involvement of Sirius Black in Potter’s escape,” Larshall replied heavily, closing the heavy door behind him. “Potter’s flight pretty much guarantees his guilt in a court of law, and conspiring with Black will likely send him on a one-way ticket to Azkaban.” He grinned weakly. “We’ve finally got him, Dmitri, and there’s nothing Dumbledore can do or say to stop it. Potter implicated himself –”

   “You think Dumbledore will care?” Kemester interrupted with a snort. “You honestly think that the Ministry will have a bloody hope of compelling Dumbledore to do anything he doesn’t want to do?”

   “He’s got to follow the law,” Larshall said doggedly, “and unless he wants to be hauled in himself, he’s not going to stop us.”

   “Yeah, and I’m going to be Minister for Magic someday,” Kemester snapped. “Let’s be realistic here, Reed, just for a few seconds. Like it or not, Fudge is terrified of Dumbledore – everyone knows that he’s no match for the Headmaster in terms of power. But that’s not the only thing – he’s more terrified of Dumbledore’s influence. A lot of people still like the old man, regardless of what the Prophet has written about him, and he’s got a lot of political power in the International Confederation of Wizards, something Fudge does not have, considering the Quidditch World Cup fiasco last year. A lot of international wizards blamed the mess on the Ministry, not Dumbledore. Like it or not, Fudge doesn’t have the nerve to take down Dumbledore without unbreakably solid proof – and we don’t have that. That’s one of the reasons I couldn’t get the damned warrants to take Potter here in the school – the school governors are terrified of Dumbledore, and are thus demanding unshakable proof of Potter’s guilt, which we don’t have at the moment! We planned to bring Potter in as a suspect, and he’s innocent before proven guilty… despite his guilt in other matters.”

   “He still ran!”

   “He’s acted rashly before when pursued by Hit Wizards,” Kemester muttered, “so just that isn’t enough.”

   “And since when are you Harry Potter’s staunchest supporter?” Larshall snarled.

   “It’s Black,” Kemester said heatedly. “Something’s bloody off about this whole mess, and it’s been off since the very beginning, since Gringotts! Let me ask you this – everything we know suggests Black wants Potter dead, yet he delivered Potter to Hogwarts safe and sound. Can you tell me the motive behind that? Hell, everything Shacklebolt has released about that investigation suggests that Black was in Tibet – why the hell would he come back here? It just doesn’t make any goddamned sense!”

   Larshall opened his mouth, and then closed it as he scratched his chin with a frown. “I hadn’t considered that…”

   “And that’s not the only thing,” Kemester added with a grimace. “There’s something about the Ollivander’s explosion that’s been bothering me – why would Potter even bother to set off the explosives so close to him? If he had been much closer to the explosion, the glass from the exploding storefront would have ripped him to shreds! Why would he set off an explosive so close to him; why take that risk?”

   “Because he’s incompetent?”

   “I don’t buy that for one second,” Kemester growled. “Potter was smart enough to break into Gringotts –”

   “Another case we have no solid proof for, and Scrimgeour closed the case file –”

   “Reed, use your fucking head!” Kemester snarled, slamming his fist on the table. “You know what, regardless of Potter’s responsibility here, the fact remains that we’re not going to be able to arrest him at Hogwarts, at least not while Dumbledore’s still around!”

   “What about Umbridge? She’ll back us up – I already know you got the warrants from her, and given her Wizengamot position, it was perfectly legal. And come on, Fudge is the bloody Minister for Magic – he can overrule Dumbledore whenever the hell he wants!”

   Kemester snorted. “If it were that simple, Fudge would have stripped Dumbledore of his power the second Dumbledore began contradicting him. The thing is, Fudge is playing a very tricky game, one he can’t afford to botch if he wants to respectably assume control over the school. Making an overt power grab by overruling Dumbledore all at once would destabilize Hogwarts and send the Wizengamot into chaos. No, Dumbledore’s got his power base here, and even with us here reinforcing the Ministry’s influence, we still won’t be able to overrule Dumbledore and haul Potter out of here. To do that, we need proof of Potter’s involvement in the Ollivander’s attack.”

   “What about conspiring with Black –”

   Kemester sighed, the anger slowly fading from his face. “Reed, if I understood that, this case would be a hell of a lot easier. The only thing that seems to make sense is that it was some kind of decoy, Polyjuice or something, that Potter used with one of his allies to throw everything off and have us second-guessing ourselves.”

   “That’s reaching,” Larshall said skeptically. “And that’s also assuming Potter’s got other allies.”

   “Well what else am I supposed to think?” Kemester snapped. “That Black’s somehow innocent of all those murders and saving Potter’s neck out of love for his family? That Black somehow didn’t recognize Potter when he rescued him? That Potter somehow didn’t recognize his mysterious savior? And there’s more missing links too – like how the hell Potter managed to get in the carriages when I had a group of Aurors shielding them, with a bloody password too!”

   Larshall frowned. “Disillusionment Charm? Or treachery?”

   “Possibly both,” Kemester muttered, rubbing his jaw. “Problem is, Scrimgeour and Bones have effectively banned us from using Veritaserum on witnesses in an investigation, after that mess with Shacklebolt. If you want to find anything there, you’ll have to be more subtle. Is there any way we can trace that motorbike?”

   “I… well, I guess I could, but –”
   “Start with that,” Kemester said finally, “and if that leads you to Black, all the better. And as for Potter… well, we can always work on forcing Dumbledore out, because that seems to be the only way that we’ll have a hope in getting Potter into custody.”

   “And how do you plan on doing that?” Larshall asked skeptically, cocking an eyebrow.

   The faintest trace of a cool smile crossed Kemester’s face for an instant. “That the best thing – I don’t have to do anything. All I have to do is sit and… watch.”

   “Since when have you been willing to do that?” Larshall asked incredulously. “You’re just going to wait for Umbridge to –”

   “My investigation’s not stopping just because I can’t get at Potter yet,” Kemester murmured as he pulled a small hip flask out of his robes. He took a heavy pull from the flask before sighing. “I may not be able to move against Potter now, because I can’t move against Dumbledore, but I can gather evidence, build a case… send Potter on the one way trip to Azkaban he deserves…”

   “You had better be careful with that,” Larshall said warily, eyeing the flask. “If Umbridge sees you with that–”

   “Moody carried his hip flask the entire damned year, why can’t I?”

   “Because his wasn’t filled with Irish goblin rye,” Larshall said in a low voice.

   Kemester snorted. “Well, I’m going to need something to get me through this bloody year.”

*          *          *

   Dumbledore was silent for a long few seconds as Larshall finished his report. The blue eyes were half-closed in thought, and despite her relative calm, Tonks fought to keep her breathing steady. She had already told Dumbledore the rough details of what she had done – enough that she wouldn’t compromise Harry’s plans – but she knew there were holes in her story that a trained listeners would catch.

   And she knew that Dumbledore was an excellent listener.

   “So you broke off pursuit once Black escaped with Mr. Potter,” Dumbledore said finally, looking up at Larshall, a very serious expression on his face. “You presumed that Black could be dealt with at Hogsmeade Station.”

   “Yes,” Larshall said, throwing an uneasy glance at Kemester, who had been intently listening to Larshall’s entire report with narrowed eyes. “I directed that the Auror reinforcements be directed there, and for HAIT to be notified of this development.”

   “I see,” Dumbledore said slowly, his blue eyes sweeping the table occupied by assorted Hogwarts professors and the newly inducted members of the Hogwarts Analysis & Investigation Team. They rested for an instant on Tonks, and her breath nearly caught in her throat. But then Dumbledore’s gaze returned to Larshall, now looking visibly nervous at being the center of the Headmaster’s attention.

   “Am I cleared to leave, sir?” Larshall asked hesitantly.

   “Just a moment, please, Mr. Larshall,” a new voice said from the far side of the table. Tonks frowned as she saw a short, frog-faced woman get to her feet. Tonks recognized the high-pitched, breathy voice and the bright pink cardigan pulled over her business-like robes instantly – but then again, Dolores Umbridge wasn’t difficult to forget. The woman herself made sure of that.

   “I believe,” Umbridge began slowly, a note of confusion in her voice, “that I may not have completely understood all the little fine details that coincided with your report here. Would you mind if I clarify a few points, just for the benefit of all? By your leave, of course, Headmaster.”

   “Not a problem,” Dumbledore replied pleasantly. A muscle was visibly twitching in Professor McGonagall’s jaw.

   “It’s just that… well, I’m a tad unsure of your whole purpose by the Hogwarts Express,” Umbridge began, the perplexed expression – which didn’t reach her eyes – plainly evident on her face. “I mean, you’re a busy man, as a Hit Wizard – why would you take time out of your schedule to follow the Hogwarts Express, a transportation route in which little has happened out of the ordinary for the past hundred years?”

   Tonks gritted her teeth. She knew where Umbridge was going – and she also knew that she couldn’t stop the new Defense Professor, her superior, from talking. Only Dumbledore can do that…

   “My task force was working on an investigation,” Larshall replied slowly. “Our orders were to take in a suspect in the Ollivander’s bombings for questioning. As according to our warrant, the Dementors under our control swept the train, and then we moved in. The suspect, unfortunately, was… difficult.”

   “A Hit Wizard died to bring in this suspect, didn’t he?” Umbridge asked kindly. “I’m so sorry for your loss, and the great loss to the Ministry.”

   I’m sure you are, Tonks thought hatefully.  Probably never even met the man, you hag.

   “In this case, the suspect’s culpability is questionable,” Larshall admitted. “Hit Wizard Dwight made a hasty, but critical error in attempting to Apparate between the train cabs, a careless mistake that regrettably cost him his life. We’re all sorry to lose him.”

   “Yet another loss for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement,” Umbridge continued, beginning to pace around the table towards Larshall, who was standing opposite Dumbledore’s position. Tonks’ eyes narrowed. She knew that this had been scripted, and that Umbridge was setting herself up for her killing thrust…

   “Sad, though, that it was another loss pursuing the same suspect,” Umbridge finished, a cold grin moving onto her toad-like face as she turned towards Dumbledore. “Five good men have now died pursuing Harry Potter, who has evaded justice –”

   “Potter was cleared!” Kingsley barked, his eyes flashing. Despite herself, Tonks cocked an eyebrow – she didn’t suspect that Dumbledore would put Kingsley up to defending Harry. No wonder Kingsley sounds so strained…

   “Then why did he flee the law?” Umbridge asked accusingly. “He fought off the Dementors and ran from the Hit Wizards, only to be ‘rescued’ by Sirius Black, a convicted felon!”

   “Ironic,” Rogan Wilson muttered, leaning towards Tonks, “that the man who wants to kill Potter saves his life.”

   “All evidence that has been collected by the Auror Department, prior to my transfer to this team, was that Sirius Black was in Tibet,” Kingsley said evenly. “Why would he travel tens of thousands of kilometers to get back into England, with a Kiss Warrant still on his head?”

   “Since when has Sirius Black proven to be rational?” a grizzled Hit Wizard added with a snort.

   “Odds are,” Professor Snape said grimly, “that it was some sort of imposter who rescued Potter from the Ministry’s pursuit. Some accomplice of Potter, willing to disregard the law to achieve Potter’s ends…”

   “Severus,” Dumbledore said quietly, “Harry Potter has been in custody for most of this summer –”

   “My custody, at that,” Kingsley growled through clenched teeth. “And I would know if Potter tried to leave.”

   Tonks could barely restrain her snort at Kingsley’s lies. Really, how long does Dumbledore think he can keep having Kingsley lie like this? Both of them have likely realized by now that Harry’s trying to make himself uncontainable…

   “Ah, yes, Mr. Shacklebolt, your custody,” Umbridge said with a nod and a trace of a grin. “Such a shame, though, that he mysteriously disappeared during the Gringotts robbery –”

   “And if I could have prevented whatever incident that happened that day, I would have,” Kingsley growled, “but unfortunately, I was locked in a Hit Wizard holding cell.”

   “For which you were amply compensated, Shacklebolt,” the grizzled Hit Wizard snapped. “What about that inquiry that questioned the integrity of our office –”

   “Enough,” Dumbledore said, rising to his feet. “You were all chosen for this team based upon your levelheadedness and your willingness to work in a bipartisan environment, and the last problems we need now are quarrels.”

   “Then why don’t you release Mr. Potter for questioning into the Ollivander’s bombings?” Larshall suddenly asked. Kemester shot the man a warning look, but Larshall didn’t seem to care. “I was there, Professor, and so was Harry Potter. He’s a suspect, and we need all the information that we can if we want to track down what happened.”

   “I already released to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement the details that Mr. Potter gave me when I spoke to him about the Ollivander’s attacks,” Dumbledore replied with a slight frown. “He told me everything he knew about the incident.”

   “With all due respect, sir, I would like to conduct a full Ministry interrogation,” Larshall said curtly. “It’s not that I do not trust you, but… he may have lied to you, or withheld information.”

   And it wouldn’t be the first time either, Tonks thought.

   Professor McGonagall cocked an eyebrow skeptically. “Mr. Larshall, are you suggesting that a fifteen year old teenager deceived one of the most powerful wizards in the world?”

   “Although,” Umbridge said with a note of smug curiosity in her voice, “one might question that reputation, Headmaster, given your rather stark unwillingness to cooperate with the Ministry in recent cases. Blocking such an interrogation with no adequate cause or reason might prove –”

   “According to his rights protected under Wizengamot law, Harry Potter does not have to submit to an interrogation if he does not want to, at least not while he is at my school,” Dumbledore said slowly, smiling slightly as he met Umbridge’s widening eyes. “He has not even had the chance to speak with any legal counsel, something that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, in their admirable haste to bring Harry in, may have overlooked.”

   “Then get him a lawyer,” Larshall said bluntly.

    “Headmaster,” Umbridge said slowly, a grin beginning to crawl across her face as he met Dumbledore’s grin with her own, “are you suggesting that Mr. Potter should not submit to an interrogation simply because he is a Hogwarts student –”

   “Not at all, my dear Dolores,” Dumbledore replied easily, “but that all due processes are taken into accord. If Harry Potter is to submit to a Ministry-approved interrogation regarding the events surrounding the Ollivander’s bombings, he must do so in the presence of his legal counsel, and since he is still a minor, in the presence of his legal guardian. And, as you very well know, Dolores, such a procedure must be approved by the school governors, particularly in such a serious matter. Finally, he must have full legal counsel if he is indeed a suspect in this investigation, a serious charge indeed.”

   Umbridge narrowed her eyes, and Tonks could sense the growing anger in the woman. The Aurors and Hit Wizards around the table tensed, already preparing for the inevitable explosion.

   “Perhaps, then,” Kemester said suddenly, sitting up and looking around the table, “we should pursue the original purpose of the Hogwarts Analysis & Investigation Team and discuss this matter through that medium. Would that be problematic, Madam Umbridge?”

   Larshall looked as though he was about to speak, but his mouth snapped shut at a piercing glance from Kemester. Tonks turned to look at Umbridge, whose eyes were darting back between Kemester and Dumbledore. What’s Kemester playing at with this…

   “Are you suggesting that HAIT interrogate Mr. Potter?” Umbridge asked with a strangely thoughtful expression.

   “Is it not within our jurisdiction?” Kemester replied, drumming his fingers on the table. “This way, Ministry interests can be protected within a, well, controlled environment.” He threw a glance at Dumbledore. “I’m sure there wouldn’t be any problem with this, Headmaster?”

   “Only that such an interrogation has no jurisdiction without full approval of Mr. Potter’s guardian and without the approval of the governors!” McGonagall snapped. “Professor Dumbledore, this is a blatant attempt for –”

   “Minerva, enough,” Dumbledore replied quietly, rising to his feet. “Madam Umbridge, might have a few minutes to convene with the Deputy Headmistress and the other professors?”

   “Of course, Professor,” Umbridge replied sweetly. “Where are we –”

   “With all due respect, Dolores, I would ask a degree of privacy,” Dumbledore replied pleasantly.

   Umbridge flushed indignantly. “I am a member of the Hogwarts staff like any other! How dare you exclude me –”

   Not if McGonagall has anything to say about it, Tonks thought, the building fury plainly evident on the Transfiguration professor’s face. She’s got to be careful, though… Umbridge is dangerous…

   Umbridge stared at Dumbledore for a long few seconds before nodding curtly. “If you’d be quick, Headmaster.”

   “Of course, Dolores,” Dumbledore replied with a gracious nod as he pulled open the door to a side room. McGonagall and Snape followed him out, the former shooting Umbridge a deeply distrustful look before closing the door behind her.

   The room was silent for a long few seconds before Kingsley let out a grunt. “You know Dumbledore’s going to make this difficult.”

   Umbridge slowly set both palms on the table. “Larshall, you are to meet with the Minister at six o’clock tomorrow morning. I want him to be completely briefed on this matter.”

   Larshall frowned. “You don’t want me to take him a request or anything?”

   “Dumbledore will expect that,” Umbridge replied icily, “so we’ll have to be craftier than that. No, if your briefing is comprehensive enough, Fudge will know exactly what must be done if Dumbledore’s power is to be limited.”

   She’s going for the governors, Tonks thought with a sickening jolt, the one group outside of both the Ministry and Dumbledore’s absolute control – and she’s planning on having Fudge buy them off! The bribe will be Ministry-sanctioned, but it’ll still be a bribe, and with the Ministry controlling the Prophet, nobody will know the difference. Dumbledore won’t have time to get to them before they’re all in Umbridge’s pocket! And with that, it’ll take no effort at all for HAIT to interrogate Harry on their terms!

   She knew that Harry wasn’t going to be able to escape the interrogation – hells, Dumbledore knows it too, she thought. But what Harry does need is time to lay a convincing back-story with enough falsified evidence to throw off the Ministry investigation – dangerous enough, considering he’s the prime suspect in that damned bombing. Dumbledore’ll try and delay, but we’ll need more time than that for this to work…

   She knew that if Harry was interrogated, they’d drag him to trial with even the most meager evidence – a trial that would ultimately send him to Azkaban.

   “Until Larshall returns with what we need, however, there are still things that must be done,” Umbridge said primly. “Hit Wizard Sanders.”

   “Yes, ma’am?” Sanders asked, scrambling to his feet, his scarred features marred with surprise. Bet he wasn’t expecting Umbridge to call for him, Tonks thought sourly. Hell, from the looks on Kemester’s face, he’s not too pleased with it either…”

   “I want you to find that motorbike Black was using,” Umbridge ordered tersely. “If we find that bike, we can trace both Potter and Black – and send them both to Azkaban, where they belong.”

*          *          *

   “Man, you don’t realize how good Hogwarts food is until you’re back at school,” Ron said contentedly, massaging his stomach as he traipsed up the stairs. “Not to say anything against my mum, but –”

   “Ron,” Harry interrupted, his teeth clenched, “I’m really not in the mood to discuss food at the moment. My mind’s on slightly more important things right now.”

   “You’re worried about the Ministry, Harry? Honestly, I already told you, Dumbledore will do his nut and everything will be fine. They can’t touch you here –”

   “You see, I’d like to believe that, but with that hag Umbridge and the entire bloody HAIT squadron at the school, it might be a little more difficult for me to accept it.” Harry snorted. “It’s obvious that with them here, Hogwarts is no way near as secure as we’d like it to be.”

   “You know they can’t act here without Dumbledore’s consent, though,” Ron said with a frown. “Remember how angry he got when the Dementors showed up at that Quidditch match when they weren’t supposed to? Well, I’d bet he wasn’t informed that the Dementors were going to hit the Hogwarts Express either. Odds are, if the Ministry’s behind it –”

   “They were –”

   “Then they better have an ironclad warrant or they can’t do squat to you,” Ron finished with a shrug. “Dad’s told me about a few cases where the Department of Magical Law Enforcement didn’t get good warrants, and the lawyers the Death Eaters hired for the Wizengamot exploited that to no end in the last war. Honestly, Harry, I think you’ll be okay.”

   “God, I hope you’re right,” Harry muttered, “but it’s not just me I’m worried about.”

   Ron carefully looked around to check that they were alone before lowering his voice. “You’re worried about Snuffles, right?”

   “When Tonks impersonated him, she planted the trail on him, that he’s somewhere nearby–”

   “He’s back in London, though,” Ron pointed exasperatedly. “Harry, they won’t be able to track Snuffles if he’s not even there.”

   Harry was suddenly struck with a thought, one that made his gut clench. “But what about the motorbike? Can the Ministry track that?”

   “I dunno… Dad pestered Snuffles a lot for details about it – you know how obsessed he is with Muggle vehicles – but Snuffles never said anything about it.”

   “Which either means it’s some sort of secret or he doesn’t even know,” Harry finished with a grimace. “Can it be tracked?”

   Ron raised his hands helplessly. “Harry, I have no idea. That’s Dad’s specialty, you might want to talk to him. How did Tonks even get it?”

   “She must have got it from Hagrid,” Harry murmured as they climbed another set of stairs, thinking hard. “If I remember correctly, Hagrid was the last one who had it…”

   “But wouldn’t he have had to turn it in to the Hit Wizards when they captured Snuffles?” Ron asked after a few seconds of contemplation. “I mean, he was sort of infamous for that bike – wouldn’t they want it?”

   “Still doesn’t answer the question how Tonks found it, the MLE would never have given it to her without a fight,” Harry said with a scowl. “She’s an Auror, after all.”

   “Could Kingsley have gotten it?” Ron asked suddenly, his eyes brightening. “Tonks could have asked Kingsley for it, and since he’s in charge of the Aurors tracking Snuffles –”

   “Shacklebolt wouldn’t do that,” Harry said disgustedly. “If he knew what Tonks was doing – and considering his reputation, he’s bound to have at least some of the details – he wouldn’t trust her to even borrow that motorbike.”

   “You still don’t trust him, don’t you?” Ron asked, disbelief creeping into his voice. “Harry, he’s risking his neck to protect you, and you still don’t –”

   “He doesn’t trust me,” Harry growled, “and vice-versa.”

   “Right,” Ron replied, turning away to mask his grimace, but Harry still saw it. He knew what Ron’s anger was about this time.

   “Have you talked to her, Ron?”

   “We’re prefects together, Harry, we sort of have to talk,” Ron snapped. “And she was worried about you, you know. When the Dementors came, she nearly lost control; she kept saying you were going to do something that would get you in trouble –”

   Harry’s laugh was harsh, bitter, and short. “Yeah, guess I might have done that.”

   “She doesn’t want things to be like this, Harry,” Ron said quietly. “And I agree with her, this time.”

   “And so do I,” Harry said sharply, rounding on Ron. “But you know what? Until I know that I can trust her, and she won’t go blabbing to the nearest authority whenever I step out of line, willingly or otherwise, I’m not wasting my time.”

   Ron rubbed his temple with frustration. “You honestly think this is easy for me, Harry? I hate being caught in the middle like this, between two people who won’t talk because of something petty and stupid –”

   “So we’re just going to ignore last year, then?” Harry growled.

   “Harry, it’s not far from what this is,” Ron replied back steadily, his defiant eyes meeting Harry’s. “Look, I know enough about what you’re trying to do, and I respect it. Dad’s told me about what the Aurors had to do when Crouch was around, and if you’re fighting fire with fire, I can understand that. Hell, I don’t know what happened today, but I can respect that you fought like hell to avoid getting captured by the Hit Wizards –”

   “They would have gotten me if I didn’t, Ron! You think I’m not sorry that that Hit Wizard died chasing me?”

    “Are you sorry?” Ron shot back.

    Harry was tight-lipped. They looked at each other for a long few seconds before Ron finally broke the silence.

   “She wants you as a friend, Harry.”

   “I’m sure she does,” Harry muttered, more to himself than to Ron.

   “She doesn’t have a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t like her.”

   “That’s understandable. Most of the time she’s insufferable.”

   Ron groaned with frustration. “Damn it, Harry, she sees things in black and white to some degree, we both know that, and she’s certainly not happy you betrayed our trust when we’ve been behind you all these years. I wasn’t too happy about it either, but I got over it. But she’s more stubborn than I am.”

   “Good for her.”

   “You’re getting ridiculously paranoid, Harry, and talk about bloody insufferable!” Ron finally exploded. “You won’t even give her a goddamn chance!”

   “She blew her chance!”

   “And if friendships are built on one chance, how strong is that friendship?” Ron countered, his eyes blazing with anger and disappointment. “She still wants to help you.”

   “She wants to help the Boy-Who-Lived, not me,” Harry growled, “and she wants to toe the little line Dumbledore drew in the sand – a line I’m going to end up crossing. Hell, it’s a line I’ve already crossed.”

   Ron looked at Harry for a long few seconds before giving a heavy sigh. “I think Hermione knows that rules are going to be broken, Harry. I just don’t think she really understands how ugly this is going to end up being. I mean, I’ve heard my Dad talk about the Aurors and what they’ve had to do sometimes… I just don’t think Hermione realizes what you’re going to end up having to do.”

   “She needs to come into that realization, Ron, before I start trusting her,” Harry said grimly.

   “You might be waiting a long time, mate,” Ron replied seriously. “She’s as stubborn as you are.”

   “Ron…” Harry made an exasperated noise as he clenched both his fists. “Look, I know what you’re looking for here, I’m not stupid. Do you trust that I know what I’m doing?”

   “For the most part,” Ron replied with a shrug. “I’ve got doubts, but I see why you did what you did… what you’re doing now.”

   “Then trust me on this,” Harry said, his voice toneless as if he was issuing an ultimatum, “that when Hermione proves to me that she can be trusted, and that I can count on her as a friend and a confidant, she can come back and I’ll be waiting with open arms. Until then…” He shrugged. “If you only knew the stakes I was playing for, Ron, then you’d know…”

   Ron swallowed hard. “Look, mate, I gotta get back down to the Great Hall and help Hermione bring the first years up –”

   “Go ahead, I’ve already got the password,” Harry replied dully with a wave of his hand. “See you in a bit.” He turned to walk away.

   “Someday, Harry, you’re going to end up crossing that line in the sand too many times,” Ron muttered to himself. “Even for me.”

*          *          *

   “And so it’s come to this,” Dumbledore said heavily, closing the door to the side room with a click and locking it with a tap of his wand. “I had honestly hoped we would have more time.”

   “Professor Dumbledore,” McGonagall began stiffly, “allowing Dolores Umbridge to interrogate Harry Potter would be disastrous. You know that. Both for your political stature and your authority at Hogwarts.”

   “Potter knows too much,” Snape said flatly, “and having been interrogated by Aurors before – under your orders, Headmaster – I have little doubt that they will soon uncover the truth and a great deal more. The Order could be compromised.”

   “Not to mention the location of Black and the… well, the other piece of knowledge you gave him after that disastrous night,” McGonagal added, her eyebrows forming a thin line across her forehead. “And who knows what other secrets Harry is trying to hide from the Ministry.”

   “From certain elements of the Ministry, to be sure,” Dumbledore said thoughtfully. “I’m sure Miss Tonks knows much more than she’s telling, as does Sirius.”

   “And you know that neither of them will betray Potter nor give up information to us,” Snape replied disgustedly. “Headmaster, as much as I would like to hear Potter spill all his little secrets, it would be ruinous to the Order to have its existence in Ministry record. And given that Potter has been using the Order Headquarters as his escape –”

   “Kingsley already has an alibi regarding Harry’s whereabouts,” Dumbledore pointed out with a frown. “If he continues to follow his story –”

   Snape snorted with disgust. “It won’t last under pressure, Headmaster, and you know that better than I do. He’s already being pushed to the breaking point, and an Auror with Shacklebolt’s principles won’t last in this game.”

   “He can at least use his influence in HAIT to ensure no questions about Mr. Potter’s hiding place are asked,” McGonagall said curtly. “He has enough reputation to accomplish that, at least – although if I had my way, he would not even be involved in this mess. Surely, Albus, there is some way you can regulate the questions being asked in this interrogation –”

   “If only I could, Minerva,” Dumbledore replied with a sigh, “but the Department of Magical Law Enforcement – and by extension, HAIT – may ask what questions they need to ascertain the truth behind Harry’s actions. And I cannot influence the choice of those questions, not without jeopardizing everything we’ve worked to obtain. There has already been discussion in the Minister’s office of whether my ‘defense and protection’ of Harry can be considered obstruction of justice, or whether it is enough to make me an accomplice in recent events.”

   “And the day either of those charges will have weight will be the day the Dark Lord surrenders,” Snape snapped. “But we all knew this from the start that you could not interfere to protect Potter. That does not, however, prevent other members of the Order from acting –”

   “And becoming targets,” Dumbledore cut Snape off sharply. “I am not Lord Voldemort, Severus, and I will not have members of the Order sent to Azkaban because of unnecessary risks. However,” he added, as Snape raised an eyebrow with incredulity, “I believe that we must do something to aid Harry, shield him from the interrogation for as long as we can. But we will not be able to stop this investigation, or hobble it to the point of uselessness. Not with Umbridge controlling it.”

   “And Kemester’s likely going to be one of the two Hit Wizards placed on the interrogation team,” McGonagall added darkly. “Larshall will likely be involved as well, given his involvement in the Ollivander’s investigation. Is there any chance we can somehow get Kingsley on the interrogation team?”

   “With Umbridge in charge, not a chance,” Snape said flatly. “She already knows of the animosity between him and Kemester, and she’ll want a unified front when interrogating Potter.”

   “What about Nymphadora?” McGonagall asked doggedly. “As far we know, any involvement she’s had with Mr. Potter has remained secret – is there a chance that Umbridge could let her on the team?”

   “She certainly has Harry’s best interests at heart,” Dumbledore mused, “although it is still unclear where her true loyalties lie. Umbridge might consider her…”

   “Even with Miss Tonks on the interrogation committee, Headmaster, our interests still will not be protected,” Snape said harshly, folding his arms across his chest. “You know as well as I do that her loyalty is moving towards Potter exclusively, and if she has any loyalty to the Order at all – and that includes her keeping her position – she’ll have no choice but to follow Umbridge’s rules.”

   “We need a third party involved in this,” Dumbledore murmured after a few seconds of silence, his eyes beginning to twinkle. “To represent the interests of Hogwarts – and the interests of the Order. Umbridge would have no choice but to approve the appointment of a third-party observer – particularly if the school governors decide to involve themselves. A single teacher, to monitor the proceedings… who is also a member of the Order.”

   Snape and McGonagall exchanged glances – they both knew that with Hagrid’s absence, the only two teachers who could fill that vacancy were standing in the side room with Dumbledore at that very moment. And both, Dumbledore could see, did not want the position.

   “I think, however,” Dumbledore said slowly, “that some of our more obvious biases might be criticized, and that means I have only one logical choice, a decision I do not wish to make.”

   He turned to Snape. “Severus, I want you to serve as an impartial observer to Harry Potter’s interrogation.”

   Emotion flashed across Snape’s face – fear, surprise, disappointment – before settling on incredulously building rage. “Please tell me, Headmaster, that you are joking.”

   “Albus, I am more than willing to take on this capacity,” McGonagall said quickly, her gaze moving from Snape to Dumbledore. “I will be more than fair with Mr. Potter –”

   “But Umbridge will not be looking for fairness,” Dumbledore said softly, yet firmly. “She’ll be looking for somebody who she believes will support her –”

   Snape was breathing very fast, and both of his hands were clenched into tight fists. He looked as though he was going to explode, and Dumbledore knew that he only had a few minutes before the Potions Master lost his temper.

   “I’m quite certain that Umbridge could be convinced –”

   “I’m sorry, Minerva, but I have made my decision,” Dumbledore said, his eyes fixed on Snape’s. “Would you excuse us for a few minutes?”

   The second the door closed behind McGonagall, Dumbledore began to speak. “Severus, please listen to me –”

   “Dumbledore, are you out of your bloody mind?” Snape snarled. “Are you trying to have me killed?”

   “Severus, you are one of my greatest assets, why would I want to have you killed?”

   Snape gave a bitter laugh. “You know, I’d love to believe that sentiment, but something holds me back – oh, that’s right, your insistence in putting me in situations that border on the impossible! You expect me to control that damned interrogation?”

   “You do not need to control it, Severus,” Dumbledore replied sharply. “You only need to guide it in the right direction –”

   “And, of course, with such new power, the Dark Lord will want me to interfere on his behalf as well, but I suppose you’ve got that angle covered as well!”

   “Lord Voldemort cannot afford to sacrifice you at this point in his plans,” Dumbledore reasoned evenly. “Thus, if you confess failure to him, he will not have any choice but to allow you to carry on your work –”

   “And all of this says nothing of how that bloody brat is going to take my involvement in his interrogation!” Snape finally exploded, his face contorting with fury. “Damn it, Dumbledore, he already wants me dead as it is!”

   “Severus, be reasonable,” Dumbledore said reprovingly. “You are his teacher, and any act made against you will not be acceptable by any means, particularly while you are involved with the Order.”

   Snape’s laugh was filled with bitter rage and incredulity. “If you honestly believe that Potter’s going to avoid attacking me just because I’m a teacher, then you are more hopelessly blind than I thought! Have you forgotten the events of his third year so quickly? He didn’t have a problem attacking me then! And have you forgotten Black, his little mongrel bitch who has already had no compunctions attempting to kill me?”

   “Severus, that’s enough!” Dumbledore said firmly. “Harry knows, at this point, that any action taken against you would have dire consequences. He has certainly proven his intelligence and deduction in other regards.”

   Snape looked like he could hardly believe what he was hearing. “Dumbledore, I don’t think you truly realize how much Potter wants me dead! To him, I betrayed his parents with the Prophecy, I stole away his money, and now I will join the committee to send him to Azkaban!”

   Dumbledore froze, his blue eyes suddenly going icy cold. “He knows something of the incident regarding the Potter Vaults?”

   “Some inkling at least,” Snape spat, “and thanks to that gutless bastard Lupin, he knows I was somehow involved.”

   “And like the prophecy, his lack of complete information prevents him from knowing the whole truth of the matter –”

   “Then bloody tell him!” Snape roared. “The longer you plan to keep him ignorant, the shorter my life will be!”

   “There are some things he cannot know, yet… it is too early for the whole truth to come out –”

   “So you plan to leave me to die,” Snape finished disgustedly. “One more pawn sacrificed in your grand game.”

    “This is no game, Severus,” Dumbledore replied seriously. “And we all are playing for the highest stakes imaginable – and everyone has a stake, even you.”

   “Not me,” Snape growled as he turned away. “Not anymore.”

    “What are you talking about?”

   “What I’m bloody talking about, Dumbledore, is that I am done with this charade,” Snape snarled. “I’m done being your spy, your man, your bloody pawn. I quit. I’ve played your little game for too damned long, and I’m not playing it anymore. I’m leaving.”

    “Voldemort will not –”

   “Fuck him,” Snape’s voice was savage as he moved towards the door. “He can’t find me if I don’t want to be found – particularly not if I’m halfway across the world.”

   “Severus, be reasonable! You’re letting fear control your actions –”

   Snape turned to face Dumbledore, his face once again impassive even as his voice was tinged with caustic bitterness. “You think I’m doing this because of fear? Well, for once in your life, Dumbledore, you’re actually right. I fear the Dark Lord. I fear what Potter and Black are becoming, and the fact that Potter will soon set his bloodthirsty eyes on me. And I fear what is going to happen to this school if you continue to keep him blinded by his ignorance, paranoia, and rage.” He shook his head. “I’m done playing both sides in this Merlin-forsaken mess. My resignation will be on your desk by morning tomorrow.”

   Dumbledore thought quickly, and though it pained his heart greatly to do what he was about to do, he knew that he had no choice. He couldn’t lose Snape – not now, and not to this. Even as the Potions Master’s fingers curled around the doorknob, Dumbledore spoke.

   “Do this for Lily.”

   Snape went stock still for a few seconds before turning to face Dumbledore, rage erupting across his face. “You dare drag her name into this, use me like this?”

   “You swore to do anything to protect her son –”

   “A son who wants to kill me!” Snape roared, kicking a chair out of the way with a crash. “If she were to see what Potter’s become –”

   “She would wish for you to stay, risk even your own life, to ensure his safety and his redemption,” Dumbledore replied coldly. It was as if they were back on that windswept hill again, as Snape pleaded for Lily’s life. “Your cowardice disgusts me, Snape – I thought you were a better man than this.”

   Snape shook with rage before slamming his fist into a desk, his lank black hair hanging over his trembling face.

   “I hate you,” he whispered. “I fucking hate you, Dumbledore.”

   “I know,” Dumbledore said quietly, hating himself with every word. “So… you will stay?”

   “One year,” Snape growled, looking up to meet Dumbledore’s eyes. “Only one. I’ll see this through, and then I’m gone. It’s about damned time I moved on with my life.”

   “You’ll abandon us to Lord Voldemort, Snape? Seek the coward’s way out?”

   “And here I thought he was Potter’s responsibility,” Snape spat. “Why don’t you make sure he takes that responsibility?”

   “I plan to speak with Harry tomorrow –”

   “He doesn’t trust you anymore than he trusts me,” Snape said with a disgusted scowl. “Good luck penetrating his swollen head with anything important.”

   “Harry has changed, Severus, far more than you realize –”

   “Believe me, Headmaster, I know that,” Snape replied, opening the door violently in front of him. “I only wish, for all our sakes, that you did.”

   And with that, he slammed the door behind him, leaving Dumbledore with a distinct feeling of sorrow and loss.

   He knew that when Severus Snape left, he would never be seen again.