Chapter One Hundred And Seven: Picking Sides
It was all a dream, it had to be right. Cedric couldn't be near dead, he couldn't be but the dull ache Lina felt in her heart proved otherwise.
Although Lina was awake she couldn't force herself to open her eyes, she didn't want to deal with the reality of what was happening. Apart of her wanted to close her eyes and not open them again until Cedric was by her side.
Lina's resolve to keep her eyes closed disappeared when she could hear yelling. With a quiet groan, she opened her eyes. Bill was by her bedside, Harry was asleep on the bed next to her, surrounding his bed was Mrs Weasley, Ron and Hermione, surrounding both beds was a screen to give them privacy. Where were Lucy and Danny? She needed to find them as soon as she could. Lina shifted in her bed but felt something heavy on her feet, Lina looked down and saw a large black dog curled up on the bottom of his head. "Snuffles?" Lina whispered.
The dog looked up and nodded its head and affectionally nudged Lina's legs. Lina wanted to muster up a smile but she couldn't.
"Hey, sleepyhead" Bill said noticing she was awake "how you feeling?"
"What's going on? Why is there yelling?" Lina asked ignoring his question.
"I don't know" Bill sighed.
"Regrettable but all the same Minerva-" Lina heard Cornelius Fudge say loudly.
"You should have never brought it inside the castle!" Professor McGonagall yelled "when Dumbledore finds out-"
The hospital doors burst open, Bill pulled back the screens and Lina saw Fudge striding up the ward, McGonagall and Snape following behind.
"Where's Dumbledore?" Fudge demanded of Mrs Weasley.
"He's not here," Mrs Weasley said angrily "this is a hospital wing, Minister, don't you think you'd do better to-"
The door opened again and Dumbledore daemon sweeping up the ward. "What has happened?" Dumbledore asked sharply looking from Fudge to McGonagall. "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva - I'm surprised at you - I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch."
Barty Crouch? Lina asked herself.
"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore Dumbledore!" McGonagall shrieked "the Minister has seen to that!" Lina had never seen Professor McGonagall so angry before, her face was red with it, her hands balled into fists and she was trembling in fury.
"When we told Mr Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events," Snape said in a low voice "he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a Dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch-"
"I told him you would not agree Dumbledore!" McGonagall said, "I told him you would never allow Dementors to set foot inside the castle but-"
"My dear woman!" Fudge roared, who also looked angrier than most had seen him "as Minister for Magic it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous-"
"The moment that - that thing entered the room" she screamed over Fudge and pointed at him "it swooped down on Crouch and - and-" Professor McGonagall didn't need to finish that sentence, Lina knew what it meant after everything that happened last year with her dad, the Dementor had performed the kiss.
"By all accounts, he is no loss!" Fudge blustered "it seems he has been responsible for several deaths!"
"But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius," Dumbledore said staring at Fudge "he cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."
"Why he killed them? Well that's no mystery, is it? He was a raving lunatic! From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all in You-Know-Who's instructions!"
"Lord Voldemort was giving him instructions Cornelius," Dumbledore said "those people's deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body."
What! Lina wanted to scream but she didn't.
Fudge looked as though a heavyweight had been swung into his face. Dazed and blinking he stared at Dumbledore not quite believing what he had just heard. "You-Know-Who...returned? Preposterous. Come now Dumbledore..." Fudge spluttered ogling at Dumbledore.
"As Minerva and Severus have doubtlessly told you," Dumbledore said "we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the influence of veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort - learning of his continued existence from Bertha Jorkins - went to free him from his father, and used him to capture Harry. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort return to power."
Oh, Barty Crouch as in Barty Crouch's son.
"See here Dumbledore," Fudge said and weird though it was a slight smile was dawning in his face "you - you can't seriously believe that You-Know-Who's back? Come now, come now...certainly, Crouch May have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders - but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore..."
"When Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight, he was transported straight to Voldemort," Dumbledore said "he witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step into my office" Dumbledore glanced around and saw Harry was awake but shook his head and said, "I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight."
Fudge's curious smile lingered, he glanced at Harry and then back to Dumbledore "you are - er - prepared to take Harry's word on this, are you, Dumbledore?"
There was a moment's silence which was broken by Sirius growling and baring his teeth at Fudge.
"Certainly I believe Harry," Dumbledore said, his eyes were blazing now "I heard Crouch's confession, and I heard Harry's account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup, the two stories make sense, they explain everything that had happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."
Fudge was still smiling which Lina found unnerving and he glanced again at Harry "you are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a boy who...well..."
"You've been reading Rita Skeeter Mr Fudge," Harry said quietly, most people in the room jumped not realising he was awake.
Fudge's face reddened slightly but a defiant look came over his features "and if I have?" He said looking at Dumbledore "if I had discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A parselmouth eh? And having funny turns all over the place-"
"I assume that you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar?" Dumbledore said coolly.
"You admit that he has been having these pains, then?" Fudge said quickly "headaches? Nightmares? Possible - hallucinations?"
"Listen to me, Cornelius," Dumbledore said taking a step towards Fudge, emulating power "harry is as sane as you and I. That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."
Fudge took a step back from Dumbledore but still looked just as stubborn "you'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before..."
"Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" Harry shouted, he tried to get out of bed but Mrs Weasley forced him back down "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy-"
No surprise there.
"Malfoy was cleared!" Fudge said "a very old family - donations to excellent causes-"
"Macnair!" Harry continued.
"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"
"Avery - Nott - Crabbe - Goyle-"
"You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago!" Fudge said angrily "you could have found those names in old reports of the trials! For heaven's sake Dumbledore - the boy was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too - his tales are getting taller and you're still swelling them - the big can talk to snakes, Dumbledore and you still think he's trustworthy?"
"You fool!" Professor McGonagall cried "Cedric Diggory! Mr Crouch! These deaths were not the random work of a lunatic!"
Dead. Dead. The word sent a shock through Lina. Cedric wasn't dead, he wasn't going to die, he couldn't she still needed him. Lina began to hyperventilate in her bed, everyone noticed. Bill was next to Lina immediately and held her until she had calmed down and the argument resumed.
"I see no evidence to the contrary!" Fudge shouted, "it seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilise everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!"
"Voldemort has returned" Dumbledore repeated "if you accept that fact straight away, Fudge and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban from the control of the Dementors-"
"Preposterous!" Fudge shouted again "remove the Dementors! I'd be kicked out of office for suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the Dementors are standing guard at Azkaban."
"The rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Cornelius, knowing that you have put Lord Voldemort's most dangerous supports in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them!" Dumbledore said "they will not remain loyal to you Fudge! Voldemort can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can! With the Dementors behind him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago!"
Fudge was opening and closing his mouth, although no words came out. "The second step you must take - and at once" Dumbledore pressed on "is to send envoys to the giants."
"Envoys to the giants!?" Fudge shrieked "What madness is this?"
"Extend them the hand of friendship, now, before it is too late or Voldemort will persuade them, as he did before, that he alone among wizards will give them their rights and their freedom!"
"You - you cannot be serious!" Fudge gasped shaking his head and stepped further away from Dumbledore "if the magical community got wind that I had approached the giants - people hate them, Dumbledore - end of my career-"
"You are blinded," Dumbledore said his voice rising now "by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius! You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognise that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! Your Dementor had just destroyed the last remaining member of a pure-blood as old as any - and see what that man chose to make of his life! I tell you now - take the steps I have suggested and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers for Magic we have ever known. Fail to act - and history will remember you as the man who stepped aside, and allowed Voldemort a second chance to destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!"
"Insane" Fudge whispered stepping back "mad..."
There was a deafening silence. Madam Pomfrey had her hands over her mouth, Mrs Weasley had her hand on Harry's shoulder to stop him attacking Fudge, the rest were staring at Fudge.
"If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this, Cornelius" Dumbledore said "we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I - I shall act as I see fit" Dumbledore's voice carried as a statement, not a threat but fudge made a movement as if Dumbledore had drawn his wand.
"Now, see here, Dumbledore," he said waving his finger "I've given you free rein, always. I've had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There aren't many who'd have let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to teach your students, without reference to the Ministry. But if you're going to work against me-"
"The only one against whom I intend to work is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius on the same side."
Fudge had no immediate reply, he rocked back and forth in his heels and spun his bowler hat in his hands, finally he spoke: "he can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be."
Snape strode past Dumbledore, pulling up his left sleeve robe as he did. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge who took another step back. "There," Snape said harshly "there. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burnt black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burnt into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing each other and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This mark had been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lords vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."
Fudge was shaking his head staring appalled at the mark on Snape's arm and then stared at Dumbledore and whispered "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more too add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry." He had almost reached the door when he paused, he turned around and strode right up to Harry's bed. "Your winnings," he said dropping a large bag of gold coins on Harry's bedside table "one thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony but in the circumstances...."
Why was Harry getting the money, Cedric had also won, he wasn't dead so why wasn't he getting money. Unless they believed he wouldn't live, why would a dead many need money? When Lina looked back up she noticed Fudge had gone.
"There is work to be done," Dumbledore said to the group "Molly...am I right in thinking they I can't count on your and Arthur?"
"Of course you can," Mrs Weasley said "he knows what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper Wizarding pride."
"Then I need to send a message to him," Dumbledore said, "all those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and Arthur is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as short-sighted as Cornelius."
"I'll go to do dad," Bill said jolting Lina "I'll go now."
"Excellent" Dumbledore said "tell him I will be in contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry-"
"Leave it to me," Bill said.
"Bill" Lina whispered.
Everyone in the room looked at the poor girl with pity, the pain she was feeling was evident on her face.
"I'll be back alright," Bill said "you'll be fine" Bill placed a kiss on the top of Lina's head, clapped Harry on the shoulder, kissed his mother in the cheeks, pulled his cloak on and strode out of the room. Lina watched him go.
"Minerva," Dumbledore said turning to Professor McGonagall "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also - if she will consent to come - Madame Maxime."
Professor McGonagall nodded and left without a word.
"Poppy," Dumbledore said to Madam Pomfrey "would you be very kind and go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you will find a house-elf called Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can't for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us."
"Very - very well," Madame Pomfrey said, looking startled she too left.
Dumbledore made sure that the door was closed and Madam Pomfrey was definitely gone before speaking again "and now" he said "it is time for two of our numbers to recognise each other for what they are. Sirius...if you could resume your usual form."
The great big black dog leapt off Lina's bed and then in an instant turned into a man.
Mrs Weasley screamed and leapt back from Harry's bed "Sirius Black!" She shrieked pointing at him.
"Mum shut up!" Ron yelled, "it's ok."
"Dad" Lina squeaked, Sirius looked away from Snape who he was starring at with great dislike and looked at his daughter, his features softening, Sirius moved so he was sat next to Lina and wrapped her up in his arms.
"Him!" Snape snarled at Sirius his face a mix of anger and horror "what is he doing here?"
Sirius bit back from saying something sarcastic.
"He is here at my invitation," Dumbledore said looking between them "as are you Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other."
If Lina was feeling better she would have laughed out loud or snorted. There was no way Sirius and Severus would ever be friends.
"I will settle, in the short term," Dumbledore said with impatience "for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who knew the truth stand united, there is no hope of any of us."
Very slowly and still glaring at each other Snape stepped forward as Sirius refused to leave his daughters side. The pair shook hands. They let go extremely quickly.
"That will do to be going on with," Dumbledore said "now I have work for each of you. Fudge's attitude, although not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher - the old crowd. Lie low at Lupin's for a while, I will contact you there."
"Dad" Lima said, her voice broke, tears welled "please don't go, dad, please don't leave me, dad, please" Why was everyone leaving her today.
Hey, hey, hey" Sirius said gripping the sides of Lina's face "I'm not leaving forever, I've just got to do some things for Dumbledore but I'll be back. I'm staying at Remus's now so I'm going to be around more and I'll be there to pick you up when you get off the train. Everything is going to be alright Angel" Sirius placed a tender kiss on Lina's forehead, said goodbye to Harry, transformed into a dog and left.
"Severus," Dumbledore said turning to Snape "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready...if you are prepared..."
"I am," Snape said, he looked slightly paler than usual.
"Then good luck," Dumbledore said and watched as Snape left.
Lina pushed herself up on the bed and wrapped her arms around her knees. "Professor Dumbledore?" Lina asked.
"Yes, Miss Black?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Has, has there been any news about Cedric?" She asked with a quiver in her voice. Please don't let him be dead. Please, please, please.
"He has arrived at St Mungo's, he is stable but still unconscious."
Lina sadly nodded, that was good news she guessed, he wasn't dead, he was alright, he was going to be alright he had to be. Lina wasn't ready to say goodbye yet.