Ginny's POV

"Not in a million years will I allow this to happen, Miss Brown!"

We were standing in the Headmistress's office in front of a very formidable-looking Professor McGonagall. After reading Draco's letter, Harry, Ron and I has immediately rushed to the library to look for Hermione. She had been awestruck and had insisted that we tell the headmistress, and we had reluctantly agreed.

"She can help and besides, she said if anyone got any information on Draco, they are to report it to her," she had said.

Oddly enough, as soon as we had finished telling Hermiine everything, a very anxious Lavender Brown had looked up from beside her. Turned out, she was there the whole time and had heard every word. She had insisted that this was "as much of her business as it was our's" and had tagged along with us to see Professor McGonagall.

Now she had mentioned the unforgivable task of breaking into the Malfoy Manor and rescuing Draco. Maybe the two had been more serious than I thought.

"That is the most immature and...and unreliable idea I have ever in all my years had the misfortune of hearing!"

"But he could be....starving or being tortured or brainwashed or....or...." She was cut off by Hermione's hand on her mouth.Hermione moved her hand away and proceeded to wrapping her arm around her shoulders. Lavender was now paler than she had been when Greyback had bitten her and was now trembling from head to foot.

"Er..Lavender," she began uncertainly."It'll be okay. We'll save him, okay? But right now, we need to think rationally." She glanced pointedly at Ron for help.

"Er.. Yeah," Ron said awkwardly, probably remembering his sixth year."Malfoy's a tough one. He'll make it through this." Now he looked at Harry. In other situations this would have been amusing but it sure was not right now.

"Yeah, so the letter said he's alright, right? That means he's.....umm alive." Harry stared but continued on hurriedly."I think we should just sit back right now because he'll be back after the Christmas break. But what we should be worrying about right now is this: the letter said there was going to be another attack, right? We should start preparing for that."

"See Lavender? Malfoy's safe and sound, so you don't have to worry." I said feebly and Harry chuckled softly at my rather weak attempt at being light-hearted. Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.

"Ow," Harry grimaced.

Professor McGonigal cleared her throat. "Potter's right. We have to prepare ourselves. There is no denying this. We will be attacked. After all, it was to be expected. Last time, eighteen years ago, when Voldemort fell temporarily and the ministry was rounding up the remaining Death Eaters, we had riots, minor injuries, disappearances and deaths. There were duels but it was all kept hushed up. Of course at that time, there were fewer Death Eaters," she finished sadly.

"So I guess there's no point in thinking it's all a joke?" Ron said."We have to fight again. There will be more deaths. Again."

"No," Harry said firmly. "No, this time there will be no deaths. I will not let people get killed."

"Potter," said Professor McGonagall, gently."Don't say that. We both know we can't make sure of that. After all, when it comes to Harry Potter, people don't mind dying." She was smiling one of her rare smiles. "But we'll try to reduce the number." It made me sad to know what Harry must be feeling. He was probably mad at himself, being the noble person that he was.

"We should start the DA again," I piped up suddenly. "We can teach them all we know. That way, we can be sure that the students know how to defend themselves." I had been thinking of restarting Dumbledore's Army ever since Draco had been kidnapped because it had seemed that we would be threatened soon enough. But it had just been a thought at the time. Now I was sure, we would be attacked and we needed all the help that we could get.

"That sounds like a good idea, Miss Wesley." Professor McGonagall said. "And...."

"You need to alert the Order of The Phoenix," said a voice: a soft, knowing, incredibly familiar voice. It came from the wall behind the Headmistress's chair. It came from the occupant of the very latest portrait that had been placed there. His silver beard, glistening in the dim light and his half moon spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose, it was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. All eyes turned to him, each pair as disbelieving and happy as the next.

"Dumbledore!" said six awestruck voices.

"I would prefer Albus or Professor Dumbledore, please." said the former headmaster, his eyes twinkling."But I think, considering the circumstances, Dumbledore is forgivable."

"You heard everything?" Harry asked in amazement.

"Of course I did, Harry. This portrait is where I live now and I have to hear and see everything that happens in this office, whether I want to or not."

"Albus," began Professor McGonagall. "I shall alert the Order immediately as you suggested. What else do you think we should do?" Ron grunted and said in an undertone so only we could hear, or so he thought.

"Great, now comes the time where we take help from a painting!" Harry laughed and Dumbledore said,

"I heard that Mr Weasley. As it so happens, my hearing ability works just fine, and help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." and Ron's ears went pink.

We turned to leave after weighing the Professors good night, but as Harry opened the door, Dumbledore's spoke again.

"Oh and Harry? The letter said that they will try to cause you to fight within yourselves so I strongly suggest that you keep your head and don't make rash decisions."

"Yes sir," Harry replied solemnly and we followed him out the door.

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