The halls were perfectly silent, the only noise coming from Megan, Dumbledore and Sirius's footsteps on the stone floor. Neither said a word, but Megan kept her hand on Sirius's back, who was careful to stay at her level, sometimes turning his head to nudge her wrist with his cool wet nose. As they reached the door, Mr Diggory walked out. Megan froze, as did he. His eyes fell on Megan. He looked worn, and Megan felt her throat tighten.

"Mr Diggory... I'm so sor-"

"Thank you, Miss Potter."

Megan blinked, lost. She first thought he was just cutting her short because he knew what she meant to say and didn't want to hear it. But his face wasn't sad. It was worn and concerned, but not pained... but he'd just lost his only son...

"... What?"

"You saved Cedric's life..."

And he walked away. Megan looked at Dumbledore, her already tired mind blurry with confusion. Even Sirius was glancing at him.

"But Cedric died... I saw it..." she said in a strangled voice.

Sirius rubbed his head against her leg.

"No, Megan, he didn't." Dumbledore told her. "I know I should have told you immediately, but I thought it would be best for you to get all the story out first."

"But how did he... how is he alive?" Megan asked. "I saw the Killing curse hit him! He was lifeless!"

"He is alive, however he is in a coma. It appears that when he was hit, the spell only grazed him, which is why it didn't kill him. Rather like a muggle bullet, I believe. Madam Pomfrey is tending to him."

Sirius gently tugged at her sleeve and moved forwards.

"Yes, you're right." Dumbledore nodded.

He pushed the door open. Megan saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, Mrs Weasley and Bill grouped around Madam Pomfrey.

"Megan!" Hermione gasped.

Dumbledore signalled them to stay where they were. Megan gave them a tired smile as they stepped forwards.

"I know you all want to make sure she is all right," Dumbledore said. "But she has been through a ghastly ordeal and has just had to relive it for me. Which is why I insist that she gets rest before anything else."

They were all white.

"Headmaster, may I enquire..." Madam Pomfrey began, glancing at Sirius.

"This dog will remain with Megan for a while. Don't worry, he is very well trained and will not bother you. Miss Granger, would you help Megan into bed?"

She nodded and took Megan's arm gingerly, as though afraid to hurt her. She knew they were probably bursting with questions, but was incapable of summoning up the courage to go through all this again.

"You may stay with her, is she so desires," Dumbledore said. "But I must ask you to refrain from any questioning. At least until she has had some rest."

Megan saw a curtain drawn over the bed beside hers as she pulled off her clothes. Another one had Moody lying on it.

"Cedric's stable," Hermione whispered, following her gaze as she helped her into pyjamas. "But they don't know when... or even whether he'll wake up."

Megan bit her lip and swallowed back her tears. Once she was ready, they all settled in chairs around her, looking scared.

"I'm fine..." she said. "I'm just tired."

Mrs Weasley's eyes were gleaming brightly. Madam Pomfrey returned, holding a goblet and a bottle.

"This will help you sleep without any dreams," she said, handing Megan the goblet.

She nodded and put the goblet to her lips. It tasted a bit bitter, but she drank the lot. Harry took it and set it on the bedside cabinet. Megan rested her head on her pillow, glancing around at them. And then, soon, she felt the soothing sleepiness sweep over her.

Megan woke up some time later, but was so comfortable she didn't open her eyes, hoping she would doze off again. She could hear whispering around her.

"They'll wake her up if they don't shut up!"

Megan opened her eyes. In the moonlight, she could make out Mrs Weasley and Bill. She noticed it was still dark so she couldn't have been asleep long. Sirius was standing upright, close to Megan's bed. Hermione, Ron, and Harry were sitting beside him, looking at the door too.

"Is that McGonagall and Fudge?" asked Bill in a low voice. "What in the world are they arguing about? Gosh, I've never heard McGonagall so angry..."

Megan could hear shouting too, now, coming closer.

"Regrettable, Minerva, but still..."

"You should never have brought that monstrosity inside the castle! The Headmaster always strictly forbade it, as you very well know!" McGonagall snapped furiously. "Oh, when Dumbledore finds out...!"

Megan sat up, unnoticed by the others, who were all looking at the door, which burst open. McGonagall, Snape and Fudge marched in.

"Where is Dumbledore?" Fudge demanded.

"He is not here. He had some affairs to tend to," Bill said calmly.

"This is a hospital wing, Minister, and I must ask..." Mrs Weasley began.

Dumbledore strode in at that moment.

"What is it? Why are you troubling these people?" he asked. "Minerva, I'm surprised, I asked you to guard Crouch..."

"Oh, there's no need any more, Dumbledore, or I would never have failed my duty," she said angrily. "The Minister has seen to that!"

Fudge snorted. Megan had never seen McGonagall in such a state of fury. Her hands ere balled into fists and she was glaring at Fudge.

"No need?" Dumbledore repeated.

"When we informed Fudge of Crouch's capture, he seemed to believe his own personal safety was at risk. He insisted that a Dementor accompany him inside, and brought it up to the office Minerva and Crouch were waiting in." Snape explained coolly.

"I told him you would never allow it, Dumbledore, but-"

"I believe it is my choice whether to bring protection when facing a dangerous-"

But McGonagall drowned him out.

"The moment they came in, the Dementor swooped in on Crouch, and..."

She shivered. Megan then knew what must have happened. The Dementor had performed the kiss, sucking out the soul of its victim. She felt herself shudder, the memories of her and Sirius by the lake the year before flashing before her eyes.

"Well, I mean to say, he is no great loss! He killed his own father and usurped Alastor Moody's identity for months!"

"But will no longer be able to give testimony, Cornelius," Dumbledore objected. "He cannot give evidence of why he so acted."

"Why? Because he was raving mad, that's why! He was claiming to be acting on You-Know-Who's orders, Severus and Minerva have told me."

"He was indeed," Dumbledore said. "It was all part of his plan to restore Voldemort. A plan which has succeeded. He has been restored to his body."

Fudge gaped at him, and then laughed nervously.

"Come on, now, Dumbledore... You-Know-Who returned... impossible. No, it's ridiculous."

"As I'm sure Minerva and Severus have told you," Dumbledore went on, "Barty Crouch confessed under Veritaserum that he had been smuggled out of Azkaban and went to find Voldemort, where they devised a plan to capture Megan. As I said, Voldemort has returned."

"Oh, now, look here," Fudge said, smiling uncertainly. "You can't seriously believe that silly tale, can you? I mean he may have believed it himself, but... Taking the word of a lunatic..."

"When Megan touched the Cup, she and her friend Cedric Diggory were taken right into Voldemort's hands. She witnessed his return first hand. I am willing to explain everything if you'll step into my office."

He glanced at Megan and saw she was awake.

"But I cannot permit you to interrogate Megan tonight."

Fudge glanced at Megan too.

"You're taking the word of a lunatic and a teenage girl, Dumbledore?"

"I am." He said.

"You'd believe Megan's word?"

"I certainly would. I have heard both sides and they coincide. Not to mention that the state of shock Megan returned in is no artifice."

"You would believe someone who... er..."

Megan suddenly understood.

"You've been reading Rita Skeeter. Haven't you, Minister?"

Everyone except Dumbledore and Fudge jumped and looked at her, not having realised she was awake. Fudge flushed slightly but looked obstinate.

"And if I have?" he asked. "I have, by doing so, found out quite a few things that you, Dumbledore, have been keeping from me! A Parslemouth, with scar pains... nightmares... possibly hallucinations."

Megan was about to express her outrage when Dumbledore cut across her.

"Megan is as sane as you or I," he said sternly. "The scar on her forehead has in no way affected her mind. I believe it burns when Lord Voldemort is near or particularly murderous."

"I saw Voldemort come back!" Megan said loudly. "I saw the Death Eaters! There was Malfoy –"

"Cleared!" Fudge snapped. "Very old family, donated for many causes..."

"To hide the fact that he is a Death Eater! There was Avery, Nott... Crabbe... Goyle..."

"Also cleared. They were acquitted thirteen years ago, you could have just found them in the trial reports."

"I saw them, I-"

"The girl was full of some ridiculous story last year too," Fudge said, turning on Dumbledore. "And yet, you still believe them, Dumbledore, no matter how tall and preposterous they get..."

"You fool!" McGonagall snapped. "Crouch's death, Cedric Diggory being in a coma! Potter returning in tears! This was not the work of any random lunatic!"

"Then prove me wrong, woman!" Fudge retorted. "You all seem determined to start an unnecessary panic which will unhinge all I have worked to achieve!"

Megan couldn't believe her ears. She had known he was attached to his position, but he was in total denial...

"Voldemort is truly back," Dumbledore said firmly. '"And if you accept it right away and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to act. I would advise removing the Dementors from Azkaban, to begin with..."

"Ridiculous! I'd be kicked out of my post for even suggesting such an idea! Half our people only feel safe because they know Azkaban is guarded by Dementors!"

"And put together the closest supporters of Voldemort and creatures who won't hesitate an instant to join him as well!" Dumbledore retorted "He will have far more appealing to offer them than you, Fudge."

The Minister looked outraged but seemed unable to express it.

"And what you must do, at once, is send envoys to the giants."

"And why in heaven's name would I do that?"

"To stop Voldemort from rallying them to his side once more."

"But that's just madness... If anyone found out... It would end my career!"

"Your attitude clearly shows you love your seat more than your people." Dumbledore said angrily. "You fail to see, as you have done for so long, that it is not our birth that matters but who we grow to be! Barty Crouch was the last member of a wizard family as old as any I can think of. And look what he chose to do with his life! He murdered his own father and very nearly killed Megan as well!

"Take the steps I suggest, and I assure you that you will be remembered, be it in office or not, as the bravest and greatest Minister for Magic in Magical History. If not, you will also remain in memories, but as nothing more than a coward who allowed Voldemort a second chance to destroy all we have tried to rebuild!"

Everyone was staring at Dumbledore and Fudge.

"But, if your determination to shut your eyes remains, Cornelius, then we will have to act separately, as we each see fit."

"Now, listen, I've given you free rein for a long time, I've always respected you, even though I haven't always agreed with your decisions. But if you're against me –"

"If I am against anyone, Cornelius, it is Voldemort. As long as you are too, we remain on the same side."

Fudge seemed unable to find a suitable answer, and fumbled with his bowler hat.

"He can't be back, he just can't..."

Snape then sighed loudly and strode forwards, forearm outwards.

"There," he said sharply. "The Dark Mark. It was clearer an hour ago, but you can still see it. It has been getting clearer all year. Why else would Karkaroff have fled? He betrayed many of his followers and knew they would never spare him!"

Megan wasn't too surprised to hear this, when she thought about it. He had sounded terrified that the mark was reappearing. And Voldemort had mentioned someone too cowardly to return. Had he meant Karkaroff?

"It was his means of distinguishing us and calling us to his side." Snape went on.

Fudge didn't seem to take in a word he had said, merely shaking his head in disbelief, and, Megan was pretty sure, denial.

"I don't know what you're playing at, but I've heard quite enough. I shall contact you tomorrow." He said.

He then turned to Megan and dropped a red velvet sack on Megan's bed.

"Your winnings." He said shortly.

Cramming his hat on, he stormed out. Dumbledore quickly turned to the others.

"There is much to be done... Molly? I trust I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course. Arthur knows what Fudge is like, and we think it's his fondness for Muggles that has held him back. Fudge thinks he's not got enough wizarding pride."

"All those we can trust are to be notified as soon as possible, and Arthur is well placed in that department."

"I'll go find him immediately," Bill said, standing up.

"Good. Tell him I'll speak with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, though. If Fudge thinks I'm interfering..."

"Leave it to me."

He touched Megan's shoulder, kissed his mother's cheek and hurried off.

"Minerva, please have Hagrid come to my office immediately. And if she'll come, Madame Maxime."

McGonagall nodded and marched out too.

"Poppy, would you mind leaving us a moment?" Dumbledore asked.

"Very well, sir."

After briefly checking on Moody and Cedric, she went into her office and shut the door.