A/N It's weird only publishing this now when I wrote this ages ago ... but welcome back! It's the sixth installment for Amara's story! I hope everyone likes it - BIG things happen this year which I hope you all enjoy :) So, please, as always, read and review! XXX

Chapter One

Wizarding Dangers

COLLAPSE OF THE BROCKDALE BRIDGE

The Brockdale Bridge, in Leeds, suffered a fatal malfunction last Friday when the bridge snapped clean in two and fell into the River Aire, a good ten feet below and sixteen foot in depth. The result of the major collapse was more than a dozen people, men, women and even children, driving across it before the five o'clock rush hour that day, fell to their deaths into the river below. The Search and Rescue team, Police and Firefighters were called to the scene immediately after it had happened. They were unable to rescue anyone from the depths of the river, and sources say that fifteen people have died. Witnesses called for knowledge on how the river collapsed have remained confused and dazed to what had happened.

Says Eleanor Fisher, a witness of the incident, who went to Leeds on a business trip that day: "It was all over very fast … there was some dark shapes around the bridge … I think … then it snapped and all the cars fell into the water."

Boats on the river at the time commented how the bridge "wobbled from an immense force" before it broke; causing a massive surge of water to capsize three boats and injure six sailors.

Friends and family flocked to the bridge once it had been closed to the public to commemorate their loved ones who plunged to their deaths. Everyone's thoughts are with the families at this current time, and a large row of flowers have been placed on the river's edge to honour the souls who perished

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister assured them that an inquiry was being made about what made the bridge collapse, even though it was less than ten years old.

The Prime Minister has yet to make a statement about the issue.

Meanwhile in the West Country, a freak hurricane has caused major injuries for the locals and many houses have been ripped apart from the force of the winds. Onlookers of the incident have yet to comment, and one spokesperson said that they were all being treated for trauma in a local hospital …

The girl holding the newspaper shifted slightly on the hard plastic seat she was sitting on in the waiting room of the airport, shuffling the newspaper slightly as she did so. The people around her looked at her curiously, wondering why a young girl like she was, was sitting in an airport, completely alone, reading a slightly disturbing newspaper.

But Amara Matthews ignored the people around her, for she was fully concentrated in reading the newspaper in front of her. On the outside it was a normal, Muggle newspaper, describing the horrible events of the past week, but she'd cleverly concealed the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, which she'd re-subscribed to now that it actually produced news, so she could read it whilst waiting for Tallulah Reynolds to get off of the aeroplane coming in from France.

On the front cover of the edition of the Daily Prophet was a man with thick hair like a mane around his horribly ravaged face. He was waving at Amara with a wrinkled hand and wasn't smiling, instead, he looked grave and slightly terrifying.

The title of the article blazed out in thick black letters:

SCRIMGEOUR SUCCEEDS FUDGE

Rufus Scrimgeour, previously Head of the Auror office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, has succeeded Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic. The appointment has largely been greeted with enthusiasm by the Wizarding community, though rumours of a rift between the new Minister and Albus Dumbledore, newly reinstated Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, surfaced within hours of Scrimgeour taking office.

Scrimgeour's representatives admitted that he had met with Dumbledore at once upon taking possession of the top job, but refused to comment on the topics under discussion. Albus Dumbledore is known to (ctd. page 3, column 2)

Amara absentmindedly rubbed her left arm. Not two weeks before she'd broken it during their battle at the Ministry of Magic.

A lot had changed since Fudge finally admitted that Voldemort was back. Firstly, Amara had experienced the feeling of fear when visiting her grandparents, and had seen Dementors, which had fled Azkaban and joined the dark side once more, floating around. Her parents, being Muggles, could not see them and so they didn't stay long. There was a weird, chilly mist hanging in the air where the Dementors had been.

Secondly, she'd found out that Amelia Bones, her Hufflepuff friend Susan Bones' Aunt, had been murdered in her home as well as a fellow Order of the Phoenix member, Emmeline Vance. It was in the newspaper she was currently reading:

AMELIA BONES FOUND MURDERED IN HER HOME

Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was found dead in her home last night after there were allegations that mass amounts of spell-work was being produced from her house. The Auror office was called immediately to the scene and found Ms Bones' body on the floor in her bedroom. According to Gawain Robards, newly elected Head of the Auror office, stated that there had been copious amounts of destruction within the residence which gave the indication that Ms Bones fought long and hard against her attack before she succumbed to death.

"It is believed that Amelia Bones was targeted by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself, considering her high status and control in the Ministry of Magic," said Robards, looking tired and withdrawn when exiting from the Ministry in the early hours of this morning. "It is very likely that he was the one responsible for her death, which is why she fought for so long before he finished her off. Our thoughts are with her family and how the Ministry has lost a very valuable member of our community."

Links have been made from Ameila Bones' death to that of Emmeline Vance, who was attacked just a few days ago in an alley off the streets from the Muggle Prime Minister. Vance was known for her loyalty to Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. Dumbledore has expressed his sorrow over losing both of these talented witches.

Also, Amara had been given a pamphlet with instructions of how to protect her family from dark forces. Considering she was one of the 'Chosen One''s, Harry Potter, best friends, she'd decided to take it on quickly, because her parents knew quite a lot about him.

— issued on behalf of —

THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

PROTECTING YOUR HOME AND FAMILY AGAINST DARK FORCES

The Wizarding community is currently under threat from an organisation calling itself the Death Eaters. Observing the following simple security guidelines will help protect you, your family, and your home from attack.

1. You are advised not to leave the house alone.

2. Particular care should be taken during the hours of dark- ness. Wherever possible, arrange to complete journeys before night has fallen.

3. Review the security arrangements around your house, making sure that all family members are aware of emergency measures such as Shield and Disillusionment Charms, and, in the case of underage family members, Side-Along-Apparition.

4. Agree security questions with close friends and family so as to detect Death Eaters masquerading as others by use of Polyjuice Potion (see page 2).

5. Should you feel that a family member, colleague, friend, or neighbour is acting in a strange manner, contact the Magical Law Enforcement Squad at once. They may have been put under the Imperius Curse (see page 4).

6. Should the Dark Mark appear over any dwelling place or other building, DO NOT ENTER, but contact the Auror office immediately.

7. Unconfirmed sightings suggest that the Death Eaters may now be using Inferi (see page 10). Any sighting of an Inferius, or encounter with same, should be reported to the Ministry IMMEDIATELY.

The Matthews' family now had security questions that they asked each other when they came home. She'd been given orders to tell Tally about the procedures as well, because she didn't really know the full scale of danger they were in, considering she'd been in France for the majority of the year.

As Amara's parents were Muggles and were unable to do magic, while Amara, her brother Ethan and her sister Tessie, could, she'd got Jesse Reynolds and Adrien Page to put enchantments around her house so that they were slightly safer than they had been before.

At half past two, Amara folded up her newspaper and shoved it into her jacket pocket, where her wand was hiding. She walked resolutely out of the room towards the arriving planes. At sixteen, seventeen in November, Amara's hair had grown nearly to her waist, and her shorter size (though only a few inches shorter than Hermione Granger, another best friend, and Harry) was teased by the Weasley twins, Fred and George, and Ron Weasley, her final best friend whom she felt was like her brother.

Tally was walking out of the arrival lounge when Amara spotted her. She had grown up slightly since the seven months she'd last seen her. Now fifteen-years-old, Tally was certainly attracting much more attention than usual. Her Veela qualities seemed to attract a few boys in the airport, but she ignored them all and rushed over to Amara excitedly.

"Amara," she squealed, giving her a tight squeeze after dropping both her suitcases. "It's so good to see you - 'ow are you? 'Ow's your arm and your 'ead and everyone else? 'Ow's Ron? Oh, and 'Arry ... I 'eard about Sirius you know ..."

Amara laughed slightly, though quite sadly too, as the questions she'd asked had not got good answers, before she drew back from the hug. She clasped both hands either side of the girl and looked straight at her sternly.

"When did I find out you, Jesse and Noah were magical too?"

Tally blinked. "Ze summer before my first year at Beauxbatons. Why?"

"Sorry," said Amara quietly. Luckily, no one was paying them any attention anymore. "The Ministry's asked us to do security questions ..."

Tally's eyes widened in understanding, her deep blue eyes staring at Amara.

"I get eet," said Tally nodding. "'Ow are we getting to yours?"

"Dad's waiting," said Amara, picking up one of Tally's suitcases. "Merlin this is heavy ... Anyway, come on quick and I'll tell you everything in the car ..."

"'Ello Uncle Dave," Tally said chirpily as she jumped into the backseat of the car. Amara followed her in quickly and shut the door.

"Hello Tally," Mr Matthews said. "How are you? Good year?"

"Fine zank 'ou," said Tally. "Eet was alright, I suppose… nozing much 'appened."

"Ah, well, not the same everywhere, is it?" said Mr Matthews nodding.

"Let's go," said Amara, because Tally was giving her eager looks.

Her father drove off and headed onto the motorway. Tally turned expectantly to Amara, who sighed a little.

She explained to Tally all the events that had happened since their Christmas at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. How this one girl ratted them out to Umbridge; how she became the new headmistress; Fred and George's leaving school; meeting Grawp in the forest and then their battle at the Ministry. She knew her father was trying not to listen, but he seemed faintly impressed with everything that had happened.

"And I haven't heard from anyone except Hermione yet," said Amara once she'd finished. It had taken most of the hour's journey to explain it, but Amara hadn't minded, because Tally was a very good audience. "She's coming over next week - though it's probably to see Jesse ... She hasn't seen him in ages."

"It's hard for them," said Tally. "He told me about it. First it was hard because they were in different counties, then because Hermione's still at Hogwarts the majority of the year and he's already working."

Amara nodded. Hermione did find the absence of her boyfriend of a year-and-a-half quite depressing. Which was why she spent a lot of time with him in the holidays when she could, and Jesse had told them that his work could give him some leeway now so he'd be able to visit on Hogsmeade weekends.

"He's doing good though, isn't he?" Mr Matthews said from up front. "Elisabeth told us how the head of the department feels he could get a promotion if he carries on like he is doing."

Amara nodded, pleased her parents were keeping up with what was happening.

"And Noah's left Beauxbatons," Mr Matthews commented. "What's he going to do now?"

"E's doing a training course back 'ome," said Tally. "Mozzur and Papa are pleased becoz 'e eez at 'ome most of ze week whilst Jesse eez 'ere and I'm at school."

"Does he still want to work with magical creatures?"

"Oh yes, I zink 'e 'as contacted Charlie Weasley, and after 'is year of training 'e shall go see ze workings of a Dragon camp in Romania."

"Any ideas what you're going to do?" Amara said. She had decided to see if going into the work as a Healer would be good, which was why she had been waiting eagerly for her O.W.L results to come.

"No," said Tally. "But I 'ave been trying to persuade Papa to see eef 'e can talk to Dumbledorr to see eef I can transfer - I 'ate not being wiz my best friends! And I would be ze same year az Ginny."

"What has he said?" Amara said in interest.

"I am too young to go overseas to a school by myself," said Tally in irritation. "Mozzur iz no 'elp at all, so I am still getting Papa to change 'is mind."

"How is Uncle Louis anyway?" said Amara. "Is he still doing his job at the Ministry?"

"Oh yes," said Tally, nodding. "Your new Minister – Scrimgeour – I zink? 'E contacted Papa becoz 'e 'eard of 'is position, seeing eef ze French are interested een 'elping."

"Everyone seems to know Louis," said Amara.

"'E comes from a very respected famille," said Tally wisely. "Ze Millefeuille and ze Leroy families – both of 'is decedents – 'ave helped ze British Ministry before. I 'ope Papa does not get too friendly, becoz of ze stuff zey did to 'Arry last year."

A little while later they arrived back at Amara's house. It was nearly four o'clock in the afternoon, and a strange, chilly mist had descended on them. Knowing it could only mean one thing, Amara hurried her father, who was carrying Tally's suitcases, and the girl herself inside the house and locked the door.

Only her mother was home, because Tessie and Ethan, like Amara usually did, had gone to their friends' houses for the summer. In Tessie's case, she'd gone travelling with one of her best friends, Josephine 'Joey' Blishwick, and already had sent them a letter telling them about all the exciting things they'd got up to already.

… I see now why you stayed away in the summer at Ron's house … it's so much fun being able to do everything! Hope to see you soon, unless you go to Ron's house for the summer … then I'll just see you at Hogwarts for the next year, being a second-year is going to be so fun … oh, and I forgot to tell you, after my travelling month, Aubrey's invited us to a Quidditch match – because her Uncle, Darren Floyd (I think I've told you before) he's on the Welsh Team. So we're seeing Wales vs England in a game! And we get to go and meet them too, because Aubrey gets good tickets, how exciting is that?

Ethan, on the other hand, had not gone travelling; instead he'd gone to his best friend Edward McKenzie's house, along with Eddie's twin sister Piper, and their other friend Felicity Cartright. He'd yet to send a letter to them, but Amara had a feeling he was enjoying the McKenzie's new Quidditch pitch very much.

So this meant that Tally was able to stay in Tessie's new very Gryffindor styled room, which also had a lot of purple shoved in it too, and when Hermione came, she could stay in Ethan's bedroom, a rather Quidditch themed room, where his favourite team, the Wimbourne Wasps.

Amara knew her mother had gotten a shock the first time she'd entered his room, because there were several posters of the Quidditch team flying around on broomsticks. She told Amara that she did not think that Quidditch was very safe and that she regretted letting them have broomsticks.

They found Mrs Matthews in the kitchen reading the Daily Prophet, which had seemingly had arrived since they'd been gone.

"Rufus Scrimgeour says he's putting in more measures to protect Hogwarts next year," she commented when they walked in, looking approvingly at the newspaper. "I'm glad … hullo Tally, how are you?"

"Fine zanks," said Tally, placing herself on a chair. Amara followed suit just as there was a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" Mrs Matthews wondered.

"I'll get it," said Amara immediately and she walked towards the front door, now always hesitant when answering it.

"Who's there?" she said loudly through the door.

"Jesse and Adrien," came Adrien's voice, which had dimmed the French accent now that he'd been in England for a year. "Can we come in or do we have to stay in zis chilly mist forever?"

"Jesse, which country did we go to three years ago?"

"Greece," came Jesse's voice.

"Adrien, what is Ethan's favourite Quidditch team?"

"Wimbourne Wasps," said Adrien promptly. "What was the name of the girlfriend who's picture's we burnt on the roof last year?"

"Celeste," said Amara and she opened the door.

"Finally," said Adrien. "I'm freezing."

"Jesse! Adrien! What a pleasant surprise," Mrs Matthews came bustling into the hallway too. "Come in – Adrien, I've made some cookies if you want some …"

"Excellent," said Adrien and disappeared into the kitchen after her.

Jesse gave his sister a hug before turning to Amara.

"Sorry for the unannounced visit," said Jesse. "but I wanted to see Tally, and Adrien was hungry, so …"

"He's still not a great cook then?" Amara asked, laughing slightly. She'd heard from her parents that Adrien, Jesse and sometimes Fleur Delacour had come round to her house so that they'd get some proper food. Adrien was now very good friends with her family.

"Atrocious," said Jesse conversationally. "Fleur can't stand it."

Amara laughed again.

"How is Miss Delacour?" she said. Fleur was the bane of Hermione's life, because she was rather vexing to be around, and her good looks did not help. She was very opinionated and sometimes rude, but Amara knew that she was a good friend of Jesse's, and could see the good side of her as well.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you," said Jesse as they walked into the kitchen. Adrien was scoffing some biscuits whilst Tally was looking at him, rather disgustedly. "She's getting married next year!"

"What?"

"Yeah, yeah, Bill Weasley – you know, they've been dating for a year and he proposed a few weeks back," said Jesse, sitting down next to Adrien. "And she's going to visit the Weasley's sometime."

"It was quite a shock," said Adrien after his mouthful had gone. Amara was distinctly reminded of Ron. "I mean, zey've been dating for only a year."

"It is quite quick," said Amara musingly. "But I suppose, if they love each other, I mean, Bill isn't someone who just does stuff like that if it wasn't 'meant to be'."

"You're so sappy," said Adrien. "Reminded me of Adeline."

"How is she, by the way? Finished Beauxbatons now, hasn't she?" said Amara, remembering the girl who used to have a very strong liking for Jesse.

"Who cares?" said Adrien. "She's annoying. Hopefully she stays in France – I don't think she did well in her HATS."

"That reminds me," said Jesse. "When're your O.W.L results coming?"

"'OWL' results?" questioned Adrien.

"Ordinary Wizarding Levels," said Amara. "We have N.E. as well – Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. Weird name if you ask me. Anyway, I think they'll come in a few weeks, I mean, it hasn't quite been a month yet."

"Amara, dear, I'm out of milk," Mrs Matthews had come back into the room. "I need to go get some."

Amara, Jesse and Adrien instinctively looked at the clock. It was half past four, which meant it would not get dark until a good few hours yet.

"Okay," said Amara. "I'll come with you."

"Me too," said Tally immediately.

"Well, let's go quickly then," said Mrs Matthews anxiously. Amara hated the fact that her parents were now nervous to leave the house, eventhough it was the Wizarding World which had its problems, not theirs.

They drove to the supermarket which was close to their house. The chilly mist was still hanging around, and it came and went a few times a week, depending where the Dementors were. They didn't talk much as they drove towards the supermarket, as the chilly mist was making the outside look darker than normal evenings.

The supermarket had a steady stream of people, all looking rather grim, because the Dementors did that to the people, eventhough they couldn't see them. Luckily, Amara hadn't spotted one near her house yet, but she was always furtively looking around just in case. They went down the aisle, fetching what they needed quickly.

"Bryony, is that you?" squawked a voice from behind them as they queued for the till. They all jumped as they swivelled around.

A woman was standing near them with straggly grey hair and a bent back. She was holding a walking stick and was looking at them beadily as a little boy was next to her, looking very disgruntled.

"Maude!" Mrs Matthews exclaimed, rather shrilly, which meant it was faked. "How lovely to see you!"

"Hmf," the woman named Maude said as she scrutinised them beadily. "Haven't seen you in a while," she screeched. "Where have you been hiding away – no Lawrence!" she swatted the boy with her walking stick.

"Ow!" said the little boy. He rubbed his head as he retrieved his hand from the sweet pile by the counter.

"Oh, here and there," said Mrs Matthews briskly.

"This is Amara, isn't it," said Maude. "My, you've grown up since I last saw you … where on earth have you been?"

"Er," said Amara. "Boarding school."

"Boarding school?" echoed the woman. "You put your children in one of them? Hmf, gets them away, I suppose – I daresay Lawrence will need to go to – NO Lawrence!" she wacked him with her stick again.

"Ouch!" cried the little boy, pouting.

"Terrible grandson," Maude muttered. "Have you seen this chilly mist everywhere, hmf? It's making everyone miserable."

She stared at Amara as she said it, as though it was her fault it was happening. Amara supposed it sort of was, considering she was part of the world it came from.

"And who are you?" Maude cawed at Tally, who looked rather startled.

"This is my niece, Tallulah," said Mrs Matthews.

"Ah," said Maude, inspecting her. "Pretty one, are you?"

"Erm," said Tally.

"Hmf," said the woman, and Amara was starting to get rather irritated by her. The boy – Lawrence – wasn't helping either, because he kept trying to steal a chocolate bar, and looking at them both rather strangely.

Luckily for them, they were next in line and they could pay for their food and get away from Maude and Lawrence.

"Who was that?" said Amara as they got back in the car.

"Maude Morrison," said Mrs Matthews. "She was my school teacher ages ago – she used to live near us as well."

"She's 'orrible," said Tally. "And ze boy, Lawrence, what waz eez problem wiz us?"

"He did look at us strangely," said Amara as they drove away. "And he kept trying to steal those chocolate bars."

They came home to find Adrien and Jesse now watching television in the lounge.

"Fun time?" said Adrien as they walked in.

"Mmm," said Tally.

"We met Mum's old school teacher and her grandson," said Amara. "They weren't nice."

"What Muggle teachers are?" said Jesse, snorting.

Jesse and Adrien ended up staying for dinner too, and didn't go home until late in the evening. They Flooed home instead of Apparating so that it was safer, and Mr Matthews loved to see the flames go green when the Floo powder was added.

"'Ow can not even a month make ze entire Wizarding World so on edge?" Tally said as they watched them vanish. "Eet iz crazy, they were saying 'Arry was stupeed a few weeks ago."

"I know," said Amara. "But it's good that Fudge is gone, hopefully Scrimgeour can do better than him."

"Considering that he ignored Harry and Dumbledore the entire year, employed that horrible person and decided to put them in a school, good riddance, I say!" said Mr Matthews determinedly. "No wonder he was chased away, I would hate for our Prime Minister to do such a thing."

Amara nodded, seeing her father get rather worked up over Cornelius Fudge's mistakes.

Amara and Tally stayed up late that night, talking in Amara's bedroom about what was happening. Tally also seemed keen to get to The Burrow soon, mainly to see Ron, whom she had taken quite a liking too.

Going to bed that night, Amara couldn't help but think about the change there had been since the summer before. They'd been able to go to Diagon Alley freely and eat ice creams in the sunny weather. Now there was suspicion, and no one wanted to hang around too long talking. Amara hoped it wasn't going to be like it forever.