Violet fell face first into the grass outside the entrance of the maze. Violet's head still felt sore as she slowly tried to take in her surroundings. She breathed in deeply and quickly occluded all the events of the maze and the graveyard. Then, she heard sounds coming closer. She understood she would be facing Dumbledore soon and analyzed her plan of attack. She put up strong mind barriers. Just as she was making up her mind, she felt a pair of hands seize her and bring her to her feet.

"VIOLET!"

Violet opened her eyes again to see Dumbledore in front of her and her Godfather holding her up. She could see the shadows of others pressing in around. She tried to focus on Dumbledore's face as he shook her gently.

"What happened?" Dumbledore said.

"I don't know," she said feeling her own confusion. "The last thing I remember is walking up to the cup in the center of the maze. I grabbed the cup." Then she cried out in sudden pain from something that must have happened afterwards.

Just then, the face of Cornelius Fudge appeared looking down over the fallen Tri-Wizard Champion. Dumbledore shook Violet a little harder. "Did you see anything? Anyone?" he was speaking most desperately now.

"I just don't remember anything after touching the cup, Sir," she said levelly.

"Dumbledore, let go of her," she heard Fudge's voice say, and she felt Dumbledore shake her again. "But what about Voldemort?"

Violet looked up at him in shock that he would speak the name. Violet shrugged her shoulders, still playing the part of someone whose mind had been messed with.

The Headmaster reached his fingers to cup her chin so that she could meet her eye-to-eye. He brushed his thoughts against her, but Minister Fudge yanked him away from her.

"Dumbledore, what are you talking about?" Fudge asked him. Violet looked very appreciatively at the Minister.

"She needs to go to the hospital wing!" Fudge was saying. "She's got blood on her everywhere!"

Just then another person entered into the clearing, his large eye twirling around at Violet. Violet heard who it was before she saw who. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. It was Mad-Eye Moody.

"What happened, Violet?" he asked her.

Again Violet put her arms in the air. "I just grabbed the Tri-Wizard Cup," she said, but shook her head. "I don't know what happened after that."

Fudge spoke over the voices of Dumbledore, Moody and her godfather trying to get something else out of her.

"She's clearly tired and hurt. She needs to go to the hospital wing!" Fudge said.

Violet shook her head, trying to gain the strength to go, but realizing just how exhausted and tired she was now.

"You need to stay right here," Dumbledore said.

But Moody met Dumbledore's eye. "It's all right, Albus," he clipped. "I will lead her to the Hospital wing."

Moody swept her up into his arm and began to carry her through the frightened crowd. As they walked he spoke.

"What happened, Miss Potter?"

Violet shook her head. "I don't remember – " she replied, holding to her story.

Moody took her to a tent, and then she saw him put up wards against eavesdropping.

"Did you see the Dark Lord, Violet?" He asked.

Violet saw something different in his eyes – something she had always seen but never noticed before, something that made her wonder if this Moody was everything he said about himself. But Violet felt it best to stick to her story.

"I don't know what you are talking about!" She yelled. "I just grabbed the Cup, and the next thing I remember is dropping to the entrance of the maze.

"Did the Dark Lord get his body back?" Moody asked.

Violet shook her head violently at the man. "I don't know –" she grumbled. "What are you asking of me?"

Moody reached into his robes to pull out a drink. With a grimace on his face he said.

"Drink this … it will help you feel better … and then tell me … I need to know what happened … "

Violet felt the cup in her hands, and she let them shake easily. She certainly wasn't acting after the long run through the maze, the resurrection ritual, and her escape. She shook a little more. Then, with a cry she let the cup fall from her hands and into the ground.

"Did the Dark Lord take something from you? Were there Death Eaters there?" He pressed, a crazy look in his face.

Violet just shook her head when Dumbledore barreled into the tent. He looked in shock at Moody as he stood over Violet and at Violet's face as he stared at her. His eyes leveled at her, preparing to speak to her further, when Ludo Bagman followed Dumbledore into the tent.

"Oh, there you are, Violet!" he shouted. "Everyone is looking for the winner of the Triwizard Tournament."

He yanked Violet's hand and practically dragged her, barely able to walk as she was back into the public and to the top of a dais all constructed. Then, one after the other, the other champions came up around her. Viktor Krum was on her right, apparently finished second. Cedric Diggory was on her left, apparently third and to his left was Fleur Delacour.

Ludo Bagman touched his wand to his throat and said, "Sonorus." Then he turned to the assembled crowd.

"We have found the winner and are prepared to give you the final results. The first to finish the maze was Violet Potter!"

There was an eruption of silver and green in the stands before her. There was polite applause from the Ravenclaws and Beauxbatons, but silence from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Durmstrang. Ludo stood before Viktor.

"The second to enter the clearing where the cup was is Viktor Krum!" he shouted. Again, there was an eruption. Everyone cheered and shouted for the winner.

Ludo Bagman had his hand down in a quieting motion. "The third to reach the clearing where the cup was Cedric Diggory!" There was a smattering of applause from the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.

Ludo Bagman finished, "And finishing admirably was Fleur Delacour."

Violet was handed a bouquet of flowers. She had her picture taken and was ushered into a tent for an exclusive interview with Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet. Professor Dumbledore had tried to burst into the tent again. He glared at them and said. "I really need to speak to Miss Potter."

The press was below, and it was Rita Skeeter that threw up questions.

"Professor Dumbledore," she said. "What I would like to know is why does the man who has been documented as having manipulated Miss Potter for the first eleven years of her life so eager to speak to the girl?"

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at her. "I have reason to believe that Voldemort is back," he said in full hearing of them all, "And she is the only eye-witness to this event."

There were gasps all around them at that proclamation. The largest reaction came from the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.

"Well, Miss Potter," he said with a flippant voice. "Did you witness such an event as Dumbledore insists you saw?"

Violet looked up in confusion at everyone around her. She continued to play the part she had planned to play. "I don't remember anything between grabbing the Cup and landing on the grass at the entrance, Sir. I don't know what Dumbledore is talking about."

At this point, there seemed to be no relief in sight until Lucius Malfoy strode forward with his son Draco and Narcissa Malfoy along.

"Can the poor girl be given some rest?" Narcissa asked. "Perhaps after some sleep she might have a clearer head with a better chance of answering questions tomorrow?"

Violet easily let herself fall into Misses Malfoy's arms. She did not even remember making it into the Hospital bed.

Violet woke on the next day, so warm and so very sleepy, that she didn't open her eyes at once, wanting to drop off again. Her room in the in the Hospital wing was dimly lit – she must have slept through more than a day. What had awakened her was the door flying open in the Hospital wing.

"We need to talk to her now," was the voice of Dumbledore thundering. "We waited a whole day, as Lady Malfoy and Madam Pomfrey insisted. There isn't time to wait any longer."

Violet's eyes adjusted to the people around her. Draco, Daphne, Pansy, Tracey, Millicent, and Ginny were nearby. Madam Pomfrey looked in and saw with a scowl on her face that Violet had woken with all the noise.

She looked down at Violet and gave her best show of a smile, "It appears, Miss Potter," she said as her face suddenly narrowed on her, "that you will have to forgo the rest of your recovery for an interrogation."

Violet rubbed her eyes and her face crunched up in confusion. "What?" she asked in bewilderment.

Professor Dumbledore and Minister Fudge, Alastor Moody and a few others are here." She looked at her one more time. "I will leave you to dress in peace."

Madam Pomfrey turned quickly and left ushering the other students away from the curtain. Violet put on the clothes that Daphne had brought from her dormitory for her to wear. When she was as dressed as she was able, Daphne and Pansy returned and carefully led her outside of the curtain to the small gathering that had assembled outside.

An argument was going on as Violet could tell between Dumbledore and Minister Fudge. Her Head of House, Severus Snape was there, along with Sirius Black, and Lucius Malfoy.

"Violet, my girl – good …" Dumbledore said. "You are awake. So good." He said with his eyes twinkling. "Would you like a lemon drop?"

Violet just stared at the old façade in disgust, trying to find some strength. Professor Snape came forward and placed a steaming mug in her hand.

"Pepper up Potion," he whispered to her encouragingly. Violet eagerly took a deep drink and placed the mug back in Professor Snape's hands.

"Violet –" Professor Dumbledore began again. "We need you to tell us what happened inside of the maze. What happened? Why did you disappear?"

Violet stared idly as if she was lost in thought. She shrugged her shoulders again. "Sir, as I told you yesterday – I do not remember."

Professor Dumbledore's face looked sharply at her. "I think I need to insist that I perform Legilemency on her!"

Professor Snape snarled. Lucius Malfoy gave a snort. Violet looked on in horror.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" She shouted. "Why would I need to get my rights violated in such a way!"

Minister Fudge roared in righteous indignation. "This is ridiculous, Albus. You are going too far."

"Veritaserum, perhaps!" Dumbledore said.

Violet gasped. Minister Fudge snapped back. "There is no compelling reason to do so."

"But Voldemort is back!" Professor Dumbledore said. Sirius Black stepped forward. "I grant you permission for either you feel necessary, Headmaster."

Violet whimpered stepping back. Fudge growled. "This needs to stop." Then, looking at her godfather, "If I hear that she has her rights violated like this in some way, I will overturn the Wizengamot and grant her rights to the Malfoys instantly. They at least know how to treat children!"

Dumbledore continued to insist, but Fudge looked at Dumbledore as if someone had swung a heavy weight into his face. Dazed and blinking, he stared at Dumbledore as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard. He began to sputter, still goggling at Dumbledore.

"You-Know-Who … returned! Preposterous. Come now, Dumbledore …"

"I have seen the Dark Mark of at least one former Death Eater return!" Dumbledore shouted back at Fudge.

"See here, Dumbledore," said Fudge, and Violet was astonished to see a slight smile dawning on his face, "you – you can't seriously believe that. You-Know-Who – back? Come now, come now."

"When Violet touched the Triwizard Cup last night, something happened. She was taken away for over an hour. Neither the cup nor her could be found. She witnessed the Dark Lord's rebirth!"

Fudge looked at her. "Is any of this true?"

Violet shrugged. "If it is, I do not remember. I just remember touching the Cup!"

"She must be under the Imperius!" said Dumbledore. "That is why we need to use Legilimency or Veritaserum!"

"You are – er – prepared to go on with this, are you, Dumbledore?" Fudge asked.

Dumbledore's eyes were blazing. "Certainly!"

Violet said, "Can I speak, Minister, Sir?"

Fudge turned to her, schooled himself. "Yes, my dear?" He said with patience, but eager to use this against her too.

"Ever since I have entered into the Wizarding World, I have had to suffer the indignities of Dumbledore. I was dragged into the Alley by his lackey, Hagrid. I was forced into the care of his lackey, Black. I asked for a real family, like the Malfoys. And I keep being refused. I just want to be a child." She said.

Fudge had an even bigger smile on his face. He glanced once more at Violet before answering. Then, he turned to Dumbledore.

"You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, based on – " he left a silent moment there, "such strange uncollaborated circumstances?"

"You've been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge," he said quietly.

Violet hoped as she looked at Fudge and saw him redden slightly. But he looked defiant and obstinate.

"Listen to me, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, taking a step toward Fudge, and once again, he seemed to radiate that indefinable sense of power. But Fudge had taken a half a step back from Dumbledore, and he looked no less stubborn.

"You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I am starting to realize you are showing your age." Then, he looked at Violet. With a shake of his head, he said.

"I will see what I can do for your circumstances, Miss Potter. I pity you more than any other student in this school."

Dumbledore turned his grandfather face upon Violet one more time. "But you have to know that I have only been doing that for the best."

Violet shook her head, looking desperately to Mr. Malfoy, playing her part. "My best?" She said in fear as she peeked around Mr. Malfoy at Dumbledore. "You are trying to make me a weapon to bring back your glory days for a war that is long over!" she said.

Mister Malfoy patted her shoulder. Fudge looked with clever eyes on the girl.

Minister Fudge looked at him. "Maybe not yet –" he said. "But I will be making sure the Ministry takes certain precautions and protections for our students – especially Miss Potter!" He said.

"Voldemort has returned!" Dumbledore repeated. "If you accept that fact straightaway, 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!" shouted Fudge 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 supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them!" said Dumbledore. "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, and his old supporters returned to 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 as no words could express his outrage.

There was silence. Everyone was staring at Fudge.

"Now, see here, Dumbledore," he said, waving a threatening finger. "I've given you free reign, 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 where your orphaned students stay during the summer – even though that last one breaks every one of our laws! But if you're going to work against me –"

"The only one against whom I intend to work," said Dumbledore, "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius on the same side." He sadly looked first at Professor Snape, then at Mr. Malfoy and last at Violet.

"I don't know what you are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry."

He almost reached the door when he paused. He turned around, strode back and stopped before Violet looking down on her and placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Your winnings," he said sympathetically, taking a large bag of gold out of his pocket and handing it to Mr. Malfoy for her. "You have my promise to do everything to make things better for you, young lady."

Violet nodded, sniffing yet at the words of Dumbledore.

Then, Minister Fudge went to the Fireplace, through Floo powder inside and shouted, "Ministry of Magic." He was gone.

Then, one after the other people left the room. Lucius Malfoy gave her a sympathetic look, but disappeared through the Floo. Violet watched her godfather leave with a snarl along with Dumbledore. She was left with her Head of House and Pansy and Daphne.

The next few days were a blur. Violet spent two more days in the hospital wing healing injuries and recovering her strength. She didn't get any further visits from her godfather or Dumbledore. Her only solace were her six good friends along with Draco and his three friends. Violet wanted to share with them all what had happened, but she felt watched and decided to keep things to herself.

When she returned to the meals in the Great Hall for the last two days of term, she didn't see Dumbledore at first. There were rumors about what was happening.

"Dumbledore has finally lost it and the Board is going to sack him for sure," one person said.

The Gryffindors whispered, "Voldemort has returned, and Dumbledore is beginning the organization against him."

The three Weasleys were impossible. They sneered at her whenever they crossed paths. They attempted several times to corner her in the corridors, but Violet never left the Common Room without Draco, Vincent, and Gregory.

Professor Moody had disappeared. One day, the same day as the Defense against the Dark Arts exam in fact, he did not show up. He was gone. Rumors were rampant that he had followed Dumbledore off the deep end.

The newspapers had begun their assault against Dumbledore.

Following an Old Coot

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, students walk from their dorms to the table completely befuddled. There are open wars in the corridors. Why might you ask? Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is why, I answer.

Just one week ago, at the conclusion of the third task of the Tri-Wizard tournament that a young Violet Potter won in stunning fashion, Professor Dumbledore ruined the Champion's moment with an interrogation of a poor girl he has been persecuting since the moment of the tragedy of October 31, 1981.

As the newly crowned Champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament returned by the Championship Cup, he was quick to send his ally and friend, Alastor Moody to privately threaten young Miss Violet Potter into declaring the return of the long dead Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Our heroine remained strong. No one knows what happened in that tent, since Miss Potter is a minor and is under no requirement to share what happened, but many of her friends shake their head.

Pansy Parkinson, one of Violet's good friends, confided to me, "She still shivers about that confrontation. When she did not agree that the Dark Lord had returned, he put his wand on her and threatened to put her under the Cruciatus."

When I asked her, "Surely a Ministry Auror would do no such thing –" Miss Parkinson replied.

"Actually, throughout the year, Professor Moody put us under the Imperius and made us observe all the Unforgivables placed on large insects and small rodents. It would not have been a surprise to any of us, if one of us would be punished by yet another Unforgivable."

Daphne Greengrass, another good friend of Miss Potter told me, "If it wasn't for the quick thinking of Ludo Bagman finding her in that tent, who knows in what condition Violet would have been."

Tracey Davis, another of Miss Potter's friends said, "I wouldn't be surprised if Moody and Dumbledore would have tortured her to say this and forced her to resort herself into Gryffindor. He tried that before."

Miss Potter continues to remain in seclusion at the school. But many of the students who think too highly of Dumbledore have attempted to attack her in the open corridors. Nothing is being done, because the Deputy Headmistress, also the Head of Gryffindor refuses to discipline these students who are all Gryffindors. Without the Headmaster, there is no one able to step in.

The question stands. What is going on at Hogwarts? Does Dumbledore have what is best for our students? Stay with us as we continue to try to find answers to these questions.

Rita Skeeter, out.

For more information about the persecution of Dumbledore against Miss Potter, please see page 6.

For more information about the Tri-Wizard Tournament, please see page 9.

It was with fear and trepidation that Violet packed her trunk up in the dormitory on the day for her return trip to Grimmauld Place. She was dreading the Leaving Feast.

When she entered the Hall with her Slytherin entourage, she saw the usual decorations missing. The Great Hall was normally decorated with the winning House colors for this Feast. It should have been for Slytherin, thanks to Violet's win in the Tri-wizard Tournament, but that was not the case. There were black drapes on the wall behind the teacher's table. Moody's spot at the table was gone, as was Karkaroff's.

Madame Maxine was still there, sitting next to Hagrid. Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape sat next to each other, scowling at each other. Right in the middle was Albus Dumbledore who had returned from whatever journey he had gone on.

Slowly, he stood to address the school. "The end," said Dumbledore, looking around at them all, "of another year."

He paused, and his eyes looked around at everyone. "There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," said Dumbledore. Then, he continued, "I think that all of you have the right to know about a conspiracy that is going on in this school and goes up to the very Ministry of Magic itself."

Violet glared at him, and a panicked whisper swept through the Hall, but Dumbledore charged on. "Lord Voldemort has returned!" Some were perfectly calm, like Violet and most of Slytherin. Others were fearful and scared. Others were confused even angry, having read Skeeter's column on this point.

"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so – either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to hide Voldemort's return will be catastrophic!"

Dumbledore looked around the room trying his best to look like the benevolent Grandfather he had adopted so well.

"Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon Violet, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all once again – in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust.

"It is my believe – and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken, that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. This is the time we all must make a choice between what is right and what is easy."

Violet's trunk was packed! Violet went with her entourage onto the train. She said, "Farewell" to Hogwarts, preparing for the purgatory of Grimmauld Place.