Hello and welcome to my first attempt at HP-fiction! I hope I didn't screw up.

This story is happening during Harry's fifth year.

I don't think it has enough depth to be called like the book but it's something

I've written some months ago and I decided to put it onto this site just to

see how people react to it. I never finished it back then but I found

it just a few days ago and thought it deserved a continuation.

I'm still a beginner when it comes to writing, plus English is only my third

language...

But I never cease to try!

Therefore you can guess how much I value review(s). If you want to flame,

well, do so. At least then I know that I'd better stop writing.

DISCLAIMER:

I am sure you've read enough fanfics by now to know that I didn't create

the HP universe. I didn't even develop any new characters (so far).

THE CHAOS BEGINS

From: Caius Julius

Prologue

The summer had passed faster than Harry would have thought. Hermione and Ron kept him informed about the recent events, of course.

At first everything was quiet, no unidentified attacks, no killings. No sign of Voldemort.

The Daily Prophet was even beginning to doubt Dumbledore's announcement from last year's school banquet where he had

declared the Dark Lord's return.

But then the first murder happened. The Dark Mark over the dead wizard's house left no doubt who had committed the crime.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had to alter his course of actions.

He no longer could deny Voldemort's return.

All too soon, Harry was back on platform 9 3/4 and right into the new school year. At first sight everything seemed normal at Hogwarts.

But Harry dared to look closer and what he saw did not make him feel better.

Headmaster Dumbledore still had his twinkling look but it seemed somewhat clouded at times.

Professor McGonagall deducted points off Ravenclaw when some fifth-year said the whole You-Know-Who story was faked.

Even Snape, of all people, seemed somewhat distracted. He was as mean as ever, but Harry had the impression he was

eyeing the students of his own house with special interest. Was he looking out for some maybe-followers of Voldemort?

Harry, Ron and Hermione had talked about the events after the Triwizard Tournament more than once and had come

to an understanding that Dumbledore was the only one to trust nowadays.

He would know what to do if the ministry - that meant Fudge - did not stop him first.

With these impressions, the first month back at Hogwarts passed rather quickly, and the students from third year up

were looking forward to their first fall visit to Hogsmeade.

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Visit

"I cannot believe you don't want to accompany me!" Ron was shaking his head.

"You can fly with Hermione any other day, why today? Surely you two don't want to study for the N.E.W.T.'s, do you?"

Harry smiled. "Ron, this isn't the last weekend. I'm sure Hogsmeade will still be there next month. Besides," he sighed.

"I have to start with Quidditch practise. And Hermione wants to do this Transfigurations essay."

Ron grinned. "Just be careful she doesn't make a swot of you, will you? - Ouch, Hermione, it was only a joke. Really!"

He rubbed his side where Hermione's elbow had hit him moments ago.

"I hope that's true, for your sake," she said with an imitation of McGonagall's stern look. Finally, she grinned, too.

"Just make sure not to forget the sweets, right?"

"Count on it!" Ron declared. He grabbed his bag and went to the door. He stopped briefly.

"You did want Every Flavour Beans with... car tyre flavour, right?"

He fled out of the room.

"Oh that, that...RON!" Hermione sighed. "Ok, Harry. Let's get started. What do you want to begin with?"

It was wonderful weather outside. Therefore, they decided to start with flying. Of course, Harry had asked for permission

to use the Quidditch field. Madame Hootch simply had stated she had to inspect the stand's condition, anyway.

She could as well watch over them while they practised.

Thus, Harry and Hermione were zipping around more than two hours until they were totally exhausted.

They didn't want to spoil the rest of Madame Hootch's afternoon, so they said goodbye and left for the castle.

"We should start with Transfiguration immediately," said Hermione.

 "Oh no. Please! I'm really tired." Harry sighed. 

Hermione gave him a stern look and he lifted his hands in defence.

"I need a break first, Ok? We'll begin after that, yes?"

That might have been a little bit exaggerated but he simply didn't want to start writing that essay just yet.

"Let's go to the common room. We can rest there."

Harry was sure Hermione would have preferred to study, but she wordlessly followed him through the entrance. 

Then she said, "But we will start today, Harry. No excuses!"

The common room was empty. Harry wasn't surprised because the older students were in

Hogsmeade and the younger students were on some kind of outing. Satisfied he dropped into a welcoming armchair.

He watched Hermione as she left for her dormitory and returned shortly afterwards with field glasses, a present from her parents.

She enjoyed observing as much as possible from the Gryffindor tower. Therefore, she opened a window and watched the grounds.

Harry frowned slightly. Usually, Hermione told him everything she saw. Not caring if he wanted to hear it or not. But not today.

Instead, she eyed the surroundings quietly.

'Well, there isn't anything, anyway,' Harry thought.

But then, Hermione caught his attention again. "Harry, you've got to see this!" she whispered as if she feared to be overheard.

He walked to her side and she gave him the field glasses. She pointed at three figures which were moving towards the castle.

"The one in front, Harry!" she said quite excited. "It's-"

"Fudge!" Harry exclaimed. "What does he want? And who are those guys next to him?  Don't look like secretaries if you ask me."

He handed Hermione her glasses back.

"They appeared all of a sudden. With a portkey, probably." she said.

"But why is Fudge here?" Harry asked. "The night that Cedric... He didn't seem to want to come back ever gain, did he?"

"Well," Hermione said, "maybe he and Dumbledore are on speaking terms again." She didn't sound very convinced, though.

"If we only knew why they are here."

For a few seconds Harry just stared out of the window. Then he turned on his heel and went to his dorm.

Moments later he returned, his invisibility cloak in one hand.

"Why don't we find out?" he said with a cocky grin and mentioned Hermione to come under the cloak.

She hesitated. "Harry, I don't know..."

"Do you want to find out or not?"

The Transfiguration essay was totally forgotten. Adventure was calling. This was so much more exciting.

Hermione thought about it, but finally joined him.

"I can't hurt to check, I guess," she murmured. They left the Gryffindor tower and silently went down to the entrance hall,

using some secret passageways to catch up time.

When they arrived, Dumbledore had already greeted his visitor and they were moving to  the main stairs, Fudge's companions behind them.

Finally, Harry and Hermione could hear their voices.

"... very surprised by your visit, Cornelius." Dumbledore said in a friendly way. Fudge, on the other hand, didn't return the smile.

 "I have my reasons. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself." He seemed as arrogant as he had last year.

"I suggest we talk about it in my office, Cornelius."

"Darn," Hermione swore silently. "We won't be able to get in there!"

"Quiet," Harry whispered. Fudge suddenly stopped. Harry feared their cover had been blown.

"Your office? No, I'm sorry, Dumbledore, but a somewhat... less  prejudiced room would be preferred." Harry let out his breath.

They hadn't been heard. Thank goodness!

"Well, the staff room, perhaps?" Dumbledore suggested, as friendly as before, completely unimpressed by Fudges mistrust.

The minister hesitated again but nodded.

"Yes, I think the staff room will do just fine."

That was all Harry needed to know. Fortunately, he knew a short-cut. He pulled Hermione with him into a dark corner and opened a secret door.

They arrived not far from the staff room, well before Dumbledore and Fudge some minutes later.

When they were there, Hermione whispered: "Well, there goes our theory. Fudge definitely didn't want to apologise!"

Harry nodded grimly. Now, how were they supposed to get into the room? Dumbledore  and Fudge were already on this very floor.

But this time Fudge's mistrust was playing into their hands. After Dumbledore had opened  the door the minister hesitated once again.

This gave Harry and Hermione enough time to slip past him into the room.

When Fudge finally decided to enter, the students were already standing in a corner.

The room itself was almost empty. Only professor Snape was sitting in a chair, reading.

When Dumbledore and Fudge entered he looked up from his book.

"Severus," Dumbledore began. "If you would be so kind as to leave us alone."

 "Of course, headmaster," Snape said and put his book onto a desk. He was about to leave when Fudge raised a hand.

"Perhaps he'd better stay!" Snape frowned for a moment and looked at Fudge's companions who had positioned themselves at the door.

"I understand." he said in a grave voice and sat down again, never taking his eyes off the minister.

Dumbledore regarded Fudge with a surprised look but the minister didn't pay attention to him. Instead, he made a few steps towards Snape.

"I take it you remember the night when I last visited this... school?" he asked, his voice icy cold. The corners of Snape's mouth twitched.

"Of course. Back then, you-"

"Yes or no is quite enough!" Fudge interrupted him.

"Well," Snape said - again frowning - "then: yes, I do."

Dumbledore laid a hand on Fudge's shoulder. "Cornelius, what is this all about?" he asked not quite as calmly as before.

"That's none of your business, Dumbledore. Please don't interfere." the minister said harshly, and turned back to Snape.

"Then you must remember what you told me that very night, don't you?" He moved even closer to Snape.

This clearly didn't have the effect on him that Fudge had in mind, for Snape was rather carelessly leaning back into his chair.

"Yes," the Potions Master said, a sneer on his face. "The correct phrase, to be precise. That's what you want to hear, isn't it?"

His voice had developed a threatening edge.

"But I'm not sure if you understood what I told you," he continued. "You certainly heard the words but you never interpreted

the meaning right. It is obvious you still haven't."

"ENOUGH!" Fudge screamed. His face had turned completely red. "How dare you talk to me that way!"

Dumbledore tried to say something but Fudge didn't let him.

"Such disrespect is exactly what I'd expect from someone like you." His voice was cracking now. "But you are right: I've heard enough."

He closed his eyes and forcefully calmed himself down. When he spoke again his voice was dangerously quiet.

"The only reason I came today was to check if I had made the right decision. It's quite obvious I did."

He cleared his throat and looked a Snape with a triumphant grin.

"Severus Snape," he declared, "I accuse you of conspiracy with You-know-Who. You're under arrest! Hand over your wand at once!"

TBC...

Ok, thanks for getting this far!

Like I wrote above: Review, please.