Chapter Thirty

Allen once again found himself in Cross's office, sitting in the chair in front of the desk making notes on a piece of parchment.

"Are you sure you can't track him, Master?" he asked the general, knowing that the answer would be the same as the other hundred times he had asked but couldn't resist the hope that it would change. Cross's curt exhale had the younger male's shoulders sinking in defeat before the words were even uttered.

"For the last time, you dirty brat," he growled, "no. The Earl isn't making any major moves. He's piggy backing off Voldemort's movements. I suspect that Tyki did something to the house, but until he takes action, we have to bide our time here. He's going to act soon. He's an impatient bastard."

Allen sighed, finishing the line Tyki exposed to Order member, Dumbledore. Next step? "Is this alliance the reason that the Akuma we fought before coming here was a level Nine? I haven't seen any evolved so high."

Cross growled at the paper in front of him, hands scrunching the sides, before leaning back his chair and pulling his hat over his eyes. "Yes, the way magic interacts with the Earl's power is interesting, isn't it? It bolsters it up to twice the level before, but it can't hold that long-sooner or later it's going to unravel." His boots thanked against the old wood of the desk as he prepared to sleep.

Allen, however, had a different realization. "That's why you're so sure he's going to make his move in the next week or two." He said. "Because the magic in this time is working against him."

The corner of Cross's lip upturned in a small semblance of a smile. "Bingo."

…

Harry sighed as watched the members of the DA practice the patronus charm. Ghostly silver figures floated around the room, shapes and all sizes. Though he felt proud of his peers, he couldn't help be worried as he could feel Voldemort's anger roll in the back of his mind. Dumbledore didn't seem too worried about what You-Know-Who was planning, only repeating over and over, he had eyes in unseen places, and he had a good grasp of what Voldemort was planning.

Harry wasn't convinced though. Dumbledore consistently waved away his concerns. But he didn't think Dumbledore appreciated just how much power the Earl had over Voldemort. Though he was disgusted by it, Harry saw every night how Voldemort swayed before the Earl's whims. Even when it was ridiculous, such as sitting too near Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort quickly gave up even his own spot in order to satisfy the Earl. Harry knew that the Death Eaters didn't know why exactly this… thing, the Earl was so important to the Dark Lord, but any hesitation or disrespect from the wizards was dealt with swiftly and harshly. Voldemort wanted absolutely no reason for the Earl to withdraw his support.

Dumbledore seemed to think that Voldemort was only placating the Earl and that it was relationship that he would end shortly-one where he would only go so far to satisfy. The Headmaster kept repeating that Voldemort would not give up his pride enough to bow to anyone else.

But Harry knew that to be wrong.

It didn't matter. Clearly, he wasn't going to get the help he wanted from Dumbledore. And he didn't trust the exorcists enough to ask them, again. He knew they were still keeping information from him. It had to be important information-nothing seemed to fit. And part of him was hurt by Allen not being honest with him-he had thought that they were so similar, that they understood each other.

But Allen still saw Harry as a child to be protected. He clearly didn't understand just how important this was. To Harry. To the wizarding world as a whole. He was comfortable sitting back and saying, "just wait, we'll take care of it."

Well, Harry wasn't going to wait. He knew his friends agreed. When the opportunity opened up, he was going to take it-Voldemort certainly had nothing holding him back, and Harry couldn't afford to either. It was his responsibility after all-Voldemort was challenging him. He was after him.

Allen might be comfortable letting other people take of his problems, but Harry couldn't risk anyone else getting hurt for his sake. And with Voldemort working to satisfy the Earl, Harry couldn't help but think that this was the opportune time to move.

…

Allen sighed, slumping forward against the desk, burying his face in the plethora of scrolls and books that lay scattered over the front surface. "This is impossible!" he groaned. There wasn't an end to it. "Master, why did you have to assign an essay this long if you weren't even going to read them?"

Cross laughed from where he sat across from the boy, sipping the deep red wine from a glass he had stolen from the bar down in Hogsmeade. "I am never going to do any of that freaking reading while you're here, brat. Besides, I'm sure you've got a decent grasp on how we can use the wizards when the Earl makes his move, because there is no way that those freaking brats are going to stay away."

Allen grinned. "And Umbridge never even noticed."

Cross took another gulp of the wine that he seemed to have an endless supply of. "Of course she didn't. The stupid women barely listens when I'm setting assignments-she's so busy fuming over the fact she lost the seat." The front legs of his chair as he swung forward, heedless of the liquid in the glass. He leaned towards Allen seriously.

Allen braced himself, sure that he wouldn't like this next segue in the conversation, but there was a knock at the door before Cross could say anything.

The red haired man let out an angry sigh. "Come in." he growled, leaning back in his seat. Clearly, whoever was at the door did not deserve his attention.

And speak of the devil, Umbridge was at the door, her facial muscles quivering with an intense rage underneath plum covered skin. "Cross." She growled, speaking more familiarly than Allen had heard her speak before.

"Professor Cross," the General corrected before she could say anything else.

Allen held back a smile-and that was why. His master had clearly been spending his time wisely if it had finally reached a point where Umbridge couldn't even pretend to be professional. Just in time for things to pick up-Allen didn't care how crazy Cross made Umbridge. The crazy witch wouldn't be able to find him one they made it back to the Order.

The toad like woman let out a high pitched hiss through her teeth. "Professor Cross," she repeated, controlled and tense. "You cancelled class tomorrow? Why would you do something silly like that?"

Cross gave a one shoulder shrug, his glass of wine sloshing onto the carpeted office floor carelessly. Allen held back a sigh, thing about the work that he would have to do one Cross left that evening. It really wasn't right to let the House Elves take care of his stupid master.

"I did. The holidays and all. And?" Cross prompted.

Umbridge forced smile became even more painted on. "I'm coming earned for the children." she said. "This is an very important year for the fifth years, what with their O. coming up this year, and the sixth years have their N.E. . Really, with the state of the school they can't afford any more missed classes."

Cross let out a bark of a laugh. "My dear lady, have no fear for my students. I promise you, one day won't affect their future. All of my students will pass the exam. They wouldn't dare fail!"

Allen had to resist the temptation to roll his eyes. He didn't believe for one moment that anyone in the class knew what a bastard Cross could truly be, but he had no doubt that the thought of spending any more time with Umbridge would be enough motivation to pass. All Cross would have to do is drop a hint here and a hint there a few days before the exam and his would be the first D.A.D.A class to have every student pass.

Not that Cross would care.

Umbridge frowned, though the lack of wrinkles around her mouth gave away the effort she spent on trying to hide her annoyance.

"Professor Cross." She tried again, her voice strained. "The Minister will be very displeased-"

Cross interrupted again. "I highly doubt the Minister will care when every one of my students pass."

Allen resisted the urge to laugh. Umbridge knew there was nothing she could say that would win this argument. Cross had an answer for everything she threw at him. The minister might be fond of her, but Umbridge knew that there were limits that she just could not cross. Potentially losing a full class of passing students, qualified to move up-all Cross would have to do is say that any failures was a result of her interference.

"Very well then." she said stiffly. "Have a good afternoon."

Allen watched as she stalked out of the room, footsteps growing fainter with each additional step away. There was a pause, slightly outside the door, as though the onerous women thought that they would begin to discuss anything while she was in hearing distance, before resuming.

Once he could no longer hear her steps, he looked over at this master, then back at the essay he had been grading.

"I hate you."

…

Harry crept along the shadowed hallways, watching his housemates chat in front of him. Lenalee and Kanda in particular, sequestered to the side of the pack of Gryffindors. Trailing Allen or Lavi was difficult, due to the house restrictions and Umbridge's war on the students. The Slytherin and Ravenclaw Houses were coming together in a bond of solidarity against Umbridge, and with the House bonds growing stronger he wasn't able to keep an eye on Allen or Lavi. Kanda and Lenalee were perfect.

Despite Kanda and Lenalee becoming more suspicious of Harry's continued interference, and Hermione's questions, he knew the two Gryffindors would be his best source of information for what the Exorcists were planning. If he wanted to go along, he would have to be at the right place at the right time to get out of Hogwarts. Despite Dumbledore's continued avoidance of him, he knew that the Headmaster would know if he tried to leave the school grounds.

The exorcists had pulled closer together since the akuma attack, and the trio had noticed that they didn't seem as willing to talk as they did before. They seemed to be getting ready to leave, keeping to themselves, no longer participating in class, only staying for a few minutes at dinner. While even their housemates noticed that they were more closed off then they were before, they attributed to feeling homesick with the upcoming holidays. A few comments here and there… Harry wished the same thing would work for his own situation.

A hand tapped his shoulder. His shoulder twitched in surprise, and he looked over to see Hermione behind him.

"Why are you watching them again?" She asked, nodding towards the pair who were slipping into seats in the Transfiguration Classroom in front of them.

Harry froze for a moment, knowing if he let his plan slip to Hermione she would want to be included. "Um, you know... " He stammered, "I'm just seeing if I can find anything about Allen? You know, we were talking earlier, and it really got me thinking. We've been seeing less and less of him, and I just want to make sure everything's fine?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed, but Ron flung himself into the seat next to her, letting out a long sigh. "Bloody hell, Hermione, why'd you run off like that? You left me speaking to Lavender by myself!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I didn't leave you Ronald, Lavender wanted to speak with you, and I didn't wanted to interfere." She reached into her bag and slammed her book onto the table, flipping through it in a brisk, efficient motion, each page making a whoosh through the air and a gentle tap as it touched the previous page.

"Are you angry?" Ron asked slowly. Harry was impressed with his friend-Ron didn't usually notice Hermione's moods. She had been irritated over the past couple days, and even Harry had noticed Lavender hanging around Ron more frequently. He only hoped his dense friend noticed before their friendship fell apart.

"Quiet!" McGonagall called from the front of the classroom. "Today we're going to learn about Mending Charms…"