Chapter 37 - When Plans Come Together
The three Gryffindor chasers were standing outside the twins room, hoping to go along to breakfast with them. It soon became obvious why their repeated knocks were going unanswered as the twins in question were part of a family group slowly shuffling their way along the corridor. That both Fred and George looked knackered, and were sweating buckets saw more than a few questions heading their way.
Those questions were eventually answered by Millie, wearing a wrap over her swimsuit while helping her clearly exhausted betrothed along the corridor.
"These three decided they ate far too much yesterday, so joined Harry and Dan in the gym for a workout session this morning. It's been a few weeks for all of them since they last trained, while Harry and Dan workout every day. A shower and breakfast should see them refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day."
When asked about her own attire, Millie easily explained. "When not training on Harry's beach, he and Dan use the gym here. Hermione and Emma prefer to take their exercise in the pool, I love swimming too so join them as often as I can. No one can keep up with the four of them though."
It was a baffled Katie who asked the obvious question. "Why do they train so hard?"
Leaning on his betrothed, Ron had regained enough breath to answer that. "At the start of the summer, Harry and Hermione portkeyed back to his villa covered in blood. It wasn't theirs - Death Eaters had attacked the Grangers in their own home."
Lucius Malfoy's death had been reported back in Britain. Thanks to the Prophet though, details of his actual demise had been sketchy to begin with. An article printed in the Quibbler had certainly added more truth to the matter, though their friends involvement in it was not mentioned in great detail. That House Potter declared blood feud on the houses of Malfoy and Parkinson had grabbed all the headlines back home.
"On his birthday, Harry again arrived there bloody, only this time he was the one doing the bleeding. Harry took a curse to his shoulder saving Sirius's life in the Wizengamot chamber, the curse was intended to kill his Godfather. At Halloween the four of them raced out of the Institute to save our father from Voldemort - rescuing him and sending Granny V packing. Let's not forget the tournament at Hogwarts, and all that's in the last six months alone. That's why they train so hard, to be ready for whatever comes next."
Ron felt a hand on his shoulder, giving a supporting squeeze for his explanations. He turned his head to discover Harry and Hermione standing beside him.
Harry appeared just as sweaty as the trio of Weasley's but in nowhere near their state of distress and exhaustion. Hermione was in similar attire to Milli and smiled as her betrothed spoke with their friends.
"You three did really well in the gym today. Dipping in and out of training more frequently will certainly improve your fitness - without feeling like you're about to keel over any second." The twins managed a grin, or grimace, at that before Harry addressed his former chaser teammates.
"The children will be returning back to London before New Year, give everyone at the Institute the chance to prepare for the new term. You have the option of joining them, to spend New Year with your families, or staying here and portkeying back to Hogwarts for the opening feast."
Taking over seamlessly, Hermione continued with their offer. "You are all staying in guest quarters, which won't interfere with getting the Institute ready for our returning students. We also want to arrange a trip to Naples, to give you the full Institute experience."
With all three Weasleys, and Milli too, heartily recommending that option, the trio of chasers quickly agreed - and promised to pass that news around the rest of the Hogwarts visitors. As the group broke up, Harry couldn't help but smile at Hermione's comment over their rings. 'I don't think they'll have any trouble convincing Cedric to stay longer.' Harry's reply had both of them smiling as they headed back to get their showers and collect Joan.
'I don't expect them to have trouble convincing anyone visiting from Hogwarts to stay longer'.
As the trio of Gryffindor chasers made their way toward breakfast, Katie was left shaking her head. "I just can't get my head around the fact that's the same shy, skinny boy we've played quidditch with for the last three years."
It was Alecia who was now shaking her head at that remark. "Probably because it's not. You could see the difference in Harry at the end of Summer term, standing up to Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape was where it started."
While partly agreeing with her team mates, Angelina had a slightly different take on events. "I think it was getting betrothed to Hermione that drastically changed both of them - for the better. Watching them with Joan brings a lump to my throat every time, the three of them clearly adore each other."
Neither witch could disagree with that, and breakfast called for the trio of hungry witches. The idea of spending extra time at the Institute almost had them too excited to eat - almost.
-oOoOo-
Cho was having a miserable holiday, with thoughts of Cedric being her ex-boyfriend - while also being in another country - keeping her squarely locked into that miserable mood. That misery though was massively increased when she laid eyes on the latest edition of The Quibbler. There were a couple of pages featuring pictures of the children from the Black Orphanage Christmas visit to the Potter Institute. All the children appeared to be having a wonderful time and, while the Institute looked fabulous, it's owner appeared nowhere in any of the pictures.
What really reduced Cho to tears was recognising her former boyfriend in the corner of one of the featured pictures. There, plain as day in the background, was the handsome Cedric with his arm around a simply stunning blonde witch. The pair obviously didn't know the picture was being taken, as both were far too interested in each other - oblivious to everyone else and their surroundings.
That she'd rather publicly attempted a very large slice of emotional blackmail on Cedric - 'if you go to Italy then we're over' - that he'd gone to the Institute anyway was quite humiliating enough for the teenage witch to suffer through. She'd thought Cedric was special - possibly even 'the one'. Why she'd stupidly decided to play silly games with their relationship was a mystery to her now. Cedric was originally prepared to give the Institute a miss and take her to the Triwizard Ball, only that event being changed to a summer date saw him accepting the Institute's offer to spend the holiday in Italy.
Cho knew Cedric was a very honourable wizard, he would never have been flirting with another witch if she was still his girlfriend. The fact that she had foolishly broken up with Cedric at Hogwarts, because he wouldn't spend the holidays at home, certainly led directly to his picture in the press with another witch. This fact though took Cho's public loss of face to an entirely different level all together - this was not now confined to Hogwarts because Cedric's scandalous actions while in Italy had just been published nationwide.
Where was the angst ridden wizard who'd just been dumped by his very pretty girlfriend? The wizard pictured in the Quibbler bore no resemblance to Cho's expectations, Cedric clearly didn't appear to be suffering from a broken heart. On their return to Hogwarts, Cho had originally been prepared to take Cedric back - after he'd publicly apologised and grovelled a bit first. Her tears began to fall in earnest as the realisation of the situation she now faced hit hard - her dreamed of scenario of reluctantly letting her ex-boyfriend come back to her looked more and more likely to remain just a dream she once had.
She could now only hope the picture didn't tell the story Cho thought it did, that Cedric was now in a relationship with another witch. Dumped and publicly humiliated - twice - in such a short space of time was a lot for any young witch to take.
-oOoOo-
The students returning to Hogwarts from the Potter Institute found themselves under siege from barrage after barrage of questions from friends desperate for information. The Institute visitors were beginning to think their fellow Hogwarts students had spent the entire return journey from London on the Express compiling lists of questions to be asked about their Holiday to Italy. By portkeying back to the castle from Italy, they had at least avoided being grilled for hours on the train. They were paying for it now however as the questions just kept coming. Every time one of them answered a question though, it seemed to generate at least four others.
Cedric was astonished to discover the entire school knew about his new girlfriend, Daphne had said yes when he asked her on New Year's Eve. Spending a day in Naples, being led around with Daphne on his arm, was one of the most spectacular events of Cedric's life. Being accompanied by Astoria and the girls parents just added to the occasion, Cedric was actually relieved he wasn't the only one in their group of five whose mind was totally blown. There was no hiding the pride that both Greengrass parents had in the way their daughters were dealing with everything their new school expected of them - even using their still basic Italian skills when the situation called for it.
Details of Cedric's intensive interrogation at the Hufflepuff table quickly spread around the Great Hall. Very few had recognised the smiling blonde Cedric had his arm around in the Quibbler picture. Discovering it was Daphne Greengrass was certainly a shock, that Cedric had also met her parents in Italy was a shock of far greater magnitude. This alluded to a far more serious dating situation than was first thought, meeting the parents of a witch you wanted to date was considered a big deal in pure blood society.
The rabid seeking of news from the Institute had to be put on hold however, as Headmaster Snape stood and began announcing the changes that would soon be happening at Hogwarts.
Hearing that Lady Black had visited Hogwarts, and had a firm date for the work on the new Muggle Studies building beginning, perked up everyone in the hall. Cedric could hardly wait to send an owl to Daphne - via Gringotts - with the news they should be able to call each other on the phone at the start of April. Then again, their experience of the Institute suggested that news would be announced there soon too. There didn't appear to be any secrets at the Institute, and the front page of tomorrow's Prophet would explain why they didn't hear this news before leaving Italy.
That Cedric never even glanced in her direction once during the feast told Cho her emotional blackmail gamble had spectacularly backfired on her. She tried putting food in her mouth and chewing, so as not to be seen moping. Being one half of Hogwarts top power couple also came with some disadvantages - everyone wanted details of their really public break-up. That everyone should have been talking about how she and Cedric looked so good together, opening the dancing at the Yule Ball, just rubbed salt into a wound that wasn't going to heal anytime soon.
The heartbreak of now knowing she had so stupidly lost Cedric left Cho just wanting the feast to be over. She currently craved nothing more than getting to her dorm and shutting the rest of the world out. There, behind the closed and silenced curtains of her bed, Cho could use that privacy to finally give free reign to her anguish and cry bucketloads of tears.
-oOoOo-
The front page of the Daily Prophet led with a quite iconic picture, featuring the Minister of Magic, the new Hogwarts Headmaster, the architect who was now Lady Black and Professor Tonks - the new Head of Modern Studies. That all four were standing smiling at the site where the new Modern Studies building would be erected left no doubt in readers' minds that those smiles were genuine.
That Hagrid's hut could be glimpsed in the background fixed the location for anyone who had even visited Hogwarts, never mind attending that school for wizards and witches. The drawing of what the new facility would look like, along with a timetable for its construction and completion explained why all four people in the picture were wearing genuine smiles. To most of the paper's loyal readers, who usually believed everything printed on each page, there was a sense of disbelief that this was actually possible - especially within the timeframe quoted by the Prophet.
It was another group of four who were excitedly studying this information, however, at the moment - only Bella was smiling. "We have a date, and a location. Now all we need is a plan."
The silence Bella's declaration caused dragged on, becoming uncomfortable before Augustus felt he simply had no choice but to speak up - however dangerous that might turn out to be with the mercurial Mrs Lestrange involved.
"I think we need an objective first, that will determine whatever our plans are. What are our objectives here? What do we hope to achieve with this attack? These are things that need to be decided before we can even begin to plan. Is this one last hurrah for the Death Eaters - where we kill as many as possible before being taken out ourselves? Personally, I would vote against a suicide mission - but will stand with you three if that's the decision reached here."
The silence this time was total and prolonged. No one dared to interrupt as they could all see Bella mentally working through the process of reaching a decision that would shortly affect all of their lives. While killing as many unworthy witches and wizards as possible was certainly appealing to the dark witch, Bella eventually decided that simply wouldn't inflict enough pain on British magical society - she wanted much, much more. They four had suffered for over a decade in Azkaban, and were suffering still - being forced to live as muggles was certainly painful. She wanted to extract some payment for that, their suffering should be the stuff of nightmares and eventually passing into legend. After coming to that conclusion, figuring out who should pay was the easy part.
"Potter, it all comes back to that little bastard. Since that horrendous Halloween our master was unbelievably defeated by a toddler, our entire world dramatically shifted because of that one terrible event. Even those cowards who denounced our master, and shifted gold around to avoid Azkaban, eventually paid a horrible price for being Death Eaters. We four are the last of our proud blood crusade still standing."
Taking a disgusted look around at the way they were forced to live, simply to avoid being detected by the Ministry, Bella spoke straight from her heart. "We're still suffering today - and that's exactly what I want for Potter. Not to kill him - that's too quick, too clean - but to leave him suffering enough pain that he would eventually wish for the release of death. I think that should be our objective, our aim - to take down the person who ultimately symbolises the oppression to our pure blood philosophy. How we accomplish that, I will leave up to you three wizards. We have a few months to come up with a plan that accomplishes those aims. Us living or dying is not as important as achieving our goal."
Rabastan immediately thought he had the answer to the first part, destroying Potter. "Take away his family. His mudblood, and that little orphan girl who now calls herself a Potter."
This was met with nods of agreement but his brother added something else to their wish list of aims. "Snape deserves a killing too, that traitorous bastard played us all for fools."
While no one disagreed with that as a worthy goal, Augustus was still trying to conjure up an objective that didn't see the four of them dead at the end of whatever mission they decided on. A smile spread on his lips as Augustus thought he just might have thought of one.
"I wonder how Potter would react to his little orphan being kidnapped right from under his nose - by Bellatrix Lestrange. Think of the mental agony, not knowing if the girl was actually being tortured - or even if she was still alive. We could increase and prolong that agony by sending him the occasional body part from his little orphan. Being helpless to stop this, and knowing this was directed at him because of his actions against death eaters, would surly end Potter's relationship with his betrothed."
This brought nods of agreement from all three Lestranges, Bella especially appeared to love that idea. Augustus wasn't finished though, not by a long shot.
"I agree that slowly but steadily destroying everything in his life that he cares about is a far better revenge. Killing Snape, the Minister of Magic and the squib who calls herself Lady Black should create enough of a diversion so Bella has a shot at snatching the little witch. It should only take a few seconds to drop whatever disguise you choose and then let people witness the dreaded Bellatrix Lestrange snatch the little Potter bitch."
It wasn't long before, like the picture they'd been studying all morning, the only remaining Death Eaters left in Britain wore genuine smiles too. Now they had an agreed upon objective, all they had to do was plan on how to achieve their aims.
-oOoOo-
At first, Albus considered his new accommodation rather luxurious - considering he'd been officially declared as a Dark Lord. After being strapped onto an iron table, enclosed in a tiny iron box they'd called a room, almost anything else would seem like luxury. Having a bed, pillow and blanket certainly went a long way in pulling Albus out from the funk he'd spiralled into after his conviction - especially after not being allowed to defend himself in any manner whatsoever. Having his own plan rather brilliant turned against him had certainly added another layer of hurt to the situation.
Here though Albus even had a facility that allowed him to relieve himself like a civilised person, rather than having to soil himself and then suffer the indignity of those ice cold jets of water 'cleaning' his person. Even the fact that everything in the room was brilliant white was rather comforting, after the drab, rusty cell he'd so recently occupied.
However the reality of his new situation soon began to bear down heavily on Albus. Yes, the room was bright but it never darkened. Twenty four hours a day, the brightness - like everything else in his new life - remained exactly the same. The food simply appeared in his windowless room and wasn't terrible, though bland and so far every meal had been identical - at least they weren't going to starve him.
What was really getting under Albus's skin though was the isolation. He was a wizard who'd thrived on contact and interacting with others, denying the old wizard any contact from outside these four walls was pure times a day a guard would check he was still alive. This check consisted of peering through a panel that opened, allowing the guard to look into the cell through a thick glass pane. This check never lasted longer than ten seconds, and the guard never spoke or displayed any emotion - despite all of Albus's increasingly desperate efforts to engage them in conversation. These very brief interruptions were his only contacts with another being, though it barely qualified to be termed as contact.
This form of almost polite containment, where they cared for the needs of his body but kept Albus in total isolation was rapidly taking a toll on his mental health. He'd spent his life manipulating people to get what Albus Dumbledore wanted - for the greater good of course. Here though was a situation totally outwith all of Albus's previous experiences. He had no wand to cast any spells and no potions to surreptitiously apply to his unsuspecting victims - he couldn't even get information, never mind persuade someone to help.
When the old wizard actually found himself missing his 'chats' with Smith - then Albus knew he was in trouble. The downward spiral his sentencing had sent him into was beginning to seem like nothing next to the potential his current circumstances had to cumulatively affect his mental health.
Albus couldn't believe that reputations he'd spent over a century carefully cultivating could be torn down so effectively and completely. In such a short space of time everything that had mattered to him had been utterly destroyed. Those who once called him friend or colleague couldn't wait to distance themselves from the old wizard. Any that weren't potioned or spelled now thought they were incredibly lucky - rather than just admitting they bought into Albus's line of bullshit so completely that nothing else was necessary to gain their total cooperation.
It wasn't just the speed of his downfall that had terrified Albus, the manner it had been accomplished had left him powerless to fight against the tidal wave that simply overwhelmed the grand life and reputation he had built for himself. Albus considered himself one of the greatest minds alive, yet his destruction appeared to have been orchestrated by people who not only seemed to be at least three moves ahead of him, but also knew every one of his deepest and darkest secrets. That they then told the entire bloody world, in excruciatingly truthful detail, about things they had no right to know were the final nails in his reputation's coffin. While he was technically still alive, Albus Dumbledore had effectively already been buried - unloved and unmourned.
With physically escaping from this situation simply not an option, the dawning realisation that the next time the door opened would be to take his dead body out of it was the final blow to any optimism he had left. The old wizard spent ages searching through his vast accumulated knowledge for an answer to his problems, Albus really had nothing else to do. Those searches were of course in vain, and proving counterproductive to his state of mind. Reviewing his memories weren't exactly easing his stress levels as spending hour after hour pondering 'what if' with every decision he'd made in the last century was leaving Albus spending more and more time in an almost trance like state.
In his rarer and rarer moments of lucidity, the old wizard could easily see himself slipping away a little more each day - with nothing available to simulate his mind and help fight against this malaise of indifference. He could foresee in his future where his tenuous grip on reality could eventually loosen, and Albus understood there was only one destination on this single track these conditions had him locked onto. The greatest mind in wizarding history - Albus Dumbledore - seemed inevitably headed slowly to the state of madness. To escape the painful torture of total isolation, where his only occupation was to sit and reflect on the slow realisation of the many, many mistakes he'd made in his life, the surrendering of his intellect into total madness began appearing more and more like an attractive option to Albus.
-oOoOo-
At the Institute, things quickly returned to normal - with the only event on the school's calendar for this month being January's parental visit. Plans were already being made to contact next term's muggleborn potential students. A home visit by Minerva, accompanied by Dan or Emma would immediately follow a letter offering their son/daughter a place at the Institute. Minerva would deal with their introduction to magic, while either of the Muggle Studies professors would use a laptop to offer an introduction to the Institute.
It was thought having these prospective students, and their families, visit the Institute while classes were running would be a far better advert for the Institute - rather than the alternative of showing them around an empty school during the summer holidays. A free weekend visit to Italy was also a big draw to the muggleborn families. A Friday in May had already been pencilled into the Institute's calendar for the start of this event.
There would be three students attending from the Black Orphanage, so once the total number of muggleborn could be established and locked down, only then would applications be accepted from other potential British first year witches and wizards. Those eligible who already had siblings attending the Institute would also place high on the list, just below the first two groups.
It was also decided the Institute's term would begin on the Friday nearest the First of September, rather than slavishly sticking to that date. This would allow new students to get settled on the Friday, with uniforms, wands, books and materials - and also arranging their accommodation within the Institute. Saturday would be spent allowing older students to confirm their course choices with timetables handed out on the Sunday and classes then starting on the Monday.
The main focus of the Institute though soon switched to preparing their first pair of students who were scheduled to sit the more difficult and demanding European O.W.L exams. Rather than feeling the pressure, Fred and George were thriving in their new environment. Being trusted with arranging the fireworks display on the last night of the orphanage's visit was a tremendous responsibility for the pranksters, working on this project with Moony was not only a privilege but an absolute joy.
The twins reckoned it would be a given that the children would love their fireworks, that the adults were amazed and delighted with their efforts was something of a surprise. That both their parents proclaimed they were very proud of them was more akin to a shock than a surprise.
With all the staff of the Institute helping with their studies, Fred and George knew they could never give less than their best during their O.W.L.'s - with all Students of the Institute expected to do the same during their time at school in Italy.
Having their friends visiting over the holidays had been great. They'd originally been surprised at the twins new more mature attitude, that was until they spent some time staying with them here. After their visit to Naples, the three chasers were discussing whether they could apply to be part of the new first year intake. The possibility of going back to the beginning of their education didn't seem to phase them, all three saying they would be extremely happy having to spend the next seven years here. Neither Fred, George nor Lee could work out if the witches were serious or not, with Lee more than willing to get in on the act too if they were.
-oOoOo-
Harry and Hermione adapted easily to the new addition to their family. With both their familiars, Dobby and Sirius available to help too - Patch fitted right in with the rest of them. Joan clearly loved Patch from the moment she laid eyes on the Cruppie, it was also blindingly obvious that patch simply adored his little mistress - and that endeared the pup to everyone else.
It was having no one trying to murder or control them that the young couple found to be strange and unusual. With two dark lords dealt with, and the British Ministry of Magic desperate to play nice as Hogwarts really needed a Muggle Studies building - there were currently no threats against them on the horizon.
Both Barchoke and Amelia had reminded the couple that there had been no investigation into Azkaban's destruction, and at least one member of the Lestrange family was still alive. Amelia had also uncovered a report of a death eater attack in Europe, with even the dark mark being cast. While this news was disturbing, there was nothing to link these people or acts to them and no details of any potential danger of attacks.
Anyone targeting the Institute itself would be in for a shock, of the not even being able to find it variety. The threat of death eaters trying to snatch students from Naples was so low it had been dismissed. Death eaters would stand out like sore thumbs in both the magical and Muggle sections of Naples, and the Italian Ministry always had an increased Auror presence on official Institute visit days. Every student who left the Institute also carried a bound and linked emergency portkey, with the wards not only stunning but also capturing anyone who tried to abduct a student or use that as a method of entry passed the wards.
No, Harry and Hermione would always be vigilant but there were currently no viable threats against them, their family or the Potter Institute, its students and staff. The young betrothed couple were now free to look forward and make plans for their dreams to become a reality.
Those plans were being discussed amongst themselves, based on information Remus had quietly gotten from the Italian Ministry. The excitement between the couple was simply magical as they tried to get their preparations at a stage where they could tell others of their intentions.
"As Lord Potter, and head of my house, getting married at sixteen won't present any problems with the Ministry. The Minister himself has already offered to officiate at the ceremony, a ceremony that would be over a year away."
They were deliberately speaking their thoughts, letting their excitement build. "I can legally marry at seventeen, or sixteen with my parents permission. I can't see mum or dad objecting if we marry next August instead of September. We can marry, go on our honeymoon and be back for the start of our sixth year. An engagement ring for my sixteenth birthday, and married the following summer."
The kissing that followed Hermione's suggestion was so tender that no other words were needed. Yes they were moving their timetable forward a year but it was legal so why not. Dan and Emma's permission was needed to hold their wedding in the August, but they could legally wed six weeks later without it - but during term time. Neither teen could see them objecting to this, Hermione expected her mother to go straight into wedding planning mode.
To stop themselves getting caught up in the moment, and possibly exceeding their self imposed limits, the exceedingly happy couple moved onto the next item on their to-do list. They needed to sort out this year's summer holidays, with Harry adamant that they and the Institute staff definitely deserved one. "The only thing I want on the Institute's calendar is the orientation weekend for our twenty new first years. The staff have worked incredibly hard since last summer, and I think a visit to Ambrosia before the next term starts should definitely happen again."
Hermione loved that idea, and tried to add some flesh to their own summer plans. "If we go on holiday in July, that leaves us August to hang out with our friends, arrange for the orphanage to have a holiday too and be available for the first year visit - with Ambrosia's a few days later."
While both were in agreement and excited for the approaching summer, it was the following summer that easily still held most of their focus. Dobby quietly appeared before the teens knew they actually needed him.
"Dobby can arrange for dinner to be held here tomorrow night. Will the invitation be for just little Miss and the Grangers, or would you like me to invite the Blacks too? Remus is visiting London for the weekend, or should that be Miss Green he's visiting."
Neither teen thought there was a snowball in Hell's chance of the Grangers saying no to Hermione and Harry getting married, and Joan was sure to be as excited as them, so decided to turn it into a family party. Sirius and Francesca would be getting invited too. This news would spread around the Institute like wildfire but neither teen cared.
They could have another dinner for their friends the following night, with Ron, Neville, Luna and Millie all already earmarked by the couple to officially be part of their wedding. Harry had a thought that was so powerful, Hermione could easily experience it too. An ecstatic Joan was leading the witch she called Mum down the rose petal covered aisle toward the wizard she would soon call Dad. That this was all three of their dreams tied up in one moment had tears of joy running down both of their cheeks.
In what was now a rare moment of reflection, Harry wondered how the scared and lonely little boy - locked in his cupboard, came to have all this and be so amazingly happy. He didn't really need to wonder as Hermione wrapped him in her arms as the love and reassurance flowed between them.
"This is forever, love. Me, you, our family and friends. We've struggled to get here, and will certainly face more challenges as we go through life together. We'll face those challenges together, as a family, and come through to the other side."
Harry kissed the witch who meant the world to him. 'The day you popped into that train compartment, asking if we'd seen a toad, was the day my life began to change. You even fixed my glasses…'
'My life changed that day too. I met a boy so kind and brave that he jumped on a mountain troll's back to save me. How could I possibly say no when he asked me to be his - in front of your mother too. I love you, Harry, and next summer simply can't come quickly enough.'
Their rings allowed the couple to converse while still kissing, so that's what they did.
Chapter 38 - The Path to Knowledge
Cornelius, hearing that the new building at Hogwarts was structurally finished, quickly arranged an invitation that saw him arriving after dinner to see for himself exactly what all this fuss was about. Severus and Andromeda escorted the Minister to the new building, keen to show off the centrepiece of their plan to keep Hogwarts open - and ensure all three of them still had their jobs come September.
The first shock Cornelius received was the covered walkway leading to the new building, the second was the number of students already using the walkway - clearly heading for the new facility. His first sight of the actual building was another shock to his system, or rather the six red telephone boxes lined up alongside the strange looking building.
"Do the students need to use these to enter the building?"
It was Andi who took up the explanation. "No, these are genuine muggle telephone boxes - containing actual working telephones. We know the Institute students actually have telephones in their rooms, that's simply not possible at Hogwarts. This though gives our students an opportunity to phone families, friends and - in Mr Diggory's case - his girlfriend in the Institute."
Severus was nodding along with the professor in charge of what was quickly becoming Hogwarts pride and joy - and it wasn't even fully operational yet.
"It would seem the latest fad for purebloods is to have a muggle telephone in their homes. Sitting in your comfiest chair, sipping your favourite tipple, while talking on the telephone is a lot more practical than getting on your knees and sticking your head into a fireplace. It's also made a tremendous difference to the older muggle born students still at Hogwarts."
Continuing their twin attack, Andi also explained the educational benefits. "We have a change machine that exchanges our coins for muggle currency, forcing our students to learn and handle the correct coins needed to make calls. This should allow them to use any telephone box in Britain, as they will be the exact same as these ones here."
The Minister could clearly see all six boxes currently had a student in each of them, with another eight or nine queuing for their turn to make a call. That this muggle technology was so readily and easily being used by witches and wizards all over the country was more proof - if any were needed - that they simply had to embrace these changes.
Entering the building, Cornelius found himself being introduced to the Assistant Professor / Technician who would keep everything running - while assisting Professor Tonks with teaching her subject.
"This is Aaron James. He's extremely knowledgeable about his subject, but is struggling with explaining that same subject to people who know nothing about it. He keeps using big words or terms that none of us will have heard before - far less understand." Andi was smiling at her assistant as she said this, and Aaron took her comments in good spirits.
They were currently standing in the 'cloakroom' section of the building, where students' robes and wands would be left. Entering the main teaching classroom was a revelation for the Minister. He recognised the desks and chairs in the middle of the huge classroom, but that was all. There was one wall that seemed to be finished, with boxes of computers sitting beside it. The rest appeared to be a proliferation of wires sticking out from everywhere.
"The electricians finished installing all the lights, sockets and switches - I'm now putting all the data cables in place. This is the central teaching area, just like a normal classroom - except for Andi's laptop and the projector. Around the perimeter of the class is the computer desks, where the computers will be connected - once I get all the cabling done. The laser printers will be installed down by Andi's teaching position, so she can keep an eye on them…"
Looking around the room, that even to their uninformed gaze was clearly not yet finished, a flabbergasted Cornelius just had to ask the question that popped into his head. "Do muggle schools all have rooms like these?"
"Not all of them - yet - and very few of this quality. Lord Potter wanted the best, and that's what you'll have here. This is more like a set-up you would see in a university. We have a server room sandwiched between this classroom and the large muggle flat, it cost an absolute fortune to run the data cables to this facility."
Seeing he'd lost them with such a simple concept, Aaron tried to explain. "If we're fitting a phone into a building, tapping into the nearest junction box is usually sufficient. The amount of data needed for Hogwarts meant that was a non-starter, these high-spec computers would be left dragging along at a snails pace waiting on the connection. We needed a city to take our connection from, and we setup an office in Inverness as a front. All the equipment was delivered there, and the most powerful data connection we could get installed there too. We then had to run a physical cable from that connection down through Loch Ness, across land to Hogsmeade, then up to Hogwarts. Without using magic, it would easily have cost more than all the equipment in here to do that - and have taken us until at least the end of summer too."
This was a shockingly revelation to all of them, the amount of gold Lord Potter was spending on this was simply staggering. The Minister though took a different view.
"It would appear not only were we clueless about this, but didn't even know what we actually needed - or even what questions to ask."
"Not to worry, Minister, Lord Potter wouldn't know that either. He does know who to ask though - Lady Black is one of the smartest people I've ever met. One side benefit of this is now having a junction box in Hogsmead, making installing telephones in the village a simple matter."
Aaron was beginning to understand what Andi meant about them not understanding what were to almost everyone else basic and simple concepts. He tried to explain their connection as water flowing through a pipe - the wider the pipe, the more water you could get through it. It was the same principle as the more powerful their connection, the more data could be transferred to and from the computers. They also struggled with the concept of each student would be allocated a login and password, allowing them their own area on the server. He didn't even bother mentioning automatic backups of the server. It was going to be extremely difficult to explain basic computer functions to people who were astonished by being able to flick a switch and lights came on. He consoled himself with the thought that the students must be easier to teach than their headmaster or head of government.
Aaron intended to get a couple more hours work in after they left, then watch some satellite telly in the muggle flat, before kipping there for an early start tomorrow. With the date for the official opening now set, Aaron was determined there would be no holdups from his end. He expected to be finished at least two weeks before the opening, and Andi was already talking about running a few classes before the official opening to ensure everything was working properly.
-oOoOo-
There was a rather casual meeting between the Institute staff and the orphanage board taking place, discussing the orphanage summer visit to Italy. The casual atmosphere changed when a serious Antonio knocked and entered.
"Sorry to interrupt your meeting but there's been a disturbing development concerning next week's visit to Hogwarts, and all the people I need to speak to right away are currently in this room."
Now having everyone's attention, Antonio gave them some background information - most of which they already knew. "Harry and Hermione getting married here next August by Minister Rossi is no secret to anyone in the Institute. Due to the number of people phoning home, it's now no secret to the witches and wizards of Britain either. Fudge really needs this ceremony to be a success next week, he desperately needs to publicly show Lord Potter has not abandoned Britain. He has invited everyone and their granny to this ceremony, and we have some serious concerns over the lack of security provisions put in place to support this event"
Taking a seat, Antonio explained he had taken his concerns straight to the top. "Unlike Fudge, Minister Rossi takes these security concerns very seriously and I led a team he assigned for your safety over to Scotland - to familiarise ourselves with the area where this will be happening. No one noticed us, which didn't fill our team with confidence, but they also haven't noticed two hides inside the presentation area - hides that are very similar to the one Voldemort used at the first task…"
It was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, everyone thought those days were now well behind them.
"Our current thinking is to wait and see if anyone attempts to use them, with the intention being to capture and interrogate the shit out of them before the ceremony even starts. Knowing the experience within this group though, I'm open to any suggestions…"
Hermione immediately started asking question after question, without giving time for anyone to answer. "Do we know this is Death Eaters work? Do Death Eaters still have the dark mark, with Voldemort now dead? Will the parceltongue shield charm still work? Is there anyone left we can test it on…"
It was Sirius who just got serious and interrupted. "Hermione, the last time that spell was cast - it quickly turned into a shit show. Are any Death Eaters trapped by this spell able to cast curses at anyone else? I'm talking people not protected by this shield - as there will be a lot of people at this ceremony."
Antonio gave his best guess as to who created these hides. "Since Fudge is making room for anyone who wants to attend, especially press and radio, we can't think of anyone else who would need to build these to attend the ceremony."
Barchoke offered Gringotts aid with anything they needed, even if only a place to take anyone they captured for questioning. He offered his opinion on this situation too. "All the 'prisoners' supposedly died in their cells when Azkaban went up in flames. That the bodies of the four guards were never found leads Gringotts to believe four prisoners escaped, and placed the guards into their cells, before destroying the entire prison. These are not people to be taken lightly. What are their goals here? What do they hope to achieve? Is this a suicide mission, with the aim of taking out as many as they can…"
Harry was left shaking his head. "These Death Eaters are like cockroaches, they just keep coming. I'm not prepared for me, or anyone in my family, to be used as bait in the hope of ending this - or to appease the British Ministry. Sirius, what do you think they're after?"
"These will be some of the most fanatical Death Eaters - the worst of the worst. My cousin Bella was a Lestrange, as well as being a crazy bitch. She hated everyone who wasn't also a Lestrange, or who hadn't named themselves Lord Voldemort. She would kill the Tonks on sight, also the Snape's since Severus is a half blood and married to her other sister. Me for marrying a non magical, and Francesca for being Lady Black. The Grangers, for multiple reasons, and especially you. She really is a psychopath, and actually enjoys torturing and killing."
The Headmistress just had to step in after hearing that. Looking at Neville and Luna, Pomona delivered her judgment. "I think it's now too dangerous for my students to attend this ceremony. Their safety is my main concern here. I of course understand Lord Potter will make his own decision on this, for him and his betrothed."
Turning to Antonio, Harry asked what the British Ministry's position was on this?
"We didn't tell them what we found. All the British Ministry's gold is being spent at Hogwarts, updating courses and hiring new professors to meet the higher criteria that the Institute already teaches. They, somewhat understandably, thought their Death Eater problem was dealt with - so didn't see the need to spend gold they didn't have bolstering their Auror department. Their current aurors simply don't have the level of training needed to cope with this situation. What's the saying - fool me once! They've already been publicly embarrassed by this trick, yet still have no idea it's about to be used against them again."
"We can't let them walk into this situation blind. We need a meeting with Fudge, Snape and probably Andi, preferably in our villa so word doesn't leak back to Britain. Antonio, what can the Italian Ministry offer us in this situation?"
"Harry, as I said, Minister Rossi takes the protection of his citizens very seriously. We could easily put forty or fifty aurors on the ground, take total control of the situation. We would obviously need the British Ministry's agreement on this. Set up a platform where you could be seen, but not approached, and ward the hell out of that area. We can make it as safe as possible, but there will always be risks."
Hermione added a note of caution. "Remember the Wizengamot Chamber, the use of a imperio curse was almost our undoing. There are just so many things we would need to guard against…"
Knowing this was an area of Goblin expertise, Barchoke made an offer that should solve most of their problems. "We can have a platform warded as unplottable - until your party portkeys onto it. The wards would then allow you to be seen and heard, while deflecting any curses fired at you harmlessly into the air."
Nodding in agreement, Harry let everyone know what was driving him. "I just want to see the end of this problem. After this ceremony, the only time I want to set foot back in Britain will be when visiting Ambrosia's."
"I wonder if we could tempt them to move to Italy, a custom designed restaurant in Harmony?" Hermione's idea had appeal for everyone sitting in the room, with Francesca and Sirius immediately offering their support to try and make that happen.
Knowing Remus was returning to London with Jillian, Harry asked him to contact the people they wanted to talk with - and see if arrangements could be made. Antonio would be present, representing the Italian Ministry. Barchoke representing Gringotts, with Sirius, Remus and the Grangers finding themselves invited along too.
-oOoOo-
It was a clearly worried Cornelius who arrived with Severus and Andi on the terrace of the Potter Villa. Seeing all the people waiting on their arrival didn't lessen that worry one iota.
Andi immediately headed for Dan and Emma, she couldn't wait to tell them how her first couple of test classes had gone in Hogwarts new building.
Harry was handling the introductions for the Minister and Hogwarts Headmaster. "You'll both already know most of the people here. This is Antonio De Marco, who is not only a Senior Hitwizard at the Italian Ministry, he and his family live in the Institute - his wife being our brilliant Potions Professor." A raised eyebrow from Snape was the only reaction, Fudge must have so many worrying scenarios running through his mind that there was nothing left to react with - at the moment.
"This is Senior Account Manager Barchoke. He handles all of House Potter, Black, Institute and Orphanage dealings with Gringotts. He will also be Ragnock's representative in these discussions. I'll hand you over to Antonio, since he discovered and then brought this serious problem to our attention."
After hearing about the 'hides' found at the site of the official opening ceremony, and Antonio's conclusion that this indicated a planned attack on that ceremony by Death Eaters, Fudge exploded. His entire career was on the line here, this ceremony needed to happen.
"This is preposterous! Britain no longer has a Death Eater problem - some fled the country, with any that stayed being tried by the Wizengamot and sentenced to death. If any try to return to Britain, they will face the same swift justice - and they certainly know that."
It was left to Barchoke to explain Azkaban. Dropping the bomb that there was certainly at least one Lestrange still alive stopped Fudge's protest in its tracks. Dobby bringing in some old European newspapers of the attack at Halloween only bolstered their case. You didn't need to be able to read the language, their pictures told a story that was all too familiar to anyone who had lived through those times.
Sirius was sitting with his arm around Francesca, but it was to his cousin he directed his attention. "Andi - there's a fair chance Bella might have survived the fire at Azkaban…" After Andi reacted to the shock of that news, a glance at Severus received a slight nod of understanding from the Headmaster to Sirius.
Dobby popped in with a decanter of brandy for their guests, even Snape needed it now. The former Death Eater was well aware exactly how Bella would view his marriage to Cissi - both of them would be murdered if that psychotic witch if Bella was given half a chance.
Cornelius had knocked back his first brandy, and was now nursing his second. His personal pity party was now in full bloom. He'd worked harder than at any time in his life. Cornelius thought he was so close to pulling off the miracle needed to save save Hogwarts - and his career - only to have it snatched away at the last moment… What did that large Italian just say?
"Sorry, could you repeat that?"
"I said that the Italian Ministry are willing to take over security for the entire event."
Here was an unexpected but wonderful option Cornelius couldn't even have dreamed of. If everything went right, he would get all the plaudits. If not, the British Ministry had a ready made scapegoat. He was listening to the hit wizard talk about possibly capturing prisoners and preventing the entire attack, he just had to interrupt at that.
"These people are already officially classed as dead, it doesn't matter what happens to them. The Grangers can shoot them, and no charges will be forthcoming…"
The sarcasm was practically dripping off Emma's words. "Do you hear that, Dan. The last time we shot someone - who was about to murder the Lady Black - Minister Fudge here publicly proclaimed we'd carried out an assassination."
"I can't decide if trying to arrest us for killing his friend Malfoy - while he was casting the torture curse on you in our own kitchen - is worse." Looking Cornelius right in the eye, Dan then made their position on this matter crystal clear.
"My wife has been held under a torture curse, while Harry was attacked by a wizard under the imperio curse - and we'll never be able forget Hermione having THREE simultaneous killing curses fired at her. To be blunt, Minister, we are Italian citizens, attending an event now under the security control of the Italian Ministry. We don't need your permission to defend our family from anyone attacking - and we will defend them."
Emma kissed Dan's cheek before adding a gentle reminder. "Dear, you forgot to mention we very publicly shot Voldemort too - twice!"
This led to some chuckles breaking out around the room, and an abject apology coming to the Grangers from Fudge. There was something more Cornelius desperately wanted, so just had to ask.
"If these four can be captured before the ceremony starts, can we then proceed as originally planned?"
All eyes eventually tracked to Antonio, the company letting him know they trusted his decision. "If the threat is over, then I don't see why not. You can wait at the Institute, and I can phone you the all clear - or to go with Barchoke's platform idea."
After the goblin explained to the Minister what this would entail, Harry and Hermione standing on a protected platform no one could approach or curse, Cornelius began to relax. Even with the restrictive second option the ceremony would still go ahead. Once the Modern Studies building came officially into use, that should be enough to eventually save Hogwarts. In the short term though, Harry Potter had to turn up and lend his name to the project, to save all their careers, until the facility did its job - and slowly changed their world.
-oOoOo-
Augustus and Rabastan silently made their way through what passed as Ministerial security - it was a joke - and Augustus felt more secure about their plan now than at anytime since they'd developed it from Bella's ultimate revenge idea. Rodolphus was right, the Ministry were spending more gold on teaching wizards and witches how to be muggles than training their aurors how to do their jobs.
For perhaps the first time since Bella chose this target, Augustus was beginning to believe he might survive today. Those were his last thoughts, before being stunned unconscious.
-oOoOo-
The knock at their door roused Harry from his sleep, discovering that Barchoke was the one doing the knocking was a complete surprise.
"I've asked Dobby to invite Dan and Emma too, you will all want to hear this."
As Hermione joined them, fruit juice, Barchoke's beefy drink and Emma's cappuccino appeared on the table - just as the Grangers arrived at the door. Taking a sip from his mug while everyone got seated, Barchoke then gave his news.
"Antonio's squad captured two not so dead Death Eaters heading towards the hides. They waltzed right past the British aurors but Antonio's squad have glasses that allowed them to easily see through their Disillusionment charms - and both were stunned before they even knew they'd been discovered. They were questioned using truth serum, one is a former unspeakable while the other is one of the Lestrange brothers."
Taking another sip from his mug, Barchoke gave them a brief history of how they escaped Azkaban - and what they've been up to since. It was time though to get right up to date.
"Bellatrix and Rodolphus are still at large, having left their latest hideout before the aurors arrived. They plan to arrive at the ceremony, wearing high class clothes and glamour charms."
Hermione just had to react after hearing that. "Do they honestly think that will work?"
"With how lax the security is, Antonio rated their chances of success at very high. Bellatrix Lestrange was a psychotic witch before she was sentenced to Azkaban, now life - hers or anyone else's - means absolutely nothing to her. She was living her very best life, until a baby destroyed Bella's master. She wants revenge on the boy-who-lived, and her twisted mind came up with a plan that makes me want to vomit. They're targeting Joan…"
The four others shot to their feet, their rage clear for all to see. Dobby also appeared with a noise like thunder, rage too pouring off the little elf. "No one will hurt Dobby's little Miss, Dobby won't allow it. Dobby will hurt them first. Dobby will watch over his family…"
Barchoke rose and went over to Dobby, resting his hand on the elf's shoulder. "Dobby my friend, we will all watch over your family - and especially little Miss Joan. Antonio was ready to murder both prisoners, just for speaking the words. Joan, Mariana and Giovanni run about the Institute together every day, and their dad is certainly considered an honorary uncle by our Joan."
Looking around at the other four, who were still on their feet, Barchoke gave them the reassurance they needed to hear. "Antonio's got the place flooded with his aurors and hit wizards, they will be captured - and no one leaves the Institute until they are."
Their knowledge that nothing could touch Joan inside the Institute, and they wouldn't be leaving it unless Lestrange was captured, that more than anything calmed everybody down. Emma was filled with rage but still shed a few tears.
"We didn't believe you that first day in Ambrosia's, when you described death eaters to us. Even after having the door blown off our house and tortured on the kitchen floor, we struggled to believe people like that existed. But targeting a four year old little angel to punish her family is a whole different level of depravity. What will happen to these sick bastards when they're caught?"
"Oh they'll certainly die, it's just who's going to do it and the method of execution that will need to be worked out."
When Dan growled "I'm willing, available and will work for free," the entire room agreed with that sentiment - even the house elf.
-oOoOo-
There was quite the crowd now standing about inside Headmistress Sprout's office, all waiting on her phone ringing. Harry and Hermione's friends who had stayed at their Villa last summer were there, hoping the news would allow them to travel to Hogwarts in support of their friends on this momentous day.
Minerva and Poppy were also accompanying the group of students, with Amelia and Barchoke adding themselves as welcome support too. The Granger parents, Sirius and Remus would be looking after Harry, Hermione, Joan and Francesca - though the first two were more than capable of defending themselves.
For Ginny and Poppy, this would be their first visit to Britain since Hogwarts term ended, and Minerva's first visit to the castle since Poppy had pushed her through the floo - beginning a life changing journey that started in St Mungo's before moving on to Italy. As almost all the students were meeting family at Hogwarts, they were desperate to go - but understood that unless there was word from Scotland that it was now safe to travel, they wouldn't be going anywhere. Under Headmistress Sprout, there was no compromising student safety - after Dumbledore, that was exactly the way her students wanted it to be.
As the phone rang, the room went silent while Pomona pressed the speaker button. Everyone immediately recognised Antonio's voice, and he didn't waste any time either - getting straight to the point.
"We've got both of them. Our glasses saw right through their disguises, multiple stunners instantly dropped them, and we soon had their glamours dispelled. Positive I.D. but they won't be waking up anytime soon, Bellatrix must have been hit with eight or nine stunners. No one was taking any chances with that sadistic witch…"
The atmosphere Antonio's call generated in the large office was first one of relief, quickly followed by excitement as the relieved and reassured Headmistress gave the green light to their Hogwarts visit.
Harry and Hermione had been discussing the situation over their rings, and came to a conclusion. It was Harry who called for their attention.
"Listen everyone, I don't think we should mention that there was ever a threat to the ceremony. The British Ministry and others can decide how they want to play this later. Antonio has over fifty aurors working security for this ceremony, and we don't want anyone knowing they're there - just in case sone other nutter decides to start something."
All quickly agreed, with Francesca actually apologising to the group for something coming up on a building project, and thus making them all late while she quickly fixed the problem. This was greeted with wry chuckles, and a loving kiss from her proud husband - who decided it was a Marauder worthy prank.
With the threat now taken care of, Barchoke was going to head back to Gringotts - until a certain Miss Potter took his hand and skipped towards the portkey point. As there was no way her Uncle Barchoke could ever refuse the little angel, he was apparently heading to Hogwarts.
-oOoOo-
There was now a crowd waiting on their arrival at Hogwarts portkey point, with parents soon hugging their children. While Harry and Hermione were bedecked in their House Potter regalia, the other students who had traveled with them proudly displayed their allegiance by wearing their Institute robes.
As the Institute crowd and their parents dispersed towards the platform to wait and witness the ceremony. It was only a few minutes later that the Minister, the Snape's and Andi approached Harry. It was apparently time for them to head towards the presentation platform too. With Joan still holding Barchoke's hand, that pair fond themselves being sandwiched between Harry and Hermione in front, with Dan and Emma behind them. Sirius, Francesca and Remus brought up the rear.
Cornelius was just so relieved to see this ceremony go ahead, he didn't care who was in the party from the Institute. As long as Harry Potter was present, nobody in the invited audience would be looking at anyone else anyway. He led them down towards the platform with Headmaster Snape at his side. The two Black sisters following on, with the Institute party just behind them.
They were making their way down using the new covered walkway, which was packed on both sides with people trying to get a closer look at the Boy-Who-Lived. The presentation group from the Institute could clearly see why Antonio had been concerned with security. There must have been a couple of hundred witches and wizards along each side of the open walkway, yet there was hardly a British auror in sight. As the crowds surged, trying for an even closer look, a very young witch in a pretty short dress found herself being violently ejected forward and landing roughly on the actual walkway.
The little blond looked about six or seven, her Harry Potter picture and quill had flown out her hands as she tried to protect herself while landing on the cobbled walkway. A sharp cry told everyone she wasn't successful, her scraped hands were the first clue. That she was using them to hold a nasty bloody gash on her knee while loudly sobbing was the second. It would appear she'd been waiting on her hero, hoping to have Harry sign her picture.
Before anyone could react, Joan had released Barchoke's hand and dashed forward to speak with the injured girl. "Are you alright? That looks sore, my Aunt Poppy is here and will fix…"
Joan never got to say anymore as the injured little girl exploded into action, she had Joan by the throat and a wand that appeared from nowhere in her hand - now pointed at her hostage's face. Her crocodile tears had instantly been replaced by a cackle that Cissi, Andi and Sirius instantly recognised. Bellatrix Lestrange had fooled all of them.
"I've got your little girl, Potter. I'm going to kill her while you watchhhhh." Bella's agonising scream could be heard all over Hogwarts as both her wand hand - and the wand she held in it - were magically pulverised.
"Bad witch will not hurt Dobby's Little Miss." No one had ever seen an enraged house elf before, Dobby's appearance, demeanour and actions would certainly give those who punished their elves second thoughts - if not night terrors.
In her agony, Bellatrix's hold on her hostage had lessened, allowing Joan to slip from her grip. The four year old was just about to kick this girl on the ankle when Dobby popped her away - straight into Barchoke's waiting arms.
The last thing Bella would ever see was not a house elf, but an enraged woman pointing something at her.
"Not my Granddaughter, you bitch!" Emma's bullet impacted on Bella's forehead, killing the feared witch instantly. Both Harry and Hermione had immediately cast the parseltongue spell that would hopefully affect any other death eaters in the vicinity.
With both of them casting it, Rodolphus was overwhelmed by a pain infinitely worse than their master's cruciatus. He was on the ground without even realising it, welcoming the release of being hit with multiple stunners from aurors that, like Bella's wand, had appeared from nowhere.
As the Death Eater was down, and they now had about a dozen Italian aurors around them, Harry and Hermione cancelled their spell. Severus was also on the ground, though now being comforted by his wife and sister-in-law.
Hermione soon had Joan wrapped in her arms, "Mum, Dobby sorted that bad girl out - but he wouldn't let me kick her."
Holding Joan tighter, Hermione explained what had happened. Thankfully Barchoke had prevented her from seeing the shooting that followed Dobby's actions. "That wasn't a little girl, darling, but a woman pretending to be one. You can take a potion that can turn you into someone else."
It was a raging Antonio who confirmed Hermione was right. "They must have used polyjuice on the people we captured too, along with an imperious. I just hope they didn't murder the children who provided them with hair for their polyjuice disguises."
The crowds of spectators weren't pushing forward now, rather trying to get away. The Grangers both had their guns out, looking for any signs of trouble. Watching as the dead little girl transformed into a fully grown witch - still in a tiny dress - was grotesque.
Hermione and June were joined in their hug by Franchesca, with Sirius, Remus, Dan, Emma, Barchoke and even Dobby forming a protective inner ring around them. There was now at least two dozen of Antonio's detachment formed in an outer circle around all of them. Conversing over their rings, and holding onto Joan for dear life, Harry knew Hermione would be fine. She also agreed with what he had to do next.
Harry approached a now sitting Snape with his hand held out. "Sorry Headmaster, we knew there was at least one other Death Eater out there. It seemed like the quickest way to identify them, since by then we also knew they would be disguised using polyjuice potion."
Severus took the offered hand, using it to help himself get back on his feet. "I have never felt anything like that before, and hope never to do so again. I couldn't breathe, far less answer any questions asked of me…"
"Ah yes, both Hermione and I cast it at the same time - and put quite a bit of our anger into it. Sorry again, you certainly weren't our intended target."
Their friends started arriving, recognisable by their robes, and Antonio's aurors were letting them through. Harry nodded toward a blond teen, and a distraught Draco was also allowed through to check on his mother and Severus. Harry was turning to Fudge.
Cornelius didn't know how long he'd stood there, contemplating what he would do next - now that everything had turned to shit. He was watching the Italian aurors place and then seal Bellatrix's body in what appeared to be a large leather bag. It was then portkeyed away to who knows where. Cornelius certainly didn't care, just realising that psychopath had been so close - with a wand in her hand too - was responsible for at least half of his current malaise.
The other half came from the utter certainty that Potter would soon be portkeying back to his Institute. Cornelius couldn't even blame him, but for the Italian aurors today would have been a national disaster. That the darkest witch in at least a century was taken down by a house elf and a muggle showed just how badly Hogwarts needed this building. Their lack of knowledge and understanding of muggles was so staggering - they didn't even know what questions to ask about them.
A certain pair of Muggles were now responsible for taking down a Dark Lord magicals in Britain were so afraid of, they wouldn't say his name. Now his top lieutenant that every witch and wizard in Britain was terrified of lay dead on the path. Not forgetting they had actually written and produced a muggle studies course that could potentially save Hogwarts too. There must be a way to officially thank these people, get them back to visit Britain for an awards ceremony. They needed to show the world that Britain could change…
It wasn't until he heard Potter speaking that Fudge once more became compos mentis to what was happening around him.
"Minister, the situation is now under control. I think we need a slight delay though, say half an hour?"
Fudge could only nod, thinking Potter could get whatever the hell he asked for - if the ceremony could still go ahead today.
It was Andi who made a suggestion that was quickly adopted by everyone present. "We're nearer the new building than the castle. We could go there and have a cup of tea - or something stronger."
Within two minutes, the walkway was lined right up to the new building with Aurors whose robes and insignias indicated they were Italian. As the party followed the path to the Lilly Potter building, a now smiling Fudge headed towards the presentation stage. Announcing a slight delay, due to an accident, should keep everyone calm. That, and the dozens of Italian Aurors that were now making themselves visible.