Chapter 15
Peter White was expecting a visit from the ministry today, he was not expecting the Minister of Magic to practically kick his office door in.
"You egotistical, headline-grabbing arsehole!"
"So you're not here to thank me then?"
"Thank you? I should have Amelia here arrest both you and Skeeter."
Peter noticed the Head of the DMLE appeared just as angry as the minister, he ditched any cockiness and was already verbally back-pedalling. "On what charges were you planning on arresting us? Informing the public of what's really going on is our job."
It was a raging Amelia who came right back at him. "Arresting criminals is mine. We've been after Dumbledore for ten years, and you just blew the best chance we had of catching him. Had you come to us with the information before printing, we could have staked Snape's house out. Now Dumbledore won't come within a hundred miles of the place."
"Excuse me for interrupting but I have some business with the editor too." Remus marched right up in front of Peter's desk and slapped a scroll onto it. "This is the cancelation of all advertising and any contact with PMP and the Daily Prophet, effective immediately."
Peter was shocked, this accounted for about eight per cent of their advertising and the editor was really worried it could be the first of many.
Amelia though didn't appear in the slightest surprised at this action from PMP, only at who was carrying it out. "I half expected James to beat us here?"
"Lords Potter, Black and Longbottom demanded, and got, a meeting with the paper's owners." Remus then proceeded to let Peter know just how much trouble the Prophet was in. "Dumbledore broke into Hogwarts and didn't even know what house the two boys were in. You not only provided him with that information, you printed pictures of Harry and Neville so he could recognise them instantly."
As expected, Amelia backed Remus. "You do know that Neville's parents work for me? You and your paper have endangered an auror family with that article, with the ministry and those three lords pushing charges I'm sure we could make something stick."
Peter was now sweating. It was one thing to claim freedom of the press but apparently he'd seriously pissed off the wrong people. This wasn't the Voldemort era though, he wouldn't be wakening up to his house on fire with the floo, windows and doors sealed. That didn't mean these people couldn't break him professionally, politically and financially, he also sensed that's exactly what they intended to do here.
In his rush for a headline, he'd made a serious error of judgement. Had he played ball with the ministry, the Prophet would have been granted front row seats at Dumbledore's capture. Now he might have the inside edge on interviewing the old wizard in Azkaban, as a fellow prisoner.
"Ok, what can we do to help repair some of the damage?"
Remus was first to answer. "As far as PMP are concerned, nothing. Our decision stands. You might also be getting a visit from the Hogwarts headmistress, after endangering two of her students."
The marauder was finished with Peter but had a few words with Amelia before he left. "Lily's first instinct was to pull the children from the castle, another reason why Mr White here might be hearing from Minerva today. There's a family meeting in Hogwarts tonight to discuss what we do next, hope you can make it."
Amelia was well aware that anyone attacking Harry or Neville would find her Susan and the rest of their friends standing beside the boys, this incident affected the entire extended family. "I'll do my best to make it Remus, this is going to be one hell of a day though."
As Remus left, the two ministry officials once more turned their attention back to Peter. Barty wasn't giving the editor any choice in the next matter. "The last of the death eaters will be released later this week, here is what we are going to do..."
-oOoOo-
Sheila was wary of this rat. She understood why they wanted it tested, repeated applications of poison at its previous location had little effect on the creature. Only by its constant twitching was there as any sign their product got to the rodent at all. Even the anaesthetic didn't seem to knock it out completely. A breed of rat that could resist the latest rodent control methods had her bosses worried, they were waiting on the results of this sample.
The creature was currently sedated in the containment cabinet as the lab technician slipped her hands into the gloves, ready to take the blood sample. As the needle entered the rat's body, all hell let loose.
A loud scream of terror was followed by the rat transforming into one of the sorriest looking men Sheila had ever seen. Considering some of the men she'd dated, that was really saying something. The individual was trapped inside the cabinet and the now terrified technician barely had time to get her hands free of the gloves before beams of light started shooting out the cabinet.
Sheila ducked down and crawled along the floor before taking refuge under a desk, the shocks weren't over for the morning though as three people wearing identical robe-like clothing suddenly appeared out of thin air. There were more beams of light before silence once more returned to the lab. Sheila was hunkered under the desk thinking she certainly wouldn't forget today in a hurry, the muggle lab technician had no idea how wrong she was.
-oOoOo-
Barty strode through the ministry with his face like thunder, if he got any angrier then lightning bolts would probably shoot from his eyes. He'd just left St Mungo's where his top medical experts had informed him that Peter Pettigrew could never stand trial, that wizard simply didn't exist anymore.
The person currently under guard in a secure room didn't know who Peter Pettigrew was, the individual was totally insane. From what they could gather, Voldemort was responsible for this by overuse of torture before he left to meet his fate that night. The creature once known as Peter Pettigrew had been living as a feral rat for the last ten years. Only his body's defence mechanisms had forced him to become human again, the magic that had shot from his wand was neither structured nor focused and he had easily been subdued by the aurors.
Barty well remembered many confessions of what Voldemort did to those followers who displeased him. Peter had delivered the Potters on a silver salver but Voldemort had allowed them to escape again. Peter had paid a heavy price for his master's failure. The Minister was more concerned at Pettigrew reappearing now, Barty really didn't believe in coincidences.
The healers had assured him Pettigrew didn't know what year it was, far less his own name. It seemed like this was one of those instances where it really was pure coincidence.
He strode purposefully toward his destination, and baulked when he entered the interview room. Severus Snape was barely into his thirties yet physically had the appearance of someone who was nearing retirement, that after having spent their adult life working incredibly hard. Having just left Pettigrew and to be now faced with this scene, for the first time ever Barty thought he'd made the correct decision that day with his son. The alternative was clearly horrible as he gazed at his second broken wizard this morning. This thought touched something so deep inside Barty that the minister thought he'd lost it many years ago, compassion.
Looking at the shattered and sobbing remains of the wizard before him led the minister to reach a decision he no longer thought he was capable of.
"Snape, it is already clear from the evidence we have that you in no way sought out, or wished to be contacted by, the wanted criminal Albus Dumbledore. I am also informed you have cooperated fully with this investigation into your former headmaster's whereabouts."
Severus couldn't believe what he was hearing, the slightest glimmer of hope began to grow in his heart.
"You still however were discovered associating with a wanted criminal, this clearly breaks the terms of your release from Azkaban and will earn you further punishment."
Severus began crying again as the small flame of hope was cruelly extinguished.
"Severus Snape, your punishment will be your exile from the British Isles. You have twenty four hours to leave the country, failure to do so will result in your immediate and permanent incarceration on the island of Azkaban. Re-entering the country will also see you meet the same fate, do you understand?"
Severus could only nod, his vocal chords refused to work at the moment.
"Good, this better be the last time we meet." The minister then addressed the aurors in the room. "Get him cleaned up and then throw him out of here. If he's not out the country by this time tomorrow, chuck his sorry arse back into Azkaban and throw away the key."
Watching the death eater's reaction to his words was pitiful, Barty had to get out of there.
-oOoOo-
Pansy had trouble believing how unaffected her friends were with this morning's Prophet, the professors appeared much more upset. She approached Hermione as they left potions to discover if it was bravado or they really didn't care.
"Aren't you worried that Dumbledore was in the castle looking for Harry and Neville?"
She shook her head in answer. "Concerned, possibly - worried, no. Our Uncle James and Uncle Sirius were one of the top auror teams the ministry had, Neville's parents are the other one. Aunt Amelia is the head of the department, they'll look after us. Aunt Lily is also scary with a wand in her hand and only a fool would cross her or Aunt Aurora."
Susan had been listening and added her agreement. "You saw how quickly they responded when Harry raised the alarm that night? If Dumbledore hadn't run away he would be in Azkaban by now. He's a nutter that you can't let dictate your life. With the Potters and Blacks here, Hogwarts is probably the safest place for the guys at the moment."
Hermione was now nodding as she rounded up what they felt. "You need to also remember Dumbledore didn't gain access to the Gryffindor dorm, the castle stopped him. If he sets one foot inside Hogwarts we'll know. If we're in our dorm we stay put, otherwise it's head straight for the Potter or Black rooms."
They had also been joined by both boys, and most of their year group as Harry explained Hermione's last comment. "Our mirrors now have an alarm function on them that will warn if the crazy old wizard comes back. If we say move, then it's time to get out of there."
Hermione slipped her arm possessively around his waist and attempted to relieve some of the tension that the Prophet had caused. "You don't need to worry dear. I'll be right beside you." She held her other hand up and theatrically inspected her ring. "There's no way you're getting away from me now Potter!"
They traipsed off to transfiguration and James was surprised and delighted to see a giggling group of students enter his class. He really couldn't be prouder of the kids for the way they were dealing with this. He and Sirius just had quite the morning. Getting ripped into the Prophet's owners should see the shit trickle down and drown the people responsible for having Harry and Neville's pictures in their rag. It was the urgent call to the ministry though that really shook them up.
Over the years, the marauders had all fantasised what they would do to Peter if they ever got their hands on him. Seeing that broken creature today brought home to them their former friend had suffered far worse than anything they could have come up with. The question that had always troubled them was why Peter had betrayed his friends, now they would never have an answer. His mind was so damaged the healers weren't sure that Peter even knew he was human, far less why he made a certain decision over a decade ago.
He'd eventually managed to talk Lily down from her position from when she first laid eyes on the Prophet, she wanted them all on the first plane out the country. The family meeting tonight would now focus on how to ensure the boys stayed as safe as possible, adding the Dumbledore alarm to the kids' mirrors was the first thing they did. At least inside Hogwarts they would see the old bastard coming, and he wouldn't be getting away this time.
The corridor that he has disappeared into had now been bricked off at either end until they had more time to investigate it properly. The three marauders had also booby-trapped the now sealed part of the corridor, Dumbledore was in for some very nasty surprises if he used that route into the castle again. James got the class settled down and began the lesson. He made a mental note to ask Minerva if they could show a movie on the big screen tonight, something like a nice comedy should cheer the place up.
-oOoOo-
Barty had originally travelled to Hogwarts with Amelia in an attempt to reassure the families involved the ministry was doing everything in its power to capture Dumbledore. It hadn't taken much persuasion for him to stay for something called movie night. He sat in the great hall and, like all its occupants, he was drawn into Luke Skywalker's fight against the evil empire. Curfew for the students came and went as the fighters attacked the death star, no one made a move to leave the hall. When the death star finally exploded, so did the hall. The cheering almost shook the rafters.
The minister watched on as Minerva had the prefects escort the very happy students back to their houses, reflecting that they had just been immersed in another culture for a couple of hours and enjoyed every minute of it. Barty had originally thought these systems would sell because of the potential to show Quidditch matches, having just watched a movie he had to readjust his earlier predictions. These systems would be a phenomenon.
Minerva had also told him earlier that the screen was used to broadcast educational programmes, Barty felt as if he'd received an education tonight. He followed Minerva back to her office, these recurring late night chats were the real reason Barty would grasp the flimsiest excuse to drop into the school.
The good thing for Barty was the headmistress didn't seem to mind his frequent visits, in fact he quickly accepted an invitation to return at the weekend to watch a Quidditch match. The minister could think of a lot worse ways to spend an evening than watching Quidditch in good company.
-oOoOo-
Like most of the school, the Slytherin first year boy's dorm was buzzing after watching the movie tonight.
Theo was heavily involved in the discussion until his comment brought a knowing smile to Harry's face. "How great were those light sabres? I would love one of them."
The other occupants of the dorm also noticed this and Greg wanted an answer. "Ok Harry, you're looking far too smug there. Spill it."
It was actually Neville, who'd been busy raking through his trunk, that provided the answer. He pressed the button on the bottom of a tube and the other first year's eyes almost popped out their heads.
Vince was the one to state the obvious. "You've got a bloody light sabre, no way?"
"Our reaction to watching the movie the first time was pretty much the same as yours tonight, Remus and Sirius designed these to provide us with more enthusiasm for our fencing lessons. You ready Harry?"
"Alas poor padawan, you are not a Jedi yet."
That was all Neville needed to hear, he sprang at Harry while their dorm mates began shouting encouragement as his initial blow was deflected by Harry's own light sabre.
Miles thought he had it easy compared to some of the prefects. He might be in charge of the largest number of first year boys in all four houses but their behaviour had so far been impeccable. That was why the noise coming from their dorm had him racing down the stairs, it sounded like a full scale riot was kicking off in there.
He burst through the door and froze on the spot. Potter and Longbottom were jumping from bed to bed while fighting with things the entire school had just watched cutting arms clean off on the big screen. It was time for action.
Harry and Neville heard the shouted 'expelliarmus' and reacted purely on instinct, both swung their bodies and their weapons to meet the threat.
Miles couldn't believe two firsties had batted his spell right back at him, his own disarming spell robbed him of his wand, throwing the prefect out the dorm and back into the landing. It was a shaky Miles who found himself being helped back to his feet by Harry and Neville.
"Sorry Miles, we didn't know it was you."
"Does Professor Black know you've got those things Potter?"
"Well, since he helped make them, I would say yes."
Neville helped the still dazed prefect with a more detailed explanation than just yes. "These are not like the ones in the film, getting hit with one of our light sabres only gives you a mild stinging hex. We use them for fencing sometimes, and some of the teaching adults would fire hexes at us."
Harry readily agreed with his friend. "Just to make sure we were paying attention to our surroundings though, that's why we reacted like we did."
Both boys waited to see if they were going to be in trouble, Miles certainly had other ideas. "Do you think he would make me one?"
This question was quickly echoed by the large audience the noise their impromptu light sabre duel had drawn, PMP might just have another item that made most of the magical teenagers' Christmas lists.
-oOoOo-
When Dumbledore finally got his hands on that particular copy of the Prophet, the old wizard was stumped at what he was reading there. A Potter and a Longbottom in Slytherin? Albus couldn't believe it, therefore it mustn't be true. Barty was a clever man who had colluded with that bastard of an editor to get the Prophet to once more print lies. They obviously wanted to get him down in the Hogwarts dungeons, leaving both boys safe in Gryffindor tower. They were going to be disappointed.
Albus knew all about disappointment, his meeting with Severus had not gone as well as he'd hoped. First there was the shock that the broken figure before him was once a wizard who could make his pulse beat faster just by walking into a room. The pathetic creature he had seen the other night would struggle to actually have a pulse, Severus looked so emaciated.
In his dreams of retuning to prominence in the wizarding world, Albus had always fantasised that the dark haired wizard would be behind him. That fantasy shattered the instant he first laid eyes on the new version of Severus, and completely died when the former head of Slytherin opened his mouth.
He was Albus Dumbledore though and had learned to accentuate the positive in any situation, even one that seemed as hopeless as this one. If he was reading this then Albus was sure Voldemort also wouldn't miss this critical information. The Prophet had not only provided both boys' locations, it even printed their pictures so the dark lord couldn't mistake them.
Albus may have lost Severus but he could feel his date with destiny was coming closer. It would be wise though to wait until the furore his last visit to Hogwarts created died down, and also choose a different route into the castle. He needed to place monitoring charms on both boys then, when Voldemort killed one of them, Albus could come charging to the rescue. Whether he was in time to save the other boy was immaterial, providing he got there before Voldemort left the building.
He would then be proven right, and was sure he could conjure some tears to cry over the children's bodies. It would be nice to make the front pages of the Prophet in a positive light again. Dumbledore continued his day-dreaming, or planning as he called it, until the sun went down.
-oOoOo-
Cissi watched the sun come up as she stood alone on the dock. She was early but felt it was necessary as she went over what she was going to say to her husband for about the hundredth time in her head. She'd left Grimmauld Place for the last time, Sirius was adamant that Lucius would never set foot inside any property he owned. The goblins intended to move in today and strip the house of anything they thought was worth gold, the house would then be sold.
She had a carpetbag at her feet with all her belongings shrunken and stored inside, as well as a few things for Lucius. Cissi could never forget what she felt like getting off that boat eighteen months ago, she intended to use that experience to help her husband.
The pureblood princess had been unaware that morning that she wasn't only stepping off the boat, she was walking into a whole new world. She was well aware of her husband's prejudices and had shared many of them, those same prejudices in today's magical society were nothing less than a giant millstone around your neck.
Cissi hoped she could get that message through to her husband, otherwise there would be trouble. She had no intention of ever returning to that vile place ever again. Apart from the fact she was sure she wouldn't survive another stint in Azkaban, their son would be declared an orphan and ward of the state. Even her renewed relationship with Andi wouldn't save Draco, since Sirius had expelled her from the Black family for becoming a death eater. This left Draco with no family other than Lucius and her, their son would go into an orphanage over her dead body.
She watched as the last four prisoners to be released were helped off the boat and onto the dock, the quartet now a mere shadow of the wizards they were a decade ago. Lucius was sporting long white hair with a beard to match. It was very Dumbledore-esk, especially since he now looked about the same age as the ancient wizard.
She came forward and draped a cloak over her husband's shoulders before handing him a vial of potion. "Drink this, it will settle your stomach from the journey and help you when we have some solid food later. I have a Portkey to take us out of here."
Lucius just did whatever she said with a nod at the mention of Portkey showing he understood. He didn't utter a word as they both vanished from the dock, neither noticing they had picked up a stowaway.
-oOoOo-
Draco had become a laughing stock inside Hogwarts since he badly lost the duel to the muggle, getting outperformed by every single Slytherin in all the classes they shared didn't help his continuing case to be placed in that house either. When things were at their darkest though, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. His father was being released from prison today and his mother had asked that he could leave the school this weekend to meet him.
Professor Sprout was using this event to hold over his head for good behaviour, provided he could reach the end of the week without incurring another detention he could go. The blond Hufflepuff intended to be there and would be keeping his head down all week. That he was the one who usually instigated any trouble meant that things should go smoothly for the remainder of the week.
-oOoOo-
Lucius came out from the bathroom, a shower and a shave making him feel almost human again. He'd kept a small goatee as a reminder never to get caught again. There was food on the table but it was information he was hungry for.
"Considering we're sitting in a rented apartment in Hogsmead, I assume things are bad?"
"Lucius, it's all gone. The house, land, vaults - they took it all. Between the goblins, ministry and creditors coming out the woodwork, there is hardly enough gold left to buy a decent size cottage, never mind a country house."
That he just sat down and began eating had her really worried, ranting and raving she expected. Cissi was guessing where his thoughts were turning and wanted to dissuade her husband from that course of action.
"I've tried investing some of the gold and have managed to increase our holdings but we're on the outside now, no privileged information on who is doing what. It's also now a different world, shady dealings are no longer tolerated. The ministry has really cleaned up its act, and has a large force of well-trained aurors to back it up."
"What are you trying to say Cissi?"
She hadn't intended to be this blunt but it was now beginning to look as if this might be the only way to get through to her husband. "Lucius, we picked the wrong side and paid for it. Yes we've paid dearly but we're still here and have our son to look after. He was raised by Aunt Walburga without anyone knowing and now needs his parents, both of us."
Lucius continued savouring his food for a few moments before answering. "Narcissa, what kind of example would I be setting my son if I let these bastards walk all over the name Malfoy?"
This was what she feared, Lucius was a proud man who had all his privileges stripped away. Cissi had wondered how he would cope with that. "We are still purebloods Lucius, and working together can begin to rebuild the Malfoy name. Draco is a fine son who we should begin searching to find a good match for. By the time our grandchildren arrive, the Malfoy name could be one of the most respected names in British magical society once more."
Cissi didn't really believe that, she reckoned it would take at least another generation for the Malfoy name to recover any of its former glory, she didn't think Lucius was ready to hear that at the moment though. He continued eating and she knew she was pushing it but the alternative was unthinkable.
"I have asked Hogwarts to release Draco this weekend so he can meet his father, it will give you something to look forward to.
Lucius eventually answered. "It will take at least a few days to get my strength back. I intend to use that time to familiarise myself with these changes you speak of and also meet with my son. Decisions on our future can wait until then."
Cissi nodded and hid her smile well, this was as good as she could hope for. She had been terrified that he would rush off and do something impulsive, earning a trip straight back to Azkaban.
The beetle hiding in the corner could see there was no point of hanging around here until the weekend, Rita shot out as quickly as she could but would certainly be back.
-oOoOo-
Luna was going over the charms notes she got from her friends with her mother when Dudley called on her mirror.
"Hey Luna, you want to come over and stay tonight? Remus will be picking us up tomorrow for the Quidditch match."
Luna glanced hopefully toward her mother and Maia asked to speak with Dudley. "Would you like to come over and stay with Luna tonight? Xeno and I feel it's ages since we've seen you."
She could see the consultation going on in Crawley through the mirror, and also the large smile her daughter was now wearing. The mother network were concerned about these two almost as much as Harry and Neville. It was always going to be difficult for the children to be split, and even worse now that two of them were perceived to be in danger. Maia intended to make sure these two spent as much time together as possible, she also knew Luna wouldn't mind that in the slightest.
If Dudley stayed here tonight, they could both stay in Crawley tomorrow night. The parents treated the six kids as one big family, mainly because that was the way they all thought of each other.
There was absolutely no surprise that Hermione now wore Harry's ring. Maia was also certain there wouldn't be any raised eyebrows if Luna one day wore a ring from Dudley. She'd spoken to both Emma and Lily over how they handled the obvious attraction between Harry and Hermione, their answer of standing back and closely monitoring the situation was the track she intended to follow too. That Dudley was a muggle never even entered her mind.
The boy in question giving an affirmative answer saw both Lovegood ladies smiling and Xeno leaving to collect Dudley. The pair were going to have a busy but fun weekend.
-oOoOo-
Cissi was returning from taking Draco back to the castle, his visit hadn't gone anywhere near as well as she hoped. This was confirmed the minute she walked in the door. Lucius was pacing up and down the room, his anger very near the surface.
"That is what you expect to restore the name of Malfoy to greatness? A moaning faced poncy little git of a Hufflepuff? Your aunt has ruined our son to the point where I hardly recognise any Malfoy in him."
"Yes I can see the damage my aunt has wrought, how could I not, but aren't you being rather hard on Draco?"
"My Hufflepuff son publicly engineers a confrontation with a muggle inside Hogwarts, and then proceeds to lose the duel in front of the entire school. You tell me where the Slytherin, never mind the Malfoy is in that? The only way to save him is a withdrawal from Hogwarts and then try to get Draco enrolled into Durmstrang."
Lucius noticed his wife couldn't meet his eyes, and he didn't think it was because she disagreed with what he was saying. "Am I to assume that there is another reason why our son wasn't withdrawn the instant that tatty old hat placed a Malfoy in Hufflepuff?"
Cissi understood this could be the straw that broke her husband's temper but he needed to know. "Sirius Black paid for his tuition to Hogwarts, we would probably have to apply for a scholarship if he was to go overseas."
"Are you attempting to imply we are now in the same financial bracket as the Weasleys?"
"When we buy a new home, having to pay for seven years tuition and board to another school would in all likelihood ruin us."
"What about the goblins?"
"We have nothing of value to take a loan out against and no income to pay the loan back. Sirius cast me out of the Black family so there isn't even that stipend available to us. He only paid Draco's Hogwarts fees because, he more than anyone understands what it's like to be raised by Walburga. Doing all our business through the goblins was a mistake that came back to hurt a lot of purebloods. When the ministry offered them a percentage as a finder's fee, they knew where every knut was hidden."
The explosion that Cissi had been expecting from her husband over the last few days finally materialised.
"They have stolen our homes, our heritage and our gold, that cannot go unanswered. You yourself said that this had happened to more than the Malfoys, I think it's time to band together to take back what's rightfully ours."
This was what Cissi had feared, her husband making a foolhardy attempt to recapture his glory days. She would just have to listen and then try to persuade him otherwise after he calmed down. He wasn't finished though, rather just getting into his stride.
"Our master may be gone but his cause is no less just. When we attended Hogwarts a muggle wouldn't have been allowed near the castle, far less allowed to beat a pureblood in a duel. It's time they were reminded of the old ways, I need to begin contacting some old friends..."
While his wife may have been ignoring most of this, a certain beetle was almost dancing with joy. She'd endured hours of listening to junior whine about how nobody worshiped him just because he was a Malfoy, Rita had almost given up on uncovering any dirt. This was much more promising.
She needed to uncover something as the minister was leaning on them over the Dumbledore fiasco. The Prophet's owners were also out for blood. Rita and Peter needed to ensure that the blood spilled wasn't theirs. Malfoy's would be an acceptable substitute for all parties involved.
Chapter 16
It really couldn't be said that things were getting back to normal after Dumbledore's nocturnal wander through the castle, just what constituted normal for Hogwarts was being redefined this year. A fine example of that would be a quidditch announcement that was anything but normal. Details of exactly when the first professional game of quidditch would be screened in the great hall was greeted with loud cheering, so loud that McGonagall had to signal for silence before continuing.
"As I was saying, the first game will feature Puddlemere United playing at the Appleby Arrows. What I didn't get time to say was that Appleby have very kindly invited all four house quidditch teams along to watch the match live." As hard as it was to believe, the cheering was even louder after that. It took the headmistress a few minutes more to bring the hall to order. Her rare smile now had everyone intrigued; surely there couldn't be more good news?
"Now, as the Arrows are offering our house teams such generous hospitality, I thought it was only fair that Hogwarts reciprocated in kind. Both teams, and their management, will be coming to Hogwarts on the Sunday to have lunch before watching the match with us."
Inter house rivalries meant that it was very rare when something met with the approval of all four houses. Quidditch though crossed house and sex devides, it was by a massive margin the sport of preference for witches and wizards irrespective of what house you were sorted into. Even those not on the house teams were going to get to watch the match with professional players, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. The cheering was now loud enough to shake the rafters.
Minerva let them run out of steam before sounding a cautionary note. "Hogwarts will be playing host to some of the most important players, coaches and club owners in the country. I'm also pretty sure there will be a presence from the ministry here too. I will not have anyone's bad behaviour besmirching the good name of Hogwarts, and I mean anyone. Get into mischief between now and then and you could easily find yourself eating Sunday lunch alone in your common room, do not test me on this."
Ron Weasley was certainly not the brightest student in school but even he wasn't stupid enough to risk missing out on this. A real quidditch match and getting to meet the players, ok it wasn't the Cannons but still bloody awesome! He would be keeping his head down and his mouth tightly shut. One glance over at the twins and it was easy to see their defeat from Slytherin was forgotten about, they now had a real match to look forward to. Ron had every intention of watching it with them on the Sunday.
The only case where it could be said that normal service had been resumed was Draco Malfoy once more being a total arsehole. His defeat by Dudley had subdued his bigoted rantings for a while but his father's release from Azkaban reinvigorated the horrible Hufflepuff.
Horrible Hufflepuff was actually a contradiction in terms but it was members of his own house who coined the phrase especially for their despised housemate. As much dislike as there was for Draco outside Hufflepuff, having to live in the same house as him refined that dislike to as near hatred as the house of the loyal got.
This announcement also generated much excitement with a certain four Slytherins, they would soon take steps to ensure they spent the day in the company of Dudley, Luna, Dan and probably Emma too. Wangling an invite to Hogwarts for those four guests was also high on their agenda. PMP was like the 'family business' to them, the six being for all intents and purposes raised as close as siblings. They didn't know what their futures held but involvement in the company at some level was practically guaranteed.
They could already see moves being made to involve Dan more in the developing media side of the business. If this quidditch experiment took off, it could be a whole new career for the dentist. It would also make anyone who shared Draco's views on blood purity feel sick if a muggle ended up running the coverage of whatever quidditch the watched.
It didn't take any convincing from the four first years, one quick mirror call to Prancer and Padfoot saw their plan succeed. They would assist on the day of the match and then Dudley and Luna would once more spend the night in the Slytherin dorms. The Grangers would also use the spare room in the Potters' quarters again and then everyone would get to watch the match together on the Sunday.
Lee was also ecstatic when his head of house invited him along to the match. He was going to be in the commentary box again with Remus and would have a golden opportunity to see exactly how the professionals did the job.
Self confessed quidditch addict Minerva McGonagall was delighted with this arrangement on so many levels. There were more than a couple of her students who clearly wanted to persue a career in quidditch, she couldn't think of any other time in Hogwarts long history where they were given opportunities like this. She had withheld certain details from them that they wouldn't discover until the day of the match. They would be leaving early to get a tour of the stadium and actually meet the players before the game even started. Even Lee was going to be given a chance to take the commentry for a brief spell of the match. The headmistriss was forced to be honest with herself, she was probably just as excited as her charges.
She noticed the Malfoy boy once more saunter over to the Slytherin table as if he owned Hogwarts, the headmistress was tempted to shout at the boy before he caused trouble but decided to wait and see if he took heed of her warning.
The four friends also noticed Malfoy heading for their table but, with Vincent, Greg and Pansy rising to meet the prat, they chose to ignore him. Contacting Dudley and Luna on their mirrors to make plans for getting together was much more important than the Hufflepuff halfwit.
When the spell came, it was a total surprise.
Draco was trying to talk some sense into the three purebloods. Why couldn't they understand that they should be hanging about with him, rather than the halfblood and mudblood? When Pansy laughed in his face, something inside Draco just snapped. His wand was out and the curse fired off before anyone could stop him.
Pansy would thank Professor Black later as his lessons kicked in, her body was moving without even thinking as the curse grazed her robes on its way past.
Hermione was excited at the prospect of seeing her parents and their two missing friends soon, she was chatting happily with Dudley when Malfoy's curse hit her squarely in the face.
She began to scream as her face started to swell with painful boils emerging from beneath her skin.
Malfoy was ecstatic, finally a victory. "Hey mudblood, you should be thanking me. That look is a definite improvement for you."
With a roar, Harry unleashed something from within. Malfoy found himself lifted right off his feet, flying over the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables before crashing hard into the Gryffindors. He lay their like a rag doll, with an arm and leg folded into unnatural positions.
The power was radiating off Harry and he appeared determined to march over there to finish Malfoy once and for all. Neville suddenly had both arms wrapped around his friend while Susan tried to avert the disaster that was sure to happen if Harry got his hands on Draco. Luckily, she knew exactly how to divert his attention.
"Harry, not now. Hermione needs us first."
Harry turned at once to see those eyes he loved so much slowly being hidden as her face began to painfully swell. He relaxed at once and Neville released him, allowing Harry to offer comfort to Hermione. His dad was now there and gently scooped a whimpering Hermione into his arms. "We need to get our girl to the infirmary. Sue, will you let Dudley and Luna know she'll be ok. Lily is already using her mirror to inform Emma of what just happened."
Their was soon a train of concerned professors and friends following on as the two male Potters headed to the infirmary, Harry holding her hand while his dad carried her.
It was left to Pomona to check on Malfoy while the headmistress investigated what happened. Since no one else had drawn their wand, she was pretty sure of what her findings would be. Minerva found the other first year Slytherins quite upset about what had just happened to their friend, Miss Parkinson was practically distraught.
"If only I hadn't moved..."
Minerva decided to end this line of thought immediately. "Then you would be the one on the way to the infirmary. You didn't fire the curse Miss Parkinson, I'm pleased to see that no Slytherins responded with their wands."
"Harry doesn't need one to deal with Draco." Millicent, like most of her house, had watched on in amazement as the little blond ponce spun arse over tit before crashing into the table at the other side of the hall. Susan had forewarned them just how powerful Harry was, today's demonstration certainly brought that point home. Her belief that Hermione was supposedly nearly as powerful was such a scary thought, and certainly one Millie hoped never to have reason to discover for herself.
As she suspected, Minerva discovered that the Malfoy boy had made his way over here to trade verbal insults. On finding himself seriously outmatched in the wit department, he'd reached for his wand. The last straw for the headmistress was, after his curse hit an unintended target, he had gloated at its victim rather than apologising. Mr Malfoy was overdue a vacation from Hogwarts.
Poppy was busy treating Hermione while Sirius pulled James away to have a quit word. "Prancer, I recognise that curse. The little shit must have learned it from the Black family library. It's supposed to make your victim's entire body swell as it produces painful boils that then burst and bleed out. Only the fact that the little shit is so weak magically stopped Hermione's face from being a real mess."
James glanced toward the girl he already thought of as a daughter and wondered how it could be much worse? Her appearance currently matched that of someone who had been stung by a couple of hundred bees.
Padfoot understood exactly what James was thinking and gave him a mental picture he was sure would see the Malfoy boy hanging from the ceiling by his ankles. "If performed properly, Hermione would have been left looking similar to someone who survived smallpox. To even consider using a curse like that against a young girl is, well he's not someone I want anywhere near our families."
Jame nodded in understanding. "I want him gone Padffoot. We both know there's no way Harry will let this go. They've been intigrating so well with their year mates, I don't want this to spoil it. I want to kill the little shit so Merlin knows how Harry's feeling."
Sirius nodded in understanding, being a parent had changed the marauder in so many ways. He knew though if that was Joy lying there, the Malfoy brat would at least be missing limbs by now. As if on cue, Minerva and Pomona entered with an unconious Draco Malfoy. Both marauders could clearly see that Harry had inflicted a fair degree of damage on Hermione's attacker, this just increased their resolve that the Malfoy brat had to go. Neither were of the opinion that Draco would actually learn from this experience, and he might not survive another encounter with either Harry or Hermione.
Sirius quickly informed the headmistress and Malfoy's head of house what the spell was Draco had attempted, both were horrified that any Hogwarts student would know such a curse, far less attempt to cast it on another student. James then forcefully presented his views on the matter.
Minerva thought for a moment before deciding if she couldn't discuss the issue with three of her heads of house, then she would be just as bad as Albus. "It was my intention to send Mr Malfoy home with a final warning, this is still the option I'm leaning toward. I am quite prepared to extend that exclusion to allow a cooling off period. I perfectly understand Mr Potter's response to the attack on his promised, and I will be taking no action against him."
The headmistress could see this was not what they wanted to hear but pressed ahead. "I plan on Mr Malfoy leaving the castle until after Christmas, I also intend to have a long talk with both him and his parents. He needs to understand that, if you deliberately provoke a dragon then you are going to get burned. I shall ensure that the entire family understands that this is his last chance. One more flaunting of the rules will see him home for good."
Minerva finally expressed what all three heads of house were thinking. "Whether Mr Malfoy actually grasps his last chance is at best debatable. As headmistress though, I feel it is my duty to give him this chance."
In all honesty, the three heads of house present thought this was a chance more than the boy deserved. They respected Minerva though so would abide by her decision. James had some further words for her to contemplate.
"You are the headmistress Minerva so the decision is yours. I would like to register my disagreement with it though. Anyone who would use a curse like that has used up any and all the chances they deserve."
Pomona agreed with the head of Gryffindor. "I intend to add sanctions of my own if the boy returns. He has shown that he can't be trusted with a wand outside of a classroom, I intend to ensure that in class is the only place he has access to his. At all other times it will be in my possession."
James and Sirius were a lot happier with Pomona's proposed restrictions, Minerva also gave them her seal of approval. If Draco wanted to start anything, he would need to do it in front of a professor or with his bare hands. James was a lot less worried about Harry punching the little shit's lights out than he was of his son blasting Malfoy through a wall.
Harry was currently a lot more focused on Hermione's health than he was concerned with revenge. He sat by her bed, holding Hermione's hand while his mum spoke to Madam Pomfrey. Both heard what she said.
"I can't really give her much for the pain just now as it would react against the potion to reduce the swelling in her face. I'm trying to prevent those boils from bursting as that might leave permanent scaring, something I'm sure Miss Granger wants to avoid. She's going to be here for the night but I'm hopeful of a full recovery by this time tomorrow, providing we don't hit any further complications."
Hermione tugged at his hand, trying to get him to move closer. Harry finally realised what she was trying to do. With her lips so badly swollen, she was having trouble speaking. With his ear pressed close, he heard Hermione whisper "Stay?"
"You don't get rid of me that easy Granger, of course I'm bloody staying." Harry moved a strand of hair from her swollen face. "Don't worry about a thing, I won't be leaving this spot until you're ready to return with me to the Slytherin common room. I should have been more aware, I can't believe I let Malfoy get to you. I'm really sorry."
Hermione was shaking her head and he again leaned in close to hear "Accident" whispered from those swollen lips.
"He might not have aimed it at you but he was hardly sorry with the result."
Harry once more moved closer as Hermione managed to say "Bet he's sorry now."
This drew a smile from Harry as Susan and Neville were allowed in to see her. "We've only been given ten minutes, off to defence next."
Both friends understood Harry wouldn't move from Hermione's side, and Sirius wouldn't expect him to. "I let Dudley know you were alright, he was ready to walk all the way here and rip both Malfoy's arms off. I told him Harry had dealt with the problem."
"Thanks Susan, I was too busy worrying about Hermione to concentrate on anything else. He'll probably call back when they get their break at St Andrews. I don't think I'll let him see Hermione just now, he'll probably just blame himself for not destroying the little shit when they had that duel."
Hermione signalled to Sue but she just laughed. "She wants me to reprimand your use of language. Sorry Hermione, as far as I'm concerned there isn't a word bad enough to call that arse."
They were soon shoo'd out but at least they had left their bags, Harry rumaged through his before finding something he could read to Hermione. Both of them loved Dickens so he once more held her hand before beginning to read to her. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
Poppy stood with Minerva, quietly watching the young couple. "It's hard to believe such a gentle soul as Mr Potter could do that amount of damage to another student, without a wand too. I counted eleven breaks and fractures to Mr Malfoy yet Harry sits there, reading to his girlfriend and appearing as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth."
"It's no accident that the Potter home is next door to the Grangers Poppy, those two have been protecting each other since Harry could walk. Some of the stories Lily tells would have you doubled over with laughter. They've never been parted in all that time. All four parents were really worried about them having to sleep in dorms that were so far apart, different houses for those two was never going to be an option."
Poppy understood at once what her friend was implying, it also explained the ring on Miss Granger's finger and the strange request not to throw Mr Potter out the infirmary. She still couldn't fathom her friend's reasoning for not immediately expelling the Malfoy boy, Minerva's reputation as a disciplinarian was well deserved yet this flew in the face of everything she stood for. Poppy also wasn't about to hold her opinions to herself.
Minerva felt her friend deserved an answer. "I understand why everyone is upset about this, believe me when I say I am too. Consider though our community has been failing that child since he was a toddler. Ok, his parents made some serious mistakes but Draco has suffered every bit as badly for their crimes. I remember Walburga Black from when Sirius was in Gryffindor, he had to run away and live with James when only sixteen. If anything, the woman supposedly got worse as she aged."
Both looked over at the curtains behind which they knew the blond boy was recovering. "I intend to sit him down with his parents present and explain in no uncertain terms that his behaviour will have to drastically improve if he wishes to remain here, this is his last chance. I am also aware that Sirius payed his tuition to Hogwarts, it's unlikly his family will be able to aford to school him elsewhere should he be expelled."
Poppy understood this information was given in confidence, she had no intention of repeating it to anyone else.
"With no education, little money and the male Malfoy attitude that they are superior to everyone else, I really fear for young Draco if he gets kicked out of Hogwarts. We would really be condeming him to a life of dodgy dealings and crime. Since he's not the brightest lantern in the window, I fear it would also be a rather short career. I want Hogwarts school to be able to hold its head up high and say we did our best to help the boy. We sometimes have to admit thought that's occasionally not enough to deter the inevitable. I hope that is not the case here but can't help feeling Draco won't be in the castle by the time we reach the summer holidays."
Minerva did a quick check on the young couple before going to write a letter to the Malfoys that she wasn't looking forward to. The headmistress could easily see Harry holding the girls hand and reading to her was helping Hermione get through this. She had no problem with him missing classes today, these two were ving to be the top student in first year. That four of the top six were from Slytherin was just another anomaly this year was throwing up.
-oOoOo-
Lucius was fit to be tied, he was discovering that more had changed during his stay in Azkaban than he ever thought possible. Not only did every member of the 'old crowd' practically run away when he even hinted at planing some revenge, his wife had point blank refused to have anything to do with matters outside the current laws. When he told her that they were purebloods and Malfoy's, therefore above these petty laws, she'd laughed in his face.
"Is that why we spent all that time in Azkaban? I swore I would never set foot inside that place again, that is one promise I intend to keep."
Then he was forced to sit there and listen to McGonagall listing his son's faults and social inadiquecies. If calling someone a mudblood got you expelled in his day, there wouldn't have been a single Slytherin who saw the end of their first year. The entire world was now upside down. To make matters worse, he now had his whining son staying in this pitiful cottage that was only fit for a gardener. He was reduced to leaving the house to get a moment's peace from the useless brat. Lucius Malfoy was a seriously unhappy wizard.
He had at least managed to cultivate a few like-minded individuals who were as upset with the way things were now being run as he was. These were young men whose family name and pureblood status no longer guaranteed them a job. What right did mudbloods have coming into their world and taking their jobs? It wasn't as if they could go and compete in the muggle job market, which was the very reason these jobs had been reserved for the right type of families in the first place. Now it was all about personal merit, job evaluation and producing results. That wasn't the way their government was supposed to work.
Lucius had spent the last few weeks planting his seeds of discent and discord, watching them slowly but surely put down some roots. They were the elite, the purist of the pure. When they wanted something, they just took it. He was sure that three of them were ready to take this to the next big step, and the fourth member would soon be there. He was always ready, willing and certainly able anytime the dark lord wanted some muffles tortured and killed. This time Lucius intended to add some old fashioned robbery to the plan as well. Rich muggles screamed just as loud as poor ones. He planned to help himself to some of that wealth, these particular muggles wouldn't need it by the time they were finished with them.
Lucius had no way of knowing that the three wizards in question already had tracking charms on them and were under ministry surveillance, nor that the fourth potential recruit was actually an undercover auror. He also didn't know that he and his fellow convicted death eaters were entirely responsible for this all new and improved auror department. Their wealth being confiscated had funded the entire recruitment and training program. Malfoy though appeared destined to discover just how good that training was.
The former Slytherin was also totally oblivious to the presence of an animagus in the room, this animagus though intended for the entire country to know all about the life of Lucius Malfoy. That was the deal the Prophet had cut with the ministry. Rita would keep them informed of everything she discovered and they would let her be present with a photographer when they moved in for the arrest. She planned an entire series of articles from what she had overheard Lucius say. Rita Skeeter, undercover reporter had a nice ring to it.
-oOoOo-
The large group of students who attended the quidditch match were all in raptures about their day out, telling anyone who would listen they were in for a rare treat tomorrow. What few of them knew were the little details that Remus and Dan had planned out beforehand, both would also be up for hours yet editing the program that would be watched in the great hall tomorrow.
The witches and wizards at the Slytherin table were enchanted for another reason, they had expected their numbers to be increased by two this evening, not three. Emma was babysitting for the weekend, allowing June to visit with her big brother and his friends. The three and a half year old girl was sitting between Neville and Susan, her long sandy-brown hair framing her little cherub face. Her rosy cheeks shone while June's deep blue eyes practically sparkled from excitment, but it was her bubbly voice that enchanted everyone who heard her. Since she hadn't stoped talking for at least half an hour, that was everyone at the table. The Slytherins reputation of being stoic and emotionless was really crashing into tiny piecies this term.
June, like the rest of the group, had been raised as one extended family and had really missed the four of them. She was making up for lost time though by giving a day by day account of what they had all missed, in that adorably cute way that only young children can get away with.
Her Aunt Emma though had long been immune to her charms of persuasion, the little tyke didn't get her request to sleep in the Slytherin dorm along with the girls. She did however manage to wrangle a promise from the six to take her a walk around the castle after breakfast, and to watch the game with them.
The quidditch professionals arriving inside Hogwarts caused quite a stir, that both teams had been instructed by the owners to conduct a charm offensive saw lots of autographs signed and pictures posed for.
The three marauders were nervous as the broadcast began but Dan was confident, they had a good product here. The show opened with Luna outside the stadium, welcoming everyone to the match as the crowd milled curiously around her. Dan had suggested using the kids for this as it showed they were still learning the craft of recording these events. It also paid dividends in other areas. They had arranged interviews with both managers before the match, with a strict promise that no one would mention anything about them until after the game had finished.
Susan and Hermione had handled the interviews and both managers, not renowned for their good relations with the media, chatted to the girls as if they were favourite nieces. With their guard down, they opened up a lot more than they would if they were talking to an experienced journalist. Dan had instructed Remus on how to edit them together so they flowed from one to the other. Lee then did a short piece on the atmosphere building inside the stadium before the teams were announced and the screen then took its split role that had been pioneered at the Slytherin / Gryffindor match.
Even though every person watching the match already knew the final outcome, they were all swept up in the excitement generated by the show on the screen. Hearing both managers talk about the tactics they planed to use before the quaffle was tossed up added another dimension as the watchers got to see those very tactics in action.
News of this presentation had spread rapidly throuout the British wizarding community and Minerva had been inundated with requests to attend, unfortunately she had to turn down most of them. The minister of magic was of course here but what really intreagued her though was the request from WWN. In a first for multiple reasons, people were now listening to a radio broadcast of hundreds of students sitting down to watch a quidditch match that happened yesterday. The marauders had laughed themselves hoarse at that thought and planned to use it to their advantage in another first.
They were still struggling with a name for their system though 'Danovision' was the current favourite. Basically it was Dan's insight and vision that was driving this project, and also he got embarrassed every time one of them mentioned it. To the marauders, the second reason was far more important. At halftime, the very first adverts appeared on the screen. The advert was also dripping with Dan's influence.
They had decided to market a limited version of their mirrors, basically just linked pairs. This was a mere toe in the water to see if there was a demand for them. Dan's idea of selling accessories to the mirrors saw protective cases designed that featured pictures of quidditch teams, popular groups like the Wierd Sisters, Hogwarts house badges and even locations like Diagon Alley and Hogsmead.
That they also got free advertising on WWN was a bonus they couldn't pass up. If the buzz that the advert caused was anything to go by, they might be busy selling PMP mirror sets very soon. There was also a chant building of 'we want lightsabers' but that quickly died as the second half got underway.
The loud cheering when the snitch was finally caught wasn't confined to only the students. Both teams had thoroughly enjoyed their afernoon and numerous requests were made to the marauders for the ability to purchase a system like this. All were met by the stock answer that this was merely an experimental system and they were still ironing out the bugs.
The managers were flowing in their praise to what they had seen, and the efforts of the children who had interviewed them. Both expressed the view that this was something they would be more than happy to do again. The two clubs couldn't miss what a massive PR coup this was and, thanks to the WWN, neither did the wizarding public.
A flock of owls were soon on their way to Hogwarts with invitations from every quidditch club in the professional league. The lesser wizarding sports and games wouldn't be too far behind their quidditch counterparts in attempting to jump aboard the latest bandwagon.
These owls were passed by every available owl in Hogwarts heading to students' homes with their requests for PMP mirrors this Christmas.
-oOoOo-
Cissi turned the radio off and attempted once more to get through to her son. "That sounded like a lot of fun. Wouldn't you rather have been at Hogwarts and part of the experience, rather than stuck here with me listening to it on the radio?"
"Hogwarts is full of muggle-loving blood traitors. I'm better off here with you and my father."
"Draco, in case you hadn't noticed, your father is hardly ever here."
She could clearly see that once more her son believed he was right, and everyone else was wrong. Cissi needed to break through this nonsense. McGonagall had made it brutally clear exactly what would happen the next time her unrepentant offspring misbehaved, Draco was on his very last warning.
"Those students are your contemporary's son. As you go through life you will find yourself working with some of them, maybe even married to one of them. To deny yourself all these opportunities over some misguided and simply stupid beliefs that your blood makes you better than them is utter madness."
Draco wanted to rage against his mother but she held her hand up to stop his tirade before he got started.
"Even when I was your age, Aunt Walburga's views on blood purity were considered to be at the extreme end of the scale. This is a different world now where those views simply won't be tolerated by our society. Your father is struggling to come to terms with this but you must, your very future depends on it."
This was too heavy for Draco to deal with himself, he would discuss it with his father next chance he got.
The young wizard had no way of knowing that his father was currently casting the cruciatus curse on a muggle for the first time in a decade. The curse lasted no more than two seconds before the aurors took Lucius and his partners in crime down hard. That the Prophet had a front row seat ensured all of magical Britain would soon be reading about just how stupid the senior Malfoy had been.