"I'm sorry to say there is no news on where Mr. Potter may be, but the Ministry will continuing to search. Also, unfortunately we have not found a replacement for the Defense Against The Dark Arts yet and so all of the teachers will be pitching in to help as well as Auror Alaster Moody until we find a suitable Professor" and on that note the headmaster ended his speech.

"We also have another order of business, Minerva, if you will…"

"Yes, now, as you know this is the Otium year, for those not raised by wizards this happens every three years and is the time where courting starts, in a week there will be a time for the courting to start, essentially what will happen is those who want to court someone will have to find a suitably embloy, the more known or powerful person to send the courting letter shows a higher status of the courted so to say. They will bring a ring that the courted has to make and enchant themselves and present it to the person that the courted wishes to court and then they must choose whether or not to except from there it is a proper courting and the courted must personally help with little tasks in ones day and bestow gifts, they do not actually meet till quite some time, I hope you all do to research more on courting for it is a very big deal."

"Very good very good then off you all trot you will be having a big week for those of you preparing to court someone, there will be no school this week as many of you have rings to forges and embloys to persuade"

Harry POV

I slid from shadow to shadow and no one dared to stop me, I was well known in the area though everyone knew not to talk of me or confront me-I had quite the reputation. "Alexander…. Bring the items I requested"

"of course at once" it was a sort of nervous stammer the shop keeper was practically trembling in fear, I had asked for quite some interesting materials, after all.

Great Hall- Otium Day

"Ah minister, I wasn't aware we could be expecting your presence…"

"Well, I"
"The ring, minister"

Lucius had quietly slipped in when none of the students were watching, of course Albus and Snape still saw, but you can't have everything.

"Right, Right, Ahem I am here on behalf of one Mister Draconis Malfoy to present an Otium ring to Miss Daphne Greengrass… Do you accept?"

"I do" her cold eyes glared at Parkison who was spluttering in outrage after all the Minister was the one of most prominent person in the wizarding world and she had thought for sure that Draco would be courting her but the Ice Queen apparently 'beet the punch'

The minster swiftly trotted up to Daphne and presented the wing it however only produced a faint glow when she put it on and her eyes flashed in annoyance at the proof that the ring was not very heavily enchanted though it was of great expensiveness.

This continued, some rings more magically enchanted though none had anyone as near as prominent as the Minister, as most had their friends deliver the rings, and no rings were as expensive.

"Well all embloys not from our school, would you please stay for dinner and I believe that was everyo… ehm and who might you be?"

A man standing in dark blue velvet robes stood at the doorway and for the most unfathomable reason started chuckling and then suddenly through of his hood-Twinkling eyes! most couldn't believe it, they thought that the headmaster was the only one who could possibly have those eyes, but well.. that was obviously not so.

"You don't recognize an old friend?"

"Nicholas!?"

"I am here on behalf of one Lord Emyrs to present a Otium ring to one…" Flamel calmly started.

Everyone by now was staring with wide eyes and a pin drop could have been heard because it seemed no one was breathing. The anticipation for who would get the ring from the most famous Nicholas Flamel was immense it was well known that he presented Otium rings for no one.

"Severus Snape, do you accept?"

Everyone just stared in disbelief…

/what! Who is this lord Emyrs? Lord Emyrs Lord Emyrs, no, it doesn't ring a bell besides why would someone want to court me? Someone from the Dark Lord perhaps but then how would they get Flamel to deliver it… hmmmm best to see how it plays out I suppose/ Severus's mind was racing.

"I do" he said, showing outward calm.