"Well?" Danny asked, his look unwavering and stern. "You better tell me BEFORE I open this pretty white envelope. I'm not eager to hear everything from it."

"Dad, it's not our fault!" Ellie exclaimed.

"There were Dementors!" Harry added.

Phantom only raised his eyebrow, surprisingly black, considering the rest of his hair being white as snow. "Dementors? All the way down south?" He asked, without showing any sign of believing them.

"Yes! Two of them!" The boy raised his voice, with a note of annoyance. It was obvious that Phantom noticed it, and wasn't pleased. Thankfully, he decided not to comment on this so as not to get distracted from the matter at hand.

Danny told them to sit in the living room, which, despite being uninhabited for a long time, was always clean. The flames in the fireplace were finishing their dinner consisting of dry pine wood. The kids proceeded to explain the situation to him, while Phantom kept the neutral expression. It was more torturous for the children to see their father silent, and his feared stare worked even on them. He never shouted at them, and it worked better than any yell. But Danny had to admit, they did look rather pale.

"Okay then," he mumbled. "Let's hear why the Ministry is eager to talk."

With a single swipe the envelope was opened. The letter started to float, its sealing wax turning into a shape of the lips. Instead of shouting, however, like it's name implied, it started to talk in official tone.

"Dear Mr. Potter,

We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening in a Muggle-inhabited area.

The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand.

We regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a. m. on the twelfth of August.

Hoping you are well,

Yours sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

Improper Use of Magic Office

Ministry of Magic"

The letter burst into flames, reducing to ashes and falling on the floor. The entire room was silent. The weight of the situation was unbearable, Harry was only vaguely aware of his surroundings, as he stared at the pile of ashes. Inside his head, all was icy and numb. One fact had penetrated his consciousness like a paralysing dart. He was expelled from Hogwarts. He was never going back.

Ellie watched her brother with immense sympathy and sadness. She felt so sorry for him. Occasionally she glanced at her father, whose expression was thoughtful. But she knew Danny, his emotions were seen through the neutral expression. He wasn't angry at all anymore. It seemed that the punishment was not required. He was sad, but she couldn't imagine how, Phantom was familiar with the feeling Harry was going through. He put a hand on his son's shoulder, gripping it gently, not enough to feel the slightest pang of pain, but enough to call attention.

"Sorry for not believing you two. Patronus can be used only for one thing," Danny mumbled.

Harry didn't say anything. He only stormed upstairs, into his room in the house. Ellie followed him slowly, and Danny didn't argue.

Phantom was about to pay an immediate visit, protocols be damned. And the Ministry better hope he wasn't going to destroy half of their shiny offices. Suddenly he heard an owl howl as the letter dropped down into fireplace, barely sliding above the flames and falling on the floor. Curious, Danny kneeled and picked it up. Phantom read what was written there.

"What could you possibly need, Dumbledore?" He mumbled.

He threw away the letter. The ghost went to his room, putting on the clothes appropriate for the place he was going to visit. It wasn't much, for he was hurrying, so he just put on the nearest black french coat over his T-shirt, covering everything by white cloak. Danny then went down, as a black cane flew into his hand. He may not have a wand, but imitating one, combining something cool looking with a distraction was perfect. It was a scheme he came up with years ago. But what he lacked with the absence of wand, he compensated with the power of his own.

Black smoke surrounded him, before he made a step on the highly polished, dark wood floor. Teleportation worked just fine. The peacock blue ceiling was inlaid with gleaming golden symbols that kept moving and changing like some enormous heavenly noticeboard. The wall's on each side were panelled in shiny dark wood and had many gilded fireplaces set into them. Every few seconds a witch or wizard would emerge from one of the left-hand fireplaces with a soft whoosh; on the right-hand side, short queues were forming before each fireplace, waiting to depart to their homes after the long day.

As he set the cane on the floor, Phantom looked around, searching for one certain person. He soon found him. He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to tuck into his belt. He was wearing long robes, a blue cloak that swept the ground, and high-heeled, buckled boots, which peaked slightly from under the long clothes. He was watching the golden fountain in the center of the hall. Danny approached the old man, his white boots and cane resonating off the stone floor. Phantom stopped by the side from Professor Dumbledore.

"Ah, Mr. Phantom," Dumbledore greeted, looking at the much younger man."It is good to see you."

His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked, as though it had been broken at least twice

"Wish I could say the same thing, Old Man. Why did you call me?"

Dumbledore didn't react on the stark haired man's disrespect. Phantom had been like that ever since his children's first year at Hogwarts. In his opinion, the Headmaster let too many nasty accidents happen with Harry and Ellie. To let a freaking BASILISK wander around the castle, let the siblings into the pit created by one of the founders, let Dementors into school, let a maniac, who was actually a Death Eater, teach the children. No wonder Danny disliked him a lot.

"We have to convince the Ministry that Harry is innocent. Your presence could add some points."

"Fine. Do we need to go that office or what?"

"Since it is not just some usual person, I think applying to the Minister directly will do best."

"Are we talking about the same Minister whose lapdogs drop buckets of dirt on my children and you?"

"You seem to be on edge, Mr. Phantom."

"Of course I am," Danny mumbled, before taking a sigh, rubbing his face with a free hand.

They went through the corridors, and Phantom noticed that the people looked at his companion with curiousity, awe and fear. Yes, he had read the newspapers. 'The Prophet' was a waste of paper, but Danny didn't know how to break the news to his children. They thought that Harry and Ellie were liars and openly declared so. It was certainly too late now, when his son was in an aftershock condition. Phantom was going to make the Ministry do what he needed if they weren't going to take back their accusations.

"Tell me, Mr. Phantom, how did it happen?"

"They disobeyed my instructions to stay put. At home they are protected immensely. Voldemort doesn't know about our address, most probably. But he also has to get in, which is impossible by itself. Dementors must have been patrolling. It couldn't be a coincidence, someone sent them and someone ignored their presence here."

"Your deducting skills sure are impressive," Dumbledore commented, his eyes twinkling. "Why only Harry is charged?"

"Because Ellie doesn't carry her wand around as much. Besides, she can't use patronus. I'm more interested in why Harry wasn't given a warning first. They straightforwardly accused and expelled him."

"Indeed it is strange," The Professor said as they turned around the corner. "So it shouldn't be hard to convince Cornelius."

They entered the room. If there was a stereotype of the bureaucrat's office, the Minister's fit it completely. Stacks of documents, paper planes delivering the messages, landing on the black desk. There were shelves with different peculiar things to make the gloomy and choking atmosphere of the office more bearable. There were two people in the room, and both sets of eyes were turned to the guests.

In the center was a portly little man with rumpled grey hair. He was wearing a suit more appropriate for university graduation, square hat included. Another was more ugly. The aged woman was wearing the fluffy pink cardigan and the black velvet bow on top of her head. Her puffy broad face, with a slack, wide mouth, a short neck, gave Danny the impression that she was going to catch the fly, which was moving around the room, with a long tongue and eat it.

"Dumbledore, what in the name of Merlin are you doing here?" The man exclaimed angrily, getting up from his seat.

"Hello to you too, Cornelius," The Professor greeted without any care about the manners. "I think it is obvious that I am here because of Harry."

"Yes, should have guessed," the Minister said dryly.

"Do you want me to call the security, Cornelius?" The woman said in a sugary tone, holding the same nasty smile.

"No need, Dolores, let's hear them first. And who is it?"

"I'm here on behalf of my foster son. So I think I have reasons to be here," Danny said in authorative manner and crossed his hands.

It caught the officials off guard. "W-what do you mean? Our documents clearly state that Harry James Potter lives with his uncle and aunt."

Phantom raised his eyebrow. "Are you actually telling me that you don't even know?" He whistled. "This bureaucracy is something to behold."

"Are you done?" Dolores asked with the same sweet smile.

"Shut it, lady. Big guys are talking."

The smile fell.

"This is outrageous. You send the letter to my son, knowing a little to none? Furthermore, let's make it clear. You are going against the law. Harry used magic outside of the school ONCE. Where is the supposed warning?" Phantom asked, deadly calm.

But this cold tone was exactly what sent shivers down the officials' spines.

"Who are you to say such things to the Minister of Magic!?" Cornelius rose from his seat angrily.

"The one who can break your spine with a snap of his fingers," Phantom growled almost animalistically, staring into the older man's eyes with his own ones. Cornelius could swear that they were glowing.

"Gentlemen, please, let's not get too carried away," Dumbledore put in. "Cornelius, Mr. Phantom here got a point," he said calmly.

"What kind of surname is that?"

"Don't get carried away," Danny said, drumming on his cane threateningly.

As he sat on the chair, with Dumbledore following the suit, the silver eagle head on top of the wooden stick gleamed in the light of the lamp.

"The point is, Cornelius, that the law demands that Harry should be given the second chance."

The Minister sighed and sat on his seat. "If you think that you can just barge in like that..."

"Then what?" Phantom asked. "You will go against the laws?"

Cornelius gritted his teeth. Sensing his discomfort, Dumbledore continued.

"This should be considered. You can't expel Harry because he used the underage magic for the first time."

"There is Wizengamot if you want to question our judgement, Dumbledore."

"But you have expelled him before the hearing," Danny responded, just as calm as ever. From experience he knew that his inner burning rage could only backfire. However, his sarcasm couldn't be removed. "If that's the case, his expulsion should be considered there as well, not because of your own decree. And you BY NO MEANS have the right to break his wand before the according decision of the court."

That shut any argument which could emerge from Cornelius' throat. Phantom once again learned how wonderful it was to know the jurisprudence of the place you contact with. His innocent smile annoyed the Minister greatly.

"Fine. No need to go through two hearings anyways," he said dryly. "The wand can remain."

Suddenly a thought occurred in his mind. "Tell me, Professor, as you are here, how is your search of the Dark Arts teacher is going?"

"I'm yet to receive the answers from the ones I've sent the letters to. Why are you asking?"

"Well, just in case you don't find any teacher, we will be happy to assist. It's a good thing that Dolores is here, she has volunteered to teach the students."

"And I'm honored by your trust, Cornelius. I'm sure we have a lot of work ahead of us," Umbridge responded.

There was something unsettling about her, and that wasn't just her ugly face and sugary voice. And Danny was sure as hell he wasn't going to let her anywhere near his children.

"Then I think we will be leaving, won't we?" Dumbledore looked at Phantom.

"Yes, we are done here," Danny rose from his seat.

The two guests went to the entrance. As they walked through the dark corridors back to the entrance, Phantom suddenly stepped in front of the old man.

"Dumbledore, what do you know about that woman?"

"Dolores? My old memory is getting dusty but I think I remember her. Slytherin, I think. Her pure-blooded ideals are something to behold. Just like her cruelty. I heard that her predecessor mysteriously disappeared."

Danny stared at him, not letting the Professor to pass. "You are not seriously considering her to be put in that place?"

"I won't have any choice if I get no response. And of that I have little doubts."

"And what are you going to do?"

"Well, I actually wanted to offer you to become a teacher."

Danny froze. He wasn't serious, was he?

"Dumbledore, I...do you know ANYTHING about me?"

The Professor blinked. "I don't quite understand you. How about we talk this through in my office? We can use the floo powder."

Danny sighed. Well, he wasn't losing much from the talk, but he wasn't going to spill the beans either. After he agreed to the old man's proposal, they used the peculiar magical transportation system. Through one fireplace to another, by throwing a handful of what seemed like dust into the fire and stepping into it. Phantom preferred such way to transgression, at least his insides weren't churned upside down. Neither of those rivaled his own teleportation, or in and out portals, but between the two he'd choose the powder.

Danny looked around the Headmaster's office, finding nothing different from the last time he was here in the end of the last year.

"So, why do you think you aren't suitable for the job?" Dumbledore asked as he sat on the chair.

"Because I have no experience whatsoever," Phantom responded as if it was obvious.

He was lying, he taught his daughter the powers, his son hand-to-hand combat, and both of them went through additional education by him when they were young. Mostly in ectology and ectophysics.

"And why should it appear if you don't try?" The old man's eyes twinkled. "Lemon drop?" He offered a candy.

"No, thanks."

"Mr. Phantom," he sighed. "It is very unlikely that they would agree to the post. You don't want to let your children be taught by such a woman."

"I don't want, but neither I overestimate my talents."

"Aren't you the one who is angry at me for employing questionable people? Back then I had no choice as well."

Danny sighed. He got a point. Phantom couldn't tell the main reason he disagreed. After all, he couldn't do magic at all anymore. Suddenly the door swung open. A man went into the room, it was one Severus Snape. He was a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose and yellow, uneven teeth. He usually dressed in flowing black robes. The man had shoulder-length, greasy black hair which framed his face in curtains, curling lips and dark, penetrating eyes that resembled tunnels.

"Finally you are here, Albus," he said in his usual low tone.

"Hey, Sev!" Danny called.

Snape turned his head to the man and raised his eyebrow.

"Daniel," he said in a strange manner. Somehow, Severus managed to combine welcoming tone towards his only friend with an exasperation and tremor of the frustration to come. "What are you doing here?"

"Ask your boss," Danny pointed at Dumbledore. "He is offering me a nice spot in the DADA classroom."

Snape looked at the Headmaster. "I was going to ask to give ME this position."

"Severus," Dumbledore sighed. "I thought we have talked this through."

"And that is why you are making an offer to the one who can't cast any spells?" Snape asked sarcastically.

Two other men froze, making Severus realize something. "You haven't told him about your predicament," he concluded.

"What did he mean, Mr. Phantom?"

"He meant that my wand has been broken," Danny sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Thanks a lot, Sev."

"Why didn't you buy a new one?"

"Because the American Ministry did this, and I don't want to interfere with the law. And no, I'm not saying why they did this."

"You did several spells during the last year," Dumbledore said, recalling the past events.

"There are other things but magic and muggle techs," Danny responded enigmatically.

"Can it be taught?"

"If I could teach this, no questions would have been asked. There is only one student who can do this and that's my daughter."

Dumbledore rubbed his beard. "Hm...but what if you teach something else? There isn't a certain program, and you aren't supposed to necessarily demonstrate all the spells."

"Or you could give Severus this job," Danny pointed at his friend with the cane. "He is more than capable. And finding potions teacher should be far easier."

"That is not possible, Mr. Phantom. Please, it will be better for all of us if you accept."

"Better accept this, Professor," Severus sighed, crossing his hands. "He is not going to back off."

Dumbledore sighed again, trying to think up a plan.

"Very well, I can see that you don't want to teach, I guess I should wait for response from others. However, let's get to something important. I'd suggest that your children should spend the rest of their summer in another, just as secure place."

"Why and where? If those are Dursleys..."

"No need to blow up my office again, Mr. Phantom. No, I'm not talking about them, I saw that it is pointless trying to convince you here. I'll give you the address. There are the headquarters of Order of the Phoenix."

"So, we are going to do more than just sit our asses now?"

"We have done a lot, your purpose was to look over Harry."

"So you were hiding everything even from me...such trust."

"We just knew that you would tell Potter," Severus sighed.

They got a point, making Phantom rub his face.

"Fine. Just give me the address and we will see there."