Chapter 9—Who spilled what
"There is nobody here, it's like everyone heard we were coming." he whispered. The elevators make enough racket to wake the dead yet no one shows up. We make it all the way into the department of mystery and got terrified very quickly, we five are facing twelve masked Deatheaters. We don't have time to wonder how stupid we were to follow Jerald and his half-baked scheme we are scattered like leaves in a storm. The room with all the bleacher seats and that stupid archway is where I am hiding only to have everyone still standing charge into the room. Then even more people charge into the room, everyone is firing curses. The insanely crackling witch blasts Jerald through the archway. I have had enough and I run for it, I head out the way I came in only to find Dumbledore fighting a half human thing. Maybe my old man was right to tell me not to go to Hogwarts but no Derek Hough knows better. When I see the creepy guy give a wooden stake to the Headmaster's heart, I dive though the 'floe' yelling the only address I know to be open "The Three Broomstick".
/Scene Break/
The next morning Harry gets the Dailey Profit shoved in his face, in bold print the headline read
... Voldemort back-Dumbledore dead-TBWL falls thru the Veil...
Last night while at 'The Three Broomsticks' a terrified student comes tumbling out of the 'floe' stating there is a fight at the Ministry. Gathering my faithful photographer we immediately 'floe' to the Atrium at the Ministry. The sight there was gruesome. Albus Dumbledore is laying dead at the feet of the Minister of Magic (see photo page 3) and just leaving amid a hale of curses was He-who-must-not-be-named (see photo page 2). The Minister is at this time categorically denying that he's back. Our reliable source states that Jerald Potter 'TBWL' fell through the veil and is gone. Yes dear readers 'TBWL' is dead. Accompanying Potter was Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Seamus Finnegan and Derek Hough. Why the students of Hogwarts were there at the Ministry is still being investigated. See list of injuries Page 4.
Rita Skeeter
Dailey Profit
We return to Hogwarts even though we know that classes would be canceled at least for the day.
/Scene Break/
The next morning at breakfast all of the friends were at the Slytherin table when the Owls came along with the Dailey Profit.
Then some of the fun started, his Fudgness starts an anti-Potter campaign via the profit. How Jerald was Dumbledore pawn and Dumbledore was demented and Volde was not back. The group was having too much fun chatting to really worry.
Draco was never a very bright bulb and: "You people need to leave if you are not in Slytherin house, we purebloods find you presents sickening, an assortment of thrown food cut off Draco's rant.
"I would like you attention, please" the Headmistress did indeed announce no classes till Monday.
"Ok, girls let us head to Gringotts we have some business to conduct".
A little while later:
"Badgeek, great to see you, what can we do for you this great day" Ragnok was way to happy.
"Well first off I need you warders to ward my cottage so an ant will get fried attempting to get in and second I want to start a foundation", Harry answered.
"I smell a plot Badgeek what are you up to or in to?"
"I want to remain anonymous and I want the foundation to pay for the memories of the witnesses of Voldemort at the Ministry. Once you have enough I want them and this prophesy ball given to WWN for broadcast, it's a copy of what Voldemort got at the Ministry, make sure they know this was not the original prophesy. Then I want one of the vaults that I got by right of conquest to fund all this and the second Voldemort is know to have returned I want this offer to be made" Harry handed a slip of paper to Ragnok who had a laughing fit upon reading it.
"Foundation XXXX will issue 1000 galleons reward for each marked Deatheater turned in to the DMLE dead or alive. 50000.00 will be given for the Dark Lord, dead or alive."
Also I wish you to send representatives to Lord Blochard's residents and arrange a cash deal for his daughter Mary, he will sell cheap.
/Scene Break/
Time trudged on as the Dailey Profit had edition after edition over the death of 'TBWL'. Finally summer break and left jolly old England for France.
/Scene Break/
The Hogwarts express is boarded at platform 9 ¾. I was ready to just fade from the cottage to Hogsmeade station but Susan pointed out that it was tradition and there were her friends and…Hanna would be on the train. She regretted that soon after the train left Kings Cross.
Neville and Luna were kind of our friends along with all the girls Daphne, Rachel and Tracy that made a crowded compartment. Luna found Neville lap, Gabby found mine and the rest sort of scrunched in. Then Hanna showed up to see Susan, so one of the trunks were pulled out so she could sit. It was funny when the cart came everyone wanted something different. Gabby was happily digging in my robes for money as everyone was moving around to get money in a cramped compartment. Then the cart lady had to pass the candies or the pasties or whatever down the line as the money to pay for them got passed to her. A bunch of friends having a good time, so what if an accidental elbow got jammed into a rib there still was a lot of giggling.
The compartment door slid open and there was Ron and Hermione:
"We showed up to inform you that we are the new perfects and what we expect of you…"
They got an assortment of sweets, pasties and stuff pelting them. This was not normal; respect was due in the wizard world of the Victorian era. How dare anyone have fun on the train to Hogwarts? Chess or exploding snaps yes giggling and having fun, unheard of.
While the golden trio minus one left they were soon replaced by Draco and his book ends goons.
"I am now a perfect and you shall…" they were pelted with whatever was left of the sweets but someone actually got their wand out in the cramp quarters. After they left:
"Ok, who got Draco and company?" asked Harry.
"Well I did get my wand out but mine was a boil curse" Daphne admitted.
"I got him" Rachel bragged "He will be itching for a while"
Tracy got the applause for giving Draco a case of acne that would rival Stan on the knight bus. The teenagers were in mini revolt of the status quo.
They were not the only ones that was busy, Fudge got the Wizengamot to vote in a law that would collect unused House Titles. This would form a powerful voting block although Sirius figured Fudge would vote himself permanent Minister or make himself king. It was an easy thing to do, the Wizengamot was to hold a mandatory meeting and any Lords not present lost their title to the voting block. Many houses were thought to be extinct. They did however throw in a wrinkle for the four founders titles; they must show up and also have a valid marriage contract or be married so to continue the heritage line.
"Think Fudge has a daughter he wants to get rid of?" Gabby asked.
"Probable that toad with the pink ribbons" Trace added.
"Harry how would you like to be my son? asked Sirius.
"Is that like asking to support your fleas after your gone" retorted Harry.
"No I'm serious we don't want his Fudgeness to get the Black title do we?
Harry dragged all the girls down to Gringotts for a heredity test and got the paperwork done for an adoption, Susan hit the jackpot. Lady Hufflepuff and a Matriarchal line.
With every law there are loopholes, and who better to find them, the Goblins. Ragnok found several large one so the Wizengamot was in for a shock or two.
/Scene Break/
We showed up with a crowd and found an empty seating box in the Lords section. I sat in the middle. On my left were Gabby, Mary and Susan. On my right was Ragnok, Hanna Abbott, and standing behind them was eight Goblin warriors. The second the gavel hit the table of the Chief Warlock, Fudge had his mouth open.
"What are the Goblins doing here, get them out this instance" bellowed Fudge.
"As a Lord of this chamber I am authorized an advisor and body guards present during the session" replied Harry. "Master Goblin on my right is my advisor".
The Chief Warlock confirmed these rules and they finally got to roll calling of the Lords. When your house was called all that was required was to put your house ring on the panel on the front railing thus lighting a light overhead.
Hanna's father answered for house Abbott. Some gasps were heard over Lord Black. One house was confiscated before Lord Die Krone light was lit. Lord Gryffindor was expected. "Lord Harold I" confused most people but order had to be called when the light lit for Hufflepuff. Several houses were forfeit before they hit Lord Mordred.
By this time if it was humanly possible to have smoke coming out of you ears with out a pepper upper potion Fudge would have, to match his red face. "Lord Potter" was called and brought some surprises and comments one being, "The-Boy-Who-Lived Potter" exclaimed one, followed by another yelling back "No he'd dead you fool, don't you read the Profit", Harry waved at the audience. Another two titles were forfeit before Fudge lost it.
No one expected a light, no even he would show not up to claim his seat, but when the light lit screams, yelling and pandemonium rocked the hall—"Lord Slytherin".
"Liars, crooks, line thieves" screamed Fudge.
Ragnok stood on his chair and yelled back, are you accusing the Goblin Nation of being liars and fraudulently issuing Lord Rings to thieves?"
"Yes you stupid Goblin, who do you think you are..."
Harry was surprised how loud a small person like Ragnok could be. "I am Ragnok Bank Manager of Gringotts you oaf" tittering and laugher could be heard around the hall. "You will apologize this instant."
Well Fudge was never very bright and just puffed up and said "Me apologize to a Goblin, you are stupider than you look"
Ragnok just grinned and replied "Minister until you and the Ministry apologize to the Goblin Nation for your lies and slander you will find that Gringotts is closed to the wizard world here in England." Ragnok 'faded' and real panic ensued.
The Chief Warlock called "Lunch one hour."
/Scene Break/
The Wizengemot reconvened and finished the role call. There were very few titles seized so they moved on to the founder's heirs and their marriage situation.
"Lord Gryffindor are you married or do you have a marriage contract validated by the Goblins?"
"Yes Chief Warlock, Lady Gryffindor bonded and married" Gabby stood.
"Lady Hufflepuff are you married or do you have a marriage contract validated by the Goblins?"
"Yes Chief Warlock, a marriage contract for age Seventeen" Susan replied. Susan was not into men and when she announced Lady Abbott I thought the hall would come down. The law did not specify a rational marriage contract but the Victorian era way of thinking raised its head.
Ravenclaw was forfeit.
"Lord Slytherin are you married or do you have a marriage contract validated by the Goblins?"
"Yes Chief Warlock by legally binding contract for marriage with Miss Mary Blochard", Mary stood Lord Blochard went ballistic and shouted,"Slytherin married to a squib this cannot be allowed I call for a vote of annulment".
"Well your Lord Voldemort father was a muggle so what's the complaining all about." Harry just added in a calm voice. Of course saying Voldemort's name made people flinch or froze so no one provided a quick second.
Susan jumped up "I call for a vote of no confidence on Minister Fudge".
"I second the motion" called Harry and the room went crazy. Photo flashes were going off and people were yelling pro or con. Finally the Chief Warlock called for a one hour break. Fudge was without a job an hour and five minutes later.
/Scene Break/
Dailey Profit Special Addition
The 'TBWL' older brother Lord Gryffindor Potter announced today that he is also Lord Slytherin and will be married to a squib (See pictures page 2). He sees no problems as The Dark Lord's father was a muggle. The same pronouncement was made when prophesy was released over WWN (See transcript page 3). While we are unable to confirm what was said in the Wizengamot because Gringotts is closed is that Lord Potter is also Lord Black, Harold I, Die Krone, Slytherin and Lord Mordred. We here at the Profit fear to tell you that these are the darkest of the dark in our history and The Dark Lord is probably hiding in fear of our newest Lord. Bla, Bla, Bla etc.
Rita Skeeter
Dailey Profit
The Dailey Profit was burnt to the ground the next day. Voldemort's mark was floating over the carnage.
/Scene Break/
It was hard to believe that they were still in school since they were everywhere but. Classes were still mainly for Gabby and Susan but any knowledge hurt no one. Well maybe Ron Weasley, a lazier lout was yet to be found. Draco was just a loud mouth and when he found Mary at the Slytherin table, well the table thought he was having an apoplectic seizure. Draco was not the only one.
/Scene Break/
Lord Voldemort was well beyond apoplectic and he was planning on doing in this rude upstart. With 'TBWL' gone he was going to kill anyone who stands in his way. So he sent his minions out for information. Then he would plan and get…what he did not realize was he had fixated on TBWL and now he was fixating on someone else. He should have planned a bigger empire or more troops. Fixated on a boy still in school he was going nowhere.
/Scene Break/
Gringotts reopened after large apologies from the Ministry. The wizard population found that they had a larger respect for the Goblins. Well respect may have not been right, the Goblins closed down all the bank accounts, so don't piss off someone who can stop you from your money.
/Scene Break/
"WWN is proud to announce the opening of the Gringotts bank. Yes folks you can access your money again. With the opening of the bank Gringotts announced that the Royal Philanthropic Institute is offering 1000 Galleons for every marked Deatheater brought in to the DMLE. And get this folks 50000.00 Galleons for the Dark Lord. The DMLE warned that any false claims would be prosecuted. The DMLE will issue a letter stating and confirming valid captures or deaths. The Goblins have confirmed that the institute pays whether the Bad Guy and Girls are dead or alive. Happy hunting folks. Now on to the lighter side of the news…"
/Scene Break/
"Hi folks this is Dave Shultz reporting from our mobile studios. Yes the rumors are true, WWN's main studios were burnt down yesterday and yes the Dark Lords mark was floating over the ruins. We are happy to announce that some of our loyal listeners have collected their 1000 Galleons from the attack on our studios. Now on to the weather with…"
