Chapter Ten – Political Game On

At breakfast, McGonagall stopped by our table and quickly commented, "I trust my elves were not in any danger, Mr. Potter. Did you imagine that they would fail to report to me? They didn't know the purpose of their vigil, but if I had to guess, you are playing another foolish game involving a wanted Wizard. You had best speak to Mr. Weasley post-haste."

"Ginny talked to him yesterday, I'll visit him today," Harry promised her.

McGonagall fixed Harry with a disapproving look, but quickly turned and walked away.

Fortunately, Harry had told us all about his change to Hermione's detailed plans for meeting Bill. Hermione had been a little annoyed, largely because Harry's plan for dealing with potential bombs was safer than her idea of a quick search of Bathilda's abode for shiny objects. Ron gaped, "how could she possibly know about Bill."

"Perhaps just a lucky guess, based upon past practices," Hermione responded.

I heard a fluttering noise and jerked my head to see an owl gliding down from the top of the centre window to land on our table. Hermione and I, seeing the owl in flight, then the top of it as it landed, shrieked as one "Slughorn!"

Our first clue was that this owl had arrived fifteen minutes before the mail owls normally appeared, but this owl also was truly unique. Slughorn had coloured a standard snowy owl, to achieve a high degree of camouflage. From the bottom, the owl's stomach and wings were blue, with patches of the original white showing through. From the top, it was green, mottled with brown. It presented a leg to Harry, revealing a tightly coiled note. Harry took the note and as he was unrolling it, the bird helped itself to some bacon and was gone.

Harry read, "I said you'd hear from me. Don't be upset. I'm on your side - just planning a little mischief at someone else's expense. You'll read all about me and that someone over your breakfast. What a lark for a bored old Wizard."

The coy note piqued our interest so much that we alternated taking bites of breakfast with scanning the sky for the mail owls. When the owls finally arrived, we learned that there was indeed another slate of candidates. A banner headline across the front page read:

WIZARD ARISTOCRAT BRUCE MONTAIGNE TO SEEK POST OF MINISTER

DISTINGUISHED HEAD OF ST. MUNGO'S FOR DEPUTY MINISTER

The article gave more biographical detail than Harry had garnered from Lord Montaigne. Bruce was 37 years of age and had spent the last fifteen years on the Continent earning money among Muggle financiers, much of which he ploughed back into good works within the Wizarding community, both in Britain and France. He always spent his holidays hunting with his father on the family estate. He planned to retire to that estate, but did not want to crowd his father, leaving him to run the estate as he saw best, while Bruce earned his own way. He was described as a good student, having earned two OWLS and a NEWT at Hogwarts, but obviously being able to teach his professors a thing or two about Muggle Studies. He felt it was his duty to step forward for this election, because, as he said in a so much nicer way, Dad was over his head and Shacklebolt was still lost within his head. He stated that "while we certainly all owe a great debt to the war heroes like Ministers Shacklebolt and Weasley, and the very young Harry Potter and his friends, I believe most Wizards will agree that governing requires more than heroism. Dr. Sprout and I offer wisdom, experience, and the ability to interact on a par with the leaders of Wizard society. I also note that the current administration was unable to prevent the Minister's personal guard from trying to assassinate him. The bomb attack in Diagon Alley shows this administration is unable to keep peace and protect Wizards and their businesses."

That article did not improve on page two. The surprise of the day came in the smaller headline atop page three:

Professor Horace Slughorn Enters Race for Minister; Chooses Holyhead Harpy for Deputy

This quite brief article said the Professor intended to draw upon his lifetime of experience and web of contacts to lead, inspire, and reunite the Wizarding world. He felt strongly that the "unfortunate troubles which we have all so recently come through have cast the Hogwarts House of Slytherin and its graduates and students in an undeservedly bad light." He deplored the suggestion of the Shacklebolt/Weasley team that any shaping up of Slytherin was required or that a non-Slytherin Head of House was warranted, even as a temporary measure. "There are hundreds and hundreds of good Slytherin graduates in our community. I don't think the actions of a few dozen or even a couple hundred Slytherins who joined with the Death Eaters should be allowed to outweigh that."

"When told by this reporter that one of his opponents, Bruce Montaigne, was a fellow Slytherin, Professor Slughorn replied, 'Yes, Bruce is a Slytherin, and one of my favourite students. He still sends me pistachios every year. I remember him as a fine lad, but does he still count as a British Wizard? I think of him as more French."

There were also quotes from Gwenog Jones, who declared that her "experience playing Quidditch and captaining the Holyhead Harpies will allow me to provide the toughness and coordination needed to move the Wizarding community forward. War heroes are all well and good, but it takes less courage and toughness to be part of a group duelling with wands than it does to be on your own, 1000 feet off the ground, with just a broom between yourself and a very hard landing or a bludger coming at your head at over 100 mph. I face that several days a week. I'd like to see Arthur Weasley or even Kingsley Shacklebolt give that a try. Although, admittedly, neither of them is as soft as Bruce Montaigne. What's with his hiding out in France while the battle is raging here, and then trotting back when things are peaceful and thinking it's his due to be Minister of Magic? Wizards should consider that I am the first Hufflepuff graduate to be a serious candidate for an elected Ministry office since, well, since forever. I've counted back to 1600 and there have been 98 different Ministers of Magic. That includes 76 Slytherin, 15 Ravenclaws, 2 Peverells, and 5 Gryffindors. I've also counted 112 losing candidates. That would be 50 Gryffindors, 40 Ravenclaws, 5 Peverells, and 17 Slytherins. I am the very first Hufflepuff."

The rear cover page gave the initial platform proposals for the Montaigne/Sprout team, with a much smaller section devoted to Slughorn/Jones. Basically, Montaigne was against the plan to break up "one of the last great Wizarding estates: you cannot imagine how much help such an estate provides for all of us in dealing with the Muggle world". He also objected to "Weasley and his children's' meddling in Continental Wizarding affairs," wanted harmony among all Wizards, but was "adamantly opposed to the freeing of house Elves or additional rights for Goblins, Centaurs, Unicorns, Giants, Leprechauns and any other inferior beings whom Minister Weasley would like to make our equals," He was "determined to preserve the independence of Slytherin", and supported "a blanket amnesty, in the spirit of healing the wounds in our community, for all those who supported Voldemort or Grindelwald". He also promised to reduce tax rates and lower the Hogwarts' fees, while promising "to curb the incredible bloat at the Ministry of Magic, so that these Wizards can get on with productive work outside the Ministry." He suggested that Britain's Wizards would be well served if they "looked to the Germans for an example of how to run an efficient and effective Ministry", with the implication that this would result in tax rates a small fraction of what they are today.

As the editor had tipped Professor Slughorn to Montaigne's platform, the professor announced that "I certainly think there ought to be some penalty for those who attacked innocent Wizards in their support of Voldemort and Grindelwald. All three Wizarding schools were brutally attacked, and children murdered. I don't think I can just brush that away. I'm as happy to pay less taxes as any man. I'll think about that, I haven't quite figured out how that is even possible, yet. We have quite a bit of rebuilding to do and that costs money. I saw the damage at Hogwarts and the Ministry helped a lot in restoring order. It's costing the school a lot also: I don't see how they can lower fees. I assure you that I was never paid a fortune to teach there. I know most of this is just reacting to what my opponents suggest, so let me throw out a fresh idea. I think we give up on the squibs far too soon, hiding them away or shipping them off amongst the Muggles. Perhaps they are just late developers. I don't believe in just Confunding them, so they don't even know who their parents are, whilst making no effort to have Hogwarts or a special school try to teach them some magical skills, at least until they're twelve or thirteen. Is it fair to just give up on a young Wizard at age nine or ten? Especially for a Great Family that is well equipped to provide for such a child?"

"Would any of you like to see the coverage of the announcements in Dad's paper", asked Luna.

"I'd love to my dear," Mrs. Granger enthused. Ron and I took the other copies. The Quibbler had a different view:

Do We Really Need a Grindelwald Candidate for Minister of Magic?

Cowardly British Lord Fled to France, Now Seeks To Lord It Over Us.

The articles, gave a factual account of Bruce Montaigne's platform and press conference, with more quotations than the Daily Prophet. They also included a series of past comments from Bruce or his father, expressing their extreme approval of Grindelwald and their disdain for "lesser magical creatures." There were also a couple quotes displaying almost equal disdain for "Wizards who choose to exist as nothing more than poor dirt farmers on borrowed land."

The rear cover proclaimed:

Amnesty For Death Eaters? Over The Dead Bodies of Our Children!

This article included a large photograph of the Colin Creevey memorial statue, along with a list of all the British Wizard children killed in the Voldemort Wars, going back to the first battles and beginning with Moaning Myrtle.

The real excitement came on page four, in what was promised to be an on-going review of Professor Slughorn's brave proposal to end the highly questionable practice 'of our so-called Wizard aristocrats, the Great Families, who abandon their own children before they are even ten years old, steal their inheritance, and don't even care to determine if they will develop magical skills at the advanced age, of say, eleven.'

As we were getting up from breakfast, Mrs. Granger turned to Luna and observed, "I think that I quite prefer the election coverage in your father's paper. By the way, I wonder if I'll be allowed to vote."

We decided to all move out to the lake for a chat, before moving on to the promised magic instruction for Filch and Mrs. Granger, and some more 'Petrificus Totalis' practice for Harry.

"I don't want to intrude, Harry," Mrs. Granger began, "and I know that I sometimes put my foot in Hermione's mouth with out of context comments about what Hermione has mentioned. I understand that your duel with Voldemort left you with a mental block when it comes to using offensive curses. I spent a year in America, studying hypnosis and its use in painless dentistry and relief of stress caused by all sorts of worries. I think I could help you, if you allowed me to hypnotise you. Think of it as repayment for teaching magic to me."

"Um." Harry reached out and grabbed my hand. {[a blend of fear and hope] I'm not sure I want Hermione's Mum fishing around in my head, but if it solves my problem, it might be worth the risk. Could you be there while she does it and make sure she doesn't get me talking about anything too personal?}

"I think Harry should do it, but I want to stay with him," I said to Mrs. Granger. As soon as I said this, I realised with alarm that this made me sound like an extremely intrusive and suspicious girlfriend, to anyone not privy to our whisper speak. Mrs. Granger agreed, giving no indication that she found my comment out of line. We decided to meet in the Gryffindor common room after lunch. Fortunately, Hermione's expression revealed that she was aware that the concern I had expressed had been whispered to me by Harry.

"Now that Bruce Montaigne is running for Minister, we really ought to have Monsieur Delacour find out as much as he can about what Bruce has been up to in France," Ron suggested. "I also think we ought to ask Dad to push harder on the investigation of the circumstances and identity of the Montaigne squib."

Hermione dialled the cell phone and gave it to Ron. He made the request to Dad, who said the investigation was one of three cases being actively investigated. He wanted to learn more, before he said anything, and he wanted to relay the information in person. Ron promised that we'd come in to the Ministry tomorrow afternoon. In response to a nudge and a whisper, Ron added "Harry wants to know if he may come to the Ministry now to apologise."

The answer was yes, and Harry waved goodbye as he headed to the gate to Apparate.

"It just occurred to me," Hermione said, "that Bruce denounced the bombing in Diagon Alley. I'd be surprised if the Ministry or either of the papers would have described a bomb being used in the attack? How would Bruce know that, unless he was involved in the attack? The previous Death Eater attacks used magic, not bombs."

"A very good question," Ron agreed. "You should check the papers from the following morning and see exactly how they described the attack."

"I'll go to the library and check the papers, while the rest of you go back to Gryffindor and send an owl to Monsieur Delacour," Hermione suggested.

"It'll be much quicker if George and I just Apparate to the Delacour estate." Ron observed. It was agreed that this was a good idea, although Luna wanted to and did accompany them.

I thought I'd better tell them something before they left. "Harry and I made a significant discovery about the rowan and phoenix wand. I think the French should be told."

When I stopped talking, there were some 'wows' as well as a more cynical comment from Hermione "I'm not sure that misidentifying the owner of the wand was an innocent mistake. I don't think Professor McGonagall wanted Harry to send that owl to Ollivander's, knowing that wand was Narcissa's. Let's not tell her what we know."

So, some of us went off to the fence, while others headed to the library. The library was enlightening. The Prophet described 'a magical attack that destroyed the front wall of a curiosity shop – the sort of attack we became all too familiar with during the incompetent Scrimgeour administration', while the Quibbler mentioned 'the sort of damage we have unfortunately learned to associate with Death Eater attacks left George Weasley's shop badly damaged. This was clearly an attack aimed at destroying the successful venture begun by the Minister's sons and Mr. Jordan'.

"I don't see any mention of a bomb in either story. Not looking good for Bruce," I observed. "Although I guess none of us saw Slughorn and Gwenog as the Grindelwald slate."

Harry returned looking very chastened. He also returned with a very attractive young Witch, a couple of years older than himself – Cho's age. I was shocked into silence.

"Hi, all. This is Barb Rich. She's an auror. The Minister has decided that we need formal protection. He says I could have gotten his only daughter killed. Barb is going to live with us in Gryffindor and come with us whenever we go off on "one of our little adventures." She promises not to snoop and report on any of our other daily happenings. I think it can work."

We walked in silence to the Room of Requirement. Harry touched my wrist {[guilt and worry] Please forgive me. That was an awful meeting. I can't believe I asked you to go in my place. I really am sorry, and I promise never ever to do anything like that again. And now I've saddled us all with a babysitter who will be spending more time with you, Hermione, and Luna than with me.}

"You're forgiven. I can tell how sorry you are."

Mr. Filch was waiting at the Room of Requirement. He had a new wand from Mr. Ollivander. Dad had sent a note to the shop, saying that Hogwarts had confirmed that he displayed some magical talent. Filch led us into the room and Harry and I worked with him, while Hermione taught her mother. We observed that Mr. Filch was able to levitate heavier objects with more control than he had with the borrowed wand. We practiced levitation and 'Lumos' until even Filch was bored. As Hermione and her mother finished their lesson, I practiced 'Petrificus Totalis' with Harry, but Harry had other ideas. "Mr. Filch," he queried "how would you like to try your hand with a broom? I could go and get my Firebolt." Filch's grin totally split his face. He agreed to meet us on the Quidditch field.

Barb chatted with Hermione and me, while Harry helped Mr. Filch fly. "I guess you've figured out already that I'm supposed to bunk in your room. Sorry about that. I'm not there to snoop and things which aren't related to security are confidential. You really don't have to worry about that. I didn't volunteer for this. I'm no happier about it than you are. I know you spent a lot of time with Bill. He told me that he thought that worked well, although he knew he wasn't fully trusted. He recognised that it was an intrusion and that none of you knew how much he reported back to Minister Shacklebolt. I miss Bill. He's a good guy and I'm glad you helped him. I can't believe he attacked the Minister. That's not Bill. I'm happy to be here if it means the Minister held off on arresting Bill. That's all I wanted to say."

"It's okay, not your fault, we'll do fine together. My Dad is overly protective."

"The bright side is I can resume your tactical fighting exercises where Bill left off. Bill said that you were all doing really well." With that said, Barb moved beyond listening range and allowed us to discuss whatever we wanted to discuss outside of her hearing.

"It'll be alright," Hermione promised. "I intended to suggest that we needed to communicate more to your father and less to McGonagall. She tries way harder to control us than the Minister does."

When we looked over, Harry was still 'playing' with Filch. They both looked happy.

Filch did surprisingly well with the Firebolt. He wasn't Harry Potter on day one, but he wasn't day one Neville Longbottom either. He was able to command the broom to rise and hover, so that he could mount it. He managed to lift off about five feet into the air and move forward a dozen feet, before falling to earth. He repeated this several times, finally managing to fly about twenty feet in a straight line and land gently. Thinking it best to end on a positive note, Harry declared that enough progress for one day. "I never thought I would ever get to do that," Filch enthused, as he pumped Harry's hand and walked away whistling a little tune.

Barb took the opportunity to give us a quick refresher training session, warning us that we couldn't Apparate more than about eight feet off the ground. We reviewed the apparate-curse-apparate-curse-apparate-curse-curse style of fighting, which Bill had taught us. That final curse was Barb's idea: "It helps to break the rhythm, so your opponent doesn't know quite what to expect."