Mental-Chapter 10-Hope Squashed

Remus, Tonks and Hermione's cousin Angela had just walked onto Angela's porch on there way to get Harry and Hermione released, when Angela's mobile telephone rang.

"Uh huh, four hours, but, why?

"Oh, okay. Fine then, I've got an hour.. Yes I understand.

"Mister Lupin, Miss Tonks, I'm sorry, but that was my boss. I'm being sent out of the country on assignment for the next six months. If you still need help when I return I'll go and get them out then. I truly am sorry, I don't want Hermione and her husband to rot in there anymore then you do, but I have thirty minutes to pack for six months and then need to get to the airport for the three hour queues and never ending security checks. I truly am sorry, maybe if I emailed the hospital or wrote them a letter?"

"They may think it's a forgery. If we still need your help in six months we'll contact you when you return, thank you for being willing to help, Angela."

"Not a problem, Bye Miss Tonks, Mister Lupin." And Angela went back into her flat to pack for her foreign assignment.

Tonks and Lupin are now back where they were at the beginning. Back to where they were when they found out Harry was incarcerated just like Hermione. Now there option was ask the Dursley's.. or find a non-Hermione hating relative of Hermione. Neither were pleasant options.

Diagon Alley, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"Why doesn't someone just polyjuice them self as Angie?" George asked.

"Um.."

"You mean neither of you thought of that?"

"Um.."

"You didn't?"

"No we didn't, fine." Tonks answered.

"I didn't either, dammit.. I should have after second year…" Ron said.

"What did you do second year ickle Ronniekins?"

"We brewed polyjuice in moaning myrtle's bathroom and became Crabbe and Goyle to get into the Slytherin common room to see if Malfoy was the one who opened the chamber," Ron answered in a rush.

"Ah."

"And you never told us!"

"How did you brew Polyjuice as second years?" Tonks asked.

"Don't tell me," Fred said. "Hermione?"

"Yep."

"She brewed Polyjuice as a second year and all the experimental committees at the ministry are letting her rot in a muggle mental hospital?" Tonks asked astounded.

"Nobody but toadies really want to be in those status quo sections of the ministry, come on, why do you think George and I have bucked the trend, well besides the obvious that we're not cut out for that life? Percy is an arse kisser, Dad finally got promoted after some 10 years in the same job, a step or so above his entry level position. They pardoned all the Deatheaters after the first war, yet can't seem to intervene in the troubles of the heroes of the second. Our government is corrupt and useless, I hope with the next change of power, as Scrimgeour is getting up there in years. That there will be changes."

"Can you really see that happening, Fred?"

"Now? I don't know of anyone within the ministry who would dare."

"What about outside the ministry? Who has the balls to try?" George asked.

"Hmm.. Someone who could rally everyone, is quite a good orator, can manage things, has a good grasp on reality and what is going on around the world and in the state… I can't think of anyone willing." Tonks answered.

"What about Lee.. though he's probably far too young and who would support him, the Wizengamot, certainly not."

"Your suggesting Lee Jordan to run the wizarding world, are you bloody mad, George?"

"Certainly not, he's doing a damn good job keeping our shop in line."

"That's one shop, George, we're talking about the entirety of wizarding Great Britain and Ireland."

"I know, I'm just trying to suggest anyone."

"We would need someone older, more experienced, perhaps within the ministry itself."

"I'm not running for any high offices," Tonks replied.

"No one expects you to, love," Remus told her.

"But who.. Wait, why are we talking about this?" Ron asked.

"The quackery of the Ministry of Magic certainly is an all expansive topic, Ronald."

"It sure is. Wait, where did you come from, Luna?"

"I came from a sperm and an egg," She replied as if it were the most natural answer in the world.

"Uh… No, Luna, where did you come from just now?"

"Daddy's Newspaper."

"Oh, okay."

"How're you, Luna? Damn fine to see you on this lovely winter freezing day," George greeted in his way.

"It's a lovely day, George." Luna replied.

"What can we do for you today, Luna?" Fred inquired.

"Oh nothing, just checking around for nimbats, your quite clean of them."

"Um, glad to hear it Luna."

"They're attracted to loud noises and smoke you see."

"Okay, we'll keep that in mind," Fred answered.

Luna smiled dreamily.

"Um.. Luna, would you like to grab a bite to eat?" Ron asked her.

"I'd love to," Luna replied with a brilliant smile.. And she grabbed Ron's arm and off they went out of the shop and into the alley.

"How long before he gets hitched to this one?" Fred inquired of his brother.

"Oh give it a good year."

"You too are horrible."

"Are we now, Lupin. Weren't you just the least bit like us as a lad? You were a marauder!"

"Your right, I was rather like you at times. Though James and Sirius were more like the both of you all the time."

"Lovely, we should go pretend to be Harry's Father and Godfather!"

"And give him a reason to be in the loony bin, dear brother, NO!"

"Opps, that would send him over an edge."

And Tonks and Lupin, still not exactly sure what to do about Harry and Hermione's situation of entrapment went home.

An: I apologize for the delays and vast expanses between posts, unfortunately they will continue as I've been quite bogged down with homework so far, with midterms just ending, I don't see that changing.

Side note, HU chp. 15 is finished, but I added to it and need to get the additions to my beta, probably further delaying the chapter. Though 16 has a rough idea, and beyond Part II I pretty much know what will transpire. No light on the Starship front unfortunately.

Thanks for reading.. Please leave a review.