Chapter 10: Musings

Harry Potter had just finished reading Ron's letter and couldn't help but laugh. 'What's up with him? Does he really think Quidditch means that much to me? It was more about the freedom feeling that I used to get from flying. I no longer need it now that I'm away from the Dursleys for good. I'm even free from Snape and got a Potions Master who reminded me how much I looked forward potions before my first lesson.'

Meanwhile, Remus Lupin was at the Ministry headquarters to answer a summons made my Amelia Bones. "Mr. Lupin, I'm glad you came." She said. "I assume you know why I called you."

"You probably hope I can convince Harry to call off that wild goose chase he started." Remus commented. "I've already tried but unfortunately he wouldn't listen."

"Actually, I want to see if you know anything that could help us locate Peter Pettigrew." She explained.

"What?" Remus asked in shock. "Peter is dead!"

"I'm not so certain of this, Mr. Lupin." She replied. "Do you have any idea of where he could be hidden?"

Believing that Peter was really dead and that anyone looking for him is wasting their time, Remus decided not to tell about the Animagus transformation. "I don't know anything that could help with your waste of time, Madam Bones."

"I hope you're not lying just because you think he's dead, Mr. Lupin." She commented.

Meanwhile, former Hogwarts Potions Master returned to visit his successor. "Professor Slughorn, what do I owe this visit to?" Snape asked.

"First of all, Severus, I'm appalled at what I heard of your teaching methods." Slughorn explained.

"What did Potter say?" Snape asked.

"I'm not telling you who told me of how you teach but I was told you won't teach safety tips to the first years." Slughorn replied. "Don't you remember the importance I stressed into you and your year-mates about this back when you were a first year student?"

"The students' parents should have told them the basics." Snape argued.

"What about the muggleborns and other students raised by muggles, Severus?" Slughorn asked. "They didn't have anyone to teach them about that or anything else regarding the Magical World."

"Potter's muggle guardians already knew about the Wizarding World and I'm certain Headmaster Dumbledore or someone ordered by him gave the brat some special training." Snape dismissed Slughorn's concerns.

"This is not about any specific individuals, Severus." Slughorn pleaded. "Safety measures should be the first thing to be taught to first year students. And there's something else that bothers me. You punished a student for not warning a classmate about something the punished student shouldn't be reasonably expected to pay attention to."

"Potter was just trying to look good." Snape argued.

"And you immediately figured out it was about him." Slughorn said. "I think you're just looking for excuses to punish him for being James Potter's son."

"If you don't mind, Sir, I have essays to review." Snape steely said.

"Just think over what I said, Severus." Slughorn replied as he left.

Meanwhile, Amelia Bones was being notified of two wizards who were arrested. "Auror, I want a report."

"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle are under arrest for breaking and entering the house of Peter Pettigrew's mother, Director Bones." Auror John Dawlish reported. "They claimed they were trying to force her to say where Peter Pettigrew is hiding."

'Another headache.' She thought.

"It's all Potter's fault!" Mrs. Pettigrew exclaimed. "It's his fault for throwing my son's good name into the mud."

"Mrs. Pettigrew, I believe you can end this by allowing our Aurors to search through your house." Amelia Bones suggested.

"We are already looking for cursed items the intruders might have left behind, Director Bones." Dawlish replied.

"I hope that, while you're at it, you look for Pettigrew or at least some clue to his whereabouts." Bones commented.

"Preposterous!" Mrs. Pettigrew exclaimed in outrage. "Minister Fudge assured me that the Ministry wouldn't fall for Potter's fallacies."

Fudge then showed up. 'Speaking of the Devil' Bones thought. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Pettigrew." He said. "It's regrettable we're not meeting in more pleasant circumstances." He then turned his attention to Amelia Bones. "Bones, what's this I'm hearing about Aurors arresting decent people?" He asked.

"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle broke into Mrs. Pettigrew's home to look for her son, Minister." She explained.

"Bones, it's not their fault they fell for Potter's lies." Fudge argued.

"Believing that Peter Pettigrew is alive is no excuse to commit crimes to look for him." Amelia counter-argued. "We must punish those who break the law looking for Pettigrew to discourage others from doing the same."

"Point taken, Amelia." Fudge conceded while trying to come up with a punishment that would neither be too soft to discourage others nor hard enough to make their parents stop supporting him. He eventually decided not to care about the second part since neither father was a Malfoy level of rich.

During their next private lesson, Professor Slughorn was amazed at Harry's proficiency for someone who didn't take Potions lessons for the sixth year. "You did a wonderful job catching up, Mr. Potter." Slughorn commented. "Have you thought about entering the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?"

"The Most what?" Harry asked and Slughorn then explained what that society was and who founded it. "Hector Dagworth-Granger?"

"Anything wrong with that name?" Slughorn asked.

"No, Sir." Harry answered. "I just remembered my friend Hermione Granger."

"Are they related?" Slughorn asked out of hope for a new connection.

"I don't think so." Harry commented. "She's a muggleborn."

"Still a possibility." Slughorn replied. "The theory that muggleborns are descendants of squibs has yet to be disproven. But what about you joining the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?"

"Would Snape feel upset?" Harry eagerly asked.

"If he hates the idea of you triumphing as a Potioneer, yes." Slughorn answered and Harry's smile convinced him that it was the right answer.

The news of Crabbe and Goyle's arrest eventually made its way to Hogwarts thanks to the Daily Prophet. "Harry's paranoia about Peter Pettigrew was good for another thing." Ron commented. "Two Death Eaters in training were arrested. I bet they don't even believe Pettigrew is alive and just wanted an excuse to torment the bloke's mother."

An own then brought Ron a letter from his mother.

Dear Ronniekins,

Things are so chaotic outside Hogwarts because of Potter's delusions you and Ginny had better stay in the castle for Christmas. Your father and I are going to visit Charlie in Romania. Happy Christmas.

Hugs and kisses,

Molly Weasley

Peter Pettigrew was relieved for having more safe time inside Hogwarts. Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore was reading the news. "I hope the news of their arrest makes Harry regret starting this insanity." The Headmaster commented.

"Potter won't care unless it happens to friends of his." Snape arrogantly replied.

End chapter.