Surprises
Max struggled to hide his laughter a week later, when the whole school came down to breakfast to find 'Slytherin Rules' banners hung all around the Great Hall. McGonagall pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at the twins, but they unflinchingly returned her gaze, radiating surprised innocence. The banners adorned every wall and pillar in the room, Slytherin flags hung from the torch brackets and chandeliers. There was even silver and green bunting strung over the house tables.
"See Rose," said Albus, "it can't have been the twins. No second year could have conjured all of these and levitated them that high."
"Maybe they found another way?" said Rose, but she sounded unsure.
Max couldn't help but think that two second years with a map a broom and an invisibility cloak would have no problem hanging so many banners undetected, but he kept his mouth closed and his face carefully blank.
McGonagall waved her wand in a sweeping arc and the banners flags and bunting disappeared. She gave the twins a searching look and beckoned them towards her.
"Yes Headmistress?" they chorused innocently.
"I know you two had something to do with this." McGonagall said in a low voice. "This and the banners that mysteriously appeared on both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Towers, and the green and silver enchanted confetti that took four hours to banish from the Hufflepuff corridor, not to mention the Slytherin crests that someone painted on the greenhouses, and the snake balloons that filled the Staff Room yesterday." the twins flawlessly maintained their looks of innocence. McGonagall continued, "If there are any more shenanigans of this nature, and if I can connect them to you in any way, I will not hesitate to contact your parents and put you in detention until the end of the school year. Are we clear?"
"Yes ma'am." said Harry.
"Crystal." added Severus.
McGonagall frowned at them for a few moments, before sweeping to the staff table. The whole school had been watching the exchange carefully and instantly became intensely interested in other things.
"That's put a stop to that then." Max whispered to the twins, when no one was looking.
"Nah!" whispered Harry, "We love a challenge."
"Besides," muttered Severus, "Hagrid's hut will look amazing in green and silver."
Max gave a snort of laughter at the thought of the staunchly Gryffindor Hagrid discovering his home painted in Slytherin colours. Rose looked over at them curiously at the noise.
"Watch it," hissed Harry, "Nosey Rosey is looking. We'll talk to you about it later."
"Dinner time?" muttered Max.
"Nah," said Harry, "Slytherin quidditch team try-outs this evening."
"Are you both trying out?" Max asked. "What position?"
"For seeker." they said together.
XXXXXX
The next day at breakfast the twins were in high spirits. Harry had won the seeker position, outflying every other hopeful including his brother. Severus didn't seem particularly upset, in fact he was positively joyful for Harry's success. He spent a lot of time at the breakfast table draping a Slytherin banner around Harry's shoulders and laughing at Harry's blushes. Rose tutted as they jostled each other playfully and knocked over the milk jug.
"Will you two calm down," she snapped, "it's only quidditch."
"Only quidditch?" said Harry, giving Rose a scandalised look. "Quidditch is a vital part of school-no wizarding life."
"So is breakfast," she countered, "but now my bacon is covered in milk. Just sit down and eat like normal people."
"But we're not normal people." chorused the twins, but they sat down and started to eat breakfast.
A few moments later the post owls arrived. Scores of different types of owl soared into the Great Hall, wheeling around above the tables before swooping down to the recipients. Mercury landed next to Max's plate with a letter from his family and Max fed him some bacon rind. A small brown owl landed next to Rose, sticking out its leg for her to remove the Daily Prophet, she paid the owl and unfurled the paper as it took off again.
"Oh no!" she said, looking at the front page.
Max craned his head to look and noticed a picture of Rose's mum, looking harassed, under the headline; 'Minister's 'Safe Society' Policy Under Fire After Attacks in Hogsmead.'
"What attacks in Hogsmead?" said Max, "What happened?"
Severus plucked the paper from Rose's unresisting hands and read the story aloud:
'Minister of Magic, Hermione Granger-Weasley, came under fire yesterday after three bodies were discovered in Hogsmead, killed by a dark force unknown. The bodies were discovered by a Hogsmead resident near the Shrieking Shack. The resident called Magical Law Enforcement who warded off the area pending investigation. Witnesses revealed that the bodies showed no wounds or marks, but were drained of blood. Obviously dark creatures are suspected, but no trace can be found.
Minister Granger-Weasley is an advocate for the registration and cooperation of non-human entities, providing they pose no threat, and has fought against the destruction of the many dark beings, despite being involved in the killings of multi werewolves many years ago. In the light of this latest attack many are calling for the Minister to come down in favour of the elimination of these potential threatening creatures, culling those found near wizarding settlements.
The Minister was unavailable for comment, but a source inside the Ministry said- see pages 4-9 for more.'
"Don't worry Rose," said Albus, patting her arm, "Aunt Hermione has dealt with worse than this. The press will be on her side again in a week."
"But the attacks were in Hogsmead," squeaked Rose, "what if they get in here?"
"Don't be daft," said Orion, "Hogwarts is one of the most heavily warded places in Britain. They've got more chance of getting in the ministry than in here."
Rose didn't look reassured, but it was time for lessons and they couldn't discuss it further.
XXXXXX
Dudley sat in the car outside number four Privet Drive. He frowned at the front door, trying to pluck up the courage to get out of the car and knock. He knew he couldn't put off the conversation with his parents any longer. For months now he had made excuses why he and the kids couldn't come for a visit. He had been vague about Max's new school and completely silent on his rekindled and now friendly relationship with Harriet. But now Dianne had put her foot down and made him promise to tell his parents. Try as he might, Dudley just couldn't bring himself to get out of the car.
The front door opened and his father stuck out his beefy head. His hair was grey now and almost gone on top, his round face now jowly. He peered through spectacles at the car on the driveway and, recognising Dudley, waved. Dudley plastered a smile on his face even as he groaned. He climbed out of the car and locked it before walking up the pathway to greet his father.
"Dudders, my boy!" said Vernon, clapping him on the back with one hand and shaking his hand with the other. "You haven't visited for ages. Little tikes been keeping you busy?"
"Something like that Dad." said Dudley.
"Popkin!" screeched Petunia, hurrying to the door. "Come in, come in. How are Di and the children? Let me get you a snack."
Petunia ushered Dudley into the kitchen, busying herself in the fridge as he took a seat at the table. Vernon followed them in and lowered himself into the chair next to Dudley. He pointed at the newspaper on the kitchen table.
"You hear about this serial killer?" he asked, gesturing to an article. "Six dead all over the country, some weird cult or something. Not a drop of blood in any of them."
"Vernon," scolded Petunia, "Duddey doesn't want to talk about nasty things like that." she plonked a sandwich in front of Dudley and sat down smiling at him. "Tell us all about what you and the children have been up to."
Dudley took a bite out of the sandwich, just to stall for a few minutes more. Petunia and Vernon beamed expectantly at him as he chewed. Finally, he could put it off no longer, he swallowed his mouthful and took a deep breath.
"Di and the kids are doing well," he said, "Violet has been put in an accelerated learning program at primary. She's working at the level of a fifteen year old in maths and computer science."
"I knew she would be a clever girl even when she was tiny." gushed Petunia. "What about Max? Has he settled in at his new school? You never did say where he went, is he on an accelerated program too?"
"Actually he is," said Dudley, "the school say he's extremely talented and they're giving him extra one-on-one tuition."
"Oh how lovely!" said Petunia, "you must tell them how proud of them we are. We should take them out for a treat."
"What school is he in now son?" asked Vernon.
"Well..." said Dudley, "He received a letter on his eleventh birthday...from Hog-, from Harriet's old school."
"Harriet's school?" repeated Vernon. "Whatever do you mean Dud-"
"You can't mean Potter?" said Petunia, faintly. "Our Maxie can't possibly be like those...those people."
"You're having a joke with your old Mum and Dad aren't you son?" sputtered Vernon. "Max isn't really a...a..." Vernon stuttered into silence, unable to bring himself to say wizard, staring at Dudley in horror.
"We should never have taken that awful girl in." snarled Petunia, rage overtaking shock. "If it weren't bad enough her bringing all those freaks here, and blowing up Marge, and owls and dementors and all the other troubles she brought to our door. Now her...foulness has rubbed off on you and poor Max is being dragged into that world of freaks and weirdos. I won't stand for it! You must keep Max away from that horrible school, and especially from Harriet Potter."
Vernon and Dudley gaped at the venomous tirade Petunia had unleashed. Lost for words at the hatred and bitterness in her voice.
"But Mum-" Dudley tried.
"Don't let him mix with that sort Dudley." snapped Petunia, looming over the table, her eyes flashing. "They come in and take away your family and twist it up in their nasty world. They drive a wedge between you and they get people killed. They bring nothing but misery and death."
"Mum," said Dudley, "Max loves it there. He writes twice a week, he's really powerful they tell us and he's top in every subject. He has friends there, he's happy."
"Friends?" she shrieked, "Friends who will lead him into danger? Friends who will get him killed? Friends like Potter?"
"Her sons are friends with him." said Dudley, "Her girls are friendly with Vi. We get on well now. They've been really supportive. She's married now, to a guy called Snape, she's doing well."
"I don't care how she is doing." snarled Petunia. She stopped and shook her head, "Did you say Snape?"
"Yeah, he's a good bloke," said Dudley, "he's been helping tutor Max..."
"Get out!" said Petunia, in a low and livid voice.
"What?" said Dudley.
"Petunia?" said Vernon, looking completely stunned by his wife's outburst. "You can't throw Dudders out."
"I said get the hell out!" she yelled at Dudley, swatting him with a tea-towel. "I will not have any more wizards or witches in my house. Nor will I have anyone who has anything to do with that Snape boy. Get out, and don't come back until Max is in a normal school."
Dudley was backing out of the kitchen, horrified by his mother's reaction. He looked at his father, who just gaped dumbly between them, and finding no help there he turned on his heel and made for the front door. He slammed the door behind him and leant against his car, covering his face with his hands.