Disclaimer – I solemnly swear that JKR owns everything Harry Potter. Whether or not I am up to no good with her characters is for you to decide.
-oOoOo-
United We Stand …
Chapter 21
They'd tried. Really, they had. But even their combined knowledge proved to be not enough. The devious minds of the twins were thwarted and Harry's added rune and arithmancy knowledge just couldn't unravel it. So, in the end, they'd caved, bringing them to stand outside the office door in front of them.
A gentle nudge from Fred prompted Harry to knock, a hint that he took.
"Come in," the Marauder called.
Opening the door, the three trouped inside with George being sure to close the door after them, ensuring that this conversation stayed where others couldn't hear it.
"Good evening, gentlemen. What is it that I can do for you?" Remus asked, leaning back in his chair as he surveyed the nervous three standing in front of his desk.
"Moony, we need your help," Harry blurted, eliciting a slight frown, but whether from the use of the Marauder name or due to the request, he wasn't sure.
"It's this," Fred said, pulling out a very familiar piece of parchment.
Moony eagerly leant forward, the corners of his mouth turning upwards at the sight of the Marauder's Map.
"I know that all three of you know how to work the map," Moony said, "although I would have thought that there was no use to using it at the moment."
"That's the thing, Moony, it's just a nice piece of nostalgia now, not the useful item that it once was," Harry replied.
"Which is why we've been trying to work out the spells that you used to make it," George added.
Once again Moony frowned as he connected the dots.
"The only reason that you would have to understand the spells is if you were trying to recreate it," he mused before his eyes snapped up and pierced each of them in turn. "That's it, isn't it? You three want to create a new map. For here."
Three sheepish nods and grins confirmed his suspicions.
"We figured that the only way that we could understand how the map was made was to come to the Marauder that did it in the first place," Harry said.
"I wasn't alone, you know. Your father had quite a bit of input in creating the spells that we used. Even Padfoot added an idea or two," Moony said.
"Yeah, but we know that you were the brains behind the group," Fred grinned.
Moony sat back in his chair, his eyes flicking between the three of them and the map laying on the desk. Finally, he nodded once before straightening.
"Alright," he said. "I'll teach you the spells. On two conditions."
"Anything, Moony," an ecstatically grinning Harry quickly agreed.
"Firstly, any map you make is only used for general prankness – no defiantly breaking rules or using it against any student here in a nasty way," he began.
"We can do that," Fred nodded.
"Exactly how we would have used it anyway," George agreed.
"Secondly, you make two maps, not one and I get to keep the second," Moony said.
The three shared hasty looks between them.
"Agreed," Harry said.
Moony stared intently at them for a few seconds before relaxing.
"Alright, pull up some chairs and I'll show you how we did it," Moony smiled. "I've got to warn you, though, it's not an easy undertaking. Took us the better part of a year to create the original and then we added to it over the next three years to get it to what it is today."
"We don't mind," Fred began.
"We like a challenge," continued George.
"Especially one like this," Harry finished.
-oOoOo-
"This session of the Wizengamot, the thirty-fourth of the year nineteen hundred and ninety-five on the eighteenth of Ocotber, is called to session," the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Gawain Pritchards, intoned as he banged his gavel the required three times.
Once all of the Lords or their representatives had scurried to their seats and taken their places and were watching him, he continued.
"Scribe Hensley, are you prepared?"
"Yes, Sir," the fresh faced blonde woman just below his raised platform replied in a professional voice as she readied her parchment, ink and quills.
"Very well, let all who have business with this esteemed body step forth," the Chief Warlock called.
Instantly, the squat woman who'd been sitting in the Minister of Magic's chair got to her feet, pulling her horrid pick cardigan into place as she did so. Up in the stands, eyes connected with those of their allies; it was well-known what the main item up for discussion and voting was going to be today.
"Hem hem," Delores Umbridge began in her false, high girly voice. "Chief Warlock, esteemed members of the Wizengamot, I bring before you Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two for your consideration and endorsement."
"As this Educational Decree has now had the required one month time period since it was proposed, I ask this body to enter into discussion on the Decree," Chief Warlock Pritchards said.
One of the oldest members of the Wizengamot unsteadily rose to his feet, the creaking of his bones may not have been audible, but all there could easily imagine them doing so.
"The Chair recognises Lord Mackelway," Pritchards said with a respectful inline of his head.
"Chief Warlock," the old Lord began in a surprisingly strong voice. "With respect to the Minister, I would like to hear this Educational Decree read out before discussion begins."
"Madam Minister?" Pritchards asked.
"This Decree is designed so that all students with magical blood, regardless of where they are being educated …" Umbridge began before Lord Mackleway cut her off.
"Yes, yes, we've all heard the intent behind the Decree. But not once have I actually heard the exact wording of this Decree. I, for one, refuse to vote on or for any piece of legislation that I have not heard the wording of," he stated forcefully.
The small block consisting of Lords Black, Greengrass and Abbot and Regents Longbottom and Bones shared looks of barely suppressed glee. Things could not have gotten off to a better start. It helped that Umbridge looked particularly annoyed and flustered.
"Madam Minister?" the Chief Warlock asked. "If you could read out the Educational Decree that you are proposing?"
Umbridge picked up one of the pieces of paper on her desk and hid her face behind it.
"Educational Decree Number Twenty-two," she read. "All magical students between the ages of eleven and seventeen, regardless of where they are being educated, are required to pay a tax for the maintenance and improvement of magical education within Great Britain."
"My thanks," Lord Mackleway said before slowly sinking into his seat.
"I now open this chamber to discussion of the Decree," Chief Warlock Pritchards announced.
Instantly, Lord Greengrass was on his feet.
"The Decree stated that is encompasses 'all magical students regardless of where they are being educated'. Does this mean that it includes muggleborn students who have elected not to join our magical society?" he asked.
"Why any child would not want to become a productive member of our society is unimaginable," Umbridge replied. "And any muggle parent that is denying a magical child their rightful place is bordering on criminality as it is. This law is designed to encourage them to send their child into our world where they can be properly nurtured and encouraged in their magical gifts."
"Madam Minister," Madam Bones said as she rose from her seat," As Head of the DMLE, I have a couple of concerns with this Decree. Firstly, how do you propose to collect this tax from a muggle family?"
"Why we will simply send a Ministry representative to them and request it," Umbridge replied in her simpering voice as though Madam Bones was being particularly thick.
Amelia nodded her head slowly. "And when they refuse? Or worse still, take the matter up with the muggle government? Because I can assure you that they will. It would be no different than if the muggle government sent representatives to our homes and manors demanding that we pay a tax to them for a service that we do not and have no intention of using. We, too, would complain and do all we could to ensure that we did not have to pay it. What is your plan for dealing with this potential problem and imminent breach of the Statute of Secrecy?"
A low murmur swept through the Chamber at Madam Bones' question. Each and every member there could see the scenario that she had just outlined playing out and it was not something that they liked, but then, anything that could endanger their entire society was always a cause for alarm.
"There is no need for scare-mongering," Umbridge near-snapped. "And as for the muggles, we will do what we have always done – compulsion charms and obliviations will be enough to ensure that they comply and maintain the Statute of Secrecy."
"Minister, if even one such person is missed or if said charms do not take, then your solution will doom us all," Elphias Doge stated from where he had snapped to his feet. "The Statute must be taken as paramount and not endangered!"
"Hear hear!" was the chorus the rang through the Chamber.
"Putting aside this issue," Lord Farnsworth said after receiving leave to speak, "after all, the Decree could easily be amended to only include students already receiving a magical education, be it at one of the schools or by private instruction, my question is: what is the exact figure of this tax? There are many families, both old and new, who would struggle to pay an additional tax alongside school fees and day to day living expenses."
"This is not an exorbitant tax," Umbridge replied sweetly. "The initial figure that I will be proposing for this body to endorse is simply fifteen galleons for each child. A very small amount when compared to the great work that it will accomplish: bringing the standard of education within magical Britain, both in terms of what is taught and the way that it is taught, to the forefront of the world once again, back where it should be."
"And how long would this tax remain in place?" Lord Farnsworth asked.
"Why, simply as long as we deem it necessary," Umbridge replied with a wave of her hand, encompassing everyone there.
"Minister," Lord Black said, gaining her attention, "I would like to know exactly where this money will be spent. When you first brought this Decree to this chamber for consideration, you mentioned that a large proportion of it would be funnelled through to Hogwarts. Exactly what proportion would this be and why only Hogwarts?"
"The vast majority of the tax collected will be given to the Ministry's Department of Magical Education," she replied, but before she could continue, the Head of said Department rose from the visitor's seats.
"If I may?" he asked.
"This Chamber recognises Tiberius Sheppardton, Head of the Department of Magical Education," the Chief Warlock stated.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock," Sheppardton said. "I can give a brief summary of where we would need to spend the gold to fix our magical Education. In short, what my Department needs is more staff. This staff will then be able to obtain copies of OWL and NEWT examinations from around the world, examine them and then update the subjects and equipment needed accordingly. We would also aim to introduce or in some cases reintroduce subjects that are no longer taught at Hogwarts. It is my understanding that many new subjects are slowly being introduced at Dircawl Academy, but with its limited enrolment, it is imperative that Hogwarts offers them as well.
"Another use of said gold would be that, while the Ministry stipend for Hogwarts has remained constant for more than three decades, the number of students contributing to Hogwarts' upkeep has been declining. For the past decade, Hogwarts has been operating at approximately half of its capacity and now, with Diricawl factored in, that number is declining rapidly. For Hogwarts to be able to compete on a world education market, it must have an infusion of gold for staff, equipment and a host of other things."
"And how much would you envision all of this costing?" Lord Mackleway asked.
"Upwards of ten thousand galleons, most likely around twelve thousand but definitely no more than fifteen thousand," Sheppardton replied. "The Ministry has already given my Department five thousand of that."
"So, we are looking at between five thousand and ten thousand galleons to get the job done?" Lord Mackleway summarised.
"Yes, Lord Mackleway, that's correct," Sheppardton replied.
"How much of that fifteen thousand galleons would be used specifically within the walls of Hogwarts?" Lord Greengrass asked.
Sheppardton shrugged at the question. "Hard to say; a lot depends on what we find when we've compared our educational system with the rest of the world's. At a guess, I'd say anything from seven to ten thousand galleons."
"So, anything from one half to two thirds of the expected amount is to be used solely for one individual magical institution," Lord Greengrass stated flatly. "A magical institution that would not be in the place it is if the Ministry of Magic had simply increased the amount that it made available to the school over the past couple of decades."
"The Ministry of Magic has always provided a stipend to Hogwarts, but it has always been Hogwarts' responsibility that it provide a quality education," Minister Umbridge interjected. "It is only now that we have come to understand that Hogwarts has allowed that education to slip that we were forced to step in and do something about it."
"If it is Hogwarts' responsibility, then I fail to see how taxing every student, and in particular those students that do not attend Hogwarts is right," Madam Longbottom stated. "If this is a Hogwarts problem, then Hogwarts should simply be raising the cost of their tuition. Ten galleons per Hogwarts student would see Mister Shepparton's needs for Hogwarts met within two to three years."
"And what of the remaining money that the Department of Magical Education needs?" Lord Selwyn asked.
"It is a Ministry Department; the Ministry is responsible for funding it," Madam Longbottom replied. "There is no need for this Educational Decree that focuses on all magical students and even, as it stands now, appears to risk the Statute of Secrecy and the exposure of our entire world."
"As there does not appear to be any more discussion on this matter," Chief Warlock Pritchards said after the Chamber had remained silent for a couple of minutes, "we shall vote upon the proposal under consideration."
A wave of his wand caused two large spheres to rise up in the centre of the chamber.
"For those in favour of passing Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two into law, please cast your votes into the right-hand sphere. For those opposed, please cast your vote into the left-hand sphere," he instructed.
Over the course of the next two minutes, wands were raised from the sitting members of the Wizengamot and spells were cast to indicate their vote. When the last vote had been cast, the Chief Warlock waved his wand, causing the tallies to be made known.
"By a vote of fifty-three to forty-eight, Educational Decree Number Twenty-Two has been defeated," Pritchards declared.
The fact that the Minister for Magic's face had instantly gone a bright shade of red and that there was a vicious scowl on her face that she was doing nothing to hide was duly ignored, except for those who looked forward to laughing and cheering once they were away from prying eyes.
-oOoOo-
The thirteen students shifted in their seats as not only their teacher for this class, Professor Black, but also their Headmistress, entered the room. All sat up that little bit straighter, curious expressions on their faces.
"Morning all," Professor Black began. "We've got a bit of a different lesson today, thus Headmistress McGonagall's presence. Today, for most of you, we'll be conducting some tests."
The thirteen eyed each other nervously – never in over a year of learning this subject, had they ever been subject to testing. But then, learning to become an animagus was a very personal sort of thing; hardly anyone's journey was identical to anyone else's, even though the broad steps were very similar.
"Dennis, Mister Pemberton, neither of you two will be involved in this today," Professor Black continued. "The two of you are free to either continue your meditation studies here or somewhere else, depending on where you feel the most comfortable."
The two second year boys looked at each other before leaning down simultaneously to pick up their bags and stand up.
"Thanks, Professor Black, Headmistress, we'll head down to our dorm," Mickey said before the two left.
"Right," Professor Black said. "Since you lot started down the path to learning to be an animagus at the beginning of last year, you've made some truly remarkable progress. You've all been working on learning a great many mind exercises combined with learning occulmancy, as well as working on NEWT-level human transfiguration. Today we're going to see just how far you've come and, if we both feel that you've mastered those steps, then, assuming that you're still interested in becoming an animagus, you can move on to the next step."
"That's brewing the animagus revealer potion, isn't it, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"Correct. It takes four months to brew and will allow you to visit with your inner animal via a trance," Professor Black replied. "After that, it needs an extra two months of brewing time before you can take it in order to force your body to take the on the shape of your animal for the very first time. After that, it's three to six months of learning how to transform your body into that shape by yourself and then practicing it until you can do it almost instantaneously."
There were a lot of nervous looks and smiles between the remaining eleven students. They all realised that they still had a long way to go, but at that same time, it was getting closer.
"Today, I'll be checking your mind's order and defences using legilimency and Headmistress McGonagall will be checking your proficiency with human transfiguration," Professor Black said, rubbing his hands together. "So, who wants to go first?"
The following hour and a half passed by in a flurry of testing. While one person was seated in a chair facing Professor Black, seemingly doing nothing more than staring at each other, another was at the back of the room showing Headmistress McGonagall how well they could transfigure different parts of their body – ears, hair, nose, skin colour, the texture of their skin, give themselves webbing or antlers, change their hands or feet into paws and in some instances, giving themselves a tail.
Finally, when all eleven had been tested, the two teachers compared the pieces of parchment that they'd been marking before facing the group once more.
"Congratulations, all, you've all shown us some truly remarkable achievements today," Professor Black said. "As we suspected, there are a few of you who are ready to move on to the next stage. As for the rest of you, we'd estimate only another three or four months of practice before you too reach that stage. If those of you who aren't quite there yet stay behind after this, we'll give you a few pointers of where you need the extra practice.
"Now, on to announcing those who are ready to move on to the complicated step of brewing the animagus revealer potion."
Eleven pairs of excited, eager eyes stared back at him, their bodies all leaning forwards as they hoped to hear their name.
"Today, that is four of you," Professor Black continued. "They are: Hermione, Neville, Daphne and Luna."
A great round of applause broke out for the four, especially for Luna as, being only a fourth year, achieving what she had was amazing.
"If the four of you will meet me in Potion Room Two after lunch, we'll begin the first steps of brewing the potion," Professor Black beamed. "The rest of you, I can promise, won't be far behind them."
-oOoOo-
Lord Voldemort strolled through the beds that had been set up in the magically expanded basement of Riddle manor. Laying on each bed was one of the recent denizens of Azkaban island, all slowly recovering from the effects of prison life.
The fact that there were one hundred and seventy-one of them was stretching his resources and people to their very limits. All missions and recruitment had had to be put on hold for the time being but it was worth it. Soon, oh so very soon, his ranks would have nearly quadrupled with followers and he could finally, finally put some of his more bold plans into action.
Many of those he passed attempted to get out of bed to thank him for rescuing him. Some even rolled off of the cot and inched their way across the floor to lay at his feet, kissing the hem of his robes as he passed. Normally, Voldemort was not one to smile, but this devotion had forced his mouth into assuming the unusual position.
Finally, he came to the section that held his original Death Eaters and he looked around, examining them.
Antonin Dolohov. Augustus Rookwood. The Lestrange brothers and Rodulphus' wife Bellatrix. Travers. And there was the one who he'd really come to see. Peter Pettigrew.
Lord Voldemort acknowledged the many murmurings of "Master" and "Thank you" that he was given as he approached the man curled up on the bed. Where once he had been quite solid, almost fat, he was now stick-thin and if one looked carefully enough, one could even still see that he retained the look of a rat, even though he had been unable to transform for years due to the magic-suppression cuffs that he'd been forced to wear constantly while in Azkaban.
"Peter," Voldemort said.
The man rolled over, his eyes widening as he realised who it was who had spoken to him.
"M…master," Peter, otherwise known as Wormtail replied. "Th…thank you. Thank you for rescuing me … us."
"I could not leave any of you there any longer than necessary," Voldemort said, looking around at his most faithful. "I need the skills and abilities that each of you have if we are to win magical Britain and bring to it proper order. And you, Peter, you shall play the most important role of all. You, the weakest of us all, shall be the instrument that ensures our greatest success."
Peter nodded eagerly but Voldemort could see the fear in the man's eyes. Fear was good. Fear could be used. And fear was what Voldemort longed to bring to his enemies. Soon. Oh, so very soon they would taste it and he could hardly wait.