Chapter 25- Some Issues Are Resolved
Lucius watched his deranged cousin flick her wand angrily at the inoffensive mouse and send it flying against the grimy mold covered wall. The incessant drip of water through the various rents and decayed holes in the mansion did nothing to help the fraying of his nerves. He shifted around trying to get comfortable in the decaying chair he was currently sitting on in front of the stone cold fireplace with the rotting wooden mantelpiece. A small cell in Azkaban was beginning to look more luxurious by the day in comparison to this supposed freedom. He wondered if it wouldn't be better to give himself up willingly... at least he would be dry and fed regularly.
"A simple form of the snatch and grab approach worked before... twice in fact." he commented cautiously, "Once from the blood traitors Burrow and once at Hogsmeade. It's just a matter of timing... "
Hogwarts
Albus entered his office and greeted Fawkes who spread out and fluttered his wings. Albus fed him and made sure the water was fresh. "It won't be too long before the school will be filled once again with voices of excited youngsters." he commented. "The letters have all been sent out and I suspect that the next few days will be very busy, especially for the shopkeepers in Diagon Alley."
"Will the Twerp be coming back to Hogwarts?" asked Phinius Black casually.
"Not as a student Phinius, I will see him on the holidays and weekends but I think it best for him to stay with the Weasleys during the school days and I'm sure that Sirius, Remus and Mad- Eye will also be around to help."
"You would miss him terribly." commented Phinius. "I suspect you will find reasons to pop over to see him after hours through the week too."
Albus felt his face flush. "Yes I would." he admitted as he picked up a handful of his lemon sherbets. "He is the only family I have since..."
"Headmaster Dumbledore." called out one of the other portraits. Albus turned and noticed that it was Dilys Derwent who was trying to get his attention.
"I was at my portrait in Saint Mungo's and overheard some conversation concerning Dolores Umbridge."
"I'm listening," answered Albus. "Did the fresh supplies make it there all right? Along with the drinks?"
"Yes sir, The Healers wanted me to say thank you for sending the illusion drinks which may help with their plans to reduce the side effects and risks of severe withdrawal while slowly decreasing her intake of the candy over the next six months. "
"Good, If she had eaten the recommended amounts in the first place..." Albus shook his head. "She wouldn't have become so dependent. Anyway what else did you overhear?"
The Healers in charge of her are worried as the ministry wanted an update on her condition." explained Dilys. "It seems that they wish to remove her from Saint Mungos and place her into a cell in Azkaban."
"No, I don't think that would be advisable. She is already in a closed ward and removing her to Azkaban would not do any good. No matter how loathsome she was this past year and I suspect she has tortured others over the years, I have not heard of her committing murders.--- confinement at Saint Mungo's is punishment enough for her.'
"Shall I inform them that you will deal with the Ministry for them?"
"Yes, you may." said Albus. "I will go talk to Scrimgeour himself. After all I am the chief warlock on the Wizengamot and I did sign the papers to commit her to Saint Mungo's for life."
Dilys smiled and bowed as she left her portrait for Saint Mungos as Albus sighed and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck while he did some thinking.
The Ministry
The Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour was busy going over the reports that kept flying into his office. They were bad enough, but to keep being reminded that Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange were still on the loose despite many sightings was annoying.
"The order for the forfeiture of real properties and personal wealth belonging to Lucius Malfoy will be taking effect after I sign this document." said Rufus Scrimgeour to the heavy set pleasant looking witch who took over Umbridge's former job as senior undersecretary. "What about his wife ...Narcissa Malfoy, did she receive word that we had confiscated all estates and monies belonging to her husband?" he asked the silent but efficient witch.
"Yes she did receive the owl and she owled back that she understood but did not wish to come back to Britain. She requested that if possible, could we set aside the manor for her son to inherit for deeds rendered and the trust fund that would become his once he turns of age."
"Hmmm" said Scrimegeour as he leaned back in his chair and studied the portrait of Everard Proudfoot. "The boy did do much to help in the destruction of Voldemort. Yes, that is acceptable."
"You wish for me to redo the document to include the requests?"
"Yes. The remaining funds will help greatly those victims who have suffered these long years." said Scrimegeour as he gave her the document unsigned. "Please have the necessary adjustments done and then I will sign it. While you are at it could you please send an Owl to Headmaster Albus Dumbledore as I would like to have a word with him."
"Yes sir." said the witch as she took the document from him.
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Albus sighed as as he came into the Ministry by one of the left hand fireplaces. He knew why the Minister of Magic wanted to see him. 'Politics.' He thought as he dusted himself off and headed further down the hall towards the bank of lifts that stood behind their wrought golden grills. He entered the lift and stood quietly thinking till the lift stopped at the floor he required and with a pleasant thank you to the operator he stepped out and continued down to the Office belonging to the Minister of Magic.
"Good Day Albus," said Rufus Scrimegeour pleasantly. "We have to update the files on Dolores Umbridge. As you realize She was to be sentenced to Azkaban for her crimes but due to her mental state she had been sent to Saint Mungo's until such time she regained her sanity."
"Well I suspect she never will be truly sane enough to be sent to Azkaban. As much as she deserves to be punished to the full extent of our law, I believe that she must still be kept within the locked ward-- Possibly for the rest of her natural life." answered Albus. "Moving her to a small cramped cell at the prison now would be meaningless."
"Well I understand your frustration Albus, considering that your little Twerp was harmed by her." said Scrimgeour, "I have reports that she is still being treated for an unfortunate addiction to the candy that was given to her last year, an invention by the Twerp and the Weasley twins."
"She would have been fine if she hadn't made a pig of herself and ate so much of it. I believe there are cautions printed on the inside of the box lid and obvious perforations in the candy showing how much would be safe to eat at one time." Albus told him firmly. "At the time I thought Saint Mungo's was more suitable to evaluate and treat her condition. I still do."
"Yes I understand," answered the Minister. "Then we shall put aside the order for removal to Azkaban till such time she regains her sanity... If ever."
"Either way, she will not be doing any more harm to any of the children." Albus nodded as he realized that Umbridge could never be considered sane at any time of her adult life, even before she was committed to Saint Mungo's.
"No... she won't,"answered Scrimgeour. "Now I wish to talk to you of another matter. The two escapees..."
The Burrow
"Twerp! Why are you reading while hanging off the tree limb like that?" asked Hermione as she looked up through the thick curtain of leaves. "Wouldn't it be more comfortable, not to mention safer to read sitting at the table?"
"Some days I think he would take a pillow and blanket up there and sleep if he could." Ginny commented as the small boy ignored them. "Don't worry, if I know mum, she has already charmed the tree to keep him from falling out of it."
"It is a little hard to imagine that little boy was once an adult Wizard, and the most feared Professor in the history of Hogwarts." said Hermione. "If we hadn't put up with four years of him teaching us potions. .. And then the events of this past year..."
"Yeah, I know what you mean." answered Harry as he sat down on the bench beside Ginny. "I also think this past year has been quite an eye-opener when it comes to judging anyone. No matter what house the sorting hat put them in."
"Yeah I never thought I would end up becoming friends with the Slytherins," commented Ron.
"Well if it wasn't for your idea to try the twins shrinking gag on Mrs. Norris by placing it in the potions room..."
"I know, I know, Snape wouldn't have been de-aged, you would be still living with your muggle relatives, and that other future would have played out," answered Ron as he shuddered with the memory of what the Twerp told them.
"Now Professor Snape is known as the Twerp, and is spending a lot of his time hanging about in a tree, reading kids books and Harry hasn't seen his muggle relatives for over a year now."said Hermione as she unconsciously ran her hand lovingly over the old book she was holding.
'I guess in whichever future unwound you would still be hunting for knowledge through books Hermione." commented Harry as he turned his head to read the title. "Dark Wizards in History?"
"I was doing more research into the wands of power. The Twerp wants to finish what we started and find out who has the Elder Wand now," answered Hermione. "I must admit I am curious too."
"I guess I better admit am I also curious, after all I may be called the boy who lived...twice but I really don't wish to face another Dark Lord, who may possess that particular wand if you catch my meaning." Harry told her as he glanced up at the Twerp who was still reading the book that looked to be one that belonged to Dumbledore. "I want to be known just as Harry, nothing else, just Harry."
"All right by me Just Harry," said Draco who had just arrived by Floo to the Burrow and came out to where the others were gathered under the Twerp's tree. " Personally though, I think that is a rather odd name."
"Hey Draco, you're finished work all ready?" said the Twerp from above their heads.
"Well what do you know, he speaks." said Ginny,
Draco's eyebrow rose as he looked up through the branches and leaves. " Hi Twerp, I take it you've been a little uncommunicative today eh?"
"Didn't feel like talking, I was listening,"answered the Twerp. "Learn more that way."
"He does have a point." Draco was amused as Hermione glanced up at the general direction of the Twerp and then at him. "Anyway whats up?"
"We were just discussing some history." Harry told him. "You can guess if you like what part."
"Comparing notes on what is and what could have been? " Asked Draco as he sat down and looked at the pile of books sitting on the table. "Or more research into the Twerps pet theories about the Deadly Hallows!"
"A bit of both actually." answered Harry. "There is still the Elder Wand to find."
"Well why not talk to Dumbledore since he has the most knowledge about them. He did have Harry's cloak and the Resurrection Stone after all." Draco suggested as he glanced upwards.
I'll ask him." said the Twerp tucking the book he was reading inside the backpack hanging on a smaller branch nearby. He slipped his arms through the backpack straps so it laid on his back before he swung down off the branch he was lying on to one that was closer to the ground.
"I guess you would be able to get more information from him about the Elder Wand than any of us could." commented Harry.
"All I can do is try." the Twerp said, "Some things he will talk about with me and others he won't because he thinks I shouldn't be worried about such grown-up stuff now."
At that moment Molly came to the doorway of the house to announce that supper would soon be ready and she would like them to get come in and get cleaned up before it was served.
The Twerp dropped out of the tree with his book filled backpack still securely across his back. Hermione gathered her books together and the teens walked inside to put things away and wash up before supper.
Arthur and Percy arrived not too long after and walked into the house, Arthur mentioned to Molly that they had seen and talked to Dumbledore earlier at the Ministry.
"Is everything all right?" asked Molly as they were taking their places at the kitchen table.
"Yes, He had been called in to discuss the Umbridge case file." answered her weary husband. Albus informed the Minister that in his opinion she should still be left at Saint Mungo's and it would serve no purpose to remove her to Azkaban."
"Good, As much as I despise her actions, I realize she is a very unstable person and I'd rather have her where I know she can't escape and come after our little Twerp." said Molly. "It's bad enough Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix is somewhere out there."
"Proof enough that it would be inadvisable for Umbridge to be sent to Azkaban." answered Percy.
"Fortunately for her the Minister of Magic considers Dumbledores opinion on the matter of the utmost importance" said Arthur as he took his glasses off and charmed them clean before replacing them back o his nose.
The three adults stopped discussing the Umbridge situation and changed over to more mundane
conversations as the Twerp and the teens came happily and noisily into the kitchen and gathered around the table for their suppers.
Sssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Albus popped by later in the evening to visit and Severus took the chance to ask about the Elder wand.
Älbus." said the Twerp carefully, "I was just wondering..."
"What Severus? What were you wondering." asked Albus as she steepled his hands together and watched the small boy trace his finger along the worn pattern in the wood of the old table.
"Do you have any idea where or who has the elder wand? I mean Hermione has a theory that the wands like the Deathstick or the wand of destiny are really names for the elder wand and are usually possessed by a dark wizard."
Albus fought to keep control of his emotions as he looked at the Twerp who was waiting for an answer.
"We know that Harry has the cloak and you seen the stone destroyed which I possessed," answered Albus softly. "Why are you worried about the last Deadly Hallow? "
"Well I know you made a copy of the ring and that alone made me wonder if there isn't something more to worry about." Severus' eyes widened as he responded innocently, I'm a kid, and I don't like loose ends."
Not wanting to go into details Albus picked up the small boy and hugged him as he said "All I can tell you Twerp, is that the wand is not in the hands of a dark wizard. "
"Are you sure?" asked the Twerp.
Albus did his best to reassure the Twerp, "yes my boy, there is no need for you to worry about the last Hallow for it is the least of the three."
The Twerp knowing that he wasn't going to get any more information nodded as he wondered why Albus as being so secretive if he knew that a dark wizard didn't have the Elder Wand. That meant he knew where it was!
"Now why don't you go find something fun to do before it is time for bed?" asked Albus. "I'll tuck you in before I leave all right?"
"All right." answered the Twerp as he went off to find the teens to tell them what he found out.
"Not much to go by but it is something, "said Hermione, "but from the sounds of what you say..."
"He must know who has the wand. " Finished Harry.
"But why be so secretive if he is so sure it won't be used?" asked Ron as he tried to understand.
"It's Dumbledore." answered Harry. "He probably doesn't want the Twerp to get hurt while attempting to retrieve it."
"What would give him the idea that would be something that the Twerp would do?" asked Ginny.
"The fact that the Twerp wouldn't give up till Dumbledore destroyed the ring with the resurrection stone," stated Draco.
Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Later that night long after Albus had tucked him in as he had promised the Twerp watched his toys who had their own beds pushed together, happily playing with a miniature wizards chess set that Minerva had kindly transfigured for them from some wood shavings. He was trying to keep very quiet since Draco had just settled down to sleep himself in the other bed as he was staying the night along with Harry who was up in Ron's room.
Hearing an unusual sound from outside the Twerp left his bed and looked out his window towards the moonlit sky. A movement caught his eye near a clump of trees and brush. He wondered what was roaming nearby but the light was not sufficient to allow him a good look.
"Twerp what are you doing still up." Draco inquired sleepily. He had overheard the soft movement of the little boy sliding out of bed and his footsteps. "It is getting late."
Turning to look at the blond boy the Twerp answered, "I know Draco but I thought I heard something and there is something moving about over there." He pointed out the window in the general direction of the clump of trees and bushes surrounding the paddock.
Draco dragged himself out of bed and looked over to where the Twerp was pointing. "Are you sure Twerp? I don't see anything. Whatever it was must have gone now. "
The Twerp looked back out the window then turned away and sighed. "I guess you're right." He climbed into his bed and said good night to Oracle and Mummy who had been listening to the boys talking. They waved back at him and put away their little chess set before snuggling down in their own beds in the bookcase.
"Get some sleep Twerp, everything will be fine in the morning." said Draco as he tucked the blankets in around the Twerp and the stuffed black dog that was beside the Twerp. Draco went back to his own bed and laid down. He stared up at the ceiling as he did some thinking. Eventually he fell asleep and when morning came he forgot about the late night disturbance.
Ssssssssssssssssssssssss
"Mate, you look like you've had a rough night of it." commented Ron as Draco came down to breakfast. "Twerp give you a hard time?"
Severus looked up quickly from his breakfast then shrugged and then poured some syrup over the pancakes and sausage that Molly had set in front of him and started to eat.
"No, I just couldn't get to sleep till late," answered Draco. " I was thinking about some things and I guess time went by without my noticing it."
"Well you're up now and your breakfast won't improve with age," said Molly as she set some piping hot sausages and rashers of bacon onto his plate with a soft boiled egg in a cup and buttered toast. "Eat up."
Draco grinned and picking up his knife started to cut the top off his boiled egg. He noticed that the Twerp was munching quite happily on his usual stack of pancakes layered thickly with syrup with sausages on the side.
Molly looked fondly at the Twerp as she thought back to when he first came to the Burrow and was unable to eat a small stack of pancakes and sausages. He still wasn't able to eat as much as her own boys did at his age but the fact that he was enjoying his food more made her heart feel good.
"There is an owl coming mother." said Percy as he looked out the opening above the kitchen door. "That's strange, I wonder what it's bringing! The Hogwarts letters already arrived and the Daily Prophet was delivered ten minutes ago."
"It's an Owl from the Ministry!"exclaimed Arthur as he adjusted his glasses.
"Curious," commented Percy, "I wonder what is up!"
The Owl flew in and instead of going to Arthur or Percy it flew over and held its leg out to Draco for him to take the rolled and sealed parchment. Draco was momentarily startled but quickly took the parchment after getting a quick peck on the hand.
"Ouch, all right I've got it." Draco said irritably as he gave the grave looking owl a treat. The Owl hooted and took off back out of the window.
"What is that all about?" asked Ginny whose hand filled with toast and jam was poised halfway to her mouth, temporarily forgotten as she gazed at the imposing looking seal that was on the parchment.
Draco broke open the seal and unfolded the parchment. A large ornate key dropped out which he grasped firmly and looked at in disbelief. He skimmed the contents quickly and his mouth opened in shock. His hands began to tremble which made Molly look at him with great concern. "What is it Draco?"
Draco stared at the parchment as he said with disbelief. " They are releasing Malfoy Manor to me." He looked up. "And a trust fund that I am to get once I turn of age."
"Oh wow." Ginny said. "That is amazing."
"Unbelievable." said Ron, "It isn't a joke is it?"
"Take a look." Draco handed the document to Molly wordlessly and she read it over and handed it to Arthur.
"For services rendered," Arthur's eyebrow rose as he continued to read. He shook his head and looked at Draco. "Keep this safe Draco, In fact it would be wise to store it in your vault at Gringotts." He handed it to Percy.
"Good idea, I'll do that." Draco looked down at the key still grasped in his hand. "Do I have to take possession now? I don't know what to do, maybe I should Owl mother and ask if she would like to have the Manor to live in if she comes back to Britain."
"According to this document, The Ministry had sent her notice that all real properties and personal wealth belonging to Lucius Malfoy were to be confiscated and she said she has no desire to return and requested that you receive Malfoy Manor and the trust fund for deeds rendered during the war against Voldemort."
A slight look of sadness crossed Draco's face as he had secretly hoped that his mum would reconsider and return.
"You can still stay with Sirius and me." said Harry as he realized what Draco was thinking . "It wouldn't do for you to be tottering about in that mausoleum on your own."
" Yeah after all we have just got used to having you around." said Ron, "And anyway the manor might not be safe yet."
"You're right, Aunt Bellatrix and Father might be there," said Draco " I wouldn't want to take the chance that they may have booby trapped it either."
"The wards were changed by the Ministry when they took possession after the trials" said Percy. "Nobody could enter or leave without setting off an alarm."
"Maybe I had better wait awhile before I decide anything." He took back the document and folded it around the key again and set it down beside his plate. "Anyway my breakfast needs to be eaten."
"Will we be going to Diagon Alley to get our school supplies sometime soon?" asked Ginny. "It's hard to believe that summer is nearly over."
Once they were finished their breakfast and drank the last of their tea, Arthur and Percy stood up ready to leave for the Ministry and their work. They said their goodbyes and after Arthur kissed Molly they both left the house and apparated away.
"We will go in a few days Ginny." answered Molly "This morning however, I would like to have the garden de-gnomed and I do not wish to hear any arguments." She looked sternly at Ron who mumbled under his breath.
"We better get to it then." Ron grumbled as he pushed himself away from the table and stood up. He turned around and headed outside without waiting for any of the others to join him.
The Twerp didn't care either way as he considered it an interesting pastime to wander in among the weeds and tall grass while hunting and catching the wily gnomes. He had learned how to swing them in great circles to make them dizzy enough to throw so they couldn't find their way back for a while. The only thing he had to beware of was their sharp pointy teeth which they would willingly use on him.
"What's got up his wand?" asked Draco as he followed the other teens outside into the garden.
"He hates to do the de-gnoming." said Ginny cheerfully. "Dad's soft with them and thinks they're funny. So they keep coming back into the garden."
The Twerp noticed several gnomes running madly away from Crookshanks who was enjoying the chase. He followed the orange Kneazle cat into the deeper grasses which hid his slender form from sight.
For about half an hour or so he had fun as he waited and then jumped up to grab, spin and throw the gnomes that hadn't paid attention to him as they did their best to avoid Crookshanks.
Thinking that for fun he could sneak up and scare one of the teens, he flattened himself to the ground and shifted forward to where he could see the teens who were looking among the peony and rose bushes for Gnomes. Waiting a moment he located the closest target and moving forward stealthily, leaped like he imagined a Nundu or giant leopard would and roared.
"TWERP!" Hermione screamed loudly as she being startled, jumped and fell backwards against Draco who was stunned for a couple of moments as he hadn't expected to be knocked over.
For a few seconds there was silence then Draco started to laugh along with Harry and Ron. "Gee Granger I didn't think I'd ever fall for you that suddenly." he quipped as he picked himself up off the dusty ground.
Hermione blushed as Draco helped her up and then she looked over in the direction of the Twerp who was smirking as he ran back into the tall grasses.
"Oh if only we could have taken a picture." chortled Harry as he folded his arms around his stomach. "That was funny."
"Boys." Hermione said as she glared at Harry and Ron who was also laughing. Once she got over the shock she found her own mouth starting to twitch into a lopsided grin as she found the humour in the situation.
Molly having overheard Hermione's scream, flew out of the house with their wands at the ready.
"What's happened?" Molly asked anxiously while she took in the fact that the boys were laughing, Ginny trying to keep from laughing and Hermione shaking her head as she looked towards the longer grasses in the garden.
"Where's the Twerp?" she asked apprehensively as she noted that the Twerp was not in sight.
"Oh he's fine." said Ginny as she pointed towards the long grasses that were moving slightly. "He was just having a little fun scaring Hermione."
"Oh, I thought ... never mind... "Molly said as she replaced her wand inside her apron pocket. "TWERP come here please." she said firmly.
Severus was alarmed as he had been only having fun, he didn't think he had caused any real harm. Sighing he stood up and walked slowly towards Molly. He knew she wouldn't hit him but he wondered if he had earned a stern tongue lashing for scaring Hermione.
Albus sighed, knelt down and hugged the woebegone boy, who looked at him sadly, obviously waiting for a tongue lashing. "We're not angry with you. It's just that when I heard Hermione yell out your name, I thought something had happened to you. Please remember to stay within sight of the house and to remind you not to go too far away from the others all right?"
Severus nodded, relieved that he wasn't in serious trouble. Molly smiled and hugged the small boy before she headed back into the house.
The Twerp and the teens finished the job of de-gnoming the garden and then filled in the rest of the day with games of Quidditch, gobstones, climbing trees, reading and other pursuits of a happy whizarding childhood--- he only interruption being meal and snack times.