He glanced up as the door opened, smiling when the young Malfoy boy came through. Oddly the boy had his familiar perched on his shoulder.

'Mr Malfoy, please take a seat, how can I help you?'

The blonde paused for a moment, then sat and silently regarded the man. Horace let him do so, realising whatever the young man had to say was important.

'I'd like to make a proposition sir' Draco finally spoke.

Horace' eyebrows rose.

'Oh? And what would that be?'

Draco took a breath and let it out slowly. All their research led them to believe that Slughorn was not one of Dumbledore's lackeys. However the same research led them to believe that it was Slughorn that had given Tom Riddle the information he needed on creating his horcruxes. While that alone was bad, they all realised that the man hadn't forced the boy to make them. And from what little they knew about the conversation the pair had (which was mostly thanks to Lucius managing to catch Slughorn for a chat and subtly probing for information. Thankfully Slughorn was just grateful that the blonde had chosen to remove himself from Voldemort's influence, otherwise he might have been a little more suspicious), the man had explained the process more as a way to warn the boy off, not to encourage him. Given all this, it was ultimately agreed that Slughorn would prove a good ally. They hoped, given Draco's own connections that he could talk the man into joining their side.

But to do that, Harry had to make an appearance.

'You are a world renowned Potions Master, and have a good connection with several important people. You are also known to be fair regardless of house or race'.

Draco paused, then with another breath, and Phantom squeezing his shoulder reassuringly, pressed ahead.

'With that said, what are your thoughts about Harry Potter?'

Horace could honestly say he was surprised. But he had been put into Slytherin for a reason, and putting two and two together realised that the Malfoy heir was apparently closer to this supposed Dark Lord than he let on. Thinking a little more on the situation he wondered if this was why Lucius Malfoy had chosen to have a chat with him. Was it possible that the Malfoy family had chosen to side with the Potter lad?

Horace beamed, quickly standing and closing the door. He quickly put up privacy charms around his office, noticing the young man tense slightly.

'I do apologise for all the cloak and dagger, however I've been hoping to speak about young Mr Potter for some time. However I've been blocked quite often by the Headmaster from talking to his friends. I hadn't realised you and he were quite close, but this appears to work out for the two of us. This way we'll have some privacy' he explained, taking his seat once more.

Draco seemed to relax a little, then spoke up, making a mental note to tell the others the Headmaster had been poking his nose in once again.

'Yes, as you have realised, I know Harry, and I'm a part of his group. I'm relatively new, in comparison to his other friends, however we are still very close. What you have to understand though is that this is far bigger than you might realise'.

'Oh?' Horace replied, leaning forward with his chin on his hands. He then realised the young man was waiting for him to answer the previous question, so he took a moment to gather his thoughts.

'I can honestly say that the boy intrigues me. This outcry of him being a Dark Lord…I'll admit he has made quite an impression. Appearing with all those creatures in such a manner, then vanishing with key members of the public. Plus his friends of course'.

He sat back on his chair with a sigh.

'A small part of me is convinced that he's up to no good. However the rest of me would rather get the full story. Here we have a young man who is wealthy, from a good family, and all records show that he is a good person. I simply can't see him joining the very man who killed his parents, however I can't deny that he is powerful enough to make a name for himself'.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

'The public can be quite fickle at times. It's hard to join the masses on this one'.

Draco let out a small breath of relief. This could work.

'So, what would it take for you to believe his side of the story?'

Horace sat back up and regarded the young blonde.

'What I'd truly like is to speak with the young man himself. I have a feeling we're both here for that same purpose?'

If Draco was surprised he didn't show it. Instead he gave a small smirk.

'And if you could speak to him, you would let him tell the whole story before doing anything?'

Horace simple nodded. He had a feeling this meeting was going to turn out quite well.

Draco stood.

'Well then sir…'

Phantom launched himself from the blonde's shoulder, transforming mid flight.

'Meet Dark Lord Harry James Potter'.

OOO

Elsewhere two slightly different conversations were going on.

Neville took a deep breath, checked his precious cargo once more, then knocked on the door.

Professor Sprout appeared, smiling at her secret favourite student.

'Mr Longbottom, what can I do for you?'

'Professor Sprout, may I speak with you please, in private' Neville replied with a slightly nervous smile.

'Of course, come on in. Would you like some tea?'

The brunette found himself ushered into a seat with a cup in his hands. He fought a smile when he realised another cup would made an appearance, and wondered what the woman's expression would be when she saw it.

'Now what would you like to speak to me about?' Pomona asked.

When Harry had appeared, and then taken with him his friends and other students, she had been very worried, almost frantic, but at the same time she'd also been quite confused.

Regardless of what Albus had told the staff, she truly didn't believe young Harry had become evil. Dark, perhaps, but not evil.

She was old enough to believe that simply because you lean towards the darker aspect of life, doesn't make you hell bent on killing the masses just for the fun of it. Life wasn't black and white, and if it was then she herself would have been under scrutiny long ago. Most people really can't see plants as being anything other than things either eaten or used in potions. They can't seem to understand that plants are living things, and as such have their own ways of life. Magical plants especially. Everyone knew that Pomona spent a lot of time in the more dangerous greenhouses, and why not, she was a herbology master. But that wasn't the full story. Sure she had a fancy certificate, but she didn't work with these plants because of it. These plants spoke to her on a way very few people understood.

Take Devil's Snare, everyone knew it was dangerous, everyone knew it could and would kill just about anything it got its vines onto. And yet not a single person considered it dark or evil. It was just another plant, albeit one that you should watch out for. It wasn't treated like a dark creature which had to be destroyed at any cost. If anyone took the time to really understand these plants, they'd find that Pomona was probably as dark as Voldemort himself, without the evil to match. Only Pomona, and a few others, could raise these dangerous plants safely, but on the other end of the stick, only Pomona and a few others could set these plants on a killing spree just as easily as Voldemort does his deatheaters.

Something she happily taught to all students that took her class, without a single eyebrow raised.

It was something the slightly portly woman liked to chuckle about from time to time in the privacy of her office. There was a reason Helga Hufflepuff was a feared witch after all.

Young Neville too had, with his instinctual talents, a veritable army at his disposal, and she could bet that he knew it.

But we digress. The Headmaster had spoken of how young Harry had been possessed, and how they should rally together to defeat not only Voldemort, but Harry as well.

It didn't sit right with Pomona, and she knew it hadn't with some of the others as well.

If Mr Potter had been possessed, then surely there was a way to reverse it. Albus seemed to think it was death or nothing, but very few of the teachers really believed that. The lad could be taken to healers, or even the Goblins for help. She certainly remembered Filius talking about Goblin healers and how good they were.

However all that really mattered to her was that the missing students had safely returned to Hogwarts, and she'd heard that Miss Delacour and Mr Krum had also arrived back home safely. With them back, her attention returned to Mr Potter's strange behaviour, and how she could help.

'Well professor, this is kind of a delicate matter' Neville said, toying with his teacup before taking a sip and continuing.

'I realise a lot of people are wondering why myself, Hermione and Luna are here when we were supposedly kidnapped by Harry'.

He paused for a moment with a frown.

'The problem is that they all want to hear the same thing, that we were tortured or brainwashed in some way, and that Harry is evil'.

'And were you?' Pomona asked, ensuring there was no tone of accusation in his voice.

He gave her a small smile.

'No professor. The reason we all vanished was because Harry wanted to assure us that he wasn't evil. He knew that if he'd left us then we'd go mad with worry. The first thing he did when we saw him was swear an oath that he wasn't being possessed by V…Voldemort'.

Pomona fought the flinch and regarded the lad with wide eyes, and not just because he spoke the mad man's name.

'So, what happened afterwards? You were all gone for a while' she asked.

'We got some people together, made them realise that Harry wasn't out for their blood. Once they were convinced we spoke about what to do next. That discussion led me to your door professor'.

Neville sat his tea down and stood, bringing out a golden pillow trimmed with black. On top, was the Chalice of Hufflepuff.

Pomona couldn't have been more surprised if Voldemort himself had tap danced into the room.

'I'd like to present to you, Hufflepuff's Cup. Recovered from the vault of deatheater Bellatrix Lestrange and cleaned of any curse placed upon it'.

He handed the pillow to her.

'This is a gift from Harry, who was the one to discover where it had been hidden, and who paid the cost to have it cleansed. A token to the school and to the students and staff. He has not done this to bribe, but rather to hopefully make you realise that he is not Voldemort, and nor will he ever be'.

Pomona blinked, then blinked again, staring at the legendary item in her hands. She glanced up as Neville gave a soft chuckle.

'We discussed having a Hufflepuff present it to you, however we eventually decided I'd be the one to do to. I'm hoping professor, than you will let me talk about Harry without making any judgement until I'm done. If you feel you can believe me, then I'd like to reintroduce you to him, and let him tell his side of the story'.

Madam Sprout could do little more than nod. Then she gave a small smile. She had a feeling this meeting was going to be important. She just hadn't realised how important.

OOO

Master Flitwick had been staring between the Diadem in his hands, and the young woman who handed it to him for the past five minutes.

Luna wasn't quite sure he had heard her little speech about Harry. Pity really, she'd spent a while writing it.

'Professor, are you alright?'

Eyes snapped back to her, and finally Filius slumped into his seat.

'This is incredible! In all my years I never thought I'd see Ravenclaw's Diadem, let alone have it in my hands!'

'You can thank Harry and the twins for that sir. The twins came across it, and Harry was the one to recognise it for what it was' Luna spoke, carefully leaving out what the diadem had been made into and what it had almost done to Fred and George.

Filius resumed his staring for a moment longer, then he broke into chuckles.

His views on the world were quite similar to Pomona Sprout. Being part Goblin meant he was aware of at least one other culture, and even participated in some of the Goblin traditions. He knew that if anyone discovered that on each new moon he caught and killed a small animal, usually a rabbit, then used its body and blood in a small runic tribute to pay thanks for a good month, that they'd immediately accuse him of doing blood magic and have him in Azkaban before he could blink. While it was true he did perform a small blood offering, which was classed under ministry law as blood magic, he also did so with no evil intent. The animal he chose was not a mother, which would have left younglings to most likely die, but rather an older animal with little time left on this earth. The kill was painless and instant, and the meat was left for other animals when he was done.

It was a Goblin tradition and had been for centuries. The ministry wouldn't have seen it like that. He knew that they already frowned upon the use of blood quills within Gringotts, while at the same time praising them for aiding them in important documents.

Filius knew that those puffed up buffoons would most likely abuse their authority if they were to control the use of such items, something a Goblin would never do.

Then there was his duelling mastery. He had in fact killed before, but since it was a duel it was written off. Filius didn't like to kill, but at times he knew it was necessary, something which always stuck with him when Albus preached about forgiveness. Yes forgive and give second chances, but that's where the line should be drawn. Far too many people had, through Albus, been allowed to continue to rape, torture and murder, knowing they'd get a slap on the wrist and be let free.

This about turn attitude when it came to Mr Potter though was worrying, and Filius didn't like the way the old man was practically demanding the young lad's death.

He settled back and gave the young girl in front of him a smile. Luna was a raven he could be proud of, and damn anyone who tried to tell him otherwise.

'So then, you were telling me about young Harry?' he replied, making her realise that he had indeed heard her speech.

She smiled back at him.

OOO

'Guys! Guys you're not gonna believe this! Oliver's got his animagus form!'

'OH COME ON!' the twins cried.

'No wait you gotta hear this! Apparently he was in the middle of a brutal game when a bludger slammed into him and knocked him clean off his broom. All he can remember is the ground coming at him, and then suddenly he was back in the air. His coach said that if he hadn't transformed at that exact moment he might have died!' Katie let out in one breath.

The room was silent as they took that in.

'You know what?' George finally said.

'We're not even mad at him' Fred followed, summing up everyone else's view.

Katie then grinned.

'That's not even the best part'.

'What could be better than getting your animagus form?!' the twins demanded.

She chuckled.

'Referee said accidental transforming, which this definitely was cause you know how by the rules Oliver is with quidditch…'

'Us and everyone else who has ever met him' Lee chuckled.

'…wasn't against the rules, especially in circumstances like this. After he got back on the broom Oliver's team won the game'.

After that nothing was heard but cheers. Harry made a note to tell the others so Oliver could get his party.

He also noted that the girls giving the older boy the name Racer was a very good move.

OOO

Poppy had just finished putting the latest batch of potions away when Phantom flew into the hospital wing.

'Hello there, aren't you a handsome one' she spoke with a smile, reaching out to take the letter from his leg.

Harry gave a quiet shriek and flew to the water bowl she had left out for any owls.

Poppy frowned as she read, then slowly the frown softened and by the end of the letter she was smiling.

'Well it's about time! I had high expectations for that girl. Before that arranged marriage she could easily have become a healer. I wonder what changed her mind after all this time?'

She headed to her office to fetch some parchment and a quill. Sitting she brought forth all the memories she had of the young girl helping her out and listening in fascination to her lectures. With a small chuckle Poppy wrote out a lengthy reference, highlighting the times the girl had taken time out of her own busy schedule to volunteer in the hospital wing, and her good practical knowledge of healing spells.

With a flourish Poppy signed at the bottom and rolled the parchment up, tying a ribbon round it before heading back and attaching it to Phantom's leg.

As she watched him fly off she silently crossed her fingers for Narcissa's future career.

Far away there came a sudden squeal of delight. Lucius was too busy being dragged to the bedroom to wonder what had his wife so happy.

Harry, tempting as it was to stay, made a quick getaway before things could get too heated.

OOO

'Oh come now Xeno, surely you could give me a hint?'

Xenophilius' lips curved into an amused smile. The former Slytherin was really quite impossible to work with at times. He'd been trying to wheedle out how Xeno and his team were going to destroy the Dementors ever since the kids had returned to school. Hard to understand how others could fear Lucius when he acted so childishly. Very much like a kid being denied his favourite treat.

Lucius took the silence as a negative, pouting ever so slightly. Xeno chuckled.

'You will find out when the rest do, after the Dementors are gone'.

Huffing the Malfoy lord tried a different tactic, sidling up to the other man and pressing closely against him.

'Please…Just a, tiny…hint' he purred into the other's ear.

Xenophilius inwardly smirked. Very well, he would play this game.

'Well…perhaps I could…if given the right persuasion'.

Lucius smirked, he had him.

Xeno allowed himself to be pushed against the wall and his lips ravished. It was, and had been since they were students, a fantasy of his to have some fun with Lucius. Granted that was before the other man had signed his life away to a mad man. However, since he was now back to his former glory, there was nothing stopping him from finally fulfilling that fantasy.

Hips ground together and lips clashed as both men groaned in delight. There was a thought of moving to a more private area, however neither really had any desire to do so, quite comfortable as they were practically humping each other against the wall.

It was some time later that the two finally calmed, and after fixing his clothing, Lucius turned expectantly to Xenophilius.

'Ah yes, I did make that little promise, didn't I?' Xeno spoke.

Lucius simply raised an eyebrow, waiting.

Smirking Xeno made a show of rummaging through his robe pockets.

'I'm sure I had it here…' he muttered, growing more amused as Lucius became more impatient.

Finally, just as the former Slytherin was about to start his own search, Xeno pulled out a couple sheets of parchment, rolled neatly together and tied with ribbon.

'Here we are, now I must insist on this staying between us. After all, if those in my department learned that I had given out secrets…'

'My lips are sealed, I assure you' Lucius replied, accepting the parchment quite eagerly.

Xeno sighed a little in relief, leaning in to steal a final kiss before heading out the manor.

Lucius watched him go, then quickly untied the ribbon and rolled out the parchment.

'My dear Lucius, do you really think I had not anticipated this?'

The second piece had a large smiley face drawn on it.

'LOVEGOOD!'

Xenophilius laughed and quickened his pace, hoping to make it to the ministry before the other man could catch up.

OOO

'So what's everyone doing for Christmas?' Hannah asked.

'I'm going skiing with my parents, but I'm hoping to spend a few days at the manor too. Problem is I don't know what to get for everyone' Hermione answered.

'I think we're all in the same boat with that one Hermione. I have no idea what to get for half our group' Neville said with a smile.

'Well if it helps, Severus and my father are fond of dark chocolate, and my mother prefers white. I'm not fussed either way' Draco said.

'Chocolate is always a safe bet. You could always add in a little novelty item if you don't think it's enough' Susan spoke to Hermione.

'It doesn't seem all that personal' the girl replied.

'True, but if you get extravagant gifts for everyone it would cost you a fortune' Hannah pointed out.

'Why not do a secret Santa?' Katie spoke up.

'A what?' Neville asked.

'A secret Santa. Everyone writes their name on a strip of parchment, folds it up and puts it in a hat or bowl. Then it's shaken and each person picks out a piece. The name you pick is the person you buy a present for, and it's supposed to be kept a secret until the day. Of course you can ask other people about the person, but you're not allowed to tell that person that you've got them. You can still give everyone a card, but this way you don't have to worry about finding gifts for everyone, and break your bank account doing so' Katie explained.

'What if you pick out your own name?' Susan asked intrigued.

'Anyone who picks out their own name has to put it back in and pick another until everyone has a different person to buy for' Katie replied.

'Oh that's clever! We should do that!' Luna declared with a clap of her hands.

OOO

'Where are those two?!' Katie huffed.

They had all been called to see the twins latest product and the result of months of work, and the pair were late.

'They probably just got caught up in some celebratory prank, again' Angelina spoke.

'And they didn't include me!' Lee protested.

Katie was about to hush the boy up when the door opened.

'Finally! I was ready to drag you both here by your …!'

They looked in confusion at the empty entryway.

'Ok guys, very funny. Where are you?' Hermione called.

Phantom gave out a cry of amusement, taking flight and swooping down to flush a pair of squirrels out from hiding. With twin squeals the pair made a dash to the group, clambering up and curling into Draco's lap.

'Oy, leave me out of it!' the blonde exclaimed with a grin, dumping them back on the ground.

The chattering pair were eyed by Crookshanks. As Harry gave chase again the cat unfurled himself and decided to join in.

The group laughed as the pair were chased round the room, finally giving up and transforming back as they collapsed on the couch.

'Unfair you two!' Fred panted.

'Yeah! We were just having a laugh!' George wheezed.

Crookshanks gave a meow of contentment and planked himself in one of the twin's lap. Phantom flew down to nuzzle the other twin.

'Ruddy familiars' the pair spoke together as they caught their breaths.

'Well obviously this calls for a party, but I thought you called us here about a potion or something' Neville asked.

The pair waved him off, taking a few more minutes to calm down. Then as one they stood, energy back, and made their way over to a crate hidden behind the cauldron.

'TA DA!'

'It's a box' Hermione deadpanned.

'Oh it's not just a box!'

'This here's out latest…'

'Most greatest…'

Most spectacular achievement!'

The pair pulled the cover back.

'BEHOLD!'

The group came forward, peering in at the mass of multicoloured fur.

'It's a furry box' Alicia spoke.

Fred rolled his eyes and undid the latch. He reached in and came out with a tiny ball of cooing fluff.

'Oh, it's like a tiny Puffskein!' Luna squealed.

'Precisely!'

'This here is the result of a great deal of work…'

'A great great deal of work…'

'That came from an idea…'

'That we had when we saw…'

'That nest of Puffskeins taken from Sirius' place'.

'Behold!'

'The Pygmy Puff!'

The little critter just purred.

'Aww…they're really cute!' Katie gushed, coming forward to scoop it out Fred's hand.

'This is incredible guys!' Susan said and she and Hannah carefully plucked two from the crate.

'Of course…'

'We don't do anything else but incredible!'

Draco snorted, reaching in to pick out a green one. He bounced it slightly, listening to it purr.

'So this is the project not even I could look at'.

'Well we wanted this one to be a complete surprise' George said.

'Not to worry though, oh co partner of ours, you'll have full access with everything else' Fred followed, slinging an arm around the blonde's shoulder.

Draco nodded idly, then his head shot up.

'Co partner'.

'Why yes…'

'Didn't we tell you earlier…?'

The pair gave him innocent grins.

Draco glanced back at the ball of fluff.

'You really want a Slytherin as a co partner?'

'Who else can we trust…?'

'To make sure we achieve the best…?'

'Possible outcome for our shop!'

George pulled out a sheet of parchment.

'See look, we've got it all planned out…'

'Harry's our investor…'

'Lee's our assistant…'

'OY!'

'The lovely chaser girls can help out and earn some cash until they get that big quidditch endorsement deal'.

'And you can help us run the place'.

'And the rest of us?' Hermione asked.

'Well we need our first customers to draw in the crowds' the pair replied.

'Well I'm happy enough with that. So how much are you selling these cuties for?' Susan asked.

The pair grinned.

'Well that depends on age…'

'We reckon the lovely Hermione will fetch in at about ten thousand…'

'And the dashing Lee will probably come in at around seven or eight thousand…'

'Ha ha guys. Now seriously how much for the Pygmy Puffs' Susan interrupted with an eye roll.

'No keep going, I want to see how much they rate us' Draco spoke with a smirk.

He had a pillow launched at his head.

Fred and George pushed the crate forward.

'Well to answer your question…'

'We thought it wasn't very fair…'

'To charge our friends…'

'So you can all have one…'

'For free!'

'Are you guys sure? We really would be happy to pay' Hermione asked.

'Nonsense!'

'Help yourselves!'

With an air of excitement the group dived in to pick out one they liked.

'What will you do with the rest? You can't start selling them here they'd be confiscated' Neville asked.

'Not to worry old chap…'

'We'll be sending the rest to the manor…'

'I daresay old Moony and Padfoot…'

'Would love to see them'.

'You're not making them co partners? They seem like the type that would love it?' Draco asked.

The pair glanced at each other.

'Hadn't thought of that…'

'Maybe they can help us run our overseas company'.

'You have an overseas company?' Hermione asked.

She was answered with a grin.

'Not yet'.

OOO

Harry wasn't sure how he'd made it to the room of requirement without flying into things. For that matter, he wasn't sure how he'd left the room without tearing that vile woman apart with his bare hands. He was so angry he barely noticed the door hadn't yet closed as he transformed.

'Harry what are you doing?! Change back quick!' Hermione demanded in panic, flicking her wand to fully close and lock the door.

The boy didn't appear to have heard, his magic flaring out in anger, fists clenched so hard they were worried he'd break the skin.

'Harry?' Hannah spoke, leaning back at the show of power.

'A blood quill' was the whispered response.

'What?' Neville asked nervously.

'She has been using a blood quill on the students she brings to detention' Harry growled.

He had finally been able to find a way into the woman's office, just in time to scramble to a shadowy corner to witness the pink clad demon forcing a second year muggleborn to carve into his own hand.

This alone was bad enough, but it was the sentence written that really raised Harry's hackles.

"I must accept that I am a mudblood".

As expected the group weren't pleased with the news, those that didn't know were quickly told. Hermione especially took it very badly.

'A…A BLOOD QUILL! WHY THAT SLIMY TWO FACED MUTANT TOAD BITCH! I'LL HEX HER INSIDE OUT! I'LL TURN HER INTO A MATE FOR TREVOR…!'

'Hermione that's horrible! Poor Trevor!' Luna cried.

'I'LL HANG HER FROM THE CEILING BY HER FAT LITTLE TOES! THAT SHE DEVIL! THAT…!'

Fred leaned in to his twin.

'Remind me never to make her angry' he whispered as they watched Hermione fume.

They paled as slowly she turned to them.

'Angry? Oh no, this is more than angry. This is way more than just simple anger. I'm ready to tear that…that…woman apart!'

She then grinned, making the twins and everyone else gulp.

'But… I think it would be fairer if Madam Bones got a piece of her first. I hear those two have quite the rivalry'.

Susan quickly caught on and smirked.

'Oh they do, even more so than the old rivalry the Weasleys had with the Malfoys. You're quite right Hermione, I think auntie should hear about this'.

'But first…' Draco quickly pitched in.

'Get that blonde kid with the camera permanently strapped to his neck to take plenty of photos'.

'The more evidence, the better the chance of taking the bitch down' Angelina agreed with a nod.

'Better still, have everyone give their memories as well. We have plenty of phials we can use to store them' Katie added.

'Right then! Lee go and grab Colin. Susan use Phantom to write to your aunt. Draco, Fred, George, we could use a lot of healing potions after we've got the shots we need. Anyone who has some spare phials if they could grab them as well. The rest of us can gather up everyone that's had a detention with that…woman' Hermione instructed.

'Come on Hermione…'

'You can say it…'

'You did a few moments ago…'

'It starts with a B…'

She scowled at the pair, then stuck her nose in the air with a smirk.

'That bitch! Bitch bitch bitch!'

'Atta girl!' the twins praised as the group sprung into action.

'Gotta admit, when she goes off like that, it's kinda hot' Draco admitted as he fished out his potions kit.

Harry, finally having calmed and changed back, watched them organise. As proud as he was of them, he felt this crime deserved something far more than a visit from Madam Bones and her aurors.

Which was why, after the story had made the headlines, the toad sentenced, and everything had calmed down, Umbridge was going to disappear.

If he was vindictive, he would say that he'd return her, piece by piece, to her precious minister.