Disclaimer: I own nothing concerning Harry Potter or JK Rowling.

With the children taken care of, the Veela adults were contemplating their next move. They'd made a scene in the Hall and owls were sure to be flying out within the day with news to parents. Augusta admitted that she had enjoyed seeing Albus taken down a few pegs and the faith of his Deputy shaken, if only a little. "That woman is so loyal to Albus, it's sickening. It's about time she woke up."

Marcus told the Longbottom matriarch that they were planning to ally themselves with the Malfoys and Snape in order to remove both men from the precarious position of the Dark Lord's inner circle. Severus was proving to be easiest as Harry was becoming very close to the Potions Master. With Lucius, Narcissa and Draco's goodwill to the Wildwind family would prove valuable.

Of course Augusta had concerns because of the men being former Death Eaters but Magnus began to remind her of some things. Severus had been odd man out during his time in Hogwarts and hounded by the Marauders. Add to that, Lily's rejection and Dumbledore's negligence, Severus had been ripe for the picking by the Dark Lord. Yet he'd tried to honestly redeem himself by playing spy and placing himself at risk, even if Dumbledore had manipulated him into it.

Lucius, on the other hand, really had been pretty much manipulated into service if you took into account his background. Abraxas Malfoy had been almost fanatic in his blood-purist ways and supported the Dark Lord's ideals, pushing them onto his son from birth no matter what Lucius might have wanted. According to Narcissa, Lucius suffered verbal abuse even after he'd married her, Abraxas constantly pushing for an heir and threatening to do the deed himself as time went on. Thankfully, he'd never followed through with the threat, succumbing to dragon pox before Draco had been conceived.

His father's death hadn't done much to relieve Lucius as the Dark Lord's focus shifted to the new Head and demanded that the Malfoy tithe continue. He'd also spoken of Draco following into his forces once he'd reached the proper age. Needless to say, Lucius had been greatly relieved when word came of Harry Potter defeating his 'master'.

With these secrets unveiled, Augusta was inclined to think more kindly toward the Malfoys. She thanked Draco for attempting to help Neville in the Great Hall that morning and the youngest Malfoy flushed a little. "Weasley was sitting there eating it up without a care and no-one seemed to notice them, not even Professor McGonagall. Made us want to hit someone." Harry clenched his fists in remembrance.

Magnus chuckled. "I am pleased that you managed to hold your tempers, hard as it probably was. Harry, how would you feel if Hermione spent time with us over Christmas?" Harry was startled. "Why the sudden decision, Uncle?" Magnus sighed. "Hermione is ostracized in her muggle neighborhood because of her looks and love of books. Her thirst for knowledge and the need to prove herself is doing the same here. Her parents feel that if she were exposed to more of the magical world, she would realize that there is more to it than what she reads. I have offered to take her in as my ward in order to help her fit in better. That would mean that she would be spending time with you and Draco. We have yet to ask her but in the event that she agrees, would you two be able to accept her presence? Become her friends?"

Almost immediately, Harry nodded. "I've thought that if someone could explain how our world works and why, she would be more open-minded. That's the main reason she's always alone; no-one wants to listen to her ramble on." Magnus didn't rebuke his pupil, knowing that his description of Hermione was accurate. "Then we shall make her welcome and help her to become a witch worthy of the Wildwind name."

Sabrina overheard everything and giggled. "I just hope you're ready when she hits puberty in a few years, Uncle. You'll be begging Mother and I for advice." Harry and Draco were astonished when the older Veela male actually flushed at the thought before snickering, even though they had no idea what Sabrina meant.

A moment later, Minerva entered the infirmary. Augusta tensed and Poppy looked slightly irate as she still wasn't pleased about two children not being sent to her after an attack they'd been directly involved in and thus worsening their conditions. But it was Sabrina's outright glare that caused the Deputy Headmistress to hesitate slightly before asking, "How are they doing, Poppy?"

The Medi-witch snorted. "Miss Granger was treated for a fever and numerous cuts, as Lord Wildwind deduced. Mr. Longbottom was exhausted from using an overpowered spell and a sleepless night. Not to mention post-traumatic stress with both. Honestly, Minerva... did you not even look them over last night after the incident?"

Minerva fought the urge to squirm in discomfort; this was the reason why the Medi-witch was known as the 'Dragon Lady' by the students and staff, she had the temper and protective instinct of one. "We had to figure out how the troll got into the castle-"

"Dragon dung!" Poppy spat. "A simple diagnostic would've taken a minute. At the very least, you as the Head of House should've escorted Mr. Longbottom and Miss Granger back to their dorms, as Severus did with his charges. Instead you award points for luck and leave them to find their way to their beds, probably suffering the after-effects of adrenaline rush and fear."

Minerva was flushing with embarrassment, hating that Poppy was giving her a tongue-lashing in front of important guests. She was still flustered by the previous scene in the hall and this newest one caused her temper to spike too. "I had more important things on my mind at the time!" Then she paled, realizing what she'd said.

Augusta was clearly livid. The Grangers were openly glaring at the Transfiguration professor. But it was the Veelas and their cold stares that made Minerva flinch. She'd dug herself an even deeper hole with the near-admittance that she hadn't cared to examine her lions.

"Pray tell, Professor, what could be more important than the safety of children? Why is the appearance of a troll more important than the safety of the students? Why did Dumbledore order the students back to their dorms when the troll could've already been out of the dungeons and looking for targets? They could've been safe in the Great Hall until the creature had been dealt with." Magnus' tone was winter itself; he was beyond angry. "While you think about that, will you please leave us, Professor? We were in the middle of a conversation."

Minerva was grateful for the out she'd been given. A quick bow and she was gone in a flash of dark green. Once the door closed, Poppy threw up her hands. "Merlin and Morganna, ever since Albus promoted her to Deputy Headmistress, she's changed. She cares more about staying in that old coot's graces than caring about her students!" Marcus shook his head. "I would say that she lets her feelings for the old man get in the way." Harry and Draco shuddered at the thought. "Eww, Grandfather! That's just gross!"