My Green Eyed Mystery (remake)

by HarpieKing07

AU. Now that Voldemort has been defeated again, the Ministry still under the rule of Fudge, has issued a Repopulation Act. So it happened that Ginny Weasley ends up engaged to the coldest snake in Slytherin named Harry Potter. However as most things these days, nothing is quite how it seems.

37. Behind the scenes

A/N: And here it finally is. :) I apologise for not completing the chapter sooner, but as always personal life intruded into the creative process. :D
At first I was not really sure how to approach the chapter. I realise that I've made quite a LOT of characters and it's interesting to try and place the events into their own points of view. As always, as I started to write the chapter the story kind of evolved on its own, so I hope you will like the "evolution".
I wanted to narrate the chapter through characters, who really didn't get so much time yet...
To be clear, this chapter is kind-of the last peaceful one before the big storm.
It should provide all the explanation to the going-on's and the things that are to come in the chapters after this.
Also I couldn't help but place a reference to my other ongoing Harry Potter story there, but since they're connected...
As always my initial approach was a bit narrow and I ended up adding a few additional scenes there as I went.
Well... with as much said, enjoy the chapter and look forward the "big storm" that's looming about. :)

HK07

Chapter 37: Behind the scenes

The Reformation Act and the newly formed Grand Noble Government seemed to be a very fitting end to a highly eventful year. And quite like every other major piece of news, the Wizarding Community certainly took it as such.

Most of the Wizarding pubs all around the country were even busier than they would normally be during the final days of the year.

Once again, everyone was discussing the matter endlessly. And that went double for places like The Leaky Cauldron where the entire pub seemed to be conversing.

"About time that Fudge realised that his Ministry is not up to the task."

"Yes, just like he said - he surrendered some of his power to secure the future for us all. A mark of a great man, if you ask me."

Several voices were heard - some in approval, others in the exact opposite.

"Codswallop! He simply had no other choice. Furthermore, there is a rumour that he's actually taking orders from the Traditionalists."

"That's a dirty lie! The Traditionalists are going about it in their own way - after all, they're led by Hyperion Greengrass!"

"Yes, the son of old Adrastos. And you do remember what an efficient Head of Magical Law Enforcement Adrastos was."

"Firm hand at the Ministry – that's what the place needed for years."

"Too firm by the sound of it. He was even talking about wanting to reinstate the Parkinson Laws."

"A return to the golden days then."

"Are you mad?! A return to the 19th century more likes!"

"Maybe it's not a bad idea. I mean, how else are they going to clean the Ministry of corruption...?"

Everyone knew - as the Daily Prophet famously reported three days ago - that the Reformation Act was to thoroughly reorganise the Ministry of Magic, cleansing each and every single office of the plague called corruption. However, it was very clear, that not everyone was eager for the way the Ministry and the Grand Noble Traditionalists want to go about it.

"Maybe it would be much better to hear what the Opposition has to say."

"Oh, please... The Opposition?! They're headed by that young upstart Zabini!"

"Aye! What could a kid do?!"

However, there were as many voices heard in the favour of Grand Noble Opposition, as those which were full of scepticism.

"The kid, as you say, is quite the speaker. And I'll have you know, that a LOT of what he had said in his last official speech was RIGHT!"

"Reminds me of his father, the young Zabini does..."

"Right - just like old Balthazar."

"And the Opposition also has Eldritch Macmillan as well. I've heard that the Slughorns are also members of it."

"Flints and Malfoys too, I've heard..."

Angelina Weasley watched the large group of witches and wizards continue their conversation spiritedly.
She sighed, shook her head and sipped some more from her drink. She, Katie and Alicia were sitting here for an hour or so, waiting for their respective husbands to arrive from work.

"You know, this seems to be the only thing everyone is talking about for the last three days." noted Alicia.

"And everywhere! I seriously can't wait for New Year to arrive. At least there will be some time to rest a bit." said Katie.

"And I have a feeling, that we'll need all the rest we can get. We might be in for an even more eventful year."

Angelina's remark merely left the other two girls nodding.

"Although... it's a bit hard to imagine. Especially with how eventful this one was." said Katie, looking at her hand where a bright-gold ring was gleaming, a fond smile gracing her lips.

"Yes. Thinking back, things HAVE been going very fast this year." nodded Alicia, also looking at her ring.

"Hear, hear. In January we were on alert, then fought You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters, and then, out of the blue had to get married." said Angelina, ticking each point on her fingers.

Just as she said it, she beamed, as well as Katie.

Fred, George and Lee Jordan had just walked into the pub.
Quickly manoeuvring through the giant amount of people in the pub, they made their way to them.
As soon as they did, George and Lee kissed their respective wives and sat down.

"The end-of-the-year summary went all right then?" asked Angelina, looking at the three of them, scanning their radiant smiles.

"Couldn't be better." said Lee, giving them a thumbs-up.

"It was even better than we expected. We're free until New Years." said George, placing an arm over Angelina's shoulder and kissing her cheek again.

She however looked sceptically at him.

"Isn't that a waste? Not that I wouldn't like to laze around with you for a few days, but aren't the biggest orders of fireworks before New Year's?"

"Yes, they are..." started George.

"But... we can't sell anymore fireworks..." added Fred.

"Since we're completely sold out." they finished together.

The girls gasped at this.
All three of them knew that Fred and George had always made it a point to have as big a supply of fireworks as possible, since they are one of the most favourite items of their shop.
In fact, more than once they wondered what a massive display of brightly coloured explosions would occur, if one single spark EVER reached their fireworks storage room.

"You won't believe it, but a massive order was made today by the Ministry." said Lee, shaking his head.

"The Ministry?" the girls asked as one.

"Yup. Believe it or not, but they've actually ordered six hundred pieces. One of EACH and EVERY type." explained Fred.

The girls only exchanged awed looks.
Though the fireworks themselves weren't all that expensive, it was very clear that such an order must've cost A LOT.

"One thousand four hundred Galleons, all in one go." nodded George happily.

"HOW MUCH?!"

Fred, George and Lee grinned and nodded.

"What would they need so many fireworks for?" breathed Angelina.

"Who cares - this way, we can easily afford to have the shop closed until New Year passes." said Fred happily.

"And enjoy a little bonus too." added Lee, winking at Katie.

"So, we can spend all this time in the Burrow with the rest of the family."

Angelina grinned at her husband, liking this suggestion very much.

Before anyone could say anything else, the conversation of the majority of the pub became more and louder.

"... and the rumours say, that it was the young Potter is behind the Opposition."

"I heard that too. My little brother, who is at Hogwarts right now, said that he actually opposed Athena Kellen."

"Not just that - I heard that he is very critical of Fudge's politics."

"Just like his grandfather in that case. You young ones can't remember it, but old Charlus Potter very actively opposed Minister Fawley, years and years back. Since he was seventeen in fact - just like the young Potter is now."

There was a sound murmur among the lot of them. Most of the voices however were doubtful.

"There are nasty rumours about him - there always have been..."

"Yes. Since the Chamber of Secrets incident. I was still in my sixth-year back then. And almost all our House thought that HE was the Heir of Slytherin."

Angelina bit her lip. It was not too long ago, when she said something similar.

She shared a small look with Fred and George as they listened on.

"They say he's a Parselmouth! And that he actually keeps snakes as pets." said another of the younger wizards, making several others gasp.

"Some even say that he's another Dark Lord in the making."

The group instantly went into another fervent discussion, some recalling the rumours they have heard from their children, some giving their views of how credible those may be, and some recalling a few stories from their own time at Hogwarts.

"Not this again..." grumbled Angelina, not liking the conversation one bit.

Fred and George however snickered.

"It seems, that our dear little bro-in-law is still as popular as ever, eh Fred?"

"Clearly, George. But our Noble Snakiness will surely take all this bright interest as a compliment."

Angelina shot both of them reproachful looks.

"Not funny, you two." she scolded.

"Oh come on, Angie. You know that Harry doesn't give a horse's arse about what people think about him." said George, waving his hand airily.

"And that's what worries me. I can't understand it... especially after the Grand Noble Assembly - it's like he doesn't want to be viewed nicely by the public at all." replied Angelina.

"Well... since the Assembly he's hardly ever at home. Guess he's just too busy to think about public views right now." said Fred with a shrug.

Lee, Katie and Alicia were looking at them in confusion.

"You never really told us... What is the real Harry Potter like?" asked Alicia, looking from Angelina to the twins.

The twins wasted no time in telling. Fred, who of course lived at the Potter Cottage, had much more to say than George.
Angelina smiled as she watched their three friends positively hang on each word, eager to hear everything. Soon enough, all of them were laughing.

"... He and Alice made up after the Quidditch game, but they still bicker like crazy. Lily said that they were always bickering like that since they were little. Me and Ginny made an agreement not to take sides in their arguments - it's not like we can get in between them anyway."

"I'm not sure anyone can get in between those two when they're arguing." said Angelina with a small giggle, having seen the Potter siblings in action.

"Neville can – he's about the only one. Well... unless we count Grandmum Evans... and sometimes Lily, if they get her too angry." snickered Fred.

"But I don't understand though... if he's like you say he is...then why doesn't he show it more?" Katie asked, positively puzzled about it.

"Ginny said that it's his Slytherin-mask. He only removes it, when he feels comfortable enough - he doesn't do it for just anyone."

Fred's explanation made the girls look at each other in mild exasperation while Lee slapped a hand to his forehead.

"Crazy snakes..." he muttered, still having a clear opinion about Slytherins... though an obviously better one now.

Katie and Alicia also seemed to have a better opinion as well.

"But still... actually having five snakes in the house..." breathed Alicia, shaking her head.

"If you think that's strange, you really should see what Lennox Manor looks like." said George, sharing a snicker with his brother and even his wife couldn't help but giggle.

"Don't be surprised to see a dinosaur there." added Fred, making his brother and sister-in-law roar with laughter.

Suddenly, they all became aware, that there was total and absolute silence in the pub.

All of them quickly looked around, wondering what could be wrong.
They at once saw that no one was paying any attention to them.
Every single witch and wizard in the pub had their eyes glued on the front door, looks of stunned amazement on most of their faces.

Lee slowly stood up to get a better view.

"What the hell?" breathed George, as the sounds of the newcomer's footsteps echoed in the complete silence.

Fred instantly recalled something similar from a Muggle movie he had seen at the Cottage not too long ago - a movie with those wackily dressed Muggles with their loud metal wands, that his wife and mum-in-law are so fond of.

Only now, it wasn't a Muggle... er, bullyboy or whatever they're called... but a wizard.
A wizard in a stylish lilac winter cloak with wavy blonde hair.

The Weasleys exchanged a confused look with their friends - this was the LAST person anyone would expect to see in the Leaky Cauldron right now.

Gilderoy Lockhart walked towards the bar-table, as if completely oblivious to all the staring his arrival had caused.

He stopped by the bar-table and flashed his trademark smile at old Tom - the landlord being as stunned as anyone else.

"A big Firewhiskey please, Tom. It's been a long day... and I'm afraid I will be in for a long night as well."

Lockhart's words had an instantaneous effect.

Several witches and wizards (the younger ones mainly), who had been conversing so fervently moments ago rushed towards him, eager to hear just what was their great hero doing.

"Well, with so many dangerous characters running around the country at the moment, I thought that I should offer my humble services to help the Ministry."

Fred and George exchanged disgusted looks, while many gave out sounds of the exact opposite.

"Yes indeed... spent half-the-day assisting the young Auror trainees with their tracking assignment. I was also very happy to pass on some helpful pointers to our young protectors - I daresay, that Team Six will benefit greatly from what I taught them today."

Lockhart's statement made the three Weasleys gasp and look at each other.

"Trainee Team SIX?! Oh no!" muttered Fred, slapping a hand to his forehead.

"That must've made Alice's day. She'll be in one hell of a temper when we get back to the Burrow." noted George.

"And I can't blame her! Especially if she had to put up with this idiot all day!" said Angelina, glaring the bar-table's prestigious new customer.

Fred also shot an angry look at Lockhart, but no one besides their table took the least bit notice.

Especially not Lockhart, who was speaking in a loud voice, determined to be heard by everyone.

"... Yes well, real heroes try to do everything necessary to find and capture the escaped Death Eaters."

Several people voiced their approval immediately.
"Aye! Not some masked vigilante, who simply thinks he's a hero!" exclaimed one of the older wizards, and several other exclamations followed.

Lockhart nodded and took the glass he ordered.

"Yes. He is not even a fake hero... but merely a raving maniac. All he cares about is his fame and notoriety and nothing more - not even caring HOW he achieves them." Lockhart explained sagely.

"Talking about yourself, are you?!" growled George quietly.

Angelina quickly placed a hand on his arm to calm him down, but couldn't exactly blame him for being so angry about it - he had told her how heroically Lockhart behaved when Ginny needed to be rescued from the damn Chamber of Secrets.

"But I am hot on his trail. I look forward to the day I finally catch the blasted maniac and tear that mask from his face - it's only a matter of time, people. The full details will of course be issued in the new book I've already started to write - Vanquishing the Vigilante." boomed Lockhart grandiosely.

Even Lee, Katie and Alicia looked disgusted at hearing this.

"Vanquishing the vigilante - as IF! Lockhart has no chance of catching the Masked Wizard!" growled Lee.

"He doesn't NEED to be caught, Lee! The Masked one is a hero - a REAL hero! I should know I saw him during the Halloween Inferi Incident." said Alicia.

"Hear, hear." piped George with a grin.

"Come to think of it... it might be interesting to see old Lockhart there duel the Masked Wizard." pondered Fred with an evil grin.

They shared a small laugh, imagining just what a show that would be.

"... Of course, I am also assisting with the Reformation Act as well." boomed Lockhart jovially, obviously answering an eager question.

The answer naturally aroused even more curiosity, as well as several other questions.

Clearly in his element, Lockhart took a sip from his Firewhiskey before shooting the crowd his most charming smile.

"I approve whole-heartedly - the situation has grown very serious indeed, both inside the Ministry and out."

He made a dramatic sigh, sipping some more of his drink.

"If only I had not been incapacitated during these last few years - it would definitely not have gone so far."

"My never-ending thanks to the person, who sent you to St Mungo's to begin with." grumbled Fred, gritting his teeth.

"And I hope he repeats that feat soon enough..." growled George, mimicking his twin.

Angelina was suddenly very grateful, that the boys were not able to order anything. She was slowly gaining the impression that they would do better to leave for the Burrow as quickly as possible.

"But the Noble Traditionalists certainly have got a clear view of how they will solve the problem. And with my help, I am very sure that we will do so quickly."

Lockhart blabbed on for about five more minutes, not forgetting to praise the Grand Noble Traditionalists as well as stress the prestigious relationship he enjoyed with them, and the changes that are already made.
It seemed to be making quite the impression on the eager crowd.

"... and with how Octavius McLaggen is already reorganising the Auror Office, I'm certain that there won't be much to be afraid of soon."

Fred sighed again.
Knowing about McLaggen, he could easily guess that any changes in the Auror Office would certainly be a world different from the way his father-in-law ran things.

"In fact, that is why the Minister feels that its safe to make an Official New Year's Celebration... right here in Diagon Alley."

That made everyone (including all on their table) gasp.

New Year Celebrations in Diagon Alley weren't an uncommon event, but this HAD to be the first time the Ministry wanted to prepare it.

Sure enough, someone had remarked just that.

"Yes well... with so much happening this year, there are several of us - like Minister Fudge or Madam Kellen - who feel that we should ease the situation on you common-folk a bit."

Angelina exchanged a look with Alicia and Katie.

"Who the hell does he think he's kidding?" grumbled Lee in disbelief.

"Heh... Fudge and Kellen of all people want to ease the situation?!" muttered George.

"Of course - and Death Eaters are founding the first Muggle Welfare Organization." said Fred with a straight face.

The others gave him a faint grin - they would've laughed in a different situation.

However it seemed, that they were about the only ones who didn't believe that Lockhart was telling the truth.
Several people already started to applaud him, as he retold his direct involvement in planning the celebration.

"Oh, you know me - I am always on you people's side." boomed Lockhart jovially, while being clapped on his shoulder, once again flashing around his most charming smile.

A few of the young women around him gave out girly squeals.
Lockhart downed his second Firewhiskey and signalled for quiet.

"But that's not all, ladies and gentlemen. I decided to add on a bit of my own little spin for the celebration. The Minister and Madam Kellen have given me the task of supervising the whole thing. I can promise lots of amusement. Music for instance will be supplied by Celestina Warbeck, lots of great food and drinks and on midnight, we will end this year with a blast - and I really DO mean a blast. You see, I have ordered my subordinates for the occasion to procure as many fireworks as they possibly can..."

Fred, George and Lee gasped, quickly looking at each other in a shocking realisation.

"... and I have been informed, that though at great expense, they have managed to get more than enough. The fantastic firework display will be my little New Year's gift to all of you."

Almost half of the pub cheered and applauded.
Lockhart stood up and did a few dramatic bows, only adding to the cheers.

"Another Firewhiskey on my tab, Tom - for our hero, Gilderoy Lockhart." called one of the wizards to the landlord and the whole pub cheered like crazy.

Though old Tom looked exasperated, it was nothing compared to how the Weasley twins looked. Both of them realised, that the massive amount of their fireworks were going to be used for Lockhart's public-relations campaign.

"You know, George..." started Fred, looking miserably at his brother.

"I agree, Fred - its high time we start taking real care WHO we sell our products to." nodded George, shooting a dark glare at Gilderoy Lockhart, as the pub cheered for him once again.

...

The Kellen Manor was extremely lively these days.
Ever since the Grand Noble Assembly, the place seemed to hold a fair amount of visitors.
More than fair amount, in fact - the house-elves were practically working around the clock in order to supply the various guests as well as the needs of the family.

Young Corvin Kellen was finding this a very fulfilling experience indeed.
Each and every day he found himself sitting with important members of the Grand Noble Traditionalist Party, and listen to the interesting changes that were soon to impose order on this chaos-ruled country.

What was more, he was also establishing important relations with the other Noble heads...

No longer treated as a mere schoolboy, he now fully enjoyed the seriousness of his new position, working alongside his wife Orphea.

Thanks to that, he felt that he had learnt so much more in the mere few days alone, than he would have in years of sitting in some boring old classroom.

"And I will learn more soon enough..." he thought smugly, as he straightened in his chair a bit, once more giving the present audience his fullest attention.

Today's guests included Pius Thicknesse (why Mother Athena trusts a dreamy-looking person like this was beyond him), Minister Fudge (the man being a quite frequent guest here these days), and two other Noble Heads - old Selwyn and Burke.
Also present was Albert Runcorn (despite being a ... urgh... half-blood, he was truly a capable person), who was now reading his report.

Seated in his comfortable armchair next to Orphea and taking another piece of crystallised strawberry (his most favourite treat) offered by one of their house-elves, as he gave the present report his fullest attention.

He looked around at the others, who were also sitting behind the large circular table in similar armchairs.

Thicknesse looked as dreamy-eyed as ever. Next to him was Cornelius Fudge, listening with enthusiasm - quite like the one Selwyn and Burke were displaying.
Deianira looked as though she was fighting down a smirk, while Robert listened more attentively that he usually did - only natural, since this meeting was dealing with the matter of security and he knew that it was Robert's ambition to become an Auror...

"Well... no wonder he and Deia get along so well..." he thought with a smirk.

He saw that Peia and Broderick were listening with calm, neutral expressions - really, it was sometimes hard to decipher what could they really be thinking...

Mother Athena was sitting very comfortably, wearing a very pleased look indeed.
Just like her sister, Silvaterra Greengrass - she and her husband Hyperion practically lived here these days... as one would expect with Hyperion being the leader of the Traditionalists.

Mother's decision to leave the leadership to someone else mystified him at first, until Orphea explained to him just what a brilliant move it was.

Looking at his wife, he saw that her eyes were narrowed in thought as she was hearing the report go on.

"... and I am pleased to report, that I managed to single out several people from my Reinforcement Act Patrol, which I believe could be used for... um... special services." said Runcorn, showing them a parchment filled with several hand-written names.

He quirked his eyebrow, not really understanding.
Besides him and Robert though, all of them seemed to have done so.
Hyperion crossed his arms with a determined expression on his face and Mother seemed very approving of this, but he could see that Selwyn bit his lip and Burke had drained down his glass of elf-made wine almost in one gulp.
His eldest brother-in-law's face screwed up into a small frown and Cassiopeia was clearly unnerved about it.

"Very well, Albert. We shall discuss the matter of the special services in a few moments." said Hyperion meaningfully.

Runcorn bowed his head and sat back down.

He exchanged a small look with Robert and could instantly tell, that his classmate and brother-in-law was similarly unsure, what these "special services" maybe.

With a small flick of her wand, Mother ticked off another point on the large, lengthy parchment that was hovering above the very centre of the table.
As the "Reinforcement Act Patrol" column was ticked off and stopped shining in red letters, Runcorn closed his report file and (just like Thicknesse and Burke before) slid it across the table.
Before it could reach the centre of the table however, a kind of a drawer opened itself. The report slid smoothly inside and the drawer closed itself, vanishing back into the table.

He grinned at the nifty magic performed on the luxurious piece of furniture - really... this way it was both a safe, and a conference table.

Seeing it, Mother Athena shot him a small wink before waving her wand again and clearing her throat.
The parchment started to shine on another column - The Auror Office.

"Well... since Octavius is probably having an Auror briefing by now... why don't we let Corvin read us the report?"

He almost gasped at Mother's suggestion and had to fight down a blush.
He looked at the report before him - one from his father, delivered by his personal House-elf before the meeting began.

Looking around, he saw that Robert was pouting while Broderick merely raised an eyebrow; Deianira looked a bit surprised and Cassiopeia kept a neutral expression again.
The older ones however were looking at him supportively and, catching sight of his wife's fond smile really DID make him blush.

Taking a small breath he stood up (still red-cheeked), and opened the report file.

It was strange - he very much liked to be in the centre of attention, but suddenly he was nervous.
Quickly shrugging it off, he began to read.

He read the report without any difficulties, becoming increasingly more interested in his father's report.
He reported his father's changes to the Office System, proposals for alternation of the Recruitment Program (the old one, by comparison really did sound kind of lenient), changes to the Trainee Service (seriously - the trainees must've had it very easy until now), and the intended roll-out of new rules and regulations (who is this Acantha Nott, who is mentioned here so much?).

As he finished, he allowed a small moment of silence to pass, hoping he had done his bit properly.

"Thank you, Corvin. You may sit down." said Hyperion, inclining his head respectively.

Catching the smiles from Mother and Silvaterra Greengrass, he bowed his head and sat down.

"Well done, dear." said Orphea quietly as soon as he did, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

He shot her a smile and reached for her hand under the table, giving it a small squeeze.

He closed the report with his other hand and, just like those who read their reports before him, slid the report towards the middle of the table where it once more disappeared.

Cassiopeia stood up as the last column - "Commoners" started to shine.

In contrast to any other report he had heard before, this one he found thoroughly and utterly BORING.
However, as he looked at the faces of the Minister, Hyperion, Mother Kellen and Selwyn actually looked as though something of this really mattered.

He tried his best not to show his confusion, as he tried to understand this.

"Do not worry, Corvin... I shall explain it to you later." he heard Orphea say in his mind.

He turned to her, giving her a nod as well as a small grin - really, one of these days he must ask her to teach him Legilimency.

Fortunately, he did not have to wait long.

Cassiopeia's report finished rather fast - touching simply on future motives, and a New Year's celebration (he could not understand why they should fund some low-level party for urgh... commoners).

"Very well. We can leave the rest of the public announcements to Gilderoy - I understand that he has considerable talent in this field. The rest will be up to Octavius and his Aurors, as well as on you, Albert and your Reinforcement Act Patrol." said Minister Fudge.

Runcorn nodded a determined look on his face.

As the last column on the parchment was ticked off and stopped shining, the parchment rolled slowly back onto the table, making it clear that the meeting was adjourned.

"All right - that is all for now. Broderick, Peia, Albert and Cornelius - please stay here with me and Hyperion. The remainder of you are dismissed." said Mother.

He and Orphea stood up without any question, but Deianira gave a small pout.
One that Mother certainly noticed.
But instead of telling her off, she smirked.

"However, Deia... I will send one of the house-elves for you and Robert when we finish. There is a special mission I want you to perform for us for the celebration."

THAT did the trick - both Deianira and Robert looked much happier.
They also stood up and bowed respectfully, before leaving the table and out of the room.

He could not help but chuckle as he and his wife exited the room as well.

"Easy to placate, aren't they?" he noted.

Orphea giggled, as they walked up the marble staircase towards their room.

"Yes they are, Corvin. And it's the same way with the commoners to answer your question before." she explained, as they entered their grandiose room.

He shot her a confused look.

"But Orphea, I don't understand - why bother to placate those inferiors in the first place? They are meant to obey, aren't they?"

Orphea smiled as she sat him down into one of the comfortable chairs, taking the other and sat facing him, with her palms on his shoulders.

"Isn't that what rules and laws are for? To punish those who dare to disobey, and set an example for all those who might want to?" he asked confusedly.

"Yes, they are. But commoners number too many - you cannot simply implement punishment on everyone. Luckily enough, a great number of them can simply be placated... or influenced if one knows how."

He frowned, replaying the way Deia and Robert were placated moments before.
With a gasp, he realised.

"I understand -. this way they can be used... for one's own goals and they'll even be happy about it." he said, making sense of it.

Orphea's eyes sparkled with affection and she nodded approvingly.

"Exactly. My sisters - bless them - are very simple in this manner. Deianira is too harsh, while Cassiopeia too mild and meek. Neither have what it takes to govern our family."

He nodded, seeing the proof of that quite a number of times.

"So that's why Mother chose you to succeed her as the Head of Kellen House."

Orphea however shook her head.

"Not me, Corvin - but us." she said, surprising him greatly.

He was stunned for a moment - not to mention touched - during which time Orphea came closer and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek, while holding the other in her palm.

"Together we will govern this family when the time comes, my dear little Corvin. And together with other Nobles, we will govern this country as well." she said softly, her hand caressing his cheek.

"M-may I...?" he breathed numbly, finding this most alluring.

She nodded, giving him a small smile.

He brought their lips together, giving her a long, deep kiss.
He had to admit, he had grown to very much like these moments of tenderness with his wife.

They continued to kiss for a while before finally separating.

"Well..." he started, once catching his breath.

"... I suppose this means, that I will have to learn a lot more, before that day comes."

He never really did like learning, but learning with Orphea was something he had gotten to enjoy.
Hearing his determination, she gave him another fond smile.

"By the way... what are those special services they were talking about?" he asked, knowing his wife has the answer.

He was not disappointed.

"As you asked about Gilderoy Lockhart last time, their services will also be working to our advantage, but in a very different way."

He quirked an eyebrow, not even having to ask her to elaborate.

"While Lockhart performs his services for us publicly, this group will be performing theirs from the shadows - behind the scenes. Naturally, these moves can NOT be traced to the Ministry, the Grand Noble Traditionalist Party, and DEFINITELY NOT to our family."

Realisation dawned on him.

"Dirty-work?"

Orphea nodded.

"As dirty as it can possibly be. Anything necessary which will have to be performed secretly."

He grasped, albeit only slightly, what this could mean. He could not blame Selwyn and Burke for looking so uneasy when it was brought up.

All the same...

"Well... if it is really necessary, then it's for the best."

Orphea seemed pleased with his answer.

"It is not something you should worry about now, Corvin. It has nothing to do with you and me. Now... seeing as we have nothing else on our schedule for today, do you wish to learn more about managing commoners?"

"Can you teach me?" he asked, actually liking the prospect.

Orphea nodded smilingly.
She pulled out her wand and summoned a book from out of one of her shelves.
He suppressed a groan - it really seemed like a fat book indeed.

"This will explain all you ever need to know about commoners." she said, gently patting the little spot beside her.

The chair at once expanded magically to make room for two.

With a big grin on her face, he swiftly scrambled to her side, enjoying the feel of her arm around his shoulders.

"Common Sense - The psychology of inferiors?" he asked, reading the title.

"A book written especially for the Noble families. Only Noble family members were ever allowed to own a copy - a commoner having one is punishable by the Noble Family Law. And deservedly so - it is a true masterpiece by Cantankerus Nott." said Orphea, eying the book with utmost respect.

He quirked his eyebrow again.

"Cantankerus Nott... Acantha Nott... who were they?" he asked confusedly.

Orphea giggled, ruffling his hair affectionately before giving him a small kiss.

"My, my... you really DO have a lot to learn, don't you?" she asked smilingly.

He returned her affection with a kiss.

"Well, that's something we will have to remedy, won't we?" he answered cheekily.

...

Molly Weasley couldn't help but grin, as she watched her only daughter pace around the kitchen like an angry lion.

Waiting for her husband restlessly, Ginny single-handedly helped her prepare the massive dinner for the entire family at express speed... and she was still brimming with energy.

"Oh, where IS that man?!" exclaimed Ginny in frustration, not even bothering to look at the time.

Molly giggled - it reminded her of herself, back when she and Arthur had first started to live here at the Burrow, and he worked late at the Ministry.
She knew full-well, that though fuming right now, Ginny would definitely grab Harry in a bear-hug, the moment he came through the door.

"Relax, dear. He probably got caught up in his work, that's all. You know how he is..."

Ginny gave a small growl - one she was sure she had never heard before... almost animal-like.
But in a moment, she deflated like a balloon and sat down.

"I know, Mum. But seriously... after the Assembly he seems to have gone into his all-out mode - as Lily calls it. I'm getting worried - he barely even rests. It's just one thing after another. He works all day long - the Opposition, at the Ministry, the Patronus project with me, the Horcrux research with Albus, his solo project on the Hufflepuffs Cup, some strange invention with Angus and on top of all that his secret activities."

Molly nodded, knowing full-well what the latter meant.

"That certainly IS a tall order." she said conversationally.

Ginny growled a bit again.

"TOO tall, for Merlin's sake! He can't keep doing this to himself! Working like crazy and going on Energy potions instead of sleeping!"

Molly bit her lip, understanding perfectly. Energy Potions really DO give one a boost, but they couldn't possibly make up for real, genuine sleep.

There was a small moment of silence, before a bright silvery beam of light made its way into the kitchen.
Taking the form of a Royal Queen Cobra, neither of them had any doubt who'sPatronus it was.

It slithered through the air before wrapping itself around Ginny. Opening its mouth, it spoke in Harry Potter's overjoyed voice.

"Gin, I'll be at the Zabinis' for a bit longer. I'll try to be at the Burrow as soon as I possibly can - promise ... in fact... I swear on my Mum's chocolate-milk."

Molly giggled like a schoolgirl as she saw the Patronus sing-song a "Love you" before giving Ginny an unmistakable peck on the cheek.
Not a second after that, it dissolved in silvery smoke, leaving Ginny stunned and blushing as red as her hair.

"T-that... that... that... s-snake-of-mine... how the bloody hell am I supposed to be angry with him NOW?!"

Molly grinned as she heard that her voice now carried a purr.
She had heard from Lily, that Potter-men traditionally employed such tactics on their mothers and wives... and that they (even in the case of old Dorea Potter sometimes) were infamously weak against them.
Well, she could hardly blame them... after all, how can a loving woman ever be angry at such a sweet, adorable gesture.

Just then her own husband came into the kitchen.
She wasted not a moment to greet him in her traditional way - something that did not go unnoticed by her daughter.

"Wipe that sly smirk off your face, young lady - and THAT'S an order!" she said, still holding her husband in a tight hug.

Ginny naturally did nothing of the sort and Arthur chuckled, as always taking their only daughter's side.

He sat himself at the table a moment later.
Though certainly looking a bit tired, he nevertheless seemed pleased about something.

"Fudge's Reformation Act as you know, touches on the entire workings of the Ministry. My Office too is going under a reform." he informed.

"And... that is good or bad?" asked Ginny curiously.

He beamed at the pair of them.

"More than good it seems - thanks to a certain someone I suspect."

She exchanged a small grin with Ginny, having a shrewd idea who that someone might have been.

"Fudge and the Traditionalists do not regard the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office as a very necessary thing - Fudge never did, in any case. As such, they left the Opposition with a free hand on this part. And it seems that the Oppositionalists have seized the opportunity instantly. Our briefing today asked me for suggestions on improving the office, but looking at the official improvements that were already suggested, I don't think there is much need for mine. Those improvements were very interesting indeed. I'd heard, that they were written down only yesterday by an anonymous member of the Oppositionalists Party and they seem, as if the person who designed them understood EXACTLY how Muggles think and react to magic..." he said, wiggling his eyebrows at Ginny.

Ginny's lips instantly curved into the most loving smile.

"That snake-of mine... it almost makes me feel, that it'd been worth the all-nighter he'd put into it..."

They chatted for a while, before a knock on the door (followed by the usual routine of introductions and security questions) announced the arrival of Bill and Fleur. Both of them looked very happy - Fleur for obvious reasons, since her belly was getting bigger.

Bill however wasted not a moment to recount his own reasons.

"The atmosphere at Gringotts is very spirited - the goblins are very happy about the way things are going at the moment. They also made it very clear, whose side they're on."

"Blaise's?" asked Ginny with a grin.

Bill nodded happily.

"You bet. The Traditionalists wanted the Ministry to have more control over Gringotts. But the Opposition quickly thwarted that. Blaise made sure, that any and all changes in the Act would occur from the Ministry's side and not from the Goblins'."

They continued to chat for a while, even as Ron and Hermione arrived.
That made them all move from the kitchen to the living room - Ginny suggested it the moment she saw Ron's dreamy-look as he sniffed the smells of the feast they have prepared.

When Fred, George and Angelina arrived however, the mood changed drastically.
Fred and George certainly weren't their usual joking selves - both seemed angry as well as troubled.
Angelina retold what they have seen in the Leaky Cauldron, and even SHE could not help but feel angered and disgusted at Gilderoy Lockhart.

"To think I once admired that idiot!" she grumbled under her breath, praying that besides Arthur no one had heard her.

No one really did - furious, all of them listened on as Angelina continued.

"... and then he talked about a New Year's Celebration hosted by the Ministry."

Apart from her husband and twin sons, everyone else including her growled - they knew full-well what that must've meant.

"Of course... nice little propaganda... courtesy of Lockhart." muttered Hermione in disgust.

"And paid for by the Ministry." sighed Bill.

"And aided by our fireworks..." said George miserably.

"WHAT?!" the entire Burrow must've shook as several voices - once more including her own - shouted the words together.

Shame-facedly, the twins proceeded to tell them about the big order they had today, as well as the massive amount of gold they made... by aiding the enemy. She saw, that Angelina kept holding George's hand tightly and for the entire time they talked, they were looking anywhere else than at Ginny.

However, as they finished it was Ginny who first spoke up.

"Its no fault of yours." she said, her voice showing absolutely no anger of any kind.

The twins looked up at her in small wonder - as though they thought that she would blame them for it.

"You own a joke-shop." she continued simply and the rest of the family certainly seemed to share that opinion.

"Right. Its not like you can just place a "No Ministry people" sign on it." nodded Ron.

"Eet would be interesting, though." giggled Fleur.

Bill grinned at his wife, before turning to his brothers.

"Besides - they would just get the fireworks from some other source."

"Or, if they wanted your specific fireworks, they would simply get them through other means." said Hermione, for once not telling them off.

It seemed to have worked - Fred and George began to brighten up.

"I wonder what our Noble Snakiness will think about it though..." said George.

"I'm sure, he won't blame you." said Arthur gently.

"And if 'e does... I am sure Ginny will... convince ´im not to." said Fleur, winking at Ginny.

"I'd bet... after all, Lily always says that only YOU can make him listen, especially when he's headstrong and won't listen to anyone else." said Hermione slyly, not being able to resist.

"Oh, shut up." muttered Ginny, looking the other way and going red in the face.

Not long after this Charlie and Tammy arrived and the mood turned considerably more cheerful.
Well... for most.

While the young ones definitely found the pairs' explanation on their new project interesting and amusing, SHE had much different feelings about it.

"Honestly, you two..." she began with a sigh, looking at her second-born son and his wife.

"... I almost regret, that you aren't working back in Romania. Ever since the Act made you stay here, your experiments with the local dragons are turning more and more dangerous."

Her comment made them look at least mildly guilty, but Fred snickered.

"If you think that's dangerous, Mum... you really should see some of the experiments Harry does."

She wasn't able to suppress a groan, and heard Ginny give out that low, unfamiliar growl.

"I don't even want to know..." she muttered, having heard from Ginny already and deciding that maybe it was better not to know the full details.

After all, from all that she had heard from both Ginny and Lily, she would be prepared to bet that Harry's experiments weren't dangerous... but downright deadly.

"Why do boys develop the need to play with danger, I'll never understand." she thought, for a moment remembering that her brothers - Gideon and Fabian - were also very fascinated with anything, even slightly dangerous.

Actually... the way she remembered it...

"Oh, don't fret, Molly." said Gideon, rolling his eyes and once again completely ignoring what his sixteen-year-old sister had just said.

"I'm serious, you two - its dangerous!" she protested.

"Potentially dangerous, Molly – that's a big difference." corrected Fabian smartly.

"And a big difference it was." she thought, chuckling a bit and thinking back on how their little experiment ended - with HER patching the pair of them up once it blew in their faces.

She was brought out of her memory by the arrival of Percy and Audrey and the fond memory was instantly replaced with worry - both of them looked exhausted.

"We're all right, Mother. Busy day." muttered Percy, sitting down with his wife.

"Beyond busy, really." said Audrey, heaving a sigh.

"The new security is really making things difficult for us at the Hospital - the Traditionalists have tightened it so much. As if we didn't have it difficult enough at the moment. Luckily we don't have as many patients, but we have several missing Healers... we have no idea if they were kidnapped or not, but a few of them, I'm sure have joined the Incompliable... including my best friend Ruth."

Percy at once put a comforting arm around Audrey's shoulder.

"But anyway, this makes even us trainees take on their workload. On top of everything, Blacklock's murder left us without a Head. There is a small rift as to who will succeed him - as if we need one right now."

She frowned, already imagining the working strain that was added on her daughter-in-law.

Percy also started to say his bit, going on about the strict orders the Department of Magical Cooperation had gotten from Fudge himself, and the apparent lack of interest of both Noble Parties.

It was very clear, that besides her, Bill, Arthur and Hermione, no one seemed to be particularly interested in hearing it - something that Percy, unfortunately noticed...

"Now see here, you lot...!" he started angrily, glaring on Fred and George in particular, but just then two forms appeared out of thin air - an old house-elf and a young woman with raven-black hair.

"Alice!" exclaimed Fred happily, jumping to his feet and rushing to his wife.

It took only a second for everyone to know, that there was something wrong.

Giving all of them a weak smile, Alice positively collapsed into Fred's arms.

With a cry, everyone was instantly on their feet and rushing towards the pair of them.
Fleur quickly nodded to Bill and he transfigured the large chair they were occupying into a comfortable couch.
Fred gently picked Alice up and carried her to it, setting her down with gentle care.

"Alice... sweetie... what... what happened?!" he asked quickly, as Audrey approached and started to check her for injuries.

With her eyes closed, Alice mumbled something but it was so quiet that no one could hope to understand.

Fred turned to Apricie, who seemed to be as worried as he was.

"Mistress Alice is calling Apricie to the Ministry. She is asking her to take her to the Burrow. She is said that she is being too tired to Apparate."

The entire family shared a look, except Audrey who was still looking her sister-in-law over.

"Fatigue all right. But she must've also been duelling not too long ago. There are a few marks after a curse..."

"CURSE?!" exclaimed several voices at once again - including hers and Apricie's.

As she moved closer to Alice, she saw that Ginny was looking at Apricie, her brown eyes narrowed - putting two and two together.

"All right. There's only one way to know for sure, what happened." said Ginny, drawing her wand.

"Accio Energy Potion"

A small bottle filled with a bright-yellow Potion zoomed towards them from upstairs - undoubtedly from the only girl's room in the Burrow.

"I knew that little addict-of-mine must've brought some of these with him."

Besides her, every other face turned to Ginny in half-shock at her statement.
Paying no attention to it, Ginny proceeded to move towards Alice, opening the bottle as she did so.

"Energy Potion?! Ginny, that's not a very good idea..." Audrey protested, but Ginny shook her head.

"Just a little..."

A second later, Alice jumped off the sofa with a loud shriek, before looking at them wildly, shaking as though she had been laying on ice rather than a couch.

"G-Ginny! D-don't you dare give me that garbage EVER again! I'd rather be unconscious than have that monstrosity in my system!"

Audrey looked astounded. Taking the bottle from Ginny, she examined it.

"That's not a very common colour for an Energy Potion. They're usually either transparent or light-blue, but never yellow."

"That's because its one of my crazy brother's little inventions." grumbled Alice, still shaking.

Audrey sniffed it and gave out a shriek and shiver very much akin to that of Alice's, quickly placing a hand on her nose and shaking a bit as well.

"Merlin's BEARD! It's too damn strong!"

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Tell me about it - I only gave Alice a small gulp."

Alice huffed and folded her arms.

"And that idiot of ours drinks them like pumpkin juice."

Audrey gaped at them like crazy. And she wasn't the only one.

"Bloody hell... does he even sleep at all?!" asked Ron, slapping his forehead.

"Only when I have the time, Ron." said a new voice in the room cheerfully, making them all turn around.

Standing there with his arms folded was none other than Harry himself, a large smile on his face and his trusty house-elf Fidus by his side.

"YOU!" growled Alice so dangerously, that Fred quickly grabbed her by the arms in the hopes of preventing a disaster.

It certainly didn't help that Harry was clearly fighting the urge to laugh, his green eyes twinkling.

"Got a nice kick from my Energy Potion, sis?" he asked innocently.

"YES! And you'll get a nice kick from ME!" Alice exclaimed, almost dragging Fred with her in an effort to reach to her brother, even poor Fidus jumped back in fright.

"Mistress Alice, Master Harry - stop this AT ONCE, or I is bringing Mistress Lily here!" squeaked Apricie, at once jumping between them - something, she was sure to have repeated countless times over the years.

The "threat" seemed to have worked - Alice instantly calmed down so much that Fred could release her, and Harry's smile slid off his face as he unfolded his arms.

She could see Fidus breath a sigh or relief.

"A fine show you two is making - arguing like that in front of the family! Apologise!" squeaked Apricie, ironically ordering her own masters.

The pair of them looked around, going faintly red in the face.

"Sorry, everyone." they said as one.

Apricie huffed and glared the pair of them.

"Make peace right now!"

The two raven-heads looked at Apricie, before looking each other in the eye, suddenly looking and sounding like first-years.

"Sorry for you drinking my Energy Potion, Alice."

"Sorry for wanting to kick you to death, Harry."

The Burrow roared with laughter.

She couldn't help but slap a hand on her forehead, even as she laughed heartedly - honestly, how in the world does Lily put up with this?!

"Gin...? Why do I get the feeling, that our respective spouses are NOT normal?" asked Fred playfully, placing an arm around Ginny's shoulders.

"Hm... maybe because Potters are anything BUT normal...?" suggested Ginny, mimicking his playful tone.

Their respective spouses instantly shot them a glare.

"Fidus should help in times like this!" squeaked Apricie, now directing her attention on her mate.

"Our masters is being adults now. We is should not boss them like children, Apricie!" Fidus countered, standing his ground.

"We MUST - when they is acting like children!"

"Then why is Apricie taking charge of discipline?!"

"Because Fidus is too soft to uphold it!"

Suddenly, the two Potter family house-elves were the bickering ones.

"Dear me... this bickering is contagious..." she muttered with a small chuckle, finding it funny that the situation could have turned from very serious to completely absurd in such a short amount of time.

Most of the family were also barely holding in their laughs, save for Percy who was looking dumbfounded and Hermione who was glaring Harry and Alice...

Harry and Alice didn't laugh either, but surveyed the bickering house-elves in mild-shock.

Once more looking into each other's eyes, the two siblings instantly turned on their house-elves.

"Who the hell are you, scolding us for arguing then?!" they exclaimed at the house-elves together, and the Burrow once more rang with laughter.

"Ladies and gentlemen - business as usual around the Potter Cottage." announced Ginny dramatically, gesturing to the foursome once the laughter died down a bit.

"At least we never get bored." added Fred merrily.

This time, even Harry, Alice, Fidus and Apricie joined in the laughter.

...

She found it very difficult to fall asleep.

Even though the family dinner went on rather nicely...

Even Fidus and Apricie dined with them before Disapparating back to Potter Cottage - with so much food prepared, it was really no trouble.

They have all been shocked to hear of the new Trainee program that McLaggen had introduced to the Auror Office, as well as the duelling practice the trainees are to undergo everyday before leaving the Office - according to Audrey, Alice would definitely not be the first or the last to collapse.

That lead to Harry's suggestion, that maybe Alice should back-off from the training program, even if the new rules would have to make her start her training all over again, if she would want to reapply.
Which, of course led to another round of Potter-sibling bickering - though a much milder version this time.

Once the raven-haired pair were reduced to simply glaring each other, there was a slight change of subject - but not exactly one, that she would have liked...

Percy started to ask Harry about the plans for his particular office at the Ministry - something that instantly earned him a death-glare from Ginny.
That soon followed by Arthur's eager questions about HIS office – this time SHE glared her husband - as well as Bill's eager chat about Blaise and his current plans for Gringotts.

The family weren't the least bit surprised, that he had apparently spent all this time today at Zabini Manor. What everyone WAS surprised with however, was Harry's reaction to the New Year's Party the Ministry wanted to prepare.
He revealed, that the Oppositionalists were also staging a New Year's Party in Diagon Alley - on its other side.

As he started to explain in details, that Slytherin wristband of his had produced a yet another message for him - a message that at once made him roar with laughter.

"Well now... it seems, that Deianira Kellen and her little husband have been given the task of secretly sabotaging our little party." he revealed a most mischievous glint present in his eyes.

That caused some uproar, but no little than Harry's little suggestion to fight fire with fire - she could NOT recall seeing a more hopeful look on either of her twin sons' faces, any guilty thoughts about their fireworks long forgotten.

"You mean...?" breathed Fred.

"We can...?" asked George in wonder.

"As long as you're discreet about it - DO your WORST." Harry affirmed, with a most satisfied smile on his face.

And it wasn't just Fred and George - who took the appointment very spiritedly - but several others volunteered to help the Opposition with the party, intent on showing once and for all, who's side they're on.

That put an end to her own plans for New Years - she had wanted to spend it here in the Burrow, along with everyone... or so she thought at that moment.

"But let's all agree to come back here to the Burrow an hour before midnight. So that we can celebrate it here together..."

His suggestion surprised her thoroughly and not just her - she could see not surprise, but downright astonishment on Ginny and Alice's faces, though they covered them up fairly quickly.

She could not help but think that there was something so much more hidden in that suggestion...

As well as Harry's obviously good mood, at a time when he is apparently beyond busy...

So busy, that he insists on going on those wacky Energy Potions of his... which she was sure, they were not healthy at all...!

Not being able to sleep, she quietly crawled out of bed.
Looking at Arthur, she smiled fondly, seeing that he had no trouble of this sort.

Moving carefully, intent on not waking her husband up, she exited their room but not without checking the time - one in the morning!

With a sigh, she moved down towards the kitchen... maybe a cup of nice hot cocoa would do her well right now...

But, as she entered the living room, she spotted a light in the kitchen.

"Who could possibly be up at this hour?" she thought.

Her question was instantly answered. As she came closer, she spied none other Harry.
Dressed in a pair of black shorts and a t-shirt with one of his Muggle cartoons on it, he was sitting behind the table, a book opened in front of him and a parchment on his right side, a quill in his hand.

She instantly gave a huff of exasperation.

"Really now... this is getting silly. I knew I should've had a talk with that boy about this. Well... I suppose now is the time to do JUST that..."

However, before she could take a step forward, she heard another voice in the kitchen that made her stop in her tracks.

"You know... it would cause a yet another round of bickering if Alice found you reading such a book." said Ginny's voice with a small giggle.

Harry simply shrugged, yawning a bit.

"That's why I read it overnight, Gin... besides Alice doesn't even know, that this particular book of Cantankerus Nott's even exists. In fact... I'm not sure, she even knows who old Catankerus was."

The very name almost made her gasp.
She could see her daughter move along the kitchen, also dressed in a long green t-shirt and a pair of pyjama pants.

Indeed... Alice and the younger ones may not really know, but SHE definitely knew who Cantankerus Nott was.
She remembered, oh so well, the parties she attended as a young girl, along with her parents and brothers even though Prewetts weren't among the higher ranking Noble families...

"So... who was he?" asked Ginny curiously.

"Acantha Nott's younger brother. A member of the Top Noble Six Heads, and a pure-blood supremacist if there ever was one. They actually called him "Professor of Blood-purity" in some circles."

While Ginny hummed in obvious curiosity, she took solace in the fact that Harry really knew his history.

"He actually WAS a Professor, you know... one, who never taught at any school. He merely wrote books. He made many studies on Genealogy – Nature's Nobility for instance is one of his works - also blood-purity theories, and several works in psychology. He also made a few very underhanded moves to promote pure-blood dominance. Not too open though, or his sister would've had him locked up."

She could hear Ginny laugh at that.

"Awww... another pair of loving siblings - just like you and Alice. By the way, I should probably write a book about you two."

Harry apparently let that comment slide... or at least he must have rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, he authored the Pure-Blood Directory in the early 1930's anonymously - although the Nobles knew the truth. Minister Fawley was quite a fan of his, and indeed he was also one of the opponents the Potter family frequently fought against over the years. He was especially hateful of Great-great-grandmum Licie - Al told me. In fact, he was her arch-enemy. And the very reason, why the Potter family wasn't included in his Pure-Blood Directory's Sacred families - he hoped to lower their status among the other Nobles."

She was surprised, as to how much Harry knew - more than SHE knew herself.

"And yet... you're reading one of his books?" Ginny questioned, now coming to Harry, looking over the book with evident curiosity.

"Well... this particular book is by far his most interesting one. It's a book, which was made especially for the High Noble Circle and is under the Noble Family Law. Other than them, no one is allowed to own one. Old Super-pure-blood Lucius broke that law, when he gave it to me for my fifteenth birthday - secretly of course."

Ginny giggled.

"I take it, that he wasn't afraid of breaking some laws, but rather he did not want to face your Mum's and Narcissi's wrath."

"You guessed it." Harry sing-songed, making her giggle again.

He turned the book a bit to show Ginny the title.

"Common Sense - The psychology of inferiors?"

She suddenly felt a similar sense of curiosity, like the one present in her daughter's voice - she had not even known about such a book... although knowing Nott, it was certainly not pleasant or nice.

"Several stuck-up High-Noble pure-bloods look up to it, as though it were the Holy Bible. And I can see their point - it's basically a manual on how to control the masses."

She could see Ginny move and sit on her husband's lap, looking at the contents in obvious curiosity.

"Psychology...?"

"Right. And the scariest part of it is... that many of these theories actually explain a LOT."

She had to stifle a gasp - she could not, in her wildest dreams imagine, how could Cantankerus Nott's maniacal theories ACTUALLY make sense...

"Look at this chapter here - The Art of Placation - Painting a picture... it says all about the way to placate the common-folk with not only assurances and empty words, but also small subtle proofs that things going the way they want them to go, when you in fact concentrate on your OWN goals."

She heard Ginny gasp in revelation.

"Just like Kellen's..."

"Bingo. And it's not just this... look..."

She saw Harry shift the pages to another chapter of the book.

"Public Opinion - A magic less Imperius Curse - it deals with ways how to manipulate the public into thinking, that your goals are actually THEIR OWN. Or this... Shield of Disinformation - it teaches how to cover your tracks and conceal your moves with half-truths. Puppet-mastery - it teaches you how to gather and use underlings to further your own ends... all by subtly playing to their fears and weaknesses from the background."

"Like she did with Fudge." gasped Ginny, placing a hand over her mouth.

Ginny wasn't the only one who was shocked - SHE was equally, if not more shocked at the magnitude all of this suggested. And she was very certain now, that Athena Kellen was playing this book step-by-step.

"And this - a very important one... Behind the scenes - as the chapter name suggests, it covers how to manipulate events from the shadows, making sure that whatever goes down will play to your advantage." said Harry, stopping at the same spot, where he had the book opened before he showed the title, the thumb of his left hand serving as a bookmark.

"Harry... d'you think he - Riddle... d'you think that he...?" breathed Ginny in alarm.

Harry however gave a bitter laugh.

"Come on, Gin... old Voldster?! HE, who thinks himself as the greatest, most powerful and all-knowing? He's too damn proud to use pointers from such a book, even if it was written by a pure-blood and even IF he did somehow get his long-fingered hands on it. No... in fact, several of his moves, that me and the Squad tracked from the time he returned after the Triwizard Tournament, were very different from this. Kellen and her lot DO go by this book though, and it's indeed a dangerous thing - knowledge can be a more powerful weapon than any curse any wizard can cast."

She couldn't help but agree, and could at once understand, why Harry was reading and researching such a book. More so... she suddenly felt it out of place to tell him, or Ginny off about staying up so late...

Ginny suddenly moved off of Harry's lap and turned towards her - looking right at her... but... but she could not possibly see her standing there in the dark, while they were in the lighted kitchen.

"Come on in, Mum. It's fine, really."

Her jaw nearly fell. HOW in the world...?!

Feeling stupid to simply stand there, she entered the kitchen, blushing a little.

Harry looked mildly surprised and quirked an eyebrow at Ginny.

"Trade secret, love." replied Ginny, blowing him a small raspberry.

He gave a small pout, folded his arms and deliberately looked the other way, pretending to be offended.

"Well... I'll just have to find out the hard way then."

Ginny giggled and ruffled his hair affectionately before turning to her.

"Sorry about this Mum, but Harry here is waiting for a piece of news and we really can't go to sleep before that. In the meantime, I've agreed to make him his favourite chocolate-milk - the best antidote to his Energy Potion addiction."

Now it was Harry, who turned and blew Ginny a raspberry - almost as if the pair of them were children again.

"Very funny, Madam Potter." he added sulkily for good measure.

It worked as a decent ice-breaker and she suddenly felt more comfortable to sit down and join them at the table.

"Ginny told me about your working streak as it were, Harry. But from what I heard... well... though I agree with you, I..."

Harry immediately held up his hand.

"I know, I know - I already got a decent talking-to a few moments ago."

She chuckled, imagining that Ginny must've already said all that SHE wanted to say to him, and also throw a little chocolate-milk bribe into the mix as well.

Reading between the lines, she now fully understood how Ginny could get him to listen, when he wouldn't listen to anyone else.

"So... with that behind us now... what news are you waiting...?" she started to ask, but was interrupted by a strange voice from somewhere in the kitchen.

"Harry..."

Harry at once raised his hand and a mirror flew into his hand - his Two-Way Mirror.

"Sev. Great timing. Well... were you and Albus successful?" he asked, his voice growing even more serious.

"Thankfully, yes. Minerva also insisted on assisting us and a lucky thing she did - her Animagus form proved very useful in tracking them down. As you suggested, they are in the Muggle world. In a smaller town to evade detection by the RAP. It was very difficult to pinpoint." said the voice of Harry's Godfather.

Harry breathed a small sigh, but whether it was one of relief or worry, she couldn't say.

"Perfect. As we planned Sev - you disguise yourself and observe them using Legilimency. I know it's only a slim chance, but I want to know if any of them are under the Imperius Curse."

"Minerva also insists on going in as well."

Harry scratched his hair, apparently thinking.

"All right. She is welcome to do so, but remember - NO interaction from either her or you! This is too delicate - strictly observation."

There was a small moment of silence, no doubt as Severus was relaying the message.

"She is not pleased about it... but agrees."

"Okay. Good luck. I'm counting on you. Hand the mirror to Albus now, please."

She looked from Harry to Ginny, but Ginny was now deliberately tending to the stove, a small grin on her face.

"Well... as we discussed, I shall make my way towards Brian Reeves to make sure as well." came the voice of Albus Dumbledore through the mirror.

Harry nodded a determined look on his face.

"And if we find that there is no foul play in work...?"

"Talk to him - but only you. You've been his Headmaster and Nev told me, that he quite admires and looks up to you. If anyone can do this, you can."

"Very well. I shall inform you first thing in the morning."

Harry flashed a look at Ginny, who was still busy at the stove.

"Around noon is fine, Al. The Incompliable are unlikely to do anything until then anyway and I'll... probably be... er... sleeping-in." he said, going faintly red.

She could hear Albus chuckle on the other side of the mirror.

"Ah... I take it, that Ginny has convinced you to get some rest for a change?"

Harry's blush intensified and he averted the mirror's gaze.

"In her own, unique way."

With a chuckle, the mirror's connection was closed, leaving Harry blushing his hardest and purposely avoiding her gaze as well.

"Awww... my own unique way - flatterer." cooed Ginny, bringing three mugs of hot chocolate-milk and sitting down next to him.

He placed the mirror onto the table and folded his arms again, huffing like a five-year-old. Ginny shot her a wink, and she really had to stifle a laugh.

The three of them slowly sipped the milk in silence.
It was really quite tasty - it was no wonder, that it was his favourite treat since childhood.
It also did the trick quite nicely.

Once the mugs were drained, she was sure that not only her, but also the two young ones would be able to fall asleep in no time.

...

"B?"

Brian Reeves turned and saw Owen and Ambrose, who were standing at the door, looking at him strangely for some reason.

He chuckled - obviously it was for his choice of music.
Standing in the manager's room of the abandoned, run-down Muggle music-club, he couldn't resist in bringing the small boom box of his - one of his most prized possessions - and playing a few of his old CDs.

"I'm a bit surprised at you, Owen. You don't know this tune?" he asked, referring to the song that was now played.

Owen rolled his eyes as he came closer.

"Of course I know it. But we have far more important things to settle now."

With a small grin he turned towards the window, looking at the room beneath him.

"I know. I never expected so many people to come."

He turned his sights to Ambrose.

"Are they all right?"

Ambrose understood his question perfectly.

"I've checked, B. Everyone's clear. Young Dean and his group also brought a number of other people – they're clear as well."

"You really should stop being so distrustful of Dean and the others, Ambrose. They're on our side." said Owen, looking to his companion with a small glare.

"You can never know for sure, Owen. Old Mad-Eye taught me to always double-check."

Brian chuckled.

"A true Auror indeed. Even if you're no longer in the service."

Ambrose huffed.

"Once James Potter left the Office, I knew there was no point in staying there. And a very good thing too - I hear that McLaggen sure did a number on it." he said, huffing again.

"Well... In any case, B... you should come down. The crowd is awaiting your speech." said Owen, moving towards the door.

"I will... just give me a few moments - I need to get ready." said Brian, still looking at the people downstairs.

Owen smiled and left, with Ambrose not far behind.

Brian surveyed the crowd through the window, as another - more dramatic - song started to play. His eyes started to shine with determination.

"You okay, B?" came a different voice behind him.

He turned, seeing that another - his most trusted advisor - had come into the room.

"Yes, Amanda... I'm okay." he said, not really feeling sure about what he had said.

Amanda walked up to him, standing side-by-side with him as they surveyed the people.

"I'm not sure, Am... I'm really not." said Brian with a heavy sigh.

She turned to look at him, but refrained from saying anything.

"These people apparently trust me... should we really... should we really press for such an attempt? I know that most of them are ready to fight... I'M ready to fight if it comes to that... but..."

"Its just as you said, B - the Ministry is weak, the Nobles too strong. Its time for us to stop relying on heroes and fight on our own accord. Just as you said the last time - WHO, if not US?!"

Some of the resolve came back to Brian's eyes.

"You're right." he muttered, the resolve growing stronger and stronger.

"We've been quiet for long enough... in fact – THAT'S how I'll start the speech. I won't be keeping them waiting any longer."

With that, Brian turned and walked briskly towards the door, leaving her standing there.

Amanda - or rather Daphne Greengrass couldn't help but smirk as she heard the door close with a snap.

With growing glee, she surveyed the crowd of stupid sheep applaud like crazy - no doubt Brian must've entered the stage.

"I really have to savour these memories for Tom... I can't believe that he didn't read Nott's old book - how useful it proved to be..." she thought, seeing the crowd cheer something Brian must've said.

She of course read Cantankerus Nott's book years and years back, at once recognising it to be a virtual treasure. A treasure that promised ultimate power - a power no magic could ever give. A treasure that can vanquish any enemy - including that blasted traitor Harry Potter.
A treasure she would use to bring her Tom truly back - in his OWN body, not Neville Longbottom's.

"From behind the scenes, using puppet-mastery, I'll have the whole country down." she whispered, surveying many of those she had met in this journey - Owen, Misty, Ambrose, Dean Thomas, Oliver Wood and others - jump around and applaud.

The very image in front of her eyes gave her a sudden feel of real, unlimited power... the power she had exercised over these people...
Her aunt - Athena Kellen was stupid and too old-fashioned-thinking to utilise this power correctly... and for a moment, she was almost amazed, that no one besides her had EVER thought to do something of the sort... well... all the better for her.

The Nobles were now in a power-struggle, the Ministry was left inefficient thanks to Fudge... the country was virtually hers for the taking.

She wasn't that naive though...

"If the Noble Heads have access to the book, that bastard will have it too... and counterattack. I wouldn't even be surprised for him to ally with Dumbledore on this. Oh well... there's nothing else to do now..." she thought, sighing.

She knew that Potter was most likely on their trail and, unlike Bellatrix and some of the other senior Death Eaters did NOT underestimate him - she knew him too well for that...

She took solace in the fact, that she apparently had Reeves - and therefore his entire lot - completely in her grasp... long before he could do anything.

"The dice have been rolled. At the very least, I've made sure that whatever happens, it will give Tom more than enough time to regenerate."

Just then Brian's voice was raised to its most highest in order to make sure he was heard over the cheering crowd.

"IT´S TIME FOR A REVOLUTION!"

The crowd roared, clearly in an ecstasy - each of them now visibly devoted to the idea.

It was a sight to behold...

Daphne instantly felt a supreme sense of accomplishment - she was able to do EXACTLY what Gellert Grindelwald and Hermann Eisenfaust were able to do decades back.
She had done, what no other Death Eater had EVER done before... and NO other Death Eater could EVER do...

"And all this... ALL of this is for you. ONLY for you, my love..." she breathed, thinking with all her might of one, Tom Riddle...

...

Brian Reeves left the speaker's podium with an amazing sense of accomplishment...

The turn-up was gigantic.

He could barely believe his own eyes...

Even in the best of instances he could not believe so many people would turn up.

And all these people shared his belief... all these people actually were eager to do something about the intolerable situation...

He was almost in a catatonic state.

He really had to calm down...

Rushing into the empty room upstairs, where his boom box lay, he swiftly closed the door behind him.

Seating himself in the chair, he had transfigured with a wave of his wand - a chair fit for a boss... or a chief, he turned and watched with small amazement through the wall-like window.

All those people below him... all those people he had been surveying mere twenty minutes before through the same window... all of them now seemed like comrades in the war against the corrupt Ministry...

He directed his wand over his shoulder and summoned a table behind him, then levitated his boom box on top of it. Not bothering with turning the thing on with magic, he turned and pressed his finger on the button, playing the CD.

Music filled the room. A calm, eerie music played on a flute - his MOST favourite tune since he was nine-years-old.

He sat back, closed his eyes and simply let himself be carried away by it.

Breathing deeply, he thought of all the times this particular song had brought joy to him.

To him... many would no doubt laugh at it - but that simple, instrumental song was everything.

It'd soothed him when his parents were arguing and fighting endlessly when he was little... it was a companion, when he had to spend time alone in his parent's flat as a child with nothing else but the sound of dripping water from the sink for company... it was his encouragement when he got his letter from Hogwarts... it was on his mind when the Sorting Hat had announced him as a Gryffindor... it hummed in him when he made his first-ever friends - his roommates - Sebastian Dreggs, Albert Fawley, Fred and George Weasley... he thought of it, when he made for the Gryffindor House Quidditch Team... he even played it once, when he was spending a comfortable time with his boyfriend... it soothed him when the relationship ended... and when he left Hogwarts for good...

Though he told himself, so many times before, that he should grow up from this childish little song... but he could NOT, for the love of Merlin discard it as a piece of trash... how could he?!

In the end, he accepted it - as the one single thing about his past that he was willing to accept... and could never throw away.

He threw away his childhood, his life before Hogwarts, his numerous scheming relatives, his friendships, his boyfriend (he'd seen that the boy would not be happy with him, especially since he loved someone completely else)... and in the end even his troublesome parents... but he would never EVER throw away this wonderful song...

He reached to the table for his cigarettes. Lighting one, he simply listened to the melody...

It always had a way of assuring him, that everything is going to be all right...

"Beautiful... " said a voice in the room.

He jumped from his seat, his wand at the ready and stopping at a figure standing there.

A figure that he had not seen since his last farewell feast at Hogwarts.

"P-Professor Dumbledore?" he breathed in sheer awe.

The elderly wizard showed his hands in a gesture of peace - no wand in either of them - before nodding his head.

"Excuse me." he said quickly, waving his wand around and casting a number of non-verbal spells, all of them intent on detecting ANY sort of foul-play that may be at hand.

He had detected none.

Dumbledore smiled.

"I believe that you can be fairly certain that I indeed mean no harm, Brian."

"Professor... I - I apologise... I had to check..." he stammered, desperate to explain himself.

The old wizard however only waved his hand airily.

"It is no trouble, really. In fact, I am happy to know, that your Defence Against the Dark Arts classes taught you vigilance."

He almost laughed in relief - this was indeed Albus Dumbledore.

"Why have you come, Professor?" he asked, now feeling much more comfortable.

"To talk, Brian. Only to talk..." said Dumbledore, once more showing his hands.

"Please." he said quickly, gesturing to the table.

As Dumbledore approached, he swiftly conjured another comfortable chair, vanished his cigarettes (even the lighted one), and conjured several snacks from the feast they have prepared, as well as two glasses and a bottle of...

"Oh my... an unusual drink." breathed Dumbledore, taking the plastic bottle into his hand and examining it, as though he had never seen it before.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

"Its called Coca-cola - a Muggle drink I've been fond of since I was a child." he said, gently taking the bottle from him and pouring two glasses for them.

They made a small toast to each other with the coke-filled glasses and drank together.

"Quite tasty. I must remember to procure some later..."

He chuckled at his old Headmaster's response, sitting himself back into the comfortable seat. He remained silent, wanting Dumbledore to start talking first.

"Well, Brian... I have listened to your illuminating speech a while ago..."

"Doesn't miss a trick, does he...?" he couldn't help but think with a grin.

"... but I really must ask... is this revolution you spoke of really an answer?"

He sighed, expecting such a question.

"What would you have me do, Professor? As you may have seen, those people downstairs share my belief that the time for simply waiting and sitting quietly has past. I´m sure you know, that the Ministry under Cornelius Fudge is corrupt and the Nobles are simply having their own way with this country. I'd say, that now is the time to show them, that there are common witches and wizards living here too, and I'm sure you'd agree that where the Nobles are concerned, simple marches and protests will not do a thing."

He could see Dumbledore nodding, as he sipped his glass.

"You are quite right of course, Brian. Nevertheless you are wrong in assuming that ALL Nobles are the same."

He would have snorted in disgust, if it were not Dumbledore who was sitting in front of him.

"I don't think I am, Professor. The Opposition, headed by Zabini on the front and Potter in the back scenes... they have no chance to stand up against Greengrass and Kellen."

"All the same, Brian... isn't it wiser to simply wait and learn more, before you choose to act?"

He crossed his arms, thinking about it.

"No. We have waited long enough. And things only got more serious, the more we waited. The Repopulation Act, Reinforcement Act and now the Reformation Act... enough is enough."

Dumbledore sighed.

"This will, of course, turn every single one of them - the Traditionalists, the Oppositionalists and the Ministry - against you."

He sniffed in mild-anger.

"Let them come. We have quite a decent number and we're all ready for a fight."

He could see a frown on the old wizard's face and he instantly sought to make himself clear - to justify all this.

"Look, Professor... this is no longer about simply staying free. All of us recognise that a change - a REAL change has to be made. If it were only me, I'd say okay, I'd wait... but those people - young and old - all call for a change, and all of them are ready to do everything necessary to bring it about. No one - not corrupt Ministry-officials, not stupid Nobles who have never experienced any hardship in their life, not paid-for dogs from the RAP... and not even you, can convince us to back-off now. This country belongs to ALL of us, and not just a select band of the privileged, who see it fit to decide how we live."

He stood up from his chair and Dumbledore did the same.

"I know that you will certainly not act against us, Professor. And, should you wish to join our cause, you would be most welcome to do so."

He could see a sad look come across Dumbledore's face. Nevertheless, he could also see understanding in his blue eyes.

"Brian... please reconsider. Severe consequences could follow."

He knew as much.

"We are ready to fight. And we are ready to face them."

"And if you fail?"

He had an answer to that too.

"If we do... we will at least go down fighting for what we believe and not bow our heads down to absurd laws."

"How far are you willing to go?" asked Dumbledore, a small sense of weakness coming over him.

"As far as we must. We will use only the force that is necessary - no more, no less."

Something about that sentence shook Dumbledore visibly.

A small moment of silence passed. Seeing that there was nothing more to be said, he bowed his head slightly in respect and made for the door.

"B-Brian..."

The call made him stop and turn his head towards the old wizard.

"Be... be careful with how far you will actually go... These things can get out of hand very easily... I implore you... at least you, yourself, be careful... be careful with what you do, and what you aim for. If you lose yourself on the way, then you will not be the leader these people look up to... but simply turn evil."

He sighed looking to the ground, a small sense of dread filling him at the prospect of going that way.

Nevertheless... he thought of his friends, his comrades and everything they now stood for... and steeled himself.

"Evil is merely a point of view in this case, Professor. I have nothing to lose - to bring about this change... I am prepared to become evil... but a necessary evil."

With that, he walked out the door, closing it on one of the wizards, he had looked up to since first coming to Hogwarts.

...

Albus was chilled to the bone, when the door closed.

He quickly sat down on the chair, taking slow, steadying breaths.

The situation was indeed not serious, but horrifying!

He scarcely dared to believe it before, but the evidence now had shown, that young Harry's worst suspicions had indeed been realised.

With his quite advanced powers of Legilimency, he could detect no influence - Brian Reeves was NOT under an Imperius Curse... nor did the people downstairs appear to be so...
They were clearly acting on their own, free will... and on their own feelings...

What positively scared him were the sentences he had heard from Brian...

"As far as we must. We will use only the force that is necessary - no more, no less."

He had said the exact same words to Aberforth when he was seventeen... to the EXACT same question!

"Evil is merely a point of view, Albus."

He had heard the EXACT same words when he was fifteen and went over books and tomes with the one person he loved with all his heart.

All the more it broke him years back, when...

"I don't have you by my side anymore, Albus. I have nothing to lose. I am prepared to become evil - a necessary evil."

Those were the words, Gellert said to him after the International Confederacy of Wizards in 1935, when he openly announced his vision of creating a Great Wizarding Empire - Die Grosse Zaubere Reich...

The very prospect of something similar, though on a smaller scale repeating was making him shake... the horror of it was too great to shrug off, even after all these years, and even after coming to peace with him not to long ago...

"What are you afraid of, Albus? As there are villains - like me, and they will always be - there will always be heroes..."

The memory of his pre-Christmas Nurmengard visit came to him unbidden, but had a soothing effect.

"You chose to place your trust into the young ones... so trust them..."

He chuckled weakly, the memory soothing him even more.

"The Chosen One, Charlus' young grandchild, this young Blaise, and all the other younglings you mentioned... even if the future is grim, even if there will no doubt be a battle and even if it will have its victims, I am certain that they will succeed. And I am certain, that my last Reichritter - my artist - will assist them, should they approach a fail..."

He let out a breath, now feeling completely calm.

"You are right, Gellert... and I shall, of course, assist them as well. As you said - our time has past." he breathed, for a moment feeling as though he were sitting right there, besides Gellert's cell in Nurmengard.

He felt, as though he had now fully grasped the meaning of those words... a feeling of determination coming over him.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up and looked down at the people downstairs from the window. They were once more cheering and applauding Brian Reeves, who had come between them and was shaking hands with several of his entourage.

The last piece of negotiation before the storm had failed...

The sides were now fully drawn, and a conflict was now completely inevitable...

He closed his eyes and thought to the young ones - Neville, the Weasleys, Alice, Susan, other members of Dumbledore's Army who are not present here... and of course the Slytherin Squad with their raven-haired leader...

"I have done all I could... it's up to you - the young ones - now."

Opening his eyes, he turned and swishing the Elder Wand, he rendered himself invisible to evade any detection of his departure.

...