Chapter 48

The next day when Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville came to see him, Harry felt much like he had when Dumbledore had first told him of the prophecy, isolated and different. By his hand someone had died. And even though Dumbledore assured him it wasn't his fault Harry felt like it was. But he managed to smile at Ron's jokes and looked interested when Hermione told him of the different rumors running through the school.

"Even after Dumbledore told the whole school what had happened to you, people still are making up things." Hermione said angrily.

"Malfoy most likely." Ron scowled then brightened. "Hey Harry did anyone tell you? Neville has pretty much won the house cup for Gryffindor with the five hundred points Dumbledore gave him." Neville ducked his head and blushed. "And he's getting a special award for services to the school."

"You deserve it Neville." Harry said firmly. "And much more."

"My Gran sent a howler." Neville flushed a little more. "But this time she shouted to the whole school how proud she was of me." His eyes grew misty but he quickly wiped them and added. "But what Snape said was the most surprising of all."

"What did he say?" Harry asked. Although he remembered what happened, details were blurry because to get to a particular point Harry had to recall the complete memory. Something he was trying to avoid.

"That greasy git should have been on his knees kissing the hem of your robes Neville." Ron said hotly. "You saved his miserable life."

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that." Neville's face flushed again.

"You did Neville. You know you did." Ginny insisted.

"But what did Snape say?" Harry looked back and forth to the three of them.

"All he said was, 'About time Longbottom.'" Hermione answered crossly.

"What?" Harry looked puzzled.

"He said a bit more Hermione." Neville said. "I asked him 'what?' too. And Snape just stared at me, you know how he does, then he said, 'It's about time you did something right Longbottom."

"I think that's as close to a thank you and compliment as you'll get from Snape, Neville." Harry snorted. "I'm impressed." Neville shrugged as if it didn't matter but Harry saw more confidence in the round face and Neville even seemed to be sitting straighter, taller.

"So, have Dumbledore and you worked out your defense for the trial?" Ginny asked

"Mostly." Harry said not looking at her. Harry couldn't fool Ginny. She knew just from holding his hand something was up with him. The truth was Dumbledore and Harry did not see eye to eye on the trial and a long heated argument had taken place just that morning.

"They should allow you more time." Hermione said defensively. "You aren't even out of the hospital wing."

"The reason I'm not out of here Hermione, is because I'm dangerous." Harry said flatly.

Hermione blinked, trying to figure out what he meant then her eyes flashed and she sputtered. "You mean you're being held here? Like imprisoned?"

"More like detained." Harry shrugged. He understood the Ministry position and didn't mind not going back to the dorm. In fact he was a worried. How would Dean and Seamus treat him? Or what if he hurt Ron, Dean, Neville or Seamus? Harry sighed. "It doesn't matter Hermione. It will all be over with tomorrow."

Lingering after Ron, Hermione and Neville had left, Ginny tried to get Harry to talk about the up coming hearing. "You're doing it again."

"What?" Harry squeezed her hand. It took all the will he had to touch her hand. Harry had this strange feeling, even though he knew it wasn't true that, he would taint Ginny by just touching her.

"You've closed and locked your feelings away." Ginny said sadly.

"I know." Harry met her eyes. "I'm just not ready."

"I know that too." Ginny kissed his forehead then lightly brushed his lips with hers. "Get some rest. I'm not saying sleep because I know better." She gave him a hug. "Good-night."

"Night." Harry echoed as her fingers slipped out of his hand. He watched her leave the infirmary and listened to the door shut. Would that be the last time he saw her? Harry wondered. What was the punishment for murder in the wizarding world? Harry didn't know. Trying to shift his mind from the trial Harry attempted to recall what Kesho had said to Voldemort. How had she been able to disobey Voldemort? Where was she now?

Dumbledore had cautioned Harry about thinking too much of the missing runespoor. That Voldemort need not know the shield was out of Harry's possession. But the dark wizard had been very quiet since possessing him. So quiet Harry only felt a slight stretchy feeling around his scar instead of the dull ache that had been ever present for so long.

Sighing he reached for a glass of water on his bedside table. His hand paused as Harry stared at his wand. Slowly Harry picked up the glass and took a sip, still gazing at the holly wand. Not since Voldemort had possessed him had Harry touched his wand. Harry sipped his water with his eyes still fixated on the wooden stick.

It wasn't that Harry resented the wand but more so was afraid. Afraid it had been changed by the dark spells that had been forced from it. Shaking his head, Harry forced his eyes away from the wand. He was being ridiculous, Harry berated himself. Steeling himself, Harry set down the glass on the stand then wiped his hand on his pajamas. In one smooth movement before he could talk himself out of it, Harry picked up his wand and gave it a wave much like he had when he first taken it from Mr. Oleanders almost seven years ago.

Red and gold sparks flew out of the tip of the wand and Harry gave a sigh of relief. Those little sparks were the first magic Harry had done since…. He closed his eyes and lay back against his pillow. Like when Sirius had died, the possession of his body by Voldemort would be a marker of time, of things that had happened before or after it. Absentmindedly Harry fingered his wand then stared at it again. Did it feel different? Or was it just him? Then a thought struck Harry and a cold chill crept inside him.

Checking to make sure Madam Pomfrey was in her office, Harry slid out of bed and moved quietly to the row of tall windows. After a quick search around the first frame, Harry went to the next window to hunt. There, crawling along the glass was a tiny spider. A flash of Mad-eye Moody demonstrating curses on three hapless spiders came to Harry as he said. "Engorgio." The spider grew to the size of a sickle. Harry took a deep breath and with a firm voice said. "Imperio."

The spider froze in place. Without really knowing how he knew, Harry forced the spider to do cartwheels and roll around on the window sill. Grimly Harry lifted his wand then pointed it at the frantic spider and said. "Reducio." Slowly Harry walked back to the bed not feeling the cold stone floor on his bare feet. After he had gotten into bed, Harry set his wand back on the stand then lay down staring at the ceiling.

It wasn't the wand that had changed Harry realized. By using Harry to cast the unforgivable curses Voldemort, certainly without intending to, had, not given him power as he had when Harry was a baby, but instead had taught Harry how to use the dark spells.

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When Harry awoke he found a pile of clean clothes and his best set of school robes sitting on the chair by his bed. Just as he was about to put on his Hogwarts robes Dumbledore entered, wearing the plum colored robes of the Wizengamot. "Good Morning Harry. Good I see you are almost dressed." The old wizard sounded strange to Harry and he looked up at the bearded face. There was a grimness Harry rarely saw in the blue eyes.

"I was thinking maybe I should wear dress robes. I have a dark maroon set." Harry said picking a piece of lint off the black robes.

"No, I think it best to remind the panel that you are a student." Dumbledore replied and took a deep breath. "As for your trial Harry, as your appointed guardian here in the wizarding world, I insisted you do as I say in this matter."

Harry took his time in answering by fastening his robes. "How can you be on the jury when you are my guardian? Isn't that a conflict of interest?"

"I may run the proceedings and may enter into the discussion but I will not be allowed to vote." Dumbledore told him. "But deflecting my request does not make me forget it Harry."

"I wasn't trying to." Harry said tiredly then asked. "How are we getting there?"

"We will travel by floo powder. I mean what I say Harry." Dumbledore said sternly.

"As did I." Harry answered quietly to the floor. He felt the old wizard's long hands on his shoulders and looked up into a concerned lined face. Harry appreciated the headmaster's caring but he didn't want to get into this debate again. "Don't you think it's time to go?" Harry glanced at the sun, now shining brightly through the windows.

"Yes," Dumbledore dropped his hands resignedly. "We will use Madam Pomfrey's fireplace." The headmaster turned and walked to the nurse's office and knocked lightly then opened the door and gestured for Harry to enter.

A few moments later Harry was spinning out of the row of fireplaces in the atrium at the Ministry of Magic headquarters. The first thing Harry noticed was the statue of magical brethren had not been replaced. A simple flow in the middle of the fountain spurted the water up an only a few feet before it fell back noisily into the pool. A hand on his back made Harry jump.

"Sorry Harry. I didn't mean to startle you." Mr. Weasley patted his shoulder then Harry was engulfed in a hug by Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh Harry this is so dreadful." Mrs. Weasley let him go and dabbed at her eyes with a purple handkerchief.

"We thought we come down to give you some moral support." Remus gripped Harry's shoulder. "Even though we can't go into the trial with you."

"Thanks. I think I'll need it." Harry nodded to the three of them. Then Dumbledore stepped out of the fireplace.

"We should go down to the courtroom." The old wizard led the way to the lifts. One clanged opened and they all stepped into it. Mr. Weasley pushed the button for the ninth floor and the gate slid shut with a bang and the lift shuddered as it slowly descended. When it reached the ninth floor the lift jerked to a stop and the doors creaked open. As Harry walked down the steps to the tenth floor he recalled rushing down them with Mr. Weasley. That seemed so long ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stopped outside the court room door. Mrs. Weasley started fussing with Harry's robes, straightening them and brushing off invisible dirt. Lupin stepped up beside Harry. Remus once again put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Listen to Dumbledore Harry. Please. Promise me?"

"I have listened to him." Harry said firmly turning away from Lupin. "Don't you think we should go in now? Let's get this over with." He said to Dumbledore. The headmaster looking sad and worried nodded. Harry pulled open the thick door and went inside followed by Dumbledore.

The dungeon courtroom was as Harry remembered, the dark stone walls and tiers of benches rising into the darkness past the light of the torches. Harry glanced at the faces watching him walk to the chair with chains in the middle of the proceedings. As he stopped in front of the chair Harry swallowed hard and turned to face the witches and wizards staring at him. It was almost two years since he had stood in this same spot, fearing he may never go back to Hogwarts. So much had happen since that day and Harry knew he was a different person today. This time Harry gazed back at the assembly unwavering, he was nervous but not afraid.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge sat with Amelia Bones in the same seats they had been in previous year. Fudge gave Harry a look he couldn't interrupt. Harry didn't know how Fudge felt about him this year. Would the Minister be on Harry's side or still want him out of Hogwarts?'

To Fudge's right was a old wizard with sparse red hair with patches of snowy white at his temples and a square jaw with deep set eyes, Harry thought immediately of Malahide but knew he could be no relation. Malahide was muggle born although Dumbledore hadn't mentioned any brothers or sisters.

The Minister of Magic stood up. "I think we should begin." He said gravely. "Dumbledore, the Wizengamot has discussed this matter and since you are the guardian of the accused we feel someone else should handle the proceedings." Fudge announced pompously then added hastily. "Though your opinions and wisdom are at all times welcome."

"I have no objections to that." Dumbledore bow slightly. He turned and conjured a chintz chair and sat down. Slowly Harry sank into the seat with the chains. Once again the metal chains rattled but did not bind Harry to the chair.

"Criminal hearing of Harry James Potter on the eighth of April, interrogators Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Amelia Bones and Tiberious Ogden." Fudge stated. "Witness for the defense Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

"Harry James Potter, you are charged with being an accomplice to the murder of Roger Malahide, of using unforgivable curses on a human being and threatening the lives of others." Fudge paused for a breath. "How do you plead?"

He felt Dumbledore touch his arm slightly in warning but in a firm voice Harry answered. "Guilty." A gasp issued from the jury and echoed slightly followed by a rising whispering. Fudge's mouth dropped open. The Minister had clearly not expected this.

"I beg your pardon?" Madam Bones leaned forward, her monocle dropped from her eye on to her lap. "Did you say 'guilty'?"

"Yes." Harry gave a short nod.

"As court appointed guardian for Harry," Dumbledore's voice silenced the court room. "I enter a plea of 'not guilty'."

"But as you know Dumbledore, the plea must come from the accused." Fudge was glancing back and forth to Harry and the old wizard.

"I know." Dumbledore said in a soft worried voice.

"Surely Harry you miss spoke." Fudge said anxiously. "Just say it again for the record."

"Guilty." Harry repeated and the muttering started again.

"Harry, you can't be serious." Fudge seemed almost frantic. "If you plead guilty we have no choice but to sentence you."

For a moment Harry gazed at the portly man. "You didn't have a problem with that the other time I was here." Fudge face went red and before he could answer Harry said again. "I plead guilty as charged."

There was deafening silence in the room now. Fudge didn't seem to know what to say. Madam Bones gazed at Harry and said. "You know we must sentence you?"

"Yes." Harry nodded his resolve still holding his emotions in check. "I understand that I can say a word on my behalf before sentencing?"

"By all means, proceed." Madam Bones picked up the monocle from her lap and adjusted in front of her eye.

Taking a deep breath Harry stood up and gazed at the wizards and witches watching him so intently. Harry gave a quick glance at Dumbledore then took a another breath and said. "I was told to plead 'not guilty' today. That I wasn't at fault for the death of Professor Malahide." His voice choked. "It was Voldemort who controlled my actions." A gasp ran through the assembly at the dark wizard's name. "But it was still my hand that held the wand and for this I accept the blame."

"But you had no control over that." Dumbledore inserted.

"I should have." Harry said furiously. He took a moment to control his voice then said. "I allowed myself to become venerable to his influence and Malahide paid with his life." Harry blinked hard and continued in a small voice. "It could have been anyone or everyone in the great hall. I can't let that happen again. So I deserve whatever punishment that is fitting for such a crime." Harry sank back into the chair and waited.

He looked up when a witch in the darkness spoke. "What do you think we should do?" Harry recognized the quaver voice of Griselda Marchbanks.

"I honestly don't know." Harry sighed and dropped his head to gaze at the stone floor. "I had hoped wiser wizards and witches than I could figure out what to do with me, so I don't hurt anyone else."

"But you can not expect to be punished for things you may or may not do in the future." Dumbledore pointed out.

Harry shrugged then lifting his head to the assembly again said. "I will say this; I will try with all my power to keep this from happening again."

"Just what caused you to become venerable?" The wizard beside Fudge asked.

With a blush rising in his cheeks Harry stuttered. "Uh well, actually I was doing alright resisting Voldemort." The crowd flinched and gasped at the name again but Harry ignored it. "I could rest when I changed into my animagus form. But when my girlfriend broke up with me," The flush on his face deepened as a quiet sound of sympathy rippled through the members. "Well, I was a bit depressed."

"That explains it." The wizard said knowingly then he turned to the others. "I do think we need to take in account his age and experience or I should say lack of experience." A mummer of agreement went around the assembly.

"Do you have anything further to say?" Fudge asked Harry.

Considering Harry shook his head. "No, I think I said all I needed you to hear."

"We will then discuss your sentencing." Fudge said. Dumbledore stood up and strode over to the rows of witches and wizards. The whispering buzzed in Harry's head. Several times Harry saw Dumbledore shake his head in obvious disagreement to the discussion. The debate continued. Harry could tell by following the direction of the jury's gaze that Dumbledore, Fudge and the wizard beside him were the ones with the main contentions. Harry still wasn't sure if Fudge was on his side or not, although the Minster did seem a little kinder to him than last year. Harry closed his eyes wishing they would just decide. As if they had heard his silent plea Fudge cleared his throat.

"The Wizengamot has reached a decision. Harry James Potter for the crimes you have freely admitted your guilt, it is the decision of this court to sentence you to ten years of solitary confinement." Although Harry had braced himself for the worst he found his breath had left him and the walls of the dungeon seemed threateningly close. Ten years! His mind flashed with images of what Ron and Hermione would look like in ten years. He saw Ron with a mustache and goatee, Hermione's wild bushy hair, shorter and under control. Then he saw an image of a child with bright red hair on Hermione's hip and Harry almost smiled. But his mental pictures crumbled when he thought of Ginny. How could he ask her to wait for him? Would all of them still be alive with Voldemort on the loose? Then he heard Fudge speak again.

"Nine years and eleven months of the sentence are suspended." Harry felt his lungs fill with air. A month? He had spent longer in the cupboard under the stairs at the Dursleys' than that. Fudge continued. "After you have successfully served your required time with no sign of You-Know-Who intruding upon you, you will be placed on probation and allowed to return to Hogwarts."

"Due to your circumstances." Madam Bones said. "Dumbledore has made it clear that sending you to Azkaban would not be prudent. You would not be safe there."

"So after much discussion we resolved to transfigure a courtroom here at the Ministry to contain you." Fudge inserted. "Do you have any questions?"

"What about the month of school I miss?" Harry asked. Actually he wasn't really concerned about the missed schooling but Harry thought he should ask something.

"Dumbledore assured us your professors will tutor you sufficiently to catch up with your class by the end of the school year." Fudge told him. "Anything else?" Harry shook his head. "I understand you have friends waiting outside the courtroom, if you wish to speak with them while we configure your cell, you may do so."

Shaking slightly over the harsh cold word 'cell', Harry stood up. "I will be with you shortly Harry." Dumbledore said as their eyes met briefly. The headmaster looked more solemn than Harry felt. Harry crossed the courtroom and pulled open the heavy door. Mrs. Weasley flung herself on him the second he stepped into the hall.

"Harry," Mrs. Weasley held him to her. "What did they say?"

"Give him some air Molly." Mr. Weasley pulled his wife off Harry.

"I've been sentence to ten years of solitary confinement." Harry said. Remus went white and seemed to be having trouble breathing. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gasped.

And Mrs. Weasley grabbed Harry again and sobbed. "No, they can't do that. You're too young."

"Calm down. I wasn't finished." Harry pulled Ron's mother off him. "They suspended all but one month." The a little color came back to Lupin's face but he still looked upset.

"How could Dumbledore let them do that?" Remus stared at Harry then his eyes narrowed. "You pleaded guilty didn't you?" Harry nodded. Mrs. Weasley gasped again and Mr. Weasley closed his eyes and shook his head. Anger flashed into Lupin's normally mild face. "What were you thinking? Don't bother answering. You obviously weren't."

"Actually Remus, Harry's guilty plea turned out better than a plea of not guilty." Dumbledore came out of the courtroom followed by Fudge, Madam Bones and the square jawed wizard.

"We will come for you when we are finished." Fudge told Harry then left with the wizard down the corridor to the left of courtroom ten.

"What do you mean Albus?" Mr. Weasley had his hands on his wife to keep her from grabbing Harry again.

"Harry impressed the jury with his honesty and his willingness to take responsibility for his actions." Dumbledore gazed at Harry almost as if he was reevaluating him. "Many expected Harry to try to 'weasel' his way out of any punishment and were ready for that type of argument. Accepting some of the blame made those who were wavering on a harsher punishment feel less antagonistic toward Harry and even sorry for him."

"I didn't want anyone feeling sorry for me." Harry gritted his teeth.

"Of course you didn't." Dumbledore said. "But nevertheless that is how some of the panel felt. You were right in pleading guilty Harry."

"It wasn't a ploy." Harry frowned at Dumbledore. "I meant what I said."

"I know it wasn't and I know you did." Dumbledore blinked hard. "I must go down to put my protective spells on your…uh, accommodations."

"Albus! You can't let them lock him up!" Mrs. Weasley pleaded taking a hold of Dumbledore's arm. "He's only sixteen." She drew out the his age in a wail.

"Mrs. Weasley, please, don't." Harry put an arm around her shoulders. "I'll be okay. It's only a month."

"But you'll be all alone." Mrs. Weasley gave a little sob. Sighing Harry hugged her to him and she wrapped her arms around his waist. "You don't deserve this." She said in a muffled voice.

For a fleeting moment when he had heard the verdict, Harry had wished Ron, Hermione and Ginny were there to say good-by for the next month. But now holding a very distraught Mrs. Weasley Harry was glad they weren't. It would just make it harder and Harry was determined to face his punishment without flinching.

Dumbledore patted her shoulder. "It seems you have things well in hand Harry. I'll be back shortly." The old wizard walked down the hall to the door the Minister of Magic had opened.

Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to be in any hurry to let Harry go so patted her back and gazed over to Lupin who was blinking hard. "Don't you fall apart on me." Harry said dryly. Remus tried to smile. "That's pathetic. Look I'll be okay. They will feed me right?"

"Of course they will." Mr. Weasley answered.

"Then it can't be any worse than with the Dursleys." Harry told them.

"That isn't any comfort." Mrs. Weasley pulled away from Harry, wiping her face with her purple handkerchief.

"Would you do me a favor Mrs. Weasley? Send an owl to Ginny Ron and Hermione and ask them to take care of Hedwig for me." Harry hoped giving her something to do for him would make her feel better.

"Of course I will." Mrs. Weasley nodded but to Harry's dismay she looked as if she was about to cry again. Then he turned and saw Dumbledore, Fudge, Ogden, and Madam Bones walking back to him.

Harry took a deep breath, saying to himself, 'I can do this I can do this.' He stood up straight and squared his shoulders waiting.

"The cell is ready for you Harry." Fudge sounded apologetic.

"I want to see it. Does he have enough blankets? It's cold down here." Mrs. Weasley started down the corridor but Harry stopped her.

"It will be fine Mrs. Weasley. Please?" Harry met her eyes. "It would be easier for me if we said good-bye here." With those words Mrs. Weasley grabbed him again and clung tightly to his neck. "I'll see you in a month okay?" He gentle guided her arms down then stuck out his hand for Mr. Weasley to shake.

"Take care of yourself Harry." Mr. Weasley gripped the hand firmly with both hands then took his wife's arm. "Come on Molly. You need to write that letter and send it off." He led her back down to the stairs and Harry waved when he saw Mrs. Weasley give a glance back at him. A lump threatened in Harry's throat but he tightened his jaw and forced it down.

"I'll walk with you to your room." Remus said quietly but firmly so Harry wouldn't argue with him.

"Okay Mummy." Harry wanted to keep things light. It wasn't going to be forever.

Fudge looked at Harry confused but took the lead and started down the hall. Harry followed with Remus walking on his left and Dumbledore on his right. Ogden and Madam Bones followed them.

The door they stopped at had a small opening at the top with bars and a wooden hinged door at the bottom for a food tray. This feature made Harry cringe a bit since it reminded him of his room at the Dursleys. Fudge opened the door inward and Harry saw to the left of the door stood a toilet and a small shower. On the other side of the room a narrow cot with one blanket. The only light was a single small torch and a small window high in the wall letting in a ray of sunshine.

When Dumbledore saw Harry gazing in puzzlement at the window he said. "I insisted on a window. It is unhealthy for a person not to know the passage of day and night."

"Thanks." Harry nodded then said. "Well, it's bigger than the cupboard under the stairs but smaller than my bedroom at the Dursleys." Fudge looked at him as if trying to understand Harry's seemingly lack of concern.

"Cornelius? May we have a word with Harry alone before we leave?" Dumbledore asked politely.

"Ah, well, yes." Fudge, Madam Bones and Ogden walked back down the hall as Dumbledore stepped inside the cell with Harry and Lupin.

The headmaster gave a quick glance around. "Listen closely to me Harry. This is a safer place for you than Azkaban but I could not convince them to use the dungeons at Hogwarts were you would be completely safe."

"I thought about that too." Harry glanced to the ceiling thinking of all the people in the ministry working above them. "There's a lot of people coming and going here."

"Exactly." Dumbledore nodded. "I offered to arrange you meals. Two people will bring it to you. If you do not know both of them don't eat the food." Dumbledore repeated emphatically. "You mustn't eat the food if you don't know who brings it." Harry nodded. "It's one way to insure the food is safe for you.

"I understand." Harry said then frowned. "How about also turning the tray a certain way. Like a hand of a clock? That way if someone did manage to replace both people with phonies I'd still know something was up."

Dumbledore and Lupin stared at Harry for a moment then Remus gave a strained smile. "Mad-eye would be proud of you Harry. That's a good idea."

"Excellent idea." Dumbledore paused to think. "Starting on the quarter hour, how about a quarter turn each meal clockwise for three days then counter clockwise for four then back to three and so on?"

"Sounds like a plan." Harry agreed. "If the tray is round just have them put a mark on one side so I can tell it's turned right."

"I will do that." Dumbledore sighed. "You will be heavily guarded Harry but still be watchful."

"I will." Harry felt his throat tighten when Remus put a hand on his shoulder looking very miserable. "Get out of here before you start blubbering." Harry took the hand and shook it. Remus pulled Harry into a brief hug and patted his back.

"You are getting a bit of a smart mouth on you." Remus said reproachfully but his voice conveyed other emotions when he said hoarsely. "Take care, Harry." Remus and Dumbledore stepped out of the cell. Fudge and Ogden quickly came to the door.

"I almost forgot. Your wand please." Fudge held out his hand.

Having anticipating this request Harry said. "I left my wand at Hogwarts." He shot a quick glance at Dumbledore and Harry saw a slight nod of approval.

"Oh, very well. Step back." Fudge told Lupin who lingered at the door. Ogden grabbed the heavy brass ring on the door and it creaked as it swung shut with slight thud. Harry heard Dumbledore putting a charm on the door and for a brief moment Remus's worried face appeared behind the bars of the small window and then heavy footsteps echoed their departure.

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Author's notes: Thanks for the reviews. pasting mental note back together

Malahide had to die. All DADA professors have to have something happen to them. The position is horrible jinxed.

The mistake isn't:

Neville's birthday. I found out after I had written that his was the 30th but being so close I didn't think it was so ill-conceived that their parents would celebrate together.

No godmother. Again I found this out after I had written one in but Alice Longbottom is hardly a 'real godmother' being how she's mentally gone, so that isn't it.

Harry's patronus is a stag not his animagus form.

If Hermione's parents take a magical port key into the castle I pretty sure they could see it.

Mark Evens being at Hogwarts, I guess I should have read more of JK's interviews. But that isn't the mistake I'm talking about.

It isn't that Dumbledore didn't go to Hogwarts the same time as McGonagall. The age thing was in an interview too.

The video they watched at Christmas, video cameras were around in 1981 and being wizards of course they could get it to play on today's VCRs even if it wasn't the same format.

Dumbledore is an old man, he just misspoke Ginny's age. LOL

Mistake clue for this chapter: The information can be found in one of the first three books, not in an interview.