A/N: The Holidays were wonderful. My vacation ends tomorrow and it is ending on a good note. I am an Arsenal fan and they are leading 3 - 0 with forty minutes left to play. As a piece of trivia, at one point, Harry will go to see Stoke play. (After all, they are the Potters.) It will not, however, be this match.
The Fourth Year Begins
Hermione Granger boarded the Hogwarts Express and walked to where their compartment usually was. She opened the compartment door, It was as large as she remembered. And it was already occupied.
"Colin? Is this your brother?" She held out her hand to a smaller version of the mousey-haired boy.
"Dennis, this is Hermione. She's the smartest witch in the school." Colin pointed to the barrel-chested boy almost his height. "This is Jimmy Peakes. We showed him how to get to the station."
As they shook hands, she warned Jimmy to be careful. "The friends you make on the train, you can end up being stuck with them for the next seven years."
"I can live with that. Colin was telling my about Quidditch. Do you play?"
"You'll want to talk to Harry. He's the Gryffindor Seeker."
"He chases the snitch," Colin said as a reminder. Jimmy nodded his head.
"I have a picture of him," Dennis said as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out the front page of the Daily Prophet. How he got his hands on it, she would never know. But she did know the picture. It was after the battle in the Forest of Dean. The day of the World Cup match where Mexico defeated Bulgaria. The headline said that Draco was a hero, again.
"He's usually not as disheveled as that. Except for the hair." Hermione was laughing.
Jimmy grinned back at her. "Why is Draco Malfoy a hero again? What else did he do?"
"Did you ask Colin?"
"Didn't think to. Should I?"
"Hermione knows more about it," Colin offered.
"Well," Hermione said as she paused. "There were the Cybermen." She grinned at his confusion. "Metallic aliens from a different dimension."
"Aliens? Like at Canary Wharf? I heard stories. Them and the Da . . ." He frowned, trying to remember.
"Daleks," Hermione supplied. "He lured one to Diagon Alley where it was destroyed. He also saved his brother. That's a long story." For some reason she added, "He saved hundreds of people that were trapped by an evil alien."
"I helped," a voice said from behind her.
Hermione turned and smiled. "Jimmy, this is Draco's twin brother, John. He helped."
"Do you do anything else?" Jimmy asked.
"Mostly, I made sure Draco didn't make any mistakes." He smirked at Hermione. "Why don't you tell him how you slew the basilisk? Or do you only brag about other people?"
Hermione looked at Jimmy. "Why don't we sit down? I'll tell you first what a basilisk is."
Jimmy nodded vigorously. She could see it in his eyes. Awe at meeting such brave people.
"How did you know the spell?" Clara asked Draco after Ron finished telling about their adventures at the World Cup.
"John told me."
"How did John know the spell?"
John looked across the room where a black-haired boy was talking Quidditch with two Creeveys, two Weasleys, Parvati Patil and a new boy he'd never seen before. "Don't tell anyone but I found out from Harry?"
Clara gave an annoyed grin, as did most everyone else listening in. "And how did Harry know the spell?"
"He heard Draco use it." John was grinning. "I happened to be in the future and read Harry's autobiography."
"But . . . I know. Don't think about it. I'll only get a headache."
"Do you honestly believe that?" Gwyneth Drummond asked.
Clara had to laugh. "I spent two weeks of the summer having Christmas in Victorian London. I believe it."
"I saw the dress, when she came back," Susan Bones assured Gwyneth.
Gwyneth had to ask if THAT was true. Clara assured her it was. She could ask Harry. He was there as well.
"And you fought?" Jimmy asked.
"It was easier than the time I had to run away from aliens."
"Aliens? The Cybermen?"
"Not them. These were hired assassins." Harry looked at Colin. "You did tell him I was the Boy-Who-Lived?"
"Yeah, he told me," Jimmy offered. "Is that why they were chasing you? How'd you escape?"
"Luck, mostly. I fell through a wonky time portal and landed in 1895."
"You're lying."
"See that girl over there. Her name's Clara. You can ask her. She was with me."
Jimmy decided. He was going to be in Gryffindor so he could also have great adventures that he could brag about.
Draco was wandering the halls, looking for a certain compartment. He finally decided to check compartments. He knocked on one door. It opened. Cedric Diggory was looking at him with curiosity.
"Sorry, I was looking for Slytherins. Do you know where they tend to sit?"
"All over. Just like the other houses."
"Thanks."
Four tries later, he knocked on a door in a different car. George Weasley answered.
"Fred . . . your room is round? What's it like when you look out the windows?"
"John, you really should try to ask reasonable questions. Do you want to take a look? The one on the left, it's like looking down the side of the train. It's wicked when we go into a tunnel."
"I'm looking for Theodore Nott."
"Oh."
"He's sitting with Crabbe and Goyle. I promised those two I'd drop off some of the sweets Mother gave me."
"Why ask for Nott?"
"No one wants to admit they know Vince or Greg."
"Good answer."
"It's true. Try asking for them. You won't get far. By asking for Theo, I found out he's probably in this car."
George looked at him, at the large box under his arm. "I think they're at the end. I'm not sure which side."
"Thanks. Could I look out the window first?"
Theodore Nott was sitting with his friends, sharing stories of what they did over the summer. Vince and Greg both managed to go to the World Cup. They even gave a fairly good description of the crowds fleeing the Death Eater attack, and of the things they were able to steal when going through the deserted tents.
He had less to talk about. He was taken on tours of muggle London to help him appreciate those without magic. He told them about how his guardian took a wrong turn and he found out where the prostitutes were. He told how this guardian became angry when he said he could appreciate these muggles. It was a rare treat, angering his guardian.
There was a knock at the compartment door. It opened. Draco Malfoy was standing there.
"Vince, Greg," Draco said in a happy voice as he closed the door behind him. He handed them a box, which they opened without hesitation. It was filled with snacks and they started eating at once with mumbled thanks coming out of full mouths. Draco turned toward him. He pulled an envelope out of his pocket.
"Couldn't get this to you any earlier. Too many Aurors."
"Thanks." Theo knew what it was. Another letter from his father. Which meant that his father was getting his letters. "They're talking about you again. What you did."
"It was a warning. The Ministry won't sit by. Fudge isn't in charge any more. They were planning on a surprise attack in force. Even if it meant the muggles . . . Well, they weren't concerned about the muggles."
"And you were?"
Draco grinned. "Did you hear about the Malfoy Boy? Faced down a hundred Death Eaters and rescued four muggles to boot."
"It was a wonderful headline. The Boy-Who-Lived helped, I heard."
"And the Ministry received a mention." Draco became serious. "If I did nothing, the Death Eaters would have been stopped, anyway. Forcefully. With more serious casualties. On both sides. People would have become concerned. Watchful." He smiled, "Father says it was the clever way to do it. Keep everyone happy until the day everything changes. They'll look to see what the heroes are doing."
"You and Potter." Theo knew he was making a good point.
"Me. You said it yourself. Potter helped. I was in charge."
"But you've made the Death Eaters a joke." Theo paused. He understood Draco's point. Death Eaters attack the Ministry. They are beaten back by men who are not wearing masks. Men who then take charge. "Bloody brilliant."
"I thought it was when it was explained to me." Again, Draco grinned. "Others liked the idea as well."
"And Potter?"
"I'll stand by him until I need to distance myself. Others can feel free to insult him all they want."
"Others will need a reason."
Draco smiled. "Give it time. Have a happy Halloween."
He left as quickly as he arrived. This conversation was one he was going to write his father about. He reached over into the box and pulled out a pastry. Then he sat back to read his letter.
When Draco returned, John looked at him. Draco nodded, then went over to sit with Harry. He had said everything that John suggested, including the hint that it was all Father's idea. He knew that Father was describing events the same way, to those few who still talked to him.
John was a true Malfoy. His plan for stopping the Death Eaters worked. And the stories would make the Dark Lord's supporters doubt that the family really were blood traitors. Only a Malfoy could conceive such a devious plan.
Dolores Umbridge finished her last minute paperwork and looked up from her desk at her coworker. Ludo Bagman was staring at his desk as though something important was in front of him except there was nothing there. She decided it was time to put her plan into action.
"I'm amazed at how much credit that woman is taking."
"Excuse me?" ludo was now looking at her.
"Sorry. It's Minister Bones. If I weren't too eager, that should have been my position." She hemmed a bit. "I wish I could do something to put her in her place, Embarrass her, somehow. Maybe add another candidate to the Tri-Wizard Tournament or something like that,"
"Add a candidate? You mentioned that before."
She now had Ludo's full attention. "It's simple. Put a candidate's name in, but under a different school." She did her best snicker. "That would get the old witch's dander up. Maybe that Malfoy cur."
"No, he would be too likely a candidate," Ludo answered. "Someone less likely. It would improve the odds . . . that she would be upset, that is. She might think Malfoy a clever addition."
"Oh," Dolores asked, innocently. "Who would you recommend? Potter? That other boy in the picture. Weasley?"
"Potter would be a good choice. Someone unlikely who would still have a chance. A slim one . . ."
Dolores was grinning. "That would be . . . fun. I will be there, you know. As a teacher."
Ludo returned her grin. "That could work. Nothing overt, of course. I'll have to be there as well." He looked at her. "The Minister would be furious. All her precious plans ruined. The odds are good . . . that she'll be fit to be tied."
"But how do we put his name in. The Goblet will be watched at all times."
"I'll take care of that . . . if you really want to go through with this."
"Yes." There was excitement in her voice. She added, slyly, "Ludo, you're a betting man. Do you know where I can place a small wager on this? I would love to make some money from it as well."
Ludo was all smiles. "I'll ask around. I'm sure I know a few people. People who won't talk."
Dolores looked at her watch. "Contact me if you need anything. I need to head to Hogwarts." She smiled. "I have to meet the students when they arrive."
After a few more words of support for the plan, Dolores apparated to Hogsmeade. A young man wearing an excellent disguise was waiting for her. She smiled and nodded. Barty Crouch nodded back. The plan was in the works. By this time next year, she could b back in the Minister's office. After that, it was only a matter of time before she was Minister, herself. Her star was rising.
"Dolores Umbridge?" Lucius asked the headmaster.
"Our choices were limited," Albus admitted. "Mrs. Lupin would have been a good choice except for the fact that she is pregnant. She thought it best to pass up my offer. May I ask how Alastor passed away. You were vague, to say the least."
"A misjudgement on his part. The spells we were using required split second timing. At least, our mutual friend from the wedding will not be making another appearance."
"A high price to pay."
Lucius sighed. "We both knew what could happen. I can only be grateful the same didn't happen to me." He looked up as other entered the room and began taking their seats around the conference table. He nodded to Dumbledore and took his place at the far end. He made it a point to have a few private words with Severus. He also made it a point to congratulate Dolores Umbridge on her new appointment. He smiled, knowingly, as he told her he was sure she would make the most of it.
The meeting began. Lucius shuffled a few parchments in front of him and put on his best smile. He then introduced himself as the special assistant to the Minister.
"As you all know, Hogwarts is hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament, which has been revived after several years. The students from Durmstrang and Beaubatons will be arriving on Hallowe'en. The Goblet of Fire will be revealed in the Great Hall, then moved to the entrance hall. The following day, the champions for each school will be chosen. I need to tell you what my duties are.
"Because of certain incidents over the summer, I will be organizing security for the games. If I do things properly, you shouldn't notice my people at all. The most important thing you should know is that the more eyes we have, the better we can protect the school and everyone involved. My sole purpose here is to ask each and every one of you to report anything out of the ordinary. Most times, this will be nothing. It is that rare occasion that I'm interested in."
"Do you seriously expect any problems at Hogwarts?" Dolores Umbridge asked.
"Problems, yes. I only have three children to take care of. They cause plenty of problems. And you will have hundreds at the school. Trouble, no. And my concern is to make sure there won't be any trouble. I expect most of the things I will be dealing with will be problems between the schools."
"I foresee a great crisis," Professor Trelawney said, holding up a deck of cards. "Someone will die."
"Merlin's beard," Professor McGonagall muttered, glaring at the headmaster. "Another death, Sybill? If all your predictions came true, we wouldn't have any students left."
"Scoff all you want. I only know what the cards tell me."
Lucius smiled. "Forewarned is forearmed, Professor. Now that we know trouble is coming, we know to prepare for it. Thank you." He kept a straight face as the Divination professor smirked at the Transfiguration Professor. He made a few more remarks, answered a few more questions and happily fled the room.
He stopped by one of the windows and looked out. Trouble would come. John had warned him. He had also told him the why of it. And he saved himself from having John take any actions by tagging Dolores. He knew all about Barty Crouch, junior. He knew Crouch, Senior, was probably dead. And he had already decided when and how to reveal the information. He would have to take the blame for the failure in security but he could make it appear that he found out the important things too late to prevent it.
He sighed, remembering a time when he thought it would be wonderful knowing for sure what the future had in store.
"I can see it. Here, in your mind," the Sorting Hat said inside the boy's head. "Not everyone rescues aliens during their summer holidays, you know." Jimmy Peakes frowned. "But I can guarantee you will meet aliens If I put you in the right house." Jimmy Peakes smiled. "Your friend is already there." The Hat then shouted, "Gryffindor".
Jimmy Peakes took off the hat then ran to sit next to Dennis, It was going to be a wonderful year.
"I wish I could meet an alien right now," he told Dennis.
Dennis smirked and pointed to John and Draco. Jimmy mouthed the word, "no". Dennis nodded his head.
"Dennis, how do you know they're aliens."
"Colin told me. They both have two hearts."
Jimmy couldn't help but stare. Draco Malfoy noticed him, said something to his brother. His brother said something back to him and Draco nodded. He then held up two fingers and nodded.
Jimmy mouthed the word, "no".
Draco noticed the boy staring at him.
"John, I think Colin told Dennis about us. You know what I mean."
John glanced over and agreed. "I think Dennis just told his friend."
Draco nodded then turned and looked directly at the first year. He held up two fingers and nodded his head. The boy's reaction confirmed what Draco thought.
"We could tell everyone," Draco said.
John smirked as he looked over. The boy was still staring. John held up a finger to his lips. The boy nodded. "There, he now knows it's a secret."
"He'll want to spend all of his time with us."
Draco smiled. He already knew what to do. Help the boy with his homework, regardless of whether he wanted help or not. Meeting aliens would literally be a learning experience.
"I see it. Inside that head of yours." The Sorting Hat was using the voice of Narcissa Malfoy. To this boy, it spoke of self confidence and trust. "Now, the question is where to place you? The Malfoys are in Gryffindor. You would be familiar with their mother."
The boy smirked. He understood why the Hat was using that particular voice. The sorting Hat continued. "You are smart enough to know what you want. And you are willing to do what ever it takes. Regardless of how hard it is." The Narcissa Malfoy voice sighed. "But strongest of all is your desire. You are determined to move and shake the world. There is only one house for that."
The Sorting Hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN".
Adam Summers, the muggleborn boy from Purfleet, took off the Sorting Hat and walked with applause to his house. He was greeted by the head boy and told he was in the best house. As he sat down, the rumours already started. Another pureblood raised by muggles. The explanation was easy. To protect them, because of the last war. One Slytherin, Millicent Bulstrode, accepted the truth. She also knew that if Adam was in her house, it meant he was someone to watch.
Victoria Westfield cheered as Adam went to sit with the Slytherins. She knew the stories were lies, that all Slytherins were bad. After all, she knew Narcissa Malfoy. She had met their family. Both parents were Slytherin. Their twins were in Gryffindor, true, but that was because it was the better house. When she took her place on the stool and the Hat was put on her head, she preened. This was her moment.
The hat spoke in her father's voice. It said she was smart enough to know what she wanted. It shouted, "Ravenclaw".
Victoria walked to where her new house sat. She was half-thinking that Adam would need someone smart to help him. Or to challenge him.
Dear Mom and Dad,
School is wonderful. So much better than I expected. Magic is wonderful. I'm already part of a group that does extra studying on our own. The first thing they told me was that it isn't important to be the best. It is important to be the best you can be. That's what Draco told me.
The classes are the best, also. We have a potions class. The professor is really stern. The rumour is that he once smiled. He has the same attitude. We always have our choice. Try the regular potion or try the more difficult version. And he scowls regardless of how good I do. (I asked him if it was true that he smiled once. He smiled for real and said she was absolutely brilliant at potions. Then he gave me detention.)
They're having a magical contest here. Tomorrow there's going to be a big feast and a bunch of kids from other schools will be coming. I tell you all about it when I know more. Draco says it's going to be great.
Draco's the best thing about the school. He helps me with my homework all the time. Even when I don't want to do it. And not just me. There's three of us now that Natalie McDonald joined Dennis and me for that study group. The best thing about Draco is that he's an actual alien. I showed him my favorite book and he leafed through it, saying it was good. When I asked him if he read it he said he did, just then. (He can read an entire book just by glancing at the pages. He even pointed out the pages where I made marks with a pencil so I wouldn't lose my place.)
His brother, John, is the same. He was helping out in our astronomy class and he lined up my telescope so that I could look at Mars. (He didn't even look at the sky. He said he knew where it was.)
Thanks for letting me come here.
Jimmy.
P.S.: I hope the owl didn't scare you. That's how wizards send their mail.
James Westfield was smiling. His first official visit to 10 Downing Street. He was still smiling when he entered the Prime Minister's office.
"Ma'am." He frowned as the aide closed the door behind him. "You said we were having a meeting. There are only two of us."
The Prime minister smiled at him. One of those smiles that said she was trying to maintain control of herself.
"We are. The others will arrive shortly."
James followed her eyes as she looked at a portrait on the wall. The portrait was looking at both of them. James stared. The man in the portrait was clearly moving his eyes first to look at her, then at him, then back again. His smile became a smirk.
"I assume my secret is out."
"I wish you had given me some warning."
"The Statute of Secrecy. Theirs. I'm not permitted to reveal the existence of magic."
The Prime Minister sighed. "I was told. I was also told about your daughter."
"She sent me her first letter. She loves her new school."
The portrait interrupted them by announcing the impending arrival of the Minister for Magic. The Prime Minister's smile became real. "That woman is amazing."
James arched an eyebrow then turned as the fireplace suddenly roared with flame. The flames turned green. A tall woman, about the same age as the Prime Minister, stepped out, She was followed by a familiar figure. Lucius Malfoy. James now knew why he was requested to be present. Something was going on in the realm of magic and it would involve him.
Minister Bones introduced herself. She introduced Lucius Malfoy as the head of Torchwood. The Prime Minister, in turn, made introductions explaining that he was Minister without portfolio.
"A clever term," Minister Bones said, "I should have used that, myself."
"I'm not Torchwood, Ma'am," James explained. "Although they do fall under my jurisdiction. Our branch."
"I know my history, Mister Westfield. And I know both branches, magical and muggle, fought at Canary Wharf."
"With equal results, I'm afraid."
"I was fortunate," The Prime Minister said. "I was away on mission when . . . it happened."
"You were fortunate," Minister Bones admitted. "I was there. I was one of a handful of survivors." Her eyes became distant. "We were outnumbered. They had the better weapons. Both groups of aliens. If it weren't for the Doctor . . ." She cleared her throat. "Why don't we get down to business?"
The Prime Minster showed everyone the chairs and took her seat behind the desk. "And what is the nature of this business?"
"For now, it is mostly a warning. We have a problem."
Lucius Malfoy nodded when the Minister for Magic turned to him. "We currently have a madman who is making plans to, quite frankly, conquer the world. He wishes first to conquer wizarding Britain. His next step, should he succeed is to seize control of muggle Britain as well."
"And you want our help in fighting a mad wizard?" James asked.
"We think we can handle that part. The problem is that he is looking for allies. Off world."
The Prime Minister seemed amused. "And how does he plan on contacting them? In person?"
"Through intermediaries. Some of his supporters have been making trips to the Moon. One or two of them have not returned and are not there."
"The Moon?" the Prime Minister asked.
Minister Bones smiled. "We're more advanced in some areas than you are. Wizards have had a research base on the moon for most of a century. It's more than that, now. Most off world trading takes place there, to avoid problems with the muggle military."
James decided to take charge while the Prime Minister recovered her surprise. "Our mutual friend is trying to enlist the help of aliens?"
Lucius smiled at him. "Exactly. His first attempt failed. Our problem is that we have no idea what form his second attempt will take. As his plans are currently focused on Britain, the Minister thought it best to inform you early on rather than wait until we knew what we were dealing with."
Minister Bones gave a patronizing smile. "Your previous administration did that with the 4 5 6. And we all know that ended badly."
The Prime Minister returned the smile. "For some of us. We've already learned not to make the same mistake." The smile faded. "So we will watch and wait. All I ask is that you let us know the instant you find out what is going on. Unless we are unlucky enough to find something first."
Both Ministers were smiling. Genuine smiles. James understood that they had formed a friendship of sorts. He was mildly surprised when the Prime Minister addressed Lucius.
"Mister Malfoy, I am curious. Are you aware that you are known by almost everyone in England? They call you the Hero of September."
"I was told I had a reputation. I've tried to put it to good use."
The Prime Minister was smiling, again. James knew that she had confirmed her suspicions. Lucius Malfoy knew exactly what he was doing when his picture was taken on that day not so long ago.
