FIFTY-FOURTH

"There are six 'muggleborns' in the school," Fred told Ron softly. "They are Caradoc Dearborn as Richard Price, Emmeline Vance as Marjorie Risher, Sybill Trelawney as Evelyn Baker, Shazia Malik as Carlton Burger, Worthington Wentworth as Sam Newell and Buckland Reardon as Samuel Sampson. I don't know how they got past the Sorting Hat, but they did."

"I'll write a letter to Corvus, and see if he has any information," Susan Bones said. "Meanwhile, how is it going with the former headmaster, Ron?"

"He's 'convinced' me to get together with the 'muggleborns' and plot how to free him. He thinks that we'll be able to come up with a way to return him to normal after we free him from his prison. Unfortunately, since it was the spirit of Hogwarts to curse him, she will be the only one to free him." A malicious smirk bloomed across his face. "In other news, he wants me to get hold of Rita Skeeter and spread lies about Severus, Lucius, and the Dark Lord.

"Since it is Lord Riddle that is making the changes we need, and Lucius is Minister, Dumbledore seeks to destroy the Ministry from the inside. I'll get more information and plans from him before I inform our Lord about the plans."

As one, the six spies turned into giant canaries, chirping and squawking loudly as they sat at their House tables. The Great Hall erupted into howls and screams of laughter as the canaries continued to express their displeasure at their circumstances. The recruits knew of the twins' plans and pranks, and knew that the Canary Cremes would wear off in moments; however, the demons of Gryffindor had doctored these particular cremes to last longer than a few moments.

"How long will they be like that?" Ron asked his brothers quietly.

"Those particular cremes are set to last for a week," Fred replied softly.

"When they finally molt, they will stink to high heaven," George added with a grin. "The smell will last another week."

"Brilliant," Neville whispered with a laugh. At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the Hall, dropping down to the Slytherin table and holding out her leg. Greg, Vince, Daphne and Tracey instantly leaned toward the blonde girl, anticipation on her face. Pansy took the missive and gave the owl some roast beef from her plate before cracking the seal.

"Pansy," she read aloud, "I received the letter from Susan Bones, and I've decided to reply to you, since Hedwig has only been seen in the company of the Slytherins. When you have an opportunity, you can share this information with the rest of them.

"The 'muggleborns' were allowed to remain because Fawkes and Ewan came to an accord. Father and I had a meeting with the two of them, where we told them of Moody's plans to infiltrate Hogwarts under cover. Father told them that we needed them in the school, so that we may learn of the former headmaster's plans against myself and Father. Between the 'muggleborns' and Ron's position as 'stooge', we should be able to get all of the old man's schemes; besides, the infiltrators should provide endless entertainment for you and the others.

"Yours,

"Corvus."

"Hi," Ron said as he walked up to the gathered spies. "My name is Ron Prewitt-Tonks, and I've been told by Dumbledore that I am to be in charge of your group." Richard Price, who had been elected 'leader', stared belligerently at the redhead.

"What makes you so special?" the boy snarled with a sneer. "Headmaster Dumbledore never said anything to us about a newcomer."

"I am a pureblood, and my family has been supporters of the headmaster for a very long time," the redhead replied with a shy smile. "I think he's brilliant, and what has been said about him is a travesty."

"Too right," Sam Newell chirped happily, glad that an established student would be leading them. "Welcome aboard. My name is Sam, and this is Richard," he indicated the first speaker, who was still glaring at Ron. "That is Marjorie, that's Samuel, but we call him Sampson 'cause it gets too confusing otherwise, that's Carlton, and that's Evelyn."

"How do we know that you're part of us?" Marjorie asked suspiciously. "Your brothers are rather mean, and prank us horribly."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Ron replied with a fake blush. "They're trying to create new joke products, and, unfortunately, the rest of Hogwarts are their 'test subjects'. I'll have a talk with them. They should be agreeable to letting you lot alone."

"Good," Carlton barked angrily. "That canary one was disgusting."

"Now," Tonks said as he clapped his hands together, "let's get down to business."

"Alistor," Trelawney hissed. She and the other spies were in a darkened alcove deep within the dungeons of the school. The mirror in her hand lit up, and Moody's face appeared in the glass.

"Sybill," he murmured gruffly. "How goes the campaign?"

"When we first got here, the Weasley twins pranked us horribly," she replied shakily. "Well, they're now Prewitts, but you get the idea. Anyway, their youngest brother, Ron, came to us a few days ago, excited about working with us to clear Albus' name. He told us that he was sent to be our leader by the headmaster. He even said that he would take care of the twins' pranking us, and he did. He's got some really good ideas about clearing the headmaster's name, and we're working on them right now."

"That is excellent news," Moody murmured with a pleased smile. His eyes shone with glee at the thought of freeing his oldest friend from his troubles. "What are your plans so far?"

"Well, Ron was thinking..."

Corvus,

I'm in the 'muggleborns' group now. I went to see Dumbledore, as we planned, and he was ecstatic to have me onboard as his mouthpiece. He even told me of some of his plans in regards to his reputation. I have sent along all that we'd talked about in a pensieve memory, for you to view at your leisure. Rest assured, I will do all I can to lead them in all the wrong directions, per Dumbledore's instructions, of course.

I haven't yet discovered anything new about his plans, or what he had done in the past. As soon as I do, you will be the first to know.

Ron

Ron,

Thank you for the update. I appreciate the danger in which you've placed yourself, and I am exceedingly grateful for your courage and forethought. Please continue to protect those in Hogwarts, and I am proud of the courage and intelligence you've applied to this problem. Keep your head down, and let me know if there's anything I may do to help you.

Yours,

Corvus

My son,

I have discovered the identity of the bitch who mauled you. She is from the Etienne family of France. They are very highly placed in the French Ministry, and they also control a great deal of commerce in that part of the wizarding world. I've had Lucius investigate the family, and I have been made aware of all of their holdings, as well as the chinks in their armor. I will begin to take them apart at the beginning of next week. By the time I've finished with them, they will be pariahs in their little corner of the wizarding world, and penniless to boot.

The girl's name is Victoire Etienne. She was sent to Durmstrang to try and infiltrate our organization through you. She was told, of course, to use any means necessary to achieve that goal. She is home now, and blind. Her face was repaired to the best of the Healers' abilities, but they could not repair her eyes. When I exact my punishment for the Etiennes' stupidity, I will ensure that the whole of the world will know of it, and the reasons behind it. I hope that it will, once and for all, end the foolishness and ensure your safety.

I love you, son.

Father

Father,

Thank you for taking care of her for me. I do not think I could face her. The memories are still too strong, but my consorts and friends are trying to help me get past what she did to me.

Ron has made progress with the headmaster and his spies. He sent me a vial of memories, which I have included, that shows the meeting he had with the old man. He's assured me that he will do his utmost to try and steer the imposters in all the wrong directions he can, while still gathering more information against him. That young man is truly brave, and I couldn't be prouder of him.

Willa Macnair has approached him about a contract. I am sure that Walden will be thrilled at the union. Once again, it seems that everything is falling into place. I can't wait to see you this weekend.

I love you,

Corvus

"Hi, Ron," a voice said shyly. The redhead turned, smiling widely at the girl before him.

"Hey, Willa," he replied, blushing. "Have you heard anything from your father yet?"

"I did. That's why I'm here. He's approved of the contract, and will have it drawn up for us this weekend. We'll sign it at the Dark Lord's manor, with the Dark heir-Lord as witness. I can't wait to sign. I...I love you, Ron."

"We are gathered here to complete the betrothal ceremony for Ronald Prewitt-Tonks and Willa Macnair. Who is here to represent this young man's interests?" the officiate asked softly.

"I am here to represent this young man's interests, and I give my permission for the betrothal," Corvus murmured, brandishing an athame. He nicked Tonks' finger, allowing the redhead to smear his blood over his signature on the contract.

"Very good. Who is here to represent this young woman's interests?" the officiate asked again.

"I am here to represent this young woman's interests," Walden replied with a catch in his voice. He nicked his daughter's finger with the athame, and she swiped her bloody fingertip over her signature. The contract glowed golden before disappearing.

"It is done. The contract is registered with the Ministry, and no one may interfere with it. So mote it be." He turned to Voldemort, a small smile on his face. "I do believe we have another contract to seal?"

"Indeed," Tom hissed with a grin. He presented the pages to the priest, who examined them closely before nodding his head in approval.

"Who is here to represent this young man's interests?" he asked as soon as he put the papers on the pedestal.

"I am here to represent this young man's interests," Tom replied, nicking Corvus' finger. Trembling, the boy smeared his signature with his blood, happiness blooming in his heart.

"Who is here to represent this young man's interests?"

"I am here to represent this young man's interests," Teodred Nott said, nicking Theo's finger. The blood placed, the officiate turned to the last boy in the party.

"Who is here to represent this young man's interests?"

"I am here to represent this young man's interests," Lucius said, nicking Draco's finger. With a beaming smile, the blond swiped his finger enthusiastically across his signature. The contract flashed an ivory so bright that everyone was momentarily blinded, before disappearing.

"Very well," the priest said breathlessly, "the contract is archived at the Ministry, and no one may interfere with it. So mote it be."

"I think this calls for a celebration," Marguerite quipped into the silence.