AN: I do not own Harry Potter, that honor goes to J. K. Rowling.
An Author's Note is at the bottom that talks about the book and what will come in the future.
Chapter 21: Storm Clouds
Harry crouched low on the parapet of the tallest tower. He cloaked himself with the Disillusionment Charm and threw the Invisibility Cloak over his head. The setting sun, peaking through dark rainclouds, reflected his mood as he waited. Scenarios ran through his mind as he idly brushed his scarred fingers around the stone disk. With little else to do, he tried meditating on what animal best matched his personality. His mind kept coming back to the stone disk in his hand, breaking his concentration. With a sigh, he put it away and closed his eyes.
Darkness fell and so did the temperature. Harry contemplated using a charm to warm himself up but decided his winter cloak would best protect him. If Dumbledore arrived, he didn't want the skilled wizard figuring out he was out of bed and watching the castle late at night. With a muffled groan, he remembered Dumbledore still had the Mauraders Map and his extra preparations were useless. He watched the lights around the castle dim before going out, one by one. "Filch must be doing his rounds," he thought as he sat atop his broom.
An older witch and wizard ran along the roof below him, their muffled laughter reaching his ears. They embraced at the base of one of the many gargoyles surrounding the roof of the Great Hall. Harry looked away when their embrace became more heated. He flew to the other side of the tower and peered down into the Transfiguration Courtyard. It looked haunting from where he was. Dark shadows around the large courtyard extended outward like tendrils of some unseen hand from the base of the sole, normally beautiful, tree in the middle of the path. With nothing to do but wait, he started to fly in slow circles around the castle, keeping an eye out for anything odd. The chill in the air was biting, almost uncomfortable, even through his cloak and robes.
Harry almost flew into the Gryffindor Tower when he realized what he'd been feeling. Dementors were somewhere nearby. Lots of Dementors if the chill was anything to go by. The cold was biting into his bones and unpleasant feelings rose in his chest. A faint mist appeared in front of his mouth. He looked up to see three Dementors flying together across the sky, black shapes across the dark clouds.
"Bugger my luck," he muttered as more dark shapes seemed to appear out of nowhere high above him.
He retreated toward the ground, not wanting to run into a group of Dementors. They seemed to patrol in groups of three and four. Just as he landed on the roof of the Entrance Hall, the doors swung open. Professor McGonagall strode out into the yard and shot a white spell into the air. The spell seemed to vanish for a moment before a bright light lit a large portion of the lawn. Harry squinted, his eyes burning from the sudden light, and saw a white orb hovering in mid-air where the spell vanished. It took him a moment to clear the spots out of his vision.
Two figures moved across the lawn and marched past Professor McGonagall. Harry thought one of them might have been Moody from the slight limp in his leg. Seconds later, another two figures appeared with one person between them. Peter Pettigrew looked small between Kingsley and Proudfoot. Tonks and Savage brought Sirius out next.
"Move faster, I don't see the others," Moody's voice boomed out in the silent night.
Professor McGonagall stood by the doors for a moment before striding back toward the school. Harry looked up when a cold feeling welled up in his chest. At first, he thought a dark cloud was moving across the sky. Then he realized what it was. A hundred or more Dementors, tightly packed together, descended in a wedge, aimed right at the moving figures on the ground.
"Dementors!" Kingsley bellowed, his rich voice echoing off the quiet forest.
All the Aurors acted as one. Bright flashes of white light extended from their wands, aimed upward. Harry, having the advantage of being able to see the entire lawn, saw something the others hadn't. Dark shapes moved between the trees. Five bright white Patronuses slammed into the mass of Dementors descending from the sky while a large, scarred badger held back.
"Dementors in the trees," Moody yelled as he directed his wand in front of him. The white badger streaked toward the trees in front of them.
Harry watched with sick fascination as the descending Dementors broke off into four large groups, trying to get around behind the Aurors and their prisoners. The Patronuses fell back to guard their owners, creating a loose circle around the enclosed Aurors.
"We've got to get back into the castle," Kingsley's voice called out.
Harry saw a jet of white light appear from the Entrance Hall below him. A white cat streaked toward a cluster of Dementors, sending them scattering away. For a moment, Harry thought the group of Aurors would be able to get everyone back inside safely. His smile died on his face when he realized not all of the Dementors above the group's head had moved away.
"Above!" Tonks called, her voice high and shrill.
Harry moved without thinking. He pointed his wand at a spot above the group of retreating Aurors and focused. His only wish was to save them, protect them from a fate worse than death. "Expecto Patronum," he bellowed, pushing every ounce of magical strength into the incantation while he thought about the happiest memory he had. The image of Master Ogata's smile as he chose his graduation present. A warm feeling of acceptance, accomplishment, and pride welled up in his chest.
A blinding white light obscured his vision as something large erupted from his wand. He knew what his Patronus was as it left his wand. The white light streaked toward the defenseless group below. A massive white bear charged into the column of descending Dementors. Pulses of white light radiated out from the center of the bear, knocking the dark creatures away. The distraction gave Moody and Kingsley enough time to push back the cluster of Dementors around the group.
Harry felt his strength failing from pushing too much magic into his charm. He gripped the broom with one hand as his vision unfocused for a moment. His senses told him his Patronus was still rampaging after the Dementors. He released the charm and kicked off hard from the roof.
"Harry!" Ron gasped in a low voice as Harry fell in through the window. "Neville help me with him," he ordered.
"What's going on?" Seamus called, his voice thick with sleep.
"Nothing, Harry just fell out of bed," Neville lied and helped Harry to his feet.
"Thanks," Harry muttered and collapsed sideways into his bed.
"Bloody idiots," Seamus muttered before turning over.
"Did you do it?" Ron asked in a low whisper.
"I think so," Harry answered, his knees wobbling. It had taken all of his strength to stay on his broom. "I produced a corporeal Patronus," he giggled as his head swam.
"Blimey, I think you need to sleep," Ron muttered.
"I'll be fine in a bit," Harry whispered back. He felt exhausted and tried to understand why. Images flashed in his mind until he realized why he felt so weak. "I forgot to protect myself," he grumbled.
"What?" Neville asked in a low voice, his face close to Harry's ear.
Harry opened one eye when he realized Neville was so close. His round-faced friend was trying to get the clasp of his Invisibility Cloak off him. "A hundred or more Dementors are out there," Harry slurred as he shook his head. A dull throb ached from behind his eyes. "I forgot to use the Patronus Charm to protect myself too. I sent it to help Sirius and the Aurors."
"What?!" Ron gasped.
"Shut it, Weasley!" Seamus called from the other side of the room.
Harry felt a chuckle escape his lips. He clenched and unclenched his hands as energy started to return to him. "Neville, my trunk," he called in a voice just above a whisper. "Second compartment. Can you grab the potion with a fist on it?" he asked. He hoped he'd left the trunk unlocked.
"Your Invigorating Draught?" Neville asked but didn't wait to hear Harry's answer and got off the side of the bed.
Professor McGonagall opened the dormitory door twenty minutes later. Her dark eyes regarded Harry with an expression he'd never seen before. Ron and Neville lept off either side of Harry's bed with startled gasps and ran for their beds. "Mr. Potter," the professor announced, her tone clipped and wintery. "Come with me," she ordered before turning around and striding out of the room.
Harry grimaced but expected someone to come and fetch him. He rose from his bed, still wearing his robes, and waved to his friends. Seamus' eyes narrowed at him from under his covers, muttering something dark about famous bellends.
Professor McGonagall did not speak as she briskly led him through the castle. The dim corridors with long shadows made Harry think of the Dementors he knew were lurking outside the castle. He looked out of one of the large windows in the corridor before they arrived at the Grand Staircase and noticed the large patches of ice covering the glass.
"You've been busy tonight," the professor said in a clipped voice as they waited for the moving stairs to align with the correct platform below them.
"I felt it was necessary to try and help tonight," Harry answered after a long moment.
"Professor Lupin told me what you said to him," she said in a quiet, somber voice. "Do not speak of it when questioned."
Harry blinked and looked at the professor. She gave him a hard, almost commanding look as if she expected him to obey her word without question. "May I ask why?" he whispered as they started to descend the stairs again.
"Wait for Dumbledore to explain it... and Harry... well done tonight," Professor McGonagall praised in a low voice. "You may have saved someone's life."
That, someone, was Proudfoot. The still form of the Auror lay on a white cot with two mediwizards from St. Mungos at his side. A large tub, with a thick layer of ice just below the rim, revealed a dim shape of the Auror's missing arm. "Minerva... Harry," a gruff voice called from the other side of the Entrance Hall.
Alastor Moody stomped over to them, his electric blue eye spinning, with a grim expression on his face. Both eyes settled on Harry once he drew level with them. "That was your Patronus," he said in a clear voice that spoke of his certainty. "You saved Proudfoot's life by covering the air over our heads. Kingsley was able to push back a knot of Dementors who slipped past our defensive ring and started in toward the downed Proudfoot."
"What happened?" Harry asked in a low voice. "I had a feeling something would go wrong but I didn't know what," he said, trying to get a good look around the darkened chamber.
"For that... I will need all of you to follow me," a crisp, loud feminine voice called. Madam Bones stepped out of the Chamber of Reception and looked Harry over. A small line creased her mouth as she waved for them to follow her.
Professor McGonagall stiffened before putting a hand on Harry's shoulder for a moment. It seemed like she wanted to say something but thought better of it. Harry followed the professor across the Entrance Hall with half a dozen adult witches and wizards staring at him with mixed expressions on their faces. One mediwizard who looked young enough to have recently graduated Hogwarts, stared, wide-eyed at Harry with her mouth half-open. Tonks stood against the wall near the Hufflepuff hourglass, her expression dark and brooding.
Madam Bones greeted Harry when he entered the room and the professor closed the door. "Harry, I need your version of events of what happened tonight," she demanded in a soft, but firm voice. She stood next to Garmond, his mouth set in a hard line as he stared at Harry. Three forms lay on cots to one side of the room. Kingsley was on the cot closest to the door, his eyes closed and his chest barely moving. Alastor Moody was in the next cot, his wooden leg lay on its side at the foot of the small bed. The last cot had Sirius in it and he did not stir. Savage leaned against the far wall, his wand held in a loose grip as he stared at Black's still form.
Harry debated what to say as he looked around the chamber. The low light seemed to remind him of his cell in Azkaban, despite the room's large size. He realized it was the Dementor's presence, somewhere nearby, that seemed to heighten his discomfort. It took him a moment for his tired brain to register the danger. He spun and looked at the large ornate window, high on the wall to the left of the open door. A vast host of Dementors hovered right outside the window and seemed to stare down at him.
"Put away your wand," Garmond commanded, his voice low and gentle. "They cannot harm you, or us, in here."
Harry looked down and realized he'd drawn his wand at some point. A moment later, he realized he was having trouble breathing. Without looking away, he started to speak. "I found out Sirius was being moved tonight. Something didn't feel right. An instinct if you want to call it that," he lied as he watched two Dementors come closer to the glass, their dark forms bending and warping. "I used a Disillusionment Charm to cloak myself. Not that I needed it," he muttered in a low voice. "I used my broomstick to fly out of my dormitory window. There were so many Dementors," he said as he watched more Dementors come closer to the glass. A nervous thrum seemed to go through his body as he clenched his wand tighter.
"You sent a corporeal Patronus toward my Aurors, why?" Madam Bones questioned in a clipped voice.
"I didn't think they'd be able to protect themselves and Sirius," Harry answered with a shrug. "There were so many of them."
"Yes," Madam Bones said, her voice hard and unwavering. "There were," she continued before pausing. "You saved Proudfoot's life by doing that. For that, I thank you," she said in a low voice. "Peter Pettigrew attacked him and escaped with Proudfoot's wand."
Harry felt himself freeze on the spot. The worry nagging at him seemed to drop like a heavy weight into his stomach. Professor Trelawney's voice came to him again, the barest whisper in the back of his mind. "The Dark Lord will rise again, greater and more powerful than he was before his fall,"the voice taunted. His hands shook and his wand dropped from his unresponsive fingers.
"Harry? Harry?" Garmond's voice called, cutting through the rising terror in Harry's chest.
It was a struggle to keep his face impassive as he turned to look back into the room. Everyone stared at him, even Moody, his electric blue eye focused intently on his face. "Sirius?" he asked in what he hoped was a calm voice.
"Alive," Madam Bones announced as she stared at him. "Are you telling me everything?" she demanded.
"Everything you'll believe," Harry answered in a soft voice as his eyes rested on Sirius' still form.
"What about what we won't believe," Garmond questioned in a gentler voice. "I for one will listen to you, no matter how farfetched it may seem."
Harry looked at the old wizard and felt suddenly tired. His body ached for sleep as a small pounding in his head told him the Invigorating Draught was wearing off. In a small corner of his mind, he mused that the potion must have been bad or his experimentation in the last batch hadn't worked as well as he'd hoped. "Voldemort will return... stronger and more powerful than before," he quoted in a soft voice. The words echoed around the room in what seemed like a deafening roar to Harry's words.
Both of Moody's eyes latched onto Harry as he froze. Madam Bones stared at Harry, the whites of her eyes showing as her mouth drew back into a soundless snarl. Kingsley seemed to freeze on his cot as he slowly turned his head around to stare at Harry and Garmond grunted as if he'd been punched.
"How do you know?" the spymaster asked, his voice quiet and grave.
"Instinct," Harry answered as a sigh escaped his lips. "Instinct and constant, never-ceasing vigilance," he added, a small grin creasing the side of his face. Madam Bones and Garmond questioned him for a little longer but wouldn't let him see Sirius. They dismissed him back to bed a short time later.
His friends questioned him the next day when they had a moment alone. He didn't hide anything from them. Hermione shook, her eyes wide as she stared at Harry after he'd finished. They stood in a disused classroom on the first floor. Neville stood rooted to the spot, his hands shaking, while Ron seemed to mouth Harry's words to himself. "But, she's mad. Professor Trelawney is mad," Ron declared after a moment.
"Maybe," Harry allowed with a nod of his head. "However," he said, breaking off with a hard look at his friends. "Madness doesn't mean she's wrong."
"Harry," Hermione said in a low, pleading voice. "You have to be mistaken. Maybe you heard it wrong," she pressed as she bit her lower lip.
"You are my friends," Harry said in a low voice. "You have a right to know what I know and... and he is coming back. I don't know when. I don't know how, but it will happen. I know it like I know my bones ache with cold when a Dementor is near."
Ron grimaced and looked away. Neville's shoulders hunched as he stared at the floor as if Harry's words had dealt him a physical blow. "What can we do?" Ron asked with a grimace.
"Do? Now, I suppose we can do nothing but wait to see if Professor Trelawney's prophesy comes true," Harry answered with a sigh.
"No," Neville said in a soft voice. He looked up at Harry, his eyes narrowing. "We can prepare. I won't sit here and wait. I won't hope for the best. I want to learn. I want to get better," he said, his eyes burning with a light Harry had never seen before in his friend's eyes. "Harry, I want you to help me learn how to protect myself."
Harry arched an eyebrow at his friend. "You can protect yourself already. You beat Zoe and, if I'm right, you attacked Malfoy and feathered him a while back," he challenged with a smirk.
Neville's face went a deep shade of red. "How did you know it was me?" he muttered in a low voice. Hermione gasped and shot the round-faced boy a glower. Her anger seemed to deepen as she looked at Harry.
"Malfoy refused to speak about it. That meant it was either a witch that did it to him or someone he considers to be lesser than him. Snape's hatred toward me redoubled after that incident so Malfoy must have at least either partially blamed me or we were seen in the area near the time of the attack," Harry said with a smirk. "How close am I?"
Neville shuffled on his feet. "Neville!" Hermione growled and turned her glare back toward him. "Harry, you're such a bad influence on him."
"Me?" Harry spluttered as Ron and Neville snorted. The round-faced boy turned away and scratched the back of his head but didn't answer. "It doesn't matter. Malfoy will get what is coming to him one day."
"Yeah," Ron muttered darkly. "I can't wait to crush him into the ground for getting Buckbeak killed. Him and his bloody family need to pay."
Harry knew the truth but he'd promised not to tell anyone until Witherwings found a new home. "They will... don't worry, Ron," he consoled and looked at Neville. "What do you want to learn?" he asked with a frown.
"Everything," Neville muttered with a frown. "I want to be able to duel Death Eaters like Pettigrew," he said in a low voice.
Harry breathed out and shook his head. "Neville, I told you, that duel was closer than you realize. I had the advantage because Pettigrew wasn't ready and Ron had accidentally choked him with the Summoning Charm. I can teach you how to duel... what little I know... but we don't have a lot of time before the end of the term and we can't do any magic over the summer," he said with a grimace.
"I want to learn," Neville repeated, his voice growing stronger. "I want to learn how to protect myself and others. Will you help me?"
"Of course I will," Harry answered with a smile. Hermione looked between them and rolled her eyes. Ron turned his laugh into a cough at the last moment but Harry ignored him. He saw the look in Neville's eyes and knew the round-faced boy meant it.
Time passed for Harry in a blur of studying, practicing with Neville, and worrying for Sirius. The Daily Prophet released an article about Madam Bones acting without the Minister of Magic's approval and was up on charges for harboring a dangerous wizard. Amelia fought back by releasing the truth about what happened the night they apprehended Sirius Black. It seemed like the wizarding world's eyes were on Britain and Fudge as the Daily Prophet posted articles from communities around the world. Many communities remonstrated the Minister for deploying Dementors anywhere near magical children. Sirius Black's official trial would start May thirtieth. No one mentioned Peter Pettigrew's disappearance or him attacking Proudfoot or Harry.
Harry asked Professor McGonagall if he could go to Sirius' trial but she told him that he couldn't be seen at the Ministry for any reason until it was time. He felt her wording was ominous but tried to ignore the raging worry building in his stomach. Neville's almost fanatical desire to learn everything Harry would teach him startled everyone who watched on in the study classroom. Harry and Hermione worked together to widen the middle two platforms and cover the stairs between them so there was a larger space to duel in.
"Don't drop your shoulder, keep your wand up," Harry instructed as he sent another Red Sparks spell at Neville. Neville dodged the spell and panted out a counter. A white jet of light shot toward Harry who knocked it aside with a quiet Shield Charm. "Shouldn't you four be studying for your O.W.L.s?" he questioned with a smirk toward Fred, George, Angelina, and Alicia.
"This is much more fun to watch, can we have a go?" Fred asked as he cracked his knuckles.
"Yeah, we'd love to have a go at you, Harry," George chorused with a smirk as he whipped his wand in the air with a flourish.
Angelina laughed and pushed Fred in the back who stumbled into his twin. "We're enjoying the ability to rest. Your blasted cards are making our heads spin. Do you know all that stuff, Harry?" she questioned as she grimaced.
Harry laughed and shook his head as he dodged another of Neville's spells. He knew his friend was tired but Neville wouldn't give up for another few minutes. "Impedimenta," he said in a low voice and shot the turquoise spell at Neville who'd just planted his feet. He watched Neville's eyes widen as he tried to leap to the side to dodge the spell. Neville didn't get away in time and the spell took him in the leg.
As Neville moved in slow motion, Harry whipped two more spells at him in quick succession before looking at Hermione. "It's Hermione who knows all the answers. She helps me make most of the cards," Harry admitted with a half shrug. He didn't outright lie but he didn't want Angelina to know the truth. His scores had gotten better as the professors piled harder questions and review material upon Hermione and himself. It was like Professor McGonagall knew what areas Harry needed to improve on.
"Thank you, all the same," Alicia said with a warm smile.
"I still can't believe Ron is milking the win against Ravenclaw. He nearly fell off his broom when Cho Chang smiled at him," George complained after he'd shoved his twin off him.
"That was a closer game than it should have been. Your brother seems to have a huge crush on the Ravenclaw Seeker," Angelina commented with a musical laugh.
"Ickle Ronnikins is still trying to get her attention," Fred commented with a dark look on his face. "Imagine, trying to cavort with the enemy team!"
The small group of friends laughed while Neville concentrated on canceling the spell. "I concede," he gasped out and fell to one knee.
Harry nodded and strode over to Neville, bending down to check his friend over. Minor cuts and bruises showed on his hands and face. "Do you need a potion?" he asked, fishing around in his robes for a vial of Wigenweld Potion.
"No, just rest," Neville muttered, his face going red. "I did worse that time."
"You kept getting distracted by everyone watching us," Harry consoled and scolded at the same time. "Focus on your opponent. You're doing better than you realize. You could beat Ron five times out of six now when you're at your best."
"Thanks, Harry," Neville muttered and sprawled on the hard flagstones. He didn't seem to care as he closed his eyes and fought to regain a normal breathing pattern.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Harry said and stood, waving everyone away.
"Aww, we wanted a go," the twins chorused as Ginny said, "can I duel you?" The three Weasleys looked at each other with identical grins plastered on their faces.
"Mental," Angelina muttered as she hopped down off the low wall of the platform. "I've got History of Magic to study next," she complained. "Maybe I should duel him so I can be as tired as Neville is," she joked. The dark circles around her eyes seemed to deepen as she scowled.
"How do you think you'll do, on the exams I mean," Hermione asked in a low voice as she closed her book. She looked up as everyone's eyes fell on her except Neville who was snoring. She flushed a little.
"Better than we would have without your help," Alicia answered with a bright smile. "Thank you... both," she finished with a nod to Harry.
Harry ignored Snape's sneer and continued attempts to rattle him as he focused hard on his review work. The Wideye Potion bubbled away in his cauldron while Ron muttered to himself in a long string of expletives about the greasy, hook-nosed professor. Harry did his best to ignore both of them as he went over the changes he'd made to the potion. He knew Snape noticed his changes and tried to pick out the flecks of truth in the poisonous professor's words. "When you stir the potion the wrong way,Potter, it causes the Billywig stings to separate instead of congealing into the potion. When will you understand the fundamentals of Potion-making?" the professor hissed with a sneer. A round of low chuckles came from many of the Slytherin students.
Harry ignored them and wrote down what he'd learned. Separating the Billwig wings would help if he did a clockwise stir first before solidifying the wings into the potion. It would spread the ingredient around the potion more evenly. Satisfied he'd learned something new, he wrote out the new brewing instructions on a separate piece of parchment and stored it away.
"You failed to brew the potion perfectly," the Snape announced in a loud voice when Harry turned in his Wideye Potion in a little vial. "Barely passable," the professor commented with a snarl and marked something on the parchment in front of him before vanishing the vial. "Return to your seat, Potter. If you fail like this in my exams next week, I will be delighted to fail you for the year," he taunted.
"Yes, sir," Harry answered in what he hoped wasn't an irritable voice before taking his seat. With nothing to concentrate on, the Potion Master's taunts dug under his skin more often than he liked to admit.
"Are you ready for next week?" Hermione asked in a low voice. "Professor McGonagall told me we'd still sit all of our classes we took this year."
Harry nodded and stretched, keeping an eye on Ron and Neville who were trying to read over their homework assignments. "We'll do fine," he answered in a low voice. "I wonder what Professor Babbling will give us for her assignment."
"Probably what Master Ogata gave us in our first letter with him," Hermione mused with a quiet laugh. "We'll have to translate Ancient Runes as fast and accurately as we can."
Harry smiled and tried not to think of his mentor. A feeling of loss crossed his mind before he pushed it away. "I hope Sirius will be okay," he muttered.
"There is nothing we can do about it," Hermione consoled. "I think Dumbledore is getting something big ready. No one has seen him for days."
Harry shrugged and looked over to see Ron staring, wide-eyed at a beautiful witch across the library. Cho Chang fluttered her eyelashes at Harry when they locked eyes before she looked back down at her book, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Don't tell me you're interested too," Hermione hissed in a low voice.
"She is beautiful," Harry commented with a wry grin. He tried not to laugh too loud at Hermione's splutters of indignation.
The end-of-term exams arrived even though many students weren't ready. Fifth and seventh-year students did everything they could to cram the last bit of knowledge into their heads. Fred and George got thrown out of the study classroom by none other than Hermione, Angelina, Alicia, and Ginny when they set off a firecracker in the middle of the room to brighten everyone's day. Harry ducked under the table as four spells flew at the twins from around the room. Poor Neville took a Jelly Legs Jinx in the face when Ginny missed hitting Fred by inches.
Harry enjoyed himself as he took his third-year exams. On Monday, he sat with all of the third-year students in a large room in the dungeons. Professor McGonagall presided over the written portion of the exam which was laughably easy for Harry to complete. He had plenty of time to go over his answers and doodled examples of the required wand movements for each spell in the margins. Professor McGonagall gave him a disapproving look as she took his paper but didn't comment. The exam for Ancient Runes was indeed similar to the test Master Ogata gave them. Professor Babbling gave them an hour to decipher a long bit of parchment with hundreds of runes written on it. Harry grinned as he listened to his quill scratch the answers out on his parchment.
Ron and Neville looked pale when Harry and Hermione caught up with them before dinner. Their last exam of the day was Charms. Harry stunned Professor Flitwick by performing a perfect Disillusionment Charm before obliterating a stack of parchments he'd brought with one Reductor Curse. The diminutive professor clapped and danced a little jig on his perch of books. "Well done, Mr. Potter. Well done!" the professor praised with a broad smile.
"I think I might have overdone it with my Cheering Charm," Ron complained as he looked at the still giggling Neville.
"I think it quite suits him," one twin commented as he took an open seat by the alcove in the common room. "Yeah, he's looked too serious recently," the other twin agreed as he sat beside Ron.
"How did your O.W.L.s go?" Harry asked once the twins settled down. They sagged into the chairs at his question before exchanging dark looks.
"We had Charms today," one twin said with a grimace as the other nodded, his face sour.
"And we rocked it!" the other twins said after a moment, his face breaking out into a wide smile. "Harry, Hermione, thank you so much for your help," the twins chorused at the same time. "Fred might have tripped the examiner but I don't think they'll hold it against us... too much," George reported with a wry grin.
"Oi! Who told him to stand there anyway?" Fred complained with a smirk of his own.
Angelina and Alicia reported that they'd done well but were headed to bed until dinner to rest their tired brains. Harry smiled as he relaxed in his chair. A soft pressure rested against his leg, making him crack one eye. Ginny, her face flushed, rested against the chair next to Harry's leg. Her shoulder leaned into him as she spoke to Hermione about her exams. Harry closed his eyes again, not bothered by the young witch's actions. He'd noticed she'd been touching him whenever they were close and wondered if she was afraid he would hate her for Percy's actions.
The oldest Weasley still at Hogwarts boasted that he'd told the Minister of Magic about Dumbledore hiding Black away in the castle the previous week. Harry, almost blinded by rage, was stopped by Ron and Neville from beating Percy where he stood, his head held high. The Minister of Magic promised him a high position within the Ministry and Percy couldn't help but boast to the twins about his new appointment. After that fiasco, Percy's enmity toward Harry grew.
"What do you mean you have an exam tomorrow?" Ron said with a horrified gasp as he looked between Harry and Hermione, his mouth hanging open.
"It's just two classes," Harry said with a shrug. "Professor McGonagall said Professor Vector, and Professor Burbage were nice enough to let us take their end-of-term exams," he said with a small smile.
Neville narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything as he stretched out on the plush chair by the fire. "Why would you want to do that? They got rid of the Advanced Course stuff so there isn't any reason to take those exams," Ron said with a shake of his head. "Both of you are mental," he complained with an exaggerated sigh.
Harry smiled but didn't refute his friend. However, Hermione bristled and sat up in her chair, closing the book in her lap. "It would be rude not to take their exams!" she hissed before she realized what she'd said and closed her mouth with an audible click of her teeth.
Ron started to retort but froze, his mouth working silently as he repeated her words. "Why... would it be rude, Hermione?" he asking in a soft voice. "It sounds like you were in their classes all year," he said and broke off. "In fact, you two have run off all year in secret."
Harry arched an eyebrow at Ron and notice Neville's shuffle in his chair. "And?" he questioned, wondering if Ron would be able to put everything together.
Ron looked back and forth between Harry and Hermione, his brows furrowed. "Have... have you two been attending all of the classes available somehow?" he asked in a low voice.
Harry smiled but didn't answer at first. When it became clear Ron was going to push the issue, he said in a low voice, "there are things we can't talk about... even to our friends. However, after this year is over, we can't attend all the classes anymore. Hermione, as you know, chose to go to Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. I took Divination and Care of Magical Creatures," he continued with a sigh. "I should have taken Muggle Studies but that's neither here nor there," he complained.
"Why?" Neville asked as his face scrunched up. His eyes widened as if a lightbulb went off above his head. "Ah, the Advanced Course. They took it away. You two must have been using a time-turner or something. Gran talked to me about those once."
Hermione gave Neville a strained smile. "We really can't tell you, sorry," she muttered with a pained expression. "Sorry," she said again into the silence.
"Eh, we wouldn't have wanted to take all those classes anyway... but you could have told us," Ron complained and sighed.
"We couldn't, sorry, mate," Harry said in a low voice. "Not that it matters now. How do you think you did on your last exam? I was rather pleased with Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin's obstacle course was brilliant."
Neville snorted and shook his head. "You used a Disillusionment Charm to get behind that grindylow and confused it with a Confundus Charm to make it pick its nose and open the door. I don't think that's what the professor wanted us to do," he said with a chuckle. "I thought your bear Patronus was going to savage the boggart Dementor there at the end."
"It almost did," Harry said with a savage grin. "The look on Professor Lupin's face was worth it."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Blimey, that bear was massive," Ron praised with a wry grin. "Uh... why did it have all those scars on it?" he asked in a low voice. "It gave me the willies."
Harry snorted and shrugged instead of answering. He didn't want to voice his speculations. Ron didn't press the issue when it became clear Harry didn't want to talk about it.
"Any news about the trial?" Ron asked into the uncomfortable silence. "I haven't read the Daily Prophet in days."
Harry winced and shook his head. "Reading between the lines... it isn't good for Sirius. It looks like Fudge is trying to pin every death during the war on Sirius that he can. Which... which was a lot of them. He is dragging up every dark thing the Blacks have ever done. Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and the disowned Black sister Andromeda are all getting their names mentioned in almost every article. Fudge isn't pulling any punches," he reported with a sigh. Andromeda's husband, Edward Tonks, was a law advocate in the employ of two senior members of the Ministry of Magic. Since the article about Sirius Black came out, two short days later he was fired. When Harry read the article, it gave him an idea for Hermione's birthday present.
"Hey! We won't have to worry about Aurors stopping us from playing in the orchard over the summer," Ron said with a gasp. "This will rock! We need to get you into shape, Harry. Oliver is leaving this year and we need a new Keeper."
Harry snorted but shrugged. It would give him something to look forward to over the summer. He had plans to study, but something physical to occupy his mind might be a good idea. "We'll see," he tempered with a smile.
The next day, just as Harry was leaving his last exam, Professor Lupin appeared between two hulking Aurors as they escorted him down the Grand Staircase. Every student stared with wide eyes as the two Aurors manhandled the shabby professor and cursed him in loud voices. Harry went for his wand but a clear voice called out, "no, Harry. Let them take me." Professor Lupin saw Harry's reaction and tried to put his body between Harry and the Auror who had his hand around his upper arm.
"You support this dog?" the sour-faced Auror questioned, his eyes blazing as he stared at Harry. "You know what he is?! I should take you in too."
"That will not happen, Effiard," a calm, crisp voice announced. Professor Dumbledore appeared in the doors of the Entrance Hall with Madam Bones beside him. "Release my professor. He will come willingly, I should think." There was a hard edge to the Headmaster's tone that seemed to threaten violence if his orders weren't obeyed. The two Aurors jumped away from Professor Lupin with wide eyes.
Madam Bones gave Dumbledore a wintery look before her eyes turned to her Aurors and Lupin. "Follow me," she ordered. Professor Lupin gave Harry one last look before he disappeared through the open doors of the Entrance Hall and disappeared into the waining light.
"That isn't good," Hermione muttered under her breath.
"No, it isn't," Harry agreed in a low voice. People stared at him as he went into the Great Hall for dinner.
Professor McGonagall called to him from the portrait hole that evening. "Mr. Potter, will you come with me for a moment," she stated in a low, commanding voice.
Harry rose from between the twins and looked the professor over. Her face looked waxy and there were bags under her eyes. "Professor," he greeted once they were in the corridor. A sour smell wafted across his nose. He remembered the prank the twins got Percy with and fought to keep a smile from his face.
"Remus Lupin has been arrested for working as a professor while being a werewolf," Professor McGonagall told him in a low voice. "I wanted to tell you before you found out another way," she explained and put a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, they will come to question you on Monday. Do not resist if they decide to take you away to the Ministry. You will not be escorted to Azkaban and I will be going with you to ensure there isn't any trouble," she continued in a stern voice.
"Ah, for what?" Harry asked as his heart hammered in his throat.
"Official questioning for the Wizengamot. Both in relation to Sirius Black and... and Remus."
"Ah," Harry muttered as he expelled the breath he'd been holding. "Why an escort then?"
"Madam Bones needs you protected and... there may be charges you face as well," the professor said in a low, consoling voice. "Harry, the use of Veritaserum is illegal outside of the Ministry's official duties."
Harry nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Anger rushed through him but he tried to force it down. "I see," he finally answered.
"If you need anything, even someone to talk to, come find me. I will be more than happy to listen," Professor McGonagall said in a soft voice. "Harry, the most they can do is fine you. You are a minor and Albus Dumbledore is your guardian. They won't do anything too drastic, not yet at least."
With those comforting words, Harry returned to the common room and debated telling his friends what awaited him. He decided to hold off until Sunday. On Monday, three Aurors waited for him in the Entrance Hall as he descended the stairs with Professor McGonagall. Kingsley stared at him through lidded eyes as Tonks gave him a strained smile. An older, blading Auror with frilly rust-colored robes Harry had never seen stood near the door, his expression was dark as he looked Harry over.
"We will side-along Apparate you to the Ministry," Kingsley said in his deep voice. "Unfortunately, we couldn't get the Floo set up in time," he continued in a softer voice.
"I'm ready when you are," Harry said and mustered his courage to go with the Auror who chucked him into Azkaban before. He tried to unclench his fists but they wouldn't listen as they walked down the long path toward Hogsmede. At the gate to Hogwarts, Tonks Apparated away first, followed by Professor McGonagall. The uncomfortable feeling of being squished through a small tube assaulted Harry a moment after he touched Kingsley's arm. Just when he thought he couldn't stand it anymore, he found himself standing in the Atrium. It took him a moment to regain his balance and Kingsley helped keep him from falling over.
"We'll head down to the courtrooms," the balding Auror announced in a gruff voice. "Follow," he ordered and moved off toward the golden gates.
Harry noticed he didn't have to register his wand at the little guard station. The small group had a lift to themselves after the unnamed Auror ordered two witches in white robes off the lift. Harry stood between Kingsley and Tonks, staring at a dark stain on the rust-colored robes in front of him. Once they'd arrived at the courtrooms, the balding Auror demanded everyone wait outside as he entered the room.
"Keep your head," Professor McGonagall coached just above a whisper as she straightened Harry's collar. "Good luck."
The door opened a moment later and Dumbledore appeared in the doorway, a small smile stretching his face. "Come in, Harry," he said in a low voice before stepping aside. The room was filled with people. Every seat was taken on the benches and some shadowy figures stood against the walls as Harry walked to the center of the room. Sirius was locked in a giblet with curved spikes pointed inward at him from between the bars of the cage. His godfather's face split into a wide grin as he locked eyes with Harry. With a small shrug that tore into his robes from one of the sharp spikes, Sirius acted as if he'd accidentally found himself in a cage.
"Mr. Harry James Potter," a crisp voice called from the podium at the far end of the chamber. Cornelius Fudge was dressed in his best robes but didn't have his lime-green bowler hat on. Instead, he wore the black hat of the Wizengamot. "You are here to answer questions for the entire Wizengamot. Your statements given to Madam Bones during Black's initial capture," he said with barely restrained scorn, "are all in evidence but many of us believe you are lying. Do you submit to the use of Veritaserum?"
"Only if I know the questions you will ask, Minister. I know my rights," Harry answered in an even voice as he turned to stare Fudge in the eyes.
The Minister seemed to flinch under Harry's gaze but his expression hardened. "You will answer whatever questions we, the Wizengamot, decide to ask you, boy!" he spat. "Do you submit yourself to questioning with Veritaserum?" Fudge repeated in a loud voice.
Harry stared the Minister of Magic down as he'd done with Snape. No one spoke for several long minutes except the low muttering around the room. "Yes," he answered after it became clear Dumbledore wanted Harry to agree. It wasn't so much a nod as it was a small jerk of the head.
The proceedings followed in a rush after that. Madam Bones gave him a grateful look as she administered the truth-telling potion. It wasn't Fudge who questioned him. A stout, amiable wizard with salt-and-pepper hair asked Harry a series of questions about himself. It became clear the questioning extended past Sirius' trial when the wizard started to ask him about his loyalties.
"Are you loyal to anyone or any faction within the Ministry of Magic?" the stout wizard asked.
"I wouldn't piss on the lot of you if you were on fire," Harry answered truthfully. He'd regained some of his wits and wanted to color his answer to express his displeasure. A shocked silence echoed around the room.
"In your opinion, what is your skill level with magic?" the questioner continued after a moment.
It took Harry some time to answer, not because he didn't want to say but because he didn't really have a frame of reference to go by. "I know enough to pass my Ordinary Wizarding Level Exams with good marks," he answered after a minute passed. Another murmur went around the room.
"Do you harbor any ill will toward the Ministry of Magic?"
Harry snorted. "I hate your methods and your use of the Daily Prophet to print the truths you want the wizarding world to know. As I said before, if you were on fire, I wouldn't piss on you to put you out. You're corrupt, inept, and a bunch of pissing bullies," he answered with a laugh. That got a rise out of many of the people in the room.
"Enough," Dumbledore called in a dark voice. "You're gone well past what is customary for questioning someone who isn't on trial."
"Maybe he should be," Fudge called in his loudest voice.
"Issue the charges then," Dumbledore challenged. "Until then, you've gone too far and both of you know it."
Kingsley entered the room and escorted Harry out into the hall less than a minute later. Dumbledore and Fudge continued to argue in increasingly louder voices. "You can't remain here but Madam Bones has asked me to take you up to her office to await the final bit of the trial. It will end today, one way or another," the dark-skinned Auror murmured as he gestured for Harry to move ahead of him.
Tonks waited in Madam Bones' office with Harry and Professor McGonagall while Kingsley returned to the courtrooms. It took five long hours before the trial was over. Madam Bones entered her office, looking tired and worn. She didn't greet anyone as she moved over to her desk and sat down, her eyes locked on the table in front of her.
Harry felt like someone seized his chest with a giant hand. He struggled to breathe as he tried to read the expression on the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's face. Madam Bones looked up and stared him in the eyes. "Mr. Potter, Sirius Black is being escorted to St. Mungos Hospital by three Aurors," she announced after a moment. "After Mr. Black is cleared by the hospital, he will be released from any Ministry control. Harry, Sirius Black is a free wizard again, all charges have been dropped."
Harry smiled as a sudden bubble of warmth rose in his chest. His excitement faded when she continued to look at him with a strange expression. "I am to inform you that... you, Heir Potter, will be fined ten thousand Galleons for your actions against the Ministry," Madam Bones continued. "Furthermore, you will be barred from working with the Ministry of Magic once you graduate from Hogwarts. I'm sorry to say, but you will find it hard to find a job of any kind within Britain."
Harry felt anger rising in his chest but then it formed into a bubble of laughter. He couldn't help it as he laughed himself silly. Tonk and Madam Bones exchanged confused looks which made him laugh harder. Professor McGonagall's lips pursed into a thin line. Once he was able to get himself under control, he explained, "I never wanted to work for the Ministry anyway. Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed but I'll pay ten thousand Galleons to get the Ministry out of my life forever. I'll pay double or even triple that if it removes Fudge from office."
Madam Bones pursed her lips and eyed Harry. "I do not like your answer, Mr. Potter, but I can understand your stance," she said in a pensive voice. "Within the next year or so, I will probably lose my position as Head of Magical Law Enforcement," she continued in a hard voice. "Fudge is not happy with me and I do not have the support within the Wizengamot to remain in my position that I once had. It is part of the price I had to pay to ensure justice was served. For Peter Pettigrew, you have my apologies for letting him escape."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "You're probably the most morally upstanding person in the Ministry," he mused. "I suppose it was inevitable that someone like Fudge would come after you. As for Peter, I suppose it was fate... or whatever. You didn't send two hundred Dementors after your own Aurors."
Madam Bones gave him a wintery smile. "No... I did not," she remarked in a growl from somewhere deep inside her throat. "There will be an accounting one day for that," she continued in a steely voice. "Now, should what you... prophesied... in the reception chamber in Hogwarts come to pass," she paused and let her voice trail off before setting her shoulders. "Should it come to pass, come to me yourself. I want to hear it from you and you only. You weren't even born during his first rise to power. You don't know the terror many of us endured. I want to be ready, even if you're wrong."
Harry raised an eyebrow and sat back in his seat. With a short nod, he said, "I will come to you if what I suspect will come to pass. For what it's worth, I don't want it to happen."
"None of us do. Now, Mr. Potter... Harry," she stated as if trying out his name while tasting a dry wine. "Harry, remember that you are only seeing a small part of the Ministry. Many simply do not have all the information and gravitate toward the ones who speak the loudest. Over the next few weeks, I expect many things will come to light from Mr. Black's trial. Your friend, Remus Lupin's affliction for one. I am not happy Dumbledore allowed a werewolf to teach my niece."
"He is the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor I've had to date," Harry argued as he narrowed his eyes. "He took every precaution to remain safe. As I understand it, the Wolfbane Potion is an immensely difficult potion to brew but Severus Snape, our Potion Master, brewed it for him every full moon. Unless the Ministry... and yourself... say the potion doesn't work then I suggest you do your homework," he barked in a harsh tone.
Madam Bones glared at him before sighing and settling back in her chair. She looked older by ten years in the space of a few seconds. The dark circles around her eyes seemed to deepen as she looked at him. "You may be right, but this is my only niece we're talking about and I know many other parents will feel the same," she said in a quiet voice. "Albus is getting out ahead of the problem, and there is a legal foothold for him to stand on, but the community will not agree."
"Just like Master Ogata, you fail to see people are more than whatever their past holds," Harry commented with a raised eyebrow. He looked at Tonks who eyed him with a curious expression. "Why did you want to apprentice to Mad-Eye? Everyone in the Ministry says he's insane. I privately agree with them a little," he finished with a smirk.
The edge of Tonk's mouth quirked up in a wisp of a smile as she regarded Harry and then Madam Bones. "He was the best. I wanted the best," she answered with a shrug. "I've never done anything by halfs and never cared much for what other people said about ol'Mad-Eye," she finished with a wink. "But... he is mad."
Madam Bones looked like she'd eaten a lemon but nodded. "I've said enough. Mr. Potter, please, if you will," she said as she gestured to the door. "Just get the fine to me whenever it is convenient."
"Thank you, for all your hard work," Harry said as he rose. He looked Madam Bones in the eye and gave her a little bow, as he would if he were greeting Master Ogata. He didn't do it because he respected her as a mentor but because he felt she deserved it for her unwavering loyalty to the law, twisted and warped as it was. She eyed him for a moment before nodding and took up the small stack of papers on her desk.
The walk back through the Ministry was interesting as everyone stopped to stare at Harry, flanked by Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The two Aurors stood tall as they escorted Harry and Professor McGonagall to the Atrium. Whispers followed in their wake that was too quiet for Harry to make out. Kingsley returned Harry to Hogwarts via side-along Apparition. It was then he turned to Harry.
"I respect Madam Bones for her resolve," he said in his rumbling voice as he stared down at Harry. "By protecting you, Sirius Black, and even Remus Lupin, she has lost a lot of her power base. I am not blind to what you will become. Remember to pay her back one day," he grated out before Apparating away. Harry stood in the archway to Hogwarts and stared at the empty spot where Kingsley was moments before, lost in thought. A slight pressure on his shoulder made him look up.
"Harry," a soft voice called. Professor Dumbledore stood in front of him, hand resting on his shoulder, with a look of concentration on his face. "We need to talk about what you said in the Reception Chamber a few nights ago," he stated in a grave voice.
The Headmaster waved his hand and Harry felt a light tingle over his skin and pressure on his ears. He knew it was safe to talk and told Dumbledore everything he knew. Professor McGonagall waited to one side, her expression grim as he spoke. Her steely eyes flashed when he talked about Professor Trelawney but didn't say anything. Once Harry was done, Dumbledore sighed and ran a wrinkled hand through his long grey beard.
"It seems I have a lot of work to do over the next little while," Dumbledore said in a pensive voice. His eyes unfocused for a time before they turned to Harry. "You have learned much in a year, more than I thought possible, but I would challenge you to solidify your knowledge. Instead of focusing on learning more over the summer, instead focus on yourself. Rest, meditate, and work on incorporating what you've learned into a means of protecting yourself. Next term will be, interesting for you and the other students here at Hogwarts," he finished with a bright smile. "Now, let's get you back to your friends."
"Sir, how is Sirius?" Harry asked as they started for the castle.
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "Sirius is as well as can be expected. He will take some time to recuperate but is in high spirits about seeing you."
Harry breathed out and nodded. "Sir, what about Professor Lupin?" he asked in a quieter voice.
"Ah," the Headmaster said in a gentle tone. He came to a stop and peered over his half-moon spectacles at Harry. "Remus is no longer a professor and is now registered as a werewolf with the Ministry. He, however, will not face charges nor will he be exiled from Britain."
Harry sighed and smiled. The smile faltered as a thought ran through his head. "You lost more political power because of this," he stated in a soft voice.
The Headmaster's eyes twinkled for a moment before a small smile appeared on the corner of his lips. "As long as they don't remove me from the Chocolate Frog Cards, I think I will survive," he answered with a chuckle. He turned and started back toward the castle, still chuckling to himself. Professor McGonagall gave Harry a speculative look before she followed Dumbledore.
Not everyone was as ecstatic as Harry and his friends that Sirius Black, mass murderer and escaped convict, was cleared of all charges. Fudge either didn't or couldn't apply enough pressure on the Daily Prophet to burry Sirius' trial. Black's face was on the front page for a week of all three editions of the Daily Prophet. Much of the classified testimonies were printed for the entire wizarding community to read. Peter Pettigrew became a wanted criminal for attempting to kill Harry, Proudfoot, and his involvement in the deaths of the twelve Muggles. Mrs. Pettigrew didn't comment when the journalists came round. The second time they tried to visit her, they found her dead on her kitchen floor.
The twins, Angelina, Alicia, and Oliver all fell asleep in the common room after their last O.W.L. exam. Harry got out his wand to draw pictures on the twin's faces but Ginny stopped him with a glare that could sear stone. Grinning, Harry went back to his reading by the fire. Time seemed to speed along at breakneck speed and at the same time plod along like a tortoise in a race. Freed of his worries, Harry simply relaxed and enjoyed his final few days at Hogwarts before the summer break began. Hermione babbled on and on about all the things she wanted to learn over the summer while Neville told Ron about his plans to purchase more plants for his greenhouse.
Harry closed his eyes and enjoyed listening to his friends. With some discomfort, he'd noticed Astoria didn't join them in the study classroom or go out of her way to greet him in the corridors when they passed. He wondered if it was something he did or if it was something the articles in the Daily Prophet said about him. They'd published any scrap of information they had on Harry again and again as more details about Black's escape became public knowledge. More than just Astoria, many students now eyed Harry with looks of awe, disdain, disgust, and in a few cases, interest. He tried to let everything roll off his back and not dwell on what others thought about him but it was hard.
"So, Ron tells me you're going to try out for the team next term," Angelina said in a booming voice on the last morning of the term. She looked Harry up and down with her hands on her hips. "I suppose you'll do... barely," she said with a smirk.
"I haven't planned on doing anything, yet," Harry answered with a raised eyebrow. He shot a look at Ron who just grinned at him in response. Hermione gave him a speculative look as if she knew he wasn't talking about Quidditch.
AN: Thank you for reading Harry Potter and the Freedom to Live. I've mentioned this before in my Profile's Notes but Harry, the imagined character, kind of ran away with the story. The flow of the story spiraled into what you've read. I had a hard choice while writing a few chapters. Sirius and Buckbeak both died multiple times during the course of writing this book, not because I wanted them dead but because the weave of the story seemed to demand their sacrifices. Interesting that.
In this book, Harry and Hermione worked hard to learn everything they could. The adversity they faced attacked the core of both of their desires and personalities. One could say this book was their training montage but I hope I got across the real reason for the book. Harry is a thirteen-year-old boy who has had a lot happen to him in his short life. From the first book to now, he's grown and changed into a confident pre-teen. Ronald Weasley is a complex, yet simple, character that I hope will redeem himself in the future. I've purposefully left the character run wild within the narrative. Take that as you will. Neville, in my mind, was the true hero of the book.
The Ministry of Magic... what a complicated mess. I've hinted at a lot, through the eyes of a young, persecuted party, but I would like to stress that ultimately the Ministry of Magic is a governmental body. There are a lot of factors that go into every law and decision. I don't feel J.K. sufficiently explored the depth of the Ministry of Magic and the different factions that are inherent in any governing body. That being said, this is only the beginning of the troubles with the Ministry of Magic.
Albus Dumbledore is another character that seemed to have run off on his own. I'm not... displeased with the Albus we see at the end of the book. I had a plan for him, still do, but I think I need to reevaluate the character. I am loathed to edit and change his interactions with Harry. Not because of the work it would require but because there are a few important events that somehow wove themselves into the story without me realizing it until I went through the editing process.
Again, I would like to thank you for reading this book. This will be the last non-mature rating book in the series. I have kept the rating mature for the last two books for this reason. The first chapter of the next book is very dark and will set the tone for the entire series going forward. More people will die, more original characters will appear and fall, beloved characters will fall, and the narrative will not follow the books. I will avoid depicting scenes of death, torture, sexual encounters, and expletive words in detail unless it is important to the story. Not because I don't think you can handle it, but because it doesn't add anything more to the story that a few short sentences can't provide.
As of writing this chapter, I have written three books in just under a year, each progressively larger than the last. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I can't decide if I should do as I have been, write the entire book and post it once it's done, or write one chapter at a time and post it after editing. We'll see. Either way, it'll be a few months before I buckle down and start writing hard again. I've got three other projects in the works and they keep fighting for my limited brain-space.