Chapter 33: Checkboxes and Puzzle Pieces

"I don't think it's a cold, Harry," Ginny pressed a cool hand to her husband's forehead, noting the lack of fever but also the almost imperceptible wince he gave at the contact, "It could be a migraine perhaps? Prolonged stress I suppose- this holiday hasn't done us any favors."

Harry's eyes shot downward, guiltily, "I'm really sorry Gin. I know I should have talked to him more or tried to work it out better…"

But Ginny gave an impatient 'tsk' and shook her head firmly, "No, no Harry its not only you. It's the casework being assigned, Hermione's requests…. I mean I know from you and Ron that there's been an uptick in suspicious activity, but these recent ones were picked up in the Daily Prophet already. And you know those two have been on edge ever since you worked your way closer into Hermione's confidence…"

Ginny was referring to the abrupt boiling over of Ron's frustrations as Hermione's circle of confidants was obviously growing- against her will Harry had reminded her- but stubbornly excluding her husband. They had heard about a particularly awful shouting match, a rarity for the couple, just the other day as Hermione had forgone seeing her parents for the holidays, citing a fear of bringing attention to their whereabouts and a mountain of paperwork from the recent reports. Ron was resentful towards Harry as well, though considerably less overt.

"She promised me not to tell him, Ginny," Harry grumbled, squeezing his eyes shut as another band of painful tension snapped the front of his forehead, "For what its worth, I think Ron's going to be stressed enough with these reports to worry much about her other plans. It might be nice to not be so overwhelmed…"

"So, your chat about refugees, these are a separate issue from your Auror business? They can't be unrelated, can they?" Despite his headache, Harry grinned at the keenness of his wife, who eyed him shrewdly, " I mean I won't pry to much if its going to hurt the 'professionalism' of it all…"

"No I wish I could tell you, honestly," Harry reassured her, "But you are right. As of now I'd say there are two separate issues occurring… or at least there's not enough information to speculate on a proposed connection, in my opinion."

"Hmm," Ginny mulled over these words thoughtfully as she prepped two gigantic mugs of honey-colored tea, the scent of peppermint overwhelming the more unpleasant medicinal tones of the potion being added in droplets, "Here, it's a fever-breaking tonic so I don't know if it will make a difference, but it can't hurt and perhaps you have the early symptoms of whatever Lily has come down with."

She pushed one of the steaming cups across the counter and set the other on a small tray, which was also occupied by a watery oatmeal soup and Jell-O- a muggle dessert the Weasleys had taken to after Harry and Hermione introduced it.

"At least she's eating now, though that sore throat sounds so painful…" Ginny mumbled, whisking silverware from the kitchen drawers and also calming the simmering coffeepot, holding her energizer for the day, "Did you get her blankets?"

"Yup and changed her sheets too. Old ones in the wash right now with her clothes," Harry took a large swig of the tea and gasped in relief as the aroma of spices opened his airways, slightly lessening his headache.

Ginny smiled approvingly but Harry reddened again, adding, "At least with her I can be a decent parent."

"Oh, do you want to talk about this now?" Ginny was still bustling through the kitchen as Harry finished his tea, but he immediately detected a dangerous lilt coating the question. His eyes drifted warily towards her figure, darting under his sloping brow as if for protection.

"Erm, I…" He checked his watch to make sure he'd have enough time to make the meeting. This was apparently the wrong gesture as Harry was startled to find his wife's abruptly menacing glare when he looked back again.

"Harry I've only been keeping mum about that issue because I know you've been up to your ears in reports and I can guess Hermione's secret endeavors are no less gruesome. And because I know any fighting between us in front of Al is just going to drive him further into himself." She remained matter-of-factly stern even as Harry's headache begin to ebb back viciously, tugging his eyebrows together once more, "But at some time we will be discussing it."

Of course this all made perfect sense now that Harry reminisced on the last days of holiday, where Ginny alone had kept anymore fights breaking out. He chanced another look at his wife, who remained resolutely stony, "Yeah we can talk about it now I suppose."

Ginny's eyebrows raised slightly as she mulled above her mug of coffee, "Well okay, I guess I'd like to start with asking what exactly you told Al about your childhood,"

Harry tried to recall the specifics of the conversation with his son, frowning slightly as he'd spent the last few days trying to push the event to the back of his mind, "I didn't tell him a lot, Gin- he asked if I'd been mistreated and I sort of insinuated as much. But I mostly told him it was not his concern."

Ginny gazed at him and Harry had the odd feeling she didn't quite believe his account. Frustrated, he scoured his memory again, and but in the middle of his pondering Ginny spoke, "Well Al seems to be very worried that the Dursleys might punish Duncan for his magic by putting him in that broom cupboard in their house."

Harry's mouth went slack, "Nah…. Ginny I definitely didn't tell him about that."

Finally, Ginny acquiesced, nodding, "I had the feeling you didn't but it's so specific. I don't know how he's come about it."

Harry grunted, "Maybe he's a legilimens as well. It wouldn't be his first gift." He looked at Ginny resolutely, "I had no intention of mentioning anything like that to any of the kids. I was… I was caught off guard by his questions and I reacted poorly." He finished lamely.

At this, Ginny softened a bit, "I know, but you have to know Al was just concerned for you. And if course, curious to a fault… not unlike yourself at that age."

Curiosity was getting the better of Harry at the moment, "Did he say this to you after we came back? Did he say anything else?"

Ginny pursed her lips, "Yes that was one of the things upsetting him- Duncan- though he's mostly hurt because he feels like you don't approve of his choices."

"You mean his House," Harry sighed, exasperatedly. This wasn't new information that would help him get over whatever barriers existed between him and Al and he was honestly tired of broaching the subject over and over, with no avail in convincing Al otherwise, "Look Ginny I assure you I told him that it makes no difference to me that he's in Slytherin…"

"It's not just his House," snapped Ginny, "But I'd have to agree with him when he says he doesn't believe you dislike it Harry."

"How can you say that when I tell him exactly that?" Harry countered, the heat rising through his cheeks and adding a hot congestion to his throbbing temples.

"Because Harry, you tell him it's fine but then proceed to criticize every aspect indirectly," At Harry's uncomprehending stare, she continued, "You can't interrogate his friends the way you do Harry, or recommend he hang out with Rosie and her mates. It makes it very clear what you think of other children in Slytherin compared to the other houses and of course Al is going to think that you'll be equally critical of him."

Harry sat back, the counter he had prepared dying at the logic of her words. Ginny continued, "Scorpius is a fine boy. He doesn't deserve the amount of caution you've regarded him with. And he and Al do hang around with a surprisingly mixed group of students from all Houses. That's more than you or I ever did for sure, or James. And let's not forget that James also made some mistakes in choosing his friends- that has become abundantly clear- yet I don't hear you trying to micromanage his social interactions."

The headache in Harry's head intensified and moved down through his throat and chest. Yes, he had been unnecessarily unfair to Al and touchy about anything he'd heard from Scorpius. Fixated on his father and family, Harry hadn't even acknowledged how personal his words might have been for the boy he'd never even met.

"I just think you need to allow your son the benefit of the doubt. I hope you have a little more faith in my parenting at least, that he's not going to fall into lies and bigotry just because of what House he chose." Ginny finished fiercely.

Harry looked at her in alarm, "No, Ginny you know I'd never think that…It's… when I do those things, it's only between him and…me."

Ginny smirked, "I guessed as much Harry, but really, you ought to have more faith in yourself then. I'm certain I have three good children because I know I married a good man… a little arrogant and aloof and at times outright thick… but good." She smiled wickedly, "So don't dreg on about your shortcomings, its an insult to me and my good taste."

Harry chuckled, glad to know the conversation was at a close and, unlike his friends, hadn't amounted to shouting on either end. The hour was rounding on eight o'clock and the day was promising some good weather, the skies glowing a soft blue and radiating beautifully off his wife's copper hair. It was perhaps not quite the deep red hue it once was in their youth, but it was no less attractive by Harry's opinion. Rather, he enjoyed noticing the small changes of age as they grew together; the way her freckles gradually multiplied, the roundness of her cheeks deflating to a more angular countenance, all outward indications of the patience, responsibility, and wisdom that matured inside.

"What are you smiling at Harry?" Ginny snatched the now-empty mug from across the counter and waved it into the sink.

"You of course," Harry said quietly. He wanted to say more about how he felt but the new warm emotion was filling his throat, preventing much elaboration. He eyed the tray of breakfast for Lily and, seeing the contents had cooled, took out his wand and uttered, "Focillo!" and watched carefully as the items began to steam once more.

Ginny gave him a friendly glance before grasping the sides of the tray and with some urgency, reminded him of the time.

"Oh yes!" Harry bolted from his chair and hurriedly threw on his cloak. He wanted to review his cases before Hermione's meeting, but time was rapidly dispelling those plans.

Spinning in the fire, Harry caught one last glance of his wife making her way up to their daughter and, for a second, felt the uncertainties of his life disappear. If he'd made any one good choice, he knew Ginny Weasley was it.

The warm comfort of getting through a difficult talk bolstered Harry's confidence of getting some work done as he exited the Floo entry to the Ministry, expertly weaving through the throngs of wizards arriving to work.

He set up a quiet space at an isolated table in front of Tipsy's Café, relishing another relieving hot drink from the House Elf when he'd mentioned his headache.

The extra medicine was needed as the most recent case files were filled with more mysterious but ominous details. A muggle man currently interned at St. Mungo's…. Harry wanted to follow up with that extraordinary decision. Perhaps he and Ron could cover that interview together.

Presently, Harry spotted his friend entering the Ministry from the guest entrance. He checked his watch again- surely Ron had just managed to drop off the kids at the train? A few more seconds of observation revealed a particular energy springing through Ron's purposeful steps and the pointed gaze at the Minister's office indicated his intended target. Remembering their fight, Harry hastily shoved his files into his case and made his way onto the main floor, hoping to head off Ron before he reached Hermione.

Just as the elevators opened to the Minister's hall, Harry spotted the tuft of red hair slipping behind the last door. He half skipped through the rows of previous Ministers, who observed the rather busy activity with interest and was about to knock when he realized the door remained slightly ajar. Pausing briefly, Harry heard three, instead of two, familiar and terse voices inside, propelling his body forward automatically in curiosity.

"Oh my, so the whole family is in on it?" Harry was greeted first by the unexpected voice, the clearly irate Draco Malfoy, "Tell me Potter will your wife be joining us? Will George become our business contact? Round out the whole lot?"

"Malfoy I swear if you don't lose your sneer I'll smack it off you…" Ron was breathing heavily, probably from a mixture of his haste to reach Hermione as well as the additional visitor.

Hermione was equally flustered, though Harry distinctly noted that most of her temper was directed at her husband. Evidently, Ron had interrupted an ongoing meeting. Harry's appearance seemed to sap the intensity from her, as she tiredly slumped into the large chair at her desk and closed her eyes as if to remove herself from the room. The bluish tinge that colored her lids betrayed another night with far too little sleep and perhaps something more.

Ron turned to Harry, his eyes sizing up his next prey. "Took me a few more days mate but I put it together- the cabinet, the Room of Requirement, the 'expert' that mended the blasted thing to kill our Headmaster…"

Far from shrinking at Ron's insult, Draco curled his lip into a thin, unfriendly snarl, his pointed chin drawing higher like the way a cobra rose before striking, "So Weasley you are still the thick one-huh? Getting left behind by your brilliant wife and famous friend?"

He turned to Harry, not even acknowledging the dangerous way Ron's pupils dilated, knuckles cracking, "And how could we not expect Potter to mosey his way into anything he deems exclusive and important. Has it been too long out of the spotlight or are you actually jealous of her calling the shots?"

Hermione stood up from her seat, but Harry shut the blonde man down before she could say anything, "Draco leave it be. If you know anything about what's going on than you surely must know that Ron's been more worried about the toll the situation has taken on his wife more than being left out on the secret. The two became the same thing after Percy and I became privy on the subject. Its hard to offer comfort when you have no idea where to start."

Harry ended with his gaze directed at Ron, who he hoped understood that his intuition had come from some of Hermione's confessions to him. The shadow had lifted promisingly from his brow and he glanced at his wife a bit more softly.

Draco snorted, "Touching, you three."

Hermione ignored him, turning to Ron and, in a voice that pleaded with him to believe her said, "Honestly Ron I was just discussing the possibility of informing you about the situation…"

"And I was discouraging it entirely," Draco finished, sourly, "Though now it's clear the request was merely a cover for your loose mouth Minister…"

"Malfoy shut it, I figured it out myself," Harry couldn't suppress his smirk at the pride buried in Ron's voice, "Just now actually. At King's Cross… with the train undercarriage and the suitcases…"

For a moment, the most incredulous look graced both Hermione and Draco and Harry actually laughed out loud. Clearly the absurdity had convinced Malfoy that Ron's story was utterly ridiculous, but also true.

"What? I….oh fine," The man sputtered, striding up to the Minister's desk and leafing through a small stack of papers, "Well since everyone here knows about the cabinets can I ask why they are suddenly in my office? I was under the impression I was supposed to keep my activities a secret- fixing these things isn't necessarily the quietest task."

Hermione gulped loudly, "Yes well we will find another suitable room for you later today, perhaps in one of the disused courtrooms…"

"Did something happen in the Department of Mysteries?" Draco's eyes searched Hermione as she sighed, annoyed at his intelligence.

"The situation will be discussed in…" She checked her watch, "Fifteen minutes exactly. Why don't we head to those courtrooms a little early, huh?"

Hermione gathered a stack of folders into her briefcase, taking much less care than usual, Harry noted. This didn't escape Ron either, "Do you want me to grab you some coffee? I need to stop by my office on the way down anyhow."

Hermione gave a small smile, "Yes, that would be good. Strong."

Again ignoring Draco's rude expression, Hermione slouched from the room, not even bothering to check if the last two inhabitants would follow. Harry and Draco regarded each other for a moment.

"Al really likes the scarf Astoria made him."

It was funny how out of everything Harry wanted to say, it was the most mundane, polite comments that seemed to tongue tie Malfoy. Perhaps because his usual interactions so often required the defense of a biting retort, "Oh yeah, she's rather good. Good activity when she's feeling tired… glad to hear he likes it."

He hurried hastily from the room, as if the prospect of another kind question was like a ghoul in the attic.

Ron sidled into the seat next to Harry, handing him a large cup of coffee that was sure to make him jittery for the rest of day. And equally large container was resting at the edge of Hermione's podium, set in the middle of the raised benches. They were back in the abandoned courtroom, far below the bustle of the Ministry. When Harry and Draco arrived, the latter made a beeline to the farthest seat in the front and, catching the hint, Harry made his way to another some distance away.

Bill Weasley and a few other people Harry recognized as fellow curse breakers were already there, as well as the Auror teams lead by Oliver Wood and Eamon Tywek. The three men nodded in greeting, but all shared the distinctive sleeplessness he'd seen in Hermione. Above them, three individuals in Healer uniforms sat huddled, whispering animatedly.

Harry sat a short length away from the Auror groups, pondering the mounting suspicion that something had happened over the night that he was yet unaware. Ron's coffee was now making those thoughts race faster.

"Bill too?" Ron whispered and Harry realized he believed the people in the room were all privy to the secrets Hermione had hidden from him, "Oh, er not…"

Percy had just entered the room and the clear surprise written in his features as he spotted Bill, someone he'd hadn't expected to be at the confidential meeting. His brows sailed clear over his horn-rimmed glasses as they traveled to Ron. He pivoted quickly towards Hermione and began talking in low, rapid tones which added to the general buzz of hushed voices emanating through the room.

Harry would have given more effort to eavesdropping on any of the conversations if not for the appearance of a wholly unexpected figure.

"Hi Harry! Ron!" Neville Longbottom briefly broke the whispering with his cheery greeting. He nodded genially at Hermione, who had turned from Percy to wave. Behind him, McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey followed and Harry thought that perhaps the Headmaster beat Hermione in looking the most painfully fatigued. She smiled wanly at the group of wizards, and Harry took in the looks of sympathy and familiarity being exchanged between her and Bill and Oliver.

"Somethings happened hasn't it- has she said anything? Before I arrived?" Ron's critical eye was working overtime as well and Harry was grateful. The shared observations were reassuring his paranoia was rooted in some sanity. He wished the meeting would start soon, ruminating was causing his headache to resurface.

"Y'know she was gone bang early this morning," Ron continued, piquing Harry's interest, "I mean she's always up early, but I definitely heard her leave. Didn't even turn off the coffee pot she'd been brewing, that's how I knew she hadn't had any."

"Yeah mate, I think we both might be a little in the dark if I'm honest."

"Yeah, I… sorry for the last few days," Ron evidently found solidarity in their shared ignorance.

"It's alright. Trust me, you'll understand once you've heard it."

Their boss, Francesca Pesci, entered the courtroom alone and strode meaningfully toward him and Ron, the tight black ringlets of her hair bouncing with anticipation.

"How much of this do you two already know?" She asked as soon as she sat in the row behind them.

"No idea," Ron replied

"Less than I thought," Harry added

She nodded, "And have you had time to read the files I sent over this morning?"

"No sorry, I was sidetracked," Harry answered as Ron nodded sheepishly. Francesca didn't seem particularly bothered, her face scanning the room with interest, pausing on unfamiliar people and resting so long on Draco that he seemed to feel the scrutiny, looking up at the three in agitation.

Two final figures walked into the room, which Harry recognized but could not place.

"Unspeakables." Francesca informed him, a look of confusion spreading about her face as she puzzled the combination of professionals present.

The arrival of the Unspeakables was apparently what Hermione had been waiting for as she stood once they'd settled and cleared her throat, bringing the group into rapt attention.

"First of all, thank you for coming on such short and early notice. I know this has disrupted your very busy schedules…"

Harry's nerves were squealing as he willed Hermione to end the stalling niceties. She looked more awake than ever, through it seemed terror was driving this alertness. He caught a glimpse of Bill's jaw tightening in impatience.

"Yes okay," Hermione breathed, looking down at her notes. As she brought her head back up, the steely resolve in her eyes promised answers.

"My replacement of Ian Atterberry as Minister was an unorthodox choice. I won't pretend that my experience warranted consideration at my age."

Harry could see Draco draw himself up in smugness.

"It was done because of my involvement with exceedingly confidential matters. Ones that have multiplied exponentially since my appointment. Ones that are sure to be connected though I've yet to find the explanation…."

Again, a long breath.

"In the last month of Minister Shacklebolt's term, I was invited on a muggle secrecy mission. A large number of children had appeared on the Hogwarts registry for newly accepted students. There were anomalies; they consisted of pairs of twins and they all shared the same address, one of no known wizard residence."

Harry was carefully studying the expressions of Bill and the Auror teams, which were contorted into looks of bewilderment, confirming his theory that they were privy to something else entirely.

"Though odd, we hadn't expected to do more than a few charms on what we guessed was a small Welsh muggle village. Inform the parents and obliviate what we were sure to be witnesses of odd phenomena. Something like this seemed to require a more diplomatic and academic visit- to understand how so many wizards could pop up so abruptly in muggle families. Hence, no Auror teams were notified." Hermione nodded to the large group, who hadn't slackened their perplexed looks.

"What we were met with was a hostile pack of werewolves, who ambushed us as we neared their settlement. From the few articles left behind, we deduced the pack was controlled by escaped prisoner and former Death Eater Fenrir Greyback."

Shudders vibrated around the room and Draco went so stark white he seemed to glow. Harry knew the next bit of information as the slightest surge of tears gathered at the corners of Hermione's eyes.

"What we also found was our twelve prospective students, just slain as we were caught up in the attack. The offspring of wizards turned with lycanthropy. Artemis Balboa, head of the Creature-induced Injuries Ward at St. Mungo's determined such after extensive autopsy. Just to be clear, what we found was evidence not of children bitten by werewolves, but those born into the condition."

The gravity of the revelation had not been missed by a single person, though the pause came gratefully as everyone let the information sink in. Ron turned to face Harry and he knew that his friend finally understood the conflict Hermione had been wresting with- these were grave matters. Draco broke the silence, "So could you clarify then, was Shacklebolt's alleged mishandling of funds a cover?"

"Yes." Said Hermione, looking almost grateful at the turn of subject, "Kingsley Shacklebolt covertly, and perhaps ill-advisedly, funneled money into searching for the scattered pack. It was everyone's belief that the magical offspring were the eldest of many more children and realizing that they would eventually spoil the secrecy of these groups with their trace, we believed them to be in urgent and great danger. Either these children would also be abandoned or killed or the pack would be traveling abroad to regions with less strict surveillance. Shacklebolt arranged a few teams of spies and informants to look for leads. Soon after, we located two pairs of twins before all trails seemed to indicate that the pack had definitely left Britain, complicating matters more."

"The money mostly went into the expensive care of the children as well as the salaries of freelance informants. Tensions between Shacklebolt and Atterberry were rising, and he decided Ministry bureaucracy would hinder the time-sensitive search of these very vulnerable children."

Draco looked unforgiving but said nothing. It was Bill that spoke up next, "So are these children at St. Mungo's as we speak? Are they healthy? Dangerous?"

From behind the Aurors, a wizened man with leather-tan skin and deep-set, wise eyes stood, "The children were in my constant care for six months, where I was able to study and nurse them to relative health. The complications of their condition are similar to bitten victims. Fatigue and painful transformations, not to mention the trauma of their ordeals in what I would consider a society as savage to its members as outsiders. Nevertheless, both pairs improved to the point where, after conversation with Minerva, we decided that we would allow them to attend school while I would check in regularly."

Tywek jerked and riveted enraged eyes onto McGonagall, "I have three daughters at that school at this moment!" He bellowed fiercely, "Were we never to be informed? Or only after an accident?"

Harry stiffened but Bill already stood, looming over the burly man in a way that cast his deep gashes in ugly clarity, "There's no reason to fear-monger these children Eagan, they are victims of their condition. Monsters come from a moral failure, not a bodily one. And before you speak you ought to remember that I of all people know this difference."

Harry could see Tywek rove over the mutilations on Bill's face before grunting, "Of course. But is the school equipped to handle such numbers of these students, assuming you are planning to find more alive."

Hermione winced at the implication, "In addition to these students, we've discovered three more pairs- considerably younger- which are being housed in the outwardly sealed Room of Requirement. This space is larger and more secure than anything in St. Mungo's though we have been steadily transitioning an equally secure space in the Dungeons of the School. Well away from the Slytherin Common Room and off-limits and guarded from any students." She added as Draco rose in his seat.

Harry too felt a pang of fear at the proximity to his son's dormitory. He knew all too well how he had treated things that were "off-limits" as a schoolboy.

"Why transition at all?" inquired Bill

"Yes that actually segues well with my next notes…" Hermione shuffled a few papers in front of her, "Shacklebolt has been able to gather intelligence of at least nine locations near potential werewolf packs. This has been achieved through extensive espionage, though I will add certain diplomatic attempts have only convinced me of the necessity on this…" She gave Percy a meaningful look and Harry was surprised to see the usually prudish Weasley nod in agreement, "Therefore the travel and extractions of potential children and cooperative families must be untraceable by official Ministry networks…"

Hermione scanned the reactions nervously, though few people seemed to disagree by this point.

"We've managed to procure five sets of Vanishing Cabinets, all constructed before the 'Decree of Magical Regulation in 1986' and therefore, essentially nonexistent. Unfortunately, all are in various states of disrepair and, since they were often charmed on a personal basis by wizards now mostly passed and exceedingly temperamental…" She paused and eyed Draco, "they require a very specific expertise and thankfully, a person of such skill has agreed to fix and reconnect them."

Numerous sets of cold eyes darted to the man in the far corner who, impressively, didn't shrink away.

"You believe you can trust him," Tywek growled and this time, Bill seemed to be in complete agreement.

"Is he really the only one?" Wood added, "You know his father…"

"I don't speak with my Father, Wood," Draco met the room with icy grit, "And anyways, it's been weeks since I've been informed on the project so it's really not a matter of me knowing or not. Though I would have appreciated more detail on these 'refugees'" He cast a stony glare at Hermione.

"Would it have changed your mind," Harry found himself speaking for the first time.

"I…no I…." Draco glared at Harry for the loss of composure, "I don't think so…."

Hermione jumped in, "Draco and I have discussed several configurations and we believe the cabinets can be converted into unidirectional transporters. We intend to target their destinations to the one still residing in one such conformation of the Room of Requirement- therefore evacuation of the room for its repair is needed."

"As for the securities," McGonagall stood up for the first time, "I confess I've been the sole secret keeper at Hogwarts during the last semester of these special cases. And as many of you in the Auror department know, the growing criminal incidences have permeated the already fragile peace between notable Houses and their students. I suspect it will only worsen as they mount and I've been woefully absent on many countermeasures due to this predicament."

Bill looked contrite as he regarded the Headmaster.

"What the Minister and I have agreed on is an expansion of those privy to the situation at Hogwarts. This semester Professor Longbottom and Madame Pomfrey will be assisting me with treatments and well-being of the students and two Healers will be at the school in 24hr capacity."

Two young women seated next to Artemis acknowledged the room. Tywek nodded approvingly, as did several other parents. There was only a minute or two of comfortable silence when Francesca spoke up.

"That's all good and well Minister, but I'm having difficulty connecting these issues to the cases that have been piling up these last months. I mean I'll agree the timing of the discovery is funny as before all this we'd been celebrating the lowest crime in months and now…well…."

Several murmurs of agreement spread through the Auror teams. She continued, "But I honestly can't connect any of these crimes to werewolf activity. No bites or maulings. Attempted kidnappings sure, but these seem weak at best."

Hermione nodded in full agreement, "I don't mean to derive any connections that aren't there Francesca. But I do want to make at least the most experienced Auror teams aware of this activity due to the mounting rumors underlying your cases."

This time Draco did wilt under the stares that were aimed at him, "Are you really giving weight to these, these awful rumors Minister?" He ground out the last word.

Francesca addressed him before Hermione could respond, "She's only considering it as a possibility, one that has been echoed by several of us in this Department. I hope you understand that the people here are most familiar with the details of the cases and not simply the recipients of a convoluted gossip chain. We understand the nuance."

Draco set his jaw and looked down, gloomy.

"As it is, the most recent cases suggest complex but highly unusual dark magic and the simple fact that this signature ties most of our unsolved cases, I've concluded that a single or small group of individuals knowledgeable about the ways of Voldemort's inner circle have been attempting to replicate their methods. Most of the victims are muggleborn wizards and their families- the ideology is unmistakable. However, the methods are much cruder and more eccentric than what we've come to know from other pureblood perpetrators, who usually boast very skilled and traditional training- highly recognizable spells."

She glanced again at Draco, somewhat softly, "I therefore don't believe the perpetrators to be wizards of the old pureblood families and their sympathizers. I've checked and most continue to educate their children at Hogwarts. I'd guess these criminals have received alternative training if any organized education at all."

Harry had sent this statement verbatim to his boss after pouring over the influx of incidences during the last days of his vacation. He was glad to see she whole-heartedly endorsed his assessment.

Hermione spoke up once more, "Yes, and regarding this conclusion, Francesca and I have devised to send our most experienced Aurors to various neighboring regions in the hopes of gathering information on any criminal patterns we might not yet be aware of. While on your missions, we've contacted several individuals who will be briefed about our other situation and we hope you might also try to investigate what you can about rumors or sightings of werewolves. Keeping this all under the radar, of course, as most officials are going to be unfriendly to that matter."

Another round of satisfied voices reverberated through the courtroom, although Draco remained stoic and glaring. As the noise subsided, he cleared his throat, "So am I to understand that this report will also be shared with other departments? I've heard of calls to resume searches of 'suspect' families who may be harboring 'dark objects' despite the fact that sweeping searches have already been done and many of the active members have passed away or been renounced by relatives."

Tywek snarled, "Malfoy are you worried your father needs a warning in advance to hide his treasures?"

"Eagan enough," Francesca cut across the man smoothly, though her features betrayed some shame as she addressed Draco, "I have informed the Head of Magical Artifacts as well as the Wizengamot about the findings. I… I got the feeling the sentiments remained in spite. As you know one of the attacks involved Eliza Burbage."

Harry thought he detected fear flit across the sharp features of Malfoy. He knew why- he himself had experienced a pang of foreboding when he read the judge's case. This attack would only intensify the sentiments of the radically zealous witch, who Harry already considered to be bordering on outright prejudice.

"I'm sorry but will we be moving on to another topic?" Oliver Wood had been drumming his feet to an increasing rhythm, "I feel talking about everything that's happened will help us sort out our priorities as to what are the most pertinent issues we ought to be discussing."

There was some derision in his tone as he glanced fleetingly toward the corner where Draco sat. The man almost spat his reply, "Easy for you to say Wood, you've never been under the tyranny…"

"Minister please inform everyone about this morning!" Wood interrupted Draco with urgency.

Draco looked around the room, affronted and pleading. For a moment his eyes met Harry's and Harry could see desperation being rapidly formed in the presence of callous disregard. But a second later, both men broke away at the sound of another Auror exclaiming, "Yes please, the Room of Death!"

Harry's skin prickled at the sensation of mystery. The meeting so far had only added detail to subjects he already knew, but nothing Hermione had mentioned involved the Department of Mysteries. The two Unspeakables began shuffling papers, eyeing Hermione. Oddly, McGonagall gave an involuntary shudder and paled, looking even more exhausted.

The trepidation that befell Hermione at the start of the meeting had returned, "Yes of course, the final broad subject in which I believe all of you should be informed… well many of you are but…well. We can hopefully provide updates," She glanced nervously at the Unspeakables, who nodded curtly and with ambivalent encouragement.

"In the early hours of the morning today," Hermione began, "Headmaster McGonagall informed me of a disturbance that was, according to intel, originating in the Department of Mysteries, specifically a compartment known as the Room of Death."

"And what was the source of this intel?" Francesca prodded, "Why go to the Headmaster of Hogwarts instead of a ministry official? With all due respect Minerva…"

McGonagall brushed off the comment lightly, "Yes well the nature of this all is…unique as you'll all hear shortly. I was warned by the portraits in my office of this disturbance. There was much agitation and commotion like I've never witnessed. I was directed to contact the Minister at once."

Harry was sure Bill, Oliver and the other Aurors had already heard some of this as only prior knowledge could have prevented their faces from contorting in utter speechlessness as the way his and Ron's face did.

"What kind disturbance could they detect? I thought portraits…"

But Hermione quickly cut across the question, "We are still working out the specific implications of this so I would like to move forward rather than speculate."

She wore a compassionate expression as she continued, "I contacted the curse-breaker team led by Bill and Auror teams led by Oliver and Eagan were present at the Ministry already…"

This seemed to be a justification, Harry thought, of why neither him nor Ron had been called in.

"… A few Unspeakables were present at this time as well and when prompted to check the Department, confirmed the validity of the portrait's warnings. The Room of Death was undergoing a disturbance."

"Could you at least delineate what you mean by that?" Francesca was on the edge of her seat in awe and frustration.

Hermione acquiesced by nodding to the Unspeakables, one of whom, a particularly tiny man with jet black eyes, rose and nodded politely at Hermione and the room, "I am Cetus Seaborn, faculty of the Department of Mysteries for eleven years, specialist in questions regarding the afterlife."

He spoke in a cold, detached tone that contrasted starkly with the endlessly interesting subject Harry considered the afterlife to be.

"The Room of Death is a space which held an object known colloquially as the "Veil". It was a unidirectional passage that transports both body and soul into the realm of the dead, a fatal action to pass through and through which only living things may pass. We believe the substance of the body as we know it changes with passing as charms designed to monitor the movement of a body become undetectable upon transport."

"That sounds like a very disappointing experiment," muttered Ron.

"However other aspects of human production remain, as evidenced by the wide phenomena of people reporting to hear the voices of known deceased friends and foes."

Harry felt a cool tingling crawl down his spine as he remembered the last time he'd entered the Room, retrieving a dark artifact from the collection of the recently boarded Borgin and Burkes. He'd fainted from the onslaught of voices, their closing in upon him. It was, like his first encounter with a dementor, something that uniquely marked some particular damage done to him alone.

"These voices were found to be uncharacteristically tormented this morning. We also detected unusual movement of the Veil. Both these features are significant derivations from any behavior of the object ever observed." Cetus paused, flipping over his notes.

"There was reason to believe the integrity of the Room, and perhaps the entire Ministry, might be in jeopardy. Using several containment charms, we sealed the room with numerous barriers. The presence of the spells contained the… outburst overall."

"I need more descriptions…" Francesca said, turning to Wood and Tywek.

The two men glanced at each other before Oliver continued, "We were in the Atrium when we started to feel rumbling. Bill cast a shielding spell around us but it was like the floor was a being whipped around like rope. I could barely keep my footing."

"And it was so hard to breath, like the air was gone from the room," A small Auror on Wood's team added, clutching her throat at the thought.

Wood nodded, "Then these… um… well I don't know if these two have a more accurate term, but spirits essentially. Wispy white things, a little like a patronus but all were human creatures…." Words seemed to fail him as Bill interjected, quickly pick up the story.

"They were breaking the barriers. The spells were barely slowing them. I didn't see any for myself but the people here who did all swear they looked tortured, in agony…"

Harry caught another shudder vibrate through the usually infallible McGonagall, this one so violent that Neville grasped her shoulder in concern. Had some sort of supernatural disaster almost destroyed the Ministry while he slept soundly and started a peaceful morning with Ginny? Ron looked white and angry, on the verge tears all at once.

"But they suddenly slowed and seemed to be receding back to their point of origin. I'd say it was as though they were forcibly pulled, which I don't believe any of our defenses could do. Cetus and Pilar returned to the Room after all had passed and will hopefully be able to enlighten us more." Bill gestured again to the Unspeakables, where the more brightly featured woman now stood with her partner.

She had more variation in her voice than the demure Cetus, control wrestling with the obvious excitement of their findings, "I will begin by noting that the structure of the Room and Ministry overall were undamaged following this incident. Surprising given… yes er sorry…"

Pilar regained some composure as Cetus cocked on eyebrow, "However the… presentation of the Veil has been altered to a different form of matter. Presently that is all we are willing to conclude but the, we are calling them Bodily Renderings of Spiritual Design, BRSDs…."

"Bloody frickin ghosts…" Ron quipped, "These experts…"

But Harry was turning the information over too intently to give Ron much of a reaction, "Altered how? Was the Veil damaged?"

"No we…we've decided on the term 'changed', 'altered'. These better describe…"

"Are you not going to show us?" Tywek interjected, his fingers curled

Pilar glanced again at Cetus, who flicked open a portal with his wand, revealing another, older man that Harry recognized as Broderick Bode. He was standing in what looked to be the Room of Death, but Harry could now clearly understand the language barrier Pilar was trying to overcome.

"Hello all, as you can see the structure of the space is intact and stable, but we believe what used to constitute the Veil has now become this, well if I'm honest it seems to be a pond." The man let the portal opening survey the expanse.

The Room was now filled at least a quarter way with what looked to be empty, black water, opaque but rippling, despite the calmness of the air. Something in Harry stirred but the recollection was fuzzy from the renewed pounding in his head. He took a long swig of coffee, now room temperature.

"We have been spending most of our time sealing off the entryways to other Department rooms for security in the hours since, but our general agreement is that the surface of this pond likely shares properties with the veil material, in that falling in will be the equivalent to walking through the archway. But other than the increased chance for accidents, we haven't detected much…"

"Is it really that quiet in there?" Harry regretted his question that would surely remind a few people of his last embarrassing trip but was surprised when several of the Aurors actually nodded.

Cetus addressed him, "Yes that… that is the other change. The room has gone silent. It… it's only a feeling but the feeling is that… it is empty where it once was full."

The slightest tinge of disappointment colored the monotoned answer. Cetus looked down before finishing, "We will debrief the Minister of any further developments, but it is our current opinion that whatever has happened has contained itself and will not cause harm to the Ministry structure or inhabitants."

"Have there been other disruptions?" Ron piped up, "At any other locations? Other Ministries?"

Hermione seemed to have not considered this possibility and Harry noted the look of impress she aimed at her husband.

"It is a good question," Cetus replied, "But I wouldn't expect there to be. While all Magical governments are aware of select mysterious objects, it is our understanding that nothing similar to the Veil exists. There is a reason foreign wizards often seek employment in our Department. The Veil was a unique object to study in the understanding of 'On'."

Again, Harry's mind whirred feebly. Something, something about Dumbledore made all this feel… familiar.

"So you mean to say that our Ministry just happens to have something like the Veil lying around?" Ron seemed unconvinced that something so significant could be noticed by so few.

"We don't believe the Ministry location is an accident," Pilar informed him, "The structures of many Department rooms far predate the rest of the building. I'd even go as far as to say that our ancestors may have congregated towards powerful objects such as the Veil, turning it into a place of reverence, which evolved slowly into organized government. There are many primitive accounts that describe the archway, but none attributing its construction."

Despite the overwhelming confusion still gripping him, Harry couldn't help but chuckle as he caught the absorbed expression with which Hermione looked at the Unspeakables. He wondered if that bit of information had been left out of 'A History of Magic.'

"I'm sorry, I can't quite work out how anything has been solved through this," Draco shook the Minister from academic reverie.

"You're quite right Draco…" Hermione replied.

"And quite rude," Ron snipped lowly

"… I have no intentions of making this clearer for you all. I just… I hope that perhaps one of us might have a spark of clarity sometime in the future, something that makes it all make sense," She seemed to be desperately contemplating any possibilities at the moment, "But also to instill, at least in this very limited group, that while we may not have answers… I'm sure that whatever you may think, you all must feel that something is…off."

Faces all around the courtroom were tightening at Hermione's words, Harry's included. He'd long given up fighting the headache that beat in the background of his thoughts- the new information, reminders of cases he failed to solve. It was appropriate for the moment, he mused. For something was very, very wrong.

"I hope you aren't too cross with me for keeping these things from you," Hermione started again, shakily, "I had every intention of sharing these issues at a time when we had more solutions than questions and I've kept my circle of informants as thin as possible due to… well you all can see the sensitive nature of these issues."

"I suppose it goes without saying that the information shared here does not leave this room?" Bill was looking kindly at Hermione and glanced once at McGonagall.

"Yes and I think we ought to set up regular meetings- I plan to meet with department leaders frequently to monitor developments on all fronts but it may be helpful with have another time to gather and perhaps brainstorm what's going on once we've all digested this information."

She began sending folders around the room and procured a parchment and quill filled with swirling purple ink.

"Wha…" The folders were filled with blank pages.

"Yes if you would please sign the parchment. The summary of this meeting will appear in your notes, only visible to those who have put their names here."

Harry watched the blank pages filled with loopy lettering that he recognized as Percy's handwriting. He hadn't noticed him taking notes but could see the man gingerly cracking the knuckles on his right hand.

"Will this also give us pustules if we decide to run our mouth?" Ron teased, adding his signature.

Hermione, grateful for the change in tone, smiled indulgently, "No Ron, I figured we were all consummate professionals."

A few uneasy looks darted back to Draco, who glared determinedly before adding his name and returning the parchment to Hermione.

"Draco if you aren't too strapped for time, I wanted you to chat with the Headmaster about working at Hogwarts in the next months…" Hermione nodded towards McGonagall, missing the nervous expression that graced Draco's face.

"Draco if you would follow me," McGonagall smiled tentatively, "I will take you all for lunch and we can be on our way to school for the Welcoming Feast."

"I'll be present at the next Auror meeting to stay as up-to-date as possible on developments and theories. I know many of you have been working well over twenty-four hours by now so I'll dismiss you." Hermione turned to the largest cluster of people as the Headmaster's robed whipped out of sight. The two Unspeakables silently rose and followed them out throwing, "We will talk soon," over their shoulders.

Tywek and Wood led their respective teams from the room, giving Hermione supportive nods on their way out. Harry and Ron also made to leave but Francesca placed a firm hand on each of their shoulders, "Wait, we've discussed something for you two."

Bill had strode up to the podium and was chatting with Hermione, "Some of these theorized werewolf communities- I know many Goblins with families in a nearby region. I can give you the names of ones I trust… Starcha said she'd be more than happy to mediate if you'd like."

A short Goblin, part of the crew of cursebreakers, nodded vigorously. After a minute that group exited as well.

Now, only Hermione, Francesca, Ron, Harry and Percy remained. The Minister descended the podium in a flurry, suddenly light as the close of the meeting ended peacefully, "That went… so much better than I could have imagined. Of course, I think there is going to be discomfort with the students- I don't think I've heard the last from Tywek- not that I blame him. And hopefully Draco can get the Cabinets working- that's a big 'if' but… but I think overall everyone took it well." she sighed.

"I mean, give it awhile won't you?" Ron nudged her playfully, "I think we're all in shock. Is that really where you were off to this morning? Battling ghosts? It… it never seemed dangerous did it?"

Hermione contemplated the ordeal as Ron's face paled from the hesitation, "I… I don't know honestly Ron. It was all so strange… I couldn't tell you what I suspected. Most of my concentration was getting those damn cabinets out. Bill was ready to mutiny before knowing all of this."

Ron looked like he half wanted to yell but somehow controlled his voice, "Well I'm… I'm happy to be in on all of this now."

Hermione looked taken, "I'm so, so sorry… I'm…"

"Oh not here, it's all said and done. I'm good now- figured out all I could on my own," Ron added, proudly, shoving Harry as he sniggered, "And I'm bursting to hear about this secret mission Harry and I get to go on. Or are you coming too?"

Ron directed a quip at an affronted-looking Percy before smiling once more.

Hermione blanched slightly, "Well um yes… it's, well depending on what you learn there may be traveling but the first order of business is…"

"Well spit it out… " Ron jested

"… talking to Katie Bell."

The clowning on Ron's face slid off in an instant as he sat back in his seat, combing back his hair, "She was taken… she was taken by him right after… did you recover her from?"

Hermione just nodded, procuring two more clipped sheets of paper, "Here is the general background on her condition and what she was willing to share with us so far."

The notes barely made a page, but a small picture of a scratched and bandaged woman was attached.

"As you can see, it's not much. But she has agreed to talk to you two finally." Hermione added with a note of hope.

"How did you change her mind?" Harry scanned the small black and white photo, feeling queasy about how much less familiar she seemed; how much older.

"I mentioned that her missing persons file had made an odd and illegal home at the foot of your desk rather than at the bottom of some bin in storage."

Francesca caught Harry's apprehensive backward glance, "I'm waiving any penalties Potter, as we can all see there are bigger fish to fry. Both of you should spend the rest of day getting your schedules free for tomorrow. Hopefully, Miss Bell will turn this some of this mess into answers."

Finally, Harry thought he could feel his headache subside. At least for the next twenty-four hours, there was to plan something that had to lead somewhere; close open of the open files that lay scattered in his mind. A check off the things he was supposed to be able to do.

He would go over his cases, maybe Hermione and Ron would be free for lunch again, prep a few questions, and buy Ginny some chocolates before he returned home. Tomorrow couldn't come quick enough.