I certainly have no rights to Harry Potter, but this won't stop me writing this story. However, you probably already know this. As it is my specialty, and as in my other big stories, this shows how things go if something went different right at the beginning. Please note that I'm not a fan of bashing and also don't expect the pairings to differ from canon. However, the path to them sertainly will be quite different. I also want to try and subvert certain plots and things that became common in the fandom over the years.

I've decided that starting with this chapter, the story will go on hiatus until I've pre-written enough chapters again. That will take some time, but I've already done some, so it shouldn't take too long.

I'll try to answer all my reviews, since I do like the feedback for improvement. So please tell me your thoughts on the story in reviews. I would appreciate it. Also, since I'm getting many guest reviews, please think about creating an account, since due to techinical reasons I can't reply to guest reviews.

This story now does have a TvTropes page. You can find the link in my bio. Feel free to visit and contribute to it.


Chapter 27: Life Goes On

The whole affair with the chamber now had been over two weeks ago and Hogwarts had managed to find its way back to a normal teaching rhythm. Yet, some things had changed and students had taken notice of it.

For one, the corridor next to Myrtle's bathroom had turned into a construction zone. Rumor was, that the school wanted to restore the chamber for future use and also make sure the entrance was not in a girls' bathroom. Some had approached Myrtle to see if it was true and the ghost had confirmed it, saying she couldn't wait until her bathroom was back to normal.

Of course the construction site was off-limits; age lines and everything. No way the school wanted some students poke around the construction site. That of course had not stopped certain people from trying anyway, which had resulted in a very loud Howler from Mrs. Weasley to Fred and George.

Also, rumors were flying around the castle.

Of course the story of what happened in the chamber hardly could be kept secret and the official press release made for a very interesting read. The tale of a book enchanted by You-Know-Who and it covertly taking over a student, as well as mere students coming to the rescue, almost read like an adventure novel. The big remaining question only was, where the book came from. Sometimes reality was more interesting than fiction.

It didn't help that Harry Potter was one of the students coming to the rescue. While a lot of students had seen that he actually was not all that different from them, the way he was reported on by the media had re-ignited talk about the Boy-Who-Lived.

Now the rumors circled around those involved in the affair - specifically the aftermath.

The school had put measures into place that none of it could be verified, making sure to keep away snoopers, but rumor was that everyone who had been down in the chamber now was in therapy with mind-healers. No one had a reason to doubt that considering the subdued demeanor of the students involved. These five clearly were not all right and after the teachers punished several students who had become too nosy, everyone now gave these five lots of breathing room.

There also was the case of former Professor Lockhart.

The man had become a complete vegetable, with healers saying that perhaps in ten years he could develop again enough in his head to function as a human being. Even more interesting however were the revelations about the man, which in the end managed to permanently destroy his reputation. People were throwing his books into the trash in disgust and the publisher stopped printing or selling them.

The man's fortune had been frozen and law enforcement in numerous magical countries were trying to find the victims of his memory alterations in the hope of fixing the damage if possible, and to compensate his victims with the money from Lockhart's fortune. It would be a slow and complicated process, but public pressure over this massive scandal was immense.

Gilderoy Lockhart had already transformed into a cautionary tale.

Several people were talking at breakfast.

"I tell you it's a relief that McGonagall installed these silence charms on their beds. After being woken up by their screaming from nightmares several times, that was the only solution," Dean Thomas said while talking with Seamus Finnigan and Stefan Schuster.

"Yes, but it didn't exactly help their sleep. They became tired enough that Madam Pomfrey is now supplying them with dreamless sleep potion. At least now they get some healthy rest," Seamus added, remembering the nurse's decision. "I heard from the girls the same is the case with Ginny."

"If that's what the reality of heroics is, then count me out on doing anything like that," Dean admitted.

"I honestly don't envy them," Schuster said while refilling his goblet. "After all of this my parents honestly wanted to pull me from school and leave England altogether, regardless what that does to their jobs. Of course they were blocked right away.

"By now I wonder why the Ministry is still blocking. It's no longer petty... that's downright malevolent," Seamus wondered.

"My parents even alerted the German magical authorities, but they are being stonewalled as well by the Ministry. It's like they rather would have a diplomatic problem at hand. I don't get these jerks. Either they are that dumb or want a diplomatic incident." Schuster then shook his head. "If that continues, it could end in us simply traveling back to Germany while school is not in session and screw the consequences. It's not like the Ministry can do anything to us then."

Somewhere else at the Gryffindor table, several girls were gossiping over lunch.

"I know they are a tight-knit group, but ever since the chamber thing they are going overboard," Fay Dunbar remarked, looking to where Harry and his friends were sitting.

"Are you joking? Remember the first few times Ginny woke up screaming. If even only half of what was officially released is true... I don't blame them for closing ranks and taking professional help," Parvati Patil said.

There was a good reason for Ginny's disturbed sleep besides what all of those in the chamber had experienced. Waking up to find yourself bound and gagged, at the mercy of some kind of malevolent spirit-image of a younger Voldemort who gleefully explained his plans to kill her friends had been deeply disturbing for the girl.

"Aren't you a bit...?" Lavender Brown stopped herself. "Maybe there is something to it. It's just infuriating how they have closed themselves off."

"Maybe that's you own fault!" That was Kellah Miller, giving the three girls a very unimpressed look. "You three girls are always too nosy and it resulted in them not trusting you."

"We are not nosy!" Fay insisted.

"Really?" Kellah looked very doubtful of that fact. "I can remember on the first night back how you bothered Hermione about her bra and her hygiene articles. If that's not nosy... Oh, and while speaking about that, do I have to remind you, Lavender, of your panic attack a month ago? All three of you were quite silent about that."

Lavender didn't like being reminded of that episode. She had woken up at the morning, feeling like crap, only to discover she was bleeding from between her legs. Her shrill screams had woken up the entire dorm and what followed had been an embarrassing visit to Madam Pomfrey. Ever since then the girls no longer complained about Hermione being ahead of them in physical maturity.

Hearing no reply, Kellah snorted. "I thought so."

At the Slytherin table meanwhile, Draco snorted when looking further down the table.

"Just look at that... And I at first didn't want to believe it when you told me about it," he told Pansy.

"I didn't want to believe it myself when hearing it in the hospital wing, but clearly it's true," Pansy added, looking in the same direction and making no secret of her disgust.

The aftermath of the day the basilisk died had been quite different for these two. Draco, while feeling proud of his father for coming up with such a cunning plan, as Pansy had told him what happened in the hospital wing, was even more angry it was foiled and even went as far as somehow blaming Pansy's petrification on Harry.

Strangely enough, when writing his father - he knew his mother would only worry - the reply he got basically ordered him to never talk about the whole affair to anyone, especially not his mother, since she always tended to get overprotective. Draco and Pansy had no idea what to make of that, especially when Pansy also got a letter from her parents, reminding her to stay silent about it as well. It seemed Draco's father had bought their silence and they had no wish for their daughter to accidentally muck it up.

And now they were looking to where Dudley was sitting with his friends Daphne and Millicent. As much as Millicent had become somewhat withdrawn from the general student population, she was relying more on her friends - and even a blind man could see she was relying on Dudley quite a bit more than just a normal friend.

"As if her parentage is not bad enough. That's spoiling my appetite," Draco grumbled.

"Not only that. Disgraceful how many in our house don't seem to find it offensive," Pansy added.

Draco then looked kind of helpless. "So what do we do about it? I honestly don't want to ask my father for help with that. He would tell me not to bother him with something that trivial - at least for now."

Pansy looked away from the display and down to her plate. "Remind them of their place. Sooner or later we'll find a suitable wedge to put between them."

o

Percy Weasley was a man on a mission that early evening, having spotted his targets at a table in the Gryffindor common room.

Percy knew nothing had happened yet, but he knew Fred and George had the tact of a blunt axe and sooner or later they would say something stupid or do something, both of which could have very negative effects. Not that he was was accusing them of intentional cruelty, but the twins tended to be quite thoughtless with their actions, not considering how it could hurt those affected.

"Oh, our brother dear. What gives us the honor?" Fred asked when he approached them. For once they were actually studying, their homework scattered on the table.

"We haven't broken any rules recently, have we?" George added, perhaps honestly having forgotten if they had broken the rules recently.

"It's not that." Percy knew how he probably would have approached this issue had he not found his change of heart. He didn't want to imagine that confrontation. "It's to stop you from doing something stupid that will hurt others."

Fred shrugged when hearing this. "We have no idea what you mean."

Seeing he was getting nowhere, Percy decided to be much more direct. "Your siblings and the others barely got out of that chamber alive and they are very fragile right now. I know you will try your usual antics to make them feel better, only you'll make it worse in your thoughtlessness."

"How can you say that? We are always good for a laugh," George protested.

"I distinctly remember when Ginny started to get disgusted by earthworms and what you did once you learned of that. She got worse instead of better and Mum certainly made sure you don't forget," Percy reminded them, crossing his arms.

"Well, all right, that was one bummer," Fred admitted.

"But we've gotten much better and we know they need something to lift their spirits," George continued.

They are not getting it. Looks like I have to be more direct...Percy thought.

"All right, you asked for it. They really have no use for your style of cheering up, so in order to make sure you won't make it worse for them than it already is..." Percy gave them a very hard look and the light reflected sinister from his glasses. "Should you try anything of that kind, I will not hesitate to write Mum and tell her how your thoughtlessness made them feel worse."

The twins stopped what they were doing, looking to Percy with barely concealed horror. "You would rat us out to Mum?" George finally asked.

"Without hesitation. They have seen horrible things in that chamber and need professional help, not cheap and tasteless jokes. Mum's reaction will make the Howler she sent you last week look tame." Percy then gave them another look. "Well, are we on the same page?"

The twins realized that this changed Percy, while normally more bearable due to no longer being so anal retentive, was still intolerant of their antics, albeit in a different way. While before had had made it a matter of principle and order, he now did it to protect others. Most frighteningly, this also proved to be quite effective.

"We won't do anything!" they both promised.

"Looks like we are in agreement." Percy then left.

"Crap, Fred, the way he looked at us was actually frightening. He really meant it," George admitted to his brother.

Fred could only agree. "Yes, no way I want to get on his bad side... That also means no asking Harry about Padfoot. We'll ask the man himself over the summer."

"I still wonder why you insisted on waiting," George asked.

"I wanted us to squeeze all use out of the map. But it should soon find a new owner," Fred admitted.


...April 19th...

Those that had been in the chamber, regardless if going down there on their own or being the ones kidnapped by Riddle, felt the effects of it for a long time. It wasn't like you could just go on after something like this - it was way worse than what they experienced in their first year with Quirrell. It was fortunate this was recognized by the adults and they were getting the needed support.

They didn't even want to imagine simply being left to deal with it on their own. Nothing good would have come out of that.

Despite everything that had happened and their ongoing mental recovery, life did go on as well, and that also meant school work. It did help, since it at times distracted them when they truly needed it. Ron even saw a certain humor in the fact that he was doing all of his homework in a timely manner, causing Hermione to tell him she wished it would become a permanent habit.

What none of them knew was, that Ginny besides nightmares also got a new kind of dream, where Harry was the knight in shining armor, rescuing her from the big monster. These dreams were harmless in nature and made her feel better, but also caused Harry to ask why she so often had a slight blush when being around him.

No, Ginny would not reveal this; it was a bit too personal.

They also had gotten numbers on the sale of the basilisk parts. While the lion's share went to the school, Ron and Ginny got a notification how much had landed in their vaults, together with a letter from their parents that apart from a certain allowance it would stay there until they were adults. Ginny still blushed when being reminded of how she'd fainted like a 'proper lady' when seeing the considerable sum.

They didn't know of Dudley's reaction to his own share and no one wanted to breach the topic.

Right now however they we looking at something entirely different: selecting their electives which started with third year.

They had been given the notification and papers before the Easter holidays and had brooded over it. Now that school was back in session they were still unsure what exactly to choose. The five subjects were Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Muggle Studies and Study of Ancient Runes.

It was lunch time and they were discussing the whole issue.

"It's not like they are giving us much information for what these courses are good for," Ron grumbled, looking at the list of five possible electives.

"Which is kind of stupid, considering they could very well influence our entire future," Hermione added, her bushy hair looking like she had put her finger into a power socket, a sign of how stressed she was over this.

"You are perhaps so stressed because the school no longer does allow taking more than two electives?" Luna asked innocently, then saw she'd hit right on the mark.

"It's unfair..." Hermione complained.

The others clearly had heard that before and just rolled their eyes. Hermione had wanted to take all the electives, but McGonagall had shot that down. Not only would that be impossible, as you literally had to be at multiple places at the same time - something she added while magically possible she would never allow - but the school also had made bad experiences with students taking more than two electives. Madam Pomfrey had put her foot down after too many burnt-out students.

"Excuse me, but I hear you have trouble selecting your electives?" Percy asked, having approached them.

"Trouble? It's just all of my expanded family is giving me contradictory advice by mail, while my parents say it's my choice," Neville said, especially remembering the useless advice in his Uncle Algie's letter. "The others don't have it much better. Why can't adults give us better advice on this?"

"Oh, hello Perce. Nothing personal, but how could you give us advice on selecting our electives, Mr. I-got-twelve-OWLs?" Ginny asked, reminding Percy of the fact he took the exams for all subjects last year.

"I only took the exams, I still selected only two electives like everyone else and learned the other things in my free time. After all, it's not forbidden to take an exam despite not having chosen the elective in question," Percy defended himself, remembering the teasing he got from the twins for being an overachiever.

"Perce, don't give Hermione any ideas," Ron complained.

"Still, any advice you can give us? We are kind of desperate now," Harry admitted, pointing at the list. "We don't even know what the electives are good for in the long run and got either no or confusing advice."

Percy sat down, clearly feeling he was in his element. "Well, first off for most jobs you only need the core subjects. The electives only come into play for rather specialized jobs."

"You mean like with Charlie and him becoming a dragon handler?" Ron asked.

"Yes, good example. Care of Magical Creatures is only useful if you want to go into a job that requires interaction with magical creatures, like the beast handlers the Ministry employs. Divination on the other hand has no direct job connections, apart from finding possible seers, but it is useful to sharpen your skill at discovering the motives of others," Percy started to explain.

"You know, that's the most useful advice we've heard up to now. What about the other three?" Ginny asked.

"Well, Muggle Studies obviously would be very useful for jobs that interact with the non-magical world, though for some reason it rarely is a requirement for such jobs." While Percy did look honestly puzzled by that, the more cynical of them realized why that was the case.

"Arithmancy is mainly used in the field of spell-creation and thus very much a must-have for enchanters. It deals a lot with mathematics and memorization and is said to be the most difficult elective of all," Percy explained further.

"Well, there goes that elective. Math never was my strong point," Ron said, striking that elective from his list.

"I can forget that as well. The math is less the problem, but a course that runs on memorization? I wouldn't be able to keep up with that," Neville admitted.

"Oh, that's too bad, as it's highly interesting. The final course is Study of Ancient Runes. Actually understanding runes not only opens up the path to a new field of magic, but also is pretty much mandatory for jobs that deal with old artifacts, like the Unspeakables. Remember that Bill needed an O-NEWT in Runes for his job," Percy told them.

"This makes it somewhat easier, considering that the electives aren't required for most jobs," Luna commented, taking another look at her list.

"I hope that was helpful," Percy said, then left to have a conversation with the other Prefects... or at least a certain one.

"Well, Divination doesn't exactly sound useful, does it?" Neville asked his friends.

While most of them agreed, Luna gave him an interesting smile. "Well, I think being more aware of the motives of others could be very useful. I'll take Divination."

"My first pick is easy. Muggle Studies for sure. Even after years being surrounded by it I still at times feel I don't know enough. Man, Dad will certainly be interested in my choice," Ron said, remembering his father's hobby with technology.

"I think I pick that as well. I feel pretty lost at times what you are talking about, so it can only help," Neville agreed, making a note on his list.

"Unlike my brother I'm good at math, so Arithmancy it is for me," Ginny told them, unable to resist the little jab against Ron.

Hermione meanwhile looked like she still had a difficult choice to make. "Muggle Studies is useless for me - I probably can just take the exam - and Divination sounds a bit too much like guesswork..." Hermione tried to ignore the offended look Luna was giving her. "The other three sound so useful... I take Arithmancy . If I have to chose, it should be the most difficult one."

That left Harry, who looked at the list again. "Sirius and Remus told me what kind of things they were able to do with runes and how useful it is. I'll take Ancient Runes. That however still leaves us to chose a second elective."

That was tough for them, since they actually had already each picked their favorite subject. Luna then spoke up. "Hagrid had been really nice to us and the creatures he showed us during our visits that are part of his lessons were fascinating. I would like to learn more about them."

"Well, it's an outdoor class as well. Sitting all day in a classroom isn't much fun, you know," Ron added, trying to ignore the annoyed look Hermione and Ginny gave him for his reason to favor Care of Magical Creatures.

Shortly later they had actually come to an agreement that they all would take Care of Magical Creatures as their second elective. Hermione was a bit sad she hadn't chosen Runes as an elective, but she vowed to read up on it over time so that she could do the OWL exam like Percy did. No one doubted she could do it.

o

At the evening the Slytherin common room was well-used. Contrary that what some of the more fanatical proponents of house rivalry thought, the majority of Slytherin students had a school life not so different from everyone else at Hogwarts. Most of the students were enjoying a good read, playing games or were busy with homework.

At one of the tables Dudley shook his head after hearing from his friends how their search for advice concerning their electives had gone. "And you got nothing useful?"

"No, nothing. My parents told me they can hardly tell me where my interests lie and everyone else gave me mostly useless advice. It's kind of stupid, considering all of them went through this as well," Daphne complained.

Millicent for her part looked at the offending list as if seeing a poisonous snake. "With me it was the opposite. My parents gave me tons of advice... way too much. All over Easter they treated me like I'm fragile..."

"You are certainly not fragile, Millie," Daphne told her friend.

That was another problem beside the burden that she had been possessed by Voldemort - people treated Millicent differently now. While there were some that of course only saw it as confirmation of their dislike - and Dudley thought of certain people in particular - the majorly acted like walking on eggshells around her in their worry they could do something which could make her remember some of what happened. Needless to say that Millicent was highly annoyed by it.

"Believe us, you are far from fragile. Just because you need help because of what he did to you doesn't mean you are weak," Dudley told her, meaning every word of it.

"Oh... thanks." Millicent blushed a little - something that was happening more commonly lately.

Dudley knew he would have to get used to it. It least Millicent no longer was as awkward as she used to be in the days and weeks after the chamber. "Let's go back to advice. I myself of course have none, since I could hardly ask my parents."

To Dudley it was getting a bit depressing that his parents were not involved more in that part of his life. He even was a bit envious of Hermione, whose parents were well-informed about their daughter's accomplishments and liked to give her advice, regardless how useful it turned out to be.

Daphne finally felt she should bring it to the point. "I think we should simplify this a bit. Runes pretty much is learning another language, which has many uses. Divination is mostly about predicting people and their motives. Arithmancy is advanced magical math. Muggle Studies is to make sure we don't act like idiots in a non-magical environment. Finally, Magical Creatures is self-explanatory."

Dudley thought about it. "Muggle Studies is useless for me, but I think it would be great for both of you."

Both girls looked at each other, then Millicent voiced her thoughts. "You know, do we really want to be ignorant like many pure-bloods? I remember the little adventure it was finding out how to send mail to Dudley."

"Good thinking, Millie! I'll take it," Daphne said, writing that down and Millicent followed suit. "I also always was good with numbers, so I'll also take Arithmancy. What about you two?"

Millicent quickly wrote that down as well, but Dudley groaned. "I was not good at math in school... But predicting other people sounds good. Also, I'm not good with animals thanks to growing up without any pets, so that leaves me with Runes. I hope it won't be too bad."

"At least I now know which electives to avoid." That was a very unwelcome voice and true to form, Draco had walked up to their table, looking at the choices they made for electives. "Greengrass, Bulstrode, the two of you honestly want to learn more about Muggles? Do you have no pride?"

"There is a difference between pride and being an ignorant bigot, Malfoy," Daphne told him, being highly annoyed at his interruption. "Don't tell me you are still sour that your daddy got booted out of the Board of Governors?"

"That was foul play and he will get back at them!" Draco hissed. "You seem to have become worse... no wonder considering your choice of friends."

Of course where Draco was, Pansy was not far. "Oh yes, not only him..." She notably was avoiding the word 'mudblood', feeling others would report her, "...but also her. Don't think I'll forget."

Pansy was blaming Millicent for her own petrification, insulating that Millicent had wanted to harm her, Riddle or not. For some reason, Draco was blaming Pansy's petrification on Harry. Also, Pansy had of course relayed everything she'd heard in the hospital wing to Draco. Those in the know were wondering why Draco was keeping quiet about his father's involvement. Even Pansy was not bringing it up.

Seeing how this made Millicent uncomfortable, Dudley gave these two an annoyed look. "Why don't you leave? Impotently antagonizing us won't gain you anything. I don't think you'll impress the older years with it."

"You better watch out. Our position is getting stronger. Soon enough the three of you will wish you never set foot in Slytherin," Draco said, clearly meaning it as a threat.

Pansy gave them a nasty smirk. "Yes, our time will come and then we'll make your lives a living hell."

The two troublemakers left, leaving the three friends with an uneasy feeling. They knew the conservative pure-blood position in Slytherin was getting weaker with each year, thus it created the question what these two would try to pull off once realizing that.

Right now these two were still more bark than bite, but time could change things.


...en route to the Black home, May 2nd...

Man, I feel somewhat dirty, Sirius thought while driving home on his motorcycle. The drive from London to Little Whinging gave him time to sort his thoughts.

After lots of thinking and discussions with his wife, Sirius had decided that he no longer could be passive about things - just look at the disaster that happened simply because of Malfoy wanting to sabotage Arthur Weasley! It would eat into his free time, but in the end it would be worth it if it could help.

However, he certainly had underestimated how much of a media circus him officially entering politics - no official position but being the Head of the Backs gave him a certain unofficial position - would cause. There was one reporter especially who had asked him lots of inappropriate questions and Dumbledore had afterwards told him that Ms. Skeeter tended to twist the truth, which while raising circulation also constantly made newspapers prone to defamation suits from the smeared parties.

That woman would be right at home at the Sun. I can already imagine the bullshit she's writing for tomorrow's edition, Sirius thought, feeling Skeeter would sooner or later step onto the toes of someone who wouldn't be satisfied by just suing and use more drastic measures.

Still, today had been his first real political activity.

Magical Britain didn't have a parliament like the House of Commons. Truth to be told, it was a bit convoluted how the oversight of the Minister for Magic and the legislative process worked. Checks and balances certainly had not been on the agenda when the current system grew over time. That of course made it quite susceptible to corruption and outside influences.

Despite his family name however, he knew for sure that he was just starting out and didn't yet have formed an unofficial camp of his own to spread influence. Such things took time. Granted, the Longbottoms were on his side and just watching Augusta Longbottom talk showed she was a force of nature, and Arthur despite his reputation was very well-connected in the Ministry and gave his full support, but he still was a rookie compared to others in the game.

There also had been this strange meeting with Mr. Bulstrode.

While he had expressed his gratitude that the children had saved his daughter, and hinted that he'd let his daughter know he would not trouble her for being close to Dudley, he'd explained that it wouldn't automatically result in political support. After all, such commitments were long-term and very serious. He would first wait and measure Sirius by his actions, not his words.

Still, he had made the first steps today in the public forum about upcoming laws. Those were very important, as they could influence said laws dramatically and usually the spectator banks were full. And indeed, it was like a fighting pit, only that the battle was one of words. Some of the usual suspects had not been present - it seemed Malfoy was still licking his wounds from his embarrassing firing from the Board of Governors - which made it a bit easier on Sirius.

Too bad that they had already rushed these werewolf laws past that stage, Sirius thought, unable to forget the disgusting grin of that Umbridge woman he had spotted watching the entire forum. He had been told of that toad that was Fudge's second shadow besides Malfoy.

Finally arriving at his home, he spotted Petunia spying on him as she did ever since he had moved into this house.

Doesn't it get old for her? he wondered while walking inside.

To his surprise he didn't see Diane. He first spotted the twins, who were being busy with using crayons to draw in coloring books and seemed so fascinated by the whole thing that apart from a short look up they ignored him. Wondering if his children were already showing an attitude at such a young age, Sirius looked to the seat close by, where he spotted Remus reading a book. Of course preschool had been over for some time, thus Remus clearly had the time to be present.

"Moony, not that I mind, but what gives me the honor to be your host?" Sirius asked his friend.

"Well, it started when Diane asked me to keep an eye on the children, since neither Veronica nor Thomas are available, but then I actually felt it's a good idea to have a little talk with you," Remus explained, looking a bit uneasy.

"I know that look. What is going on that you are unable to make a decision?" Sirius asked, knowing Remus too well after all these years.

"You see... you remember that Dumbledore told you how difficult it is to find teachers for Defense?" Remus asked.

"I remember, that's how that idiot Lockhart got the post in the first place." Sirius then made the connection. "Don't tell me..."

"Yes, Dumbledore still has been unable to find anyone to take over for next year. He's almost begging me to take the job and even promised if I do he would help find another teacher for the preschool to compensate for my absence during that year," Remus explained.

Seeing that his guess had been correct, Sirius asked the obvious question. "You did remind him of your medical problems, right?"

"Of course I did. He said it would be no problem to find substitutes for the days I'm down for the count." Remus then looked a bit uneasy. "He also told me of a recent medical breakthrough."

By now Sirius had gotten them two beer bottles from the fridge - he was not concerned about setting an example for the children, since they still were too young to understand - and took a swig before answering "I know there's no cure for lycanthropy, so what is it?"

"It's a potion called Wolfsbane. Taking it according to a schedule will cause only the body to change, not the mind. The wolf won't be able to take over, meaning I do have full control during those times." Seeing Sirius' hopeful expression, Remus decided to explain the downsides. "The disadvantages are that the ingredients are not exactly cheap and brewing it is not easy, either."

"No, let me guess... Dumbledore offered Slughorn brew it for you, since there's no way Snape would do it for you," Sirius guessed and saw right away he'd hit dead center when seeing his fried nod. "And that stuff really saves you from all the torment you normally go through, apart from the transformation pain?"

"After almost a quarter of a century the transformation pain doesn't bother me much anymore. It's the toll it takes on my mind and the self-harm the wolf does to itself at times that's my main problem now," Remus admitted, then saw the look Sirius gave him. "Padfoot, I..."

"You know you can't change my mind. If there is a way to lessen your suffering, I won't stay away. Things can be arranged." Sirius very clearly had his mind set.

Remus sighed, though part of him was relieved he would get more control over that part of his life. "I hate it when you do that... Now, I'm still unsure and need another opinion. You think I should take the job? Diane told me while she can't make a decision for me, she felt I could do much good with it."

"Well, Diane is not wrong. It certainly won't hurt the preschool if you are away for a year..." Sirius then remembered his day and frowned. "Of course your medical troubles can't come out, considering all the crap the Ministry is about to turn into law."

"Don't remind me. I know it's mainly that disgusting Umbridge woman pushing these laws." Remus drank some beer and leaned back. "I'm not concerned that my students from the preschool will rat me out at Hogwarts. After telling them of all the discrimination they know to keep silent about it. Only Severus could prove problematic, but I guess Dumbledore can keep him in line."

"Take your time to think about it. Just a suggestion: have your contract end right after the end-of-year exams several weeks before the end of the school year. Just to make sure." Sirius said. "Before I forget it... where exactly is Diane?"

Now Remus looked amused. "Now, that's a funny story."

Meanwhile in the Evans house, said Diane looked ready to tear some of her hair out.

"All right, how comes that you, a studied software engineer and owner of a software company, managed to mess this one up so badly?" she asked Thomas with a hard look.

"You see, that not exactly falls into my area of expertise," Thomas tried to explain.

Diane sighed, looking back to the screen of the computer. "When you asked for my help because you got some computer problems, I thought it can't be that bad. After all, PCs have become so much easier to use. But now looking at this disaster, I'm very tempted to nuke the hard disk and install all of it fresh."

"So there is no hope?" Thomas asked, grimacing at the prospect.

Diane really felt like she needed a beer for her troubles. "I honestly don't get how you managed to mess up installing and configuring Windows 3.1 so badly."

Despite having stopped working full-time ever since the birth of her children, as time-constraints made it very difficult, Diane had never given up on what she had learned and also went with the evolving computer landscape.

Speaking of a job, there had been a strange development over the past year.

There had been some confusion with her employment status, since she honestly had thought she no longer was eligible to return to the police force after such a long time. She had honestly thought from all she knew that she no longer was with them. Imagine her surprise when Sirius about a year ago had been asked by his superior what her plans for partial return were.

That had caused confusion and when she had appeared personally, the Chief Inspector himself admitted that someone actually had given her a way longer parental leave than normally permitted instead of processing her resignation and he himself had no idea how it happened, just that it did. Apparently, due to confusion no one had actually told her about the changed circumstances - thus she had honestly thought she no longer was part of the force.

I honestly wonder what actually happened. It's almost like someone took pity on me and gave orders to make it possible for me to return once the twins are older, even if it's not in full time and behind a desk. Yet it also is like they took pains to make sure I wouldn't notice, since it wasn't like they were paying me during that time, she thought.

The whole situation was weird - she had been on an extended unpaid leave and didn't even know about it, thinking she no longer had a job. Even now no one knew what exactly happened; if it was a hiccup in the system or not. Well, she was not about to look a gift horse into the mouth. She had been given a chance to continue where she left off and had taken it.

Still, computers were serious business to her and she returned to the problem at hand, since a computer where the software had been messed up this badly almost made her cry. To her it was difficult to understand how some people could mess up a computer this badly. At least Thomas only messed up the software and not the hardware as well - something she had seen multiple times with DIU (dumbest imaginable user).

"You'll owe me a number of favors for fixing this mess, got it?" Diane told Thomas while reaching for the floppy case.

Seeing how annoyed Diane was with him, Thomas didn't dare to say anything. Honestly, he had no idea what had went wrong, only that he now was owing Diane Black big time.


...Quidditch pitch, June 12th...

Thanks to the prolonged crisis, the Quidditch season at the school had been chaotic and the remaining matches had to be done on a rather busy schedule after things went back to normal. Training of course had suffered as well due to the many restrictions and atmosphere of fear during the crisis. However, due to some small miracle, the final game of the season was right on schedule again.

Not that the teams that were about to play felt any great anticipation for it.

It was Gryffindor against Hufflepuff and both teams already knew they had no chance to win the cup. As it stood, Ravenclaw had won all three of their games and had already won the cup - only that the ceremony would be delayed until today. Gryffindor and Hufflepuff had each won their game against Slytherin, but still, it felt like today's match was a contest for the golden pineapple.

Sitting in the changing room, waiting to be called onto the field, the Gryffindor team's mood was not the very best.

"I know, people, this is not exactly what we envisioned it to be," Wood told the gathered team, he himself also not pleased that the season would end like this.

"That's the understatement of the year," Katie Bell said with a healthy dose of sarcasm. "Why do we even have to do this? There is nothing to be won anymore."

"I guess others would cry foul if we don't," Ginny remarked, also clearly feeling this was somewhat a waste of time.

"Reminds me of football, where it's entirely possible that everything is already said and done long before the final match day," Harry said, holding his broom a little awkwardly. "At least we got a consolation prize in that Flint leaves Hogwarts without a single win in his final year."

"Oh yes, I almost forgot that one," George realized. "He certainly looked sour enough while Malfoy looked like he could throw a tantrum."

That was certainly true. Unlike them the Slytherin team had not gotten a single win, which had ticked off Flint to no end - especially after losing against Hufflepuff - feeling that it had ruined his final year at Hogwarts. Malfoy also had been pissed - when not being afraid of Flint - feeling that his first year as seeker had been disastrous. No one knew who would be the Slytherin Captain next year - though certainly not Malfoy after his performance - but there would be quite some chaos, as many of the team would have graduated as well.

Wood acknowledged the point. "As well as that is, we have to do better next year. I don't want to leave Hogwarts without having won the cup one more time."

"Well, Oliver..." Ron spoke up "if you want to win that, even all the training in the world won't be enough. We need to do that the smart way once we know who we are up against."

"You're right, Ron, but for now we..." -toc toc- Oliver stopped when hearing someone knocking on the door. "Yes?!"

The door opened and a teenager wearing the uniform of the Hufflepuff team walked in. The patch on front of his uniform marked him as the Captain. Having only become the Captain this year, the Gryffindors didn't have any experience playing against him, though from what they had seen, he was a really good seeker.

Wood knew him as well. "Cedric Diggory. What brings you to our locker room?"

Ron and Ginny knew who Diggory was, but only in a more general sense. While the Diggorys also lived close to Ottery St. Catchpole, they were a more traditional wizard family and thus didn't interact much with the populace of the town. Thus while the Weasley children know of Cedric, they knew little about him.

Diggory took in the reserved but not unfriendly looks he got from the team. "My team had a little discussion, Wood. We all pretty much agreed that this match is more like a contest for the golden pineapple. Thus we have a suggestion."

"Really, what is it?" Wood asked, wondering what this could be about.

A short time later, the stands of the pitch had filled and everyone was eagerly waiting for the teams to enter the pitch.

Of course everyone knew that this game was rather meaningless in regards to the cup, as the Ravenclaw team already had that one secured, as proven by them waiting next to the pitch that the game is over so that they could get the cup. It essentially was a game without stakes, apart from honor, which made it somewhat unusual. However, a game was a game, and the students would watch it anyway.

Up the stands several students were talking among each other.

"Well, that was a bummer that Ravenclaw won their final game; makes this game rather anti-climatic," Neville said while checking that his binoculars were in working order.

"See it this way, lad, not everything in life is exciting," Hagrid told him while checking his own binoculars.

"How did Flint take it that he did not get a single victory in his final year at Hogwarts?" Luna asked to their Slytherin friends, who were now openly sitting beside them, no longer making any secret of it.

"Oh, they managed to keep it secret? Well, he took it poorly. All of us changed and left as quick as possible, because he was starting to trash the locker room in his anger. He now has the dubious honor of being a student that has detention up until his last day at Hogwarts," Dudley explained, remembering that episode quite well.

"At least it's shutting up Malfoy. Flint also blames him for it and Malfoy is now constantly afraid that Flint could snap and wring his neck," Millicent added.

"What a sore loser if he can't take that no one can win all the time," Hermione commented.

"You are preaching to the choir," Daphne remarked. "But honestly, supporting our team will be a lot easier once Flint and most of the others are gone. Of course there still is Malfoy."

"He better keep his trap shut when I apply for the reserve team next year," Millicent said.

"Beater?" Neville asked.

"The only position I want." Millicent then looked to Dudley. "You know that you have to put up with Malfoy once you become the team keeper next year?"

"Don't remind me..." Dudley groaned, already knowing Malfoy would try to make a power play once Flint was gone. At least there was no way for him to become the new Captain.

It's so good to see students from Gryffindor and Slytherin interact so friendly, Hagraid thought while watching the children. It again gave him hope that things could change.

"Ah, there they are!" Hermione called when seeing the teams enter the pitch.

Both teams entered the pitch, with Wood and Diggory approaching Madam Hooch as the acting referee. "All right, I want this to be a clean and fair game, got it?" she asked both boys.

"Actually, we understand this more than anything else," Diggory told her.

"Yes, this will be the fairest game you've ever seen," Wood agreed.

The game started shortly later and some time into the game the audience started to notice something. Yes, both teams were taking the game seriously, chasers, beaters and keepers were being busy and both sides were making serious points. Yet, after some minutes it became obvious that while playing serious, both teams were doing their utmost to make sure the game was fair. No fouls happened and when an accident did happen, the players actually did apologize to each other and both teams waited before continuing.

Surprisingly, despite the lack of harsh tactics, everyone was very entertained, as the game always was shifting. It also became noticeable that both chasers, Potter and Diggory, were not even bothering to find the snitch, instead actually helping the chasers - something that was not forbidden.

"I don't think we exactly can call this a non-aggression pact, can we?" Hermione said, being kind of amazed to see none of things she usually disliked in Quidditch.

"It is very nice of them. They know there is nothing for them to win, so they instead do their best to entertain us," Luna observed.

Thinking about it, Neville realized something. "The Hufflepuffs must have suggested it. Remember, they are really big on fair play. Just surprises me that Wood went along with it."

"Well, I don't care!" Daphne said, watching the game attentively. "This is awesome!"

After fifteen minutes both teams suddenly stopped and flew to the ground. Then, after a short discussion with Madam Hooch, both teams went to the banks and the reserve teams walked out to the pitch. There was lots of animated discussion about this sudden move while both reserve teams flew up and waited for the game to resume.

"How thoughtful. They want to give the reserve teams also a day in the limelight. This must mean a lot to them," Luna observed while they watched Ron and Ginny to go into position.

The game soon resumed and it was very obvious that the reserve players were very enthusiastic that they got the chance to shine as well. If anything, the cheering from the stands was even louder than before, with many of the players not having played in front of an audience before.

"Ron is good," Hermione observed, seeing how Ron was holding the majority of quaffles. "You know how nervous he can get when performing in front of an audience, so I'm surprised."

"Do I hear some pride in your voice?" Hagrid asked, then laughed when seeing a slight blush on Hermione's face. "Of course, Ron certainly has profited from all the training."

Luna said nothing, but to her Hermione was an open book whenever she talked about Ron.

The game continued for another twenty minutes before both teams stopped when seeing Wood and Diggory walk on the pitch, both making an X with their arms. Both sides realized it meant that the hunt for the snitch now was on and both seekers did turn to their traditional role while the game continued. It took only a few minutes before...

"Ginny spotted the snitch!" Neville called when seeing Ginny make a beeline for one spot. The Hufflepuff seeker tried to keep up, but it was too late. "She got it!"

It was a bit bittersweet. The Gryffindors won the game, but the cup was being awarded to Ravenclaw.


...great hall, June 24th...

Two weeks had flown by fast, especially since the students had no more schoolwork and thus were free to spend their time as they pleased. Sooner than many expected the end-og-year feast had arrived and everyone would soon pack their bags to return home for the summer the next day.

Considering the danger all of them had been in for almost half a year, everyone had been relieved that the remaining school year had been utterly boring. A bonus had been the lack of any Defense lessons after Lockhart's departure. Surprisingly, it had been Professor Dumbledore himself who had conducted the end-of-year exams for Defense for the first four years, thus ensuring the tests actually would be useful.

The great hall was tastefully decorated in the colors of the four houses of Hogwarts while everyone waited for the Headmaster to take the word and give out the awards and merits to students who had went beyond what was expected of them. After the abolishment of house points - and thus the house cup - students bringing honor to their house with their accomplishments had taken its place.

"I for my part will be glad to be home. School this year had been too hard on all of us," Neville sighed while they sat down at their house table. "Why do such things have to happen while we attend Hogwarts?"

"Perhaps there is a certain balance to fate, thus why all of that is now unloaded at our feet?" Luna mused.

"Who do you think will be our Defense teacher next year?" Ron asked his friends while they waited. "I mean, our first two teachers were utter disasters, each of them in their own way. You think we have hit rock bottom?"

"I honestly think the only worse teacher we cold get is one that actively tortures the students. Since that will hardly happen, I wonder what kind of teacher the Headmaster will find," Hermione said, hoping the next teacher would be better. After a Voldemort supporter and an utter fraud who tried to flush their brains, it only could get better.

"Better don't jinx it. I get the feeling fate has its ways to mess with us," Ginny warned them.

"Take a look at Flint," Harry said, looking to the Slytherin table.

They did and were greeted with a very welcome sight. Marcus Flint looked very sour. It was clear that Flint had planned to sweeten his rather embarrassing academical exit from Hogwarts with winning the Quidditch cup. Now however had didn't have the cup, got the questionable honor of leaving Hogwarts without even a single NEWT, and even today on his final day would have detention to rub salt into the wound. No, Marcus Flint was not a happy person at all.

"He can only blame himself for his misery. Had he taken his schoolwork seriously, he wouldn't have ended this year with nothing to show," Luna remarked while pushing her glasses up her nose. "He thought only Quidditch is important and now is forced to leave empty-handed."

"Considering how he's constantly glaring at Malfoy, I guess he's blaming him for it as well," Ginny thought aloud, though she felt Malfoy deserved it for the crap he'd pulled.

Seeing how Flint's glares were intimidating Malfoy, Ron snorted. "Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke."

Indeed, at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy was very much hoping that Crabble and Goyle could defend him, fearing that Marcus Flint could snap and beat him into paste. He would only feel safe once they were out of the train and Flint did go his own ways - away from Hogwarts. He'd known Flint could be scary, but after what happened in the locker room, Draco knew Flint could become very violent.

For him the school year couldn't end fast enough. At least Flint would get what was coming to him.

"Ahem," the Headmaster said and everyone went silent.

"Another year has went by. After already congratulating our NEWT students earlier today for their successful end of their studies, it now is time to acknowledge students who have gone beyond what was expected of them," Dumbledore announced.

The ceremony then went on and serveral students and small groups from various houses got honored in front of the entire school. Of course most of the honors for going way beyond the normal coursework went to Ravenclaw students, but some of those were found in the other houses as well. Percy blushed when he got honored as well, special mention being made how he'd gotten twelve OWLs the previous year, causing the twins to roll their eyes and mutter 'overachiever'.

"Now, one final special award is to be given," Dumbledore announced. "May I ask the following students to come forward: Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Dudley Dursley."

They had a pretty good idea what this was about, but wondered why Hermione and Luna were included, since they had been petrified when the confrontation with the basilisk had taken place. Ginny for her part was a bit annoyed, but knew for such an official thing her legal name had to be used. She thanked all goodness the Headmaster had not insisted on using their middle names as well. After all, she didn't want to advertise that her middle name was her mother's first name.

"Now, all of you know what happened, as the story has been printed often enough. These seven students have each proven their mettle in ending this crisis, contributing in their own way." Dumbledore looked to Hermione and Luna "By gathering information and relying on a sharp mind and wits..." He looked to Neville "By decisive action to alarm the faculty..." He looked to Ginny "By standing up for what is right, despite the suffering already endured..." He finally looked to Harry, Ron and Dudley "And by using their strength and wits to stand firm against the danger."

I hope he is finished. He made all of us blush, Ginny thought in mortification.

Thankfully, Dumbledore was mostly done. "Therefore they all gain a special award, as not only did they save the school, but lives as well." Dumbledore then pointed to the faculty table, when Professor Flitwick unveiled the trophy. It was a nice touch that their pictures were embedded into the trophy.

There was thundering applause from all tables - even from a majority of the Slytherins. After all, not onyl was one of them included, but many in that house by now were sick of being seen as the bad guys due to the rotten eggs in their basket. The conservatives of course were scrowling but knew they hardly could pressure over half of the house at the same time - that would be way too obvious.

"I need to photograph this!" Colin Creevey said, holding up his camera. "Please, can I make some pictures?"

"Certainly, Mr. Creevey. One photo will be added to the trophy room," McGonagall said, seeing the value in it.

The group had to pose together with the trophy so that Colin could make several pictures and promised that they would be done by tomorrow. When everyone finally was back at their tables, the Headmaster said that he had held them up long enough and the food appeared.

o

The next day, all the students left Hogwarts for the train home. It was the usual chaos, but in the end nothing out of the ordinary happened and the train started its journey back to London. When the train started to move, the six friends started to relax in their compartment. Hermione was giving Crookshanks attention to ease his usual funk after having spend time in the cat carrier and even Ron's owl was peaceful for once, sleeping in his cage.

They all got comfortable and talked about mostly trivial stuff, until Ginny remembered something. "Oh, by the way, you did remember how cozy Percy has become with the female Ravenclaw Prefect?" she asked the others, feeling after almost a year she could talk about it.

"Yes, he's hanging out with her a lot, despite them trying to be discreet. Why do you ask?" Harry asked, wondering what Ginny was playing at.

"You don't understand what that means?" Luna asked as if everyone would know it. "They hardly made it a secret, considering that all the signs were there."

"Oh, have some pity on us and just tell what's going on. I only noticed how much more relaxed Percy got due to her and I didn't question it," Ron complained.

"Well, she is his girlfriend. He's been pulling the wool over almost everyone's eyes for over an entire year," Ginny told them.

"You mean he completely fooled Fred and George?" Ron asked. When seeing his sister nod, he laughed. "Man, once they find out they'll be really ticked off he managed to fool them like that!"

"I hope none of you tells them. Everyone deserves their privacy," Hermione reminded them.

"Do I look that stupid?" Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "I'll wait until Percy tells on his own. That should be interesting, not only for the twins' reactions, but even more how Mum will take it. Remember how Bill and Charlie right now are married to their jobs."

Luna actually giggled, which was very uncharacteristic for her. "It's too bad I most likely won't be present when that happens."

"Is that how it is to have siblings?" Neville wondered. "With all the old wounds Mum has, she can't risk another pregnancy, so I'll never have any."

"Mark is like a brother to me, so I know how having a sibling feels like," Harry added, the boy pretty much being his younger brother.

Hermione blushed a little at the topic. "Mum and Dad are no longer making a secret they now are trying to ensue I won't be an only child for much longer. I always try to leave the room when they start that topic."

"I do not understand the problem," Luna asked. "My parents are open about it as well and I take that in stride."

Hermione sighed. "Well, not everyone can take hearing about their parents' love life as easy as you do. Don't you find it embarrassing hearing them talk about it?"

"Why should... it..?" Luna now did start to look uncertain, before leaning against Neville. "Can I stay that way for a moment?"

Looking at her reaction, Neville guess she was covering up for finally realizing why the topic was embarrassing. "Sure, as long as you want."

"It does sound weird to me, since I overheard Mum is buying something from a healer to make sure she won't have even more children. I guess after seven of us even she is worn out," Ginny said, though in the back of her mind she guessed her mother had only stopped having children due to having her, the first Weasley girl born in several generations.

There was some uncomfortable silence before as per silent agreement a change of topic was needed.

"So, what are all of you doing this summer? I guess for me it's staying at home, especially since I have no idea how long I have to stay to renew the protection. Dumbledore could have been more concrete on that," Harry said.

Ron waved it off, speaking for himself and Ginny. "No dice for us, no way we can go on big vacations. However, Bill and Charlie want to arrange that they spend their vacation time with the family."

"My parents haven't decided yet. Maybe we go to France this year, but the decision isn't made yet," Hermione said, though she hoped it would be France.

"Daddy is really busy right now and couldn't plan our usual Summer trip," Luna said with a hint of disappointment.

"A vacation really would be nice... however, my parents hadn't had one of those in quite a while," Neville said with a somewhat longing expression, making it obvious he would be at home over the summer.

Meanwhile in a different compartment...

"I know they won't make me the Captain," Draco grumbled while looking out of the window.

"Draco, take it easy. You know your time will come, especially now that Flint is gone," Pansy reminded him. She was quite thankful that Crabble and Goyle had been persuaded to take the compartment next to theirs so that the two of them could talk in private.

"Pansy, do you have any idea how humiliating that was? Well, I did write my parents... Flint won't be happy with his family business, that's for sure," Draco said, his expression morphing into satisfaction.

"Really? What did they say?" Pansy asked with anticipation.

"They said Flint made a serious error by openly threatening me. Mother was especially appalled that one member of an old house would threaten another one like a common thug; said you don't do such things," Draco told Pansy. "Let's see how happy Flint will be in his family's business once Father and Mother are done talking to the right people."

What Draco didn't need to explain to Pansy was the context. It was the open threat of primitive violence from someone who certainly was old enough to know better that had angered his parents. In their circles things like that had to be done more discreet among peers - which didn't count for those they deemed not being their equals - and actual violence was bound to certain rules like only using magic. Flint had violated these rules grossly at the end of the school year and would now suffer the consequences.

"Oh, he deserves that so much..." Pansy couldn't help but laugh at the face Flint would make once he'd realize what was going on. "And Potter and his stinking friends in time also will get what's coming to them."

"Oh yes, they do," Draco agreed with a smirk.

While at the beginning Draco had been unsure about Pansy, he now felt that unlike Crabble and Goyle she was a true ally who understood him. While at the start it had only been due to a common dislike of Potter and his friends, they now actually liked being around each other. It certainly was new for him to have a real friend and not just a follower or bootlicker.


...June 28th, somewhere in mainland Europe...

It was a completely unremarkable bench in a forest area somewhere near an unremarkable town. Nothing would have been important about that bench, if not for its current occupant: a large, vicious-looking man with matted gray hair and whiskers, sporting pointed teeth and long yellowish nails. His black shirt was open on the front, showing off his hairy, muscled chest which sported numerous scars.

That man was Fenrir Greyback.

He was the most notorious werewolf on the British Isles, if not all of Europe. He had thrown in his lot with Lord Voldemort in the war, despite knowing very well that Voldemort also saw werewolves in no better light than other wizards. He also didn't believe in Voldemort's ideology. He simply had done it because it had given him the opportunity to kill a big number of wizards and witches, not to speak of vastly more opportunities to infect others.

It was simply that; he and those following him were savages who relished in every opportunity to hurt the society that rejected them. However, that did not mean Greyback was an idiot - a misconception that had cost numerous wizards and witches their lives. Being a complete monster was not mtually exclusive with being smart, cunning and methodical. After all, how else could he have done all this for decades without being caught?

However, after Voldemort's fall things for his taste had become a little too hot in Britain and he and his pack had left for the continent. That had been ten years ago and they had not returned ever since. However, things were about to change.

Greyback was attentively reading an edition of the Daily Prophet one woman of his pack had stolen from a magical district with an international news stand. His eyes scanned the article in question which had attracted his attention, which detailed the new laws enacted by the Ministry of Magic in Magical Britain concerning werewolves.

"So... they finally decided to revoke my kind's right to have an income. Of course they would do so..." Greyback mumbled to himself. "I had not thought they would be this stupid, clearly they are not afraid enough to think twice about such idiocy."

Thing was, Greyback had read lots of newspapers from his home country. He was very well-informed about what was going on in Magical Britain. He had followed news about these new laws, but also about the new potion that got invented. That last one had been especially of interest to him.

Finally being done with reading, he put the newspaper aside for the moment.

"They want total war? They can have it. Clearly Magical Britain needs to be taught respect," Greyback said to himself while taking a salami out of his pocket and biting a chunk off of it.

While chewing, he was thinking. Think, Fenrir, think. You need a plan before start ripping their throats, that always helped you in the past to stay one step ahead.

Continuing with his snack, Greyback felt a plan coming together in his mind. Ah yes... they think of us as wild beasts, not capable of any planned action. Well, how about these wild beasts suddenly becoming very capable of doing so?

Being done with eating, Greyback put the newspaper into his pocket and started to walk deeper into the forest, where his pack had set up camp. The plan he had come up with was good in his mind, but it still needed some work to pull it off.

"Hmhm, looks like we are going home. Ah, home sweet home. There is no better way to celebrate that than some nice carnage. They need to be reminded that their actions do have consequences." Greyback then laughed to himself while vanishing between the trees.

to be continued...

Next Episode:

"In Palest Moonlight"


Notes:

Here the notes.

As I said at the top, I mostly used up me prewritten chapters, so I decided the end of year two is a good place to stop so that I can write ahead again. I basically will write all of year 3 before I start publish again (that of course will be on a Saturday). If you don't want to miss by accident, follow the story.

This chapter was to get closure for year 2. I also wanted to show that experiencing the stuff in the chamber had been traumatic, but I certainly didn't want to bore you with therapy lessons (I read a story that ruined itself with those). I also felt that the whole thing with electives had been a joke in canon, so I wanted to make it more realistic.

You perhaps noticed Percy and the changes in him. This will come to a peak in the next year.

We do get a glimpse of Sirius starting politics. Of course, relistically, despite being a Black, he is just starting the game and thus has to start at a lower level.

Some Quidditch goodness and Flint getting what he deserved in more than one way.

And finally a preview for year 3, which I will start to post once I've written enough chapters.