*Ginny*

January fifteen found me eating a piece of toast, a rasher of bacon, and a soft-boiled egg for breakfast. It looked to me a decent sort of day until Parvati gave me her copy of the day's Prophet. She said, "Sorry, but I figured you'd want to see…"

Harry Potter: Boy Who Lived or Playboy Extraordinaire?

An exhaustively researched investigation by Rita Skeeter

Harry Potter, famous for somehow surviving the killing curse as a child, is becoming infamous among the next generation of witches at Hogwarts as a young man. Since sneaking his way into the Tri-Wizard Tournament (some have suggested with the aid of dark magic), he has toyed with the affections of several witches. Here are the following photographs at the Yule Ball with a Miss Hermione Granger, Ginevra Weasley, and finally the Beauxbatons champion Fleur Delacour, several years his senior.Mr. Potter was supposedly escorting Miss Weasley to the Yule Ball. However, his dalliances finally caught up with him and he was seen trying to escape outside the castle, chased there by all three young women. No one knows what was said, but several minutes later, Harry's godfather, previously convicted mass murderer Sirius Black, and Miss Weasley's oldest brother, an employee if the Gringotts goblins, had to be hospitalized, both with life-threatening injuries. We can only assume that there was a violent altercation between them concerning liberties Mr. Potter was taking with one or all of the young ladies.Draco Malfoy, a classmate and son of the prominent Lucius Malfoy, told this reporter that he had attempted to help and befriend Harry early their first year at Hogwarts, but was rebuffed.Obviously, growing up with muggles has seriously deformed his character and we can only hope he learns his lesson from proper pure-bloods before he lengthens the trail of broken hearts in his wake.

I glanced over at the Slytherin table to see Draco with the biggest, creepiest smile I'd ever seen. I squeezed Harry's hand once and said, "Ignore it. They just want to hurt you."

He nodded and looked in my eyes. He had far too many worry lines for a boy of fourteen.

I didn't tell my boyfriend I wouldn't be taking my own advice. I left breakfast early and staked out the hallway on the way to McGonagall's classroom, which was the first period for us and the Slytherins.

I got myself good and worked up, but stayed in control. When Draco turned the corner with his two goons, I let loose my strongest bat-bogey curse ever. Crabbe and Goyle pulled their wands only to find them on the floor several feet away. While Malfoy writhed on the floor, I spat out, "Listen you spoiled piece of shite. Harry is mine and anyone fool enough to not see that is not worth a knut. Your money will buy friends for only so long and you will be left alone with just your own nastiness."

I turned around and almost ran straight into Professor Slughorn, looking rather astounded. He cancelled the hex but then said, "Before you say a word, Draco, do you really want it to be known that Ginny here took on the three of you on her own and got the better of you?"

Draco looked at me with pure hate and said, "No, I don't. Forget about it. And you, Weaselette, soon enough everyone will see what side is going to win." He and his group slowly rose and trudged off to class.

The professor looked at me and said, "You magnificently stood your ground and that was a brilliant hex. I'm having a little get-together of a few students in the Astronomy Tower tomorrow at seven, I hope to see you there. You can bring a date as well. For now, you ought to get to class before there's more trouble."

Somehow my imminent detention had transformed into an invitation to the Slug Club. I was giving up on trying to figure out most of the professors. I was just grateful he had wandered into the situation instead of my head of house.

After the last class of the day, Cedric Diggory bumped into the four of us in the hallway on the way to drop off our books before supper. Ron and Hermione were currently on speaking terms, but that changed faster than the weather in the Highlands.

The older boy asked, "Harry, have you found your way with that golden egg yet?"

"No, I haven't. I was putting it off until after the holidays."

"Well, try taking a bath with it, mull things over."

Harry paused in an unexpected shock. "Why are you helping?"

"You gave me a warning about the dragons. Now we're square." He then took his leave and a little later, Ron and Hermione went to start studying. My brother had fallen a bit behind when Hermione was chuffed at him about the Ball.

Harry looked puzzled on the rest of the way up. "I wish it was warmer. I'd go take a dip in the lake. The boys' shower doesn't seem like the right spot. Has Hermione ever mentioned a hidden bathtub somewhere?" he asked as we went through the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"No, there's nothing about that in 'Hogwarts, a History'." I joked. "Cedric probably used the Prefects' bath." Tom has been one himself and had made full use of not, desperately valuing his privacy after years of none.

"Doesn't do me a lot of good," he sighed.

Someone else besides Hermione may have an answer… "Dobby?" I called.

Suddenly, the House Elf appeared. "You called, Harry's Weazey?"

I laughed. "You can call me Ginny. I am my own person."

"So sorry, Miss Ginny."

"We were wondering if you knew of a place where Harry could take a dip in some water in privacy."

"Well, there is no place that Dobby can think of with Harry Potter not being a prefect or a teacher. But there is a special room we Elves know, for anyone that can transform itself as needed. House Elves call it the Room of Requirement."

"It could create a pool?" I asked.

"Dobby thinks so, it should be easy for such a powerful wizard as Harry Potter. Walk three times by the wall near the tapestry of Barnabas on the seventh floor, thinking of what you be needing."

"Brilliant," Harry said. "Thanks, Dobby." He bowed and then disappeared.

"Do you have a bathing suit handy?" he asked me.

"Yes, pretty sure."

"Do you want to check this out with me? It was your idea."

"Sure, love to. I'll be right back."

I ran up to my dorm room and had two choices. The suit Mum knew I had and the one she didn't. It was just going to be the two of us, so I decided to be daring and went with the second. I wasn't sure if the room would provide a closet for changing, so I stripped down, put on my deep purple two piece, and put my robes over. I met up with Harry and soon he was pacing across the seventh-floor hallway for a third time and a door appeared.

He cautiously opened the door and I was blasted with the smell of the salty sea. He walked through and I followed. As I did, I thought I heard an echo of a voice. It stopped when I closed the door. Looking around at mounds of white sand, I said, "You don't go halfway, do you Potter?"

He shrugged. "I figured I'd see what it could do. I've always wanted to go to some more beach on the ocean."

Someday I'd make that come true. I smiled at him. "Well, we're not getting wet standing on a beach."

I slipped off my robe and let it fall to the beach. Without turning around, I ran into the water and jumped in. "Come on in, love."

Harry took a second but took off his robe too, revealing a grey pair of shorts and he followed me in with his egg. He leaned over to kiss me, but I put a finger to his lips. "Homework first, dear." He had hungry eyes and I found I was rather pleased that I was causing the reaction.

He pouted for a moment, but he knew he'd never win that battle with me. Finally, Harry opened the egg and we heard the same shrieking sound. Suddenly, Harry dunked the egg in the water and we could hear muffled voices. Our eyes locked and then we both went all the way under the water.

I listened to the song twice before I came up for air. Harry said, "Now I'm all sorts of confused. Who talks underwater? Not the giant squid."

A memory that wasn't mine flashed before my eyes. Tom at a pier, trying to learn some of Hogwarts' secrets from… "There's mer-people there. I'm sure of it."

"Ok, so they are going to take something that's precious to me that I can't replace. I don't really have any heirlooms here except Mum and Dad's photos. I could always buy a new broom… I was thinking of getting a new Firebolt anyway." He stopped for a moment.

I quietly interrupted his thoughts. "Bagman was trying to give a good show with the dragons, whipping the audience up into a frenzy."

"Then that really…" Harry looked into my eyes. "No, no, no!"

I was only about a second behind. "It's going to be a person. The champions getting to have a damsel in distress to save."

"I'm so sorry."

"Hey, not your fault. It's about your turn to save me, anyway," I joked. I was curious if they were going to ask my permission or not before pretending to kidnap me, but I didn't want Harry's guilty feelings to ruin the evening.

"I'll get you out as soon as I can, Gin. I'll just have to figure out how to breathe underwater."

"We'll figure it out." I glanced to one side and then the other with a grin on my face. "In the meantime, you have your girlfriend in a two-piece alone in a private lake…"

I loved Blushing Harry. "I'd be a fool to let that go to waste."

"Exactly. Try to catch me!" I dove under and swam as fast as I could. Once I was about ten yards away, I looked back and then he started the chase.

I had been swimming all my life, but Harry usually didn't do much more than wade. I was quite a bit more maneuverable, but once he started, my short legs couldn't keep my lead. But whenever he closed in, I juked and left him behind.

He needed the practice.

But after about ten minutes, I slowed down near the shore enough for him to catch up. Before I knew it, his arms were around me and pressing me close. I felt his bare chest tight against me and we started snogging with little plans to stop.

Finally, we forced ourselves apart as we began to lose track of our hands. We drifted to dry land and we lay down softly cuddling. No words needed to be said.

The next day at lunch, I remembered something I had forgotten. "Harry, Professor Slughorn invited me to a little party. Did you want to come with?"

He chuckled. "I actually got my own invite. Based on being me, I guess. I was going to ask, but you kept distracting me."

I punched him playfully in the left shoulder. Ron looked at me and shook his head. "Did you get an invite?"

"No, 'course not." And Hermione would've told me if she had been invited. I swore he had some bias against muggleborns, despite earlier protests.

"Well, how about Harry take Hermione and you can come with me, dear brother?"

"Is, um, any students from the other schools going?"

"Just Hogwarts, I think."

"Sure, I'll go then. Too boring around after class here with no Quidditch."

Harry nudged Hermione, who was revising over a bowl of pears. "Slug Club?"

"Sure, might be interesting." She didn't seem too convinced.

That evening while getting ready for bed, I felt a bit of a twinge. I looked at the calendar and signed. I started walking towards the door and Hermione asked, "Where are going?"

"I was going to the kitchen for some chamomile tea."

"You really shouldn't be out after curfew, especially by yourself."

Well, I had been planning to get Harry's cloak l, but didn't want to say anything in front of Lavender z even if she was buried in her magazine. Still, my run-ins with Malfoy were becoming too much of a habit to be safe. Still more than one way...

"Winky?" I called with a bit of uncertainty. She wasn't mine after all, but Harry had told her…

Suddenly, she popped in the room. Lavender screeched at the surprise. "Yes Miss Ginny?"

"Could you get me some chamomile tea with a bit of honey?"

She nodded, "Yes, miss. Winky will be right back."

Hermione was staring. "Who was that?"

"Winky. Mr. Crouch sacked his elf and he took her in along with Dobby."

"Harry mentioned Dobby, but…"

Winky popped back. "Miss Ginny's tea is all ready."

"Thanks."

Hermione asked, "Excuse me, Winky? So you are working for Harry like Dobby?"

Winky was scandalized at the suggestion. "No, Miss Muggle-born. Winky would never want to be getting pay like Dobby. Winky is proud to be bound to the Potter family." She smiled and disappeared.

Hermione's expression wasn't much better than Winky's had been. "Harry owns her, like a slave?"

This was too late for this conversation. "He offered the same deal as Dobby and she didn't want it."

"He still should have not allowed that."

Lavender spoke up, "I'm more interested in why she appeared to you, Ginny. If she's Harry's."

This was too big of a headache for a cuppa. "Harry told her to help me when asked."

She didn't seem too convinced. It probably had more to do with our courtship arrangement, but that was something we didn't want splayed about school. Might be too late anyway.

I looked at both of them. "I'm finishing my tea and then going to sleep. Good night!" I closed the curtains to my bed and did just that.

Hermione was too tenacious to let it be. Harry had a bite of eggs in his mouth the next meeting went he was accosted. "How can you own a house elf after how Dobby was treated?"

Harry looked generally upset at the implication. I was about to tell her to shut it, but he squeezed my hand. "It's not like that. I did what she wanted me to do."

"She deserves better. They all do."

"I'm not their mum."

"Ron, back me up!"

"Well," he sputtered, "how about you talk to them. Or the ones in the kitchen."

"What ones in the kitchen?"

My bro shrugged and said, "Who do you think makes all the food?"

Her eyes opened wide and she dropped her pastry onto the plate and pushed it to the middle of the table. "I'm not hungry anymore."

She took out a book and began to read until it was class time.

I really wasn't looking forward to Professor Slughorn's party now. Plus, I didn't really have anything semi-formal to wear to the Slug Club and my Yule dress seemed too much. So I kept my school robes on. Hermione copied me and thankfully the boys did too, though they probably didn't even think about it.

Professor Slughorn greeted everyone as we walked in. "Hello Miss Weasley, nice of you to bring your brother. We have some hors d'oeuvres and the main course will be about half an hour."

Ron soon had a plate with some cheese and sausages. I bumped into an older girl from Hufflepuff while Harry was being trapped by Slughorn. "Ginny Weasley," I said, extending my hand to shake."

"Yes, the latest casualty from the Prophet. I'm probably next, with my aunt and all. I'm Susan Bones."

"Oh. Nice to meet you. Yeah, I imagine you'll get your turn."

"It's why I'm invited, I'm sure. How about you? No offense, but…"

My family wasn't that important, which I was starting to appreciate. "I hexed Malfoy and impressed the professor."

She laughed. "I wish I could have gotten in on that, but no chance now." Susan was someone that I could like.

Ron poked me and whispered, "Look who just walked in."

A tall, dark-skinned witch walked in. She had sandy-brown hair and had some muscle. Even without the Harpies jersey, I'd never miss her. "No way… that's Gwenog."

Ron tugged at my arm as I started walking towards her. "No elbows in butter dishes, now."

"Ha-ha," I said sarcastically. Harry had already turned around and literally bumped into her.

"Sorry," I heard him say, "Miss Jones?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "Yes, you got me. I'm surprised, most wizards wouldn't admit following the Harpies."

"Well, my girlfriend is… here she is now… she's a huge fan and a Chaser on the Gryffindor team."

My heart was beating faster than normal. "Miss, Jones, I've been a huge fan of yours. I had a poster from your rookie year until it was blown up by a Death Eater. You're… I'm glad to meet you."

She smiled. "That's quite the compliment, Miss…"

"Ginny Weasley. If you recognize the name, it's from a horrid Prophet article."

"So that would make you Harry Potter?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Well, Ginny, the only thing the Prophet ever prints worth reading is the statistics page. Hard to lie about that. So, are you any good?"

"I think I did ok for my first year."

"Gin was our highest scoring Chaser," Harry insisted on praising me. "We only won the Cup because of her and the other Chasers' scoring in the last match."

"Well, I may need to see a Gryffindor match next year."

I couldn't help but grin. "Wow... thanks. Ron, did you hear…" I turned around and my brother wasn't there. "Where'd he go?"

Harry said, "Well, he's pulls for Chudley, so he may be nursing a grudge after the Harpies shut them out…"

Gwenog laughed at Harry's guess. "I guess he's entitled then. Their new owner thought throwing all those galleons at players would immediately turn things around, but he still hasn't learned that seven good players doesn't always mean one great team."

I looked around. I didn't see a bushy-haired witch either. Probably not a coincidence.

Slughorn called us to dinner a few minutes later. As I had guessed, Ron and Hermione reappeared together. We took our seats and started on the pumpkin soup. The professor began the conversation. "I'd like to thank you all for coming, especially Miss Gwenog Jones, for accepting at the last minute."

She nodded. "I always enjoy returning to Hogwarts."

The professor tried having a few words with most of the students at the table. By the time we were done with the soup, it was Harry's turn. He was asked, "I have been meaning to inquire, how you came about those distractions for the dragon?"

"Those were made by Fred and George Weasley, Professor. They have a knack for creating that sort of thing."

"It was quite marvelous. And you are still insisting you don't know how your name came out of the goblet?"

"No, not at all. Wish I did.'

"Pity." He turned to a seventh-year Slytherin. "Emma, I hoped my recommendation helped?"

"Yes it did. I just received an offer from the Ministry last week in fact."

"Excellent. Of course, your parents both have unblemished records there as well." He turned to Hermione. "And you, Miss Granger, you have done outstanding in your classes so far. What do your parents do?"

"They are dentists."

"Excuse me?"

"Dentists. They are muggle healers who specialize in cleaning and fixing teeth."

"Fascinating," he said, but didn't seem to mean it.

He moved on to the next student.

The party broke up around ten. After my customary goodnight snog with Harry, I went up to my room. Lavender and Parvati were already asleep. "Ginny," Hermione whispered, "have a minute?"

"Sure."

I hopped up in her bed, pulled the drapes, and put up a silencing charm. "I really don't like that man," she said. "Malfoy's one thing, he's a creep to everyone. But the professor, he'd be decent except for his prejudices."

I nodded my head. "There's plenty like that out there. Bill once told me the only way Tom almost won last time was so many families agreed with what he was doing. Maybe his methods upset their sensibilities, but they didn't try to stop him either."

"It's about respect. If pure-bloods grow up treating house elves like rubbish, when they are intelligent but different, it's not too much a stretch to treat people that you consider different like that too. I'm not much better than an elf as far as Malfoy is concerned."

I retorted, "Who cares what he thinks?"

"A lot more than should. But they do. Your family could be safe with the Death Eaters if they wanted to keep quiet. I don't have that privilege."

"We'd never do that. And it's not like we're best mates. They tried to kill me second year, remember?"

"Only because Malfoy wanted to cause your dad trouble. They'd kill me for sport or for being too good at magic."

I didn't bother telling her what they would do to a pure-blood unmarried witch that wasn't under Tom's protection.

She continued, "I know you and Harry would never be abusive, but you could be. Others are. They deserve basic legal rights."

"I agree. They should be able to follow their dreams like anyone else. I don't think skipping breakfast will get them that though."

"You're right. I'm not giving up on this. Just… need to do some more research and change tactics."

I yawned, tired from everything that was going on I side and outside of me. "Well, you won't be able to help them until our bigger problem is fixed. After that, I'm sure Harry will fund whatever campaign you want to start."

"He would, wouldn't he. I should apologize to him."

"I'm sure he knows you didn't mean to be hurtful."

She sighed. That was too heavy to end the conversation on before bed, so I added, "On another note… is there something going on with you and Ron, or you and Krum?"

I flustered Hermione, which was a rare accomplishment. "Krum and me, you mean the Ball? That was really just having fun. Not everyone going to the dance was deciding to go steady. He's nice but a lot older but the distance and his Quidditch commitments… I don't feel strongly enough for it to be worth the effort."

"Plus you got to see Ron get jealous."

"I swear, that was not the point. Though… not a downside. I think I like him but I'm not sure how much thinking he's done about it." If any.

"He's not quite fifteen," I said. Though sometimes I thought it was fifteen going on twelve, but he meant well. Ron was the youngest in my family in some ways.

"I don't want to push him. I already have a reputation as being too bossy, and I really want it to be his idea if it happens."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Nothing's happened that would keep us from staying friends."

She had already answered more of my questions than was necessary, so I didn't push her anymore. I could see things going either way with them. I closed my eyes and silently played with my ring until I fell asleep.

*Arthur*

I am only had a few hours on a Saturday morning before we needed to be home for lunch. Molly had invited Sirius, Remus, and Tonks to eat with us. Remus and Tonks had been casually dating since Christmas but with growing anti-werewolf sentiment after the attacks in Hogsmeade added with him being outed in a recent article attacking Dumbledore, he still worried.

I stood in front of Gringotts with a parcel of green plants wrapped up in brown paper. Harry had asked for me to get some via his owl. Hedwig was waiting at the Burrow to deliver it back to him.

Sirius finally arrived and was dressed in a brown robe and black dragonhide boots. "Good morning, Arthur," he said as he shook my hand. "What do you have there?"

"Harry asked me to get some gillyweed for him."

"The second task is going to be something underwater?"

"I imagine. Neville gave Harry the idea after Ginny's insisted he ask for help. Sometimes he still acts like he is alone."

Sirius nodded. "He's getting better, but what happened to him… he's still not alright. It's good he has someone like Ginny who is strong enough to shake sense into him occasionally." He paused and I guessed Harry wasn't the only one still healing. He continued, "Well, let's go take care of business."

I wasn't quite sure why he wanted me there. Sirius liked his surprises.

Sirius and I entered the bank and we're shuffled to Griphook, the goblin that had become the official account manager for Sirius and Harry. "I believe you had two matters that needed our attention today, Mr. Black?

"Yes, indeed. Both dealing with some estates. Firstly, I'm naming my godson Harry Potter as my sole heir. I have no issue of my own or have any plans in changing that."

Griphook took some notes on a piece of parchment.

Sirius added, "Also, pursuant to a formal courtship agreement, Ginevra Weasley has an equal share unless she decides to break the arrangement. I also have a signed declaration from Harry…" He passed Griphook a piece of paper that had an unmistakable blood spot. "He's naming Ginevra as his sole heir."

"Sirius, would you kindly explain…"

"Harry got the idea when I told him I was filling out my paperwork. He's a lot more worried about his chance of a future than he lets on. If something happens to either of us, he wants to make sure Ginny… that she can live the life she wants. His words."

"I appreciate the gesture, but…"

Griphook slammed a stamp down twice. "All done."

Sirius said, "You don't need to tell her. I wanted you to know though. Just in case. The law gets awful murky without a will if not one of the Sacred Twenty-eight. And I think the papers are safest here now."

Griphook said, "And you will be pleased to know that your request on the execution of the Lestrange will has been granted."

Sirius grinned. "Brilliant." He looked to me and explained. "It's taken hundreds of hours by solicitors, but since Bellatrix and Rodolphus have life sentences in Azkaban, I was able to have their will declared to be in force... however, there is no formal will since they were relying on familial inheritance laws like most ancient families. There's no legitimate Lestrange not in Azkaban, so the estate falls to Bellatrix's maiden house. Black."

Griphook said, "She does have a sister that has sixty days to protest, after which all of their assets become under your control, Mr. Black." I realized Narcissa had her first test before her as Sirius signed several documents.

As we walked out of the conference room, Sirius had an optimistic air about him. It wasn't a very traditional victory, but what he had done could very well save a lot of lives.

Of course, mine would be forfeit if we dawdled anymore before getting back to the Burrow. I was about to walk out of the bank to apparate, but Sirius stopped me. "One more stop… I have someone wanting to gate crash lunch. I couldn't tell you earlier with security and all…"

He pulled me into a smaller, dimly-lit room. A witch appeared behind the door after it was closed. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the light. "Minister Bones…" I whispered.

"Hello, Arthur, Sirius. Sorry for the surprise but I'm trying to be careful without looking it. The goblins did agree to let us apparate from this room for the next two minutes, so if I can side-along with you, that should let me pass through the protections."

I was about to take her hand, but Sirius said, "Who else did I say would be there?"

She answered, "You two, Arthur's wife Molly, Remus, and Auror Tonks."

"Ok, Arthur Just wanted to double-check it was you, Minister."

She nodded. I took her hands and hoped to Merlin I didn't splinch her.

We thankfully arrived all in one piece. I escorted my guests in. Molly was finishing things in the kitchen, wearing her everyday robes. She called out, "Arthur dear, Tonks said to expect an extra for lunch? Do you know who…"

She turned around and almost dropped her roast chicken. "My stars… Minister Bones. Arthur, you could have…"

The minister saved me. "It's my fault, Mrs. Weasley. I insisted on the secrecy."

Molly tried to collect herself. "Well, then… luncheon is ready, so please everyone find a seat."

We made our way to the dining room, where Remus and Tonks were already seated. Tonks had a mischievous look on her face… and orange hair. "Just blending in… good afternoon, Minister."

After the food was passed around, Bones started. "Thank you for your hospitality on such short notice. There's been events that have convinced me that Voldemort has returned, though he is being uncharacteristically patient. When my successor in the DMLE came to me with an unusual request regarding the Lestrange estate, I knew that we needed to meet privately."

Sirius said, "We're just doing what we can. That was actually Remus' idea."

"You've done more than most. Unfortunately, my efforts have been stymied so far. Dumbledore and I were going to submit legislation to remove some of the anti-werewolf laws in place." There wasn't a lot but they were very hurtful to those affected. One prevented Remus from being Harry's guardian because of his condition, for example.

Remus said, "And then at Christmas, an untransformed Greyback nearly chewed Bill's face clean off."

"Yes, unfortunately, that made any chance at the changes impossible. The Wizengamot became convinced that the incident was orchestrated by Greyback and those we captured were earning the right to be changed by him. No one has thought of the truth."

Tonks said, "Then we tell them!"

I sighed. "No one will believe it, because they would be too afraid to believe, despite what Dumbledore thinks."

The minister continued, "I have to agree with that sentiment. But it means that the ministry has to treat this as a criminal issue instead of a war. Greyback is the only one associated with Voldemort that is wanted and at large. Lucius Malfoy and all the rest were declared not guilty or the charges buried or bribed away and so I can't officially do anything."

Molly said, "So the aurors can't prevent anything, just try to catch the Death Eaters afterward a crime."

"It's worse than that," Remus added. "I maintain a few contacts with others of my kind. Greyback is starting to turn some heads, saying we'll never be treated normally, so we should cease trying to act normal. The overreaction by polite society after the attack could well lead to more violence by other werewolves. He's working on brewing a terribly nasty cycle."

"Spending time this last summer with two bright kids who grew up with muggles," I noted, "really showed me how deep some of our prejudices lie. It may be too late to fix what we've ignored."

The minister nodded. "Unfortunately, I serve at the pleasure of the Wizengamot." They were half the problem at least and could call for a vote of no confidence at any point if enough of them felt threatened. "So my support will have to be subtle until I've solidified power. Auror Tonks, I've made sure Rufus knows you are going to be on special assignments for me from time to time. That should give you cover when you need it."

She then handed out a piece of paper to each of us. "This is a blanket pardon for each of you, one power I do have. The effective start date is a random point between when I took office and now. The end date is blank. If I am sacked or worse, you can fill in that day."

Sirius asked, "Why…?"

"Because you are the only ones taking the fight to the enemy. Even Dumbledore seems to concentrate on preservation rather than advancement at this time. We'll need your support without worrying about trumped-up charges. Sirius, here are another dozen to distribute if you need them. Please be careful with them."