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So far... The reborn Hermione launched the secret Cathesis League to fight corruption. Now at Hogwarts, the young girl formed CREST from the trusted members of the old D.A. Hermione banished a demon that terrorised Hogwarts but Dumbledore was blamed and replaced by Umbridge. At Easter, Harry's baby sister Cadence was born. Now read on...
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Chapter 50
Post-Haste
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Clipping a Wing
A small figure glided inward through the stone blocks of a tall tower and looked around. The space had once been a large and beautiful circular room, full of pleasant little sounds. The curving walls, originally covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses often snoozing gently in their frames, were no longer evident. Yes, the enormous, claw-footed desk remained, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, the Sorting Hat, but Fawkes' golden perch was gone along with every personal effect pertaining to the previous headmaster. Somehow the pleasantly-rounded chamber had been re-carved into harsh angles, thrusting its limits blindly in towards the single occupant: Hermione Granger, now solid yet still invisible and silent.
The once-warm wooden panelling had been painted a grotesque coral flush, even the parquet floor was replaced with a spiral of bricks in brash pink, and the books: many were the vacant spaces now. Whether Dumbledore had gained enough advance notice to hide them away or whether Umbridge had destroyed them, Hermione could not tell.
Every horizontal surface had been draped in lacy covers and cloths. There were several vases full of dried flowers, each one residing on its own doily, and on one of the walls was a collection of ornamental plates, each decorated with a large technicoloured kitten wearing a different bow around its neck. These were so foul that Hermione stared at them, transfixed.
She shook herself. To business!
Out came her wand. The first spell was a protective warning; it would not do to be taken by surprise should the Headmistress return unexpectedly. After that she sat down to cast a series of more complex charms that would reveal any dark objects. Soon the room became brighter – save for one ominous patch around a box on the cabinet in which resided the Sword of Gryffindor.
It was an affront to place something so evil close to Founders' magic, as if a poisoner's bottle had been carelessly left on a church altar. Yet Hermione needed to be careful.
Remaining several paces away, she opened the box with her wand before moving closer. As expected, a large quill lay within and she picked it up to examine it further. The point was darkly stained. She imagined Harry's blood there, but of course it could not be. Yet someone had suffered. Surely even Umbridge had not so far had time to inflict this cursed quill on an erring student? More likely it had been used in the Ministry cells. Hermione shuddered. She knew what Umbridge was capable of. Hermione wanted to plunge the quill into the woman's black heart, to scratch out her eyes... She sighed and the feather ruffled as her breath passed over it.
More subtle magic she summoned because merely destroying the quill would not be enough. Hermione needed more time to reshape her plans. Umbridge had to be delayed, diluted, and hampered quietly until the right moment. The curse needed to be reformed, remoulded to a new purpose. There was a need for it to simulate its normal action while not actually causing harm. How long before Umbridge noticed was an unknown but Hermione had to try.
When she was done, the only noticeable difference was a single barb cropped from the tip; Umbridge's wing had been clipped – for the time being.
The girl had to take flight now too. She had arranged sufficient time for a very significant discussion with one of her Cathesis League members, Jop Gair, and did not wish to be late.
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Using Percy
That evening, the three friends sat in the common room working on their homework, with Neville on their fringe – together yet not quite part of their intimacy. Ron had one eye on the portrait entrance, waiting for Fay Dunbar's return from her detention. Sally-Anne was in his line of sight too, clearly also waiting – though not with anything like the concern she would have felt if she had known Umbridge's true personality.
However, Hermione's attention was elsewhere in the common room and she watched eagerly as the most senior prefect remaining finally headed upstairs – but for how long? "Harry! Now's your chance! Before she gets back!"
The boy slid away from their table, striding out quickly down the middle of the common room. "Ah... erm... Percy. Have you got a minute?"
Percy looked up from his studies. "What is it, Harry?"
"Well, uuh... I've been thinking... it's about the Ministry appointing our new Headmistress."
"Yes, what of it?"
"Well, from what I hear, she's very strict – I mean really strict."
"Quite right too," snapped Percy, he glared across at the twins who were dogfighting two paper planes up near the ceiling.
"We need to help her keep discipline."
Percy blinked. "Of course. I'm pleased you see it that way, Harry."
"So, you're the most senior one here at the moment, and the most respected in my opinion. Some of us were hoping you'd make an announcement, and, you know, caution everyone to toe the line because erm... Ministry discipline is not as lenient as how youngsters are used to Hogwarts being run. You're in the know here. You're privy to information the rest of us don't have, so I know you understand. Lay it on thick and I think everyone will listen to you."
Percy thought about this, frowning.
Harry said, "I mean, we don't want anyone to have to learn the hard way, do we? We don't want punishment for its own sake like a tribe of savages, do we? We want civility, respect and obedience."
"That's quite thoughtful of you, Harry," nodded Percy. "Leave it with me."
He began making notes on a separate piece of parchment and Harry withdrew.
"Well?" said Hermione.
"He's uuh..."
"He's what?" Hermione looked across to where Percy appeared to be still doing his homework.
"He's writing a speech, I think."
"What!" Hermione groaned and looked at her watch, then at the stairs – then at the portrait hole. "Well, it had better be a good quick one is all I can say."
"Your attention please!" came Percy's voice.
"Let's go outside to wait – it won't help if Fay returns whistling merrily in contradiction of Percy's talk. Oh, and Ron, bring Sally-Anne just in case."
"What?"
"It is my duty to advise you about..." But Percy's announcement faded from their ears as they hustled out of the door and walked to the end of the corridor.
"What's wrong?" said Sally-Anne.
"We're worried about Fay," said Harry. "We want to make sure she's alright."
Eyes bulged. "Why shouldn't she be? What have you heard?"
"Only that Umbridge can get right nasty," said Harry.
"We think Fay will be okay tonight," said Hermione, "but we all have to tread carefully." She looked around at their gathering. Neville hadn't come out. "Ron, you and Sally-Anne move over there a bit. I'll stay with Harry."
"Why?" said Sally-Anne.
"Three or more, remember?"
"You can't be serious about that rule, surely," said Sally-Anne.
"DEADLY serious," said Harry. "Umbridge is looking for any excuse to jump on us."
They did not have long to wait. Within fifteen minutes Fay came around the corner, humming to herself and her schoolbag swinging idly from one shoulder. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the reception awaiting her. "What?"
"You okay, Fay?" said Harry.
"Why, what's happened?"
"How'd the detention go?" said Ron.
"Detention? Nothing much to it really. I had to write loads of lines. It tickled the back of my hand a bit."
"What did you have to write?" said Hermione.
Fay grinned. "Defiance is the cause of disobedience and mutinous rebellion."
"Eh?" said Ron.
Hermione said, "Well that's a circular – no, I'm not sure that's even a circular argument! I mean, rebellion IS defiance, and so is mutiny. It's plain daft and says nothing."
"I know," sniggered Fay, and she started Sally-Anne laughing too.
"So you learned your lesson then?" grinned Harry.
"I was itching to forget it, but yes." She licked the back of her hand. "It doesn't tickle anymore." She sounded disappointed. "I swear it tasted like spearmint earlier."
"Well I never," said Hermione, with a wink at Harry.
When they re-entered the common room there were no paper planes in sight. Whatever he'd said, Percy had made a definite impression, even on the twins.
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The Elephant in the Dungeon
"There's no way out of this then?" pleaded Harry, as he trudged alongside Hermione towards their first Potions lesson with Snape as their teacher since the previous November.
She shook her bushy head and glanced back at Ron and Neville who were keeping a few steps behind them; it was hard to tell which of them looked the most mournful.
They trooped into the classroom and heard Snape's voice entering behind them almost before they sat down. The sound of his footsteps ceased for several seconds before continuing and they knew he'd been sizing up who was here and who was not.
"Well, well, well, how the mighty have fallen." They could hear the sneer in the tone without looking round.
"Granger – you will sit right at the front next to Nott. Hands on the bench top at all times and eyes front always – no wriggling, no thumb-sucking, no nose-picking, no bottom-scratching, NO exceptions."
She let out the faintest breath of irritation but refrained from saying anything.
"SILENCE! Ten points from Gryffindor!"
Snape took up his place at the head of the class. "Longbottom – you will understudy Greengrass and obey her at all times. Weasley, you're with Goyle and be guided by him. As for Potter... a centre aisle seat I think, where I can keep an eye on you continuously."
He waved his wand and there was a loud crack like a whiplash making everyone jump. "There will be NO cheating and no disturbances in this class. Anyone observed doing so will face expulsion. Do. Not. Tempt. Me."
Hermione seriously wanted to magically blow a very loud raspberry off-stage but felt manacled. She could carry out wandless spells with ease but even the tiniest hand movement would look suspicious. In any event, it would attract a huge points deduction from Gryffindor whoever made the offending noise.
Relax, Hermione, you can do this. Bide your time.
She really wanted to look round to see how Neville was faring next to his childhood nemesis, but dare not. Hermione need not have worried because Neville scarcely thought of Daphne as an adversary anymore. His mind was elsewhere as ever.
"I don't expect you dunderheads will really understand the beauty of the softly shimmering fumes and the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. During the last lesson – which some of you considered yourselves too superior to attend – we discussed mind-affecting potions – as per the recommended curriculum – so all of you should know the sub-ingredients for minor memory and observation lapses." He glared at Neville's blank expression as he said this but Neville did not react. He simply didn't care anymore.
"The connection between observation and memory being...?"
Daphne's hand went up amongst several other Slytherins. No Gryffindor hands rose at all; they all knew there was no hope of gaining house points, right or wrong.
"Yes, Miss Greengrass?"
"Acute observations go directly into short-term memory and only continue into long-term if the person feels they are important."
"Correct, feeling being the operative word. It matters not about actual importance unless you experience some degree of intensity – warranted or not. Ten points to Slytherin."
Ron's face had lightened. If Snape thought he and Harry wouldn't understand simple mind-affecting theory then he was in for a big surprise. It was not advanced work. Even a cheap Firewhisky could impede both observation and recall, whereas restoring lapses was far more complex seventh-year magic. Besides, actually imbibing such potions was forbidden at Hogwarts. He smirked inwardly. This wasn't so bad without a Tutomee – at least for a few weeks maybe? And perhaps he could study ahead with the book in the evenings. Yes! He chanced a sideways glance at Harry who winked back.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for winking in class!" stormed Snape. "There will be no winking during my lessons no matter how much you are used to indulging your disgusting habits elsewhere. And if I suspected for one moment there might be an exchange of information then you would both be attending the Headmistress before you can say, elephant. Tell me, Potter, which animal never forgets?"
"Uuh... the elephant... sir?"
"Wrong! Ten points from Gryffindor."
Snape waved his wand and a recipe began writing itself on the blackboard. "As you should already know from your studies, Stultitia, though complicated, has no effect if brewed perfectly, and is used only for calibration purposes when fine-tuning other potions in this group."
He paused, noting Hermione stiffen as she realised the implications.
"Collect your ingredients from the shelves – NOT you four! You will wait until our more serious students have returned and then you will each come up – one – at – a – time – to obtain your portions. Any excess left over at the end of this period must be stored in a dry flask for re-use or disposal – you have been warned! Time starts... NOW!"
Hermione fumed as the gloating Slytherins seemed to take ages counting out dung beetle legs one by one when a quick pinch from the tub would do. She then let Harry, Ron, and Neville proceed and return before she rose herself. As feared, there were not enough rat's eyes, and those that remained were mismatched. She held back a sigh.
"Hurry up, Granger! We haven't got all day! Five points from Gryffindor!"
Halfway through the processing she heard a flask break on the floor behind her and Goyle sniggered, "Oops!"
"Scrape up every particle of that residue, Weasley, you clumsy oaf!" said Snape.
"With...?"
"Your pestle and a sheet of parchment, idiot! You do know what a pestle is?"
"Yes, sir, but..." Ron knew a pestle was the worst implement anyone could use as a cleanup shovel but shut his mouth too late.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for being such a dolt."
Clean it after, Ron! For God's sake, remember to clean your pestle!" Hermione itched to look round. She sensed Snape's smirk as his attention burned into her face, sucking up her frustration like a rare wine at a banquet. One day, Snape, one day you'll pay for all this, you miserable sick bastard!
She well knew, of course, why Snape had chosen this particular potion for preparation. All the others in the same group were not allowed to be consumed for any reason – they were just too dangerous, but Stultitia was harmless when prepared correctly to be crystal clear. Severe cloudiness, however, rendered it very problematical.
As expected, her own brew turned out like wallpaper paste – there had been no way for her to adjust for the insufficiency of vitreous jelly from the eyeballs. Snape sneered his disdain as he passed her, huffed at Harry's almost-clear liquid but insisted the boy swallow one sickening teaspoonful – 'to prove it was within parameters' then stopped beside Goyle and Ron.
"What is this, Weasley?"
"Stultitia, sir."
"You've skimped on the warts to fake its transparency!"
"No, sir."
"Well then, a beaker must be safe if you're so certain."
Ron gasped. He knew his brew was correct but it would taste like goblin crotch sweat. "A full beaker, sir?"
"Well, what are you waiting for? Having doubts, Weasley? Anything to confess?"
"No, sir."
The students all held their breath as Ron pinched his nose and knocked back an entire beakerful as quickly as he could.
"Well?" said Snape, leaning over so closely his breath almost made Ron gag.
But the boy stared straight ahead, glassy-eyed. "Why am I... here?" He clutched at Snape's robes and shrieked, "WHO am I?"
Snape staggered back a step, alarm showed in his eyes. Then the moment passed. "DETENTION, Weasley! Do you take me for a fool!"
"Erm..." Ron grinned at Harry.
"And twenty points from Gryffindor for your impertinence!"
The end of the lesson could not come soon enough. As Hermione worked around, cleaning up her bench, she noted with satisfaction that Ron had used his ceramic pestle to finish the potion leaving the filthy wooden one aside. She had taught him well.
Despite Ron's temporary win over Snape, he and Harry stormed back to Gryffindor Tower, muttering and grumbling what they would like to do to the 'greasy-haired bat'. They threw the hated potions equipment into their chests and grabbed two Transfiguration textbooks ready for the afternoon, then Ron raced after Harry. He needed food desperately – something spicy to wash away the disgusting taste of Snape's breath in his mouth.
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The Leak
Jop Gair had worked patiently behind the scenes for years, so one more hour in the bathroom that serviced the Minister's department was no particular hardship – not when the outcome might be very rewarding. As he waited he recalled the lengthy discussion he'd had with Rosie at the beginning of May, then pulled out her checklist. The preparatory groundwork had long since been accomplished: two years of feeding the Minister with useful inside information to soften him up and render him trusting and amenable to Jop's helpful ideas. Now crunch time was approaching. Could he pull it off?
The door opened and Jop busied himself by washing his hands for the tenth time, nodded at the staff member who ignored him and went about his business at one of the urinals. Jop took his time drying his hands manually then checked his hair carefully in the mirror.
"What a fusspot," said the mirror – also for the tenth time – but the visitor was already leaving. As he did so, someone pushed past him – it was Fudge at last. Jop moved over to the central urinal, hoping he could deliver.
"Gair." The Minister inclined his head the minimum polite amount.
"Minister," replied Jop. "Good work with Hogwarts. Hope you can see it through."
"See it through?" Fudge fumbled to part his robes as he took up position a respectable two places away.
"Before the adverse publicity, I mean."
Fudge frowned. He was trying to focus on two things at once which was not easy for him. Jop helped by continuing:
"The parents, of course. It was only natural they would find ways to communicate with the children. Still, I suppose their complaints can be put off for a while..."
Fudge blinked and splashed his highly-polished shoes.
Jop said, "You've handled Dolores well so far but now she may have too much power and as you know, she can be uuh... over-zealous."
"What do you mean? I have every faith in my Undersecretary."
"Ah, yes, but you've also acted sensibly to maintain a discreet distance just in case. I admire that." Jop had managed only a sprinkle but Fudge's attention was on the flattering words.
As he walked over to wash his hands once more, Jop added, "Thanks to your clever timing, your position is very strong now, Cornelius, although... there are murmurs she might drag you down when she falls."
"Oh, come now!" With careful balancing, Fudge wiped the top of one shoe on the back of the opposite trouser leg. "Cards on the table, Jop, what have you heard?"
Jop studied the expression on the face of the Minister for Magic, then braced himself; it was now or never.
"It's said that Dolores is showing occasional signs of hysteria due to the pressure past and present. There is a real possibility that evidence may emerge that it was she who stole those Ministry funds two or three years back."
"But that's ancient history! Water under the bridge."
"Not if she is brought up on charges. It will reflect badly on you, Minister."
"But she's invaluable! No one can replace her as Undersecretary, and then there's Hogwarts!"
"You can come out of this stronger and squeaky clean, Cornelius. You are well respected for your sense of fair play and magnanimity–"
"–I am?"
"–and here is your chance to settle everything once and for all. My information is that Dolores is stressed out with guilt – weakened by it in fact. When she returns to the Ministry she will be vulnerable, seeking any way out. That is when you need to watch her closely and can most easily persuade her to quietly resign without a lot of adverse publicity."
"But Hogwarts! I'll need to speak to Lucius about this."
"Excellent idea! Once you have the Board of Governors operating again, you can reinstate Lucius as chairman. He'll be thrilled if you can persuade him to watch Dumbledore closely and keep that senile old has-been in his place. After all, a Hogwarts headmaster is always subservient to the board. I'm glad you thought of that."
Jop ignored Fudge's mixed expression of puzzlement and delight. He continued, "I've also heard direct confirmation that Dumbledore banished a dark creature from the school just before he left, but he does not realise that he was successful. Why should Dolores take the credit when it was really you who managed the whole cleanup operation so effectively? Use the Daily Prophet to reassure parents that you have had the beast destroyed and the castle is now completely safe – thanks to you – and that you are charitable enough to permit Dumbledore to return on strict probation. His failure will make his position much weaker while your success will make you stronger and emphasise your selfless humanitarianism."
Fudge shook himself a little, thinking it through. "I do see merit in what you are saying..."
"And if that were not enough, there is one man who you could instate as Undersecretary who would not only do an excellent job and express his gratitude to you, but his promotion would forever underline your devotion to justice and your never being afraid to do the right thing."
"Who?"
"Paul Ingleton. He held a responsible senior position in your department. No one knows how to run your office more smoothly than he."
"Ingleton...? But wasn't he the fellow who–?"
"He was exonerated completely and the shadow cast over Umbridge underlines that forevermore."
"Yes... yes... perhaps make an example of her?"
"Mmm... that might reflect back on you. Softly, softly, catchee monkey, yes? Far better to let her fade into obscurity and that whole nasty business be forgotten."
"But if she resists?" Fudge buttoned himself up and wiped his hands down the front of his robes.
"My sources tell me that before the end of the school year – which is only next month – she will not only be more malleable, she will practically beg you to let her go. Timing is everything."
"You'll let me know when?"
"I promise you, Cornelius."
"I appreciate this, Jop. I really do. You scratch mine and I'll scratch yours."
He winked and held out his hand. Jop shook it firmly but with a strained smile, then he went back to wash yet again. Merlin, Rosie, I hope you know what you're doing!
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The Girl With Golden Curls
The month of May warmed up smoothly after the worrying start. Crest's guidance to the students had been subtle but was now keenly felt at Hogwarts: suffer it to be so now. Something was coming. No one seemed to quite know what, but the atmosphere was one of secret optimism. Most everyone toed the line. Few got into any serious trouble – with one exception.
The first day of June began brightly; breakfast was served and summer sunshine was pouring in through the stained-glass windows adding colour and life to the scene. As the four friends began to take their seats, Neville paused, one leg half lifted to bestride the long bench beside the Gryffindor table. A few places further along, sunlight was glinting like a crown upon the shining golden curls of a girl he did not recognise from the back of her head, but he certainly knew all the Gryffindor girls. His mind persuaded him who it must be and the boy froze, all at once terrified and overjoyed and excited and bewildered and confused.
"PRINCESS! PRINCESS!" he cried, untangling his foot from the seat and stumbling forward as his shoe crashed onto the floor. "It's me!"
A lull swept through the murmurings of sleepy children still awakening to the first meal of the day. Faces turned. Umbridge glared at the source of the disturbance and rose angrily to her feet. Hermione, realising what was happening, reached out to clutch Neville's sleeve but, too late, she grasped only air. Parvati, just beyond the golden girl and talking to her, now looked directly at Neville's approach with some surprise. Slowly the mystery girl turned her head to see who had caught Parvati's attention.
Neville's mouth fell open when he saw the features of Lavender Brown where Etherea's should have been. "Your hair... it's changed!" His tone was still one of astonished adoration that matched his expression.
Lavender squealed. "Oh, you like it! I'm using a curly blonde sheen charm that Hermione taught me last year. It's perfect now the weather's improving!"
"Perfect..." murmured Neville, beginning to shake as his dream died yet again.
"DETENTION, Mr Longbottom! Five o'clock this evening. My office. Outbursts of this nature will not be tolerated." Umbridge sat down again, certain that the matter would now be resolved.
Hermione dragged Neville back to his place. It was not difficult; the boy was lost in a daze. Ron and Harry exchanged worried glances while the rest of the student body continued with their toast and cereal in ignorance of the true meaning of what had occurred.
A single owl flew in and perched on the table beside the Headmistress, its beating wings fluffing up the coarse bobbles on her pink cardigan. Irritated, she seized its message and shooed the bird away. A frown grew on her face as she began to read. By the end she was scowling around at the entire assembly. "Hem, hem..." She stood up again and glowered at Lavender. "Miss Brown! You will kindly inform your friends that they are not to send their owls directly to..."
She broke off and showed the message to McGonagall at her side. Mcgonagall shook her head. The line of Umbridge's mouth became more stern. "Students will NOT use aliases at Hogwarts! Which of you is Rosemary Brown?" When no one answered, her voice rose to a shriek. "I shall find out for whom this message was intended and you will answer for it!"
Harry stared at Hermione. She stared back. Only the two of them knew who 'Rosie' was. Cathesis were supposed to conceal any messages and have owls fly exclusively to the owlery. Perhaps it had been rushed. If so, the message must be urgent. Hermione watched in dismay as Umbridge smirked and the message burst into flames before vanishing.
"I have to get away at lunchtime," Hermione whispered.
Harry nodded. She knew he'd always cover for her.
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Swaying in the Wind
Vera Gair beamed her welcome. She still found it hard to believe that this little girl who had knocked so timidly on her front door was the only hope for the world's survival, both magical and Muggle. "Come in, Rosie!"
Jop called from an inner doorway, "Sorry about the mix up with the owls, but I only had a few minutes spare and stupidly used a Ministry owl in my rush."
"Don't worry," replied Hermione, "but I don't think we should even use Hogwarts' owls either anymore. Umbridge has Filch checking the owlery everyday now and he's been given a runic stone. What if it's designed to reveal hidden messages? I'll have to keep checking with you more regularly myself for the time being."
"You're always welcome, Rosie," said Vera, leading the way into the Gair's dining room and waving her arm over the table laid out there. "We're having a prawn salad if you'd care to join us."
After settling in, and once the meal was underway, Jop began his report, "As you know, I'm well attuned to the Ministry's pulse. Fudge is getting impatient. I think he might have been in touch with Umbridge since I last spoke to him. If she sounded too positive then that may cause him to wonder about all the ideas I so carefully seeded in his mind. The man sways like a willow in a storm and might just as easily bend the opposite way tomorrow. Is there somehow we can speed things up? Even one day might be too late."
Hermione winced. This was not what she wanted to hear. She'd hoped to find hard evidence to hold over Umbridge but the blood quill she'd rendered harmless herself and there were no other dark artifacts in her office. Perhaps she could test the Headmistress's wand? A boy called Kevin Entwhistle had been seen to be limping two days ago, but he was refusing to speak to anyone about the cause. Had Umbridge used the Cruciatus curse on him? She was certainly capable.
"Rosie?" urged Jop.
"It's a fine balancing act between preventing her seriously hurting anyone yet catching her in the act," said Hermione. "When we use the Triapetit questions with Veritaserum, I'm almost certain we can convict her of stealing those Ministry funds, but we can't lock her away forever for such a minor crime. I want something substantial and cast iron. The evil things she did to Muggle-borns in my older memories would damn her for eternity but as far as we know she hasn't done anything like as bad as that yet."
Jop said, "I have to apply a little more gentle pressure on Fudge again – today if I can. Maybe again tomorrow. If you can come up with something soon, Rosie... otherwise, I just don't know. The shifting moods within Ministry politics are both subtle and delicately balanced."
Hermione said, "There's one boy who was injured, but I don't know him that well and we don't share any classes. I hate penetrating the mind of an innocent especially if it turns out he only suffered an accident."
She paused. "Let me think about it during this afternoon's lessons then, with your approval, I'll come back to see you early this evening, and make a decision. We may have to take a risk that I'll find something in her memories after we convict her of the fund theft."
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Hotpot
In the few minutes between every class that afternoon, Hermione tried, without success, to track down Kevin Entwhistle. Susan Bones confirmed he was in Hufflepuff but had always been a quiet, nervous boy. "Nobody's seen him since before lunch."
"What!"
"Have you tried the hospital wing? Hannah said he'd hurt his foot."
There was barely time after the last lesson for Hermione to investigate further. Madam Pomfrey sounded evasive and said only that Kevin claimed to have slipped on the grand staircase and sprained an ankle. She'd sedated him and no, Hermione could not disturb her patient until at least the next morning – and even then only if he agreed.
Something wasn't right. Hermione felt there was enough suspicion to act, given the urgency, and so raced off to see the Gairs once more.
"Tell Fudge to be ready for Umbridge's downfall tomorrow morning," she said, after explaining the situation to Jop.
"And you can definitely get her to return to the Ministry? Without protest?"
"Oh, yes. That's the easy part. Finding enough evidence to get her life in Devil's Deep – well, we have to trust to the gods."
"We should leave it until we are certain then," said Vera. "No matter how unpleasant she is, neither I nor Barty will convict on what we think she might do or we're no better than her."
"We can't leave it," Jop said solemnly. "I'm less and less sure of Fudge than ever. This could all be for nothing."
"We'll find something," said Hermione. "We just have to!"
Vera sighed. "We can talk more over dinner. I've cooked a hotpot. You are staying for your evening meal, I hope? I mean, you've finished lessons for the day?"
"Yes. Thanks, Vera. I do love your hotpots!"
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—oOo—
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Author's Notes
Trivia: To the British, a 'hotpot' usually means a Lancashire hotpot, which is a baked casserole stew of minced lamb or beef with chopped vegetables and onion covered with a layer of sliced potatoes. :)
A reviewer, Sphie, queried how Hestia's pregnancy was announced at Christmas and the baby born at Easter. Well, women might discover they are expecting any time from within days of conception to weeks to months – and it's not that rare for it to be during labour! Cadence was conceived in July but Hestia had been completely barren since a childhood accident so she wasn't looking for any signs. Imagine her surprise when a healer in St. Mungo's told her the good news in November! After getting over the shock, She and Sirius decided to tell friends and family personally at Christmas, when Harry would be at home rather than just by sending him an owl. Cadence was eventually born on April 15th, 1992, just before Easter. :)
Many thanks for all comments and reviews. These are most welcome and very encouraging. Let me know of any weaknesses or faults – I'm always trying to improve my writing so feedback is really useful. :)
– Hippothestrowl
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