Chapter 10

Vernon Dursley did not have a good year.

After Halloween the previous year he decided to try and embezzle more money from his company. He had been embezzling money from his company for years now and had never been officially caught.

Sure he had been caught several times only to be bailed out by a silver-haired freak who wore garish robes. Knowing that he was protected from jail by that freak kept him going for many years.

However this time it didn't work well for him. When he had been caught once again he was just waiting for that purple dressing freak but that freak never turned up. He had remained in a jail cell for three weeks before he got out on bail. Despite getting out of that cell and away from his cellmate Bubba he was confined to House Arrest while the investigation took place.

He was put back in his jail cell on Christmas Day when his dratted freak of a nephew had sent a tape to the authorities detailing his life at the Dursley's. The ungrateful freak had accused him of child abuse. Petunia had been arrested too along with his sister Marge for their so called abuse of the boy. Dudley had been sent to a Secure Children's Home.

When February rolled around he was paraded into court to answer for his crimes. His wife and sister were not there, whom were going to be tried separately from him, however his son Dudley was in the audience and surrounded by two security officers from the Secure Children's Home.

His lawyer advised him to admit his crimes to get a lighter sentence but he would do no such thing. Men like him do not cave in to a court system.

He had stayed silent throughout his trial, only to become enraged when his freak of a nephew appeared out of the blue and testified against him. He noticed the freak's escort, a man whose name was revealed to be Remus Lupin, was glaring at him in pure loathing. He had a bad feeling from those looks the man was sending him.

Finally it was time for the verdict.

"Vernon Ronald Dursley," Judge Doright spoke. "For your crimes of child abuse and embezzlement this court sentences you to thirty years in prison with no chance of parole. Case Adjourned."

With the hammering of the gavel he was dragged away kicking and screaming that he had done nothing wrong.

That night he was completely naked, skin burning and feeling half-blind from that delousing crap they put on him and walking single file behind other prisoners to his cell holding his prison garments in front of his private parts.

"DURSLEY," shouted Captain Byron Hadleigh shouted. "Cell 13. Follow me."

Vernon followed the Captain of the prison guards to his cell.

"You're sharing a cell with a nutcase, Dursley," Hadleigh laughed viciously. "Have a nice night."

And with that he was shoved forcefully into his new cell. He noticed his new cell partner and almost had a heart attack. In the cell with him was Bubba, the cellmate he had a few months ago in Surrey Police Station.

"Dursley, did Hadleigh say," Bubba drawled, standing up. He recognised Vernon Dursley. He smiled a ferocious smile when he saw him. "I heard you got charged with child abuse too, Dursley. You know what we do to people who hurt children in here."

Vernon gulped. He hated his new life.

After a few weeks of extreme pain he heard more news from the outside world. Petunia had been sentenced to fifteen years and his sister was sentenced to fifteen for child abuse and animal cruelty.

As he rounded the corner in the prison yard, he was spotted by Bubba and his friend Boggs.

He didn't manage to run away on time before he was beaten by Bubba and Boggs. The week in solitary confinement was worth it to them.

Vernon spent a month in the Infirmary.

IlIlIlI

Back in Hogwarts Harry was focusing on his Potions homework.

He never thought in a million years he would actually like the subject given how Snape treated him and the way he taught it.

Professor Wrickman was a decent instructor who often helped his students and was friendly. However, Malfoy got on the wrong side of the man and was brought into his office. When he came out he was terrified and was muttering 'machine gun' and 'ho ho ho'.

The man had revealed himself to him to have been his mum Lily's mentor when she left Hogwarts. She had been his apprentice and he was told that his mum was a Potions Mistress. Professor Wrickman had offered him some friendly advice and gave him potions notes Lily had compiled under his tutelage that he had. With his mum's notes and Professor Wrickman's help, his grades in Potions had skyrocketed. He was now the best in the class.

Hermione had been jealous at first and wouldn't talk to him for five days. After a talking to from Fleur she had apologised for her attitude and said she was happy he was doing so well in a subject he originally hated.

IlIlIlI

"Blood traitor," Draco taunted Ron.

"Ferret," Ron retorted back.

Both boys were in an empty classroom with their mothers. Molly and Narcissa came to Hogwarts wanting to see their sons.

Both boys hated that their mothers had become such close friends. When they both heard they would soon be living next to each other they had exploded in anger.

"Now, now, I know you two want to be closer to each other anyway," Molly said sweetly.

"After all, you're always talking about Ron Weasley every time you come home every Summer," Cissy crooned. "I just find it adorable that you talk about him so much."

Draco eyed his mother in suspicion. Something was going on here and he didn't like it.

"And you always talk about Draco dearie," Molly said, cupping her hand gently on her son's cheek.

"So, we both decided on what is best for both of you," Cissy and Molly both said.

Both boys got a sinking feeling in their stomachs before their mothers dropped the bomb.

"We betrothed both of you," Cissy squealed.

"We just know you are made for each other," Molly crooned.

Both boys eyed each other before they passed out.

"Ooh, look Molly, they are so excited that they passed out," Cissy crooned.

"Aw, so adorable," Molly happily smiled.

IlIlIlI

Arabella Figg was finally enjoying herself.

After the Dursley's had gone off to prison she didn't see any point staying in Little Whinging so she packed her bags and her thirteen cats and moved back to where she previously lived. Hogsmeade.

She once again let her cats out of the house so they could hunt and explore. As they were magical cats, they were fiercely intelligent and a lot stronger than the average cat.

So one day in late February she was enjoying a nice drink of Firewhisky in the Hogs Head when the door opened. All of her thirteen cats came traipsing in and meowing to their hearts content.

Albus Dumbledore (who was Bartending that day) scowled at the cats. He truly never really liked cats. They all loved hunting birds which were his favourite animal. He was very much a bird person.

However Dumbledore failed to realise that his extended time around birds made him smell like bird to cats. So he was completely unprepared when all thirteen cats lunged at him. Albus fell to the ground, whereas five of the cats stood on his body to prevent him standing up. The eight other cats started pulling him by the ankles. Given that these magical cats had superior strengths similar to a jaguars they easily managed to pull him right out of the bar.

He tried screaming at Arabella to call them off but she uncaringly continued drinking her Firewhisky. Arabella was of the firm belief that he deserved it for ignoring her claims of the Dursley's abuse of Harry.

The damn creatures pulled him towards Hogsmeade. He started struggling to get free. Tom was in Hogsmeade at the dress store. He did not want to go near him.

Too Late!

"Alby," Tom screeched happily, running up to him. "Ohmymerlin, ohmymerlin, ohmymerlin, not only did you decide to get me a cat, but you got me thirteen. Come to Uncle Tom, kitties."

Albus firmly hoped the cats would take him away to his death. However, the cats were delighted to meet the now friendly Tom that they got off him and cuddled around his legs. Tom picked up that black cat that tried to rip out his beloved beard.

"I'm going to name you Sweetie," he crooned.

More like Satan, Dumbledore thought.

As if reading his thoughts Sweetie (no, it's Satan) pounced on him. Tom used the opportunity to force Dumbledore into the gorgeous frilly purple and pink dress he had bought in the shop.

As he fought getting that damned black cat off of him, he did not realise that it was a Hogsmeade weekend for the students of Hogwarts. There was a crowd of at least forty people watching him trying to fight a cat while wearing a hideous dress. Once he discovered he was watched the entire time he was rooted to the spot, paralysed. He did not notice that Tom had picked him up and carried him into the Twenty Knuts Motel next door.

"Seeing you in that dress has made me happy, if you know what I mean Alby," Tom huskily said.

IlIlIlI

While all the drama was unfolding in the street, Harry, Fleur, Hermione and Viktor Krum were having a double date in the Three Broomsticks.

Harry and Viktor were having a fun conversation about Quidditch. Harry was very much liking the older guy. Out of brotherly instinct for Hermione he had warned him a few weeks back what would happen if he broke her heart. But Viktor, ever the gentleman, made it very clear with the way he looked and acted with Hermione, was completely besotted with her and did not want to do anything to hurt her or break her heart.

Hermione was the same. Harry had not noticed it until Fleur pointed it out but she was completely enamoured with Viktor. She would blush madly every time he did something nice for her and was always smiling in his presence. He was glad to see her so happy. He knew Ron was not happy with her relationship but he didn't care. He knew Ron had a crush on Hermione but he highly doubted he could ever put a smile on her face like the kind she had now.

"Anyone sitting here."

Harry looked up from his conversation to see Ginny and Colin standing there.

"No, there isn't," Harry said cheerily. "Might as well join us."

Ginny and Colin sat down and they all chatted with each other throughout the now triple date

"Butterbeers from the gentleman by the bar," came Madam Rosmerta's voice, leaving a tray of six Butterbeers on the table.

Harry looked over to the bar and saw Professor Wrickman giving him a friendly wave. Harry smiled and waved back. He really liked the Professor. Everyone did. While he had a voice that was similar enough to Snape, the man was very friendly and was always encouraging his students to try harder instead of insulting or berating them.

"A Potions teacher willingly giving us Butterbeer and smiling at us," Colin joked. "Now I've seen everything."

They all laughed and give Professor Wrickman a wave.

IlIlIlI

Harry was nervous as he entered Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. After the encounter with the Basilisk in the Black Lake he had been debating to himself for a while how to approach the development that the massive snake was still alive. Despite the discovery he made in the Room of Requirement a while back that said the Basilisk was not planted to attack Muggle-born students he was scared.

Scared because he had skipped the meeting with the Basilisk a few weeks prior because he was still collecting himself about the new information he was afraid she would be angry about missing their date to talk.

Apparently he had nothing to worry about.

Vera the Basilisk was delighted to see him when he arrived and wouldn't stop chit-chatting about her life. Apparently, she only attacked Muggle-borns because Tom had only agreed to talk and listen to her if she did so. The reason Tom had sealed the Chamber was because she was getting angry he wasn't actually bothered with talking or listening to her.

It wasn't until nearly four o' clock he finally managed to ask the question on his mind.

"How did you survive when I thrust the sword through your head?"

"I only chased you because I hoped that brat Tom would talk to me once I ate you," Vera hissed. "But the moment you thrust that sword through my head, one of my teeth pierced your skin. I'm sorry for that by the way. But my tooth going into your skin and touching your blood made me instantly realise that you carry the blood of Salazar Slytherin in your veins. I was just overjoyed, so overjoyed I decided to fake dead and make you think you had killed me. But I could still control my tooth that had lodged itself in your skin. The moment that blasted diary came within my senses, I made that tooth in your grasp control you and destroy that damned diary. Once you and that girl left the Chamber I simply righted myself and went swimming in the lake. I found Clackatank and he healed my eyes so I could see again. I had hoped you would come down here again someday as I didn't want to search you out and scare you or other students."

Harry stared at Vera, completely astounded. The story sounded absolutely ludicrous, like something created in a fictional universe. But he found it believable though.

"I found out not long ago that Salazar Slytherin didn't want Muggle-borns dead though," Harry asked. "Is it really true?"

"Yes, it is true," Vera hissed, sighing. "But you need to understand. In those days, all witches and wizards were being hunted and burned at the stake. Hogwarts wasn't as well protected in those days with the wards it now has so I was the main protection against all those angry Muggles who wanted us all dead."

Harry decided to check his watch and was shocked to see it was almost seven in the morning.

Vera saw his response. "Is it time to go now?" she asked. Harry nodded. "Follow me."

Harry followed the Basilisk into the mouth of the statue of Salazar Slytherin. He was now in a massive cavern. There was a continuous tunnel up ahead big enough for Vera to go through. Vera went up to a massive statue of Salazar Slytherin holding a snake around his neck.

"Stand underneath the snake's tongue and say where you want to go," Vera ordered. "It is an ancient teleportation device only Salazar Slytherin knew of. He created it."

Harry went and stood underneath where he was told. Closing his eyes he spoke, "Gryffindor Tower."

Harry kept his eyes closed, expecting it to not work, but when he opened them he was standing in front of the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room.

Well, that's handy, he thought as he went back to his room to start getting ready for the day. It was already morning so he didn't bother getting any sleep.

I need to go back down and keep Vera company sometime soon, he thought as he put on his clothes.

To pass the time until class, he decided to pull a prank.

IlIlIlI

Draco Malfoy woke up feeling angry.

He couldn't believe his mother betrothed him to that ginger haired moron. He was never going to forgive her for doing that to him.

His anger that morning made him lost in his thoughts on what he would do in retaliation to Ron Weasley. So stuck in his thoughts he hadn't noticed while having a shower his shampoo was a different colour.

His hair had finally grown back after that dumb Veela made him bald back in November. It had taken nearly four months though.

He went to the Great Hall to have his breakfast, not noticing the odd glances and whispers sent his way. Halfway through his breakfast, Crabbe showed up.

"Malfoy, what happened to your hair?" he asked, completely shocked.

Draco was scared. What happened? He snatched Pansy's mirror from her hand -Honestly does she ever stop looking at herself, he wondered- and looked at his appearance.

To his horror he had red hair. Weasley red hair. He actually looked a bit like Ron Weasley too.

"I'm not sitting with any Weasley," Crabbe said, and walked several seats away.

Draco was furious with that declaration. He glared at Crabbe only to notice Potter at the Gryffindor Table looking at him and smiling. Potter raised his goblet to him and winked.

"Draco Weasley," Greengrass purred. "That's a nice name. Now you and your husband look alike. You should take the name as a vow to your beloved. All the wives do."

Everyone who heard her roared in laughter while Draco glared at her furiously. The whole school now knew he was betrothed to the moron and he hated it. But he was the husband, not the wife.

Great Merlin, did he just think of himself as Ron Weasley's husband. He groaned out loud and banged his head on the table. Repeatedly

IlIlIlI

Sirius Black was very much enjoying himself this year. As the new Minister For Magic after former Minister Cornelius Fudge was ousted he ensured that sweeping changes were made.

Sometimes the change wouldn't show itself at first and he would be convinced that something would go very wrong, like when Voldemort was stupidly released from Ministry custody.

His release had angered many, especially Madam Bones who he was working closely with throughout the last few months. She had grounds to investigate those in the Wizengamot who voted to have him released. Of those twenty-one, seventeen were now imprisoned when evidence was found in their homes that they were Death Eaters. Trials had been set up immediately and now there were only four left whom were in Ministry holding cells awaiting trial. All of the supporters of Voldemort in the Wizengamot had been hounded up and now there were none in the ranks who supported the bastard.

The Aurors had recently found the bodies of the missing Death Eaters off the coast of America in a sunken tugboat. Apparently the Death Eaters had stolen the famed Ark of the Covenant. Knowing the immediate danger of the artefact, Sirius had conferred with the Magical President of America, Conner McCarran, who agreed that the artefact must be kept in high security only accessed by a higher force than even the Muggle president. It was now locked away in a place only Sirius and Conner knew.

While being Minister he decided to reconnect with someone he missed dearly. His Hogwarts sweetheart Bathsheda Babbling, teacher of Ancient Runes. He contacted her after Christmas and she agreed to meet up for a date. Despite not seeing her for many years it was like as if he saw her the previous day. They reconnected instantly and they were both now living together. He bought a mansion with the reparation money the Ministry gave him for his false imprisonment and was now living there with Bathsheda

Remus often came around to visit but he now had a proper place to live. Now that James and Lily's Will was officially opened they left a sizeable amount to Remus with a message to spoil himself. He decided to do so and bought himself a high styled apartment in London. He was able to afford and brew the complicated Wolfsbane Potion and had just recently started dating his cousin Nymphadora Tonks.

He was going to finish being the Interim Minister in June. Elections would be held in May. Amelia Bones decided to remain in her position, saying she had no interest to work in the Minister's Office. Amos Diggory and Rufus Scrimgeour were the top contenders for the office. While Sirius liked both, Amos was a very likable man and seemed the one most likely to run the Wizarding World, Rufus was an accomplished Auror who fought Death Eaters since the First Wizarding War and had many scared of him.

"Penny for your thoughts, Siri," Bathsheda asked, cuddling against him as they watched their favourite film together, Carrie.

"Just thinking I'm the luckiest guy in the world," Sirius smiled, pulling Bathsheda closer to him.

"Siri," she whispered lovingly.

"Yes, sweetie," he mumbled, stroking her hair.

"I'm pregnant."

Sirius looked at her for a split second before jumping up and pulling her close. "I'm gonna be a father," he spoke, vibrantly happy.

"And I'm going to be a mother," she spoke mischievously, planting a kiss on him. Sirius smiled into the kiss and pulled her close. They didn't care about the film anymore and just spent the night cuddling up and talking to each other about the joy of having a child.

Life, Sirius thought, was pretty damn awesome.

IlIlIlI

"If you're happy and you know it clap your hands! If you're happy and you know it clap your hands! If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it…"

"SHUT UP!" Snape bellowed. "I'm in the middle of a finishing a potion!"

Fanny was bored. Being attached to the shoulder of a cranky wizard may have been fun, but there were times she missed company. Specifically Lavender Brown.

"You shouldn't talk to your brother like that, Sevvy," Fanny tutted. "But I'm just happy that you love me, like every pair of brothers. Come on, sing along with me."

"…if you're happy and you know it clap your hands!" He finished, then took a deep bow. "Thank you, thank you!"

Snape gritted his teeth and kept working on the Felix Felicis. Maybe this damn potion might help him get rid of the abomination on his shoulder.

Unfortunately, no potion ever would.

AN: This chapter is mainly filler. We're getting close to the end of the story now.