I know there was no update last week but I haven't been anywhere near my computer so... forgive me? please?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Carmilla but Fun Fact! I was watching Scooby Doo while I finished this chapter, so you know I have amazing taste.
"This can't be good" Harry told Ron and Hermione once they were in the Gryffindor common room.
"I'm going to have to agree" Hermione sighed "the Ministry trying to control what happens at Hogwarts means that they don't trust Dumbledore and with all of the false things they've been feeding the Prophet… I just hope Fudge sees sense before something bad happens."
"What about Hagrid?" Ron asked "he wasn't at the feast, you know he wouldn't miss it, he bloody loves being a teacher."
They noticed the absence of the half giant once they'd gotten off of the Hogwarts express and saw Professor Sprout leading the first years towards the enchanted boats that they would be crossing the black lake in. Their suspicions were confirmed at the start of the year feast when they were told that Professor Grubbly-Plank would be taking Hagrid's classes until he returned, something that made the three of them worry.
The lack of Hagrid wasn't the only thing wrong with the teachers table though as a short woman dressed head to toe in pink sat in the seat meant for the Professor teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. It wasn't a mistake though as the woman introduced herself as Dolores Umbridge and informed the students that, not only was she taking over the Defence Against the Dark Arts position, but she was also the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic. If looks could kill then the one Harry sent in the woman's direction would have murdered her twice.
"He's out on Order business" Hermione explained making sure they couldn't be overheard.
"How do you know" Harry asked curiously, wondering how Hermione was managing to get information when he could only get snippets, mainly from Sirius when no one else was listening.
"I had a conversation with Carmilla and Lafontaine" she shrugged "some Order related stuff came up."
"Wait… so they actually told you what's going on?" Harry asked, jealousy creeping in that the others trusted Hermione more than him.
"Not really, when I asked who else was in the Order they said that Hagrid was but wasn't around because he was away doing Order related business" she told them truthfully "other than that I found that Mcgonagall and Snape are in the Order, along with some people I don't know much about."
"Snape!" Ron exclaimed followed by Harry and Hermione shushing him.
"Yes Snape, apparently Dumbledore trusts him and that alone is good enough for everyone else."
"Bloody hell" Ron shook his head "never thought I'd see the day where we were on the same side as Snape."
Tonks sat in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, considerably emptier than usual even at this time of the morning, what with all of the students back at Hogwarts and Molly and Arthur having returned to the Burrow. She sat glancing over the newest edition of the Daily Prophet while she drank her tea in silence, something she wasn't used to in this house.
She'd just began reading an article on the upcoming Quidditch match between the Appleby Arrows and the Hollyhead Harpies when Carmilla entered the kitchen and began making herself coffee with a grin on her face.
Tonks eyed her cousin as she went about making her drink before sitting opposite her, "what's gotten you so happy?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
"I don't know what you mean" the raven haired girl shook her head and took a mouthful of her coffee.
"Spill Karnstein" the older witch laughed when the other girl continued to shake her head "… I assume it has something to do with Laura."
Carmilla rolled her eyes "I'm always happy when I'm with Laura."
"Okay so it's definitely Laura then…" Tonks smirked, she stared at Carmilla for a moment before a lightbulb in her head went off in her head "… you got laid."
"You are insufferable sometimes Nymphadora" Carmilla told her before sending her empty mug to the sink.
"I'm right though" Tonks grinned "you only call me Nymphadora when you're pissed or being a sore loser."
"I'm not listening anymore" the Ravenclaw smirked "now if you don't mind, I have to go to work."
"Still didn't hear a no" the Hufflepuff called in a sing song voice as Carmilla left the room.
"I hate you" she called back.
"No you don't" the Auror retaliated before she heard the front door close.
"Yes! Finally" Lafontaine let out a puff of air as they proudly examined their work.
They'd spent the last month waiting for the batch of Veritaserum that Madeye requested to finish brewing and they were happy to say that the potion turned out perfectly. Technically what they were doing was illegal, the Ministry strictly controlled the use of the potion because of just how effective it was. Not that any of that bothered Lafontaine, it's not like the Order was a government organisation.
Pleased with their work they made their way down from the attic to let Madeye know, hopefully get some breakfast and maybe find a letter from Perry.
It had been ten days since the last time Perry had visited Grimmauld Place and eight days since they'd seen her in the flesh. They'd been sending owls back and forth as often as they could but it wasn't quite the same as actually being together. Lafontaine would hold it together though, they wouldn't say or do anything that could make Perry feel guilty for following her dream.
They found themselves in the quieter than normal kitchen, finding only Laura sat at the table reading a letter.
"Morning L, letter from Lovegood?" they asked while grabbing some eggs from the fridge.
"Morning Laf, yeah it's just the outlines for what I need to do, deadlines and release dates for the Quibbler."
"Cool, so what's your first story Hollis?"
Laura sighed "I don't really know yet, I really want to write something defending Harry and Dumbledore since the Prophet has been constantly bad mouthing them since the start of the summer."
"I know what you mean" they sympathized, cracking their eggs into a pan "it's ridiculous the amount of people who believe that crap… and it's all because Fudge thinks Dumbledore wants his job."
"Yeah, I just hope at least some people are willing to read the truth."
"Probably more than you'd think L, you'll do great."
"Thanks Laf" Laura smiled "so come on, what crazy amazing things have you got brewing upstairs?"
"Some things for Madeye I'm not allowed to talk about because "even the walls can have ears kid" they finished in their best impression of Madeye making the Gryffindor burst into laughter.
"That was the worst impression of Madeye I've ever heard" Laura told the Ravenclaw between bouts of laughter.
"I disagree" a voice they weren't expecting to hear came from the doorway "Kirsch's is way worse" the tall redhead added, fully entering the kitchen "his Quirrell has always been good though, I'll give him that."
Laura was up like a shot, hugging her best friend and fellow Gryffindor "why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
"I thought you were busy helping Mel set up the firm" Laf added, moving to give Danny a hug of their own.
"I am, it's going well" the redhead answered "and I didn't mention it because it was a bit last minute, I have some information for the Order."
"Thanks for coming at such short notice" Danny spoke to the assembled group, they'd managed to round up Remus, Sirius, Madeye, Dumbledore, Molly and Bill Weasley, the other's busy with work would just have to hear the news later.
"Get to the point Lawrence" Madeye goaded "we have things to do."
"Alastor" Dumbledore spoke softly "I believe Miss Lawrence was just about to inform us as to why we are here."
"Yes, thank you Professor" the redhead nodded to her old headmaster "to cut to the chase, I spotted Lilita Karnstein near Tinworth which I thought was odd in itself seeing as it's quiet village near the sea."
"That is strange" Sirius chimed in.
Danny nodded before continuing "so I followed her further out of the village to a small farmhouse, which is when suspicious sister number two showed up."
"You mean Narcissa Malfoy?" Bill asked.
"Yeah and I know that's nothing to write home about, I almost left actually but then someone in a cloak showed up. I couldn't see their face at first and I didn't recognise the voice and that's when their hood slipped and I saw her, Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Wait, isn't she supposed to be in Azkaban?" Lafontaine asked.
"That's what I thought" Danny responded running a hand through her hair.
"Nothing good can come from the three of them being together" Sirius spoke "especially Bellatrix and Lilita, Narcissa is practically a household cat compared to those two."
"Do you know what they were up to?" Dumbledore asked his voice as soft and calm as ever.
"No, they didn't mention anything that could be useful before they apparated" she shook her head.
"I think it's safe to assume that Bellatrix won't be the only Death Eater no longer in Azkaban" Dumbledore spoke to the room at large "keep track of sightings, if anyone else of note rears their head we should know about it."
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed.
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And until next time, have a good one!