Sorry for the mysterious until the point of being unintelligible ending of the last chapter this chapter should sort out the loose ends.
Bits in bold from the Halfblood Prince.
British vernacular/politics notes:
Since I can't use real people in stories insert your favourite Britsh politician (or even actor) into the role of PM. The cabinet is the collective names for all the ministers and the backbenchers are MPs who aren't ministers. These guys are usually the rebels who have to be kept in line by the party whips (enforcers who make people toe the party line). Transit is short for transit van.
"Luka,"
"Hnnn," Luka growled as her sleep was prematurely disturbed.
"Wake up, we're leaving. Arthur's going to get an early portkey," smiled Lupin.
As the werewolf left Luka shook her head. Why leave so early when there was no threat? Dragging herself out of her nest she washed and dressed. Fortunately the snakes were still out for the night and Luka had been living out of her suitcase so there was little to pack; just a few bits of clothing and Mel's hides since her fish were at her mum's and Elise was using whatever bit of furniture she took a liking to as a perch. Exiting the tent she was greeted by the rest of the group who were still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Looking over the group she saw a couple of faces she didn't recognise.
"Luka these lads Bill and Charlie, Bill and Charlie this is Luka," smiled Black as he introduced them.
"Yeah, we sorta met last night. You did a real number on those Death Eaters," said Bill as he fussed with his pony tail.
Luka acknowledged the compliment with a nod, now was not the time for sarcasm about how someone had to do the Ministry's job for them.
"I'm going to see Basil about the portkey," interrupted Mr Weasley as he and Black took down the tents with magic.
Luka was on the border of nodding but then a thought struck her.
"If I knew where the Burrow was I could just take you all there,"
"You could?" asked Lupin.
"Yeah, by shadow gate," the nephilim replied.
"I can Apparate us there to show you where it is," said the werewolf.
Nodding in assent Luka held onto Lupin's outstretched hand as he took her along in side along Apparation. They were at the Burrow for a just a moment before returning but now she had the location.
"Alright, everyone who can't Apparate form a line and hold hands. We'll be going through and interdimensional gate so hold on tight, if you don't you'll be lost in purgatory for ever," Luka said as those over seventeen Apparated with the exception of Black who was going to bring up the rear.
With a few sideways looks and murmurs the children lined up with Hermione linking hands with Luka. The full shadow gate where they went across a path that traversed purgatory was unnecessary since Luka now had full access to her powers and she wasn't creating a permanent pathway in the campsite. So it would just be the jelly like shadow in mid-air. Forming the pool of darkness just in front of her Luka moved forwards making sure not to tug too suddenly. As they all stepped into the Burrow's front yard they saw Mrs Weasley nearly strangling her husband, as she clung to him a copy of the 'Daily Prophet' fell to the ground. Swiftly releasing Mr Weasley she moved quickly around the group apologising profusely to the twins for their last parting being an argument. Luka was about to leave when she was invited in by Mr Weasley, she had dodged all his invitations to the Burrow so far as she would have had to keep her anti-Ministry sentiments under wraps but before she could decline Lupin accepted on her behalf.
"Come on, you could use a decent meal after all the work the Ministry made you do," he smiled as he pulled into the Burrow.
Looking around Luka couldn't help but thinking of all the health and safety regulations the construction of the building ignored, but then again it was made with magic so it was probably safe. Once they were all in the cramped kitchen and Mrs Weasley was sipping on a cup of spiked tea Bill handed his father the paper he'd picked up in the yard where Mrs Wesley had dropped it. The wizard read out the highlights of Rita Skeeters article with near constant chirping from Percy before the twins told him to shut up. Finishing the article where he was mentioned his expression grew graver.
"They got Amos,"
Luka cocked an eyebrow as gasps filled the room and Mrs Weasley spluttered out her tea.
"Apparently he was found by his wife just outside their tent," Mr Weasley continued.
Squeezing between the numerous red heads Luka peered over Mr Weasley's shoulder at the article. A few other casualties were mentioned but Diggory's death seemed to merit more lines as he was a Ministry worker. As the kitchen descended into a mass of speculation Luka sighed, it was looking like the breakfast she had been promised wasn't going to show itself any time soon. Besides she needed to repack her things for going back to Hogwarts to help the old codger with the tournament. Geeze, tournament preparation in the day, bar shift in the evening. She would have to remind Sebastian that some people actually needed sleep. Quietly squeezing her way out she was almost at the door when she felt a tug on her elbow. Black.
"Can we talk outside a moment?"
Irritable from hunger Luka nodded tersely.
"I don't like having to ask you this but I won't be by Harry's side whilst he's at Hogwarts. Will you watch over him? He's got quite the track record for getting into trouble," asked Black shyly, despite her relationship with his best friend he was still wary of the nephilim.
"As a member of staff I have the duty to look after all the students so yes I will look after him, but, I will not give him special treatment," Luka replied.
"That's all I ask,"
Nodding in acknowledgment Luka turned and Apparated. Sitting down in her room at her mum's she pulled out her phone to see there was a message waiting to be read. A were meeting today to top it all off? Time to drag some Pepper Up out of storage.
XXX
Watching Luka and his friend talk Lupin couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy. He'd caught Luka's momentary smile as she had read the paper. He remembered how she had once almost murdered Diggory in the Headmaster's office and her obvious anger at how he'd accused Winky of sending up the Dark Mark. Had her fatigue been a ruse? He hoped not, but if Luka wasn't the killer who was? The person who had sent up the Mark? He would need to speak to her later.
XXX
"Aren't flash mobs supposed to be spontaneous?" Luka asked the packleader as they all sat in the backroom of the Funtom bar.
"Technically yes, regardless, what we are after is a flashmobesque gathering tomorrow in Nottingham market square. Jim, Mike I would like you to set up the sound system. Luka you're there as the guard. Everyone else make an appearance if you can. As for tonight feel free to wander the city in your furred form. However, you are all now ambassadors of the lupine world and I expect you to act accordingly. Timothy, I am referring to you in particular,"
As Timothy mock saluted Mathew Luka turned to Jim, "What have you got planned?"
The blonde were grinned toothily, "You'll see,"
Shaking her head Luka turned back to the talk. For tomorrow she would have to think of a good excuse to get out of Hogwarts. Doctor's appointment? Probably not, she'd have to think of something else.
XXX
Once back at Hogwarts Luka immediately rigged up the tv, like the maginet she could use a modified version inside the castle. The weres had revealed themselves on the 'net and television that morning since material had been prepared in advance. Newspapers would follow in the morrow since the printers were a day behind however articles would still be on their websites. For the short snippets she would be in the school she would see how the story was unfolding. The Headmaster wasn't happy about her ditching work, apparently his dear newspapers were piling up due to his workload. Finishing the unpacking she finally decided to open the package she had noticed on her desk when she had come in. Ripping open the Muggle padded packaging a paper slip fell out.
'A gift, since civil servants are still beyond your reach.
Sebastian.'
Reaching back into the packet Luka pulled out its only contents; a pair of blood spattered circular glasses.
XXX
Shadow gating back to Nottingham Luka smiled as Jim and Mike came out of the block of flats with the speakers in a hand cart.
"Are you going to tell me what you're playing?"
"Nope," replied Mike as Jim chortled, "but I'll tell you this; you'll have to dance,"
"And what if I don't know the dance?" asked Luka.
"Trust me, you'll know,"
Unfortunately for the nephilim no amount of persuasion could get the lads to part from more information as they made their way to Market Square. Setting up the speaker between the fountain and the lion statues Luka went back over the plan. She already had her glamour on so Ministry mages wouldn't recognise her so now it was just dance and guard then run when the music was over. Simple, hopefully. As Jim started the music Luka instantly recognised the tune; Gangnam Style. Glaring at the glowing blonde imps she reluctantly began to hop around. As the trio started to dance they were almost instantly joined by people who had run from the nearby stone benches and store fronts. Forming a line formation they danced as the mid-day crowds forming around them. Taking advantage of the publicity the weres began to shift, nothing too scary for the public just paws, ears and tails. Unfortunately it was at this juncture that Luka spotted Timothy. The hyena was stripped to the waist whilst thankfully wearing shorts although the dog collar didn't really fit in. Halfway they fell into a circle linking arms they looked inward obscuring the centre from view. Inside Jim and Mike shifted fully whilst Timothy distracted the audience by doing the worm since he was now adorned with his tail and ears as well as an incomplete downy coat. Once Mike and Jim were finished the group went back to their original positions, one of the others had somehow procured a large banner declaring 'Friendly werewolves are real!' as they wrapped up the dance, struck the last pose and then scattered. Running alongside Mike and Jim who was pushing the speakers Luka felt quietly relieved. Evidently the Ministry was still too occupied with the cup's aftermath to deal with the emergence of the weres, if they were aware of the event at all. Having moved at a far faster pace they were soon back at the flats. Exiting the lift they had carefully manoeuvred themselves into the made their way down the hall to the brothers' flat. Luka stopped still in her tracks as she saw who was standing in the way.
"When were you going to tell me?" asked Lupin as he held up a copy of the 'Nottingham Star'.
"Errrrm, we'll leave you two alone," said Jim as he and Mike quickly scuttled into their flat.
Marinating in the awkwardness for a moment Luka paused before replying.
"In a couple of days, I needed to ensure the weres had a good head start over the Ministry,"
"But I'm not a member of the Ministry,"
"I didn't want you to stuck between keeping the secret for me and feeling obligated to tell Weasley since he's a friend of yours," damn that was a lousy excuse but it was truth.
For a moment Lupin gnawed on the inside of his cheek as he eyed the nephilim sceptically.
"Fine, but you're coming inside and explaining everything,"
Once seated inside, Black and Harry were back at Grimmauld, Luka explained the current situation. The weres were out in the open and on a charm offensive. In the next twenty four to forty eight hours they were hoping to use their media and business connections to garner interviews and greater press coverage. This would be instrumental in making sure the Ministry couldn't use its own PR machine to convince people that this was just a hoax.
"So does Professor Dumbledore know what you're doing?" asked Lupin.
"I don't think so, I just told him it was a family emergency. I'd imagine if he knew what was going on he would have stopped me,"
"How come I didn't hear about what was going on? I thought all the weres got to vote,"
"Well, that's how it should have been as it would have been more democratic but in the end it became too much hassle to chase down all the loners so it got restricted to those with pack affiliation,"
Lupin nodded as he digested the information. Now the day's business was done only the more unpleasant question was left.
"Did you kill Amos Diggory?" he asked mentally pleading for an answer in the negative.
"No, Sebastian did," replied Luka, had her glee over Diggory's death been so obvious?
Lupin sighed, why did it always come back to the demon? Although, it did mean that his girlfriend was innocent.
XXX
It had been five busy days since the fiasco at the World Cup. All Ministry personnel had been fully adsorbed in dealing with the aftermath from press releases to compensation claims and putting out Howler related fires. It was only now that they had finally found out that an even greater threat had been waiting in the wings for them to be suitably distracted. Surveying the latest reports from numerous departments Cornelius Fudge felt a cold sweat envelope his body. The werewolves had gone public? Those blasted curs and how the hell were they turning without the aid of the full moon? The Muggle Liason Office had reported a seemingly irreparable level of contamination in the Muggle world whilst even the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee and Office of Misinformation combined were struggling to come up with a credible cover up. There were also numerous correspondences from overseas ministries documenting a disturbingly similar situation. How had they become so organised? Most wizarding authorities had made sure to keep non-human magic users firmly in their place, beneath wizards. Could this be the herald of Wizarding society as they knew it? Had they only just weathered the damage wrought by You-Know-Who to be destroyed by a threat from the lowliest of castes? Bringing his near hyperventilation under control the Minister turned his thoughts to the Statute of Secrecy. The seventy third clause stated that if any magical creature drew the attention of the Muggles and the governing magical body failed to rectify the situation they would be disciplined by the International Confederation of Wizards and to be honest the ICW was the least of his worries. In the trial with that monster Reginold he had been threatened with immediate removal should he be seen to be incompetent. He needed to see the Muggle Prime Minister immediately, he had to be seen to take swift and effective action. If he did not, well, there were plenty of cells in Azkaban.
XXX
Holed up in Number 10 the Prime Minister sat in solitary silence. The referendum for Scottish independence was looming and the polls were still neck and neck. Even going so far as to give Holyrood more powers had done little to garner further favour. Now, to top it off, they had this werewolf business. At present the police and MI5 were investigating and it was becoming disturbingly clear that their 'furry problem' was quite real indeed. Then again, with a Ministry of Magic and a hidden community of wizards were werewolves such a leap? Just as he was thinking about the portly man that he heard the dreaded cough from the wigged man in the oil painting, think of the devil…
"To the Prime Minister of Muggles. We must meet at once, kindly respond immediately. Sincerely Fudge," said the painting as it watched the Prime Minister intently.
Knowing it was futile to decline the Prime Minister answered in the affirmative as he massaged his temples, let the condescending one way conversation begin… Opposite to his desk the empty grate belched forth green flames and a plump little man holding a lime green bowler hat. Forward he strode brushing soot and ash off himself onto a handsome antique rug.
"Prime Minister, so nice to see you again," said the wizard as he finished the short stroll to shake hands with the Prime Minister.
Remembering the last two meeting he had had with the Other Minister as he liked to call him the Prime Minister just nodded before indicating for Fudge to take a seat. Sitting down and surveying the office like he owned it Fudge cut to the quick.
"I'm afraid we've got quite a bit to go through today, so much has happened since we last saw one another. For a start we have actually found out that Black was innocent and since you're still getting your please-men to look for him I thought I'd tell you,"
How decent of him.
"The subject of Black unfortunately leads back to You-Know-Who. An unfortunate incident occurred at the Quidditch World Cup, a few Muggles ended up getting involved and You-Know-Who's mark was shot into the sky. Fortunately the Muggle Liason Office was able to conduct the necessary memory alterations and whilst the Dark Mark was used in all likelihood this will turn out to be an isolated incident," smiled Fudge as he ended that train of thought.
Despite Fudge's momentary care free attitude the Prime Minister was far from reassured. He remembered the long talk they had had over conjured whiskey about the foul deeds of the wizard so odious that the Other Minister wouldn't even utter his name. How was he to protect the British people if the threat was to resurface? He certainly couldn't warn them about the danger, he couldn't even tell his coalition partner.
Oblivious to the Prime Minister's discomfort the Minister of Magic continued his side of the conversation, "Which brings me to the main reason I came here, the problem that faces both of us; the werewolves. You must understand Prime Minister that these are savages, for all these centuries we have barely been able to keep them under control but the Beast Division can only do so much. Now that they have surfaced in your world we must act together to swiftly bring their rebellion to an end. Alongside the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee you will publically announce that this is nothing more than an elaborate ruse-,"
"Just wait a minute-,"
"-Whilst on our end," continued Fudge, "we will do our best to track down all the Muggles who have been witnesses and alter their memories. As for the werewolves our law enforcement and Werewolf Capture Unit will be rounding up those who have shown themselves to the public,"
"Rounding them up? I agree that I hardly want this media fiasco at a time like this but you have no right to arrest these people, they've committed no crime," retorted the Prime Minister.
"Maybe not by your law but they have committed a gross breach of the International Statute of Secrecy and they must be punished for it. That said, just because they have not committed any offences yet does not mean they will continue to act so benign. Werewolves are vicious creatures Prime Minister and with all due respect neither your law enforcement system nor your blissfully ignorant public are equipped to deal with the threat they pose. Leave them to those in the know, the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee will contact you shortly with the details of your speech," rebuffed Fudge as he stood to leave.
"Oh, and I almost forgot," Fudge added, "we're importing three foreign dragons and a sphinx for the Triwizard Tournament, quite routine, but the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures tells me that it's down in the rule book that we have to notify you if we're bringing highly dangerous creatures into the country,"
"I-what-dragons?" spluttered the Prime Minister.
"Yes, three," said Fudge, "and a sphinx. Well, good day to you,"
Before he could squawk with further indignation the Other Minister was gone in a shower of green sparks. Letting out a sigh the Prime Minister considered his options. The werewolves were real yet the Other Minister wanted all real evidence of their existence wiped out including the memories of British citizens, the people that he was responsible for and those that Fudge had absolutely no mandate to interfere with. The public had never voted for him, hell, they had probably hardly ever seen him in the street and yet he, the Prime Minister, was being forced to kow tow to all of his demands. After all these years schmoozing and campaigning to climb the greasy pole to the top of the government he was being dictated to like some lowly intern. To say that this was galling was to put it extremely mildly. However, folding like a card player with a bad hand wasn't the only option. He could defy Fudge and embrace the emergence of the werewolves after all even Fudge admitted this incident would be hard to cover up. Yes, instead of being the Other Minister's puppet he would make a speech to the Commons, after briefing the cabinet of course, that all evidence pointed to werewolves being real. If played correctly he could use this hand of friendship to further bolster the argument in favour of the union and it certainly wouldn't hurt the General Election campaign. The main Opposition heavily relied on the votes of trade unionists, public sector workers and ethnic minorities. If he could beat them to the punch he could be the one to capitalise on this new minority, the 'furry vote' as it were and his back benchers couldn't complain as no immigration was necessary since the minority were already here! However, that still left the problem of Fudge and his Ministry. What were they going to do if he did not capitulate to their diktats?
"Prime Minister, I have a Ciel Phantomhive here from the Funtomhive Corporation," came his secretary from over the intercom.
"Very good, send him in," smiled the Prime Minister, he'd heard that the Funtomhive Corporation had some subsidiaries in security and their CEO had already released a statement cautiously welcoming the werewolf community into the open.
XXX
Back in their flat Black and Lupin were munching on some Hawaiian in relative silence since Harry was spending the night at the Weasleys' and Lupin was thoroughly adsorbed in his new book. Just as Black felt ready to scream from boredom there was a knock at the door, eagerly trotting up to it Black opened it to reveal Jim and Mike.
"Hi, we were wondering if we could take to Remus," chirped Jim as they strode in.
"Yeah, sure," replied Black sourly as he closed the door behind them.
"What do you want to talk about?" asked Lupin looking up.
"Well, since Luka's busy at Hogwarts we wondered if you could teach us magic. We've learned the basics but we need to improve a hell of a lot if your Ministry of Magic comes looking for us," answered Jim.
Slightly surprised Lupin took a moment to answer, "Well since the bridge of you being introduced to wand magic has already been crossed I suppose it is in your best interests to make sure you can defend yourselves. However, we will need to limit our training sessions to a couple of times a week as we've all got work and I'm helping Sirius with the renovations at his place,"
"That's fine, we don't want to burn ourselves out," smiled Mike.
"While you two are here I may as well ask, do you know anywhere where they rent out minibuses or vans? Harry and some other children need to get to London but it seems that normal taxis will be too expensive," enquired Black.
"You can get minibus taxis, a friend of ours had one as transport for his stag do. Do you guys have any luggage?" asked Mike.
"Six trunks, a cat and two owls as well as nine people,"
"Yeah, you'll definitely need a minibus or a transit for that lot. If you give me a moment I think I have their number on my phone…"
XXX
It was the first time that Harry found himself slightly conflicted about going to Hogwarts. Until now the school had represented an escape from his forced life with the Dursleys, now he had a proper home with his godfather and former professor. It felt so odd to leave but Sirius had made him promise to write often and they would get to meet up in Hogsmeade when the students were allowed to go to the village. Still, it wouldn't be the same and he felt quite saddened as he continued to wave as the Hogwarts Express left platform 9 ¾.