Arthur stuck around the castle in the days afterward, assisting Dumbledore with cleaning up the rooms used to protect the Philosopher's Stone. While he did his best to try to avoid being seen or interacting with the students and the majority of the staff, he noticed the paintings were talking about a "Hogwarts alumnai who hasn't been to the castle in years returning". Students were talking about this and wondering if it had anything to do with what occurred between Harry and Quirrell. Oh, if only they knew.
The personification of England had also assisted Dumbledore in destroying the stone, having consulted Nicholas Flamel and his wife beforehand and the group agreeing that it was better left destroyed. Arthur chose to take his leave once it was done, escaping from the castle on the last night before students were sent home.
From there, the monotony of his never-ending life of paperwork and dealing with his siblings and peers fell back into place. Tedious as it was, he had to admit he preferred it over the wars and conflicts he had found himself in years before. Of course though, there was no way he could avoid telling his brothers, or Germany for that matter, why he had missed a world meeting during his time helping to clean the castle. While Germany was understandable (giving a simple "at least let us know when you'll be away" before moving on to other business) and his brothers that made up the rest of the UK were just thankful the return of Voldemort was avoided, others such as America thought it best to gloat that he had missed a meeting.
"You're always telling me not to miss a meeting, and yet you miss one to play magic school!" he laughed obnoxiously.
"I wasn't 'playing', this was a real emergency." England fumed.
"All that just for a Sorcerer's Stone though?"
"The Philosopher's Stone, you little…"
"Easy there, England, you know it's no use talking to him about magic…"
"I'm sorry, who're you?"
"I'm Canada, remember?" Canada's face fell.
"Oh! Um, right." England felt his face heat up. He forgot again, how embarrassing.
"Aw, it's okay, Iggy, you're old. No one can blame you for your memory slipping." America went back to laughing.
Yes, things certainly were back to normal, for better or worse.
Oh, how he was foolish to think - and maybe even hope – that it would've lasted.
Halloween was one of England's favorite nights of the year. It was tradition for him to scare the daylights out of America, some good, old fashioned fun of spooks and thrills. Or at least it would be fun if he wasn't stuck with a migraine. Luckily some of his magical creature friends helped him out in pranking America into thinking his house was haunted, but England had so wished he'd had the chance to do his original plan of having the water in his house look like blood.
These migraines would appear in the months afterward, though both sides of his government reported nothing too out of the ordinary. That is until reports of petrifications at Hogwarts began to emerge, with the added rumor of a someone opening the Chamber of Secrets.
England felt his blood run cold as he read them. The last time it had been open, a poor young girl was killed. After the events of the year prior, it was no surprise he found himself rushing back to the old castle once he was able to get all of his official work done.
By the time he entered the school grounds, the moon had begun to rise. As he approached the castle, he was met by a small group of two: Dumbledorea and Fudge.
"England? Whatever are you doing here?" Fudge asked, bewildered.
"I'd like to ask you the same thing, Minister. I've read the reports of attacks happening all year and I came to see if there was anything I could do."
"I can assure you it's being taken care of right now." Fudge said, noticing the look of confusion on his face. "You may come with us, but know we have things under control." Fudge walked past him with Dumbledore following. Arthur fell into pace with Dumbledore.
"Albus, what is going on?"
"I'm afraid they think Hagrid is responsible for the attacks." Dumbledore muttered to him. "Last time he was expelled with the only evidence being that he had an unusual creature he was keeping as a pet around the time a muggle born was killed. Now the ministry thinks he's at it again even with very little to go on this time around."
Arthur felt himself grow angry at this. Accusing a man with little to convict him? He understood actions had to be taken, but was this really the right way? They should be investigating for the real culprit.
But Arthur kept his mouth shut. Chances are, Fudge was convinced by other parties, perhaps even parents who had children who went here. An investigation would take who knows how long; how many attacks would happen before results were made?
They arrived at Hagrid's cabin and knocked on the door. After some shuffling came from inside, Hagrid opened the door, his face paling as he saw who it was and sat onto a chair.
Wasting no time, Fudge got down to business. "Bad business, Hagrid, very bad business. Had to come. Four attacks on muggle borns. Thing've gone far enough. Ministry's got to act."
"I never." Hagrid looked imploringly to Dumbledore, then to Arthur. "You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir-"
"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence." The old Headmaster frowned at the Minister, with Arthur following suit.
"Look, Albus, Hagrid's record's against him. Ministry's got to do something - the school governors have been in touch-"
"And taking Hagrid away will help how? The only creature he seems to have these days is a dog." Arthur spoke up, gesturing to the canine who was watching them intently.
"Arthur, you know how this could look if we don't take any actions. I'm already under a lot of pressure to do something in a situation that looks more hopeless with each attack. Got to be seen doing something in the meantime while we get this sorted out, and if it turns out it wasn't Hagrid, then he'll be back and no more said. But I got to take him. Got to. Wouldn't be doing my duty-"
"Take me?" Hagrid trembled, "Take me where?"
"For a short stretch only." Fudge never met Hagrid's eye, instead having them stare between him and Arthur, as if he was trying to convince both of them and himself. "Not a punishment, Hagrid, more a precaution. If someone else is caught, you'll be let out with a full apology-"
"Not Azkaban?" Hagrid choked back tears.
A loud rap came from Hagrid's door. Dumbledore answered, and standing there was a man with blond hair. Arthur recognized him from the Ministry as Lucius Malfoy, a mean-looking man who was known for prejudice against muggle borns and half-bloods.
He strode into the hut, his black cloak wavering behind him with each step. The dog growled toward the man who smiled coldly and ignored him. "Already here, Fudge. Good, good…"
"What're you doin' here?" Hagrid bellowed, "Get outta my house!"
"My dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being inside your, er, do you call this a house?" Lucius sneered as he looked around the small cabin. "I simply called the school and was told the Headmaster was here." His eyes fell on Arthur. "Who are you?"
"Arthur Kirkland." He held out his hand in polite greeting. Lucius took it and looked at him curiously.
"Kirkland? That's an old wizarding family name I haven't heard in a long time. I thought you all died out."
"I just prefer to keep a low profile." Arthur's eyes never left Lucius's. "Prefer my privacy, you know how it is. I work with the Minister from time to time, hence why I'm here."
Lucius seemed to accept this as an answer, though his gaze held suspicion as he let go of the shorter blond's hand.
"What exactly did you want with me, Lucius?" Dumbledore spoke up.
"Dreadful thing, Dumbledore." Lucius lazily took out a scroll of parchment, "The governors feel it's time for you to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension – you'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing your touch. How many attacks have there been now? Two more this afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no muggle borns left at Hogwarts, and we all know what an awful loss that would be to the school."
Fudge looked alarmed. "Oh, now, see here Lucius. Dumbledore suspended – no, no – last thing we want just now."
"The appointment – or suspension – of the Headmaster is a matter for the governors, Fudge. And as Dumbledore has failed to stop these attacks-"
"See here, Malfoy, if Dumbledore can't stop them- I mean to say, who can?"
"That remains to be seen." Lucius held a nasty smile, "But as all twelve of us have voted-"
"An' how many did ya have to threaten an' blackmail before they agreed, Malfoy?" Hagrid jumped to his feet.
"Dear, dear, you know, that temper of your's will lead you into trouble one of these days, Hagrid. I would advise you to not shout at the Azkaban guards like that. They wouldn't like it at all." Lucius said, his voice calm even after having been yelled at by the half-giant.
"If you take them away, the muggle borns won't stand a chance." Arthur stated through gritted teeth.
"Calm yourselves, Hagrid, Arthur." Dumbledore said sharply before turning his attention to the head of the Malfoy family.
"If the governors want my removal, Lucius, I shall of course step aside-"
"But-"
"No!"
"You can't-"
Fudge, Arthur, and Hagrid's cries fell of seeminly deaf ears as Dumbledore's gaze never wavered away from Lucius. "However," Dumbledore said, slowly, "you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me… Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."
"Admirable sentiments." Lucius bowed. "We shall miss your, er, highly individual way of running things, Albus, and only hope your successor will manage to prevent any, ah, killings." Lucius walked out the door with Dumbledore following.
Fudge and Arthur waited for Hagrid who took a deep breath and said, carefully, "If anyone wanted to find out some stuff, all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right. That's all I'm sayin'. Oh! And someone'll need to feed Fang while I'm away." With that, Hagrid stepped through the door and into the night. Fudge stared in bewilderment at Arthur who shrugged before the two followed suit, the door closing behind them.
"Before I take my leave of the grounds, I'll need to gather a few belongings. Just essentials, I know I can have the rest sent to me later on." Dubledore said.
"Very well, I will wait for you outside your office, but no funny business." Lucius said.
"Now Malfoy, surely you can expect him to leave on his own." Fudge implored.
"It's my job to see this through, Minister."
"I won't be long, you may wait outside and see me out if you must." Dumbledore nodded.
"I'll go with you to help." Arthur said as the three made their way up to the castle, leaving Fudge to deal in escorting Hagrid away.
True to his word, Lucius didn't follow Arthur and Dumbledore into the Headmaster's office. As soon as he was out of earshot and Dumbledore began to gather his possessions, Arthur found he couldn't hold it in. "You can't go."
"As much as I'm flattered that someone of your stature has such high respect for me, I'm afraid neither of us have a choice in this matter."
"But you're the only one probably keeping the monster from attacking at every chance. Everyone knows Voldemort was afraid of you, and just like last year someone is working to get you out of the school so they can strike."
"You really believe it's Voldemort again?"
"Don't you?"
"Yes, but like I said before, this situation is out of my hands now that the governors have voted to suspend me and my duties to the school."
"I still don't like this."
"Neither do I." Minerva McGonagall strode in. "I just received word."
"Good. Minerva, while I'm away, you and the other house heads will be in charge of the school and the students' well beings." He said, stroking his phoenix's head gently. It seemed to look sadly at its master. He turned to Arthur as he made his way toward the door. "Old friend, you and I both know how dangerous this is becoming. But rest assured, I have faith that everything will turn out right in the end."
Exiting the office, they found Fudge and Lucius waiting. Lucius gave a curt nod to him, Minerva, and Arthur before walking briskly down the hall with Dumbledore in tow.
The three watched as the pair turned the corner and out of view.
"Cornelius, if you wouldn't mind alerting those who need to be aware, I think I shall stick around."
Fudge looked at him, and then hesitantly said, "Yes, Arthur, I think that would be a good idea." He nodded, then turned to McGonagall, "Would that be suitable?"
"Some extra assistance would be nice, yes." She nodded.
"I won't be a bother." Arthur assured her, "I'll just patrol the halls and grounds and tend to Hagrid's dog."
She nodded and left to tell the rest of the staff what was going on.
"England, are you sure?" Fudge asked as they walked out the castle, certain that no one could hear them.
"Cornelius, you know as well as I do that taking Dumbledore away from the school at a time such as this is a bad idea. This isn't just a school, this is the future of the United Kingdom and the wizarding community on the line. I can't sit around and watch everything we've built up since the war to crumble under our noses."
"All right, I understand. But should you need anything, we're only an owl away."
After he had left, Arthur made his way to the cabin. First order of business would be to tend to Fang. What surprised him was the absence of the dog and the sound of a motor coming from the forest. Looking out into the foliage, he saw headlights as a car drove out and ejected its passengers before zooming back into the dark woods.
Fang rushed back into the safety of Hagrid's hut past Arthur, probably taking the fact the door was being held open by the personification as a blessing.
Closing the door, Arthur made his way toward the two students who froze when they saw him.
"Mr. Kirkland-" Harry gasped, "Um, we-"
"Followed the spiders?" Arthur finished. Harry and the red-haired boy next to him nodded nervously. He sighed, "Come, we should check on Fang. Poor dog's probably going through the worst of it as we speak." He said, leading them into the cabin. The boys stayed quiet as they followed.
Fang was trembling under a blanket in his basket, an occasional whimper coming from him. Arthur approached and gently stroked him, telling him he was all right and safe. After a couple minutes of this, Fang finally calmed enough to drift asleep. Personifications always had ways with animals and other creatures, and it came in handy for moments like this.
Turning his attention back to the boys, he sat down, "Now, I won't tell any of the staff you were out of bed or wandering the Forbidden Forrest, as of right now I'm just here as extra security with the Headmaster away."
"So, you won't get us in trouble?" the red head asked.
"I will have to recommend you two don't do it again and will just leave you with a warning for this time, but yes I won't tell. But I would like to know what you did find."
They seemed to hesitate.
"Please." Arthur looked to them, "If this has anything to do with what is happening, I need to know."
"W-we followed the spiders-"
"Worst advice Hagrid's ever given by the way."
"-And we found a nest of giant spiders."
"They talked too."
"The leader, Aragog, he was the creature Hagrid was caring for fifty years ago. It wasn't his fault though, it was something else."
"He did try to eat us though."
"And he said the creature was released again."
Both boys said almost at the same time. England took a moment to process this, "All right. Well, this does confirm Hagrid's innocent, but unfortunately, it'll take a little more than the words of two twelve-year-olds to convince the Ministry or anyone calling for Hagrid's arrest."
Both of them seemed to become discouraged at this.
"However, I will pass this along to the Minister, baring the fact it was you two who found this information. Now, I'll escort you back up to your common room. It's late and there's still a dangerous creature on the loose."
"But what about Fang?" Harry asked, grabbing his invisibility cloak.
"I'll take care of him in the meantime."
The trio walked out of the cabin and began to make their way up to the castle. Arthur learned the red-haired boy was name Ronald Weasley and that this wasn't the first time the two had snuck around under the cloak after hours. He'd have to take a mental note for later to be wary.
He made sure they got to the Gryffindor Tower before he left them. He'd have his work cut out for him.
A/N: GUESS WHO GOT SICK AGAIN! Me, who is currently questioning my immune system's dependency. Don't worry, it luckily wasn't covid or anything too bad, but it did make me unable to really type out things for long periods of time. Luckily my job right now doesn't require that, but it's still annoying when you have ideas and you just want to get them all out. Like this story.
Anyway, my health aside, thank you for your patience with this chapter and I hope you enjoy it.