Malcolm sat in the waiting room with the other students who had multiple violations of the use of magic. The boy coming out of the office was crying with relief, while his mother thanked the review officer profusely. The review officer consoled her by saying, "It was a good thing that it was a life or death situation. Otherwise, it would have been an automatic expulsion."
The review officer handed a thin file back to the secretary to be filed away. He then picked up a hefty folder and called out Malcolm's name. Malcolm followed the man into the office, followed by his mother and David Winter.
"Malcolm," the review officer said, as he opened the folder, "I understand that you were originally scheduled to go to the Brentwood Academy, but they were very happy to release you to go to Hogwarts. If they could look at your file now, I'm sure they would be ecstatic. The standard rule here is one violation gets you a warning, two violations get you a meeting, three violations get you a dismissal. According to our records you have violated the use of magic act 183 times over the summer vacation. Should we even bother talking?"
"I can explain everything," Malcolm said, "Most of those incidents were out of necessity."
The officer laughed, "You must be joking. You HAD to use magic an average of three times a day. One day, you had to use magic 87 times. I think that may be a record."
"That was his brother Dewey," Lois explained, "there was a terrible accident and all of his toys had been destroyed. Malcolm fixed one of them, and I felt he should then fix all of them."
[That was because I had that extra rocket. Reese and I agreed not to wait, but mom caught us. Of course, when I was done fixing all his toys, Dewey's first question was, "Can I blow them up this time?"]
"Then explain the illegal use of the floo network," the officer demanded.
"I needed advice on how to deal with a problem," Malcolm said smoothly, "I went to a friend and asked his father for advice."
"He has permission to do that," David Winter said suddenly.
"Then why isn't it noted?" the review officer.
[I bet this has something to do with him not showing up when Ginny got arrested.]
"It should be in my records from Hogwarts," Malcolm offered.
"I don't have those records," the officer said, "I can't take your word for it."
"I'll vouch for him," David Winter said, "I visit his home frequently, even on those days he doesn't use magic."
[That's true. He's so used to coming to our house, he stops by each morning just to save himself an extra trip. He even has his own coffee cup.]
"Let's review these one by one," the officer said, "On your first day you had three violations."
"It was Reese," Lois explained, "He had gotten some cursed candies, and kept insisting on eating them."
David Winter added, "I showed Malcolm the counter spell, after confiscating as many of the candies as I could find."
The officer scowled at David Winter, and pulled out the second sheet. "Candies," Lois said, "apparently he had a second box hidden away. I can't believe how stupid that boy is."
[It was amazing. He always managed to find a few every day, and he always believed me when I said they were the good ones.]
An hour later, the review officer was worn down, "One more," he said with a grin, "On July 4, you fired a fireball into the sky above your house. Would you care to explain why?"
"Why bother," Malcolm said, "You agreed to drop all the others, that leaves only this one, and one is only a warning." Getting up, he waved to the enraged officer and said, "See you next year."
"I've changed my mind," the review officer said, grinning maliciously, "I've decided not to drop any of these charges after all. Malcolm, you are dismissed from your school. Enjoy life as a muggle."
"Hah," Lois laughed, "you are such a blowhard." She walked over to the red faced man and said, "I watched you, mister. You just had a kid in here, who used magic in a life or death situation, and those are your words. You had him crying, with your phony threats."
"My threats are not phony," The review officer shouted.
"They are now," Lois said, "You can't do anything to my son, because he doesn't go to school in this country. You won't do anything to me, because I'm filing a formal complaint. I'm finding the lady who just left, and I'm getting her to file a complaint. You are a loud mouthed, self serving, anal retentive jerk."
Applause came from the waiting room, through the door that Malcolm was holding open. The officer looked up to see the formerly cowed parents and children looking at him with blood in their eyes.
"I owe you an apology," David Winter said, "I won't even tell him about that curse you put on his door."
"That wasn't a curse," Malcolm said, "it was super glue. By the time he finishes his next interview, he'll have to apparate to get out. I pity the kid who's stuck in there with him. So, tell me, what happened that day, when you didn't show up?"
"I did show up," David said, "we noticed you were casting a lot of harmless spells, and decided to see how things went. I thought you were putting on a show. When I realized the show was over, I stopped by, and no one was home. It was only when we received a formal complaint from the British Government, that we found out what was going on."
"I thought that was why you were here. Did you get fired?"
"Obviously not. I quite happily pointed out that your family had, once again, resolved a major problem, and without the use of magic. THAT is why I am here." David smiled at the twelve-year-old boy. "Everyone wants you back in school, Malcolm, including me. My vacation begins the day you leave . . . although I will miss your mother's coffee."
"Hey squirt," Francis told his brother, "I'm going to miss you. Send me an owl when you get a chance."
"Sure thing, Francis," Malcolm said. They started to shake hands but Francis pulled him into a bear hug.
"Are you ready?" Hal asked, and Malcolm nodded.
Floo powder was thrown into the fire, and Malcolm stepped through, finding himself at Malfoy Manor. The butler waved his wand, and Malcolm's luggage disappeared. "You will find your belongings on the train, Master Malcolm," the butler said, and led him to the drawing room, where the Malfoys were waiting for him.
"Malcolm," Draco called out, "I have good news. Father has forgiven you for your behavior at the party. And for the way you treated me as a guest at your house."
"I'm sorry about the fight," Malcolm said.
"It was the best part of the evening," Draco said with a laugh, "but I couldn't figure out whose side Dewey was on."
"His own," Malcolm said, "that's why it's called a free-for-all."
"Is it always like this at your home?" Narcissa asked, "All this violence?"
"No," Malcolm admitted, "sometimes my mom's home."
Lucius laughed at that. "I don't know what to say, myself, dear," he told his wife, "but the two seem to be closer friends because of it." He put his arms affectionately around the shoulders of both boys, and said, "Let's get the two of you on your way or you'll miss your train."
"It's going to be great this year," Draco told Malcolm as they joined Crabbe and Goyle in their compartment. "Quidditch is cancelled, but that is the only bad thing."
"What is this tournament about?" Malcolm asked.
"It's called the Tri-Wizard Tournament," Draco explained. "Our school will be the host, and the other two schools are Beauxbaton and Durmstrang. It's an excellent school, Malcolm, you would love it there. This may interest you. Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see."
Malcolm nodded as Draco continued, "Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore - the man is such a mudblood lover - and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff."
[I love the way he said that with a straight face.]
"But Mother didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually LEARN them, not just the defense rubbish we do. Hogwarts is such a disgrace at times."
"I thought I heard something," Crabbe said, "I think someone in the next compartment may have been listening."
"I'm willing to bet I know who it is," Draco said. "Malcolm, there may be some inter-house rivalry, going on. If you will excuse us."
"No problem," Malcolm said, "I'll see what I can find." He left to let his friends cause their mischief, and tried to find some of his own. Walking through the train, he was stopped by EJ calling out his name.
"Malcolm, do you know if the rumors are true?" he asked.
"I don't even know what the rumors are," Malcolm said.
"They're changing the rules at the school, and they're bringing in students from other schools," EJ told him.
"Well, I know they've cancelled Quidditch," Malcolm told him.
"Oh, that is believable," EJ said sarcastically, "I was trying to be serious with you." He closed the door on Malcolm while everyone else commented on how he always clowned around.
[Maybe I would like it better at Durmstrang. Then people would only hate me because of what I was, instead of having to make things up.]
Malcolm ended up talking with a new first year. "Nobody believes anything I tell them anymore, except when I lie," Malcolm said, "It's very frustrating."
"Then why do you lie?" The boy asked.
"Because it's a lot of fun," Malcolm said, "For example, there are these two people who hate each other, Draco and Ginny . . . "
"They were on the cover of Wizard Weekly," The boy said gleefully, "You mean they actually hate each other."
"Yeah," Malcolm said, "At least they did, now they seem to just dislike each other."
The boy laughed, "That would be funny if they end up liking each other." After the two stopped laughing at the thought, the boy asked Malcolm what he could expect at Hogwarts. "My brother tells me all sorts of stories. I don't know what to believe."
"It may not be like last year, because of all this rain, but we had a pleasant ride across the monster infested lake, then we lined up to wear a talking hat which told us which house we would be in," Malcolm explained easily.
"That doesn't even sound like the truth," the boy admitted, "no wonder no one ever believes you. What happens if I fall into the lake?"
"I don't know," Malcolm admitted, "Maybe the monsters will throw you back in the boat."
"I'll give it a try," the boy said, "So, why are they cancelling Quidditch?"
At that moment, Colin Creevey stepped out of a compartment and looked around. When he spotted Malcolm, he said to the boy, "Dennis, you should be careful who you talk to. Some people are not trustworthy."
"Nice meeting you, Malcolm," the boy said as he walked away.
"Dennis," Malcolm called back, "ask your brother for the real story about Mrs. Norris."
Colin scowled at Malcolm's remark. "I didn't do anything," he said as he closed the compartment door.
I'm beginning to enjoy myself again.
"Malcolm, wandering around again?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, I've worn out my welcome, already," Malcolm said with a rueful smile, "Colin Creevey is telling his younger brother I'm not to be trusted. EJ called me a liar, for telling him that Quidditch has been cancelled. Draco's busy harassing your brother and Potter."
"I get the picture," Ginny said laughing, "Why would they cancel Quidditch?"
"They're cancelling Quidditch?" a surprised Cho Chang asked, then added suspiciously, "Is that true, Malcolm?"
"That's what Draco told me," Malcolm said, "He said it was the only bad thing about the rule changes."
Cho Chang grabbed Malcolm and Ginny ushered them into her compartment, forcing her friends to make room. "Please, tell us everything you know," she asked.
Malcolm smiled. He was in his element. "It's called the Tri-Wizard Tournament . . . "