D/C: Hold on…wait for it…yep, all characters affiliated with the wondrous JKR are still not mine.
Chapter 14: The Ministry Returns for Jade
Karkaroff, former Death Eater and Headmaster of Durmstrang, who had fled from the Triwizard Tournament last year was dead. He was marked the night he did not return to Voldemort's circle, and his murder shouldn't have been a surprise to Harry, Ron, or Hermione. But it wasn't his death that particularly dragged down the rest of their holiday. It was the fact that the Daily Prophet had not mentioned it in the least. According to the widely read wizard's publication, the death toll remained at nine. To everyone but them, it was uplifting news, calming many tempers enraged against the Ministry's failure to prevent those deaths, because it meant there has been no further Death Eater activity since the night Arthur Weasley caught three of them (whose identities had remained undisclosed)…and most importantly, no murders since October. Its last piece about anything remotely resembling a threat by Dark Arts other than several days of solid reporting on Mr. Weasley's award was one revolving around an interview with the Minister and several Ministry Wizards…including Percy Weasley.
"The three suspects caught by Mr. Weasley and his team of investigators," Cornelius Fudge was quoted, "have been thoroughly questioned and examined. Under an analysis by the Board of Committees, it is easily inferred that these undisclosed suspects were not acting upon the orders of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but rather the outlandish rumors sparked by last year's Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts School and the beliefs of an unnamed, but possibly unstable child who happens to be the only person to ever survive an attack by You-Know-Who."
"Fudge has got a real knack for being subtle," Harry had said bitterly, thinking angrily about the Minister practically spelling out that he, Harry Potter (official title, "The Boy Who Lived") was nuttier than squirrel poop. To add insult to injury, Fudge had labeled Harry a "child"…being fifteen years old, escaping the Greatest Dark Wizard of the twenty-first century twice, not to mention being completely smitten with a girl a whole grade above him were all facts that couldn't even earn him a slightly more dignified title, such as "delinquent, young man". Harry wasn't the only one who was dealt a low blow. By the end of the article it took Hermione, Jade, and Harry hours to convince Ron that flying to London on a stolen broom to beat his brother up would not solve anything.
"It's utterly ridiculous to jump to conclusions that these crimes against man were committed because You-Know-Who has actually returned," Percy was quoted. " There is no valid proof of His return, and if there were, the Ministry would be the first (and has been the first in the past) to put down such a threat to our peaceful existence. Anyone who thinks otherwise has either been poorly misinformed or is too blind to see the facts."
The Daily Prophet's failure to mentioned Karkaroff's death by Death Eaters was a sure sign that the Ministry was holding back information…and maybe even keeping a cap on what reporters wrote and published. Even Hermione admitted (through gritted teeth) that Rita Skeeter, infamous for dishing the dirt, might have been beneficial to them all.
Krum had kept Hermione completely up to date with the going-on's in Bulgaria and other parts of Europe. He had written that Karkaroff's body was found near a small Scandinavian, muggle village. The Dark Mark had pinpointed the body's location. However, information on his murder were also being kept hush-hush by the Ministries of Bulgaria and Scandinavia, consequences of agreements with the U.K's Ministry department of International Magical Relations. The head of the department, a man who dressed in a long over coat and top hat by the name of Logan Price had visited both countries personally. Since last year, Viktor had apparently created a small network for information on the movement of Death Eaters and proof of Voldemort's return after the outcomes of the Triwizard Tournaments. Harry would be lying if he said he wasn't even a little thrilled with having the support of one the greatest seekers of his time.
The only other people who seemed aware of the latest murder was the staff at Hogwarts. Sirius had informed Dumbledore on the matter and sent regards from both Hagrid and Madam Maxime. Even though Snape had disappeared since shortly after Christmas, Harry was sure he knew exactly what had happened. However, Hermione had brought up something unsettling, suggesting that if Snape was indeed spying on the Death Eaters and couldn't prevent Karkaroff's murder, that maybe they have become suspicious of him. Ron had stated flatly that that put Snape in a whole crap load of trouble.
The break had passed in a blur of post-holiday depression, conversations about current events late into the night, growing fears about the Ministry's inadequacy, and deepening worries about O.W.Ls. The exams looked a lot closer from this side of the school year…
Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Jade now sat in their first potions lesson of the new year, attempting to push all thoughts other than school from their minds. Professor Snape, having returned the night before, stood stiffly before them. He let his eyes, accented by dark circles, travel from one face to the next, randomly making comments at the Gryffindors as he waited for his students to pile in.
"I trust you had a bit of measuring practice over the holidays, Ms. Brown," he said slowly. "And you Mr. Longbottom…perhaps for Christmas you got some sense? Or maybe a little logic, even?" Both Lavender and Neville ducked their heads avoiding their Potions Master's unyielding stare. On the Slytherin side of the classroom, Malfoy and his goons were having a guffaw. Harry glared at him as he pulled out a roll of parchment, thinking that Malfoy most likely knew quite well what had happen to Karkaroff…his father probably helped.
"I've run out of patience," Snape said in a low, dull voice, shortly after the bell had rung, signaling the beginning of class. "And you, have run nearly out of time." He paced about the room as he spoke, arms crossed, staring down his hook of a nose at the grim faces around him. "I think the growing anxiety in the pit of your stomach is a far better reminder of your quick-approaching Ordinary Wizarding Level exams than I can ever be."
"Does he not live with himself?" Ron hissed to Harry bewilderedly.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley," Snape stated flatly, sending all color running from Ron's face as Harry quickly wiped the grin from his. "Five points from Gryffindor. Just out to make my day, aren't you?" From across the room, Malfoy smirked satisfyingly at them. Snape gave them one last revolted glare and continued.
"Today I will separate you all into groups of two. In these groups, you will assess each other's abilities by taking turns doing portions of the same potion. If your partner, for example Potter here, couldn't remember what the bezoar stones are for in your Hives Draught antidote, your grade will be sorely affected. You will share one standard number two cauldron with your partner, and pray that he or she or perhaps yourself knows what to do. Ms. Parkinson? You can be partners with Ms. Patil..."
Jade ended up being partnered with Neville who looked positively ill and seemed ready to say good-bye to the cruel world by ladling himself to death. Ron (to his very misfortune) was partnered up with Dean, Harry with Goyle, and Hermione (God rest her soul) with Malfoy. The fallen look on Malfoy's face practically screamed that putting him with Hermione was an outright insult. The assigned potions were handed out and Snape returned to his desk in the billowing clouds of his cape, announcing that the potions would be tested at the end of the period. It was pass or fail.
"Well, at least I'll pass," Draco drawled distastefully at Hermione, looking as if that was hardly a consolation for being forced to have her as company. "With you knowing everything and all". Hermione grinned rather maliciously and threw opened her book so violently Harry could have sworn he heard the binding rip from several desks away.
"I know I know everything, Malfoy," she replied sweetly through her smile. "So stop giving me a hard time about it, you foul little boy." Jade sniggered and winked at Hermione from a desk behind, and Ron and Harry turned to look at her in befuddled surprise. A strange purple color was rising in Malfoy's pale cheeks. He was about to make a really inappropriate retort when Snape's eyes trailed up from his pile of parchments.
"I hope everyone is starting," he announced softly. "I wouldn't want any groups to not finish by the end of class."
Harry sighed and turned to his partner, the ever-enrapturing Gregory Goyle.
"Do you want to go first, or shall I?" he asked flatly looking down at their assigned potion. Enlarging solution…speaking of large, Harry never noticed how truly large Malfoy's Neanderthal henchman had grown, but it was all too clear sitting next to the boulder-sized boy. Unsurprisingly, Goyle had become the first boy of the fifth year to grow a unibrow. It looked like one large, brown caterpillar crinkling along his forehead as he struggled to remember how books worked. Ah, yes, Harry thought watching Goyle slowly flip open the cover, now all he has to do is learn how to turn the pages.
Harry didn't know how, but it must have been by the divine mercy of God that he and Goyle's enlarging solution had turned the desired orange, after Goyle hastily finished the last step. He sighed and looked up to see that Ron and Dean were done also. Dean was too busy attempting to engage Ron in conversation to notice Ron had transfigured his shoes into hideous dragon-hide boots, in an eye-hurting shade of fuscia. Harry caught Ron's eye and attempted to look disapproving, but in the end Harry gave in and they sniggered causing Dean to raise his eyebrows at them. It felt good to laugh with Ron again. None of the Weasleys, he, Hermione, or Jade had laughed since Mr. Weasley's award ceremony. Hermione and Malfoy had completed their concoction ages ago and were now sitting as far away as possible from each other. The only ones still frantically working were Jade and Neville. Apparently, their potion had to be re-done several times due to Neville's prowess at messing up. They huddled together around their cauldron, Neville glancing nervously up at Snape who was staring at an hourglass, where the grains of sand were quickly running out.
"Just slice the Mandrakes now," Jade said patiently, not even acknowledging Snape or the rest of the classroom. "No wait! Don't add them—!"
An explosion sent Hermione and Draco flying off their seats (which were in front of Jade and Neville's) while a cloud of smoke quickly engulfed the classroom.
"Jade, Neville!" Harry and Ron cried out simultaneously pushing their way through the smoke and debris to their friends. They were pushed aside as Snape quickly made his way past them. Harry stared worriedly, praying that neither was hurt seriously. The smoke was beginning to dissipate now that Parvati and Lavender had opened the door and air vents. The room was utterly silent. Malfoy and Hermione were still on the ground staring bewilderedly through the cloudy room. Harry glanced at Ron who looked back at him wide eyed, and swallowed. Please, he thought, please let it be nothing serious…
A burst of laughter caught everyone in the room by surprise. Everything became visible as Snape muttered a spell, clearing the smoke and unveiling a melted and steaming mess that used to be a standard number two cauldron and two soot-covered people. Jade was doubled over laughing, pointing at Neville with his singed eyebrows and drop-jawed expression. He took one look at her and joined in, seeing that she looked extremely ridiculous with much of her hair scorched and smoking. The entire class was staring at them as if they were crazy. Snape was standing between the two with a look of utter contempt on his face, a vein throbbing across his forehead.
"I trust this atrocity was your fault, Mr. Longbottom," he whispered dangerously.
"Come on, Professor," Jade said grinning widely. Harry nearly fell over…no one in their right mind would ever tell Snape to "come" anywhere.
"It was just an accident," she insisted pulling at the mess that was her hair.
"An accident!" Malfoy suddenly cried out finally getting to his feet. "You nearly killed me!"
"If only we were that lucky," Hermione muttered.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor," Snape said sharply silencing any further comments instantaneously. "That's for your lack of sense, Mr. Longbottom." Jade's eyebrows (whatever was left of them) rose so that they nearly disappeared into her hairline.
"He didn't mean to—,"
"And why didn't you warn him that adding Mandrake too early would cause an explosive reaction?" Snape said, cutting her off.
"I thought—"
"On the contrary, I don't think you did."
"That's not fair!"
"Forty points from Gryffindor," he said simply returning to his desk. "For your lack of judgment." Jade's jaw dropped.
"But I'm not even in Gryffindor!" she exclaimed angrily.
"It doesn't matter," Snape replied, not even bothering to face her. "I see it is punishment for you to be the cause of that huge loss of points for your friends."
"But—," Jade started to retort but was once again cut off, this time by the bell. As was the case the first day she had spoken, the entire class seemed deaf to it, and stood watching the scene before them. Even the Slytherin's seemed spellbound.
"Another word," Snape replied taking his seat, "and I will take away more points. Mr. Longbottom and yourself will stay after to clean your mess. Everyone else may leave…unless they want a zero for the day." That did it. Most of the class departed quickly through the doors, leaving just Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jade, and Neville.
"That includes you, Potter," Snape said without looking up from his desk where he was writing something. "I don't think Weasley could afford an 'F', and getting a zero would traumatize Ms. Granger." Harry was about to say something but Jade caught his eye and shook her head.
"You'd better go," Neville said quietly as he passed them on his way to retrieve some scrub brushes. Hermione pulled both Ron and Harry from the room, but not before Harry shot one more hateful glare at Snape and noticed that the Potions Master's hands were shaking.
* * *
"I could kill him," Jade stated heatedly for the millionth time the next morning. Snape had sparked true anger in her for the first time that she could remember…and it seemed that she was refusing to take it well. Her face was flushed, but at least her hair and eyebrows were back to normal.
"You're just angry," Hermione said.
"I'm so angry I could kill him," Jade cried out. Harry didn't know why, but Jade's anger at Snape was a little unsettling. He hadn't shared with them that he had seen fear in the Potion Master's shaking hands…maybe a fear of her.
"Are you going to eat that?" Jade asked him, still looking in a bit of a foul mood.
"What?"
"Your bacon…are you going to eat it?" she repeated than nudged Ron. "The Bottomless Pit here just finished off the platter."
"You snooze you loose," Ron replied. Harry handed over the several strips on his plate and caught Hermione's eye. He shrugged and grinned as if he weren't troubled by anything more than a temporary moment of stupidity.
"When's Hagrid due back?" Hermione asked him, as if the question was to make sure he was back to the world of reality.
"He said probably by the end of this week," he answered. He looked over at Jade who was now devouring his helping of bacon.
"But now I truly understand you, Ron," she said sympathetically, wiping her fingers. "I could see why you'd want to kill Percy…. could you kill Snape while you're at it?" Harry groaned, hoping that she wouldn't burst into another bout of complaints about Snape. None of the Gryffindors held it against her or Neville for loosing so many points for Gryffindor…they knew Snape did it simply out of spite. But she took it personally, and truthfully, Harry thought she had every right too. Snape had something against her…but what, and why?
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Professor McGonagall who was passing out a notice. She handed Neville one, who went instantly pale by the sight of it.
"Oh no," he groaned, looking over at Harry. She handed all the fifth years the notice, but when she got to Harry, she also handed him a letter.
"If you would answer promptly, Potter," she said the corners of her mouth moving slightly, the only evidence of a smile. He opened it to find a request from Madam Hooch.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Flying lessons are resuming now that you have reached your fifth year…however I highly doubt that you are in any need of them. That is not the case with many of your classmates who lack practice and expertise in flying, and will need the lessons to receive their Certification for Broomstick Use this April. I would like to request you as an assistant in my double Flying class with Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.
Sincerely,
Madam Hooch
"Oh no," Hermione moaned, managing to look slightly more pained than Neville. She held the notice at arm's length as if it were dangerous. She hadn't touched a broom since their first year, and even then, she had managed to never leave the ground.
"Well, we've got to get our certificates if we ever want to use a broom for travel," Ron said matter-of-factly, raising an eyebrow. Of course, he wasn't half bad at flying, thought Harry who had played quidditch with him before at the Burrow. In fact, he wondered why Ron didn't try out for keeper at the beginning of the year.
"Don't worry, Hermione," Harry said reassuringly. "You'll fly fine."
"Tell me that when I wake up in the infirmary," she replied.
"I'll probably be your ward mate," Jade said smiling reassuringly at Hermione, before casting a glance at Harry. "What's the letter for?"
"Madam Hooch asked me to help her during Flying lessons," he said grinning apologetically at Hermione.
"See Hermione?" Ron added helpfully. "Harry'll help you."
"Hey," Jade said now reading the second half of the notice the others had failed to see. "That's interesting…Discover the Art of Healing. It says it's a career course offered to fifth years and up who are interested in magical medicine—,"
"Extra course?" Ron muttered. "Count me out." Hermione however had brightened immensely.
"Oh, that really sounds fascinating!"
"Sign ups are tonight before dinner, space is limited," Jade read on, before glancing up excitedly at her three friends.
"There's no way I can pull an extra course before the O.W.Ls," Harry stated outright. "I've got practice too."
"But it's not really a course," Hermione said skimming her own notice. "It's more of a seminar. One class and one outing to St. Mungo's Hospital…"
"An extra class?" Ron asked looking revolted. "Never would I voluntarily take an extra class."
"There are no assignments and your lessons are fully excused for the two days that you're in the program," Hermione completed.
"Where do I sign up?" Ron asked calmly.
After the last class of the day (History of Magic a.k..a The Comatose Lesson), Harry hurried down to the pitch for a spur of the moment, afternoon quidditch practice. Angelina had insisted that everyone's skills were rusty from not being worked on for three weeks. She was getting nervous about their match against Ravenclaw in March…she heard Cho had gotten a Nimbus 2001 for Christmas. On top of that, Seamus was still extremely skittish in the air ever since his nasty fall in November. Whenever the Weasley's sent a bludger his way during practice, he flew off the pitch, leaving the goals completely uncovered.
"It's a bludger, Finnigan!" Fred yelled after him. "Come back, I'll protect you!" Harry grimaced as he watched Angelina mentally fling herself off a cliff.
After practice, he showered and completed a few lessons in his various O.W.L study packets with the help of Hermione and Jade. Afterward, they made for the Great Hall early to sign up for the Art of Healing course, Dean deciding to join them.
"That Art of Healing thing sounds really cool," Ginny said to Jade. "I wish I was a fifth year."
"I'd love to take some more courses like this," Dean said to Hermione as Ron attempted using the lumos spell to burn a hole through his head..
"Me too," she agreed. "It'd be awfully informative." When they reached the Entrance Hall, Ginny left them and they joined the line that had formed in front of the sign-up sheet.
It was Ron that had finally convinced Harry into signing up for the two-day program. Who would turn away two homework free days with your best friends? Harry supposed it didn't matter that he wasn't remotely interested…the course was designed to "explore" possible careers, not be interested in them. They joined the line along with Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnett, several seventh year Gryffindors they didn't know, Justin Finch-Fletchy, Hannah Abbott, and to their dismay, Malfoy and a clutch of Slytherins. He sneered at them from his circle of friends. Ron looked at Harry and he could tell they both were thinking about backing out…until, that is, a voice caught Harry's attention.
"All right, Harry?" Cho Chang asked walking up to them, smiling. "Hi guys." She was accompanied by one of her sixth year friends and Mandy Brocklehurst.
"Hi there, Ron," Mandy said sweetly, engaging him in a conversation about the holidays. Hermione suddenly looked as if she couldn't hear a word Dean was saying, as she cast a distasteful look at them.
"Did you enjoy the holidays, Jade?" Cho asked.
"Absolutely," she replied trying in vain to keep her face straight, standing next to a rather bewitched Harry. "Harry told me you got yourself a Nimbus 2001 for Christmas."
"Sure did," Cho returned grinning. "It may not be a Firebolt, but you better watch your back, Harry." He stared at her, speechless. Jade glanced up at him and "inconspicuously" stamped on his foot.
"Ouch! I mean, yeah," Harry said trying to glare at Jade and grin at Cho at the same time. "I feel sorry for all those seeker's you'll be leaving in the dust." A brilliant blush appeared on Cho's pretty face, as a smile graced her lips. Jade attempted to refrain from laughing at Harry by starting a conversation with the sixth year girl accompanying his crush.
"I didn't know you were interested in Magical Medicine," Cho said to Harry.
"Oh," he managed, struggling to reply. Just reply, he said to himself, which would be simple enough if his stomach wasn't threatening to flip itself inside out or his brain wasn't chanting "lie, lie, lie…" in his skull.
"Yeah," he blurted out. "I really don't hate it that much." Darn it. Now his brain was chanting, "shoot yourself, shoot yourself…"
"Me too," Cho laughed, tucking a bit of her lustrous, black hair behind her ear. "I'm especially interested in getting out of lessons for two days." She was so pretty, and really fun to talk to (If he ever managed it). She liked quidditch and was bloody good at it as well; she was real competition for him. Funny, Harry thought, her face is getting all splotchy. Oh, forgot to breathe. Passing out was not a way to impress a girl. But did he ever stand a chance with her? Especially after last year…after what happened to Cedric?
His thoughts were cut short when he realized he was standing in front of the sign-up sheet, Ron, Hermione, and Jade had just signed seconds before. With a shaky hand he printed his name, said good-bye (with some difficulty) to Cho and followed his friends into the Great Hall. Amazingly, Hermione and Ron managed to get themselves into a bickering match seconds from fisticuffs as they argued over something too trivial for Harry's full attention. He looked back at Cho and waved.
"You really like her," Jade said smiling watching Hermione and Ron in front of them.
"Well, she's nice," Harry, said, attempting to keep his voice in its normal octave. She rolled her eyes at him and shook her head knowingly. Harry grinned sheepishly back.
"Yeah, I really like her."
"The Promenade isn't to far from now," she said winking, before proceeding to break up Ron and Hermione before war was declared. They chose seats several chairs down from the Weasley twins and across from Dean, Seamus, and Neville. Dumbledore, and the traveling Hagrid were not at the High Table.
Dinner was filled with discussions about the upcoming Quidditch matches and dread of fast approaching O.W.Ls. It was crowned by the marvelous sweets and pastries that appeared after the main courses vanished. Harry picked up a large piece of toffee and laughed at Ron who was taking bets on how many bon bons he could fit in his mouth. Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry nudged her, insisting she lighten up. However, just as everyone was starting to enjoy their treats (Ron with 12 bon bons miraculously stuffed in his mouth), random puffs of smoke went up all along the table. Alicia Spinnet had burst into canary yellow feathers, while Dean acquired massive tusk that sent him face first into the table. Harry choked as his tongue inflated and burst from his mouth looking like a pink, beached whale. Ron's chair had crumbled beneath him as his bum expanded to an extraordinary size. Hermione and Jade took one look and dropped the tarts they were holding.
"Not again," Ron muttered flatly. "FRED, GEORGE!" His yell was drowned out by a sudden explosion of laughter from the unaffected people at their table and the other houses. In an instant everyone unfortunate enough to come by a Weasley Wizard Wheeze, had their tusks vanished, tongues deflated, feathers molted, and rear-ends shrunken. Humor would never die as long as the Weasley twins were around. The twins were rolling around laughing, Ginny shaking her head at them, when McGongall walked over and placed a firm hawk-like claw on each of their shoulders.
"Come with me," she said sternly, silencing their guffaw. They were lead away, bowing to the laughing masses as they left. Ron stood up and Harry tried out his jaw. Jade sniggered.
"Oh think that's funny?" Ron asked turning in circles trying to look at his rear. "I had twelve of those blasted bon bons…I'm going to have stretch marks!"
"I was wondering when the pranks would start up again," Hermione said thoughtfully as Dean tapped his teeth, making sure they were the size they were supposed to be.
"How in god's name did they pull that one off?" Harry asked amused.
"Pure, bloody, genius—," Ron replied before cutting himself off as his gaze fell on the entrance. "Percy?" he muttered squinting at the figure in the doorway. Ginny who was just getting up to leave, stopped and stared at her brother.
"Huh?" she asked Ron curiously.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked turning to get a look at the entrance himself. Sure enough, Percy Weasley was there, looking as if he was just caught picking his nose. He ducked out of sight when he had caught his brother's eye.
"What in the bloody hell is he doing here?" Ron hissed and marched over the splintered
pieces that were the remains of his chair, followed closely by Harry, Hermione, Jade, and Ginny. They burst into the Entrance Hall to find Percy hurrying up the stairs, his Ministry robes fluttering weakly around him.
"Percy!" Ron exclaimed. "What are you doing?" The tall form that was climbing the stairs stiffened and slowly turned around.
"Hello Ron, Ginny," he said swallowing, and slowly making his way down to them. "Fancy seeing you all here."
"WE BLOODY GO TO SCHOOL HERE!" Ron shouted, his face flushing. Hermione put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him slightly away from his brother. Harry stepped a little in front of Ron to prevent him from launching himself at Percy.
"Why are you here, Perce?" Ginny asked quietly. His horn-rimmed glasses flashed as he looked down at her.
"Business, Ginny," he started to say but stopped as his eyes trailed over to Jade. He shuddered and looked away. "Regarding some important decisions." However subtle it was, Harry saw the way Percy had looked at Jade…the way he had said business and linked it to her. Ginny looked up her brother, and shook her head accusingly at him, before brushing past so violently, he was knocked off his feet. Harry narrowed his eyes at the boy who was barely older than him self, sprawled on the last few steps of the stairs.
"What's the business, Percy?" he asked so dangerously, it surprised him. "What does Logan Price want?"
"Percy!" Fred exclaimed surprised "Merlin's beard, what the hell are you doing here?" He had just walked into the Entrance Hall from a side chamber, followed closely by his twin and McGonagall. The stern, old, woman stopped short when she saw him.
"Professor," Percy said stiffly nodding his head. McGonagall looked in no mood for formalities and instead brushed past him.
"Are they still conferencing?" she called to him half way up the stairs. Percy nodded solemnly, making efforts to avoid eye contact with any of his brothers, Harry, Hermione, or Jade. Remus Lupin stopped the old headmistress at the top of the stairs. An older, thick-necked gentleman in charcoal gray robes accompanied him, a large badge decorating his left breast. They stood at the top of the stairs as if in conversation, but only little flutters of syllables made their way down to the group of surprised students below. Suddenly the squared shoulders of McGonagall hunched forward, aging her like no trouble-making student has never been capable of. She stiffly straightened and made her way back down the stairs looking at the wide-eyed figure of Jade.
"Come along, Jade," she said quietly upon reaching them. Ron's fists, which had been balled since he had seen Percy, unclenched, as Hermione's grip on his shoulder tightened. Harry's breath was caught in his throat. What was going on? Fred and George each took a hold of Percy's arms and pulled him up from the ground.
"We need to talk," they said in unison. Percy shook his head, and straightened his robes.
"I'm on business," he replied curtly.
"We're your business," George stated and they pulled him to a dark corner of the Hall seating him down on a carved bench where they wouldn't be noticed or interrupted when the rest of the diners in the Great Hall left.
"Come along," McGonagall repeated and her eyes glistened a bit. Jade's face was slack, like a stage curtain whose form had sagged after the ropes that held it up had long snapped.
"What's going on?" she asked furrowing her brow.
"Professor Dumbledore needs to see you," she insisted.
"Professor—," Hermione said shaking her head, confused.
"You all need to go to your common room," McGonagall interrupted. Jade turned to look at them before following the headmistress up the stairs. Harry took a deep breath and tore after them, Ron, and Hermione behind him.
"No!" he stated firmly. "Not until I know what's going on." McGonagall looked as if she were going to protest, but Lupin shook his head. The man in the charcoal gray robes looked grimly at them. The badge on his robes read, "St. Mungo's Hospital—Mental Functions Specialist."
"Let them," Lupin said. "They're in this too."
They followed the troupe of adults and Jade in silence to the familiar landing where the massive stone gargoyle stood watch. As they approached it, it got up and stepped aside, as a man in an overcoat burst from the entrance it concealed.
"Don't overexaggerate the situtaiton to her," he was saying as he faced the tall figure of Albus Dumbledore. "It wouldn't be good for her at all."
"You've already made sure of that," Dumlbedore replied, pulling himself up to his full height. It was the first time Harry had noticed that the Headmaster wasn't just tall…he gave the impression that his height was merely a small glimpse of his power. Logan Price turned, his black overcoat swishing with his movements. His sharp and handsome face softened as he saw Jade in the approaching group.
"Dr. McCourt," he said to the thick-necked man in the St. Mungo's robes.
"I'm all prepared," he answered nodding his head.
"You requested to speak with her first," Price said solemnly, turning his attention to Dumbledore. The Headmaster took a moment to consider the words, his blue eyes fierce.
"Jade, will you come to my office for a bit?" Dumbledore said gently, turning to her, suddenly acting as if Price was not there.
"Professor, what's going on?" Harry said quietly, now looking with increasing suspicion at Dr. McCourt and Price. Dumbledore merely nodded to him, Ron, and Hermione, before leading Jade, Lupin, and McGonagall to his office. Price stared at the gargoyle as it moved back into place.
"Will you have the carriage prepared, Doctor?" he said. "Then return up here promptly." The St. Mungo's doctor nodded and departed, avoiding Harry, Ron, and Hermione's accusing glares as the silence settled in on them. Ron cleared his throat, but otherwise they watched the Head of International Magical Relations wordlessly.
"So you are the famous Harry Potter," Price suddenly said not even taking his eyes off the stone creature concealing Dumbledore's office. Harry didn't say anything; Price knew the answer.
"It must be hard for you," the man continued in a voice that was distant, barely even audible, and Harry had to strain to here the words at all. "In fact, I know it is. It was powerful magic that killed my parents too." At long last, the man turned his head, revealing his beautiful gray eyes, brimming with tears.
"And in the end we chase dreams for answers," he finished. A cold chill crept up the length of Harry's spine. Those were his exact fears put into words, but how they related to Jade, he didn't know.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked cautiously. Price turned away and drew himself tall again, blinking rapidly to clear his eyes. He didn't answer, just stood there, waiting for the gargoyle to jump aside again.
They stood there for nearly a quarter of an hour, Harry, Hermione, and Ron still too completely confused to say anything. Dr. McCourt returned just as the entrance was revealed and Price proceeded forth. Before the gargoyle could step back into place, Harry, Ron, and Hermione leaped onto the ascending staircase, nearly toppling onto each other. Price and McCourt looked at them sympathetically as the three struggled to regain their balance.
"What are you doing?" Price asked weakly. It seemed to be the question of the night. By then, they reached the office door, and before either the doctor or the Ministry wizard could prevent it, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stumbled through after them. Jade sat in a chair staring off into space, shaking her head slowly from side to side. Lupin was knelt beside her chair, saying something quietly to her, while McGonagall and Dumbledore stood awaiting Price and McCourt. McGonagall looked as if she were going to object when she saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron, but Dumbledore did not look remotely surprised that they had come.
"We're ready to go," Price said stepping deeper in the beautiful, circular room.
"This is not the way," Dumbledore said. "Mr. Price, she's improving, at a miraculous speed. Taking her away now could set her back into her condition…maybe so far away no one can reach her." Harry's brows knitted, and beside him, Hermione was shaking her head in disbelief.
"You know that isn't the only reason," Price said stepping towards McGonagall and the Headmaster. His eyes fell onto the girl in the chair beside him. "The issue went through Minister Fudge's Board of Committees and it has been decided that boarding an unauthorized student with possible mental ailment is both unacceptable and risky. If she could be proven to have a family…that would show that she wasn't…" Price paused uncomfortably and shook his head before continuing. "It would show who she is, her history. These are all reasons as to why we must take her…not to mention my own." And with that, the haunting sadness returned to the seemingly cold young man as he stood there before Dumbledore. Jade looked up at him, but quickly glanced away. Dumbledore was silent, staring at Price as if examining him. Finally, he spoke, but not Price, to Jade.
"I promise we will get you back," the old man said, the twinkling in his eye sparkling with extra effort to reassure her.
"You won't be able to," she replied simply. The words were deeply uprooting, so that even Dumbledore blinked in surprise.
"You can't take her," Harry said stepping between Price and Jade's chair, shaking with disbelief. "Jade can't be dangerous or crazy or whatever you think! Just because we don't know her past!"
"I promised I wouldn't let that happen," Dumbledore said to Harry before Price could reply. "And I will hold true to it. She will be back."
"This is so wrong!" Hermione exclaimed, surprising her self by her assertiveness. "You're taking her away under ridiculous assumptions!"
"And what are you going to do with her? Put her in Mungo's?" Ron spat stepping in front of Price. Dumbledore pulled him back with his incredible hidden strength.
"It's a matter children couldn't understand," Price said as Dr. McCourt knelt in front of her.
"I sure as bloody hell understand!" Harry shouted, surprising everyone in the room.
"That's enough, Harry," Dumbledore said firmly. Harry pressed his lips together angrily, but knew Dumbledore would get Jade back…even though a shred of doubt drifted in his head. It was what she had said…you won't be able too… it was so very final. It wasn't fair, Harry thought. Voldemort took away his family, the Ministry took away his credibility, and now this man was going to take away his friend. Jade deserved a chance to be who she was.
"It's time to go, St. Mungo's is expecting us," Price said to McCourt not looking the least bit angered by Harry's outburst. The doctor nodded gravely and turned his attention to Jade who was looking up at Dumbledore.
"Now lass," McCourt said gently in a rolling Scottish accent. "Its time to go now. My name is Sam, I'm a doctor and I'm going to take care of you—,"
"No need to," she stated firmly. She looked over and glanced at her three friends. "I'm not leaving."
"It's for the best," McCourt started.
"The Ministry and yourself don't know what's best for me," she replied, her voice rising. McCourt looked to Price who nodded. The doctor pulled a wand from his sleeve.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lupin snapped grabbing his wand hand with the speed of an expert defense dueler.
"Just a sedation spell," the older man said gently. "I don't want her to hurt herself, now."
"No, don't," Jade said, eyes wide as she stood and backed away. She turned to glance at Harry, Ron, and Hermione who looked inches from throwing themselves on the old, thick-necked, doctor.
"Sedatus," McCourt said hitting her with the spell. Jade stopped, her body slackened. Her eyelids half-shut, as a calm and very dazed expression clouded her eyes. McGonagall muffled a soft cry.
"I won't let her stay there," Dumbledore said suddenly angry. And even though Harry was brimming with anger at the injustice of it all, he understood what the Headmaster was doing. He could not afford to cut ties completely with the Ministry and its wizards…not now when the future rested on his leadership. He was still very influential, and that was the power he was going to use to get Jade back. Ron moved to stand beside Harry as Dumbledore released his shoulder.
"You do what you can," Price said sounding almost as if he truly wanted Dumbledore to get her back. "We're expected, Dr. McCourt." With disgust and loathing written on her face, McGonagall led Price and the doctor, who was guiding Jade forward by the hand, out the door. Harry was shaking now. Without giving it a second thought he raced after them, Ron, and Hermione at his heels. Lupin and Dumbledore remained in the circular office, not bothering to stop them.
"You take her, and you ruin a life!" Harry shouted heatedly when he spotted the four figures making their way towards the Great Staircase.
"There must be another way," Hermione insisted when she reached Price, clutching a stitch in her side. "I'm sure if you could get the committee to give us just a little more time—,"
"There is nothing that you could do about judicial decisions, Miss," Price said. "Professor Dumbledore has placed you all in danger too long. The Ministry has judged properly."
"Oh, like with that Voldemort thing," Ron shot scathingly. It was enough to make Price's gallant trot clumsily stumble for a moment.
"Outwitted by a fifteen year old boy, Mr. Price," McGonagall hissed angrily. "Remember to tell the committee they look like fools even in the eyes of school children."
Harry barely heard any of this. He was walking beside Jade who's blank expression and liquid movements seemed hauntingly déjà vu to him. She moved as if she were walking through water, one arm held by the St. Mungo's doctor.
"We'll get you back," he whispered to her. "They're wrong, you do belong here." Jade's eyes flickered to him, but he wondered if she even saw him.
"You know where you belong," Harry continued to mutter to her. "I think you were meant to be here. We'll get you back, I promise."
McCourt pulled Jade further along as they neared the Great Staircase, Ron and Hermione continuing their heated arguments with Price. McCourt's eyes were cheerless as he looked apologetically at the three friends, who were fighting in vain to keep their companion. As they descended the stairs, Price spotted Percy over Hermione's head and called him over. Percy straightened his horn-rimmed glasses and detached himself from his brothers. Fred and George looked from their departing brother to the strange scene before them.
"I can't believe you, Perce," Fred spat as the realization hit him; Percy was with the men pulling Jade towards the front doors. "God, you came here to take Jade away?" George had hurried forward and sidestepped his lanky brother.
"I can't believe you're doing this!" he exclaimed. "Even after what you know about her!" Percy held his head a little higher and proceeded around his brother without another glance.
"The Ministry is wrong," McGonagall hissed to Price as he pulled open the doors revealing a carriage just outside the entrance. Harry rushed forward, and McGonagall tried to hold him back, but her fingers missed his robes by millimeters.
"The Ministry is wrong!" he bellowed. "She belongs here! She's not bloody dangerous!"
Percy nearly tripped over Jade who had stopped jerkily, her head turning towards Harry's voice for the second time, but now the clouds had lifted from her eyes. She looked directly at him and her friends, as if her entire existence depended on it.
"Come on, doctor," Price said, holding the doors open. A winter chill found its way in and swept across all their faces. Jade's face was no longer slack, but set, with eyes narrowed and lips pursed.
"The spell," McCourt said slightly in awe as he examined her. "It's worn off…but how?"
"Mr. Weasley," Price said indicating McCourt. "Go help him, please." Percy obliged and made his way over.
As Percy reached for Jade's other hand, she ripped her arm from McCourt's grasp.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said with clarity ringing clearly in her voice. "I belong here with them." She made a move towards her group of friends and McGonagall, but Price had left his station at the door and snaked an arm around her waist lifting her off the ground.
"YOU CAN'T HIDE ME IN ST. MUNGO'S!" Jade yelled fighting tooth and nail to extract herself from Price, whose top hat had tumbled to the floor, his once neat hair matted with sweat as he struggled to hold the thrashing girl. She managed a solid upper cut to Percy's jaw as he attempted to help his superior, sending him flying
. "Help me, doctor," Price called over his shoulder to McCourt who was still looking at the girl in awe.
"Get your blasted hands off me!" Jade grunted twisting her body round.
"Stop!" The Headmaster's roaring demand rang through the hall freezing the scene before him. He and Lupin had appeared at the top of the stairs, several clutches of parchments in their hands. Harry whirled around to face him. Dumbledore stood tall and furious Lupin beside him with calm triumph on his face.
"Jade Cordonnier will not be going anywhere tonight," Dumbledore announced. Harry's breath came out in a slow hiss as Ron and Hermione looked from Jade to the Headmaster in utter confusion.
"What?" Price asked, his arms loosening their hold on his charge, allowing her to fall away with mouth ajar.
"This just arrived," he said, indicating the parchments in his hand. "We've found Jade's parents."