Chapter 9 – In Fits and Starts
"As I was walking back up to the castle after I finished writing earlier, I heard someone talking as they came through the main doors and down the stairs. I stepped back a little into the shadows to listen, as there weren't many people that could rant the way Hellios Malfoy was.
"For Merlin's sake boy! What on earth did you think you were doing?" He hissed as he stormed ahead of his wife and child, cloaks billowing out behind him. Malfoy junior was looking distinctly worse for wear when he came into view - not that he didn't deserve it. "I mean if she was worth it you should have at least put some thought into it. Planned it out, not just gone on some drunken rampage…"
"If I hadn't forgotten my wand…" Lucius tried to interrupt.
"I doubt you would have remembered a good enough memory charm anyway. And you should think yourself lucky she didn't get away! She could have changed into a bloody cat before and gotten away from you quite easily no-doubt, wand or no wand. Why did you have to pick an animagus of all people? And Dumbledore's pet animagus at that too! Well you'd better hope that…" He trailed off after that or at least I couldn't hear anymore as they made their way down the drive towards the gate. I don't know what struck me more; that Malfoy senior was not condemning his son's actions, only that he was caught, or that he was doing so in front of his wife. Either way I must have stood on the same spot for at least five minutes before I pulled myself together and headed back inside and towards the tower. I didn't tell any of the others what I heard; I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Sirius was apparently asleep upstairs when I climbed through the portrait hole, and after a couple of games of chess which didn't come to anything as no one was really concentrating, I followed his example. I'm not sure if it was because we didn't get much sleep last night or what we did this morning, but neither of us woke up until about six this evening. It wasn't long after that that Moony stuck his head around the door and told us that Professor Dumbledore had arrived in the common room with food. He made sure that we were all seated and that we ate something before he would answer any of our questions. Eventually he let us know that Professor McGonagall was 'resting comfortably' now and that she was 'doing as well as could be expected'. He didn't tell us much more than that but I really didn't expect him to. He thanked Padfoot and me for our help this morning, and all of us for our continued discretion as if it was something that not everybody would have willingly given. But maybe they wouldn't have…that's not something I want to dwell upon tonight of all nights. He also informed us that we would also likely be receiving a visit from the WLEA or Wizarding Law Enforcement Agency and asked that we merely tell them what we saw. Of course we all agreed again readily, then Moony asked the question we all wanted to. He asked about Malfoy. The professor informed us that he had been asked to leave until further action was taken, hopefully before the start of the next term. We nodded solemnly at that; we all knew exactly what we wanted to see happen. What he said next was yet another example of how incredible Dumbledore actually is. He took the time to look at us one by one, then told us that in the mean time the best thing we could do would be to get on with our holidays as we had planned. Coming from anyone else it might have sounded trite or superficial but…there's just something about him. His sincerity, that meant I took what he said to heart and I think the others must have as well. We just came back in after throwing the 'frisbee' thingy that Lily brought back with her at the start of term around. Anyway, going to sleep now and again I guess we'll just have to see what tomorrow brings, for all of us.
Night."
Ron looked up as he heard the book shut for the first time that morning. Hermione was resting her hand on the cover and looking at both of them. There was a moment's silence before Harry spoke up.
"Ice cream anyone? My treat." They spent the rest of the day munching on the best that Florian Fortesques had to offer and walking through the grassy park that the ministry offices looked onto. They began to talk about other things, about their friends and what they would do when they finally left school. Even when there was an awkward silence at the mention of their head of house or the name Malfoy, they soon moved on. It seemed that they spent their time over the next few days in a very similar way to Lilly and the three Marauders with, thankfully, a little less homework. James told of endless games of chess and walks through the fresh snow where Harry, Ron and Hermione tended to lie in the sun or peruse some of the more interesting shops on Diagon Alley but still, there was a distinct resemblance in the mood of the two groups.
The first entry that stood out from the endless games of chess and walks in the snow that James spoke of was written three days after Dumbledore's visit.
"December 21st. Professor McGonagall came to see us today. It was strange, seeing her sitting there on the coach. She was as prim as ever – maybe more so, with her back ramrod straight but…but instead of holding her head high and shining with the confidence that usually flows from her she seemed nervous, shy almost. She didn't look at us once but kept her eyes on the floor as she thanked us again, in person this time, for our 'help and mature behaviour'. She did glance up as she told us that she was in fact much better and planned on spending some time with her sister before the start of the next term, but her eyes only made it as far as the fire blazing in the grate. I was surprised at the implicit statement that she would be back and teaching by then, but she left us in doubt of it when she left.
"I'll see you when classes start back up again, if not before", she said as she stood to leave. All I can say is that she has more respect from me than almost anyone else I can think of and strangely enough, ludicrous as it may have seemed when she said it perched timidly on an overstuffed couch, I don't doubt it for a minute. If I know anything about the Professor and Gryffindors in general, she'll get straight back on the horse as soon as Malfoy is evicted from the paddock."
Listening to four or five entries every evening, Christmas soon came and went, and before they knew what was happening, James was looking at the end of the holidays. The days seemed to pass similarly (with the exception of the visit from the WLEA officials), until, with just four days before the start of term, Dumbledore sought the marauders out again.
A/N – I know it's been an age since I updated so… sorry. Different format, let me know if you like it better and don't forget reviews are always welcome *smile* Oh yeah, and thanks to those who have already.
Thanks for reading, Linz