A/N: To Mandraco, I never even thought of that word. While both would work, yours is a better choice.

To answer Phoenix Flight's question, it could have that meaning. To plait one's troth is an old phrase meaning to become engaged. In this context, it has a different symbolism. It is not an engagement or a commitment but an acknowledgment.

The entire sequence of the feast of Samanois (Samhain for all you Irish) is symbolic of the original festival. This was the beginning of the new year. Consequently, the first dance is for those who are married, who have the potential to bring new life. Malcolm and Gabrielle should not have been dancing, and Gabrielle probably knew that. After all, she knew about everything else.

While I'm on a tangent, technetium commented that Susan Bones might be a reference to Terry Prachett's Discworld Character, Susan Sto-Helit. I wouldn't put it past JK Rowling. I often wondered if Neville Longbottom, who is interested in Herbology, was a polite nod to Tolkien and his mention of Longbottom leaf as the finest pipe weed in the shire. That is a little farfetched perhaps but the following is not.

Hermione Granger's cat is named Crookshanks. It is a nice enough name, but George Cruikshank was the illustrator for Charles Dickens, as well as a close friend. It has been noted by others that Rowling imitates Dickens' style of descriptive naming. This could be a nod to the most popular writer of the nineteenth century from one of the most popular writers of the twenty-first century. Or it could be another coincidence and mean nothing.



CHAPTER TWENTYTHREE:

THE FIRST MORNING OF THE NEW YEAR


It was almost dawn when Malcolm returned to the room behind the Great Hall. Professors McGonagall and Snape were there to greet him upon his return.

McGonagall's frown had a merriment to it. "However did you manage to get two sleeping boys to grab the portkey?"

"I did have help," Malcolm managed to say. "Everyone had a wonderful time."

"I'm sure," Snape said as he roused Dewey and forced him to his feet. "And how did he get so dirty?"

"Playing Quidditch in the dark," Malcolm said. They made everything glow except the ground."

"It was great," Dewey said, managing to sound cheerful and tired at the same time.

"Too bad you couldn't have stayed," Snape added wistfully, as he walked the boy back to Slytherin."

McGonagall looked at the sleeping form of Matthew Zeller. "Sometimes I wonder if the Sorting Hat knows more than we do. You are such an odd one."

"Excuse me," Malcolm said.

"It was nothing. A random thought." McGonagall smiled at Malcolm. "It shouldn't be too early for breakfast. Are you hungry?"

"Not really. I had to wait until midnight to eat, and then I stuffed myself ."

"Some tea, then?"

Malcolm nodded and McGonagall walked him to her office. She paused briefly before she left the room to transform a chair into a comfortable bed, and to float Matthew into it. Once in her office, she listened to Malcolm as he described Beauxbatons, the Guest Hall and the other sights, but as she settled him into a chair and gave him his tea, her face took on a serious look.

"You do know the trouble you have managed to cause."

[I don't. I haven't had time to think about it.]

"Kind of."

"Then you don't." McGonagall showed him a wizarding newspaper, obviously French. The picture was of Malcolm and Gabrielle kissing each other while the crown of mistletoe was being held over their heads. "The two of you kissed for quite some time, if this picture is any indication."

"Not really. Those pictures always exaggerate things."

"I am so relieved," McGonagall said mockingly. "You do understand the serious problem we are facing with Professor Umbridge at this school? And you do understand that she has gone against her natural instincts to keep you in this school? And you do understand that it is because of her daughter's infatuation with you?" Malcolm nodded each time. "Then how could you put yourself in this situation?"

"It was Camilla's idea."

[I lied. I did have time to think about it.]

*

Albus Dumbledore looked up in amusement as Dolores Umbridge marched into his office with Professor McGonagall. Umbridge had a copy of the Daily Prophet clutched firmly in her hand.

Minerva smiled at Albus. "I found Professor Umbridge trying to enter your office, but she apparently did not receive her notice about the change in password."

Albus nodded. "I did not send one. I informed the teachers when we gathered at breakfast. Apparently, Professor Umbridge, you missed that meal. I only told Professor McGonagall earlier, in case she needed to bring Malcolm to me."

"Hem. Hem. It was ill timed on your part, if I may say so and, after what he did, why wasn't he brought here?"

McGonagall said sternly. "Because he was exhausted and the only reason to bring him here would be to watch him sleep."

Albus raised a hand. "May I ask what Malcolm has done?"

Umbridge threw her copy on the desk and pointed. "All you have to do is read the headline and look at the two pictures."

"Malcolm will be impressed. He has never made the front page of the Daily Prophet, except for the time he revealed himself to be an animagus."

"And for his charity work at the hospital," McGonagall pointed out.

Albus nodded. "I had forgotten about that."

"And when it was revealed that he was the first American student at Hogwarts."

"I had forgotten about that as well."

Minerva continued. "You may have missed the recent issue where they revealed that he is the nephew of Lucius Malfoy. And I can never forget the time when he . . ."

"That isn't the point," Umbridge yelled. "Don't you see what he is doing? The one picture shows him dining with my daughter, and the other picture shows him kissing . . . another girl."

"This is dreadful," Albus agreed. "He should definitely have been kissing your daughter."

Umbridge looked horrified. "NO. He shouldn't have been kissing anyone. He was supposed to be on a date with my daughter."

Albus looked confused. "From the way your daughter looks, she apparently didn't mind the fact that he kissed another girl. And, while kissing is frowned upon, it does happen when young men and women gather together. What did you daughter tell you?"

"I haven't spoken to her, and there is no need. The article says it all?"

Albus glanced at the paper. "The article that says 'Wizard prodigy turns playboy'? I must ask, Professor Umbridge what it is you want me to do?"

Umbridge smiled as though she was waiting for the headmaster to ask. "I have the authority from the Minister to order you to expel him for indecent conduct."

Albus nodded. "Professor McGonagall, will you please inform Malcolm that his presence is no longer welcome at this school."

McGonagall smiled. "I will waken him immediately. I know he will want to hear the good news at once."

"Good News?" Umbridge stared at the Transfiguration Professor in shock.

"Yes, for Malcolm this will be good news. Apparently he has been trying to be expelled."

Albus even managed to look surprised. "Is that what his scheme's were all about?"

"I thought it was obvious," McGonagall said. "He started the school year by smuggling that muggle boy into the school. He followed that by jumping off one of the towers, frightening the First Years, He deliberately walked out of a mandatory class on his very first day. He arranged for that absurdity of an adoption to make himself an embarrassment to the school. And now this. With six more months until the end of the school year I would hate to think of what else he will come up with."

"Why?" was all Umbridge could manage to say.

Minerva frowned. "This incident makes it is clear that it is because of your daughter. Malcolm was tired and answered any question I asked without even thinking about it. He revealed that he was invited to Beauxbatons by Camilla Umbridge."

"I know that," Umbridge stammered. "She wrote to me explaining that she had promised to ask him and . . . That doesn't make sense."

"It does if you know two things. There has been regular correspondence between Malcolm and Camilla for the past two years. And last year, during the Triwizard Tournament, Malcolm befriended a young girl, the sister of one of the contestants. She played the part of a hostage in one of the tasks. I do not think it is necessary to point out the young girl to you, but as a result Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons, formed a liking for Malcolm and made him a generous offer . . . in writing. If Malcolm leaves this school for any reason other than failing grades, she will make a place for him at her school." McGonagall looked pointedly at Umbridge. "At Camilla's school."

In the stunned silence, McGonagall added, "I asked Malcolm what he and Camilla were doing in that picture, and he said she was thanking him. I neglected to ask Malcolm why."

Albus nodded, "I see no need to ask him. The answer seems obvious. Dolores, do you still wish to punish Malcolm by giving him what he wants? I am sure your daughter will not object."

Umbridge sat down, heavily. Albus returned her newspaper and she gazed at the other picture. "I didn't notice it before, but that other girl couldn't possibly be a student. She looks to be no more than ten."

"I know of the girl," Albus acknowledged. "She has a brother at that school, and a sister who recently graduated."

"That explains it all," Umbridge said angrily, talking to herself. "It all comes down to a newspaper trying to increase its sales by sensationalizing an innocent encounter. I will speak to the editor." She looked at Albus with complete control over her emotions. "For the time being, I will refrain from making my request, but I must demand that someone discuss 'certain matters' with that horrid boy, especially as it is obvious he has designs on my poor Camilla. And let him know that I will be explaining things to my daughter so that she fully understands his deviousness."

"I do understand," Albus assured the DADA Professor. "Professor Snape has an almost fatherly relationship with Malcolm. I will ask him to broach the subject. Is that acceptable?"

"That will do splendidly," Umbridge said, and left to attend to her own business.

As Umbridge left, Albus raised an eyebrow. "Do you really believe that Malcolm was trying to be expelled?"

"Of course not. The letter specifically said if he left, not if he was expelled. If he really wanted to go there, he could have simply told you he was leaving."

"And he has not," Albus admitted. "Oh, dear. We failed to correct Professor Umbridge's impression of Gabrielle Delacour."

"It is my fault, Albus. I failed to mention that she was a student, and I should have. I think I also gave her the impression that there was a romance going on between Malcolm and her daughter."

"You are forgiven, Minerva. It was an honest mistake."

"Thank you, Albus," Minerva said with a mirthful grin. "Should I show the muggle child in? He is very anxious to get back to his own school."

"This would be an appropriate time. He has already missed his first class."

"He was so upset to find out that Reese had left."

Albus smiled. "That was the fault of Argus Filch. He gave Malcolm's brother the impression that he need not wait around."

Minerva nodded. "It seems that everyone is getting the wrong impression from us. We must watch what we say."

McGonagall left and returned shortly with Anthony. The boy was clearly agitated.

"Sit down, Anthony. We need to have a little discussion."

"Please, Sir. I didn't mean to come here, and I did not know how to get back to my school. That idiot Reese disappeared . . ."

Albus held up his hand. "He was smart enough to bring you to this school, at my request. It was also at my request that he left without you although the timing was left to someone else. I felt it important that you should stay here long enough so that you could not fulfill your obligations."

Anthony looked scared but tried to look surprised. "I don't understand."

Albus smiled grimly. "Then I will explain. Your friend, Reese, is a poor confidant. He revealed your secret to his brother, who made it a point to let everyone in his house know how Reese was passing his courses. In turn, they discussed the amusing situation with their friends. Within a day, several teachers informed me, in case I wished to pass the information along. That was when Reese was informed that he could not come to the school by himself."

"You told him he had to bring someone, like me?"

Albus chuckled. "You clearly do not understand Reese. I told him, or more correctly Headmaster Filch told him that he could not come to Hogwarts by himself. That made Reese want to come, and because you are the closest person he has to a friend he decided to drag you along. It was a simple plan. What is most amusing is that you also revealed what you were doing, by your unsubtle remark to Miss Granger who in turn mentioned it to her head of house. She likes you for some reason and was worried." Albus looked at his pocket watch. "I do believe your second class has begun. The teacher is expecting everyone to hand in their homework. You will probably be excused because you were away for a good reason. At least three other students will be upset, but I can do nothing for them. Anthony, do you understand where this discussion is going?"

The boy nodded.

"Good. You have two choices at this point. You can continue going to the school you attend now, or you can be expelled. The choice is yours."

Anthony looked at Dumbledore's unfriendly face. For a brief moment he wished he was facing Filch instead. "I'd like to stay where I am, Sir."

"Another good answer. You will find life easier when you return. You will be doing only your own homework. And the money you need for supplies will come from helping out in your school cafeteria."

"No," Anthony almost screamed, "That's work for charity cases."

"Which is what you are," Albus said emphatically. "You attend that school because of a scholarship. Otherwise you would be going to that school down the road from your house. The one with the fence around it. Have you ever been inside that school? Many of the students there have the same attitude that you have, to get what they can any way they can. But you are supposed to know better. The first step is not to be ashamed of who you are or it becomes a weight that will drag you down throughout your life. Working in the kitchen will show everyone who you are. The question is whether or not you can live with it."

"You don't know what it's like."

"Really? I know what it isn't like? We have several students here who have hard luck stories. Would you like to hear about the orphaned boy who spent ten years of his life sleeping in a cupboard, and wearing hand me down clothes because his relatives didn't care. Perhaps the similarities are too close? Or I could tell you about the girl who was so smart she thought she didn't need any friends, but that would seem too familiar.. Then there's the rich boy who always hid the truth about his brother, that he had a brother, because it was an embarrassment."

"That has nothing to do with my problem."

"None of those things do. The point is that each of them was honest with someone, and they thrived as a result. They are better people, and happier. I suggest you try honesty. It may surprise you."

Anthony tried to sneer. "And I suppose you never lie."

Albus sneered back. "Never to myself." He watched as the boy sat back in surprise. "You can go, now. Mister Filch is waiting outside. He will escort you to his brother's school."

"Yes, Sir." Anthony stood up sullenly. "Why, Sir? Why bring me here to tell me this?"

"You have friends here. Hector has told me that you have none at your school. By telling you while you are here, you have someone to talk to about it."

"But I'm leaving?"

"By way of the Great Hall. I insist that you stay for the midday meal. We will not have you leave here while you are hungry."

"Is that supposed to be good news?"

"It depends upon your mood. But I do have good news for you. It is obvious that you have grown almost an inch since you were last at this school."

Albus almost laughed as Anthony became a mass of conflicting emotions. He was sure the boy would have something to talk about to his friends.

*

It was Saturday morning when Malcolm finally made an appearance in the Great Hall. In true form, the entire student body failed to notice. He sat down and began to shovel pancakes on to his plate.

"Hungry?" Dennis asked as he spotted him and sat down.

"Professor Umbridge decided to have me join her for a private conversation over dinner, yesterday, and I had already slept through breakfast and lunch. I'm a little hungry."

"You missed all the fun. Reese showed up at the feast, along with little Dewey."

Malcolm smiled. "Big Dewey told me he spotted himself, and took Draco's place as my escort. He ended up playing Quidditch all night, until he hit the ground."

"Ow, that must have hurt. He could have stayed here. Little Dewey saw him and started to panic. Snape pointed him out to McGonagall. She cast a spell on Dewey to make him forget he was ever here. He smiled for the rest of the night."

"Dewey?"

"No, Snape," Dennis explained. "Dewey left right after McGonagall cast the spell. Snape was cheerful for the entire night, until he found Reese in the bushes with, well, a Slytherin."

"Not Pansy Parkinson? She hates my entire family."

Dennis nodded toward the entrance, and Malcolm turned to look.

[She looks familiar.]

"Who is that? I've seen her around but I can't place her."

"Instead of the shiny hair tied back, think dull shaggy bangs."

"That can't be Millicent Bulstrode. She looks like an Olympic swimmer. Millicent looks like a bouncer at a seedy nightclub."

Dennis smiled. "She was inspired. She didn't show up for breakfast yesterday, and she missed her first class. Ron says she walked into potions late, looking like that."

"Because of Reese? But he's an idiot."

"May I join in the conversation," Ginny asked as she sat down next to Malcolm.

"Sure. Dennis about trying to explain to me why Millicent Bulstrode likes Reese."

"That's easy. They think alike."

"You're joking."

"You've never talked to her? Hermione told me that she actually asked the meaning of a word, and the Professor suggested she use a dictionary."

"Let me guess. Millicent asked what good a second book would do if she couldn't read the first one."

"You have talked to her," Ginny said with a smile.

"No," Malcolm smiled back, "but I have talked to Reese."

[Actually, that's a pretty scary thought. They could marry and have kids. Baby Reeses.]

"May I ask you a question," Ginny asked. What did happen at Beauxbatons?"

*

Francis waited patiently while the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Nob, is my mom there?"

"She's working at Tesco's. She should be home in an hour."

"I'll call back then. By the way, Happy Birthday. I'm sending you something in the mail. I hope you'll like it. Did you get anything from the other guys?"

"They got me adopted," Nob said proudly. "Now I'm your real brother."

"Mom went for that?"

"Yeah. Mom said since I'm human now, it wasn't a problem."

"Oh? Congratulations. Did she manage to get you into a school?"

"Kind off. Mom said the teacher was an idiot, so I'm going to a different school now, but I do a lot of stupid stuff. They want me to read a lot, but they also let me play with numbers. I'm learning something called Algebra."

"I remember that from high school. I think I failed it. Why are you studying Algebra?"

"Because I can."

Piama nudged Francis. "Who are you talking to?"

"Hold on Nob?" Francis said then turned to his wife. "I'm talking to the house elf. But it's really strange. He says he's human now and that he's been adopted. And he's going to special classes, like Malcolm did."

"I'm sorry I asked. Explain it to me later."

"I will. As soon as someone explains it to me." He turned back to the phone. "Nob, is anyone else there?"

"Dad and Dewey."

"Could you put Dad on?"

"DAD. He'll be right there."

"Francis?" Hal asked. "How are you. What happened to you?"

"I'm fine, Dad. I'm in Alaska. I'm working. And I got married."

"YOU WHAT? Francis, don't tell your mother about that. She still thinks you're too young to be off by yourself. How much do you need?"

"I don't need anything, Dad. I told you I was working. I was calling to let you know I'm fine."

"Well, give me your address. We'll try to send you something, BUT IT WON"T BE MUCH."

Francis paused. "Okay. I appreciate it. I sent a letter with Nob's present. It has my address and a picture of me."

"Just you?"

"And Piama."

"Who's Piama?"

"My wife. Dad, I told you I was married."

"Francis, you're not supposed to be married."

"FRANCIS IS MARRIED," Lois yelled as she walked into the kitchen. "I get off work early to hear this. Give me the phone." She put down her packages and grabbed the phone. "Francis, are you crazy? Did you get drunk or something. I warned you about that."

"No, Mom . . ."

"Don't no mom me, mister. I didn't suffer through forty hours of labor just so you could marry some tart you met in a bar."

"She's not some tart. I met her at work."

"So you conned some innocent office girl?"

"YOU'RE JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS, MOM. YOU ALWAYS DO THIS."

"I DO NOT, FRANCIS. I ALWAYS TRY TO HEAR YOU OUT, BUT YOU'RE ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING STUPID."

"ME? WHERE DO YOU THINK I GOT IT FROM? IT'S NO COINCIDENCE THAT MY BIRTHDAY AND YOUR WEDDING DAY ARE THE SAME DATE."

Lois took a deep breath. "That wasn't fair."

Francis calmed down. "Well, you always taught me that life isn't fair. We have to take what we can get."

"I guess I can just hope that you're happy."

"I am. Piama is a wonderful girl."

"At least she has a name. She isn't pregnant is she?"

"No, Mom."

"At least you got that part right." Lois sighed. "I've got to go. Is there anything else I need to know about?"

"I wanted to ask about Nob."

"Talk to Malcolm. He's the one responsible. I love you."

"I love you, Mom."

Francis hung up the phone. "That went well."

Piama stared at him. "You were yelling at your mother."

"I always yell at my mother. It's the only way I can talk to her. Don't worry. If you ever meet her, you'll like her."

Piama smirked. "And I should believe you?"

*

Malcolm sat back and relaxed in his usual fashion. The common room was empty because everyone had gone to the Quidditch match. He was stretched out on the couch in front of the fireplace when he heard the noise.

[That has got to be Reese. There goes my day.]

"You waited for us," Reese said happily as he came out of the fireplace. Hector Filch was right behind him.

"No. I didn't wait for you. I'm not going."

Reese looked dumbfounded. "But it's Quidditch. It's the only good thing about being stuck at school all year long."

"Reese, it just so happens that the Gryffindor Keeper has threatened me with bodily harm if I show up. He's nervous enough as it is."

"That's Ron, our neighbor," Reese explained to Filch, then turned back to Malcolm. "Too bad. We're going."

"Go ahead. I'm staying here."

"Excuse me," Hector Filch said. "I was informed by your Headmaster that you would escort us to the Quidditch pitch. He will be very upset if we do not make our appearance."

[It figures. Everybody wants to see me in trouble.]

"Fine," Malcolm grumbled. "Follow me."

Malcolm led the way only to run into Argus Filch outside the entrance to Gryffindor. Filch decided to join them.

"Come to watch the game, Hector?"

"The only chance I have to be free of those monsters at the school. You have it easy, Argus. You only have to clean up after them."

"Hurmph," Argus said, "At least you have some kind of authority. I have to beg and plead to have even half of them punished, and that hardly ever works."

"How sad," Hector said mockingly. "I can give any discipline I want, but the instant I do, I have the parents on the phone. 'How dare you.' 'We pay your salary.' Threats like that. I have a harder road to travel than you do."

"But they're only muggles. You don't have to worry about mislaid hexes, and the assorted nonsense I have to deal with."

[Just to let you know, they went on like that the entire time we were walking to the match.]

"Professor Dumbledore?" Malcolm said as he reached the headmaster.

"Malcolm," Dumbledore said delightedly. "You decided to come, after all? That is wonderful."

Malcolm looked scornfully at Hector Filch, who smirked.

"I guess I'll go join the Gryffindors," Malcolm said evenly.

"I'll go with you," Reese said, and ruined Malcolm's day.

[Now everyone will be glad I came.]

Malcolm walked to where the Gryffindors were sitting and found a place for himself and Reese.

"Malcolm!" Ginny said happily, "You came." Her face dropped. "And you brought Reese."

"It's his reward for doing so well at school," Malcolm said halfheartedly.

Seamus Finnigan found himself sitting next to Reese and decided to be polite. "Are you familiar with Quidditch?"

"Professionally," Reese answered authoritatively. "I don't know too much about English teams, and I've never seen an amateur game. Are they any good?"

"We won the cup two years ago, and it's mostly the same team. We have a new keeper."

Reese nodded. "I've seen Ron play. Does he still get nervous easily? You better hope Potter catches the snitch or it's loserville."

"Um, thanks."

"Hey, Draco," Reese yelled. Draco Malfoy spotted Reese sitting among the Gryffindors and gave a friendly wave. "He's my cousin, you know."

"I've heard," Seamus said evenly. "That's Slytherin over there. If you want to cheer him on, it would be best to do it from where his house is sitting."

"That's a good idea," Reese said. "Thanks."

As Reese left, Seamus said bitterly, "Don't mention it."

Malcolm smiled apologetically at Seamus and turned back to Ginny. "On a positive note, Reese is gone."

A short time later, Reese joined the Slytherins, and was talking happily with them. "Yeah, Ron's a nice guy and he's a good player, but he gets rattled easily."

"We know," one of the Slytherins said, "We even made a song about him. Do you want to hear?"

"Sure," Reese said, as he slipped an arm around Millicent Bulstrode. "I have no idea why I went to sit with the Gryffindors. Just because my brother does."

Millicent nodded. "It happens. Next time remember to follow the right brother."

Reese nodded. "I should have thought of that."

Reese watched as a very determined Ron Weasley went to guard the goals only to lose his composure when the Slytherins began to sing their song about Weasley the King.

*

The frowns of the Gryffindors turned to cheers when Harry caught the Snitch and won the match. Even Malcolm was cheering at the change of fortune, only to watch the turn of events. He paused as he watched Draco shouting something at Potter.

"Um, Ginny." Malcolm said as he pointed at the two teams. "Does anyone look angry to you?"

Ginny paused as she noticed what Malcolm was looking at. "Fred and George look to be getting angry. Malfoy's taunting them again."

"I just realized something. Draco knows about the new edict."

Ginny stared. Hermione, who noticed their change of attitude, listened in.

"What new edict?"

"Educational Decree Number Twenty Five. I delivered it yesterday."

Hermione frowned. "What does it say?"

"It gives Umbridge full charge over privileges and punishments. She can do whatever she wants, as long as she's given a reason."

Hermione and Ginny turned back to the pitch in time to see Harry punch Malfoy in the mouth. Hermione asked slowly, "Malcolm, how does Malfoy know?"

"The only person I told was Dumbledore. Who do you think told him?"

"Umbridge," Hermione answered grimly. "She's using the Slytherins in her scheme."

Malcolm watched as the chaos that erupted on the field was quelled and the players dispersed.

[I could ask Dewey what is going on. He should know. Umbridge tells him everything.]

*

"That was stupid," Reese said when he was back in the Gryffindor common room. "They should have banned the keeper. He can't play, anyway."

Ginny ignored the jibe against her brother. "And you see nothing wrong with opposing teams fighting."

"It makes matches like this one a lot more interesting. You should watch hockey sometime. It's actually part of the game. I hate to say it, but Draco embarrassed me by just lying there like that. And none of his teammates helped either."

"Reese, you idiot," Malcolm yelled. "It was a set up. They planned it to happen that way so that Potter could be thrown off the team. The twins were thrown off as a bonus."

"Oh, they planned it?" Reese said smiling. "That's all right, then." He waved goodbye to the frowning crowd of Gryffindors and stepped into the fireplace. "OW!"

"I haven't thrown in the floo powder," Hector Filch snarled. By the time Reese left, everyone felt a little bit better.

"Malcolm," Hermione asked, "did you talk to Dewey?"

"Yeah, he said he's having a great time. And that the Giant Squid says Ron should learn to relax."

"I'm sure Ron will be happy to know that the Giant Squid is on his side."

Alicia frowned. "Maybe the Giant Squid would like to be the new seeker."

"He'd be better as a beater," Malcolm said.

*

Harry Potter frowned as he stared into the fireplace.

"Be careful. Reese has a tendency to show up."

He looked up to see Malcolm standing there in the otherwise deserted common room.

"Are you trying to cheer me up? Thanks to your cousin, I can never play Quidditch."

Malcolm sat down, uninvited. "It's only a game. It isn't the end of the world."

"It was something that I enjoyed doing," Harry said irritably. "Can you understand how I feel?"

"Like somebody clipped your wings."

"Coming from you, that is an appropriate phrase. Under the circumstances, how are you and your cousin getting along?"

"Not too well," Malcolm admitted. "The game isn't as fun as I thought it would be."

Harry laughed. "You think all of this is a game? I can tell you that what is happening is very real. I have to live with all of this. I don't have time to fly to London and deliver letters or spend Hallowe'en somewhere else and have everyone read about it in the Daily Prophet. And I don't have friends and relatives popping out of the fireplace whenever they feel like it."

"Did you know that Umbridge wanted to expel you?"

"Then why didn't she?"

"Dewey said that he told her it would be much more fun to keep you around. Don't ask me why, but Dewey likes you."

"I'm thrilled," Harry said angrily. "I think you should leave me alone now."

"Actually, you think I should never have come over here and bothered you, but you were being polite, I guess. I came here for a specific reason. You need to know that you didn't screw up."

"Really?"

"Next time, try to remember that when one person is against you, they have no problem getting help from other people who are against you."

"Then all of that was planned? Why am I not surprised?"

"You shouldn't be surprised. Dewey asked Umbridge last night to let you stay. They knew what they were going to do before the match ever started. You would have been thrown off the team anyway. At least you got to hit Draco."

Harry stared at Malcolm briefly. "That doesn't change anything. You know that."

Malcolm nodded. "But now you know you have friends in unexpected places."

Harry smiled. "Malcolm, you have a very strange family."

"Yeah, sometimes that's the only good thing about it."