A/N: I will start by telling Colibi that it isn't over yet. My last chapter in a story is always the epilogue. And I can assure Ranting Idiot and Shkspr1048 that there will be sequel, but I have to wait for book 6, which should be out sometime in 2007.

I apologize to Mandraco for using the word, "audit." In the future I will try to use the word, "inquiry" instead.



CHAPTER THIRTYFIVE: THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR REVENGE


Jenny and Euan looked up as Matthew Zeller entered the common room. Matthew shook his head. No one had seen Malcolm since the day of the exam.

"I even dared to ask Argus Filch. All he did was laugh and say Malcolm was gone for good."

"His brother's also gone," Euan said mournfully.

Jenny laughed. "You should know. You're friends with that Slytherin, Avery."

"He didn't have to help," Euan insisted. "Those three were from his house. He said he did it because of Malcolm. Malcolm said we were all first years first."

"And Flitwick saw what happened," Jenny reminded him. "Those three will regret trying to do anything."

"They must hate both of us now," Euan said, but he was grinning.

Their's and everyone else's attention was caught by someone coming in. "Professor Sprout?" one of the older students called out.

"I'm here to post your grades," the Professor said happily. "And to tell you that Professor McGonagall is back at school. She's still weak, mind you, so don't go bothering her needlessly."

One by one she posted the grades on the bulletin board, and one of the sixth years noted happily, "They didn't grade us on Defense."

"We didn't learn anything, anyway," someone else shouted.

"Not in her class at least," Lavender Brown called out, and everyone laughed.

"No, dears," Professor Sprout said in a loud voice, "only the first years were graded."

Everyone crowded around the bulletin board, and the first years were pushed out, as usual.

"Professor Sprout," Jenny asked.

"Everyone passed, if only because they showed up," she said.

"But what about Malcolm?"

"An amazing boy," Sprout told them. "He kept meticulous records. You would hardly believe he was only a teaching assistant and not a full teacher. Professor's Snape and Flitwick reviewed the work and graded it. Malcolm even laid out his grading method, so they knew what he intended."

Euan looked up. "Then it was a real class? And those are our actual grades."

"Mostly. Malcolm was a bit generous on giving an average grade, but not as generous on giving an excellent grade. I understand his grading system did not account for anyone doing outstanding work, clearly his only failing. That is why the Professors ignored his guidelines in grading two students." Sprout looked directly at Euan when she said, "Those two were give outstanding marks for putting their skills to practical use."

With that said, the Herbology Professor left to return to her own house.

Hermione looked at the grades and looked back at the first years then back at their grades. She was the first on to notice. "Seamus," she said to the boy next to her, "Did you see this?"

Seamus looked down, and Dean Thomas followed his gaze. "Is that Malcolm's name? It can't be."

It was there for all to see. Every other parchment listed the students and their grades. The Defense class was listed with Umbridge as the teacher and the grade as C for cancelled. The first year sheet contained the grades for all classes and for Defense listed Malcolm.

"What do you think of that?" Hermione asked Ginny.

"He would have loved it," Ginny said as she began to cry. She ran out of the common room before anyone could ask her what she meant.

*

"It's time to go," David said. "We have a long trip back to your home."

"I've been thinking," Malcolm said, as David groaned. "I never did get all of my things from Hogwarts. And Dewey left his stuff there as well. We should go back and retrieve them."

"I promised Dumbledore specifically . . ." David Winter said.

"Then he knows we're coming," Malcolm said with a grin.

David looked Malcolm in the eye. "You are banned from the school."

"Says who?"

[He heard the news the same time I did. He can't call Umbridge the headmistress anymore.]

David frowned. "What are you scheming about, now?"

"Umbridge," Dewey answered from behind them. "You heard what Grandma said about her."

"You're involved?"

"This," Dewey said emphatically, "is personal. Are you in or out?"

"I can't do anything."

"You can get something for us," Malcolm said. "Here's a list."

David took the list and frowned. "This isn't much. The prepared potions are difficult but not impossible to get."

"The owls have been sent," Dewey informed the American Consul. "Can you get the potions to us by the appointed time."

David rolled his eyes while EJ laughed. "Dewey, you are not a master spy. You are a schoolboy pulling an end of the year prank. And I will not wear a disguise to buy anything, despite your written request."

"Could you at least use the code names?"

"No."

Malcolm smirked. "I told you it was stupid, Dewey. Mr. Winter, we're just trying to be fair. She played with my mind, and I just want to play with hers."

"Let's get you to the school, then."

*

Ginny spoke the password and walked through the old metal door into the courtyard that was the school cemetery. She walked along the worn path to the line of gravestones, stopping at the one where the blond haired boy was kneeling.

"I didn't expect to find you here," she said.

Draco smiled to himself. "I knew you'd come. You always come here when things become too much for you."

"I haven't seen you here before. How do you know that?"

"I've watched from the shadows. We have grown apart, you and I."

"I'm sorry, Draco."

"About what?" Draco said tonelessly. "Your precious Potter won the day again and, because of my generosity, my own father is being sent to Azkaban."

"It didn't have to happen that way. Even Harry . . ."

"Don't say it," Draco told her. "I know about HIS loss, and I couldn't care if I tried."

"I shouldn't have come, once I saw you were here."

"What's done is done," Draco said. "A lot of things shouldn't have happened."

Ginny watched Draco but he never turned to face her. "Malcolm is with his family now, He should be fine."

"He's as good as dead. Nobody his age could handle losing that much memory. If he was a couple years older. . ." Draco sighed. "I went to the library and read about similar cases. You can label Malcolm now as mostly harmless."

Ginny walked up to him until she was directly behind him. "It's hard being alone."

"As you well know?" Draco sneered.

"It's easy being alone in a crowded room. Try being the only girl in a large family. I had to force my way in if I wanted to be part of anything. I hated my brothers for a long time."

Draco laughed. "That could be why we like each other."

Ginny laughed as he said that. "Of course it is. You were the only one I could talk to about my brothers. You were able to understand my frustration."

"You were easy to talk to," Draco said, as he stood up and turned around. Ginny instinctively reached up to wipe away his tears.

"If it weren't for Malcolm," Ginny started to say.

Draco finished her sentence. "Then we would never have met. He was always a strange sort. And when he was around, nothing that happened seemed strange." He smiled at a memory. "Remember when our picture ended up in that magazine."

"The one where we were kissing?"

Draco nodded. "Everyone asked how it happened. I told them I was with Malcolm at the time and everyone nodded their heads."

Ginny giggled. "I gave everyone the same answer. I think that was Malcolm's genius. He never saw anything as impossible."

"That was Malcolm in a nutshell." Draco looked at Ginny. "Whatever happens, I will always love you. Even if we are irrevocably divided by the fates, as I fear we will be."

Ginny took his hand. "If ever there is a chance for us to be together, I will wish for it."

They stood there for a moment, knowing this was their last meeting. Then they gently kissed.

[This sounds like the plot from a B-grade romance novel.]

Malcolm watched from not far away, a lone owl unnoticed by two people involved in something else. He waited until they went to kiss for the second time.

[Hey, I'm not completely cruel.]

Then he assumed his human form and said, "Hem. Hem."

*

"I'd swear they were laughing when they wrote this," Lois said as she read the letter from the Ministry of Magic.

"I thought it best to withhold the letter until I heard from our Consul. He warned us of a possible change is your son's status."

"And Malcolm is normal?"

The messenger from the Department of Magic grimaced. "I asked the Consul that very question and he started laughing. I don't know what that means."

Lois smiled. "It means you've never met my family. I'd better get Hal."

"Mom," Nob called. "I need help."

"I'm busy."

"But I'm doing my numbers."

Lois looked for Hal, then looked at the messenger who smiled at her.

"Why don't I help your son with his numbers while you find your husband."

"Are you sure?" Lois said.

"I have a boy of my own the same age. I'm used to doing it."

Lois gratefully pointed him to the kitchen, and went to find where Hal was hiding.

"Hello, young man. Your mother asked if I could help you with your numbers. What seems to be the problem."

Nob looked up and smiled. "I have this homework problem. They're asking what would be the lowest possible value of X if N is positive. Can I assume that N is a whole number?"

"I hear your mother calling me."

Nob glared at the man's back as he left. "They always say that."

*

"Malcolm? I was told you had forgotten everything."

"I did, Draco. It was very depressing."

"And you're here because?"

"I remembered to come back. Are either of you interested in having some fun?"

*

Lois walked back into the house. "Nob, do you know where that man went?"

"He left after looking at my homework."

"They always do that."

"Excuse me," a ghostly voice said.

"Hal, it's Grandfather Binns." Lois looked out the door. "HAL!"

"To be honest," Binns said, "I was wondering if I could borrow Norbert."

"Should I ask why?"

"Malcolm was upset about certain things that happened to him over the past week, and wishes to express his anxiety."

Lois smiled. "Nob, do you want to help your brother get revenge on the toad lady?"

Nob answered by slamming his book closed.

"Thank you," Professor Binns said. "I wanted to help, after what happened, and this way I can do my own small part."

"I'm ready," Nob said as he came out of the bedroom wearing a nice clean shirt.

"That's good," Lois said. "Now go back and put on some pants."

*

"Are you ready?" Reese asked.

"Why not?" Anthony said. "You ruined my life, why not ruin my school career as well."

"Do you have everything I asked you to bring?"

"I have a piece of rope. I couldn't find anything else. You'd be amazed at how few shops sell explosives. I do have these. They're called crackling balls. You throw them at something and they flash with a popping noise. And I have this." He showed him an old handmade slingshot, with a fresh rubber band.

"That will work," Reese said. "Let's get going."

"Where are you going? The fireplace is this way?"

"They closed it off. We have to walk. It's only a few miles. We'll be there in an hour."

Anthony nodded thoughtfully. "Hogwarts is that close?"

*

"Who's coming?" Ginny asked.

"Reese is bringing Anthony. He also said he'd also bring some dynamite but I doubt that."

"What can they do?"

"Anthony is coming because he's given up on arguing with Reese. And Reese is coming because he wants to see Millicent, and possibly hit Umbridge, or push her down the stairs or something like that."

"I think I'll be happy to see Reese. Who else is coming?"

"Professor Binns is picking up Nob."

"Hi, Malcolm," Nob said as he walked into the classroom."

"That was quick," Ginny noted.

"Yeah, I guess it was. Nob, do you remember Ginny and Draco?"

"Hey Ginny," Nob said and gave her a hug.

"Hi, Nob," Draco said affectionately. "Have you been practicing on your broom?"

Nob happily hugged Draco as the memory flooded his brain. Then he remembered the part of Not-Malcolm."

[Not Again.]

"Nob, what did you do to me?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it again."

Ginny looked up. "Again? Nob when did you do it before?"

"In the courtroom, and when Draco taught me to fly a broom."

Ginny frowned. "That was you? Draco, I told Malcolm those things in confidence. You were never supposed to know about them."

"I never told anybody. Honestly."

"Can I know what those things were?" Malcolm asked.

"NO," Ginny and Draco yelled.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ginny cried.

"Because I was Malcolm. And I didn't tell anybody else . . . because of you."

[I wish I knew what they were talking about.]

"Oh, Draco," Ginny said and gave him a kiss as an apology. "Let's wait until you change back. Kissing you when you're like this is like kissing my brother."

Malcolm looked at his reflection while Draco asked, "Why did you bring Nob here anyway?"

Malcolm smiled.

[I will kill Malcolm. And I won't even bother to hid the body.]

"Can I stay," Nob asked.

"Sure. Dewey's in the infirmary right now, making sure that our mark is comfortable."

"Are there cookies?"

*

"Polyjuice potion," Malcolm said. "I've already put my hairs in them."

Lee Jordan took his potion. "Too bad we can't make this last longer. I wish I could have more than a cameo role."

"She should be moving by then," Malcolm said. "We want to keep her moving. I'm just glad we had an extra potion. Ginny, here's yours."

"Thank you, Malcolm. I look forward to giving that toad a taste of her own medicine." She pulled out a bottle of butterbear, and poured the potion in. "It's a fancy trick I learned with thick potions. They'll sit at the top of the bottle so they're the first thing you swallow, but then you get some butterbeer to kill the taste." She smiled and pulled out another bottle and handed it to Lee. Lee smiled in return and pulled out his own bottle.

Dewey came running up. "Anthony and Reese are in place and the feast is about to begin." He smiled and added, "I had a chance to talk to Professor Flitwick. He said it wasn't a problem." He pointed to the wall. "He cast an illusion charm on Grandfather Binns,"

The small group applauded as the ghostly figure of Malcolm floated through the wall. "Thank you all," Professor Binns said. "I must admit that I haven't felt this lively in a long time."

"This is it." Malcolm told everyone. "We're going with plan A. Take your positions. Grandfather, you can start us off."

*

Dolores Umbridge lay on the infirmary bed. She was grateful to finally be alone. Then she heard the telltale noise of someone in the room. Fearfully, she opened her eyes and saw the ghost. It was that horrid boy, Malcolm. He was dead.

"You're not allowed to haunt me. It's against the rules."

Malcolm floated in the air, saying nothing as Umbridge tried to tell him to leave. Then he spoke in a low voice filled with age. "Who am I? You know me. Who am I?"

"Go away, you obnoxious spirit. You can't do anything to me anyway."

The ghost of Malcolm made as though to throw something at Umbridge. A loud snapping noise and a small flash came from the wall behind her. The ghost paused, and then made the same motion. Anthony, hidden by the shadows, raised the slingshot and fired another crackling ball. This time he scored a direct hit.

Umbridge howled in surprise as she felt something hit her leg, but she did not see the muggle boy. All she saw was the ghost. She jumped out of the bed too quickly and landed on the floor. When she raised her head, the ghost was gone. "It wasn't my fault anyway," she said in self-justification.

"It wasn't mine," Malcolm's voice said from behind her. Umbridge turned around and saw a solid figure of Malcolm holding a pike from a suit of armor. "You cut my memories to shreds. I came to do some cutting of my own." Dolores screamed as the pike came down hitting the floor next to her. She jumped to her feet and scrambled toward the door. The pike slammed into the bed just after she had moved out of the way.

"This isn't happening," Dolores said as she went to grab her robe. She grabbed for her wand but a Malcolm-colored owl grabbed it out of her hand while her arm was hit with another well aimed shot. Then a voice behind her yelled, "Heeeeeere's Malcolm!"

She ran for the door yelling, "I'm leaving, I'm leaving," in the vain hope of stopping the demented spectre.

"I'll never leave you," Malcolm yelled. She fled the infirmary, with the aid of another crackling ball successfully aimed at her posterior.

*

Dolores Umbridge noticed that the ghost did not follow her out of the infirmary, and paused to catch her breath. She then decided that since she was leaving the school she should do so as quietly as possible. She tiptoed down the stairs and stepped over the trick stair, tripping on the piece of rope tied across the way. She fell the last two steps with a loud thud.

Umbridge shook her dizziness off and looked up at a sudden noise. She saw Malcolm standing there, with a pike, grinning at her. He was completely solid. "This is impossible?"

Malcolm smiled and raised his pike as Umbridge scrambled on all fours to get out of the way, barely making it. She ran for the next flight of stairs to find the ghostly form of Malcolm calling from behind, "I will always be there. Always. Always. Always." The former Headmistress ran around the corner in a panic as she headed for the side staircase at the end of the hall.

Malcolm suddenly appeared at the other end of the hall, again in solid form, this time without a pike. He charge down the corridor at Umbridge while swinging the mace over his head. Umbridge turned and fled for the main entrance, a quiet exit forgotten. Behind her the ghost of Malcolm called out, "Always. Always. Always.

*

Ginny held the butterbeer in her hand, waiting for the agreed time. As she heard Lee give the signal, Ron came up. "I'll have some of that, Sis," he said playfully and grabbed the butterbear out of her hand. He took a good swallow before she could stop him. "Tastes a bit funny," he added before he doubled over in pain. Two minutes later, he stood up, the perfect image of Malcolm. "What happened?"

Ginny smiled. "It's a bad bottle of butterbeer. I tried to warn you. You should go to the infirmary."

"Right," Ron said. "I do feel a bit off."

Ron walked down the corridor while Ginny crossed her fingers. Professor Umbridge suddenly ran around the corner scaring Ron. She saw him and panicked. "You're . . . You're . . ."

"Ron Weasley," Ron said, then saw how frightened Umbridge was. "Should you be out of bed?" he asked sarcastically. "You look terrible."

"No, no, you can't be," Umbridge screamed and ran past him. Ron looked back at her then happened to notice his reflection in a suit of armor. "I'll kill that Malcolm," he shouted.

*

Umbridge reached the main staircase and looked back, when she heard a familiar yet different voice. "Is there a problem, Professor?"

She turned around and stared in horror at the girl coming up the stairs. She was a girl but she was also Malcolm. Umbridge let out another scream and ran down the stairs where she saw Malcolm standing there with a large stick in his hand, grinning. Behind him, where the students were now coming out of the Great Hall, she spotted Nob waving at her, and noticed his resemblance.

As Umbridge gasped at the latest surprise, Malcolm began to swing the stick when Peeves suddenly appeared and grabbed it from his hands.

"Now it is my turn," Peeves said as he swung the walking stick and connected with Umbridge's rump. His next blow was aimed higher. She howled with fear and pain as she ran for the main doors which were suddenly opened for her by a greasy haired boy in a leather jacket who looked exactly like Malcolm.

Students were piling out of the Great Hall and clamoring to the windows to watch as Peeves harassed Umbridge all the way to the gate that marked the entrance to the school.

*

Dumbledore stood outside the Great Hall as the students returned to the feast. "All Malcolm's will report to me. NOW."

Albus led them into the side room where the first years were taken before the sorting. As all of them stood in a line, he tried to decide whether to be angry or amused. "Malcolm?"

The third boy in line raised his hand.

"I am relieved to find out that you have recovered from something that is incurable. You will stay. I see Polyjuice potion has been used and it is now wearing off. Mr. Weasley, I assume that it is you with the red hair?"

"Yes, Sir. Malcolm tried to trick my sister into drinking it?"

"He did not," Ginny yelled. "It was all planned. And you almost ruined it by your smug attitude."

"The two of you may go," Albus said as he dismissed them. "Mr. Jordan?"

"Yes, Sir. Even though I have finished my schooling, I still played a small part in tonight's affair."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Leaving the school proud of your accomplishments? You are almost back to normal. You may also go back to the feast." He turned to the third boy who was also changing. "Reese, I believe Millicent Bulstrode will be very happy to see you. Please feel free to join the feast."

"Sir, I would like to file a complaint. Peeves stole the cane I stole, I mean borrowed, from one of the teachers before I even had a chance to use it."

"I will deal with him, personally." He smiled as Reese left the room. "Anthony, there is no need for you to be here as you are not a Malcolm." Dumbledore paused as his eyes twinkled. "I believe that is the strangest line I've spoken in almost a century. Be that as it may, the feast awaits you as well. You may also spend the night here if you like. There is an extra bed in Malcolm's dorm."

"Thank you, Sir. But I'm supposed to leave tomorrow."

"Then take the train you arrived on. I will send for your baggage."

Anthony beamed like a five year old on his birthday. "Thank you. Sir." He left happily for the Great Hall.

The headmaster turned to the five remaining figures. "And you are?" he asked the ghostly figure.

"I fear I have set a poor example for my students," Professor Binns said. "I must confess that I am your history Professor."

"Albus," Professor Flitwick said from the doorway. "I did have a hand in that as well."

"Finite Incantatum," Dumbledore said, and Professor Binns returned to his normal self. He muttered an embarrassed thank you and floated away, giving a final wink to Malcolm. Flitwick mumbled an apology as well, and returned to the feast with a wide grin.

"Excuse me," Professor Vector interrupted.

"And did you have a part in any of this?"

"Sadly no, I merely came to take Nob off of your hands. While there is a family resemblance he should not qualify as a Malcolm."

"Very well, Nob, I leave you in the care of your great-grandmother."

"I was born on Hallowe'en," Nob said happily as he was led into the Great Hall. "I'm still accepting presents."

Albus turned to the next Malcolm in line.

"Wotcher, Albus," the female Malcolm said. "I'm fine but I think this 'un needs you help."

"Again, Mr. Malfoy?"

"It was Nob, Sir. He likes me for some reason."

"Finite Incantatum. You may go, Draco."

Draco turned to leave then turned back. "Malcolm, I am getting tired of this."

"And that leaves you," Albus said to the greasy haired Malcolm. "I would ask if you are Professor Snape but I know he is inside, so I must honestly ask who you are."

"The name's Louis Renault," greasy Malcolm said. "I heard that runt was going around telling people he was me and I came here to tell him to CUT IT OUT."

"We do apologize," Albus Dumbledore said politely. "All of us assumed that you were someone Malcolm made up."

"Excuse me, Sir," Malcolm said. "I know it sounds weird but I did make him up."

"This I gotta hear," Louis sneered. "Come out with it."

"Well," Malcolm said carefully, "I got the name from Harry Potter. He said I acted like a character in a movie who had that name. And I got the idea of how to look from this friend of my brother, some biker named Greaser."

"Hold it," Louis said angrily. "My dad ain't just 'some biker'. He can strip a Harley down and rebuild it so that it runs like brand new all in a days work. He's a top bike mechanic."

Malcolm looked amazed. "Honestly, I didn't know. Francis never said anything about Greaser having a family. But maybe he did, and I didn't remember. I'm sorry."

He held out his hand, but Louis only stared at it. "So, you're Francis's brother. Are you the smart one?"

"I thought I was."

Louis smirked and grabbed the proffered hand. "Good answer."

Albus smiled politely. "Now that everything is settled, Master Renault, would you care to join us for our end of the year feast."

"Thanks, I would."

"If you like, you may tell everyone that you are Malcolm. He won't be there to contradict you."

"WHAT?" Malcolm yelled.

"You seem to have forgotten, Malcolm. You have been expelled from this school for your unprovoked assault on a teacher. You deliberately attacked Professor Umbridge in her classroom because she tried to exert her authority."

"I honestly don't remember doing anything like that, Sir."

[The truth is, I honestly don't remember anything from that day.]

"I do believe you, Malcolm. Professor Vector informed me of exactly what you do not remember."

"He didn't do anything wrong," Dewey said from the doorway. With him where the Gryffindor, Euan Abercrombie, the Ravenclaw, Michael Davies and Rose Zeller from Hufflepuff.

"He didn't do anything wrong," Rose repeated. "We were there, and we do remember."

Dumbledore frowned but his eyes held there twinkle. "Then all of you saw Malcolm cast the spell?"

"No, Sir," Michael said with embarrassment.

"You did not see, Mr. Davies. Why is that?"

"Um," Michael muttered and fell silent.

Roger Davies stepped from behind the door, and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Excuse me, Sir. I shouldn't have been listening in, but Michael told me what happened that day. It seems that our former Headmistress was so insulted by my brother's reading difficulties that she thought a sharp blow to the head would be an excellent educational aid. Malcolm's spell hit her as her hand was descending on my brother."

"That is information that I was not given," Dumbledore admitted, "and I will weigh it carefully but that alone does not change Malcolm's current position."

"Sir," Roger continued, "Then may I thank Malcolm on behalf of my family for his wisdom in identifying Michael's problem."

"Um," Malcolm said. "That wasn't me, Sir. I was ready to label him as stupid just like the rest of the teachers. Dewey blamed me to hide the fact that he did it."

"A Slytherin?" Roger said with a laugh, while Michael gave Dewey a grateful grin. "I have to thank a Slytherin?"

Roger held out his hand. "Thank you, Dewey. I am more amazed that you could spot the problem when older and wiser people could not."

Dewey gave him a wry smile. "Someday I'll tell you about my friend Retard."

"Sir," Euan asked. "Does Malcolm still have to leave?"

Albus nodded. "I am afraid he does."

"Then we'll never find out how he cast the spell," he said sadly, and the other first years nodded.

Albus stared at the strange comment. "You told me that you saw him cast the spell."

"Yes, Sir. He stood there and the spell hit the toad lady, I mean . . ."

"I know what you mean," Albus said with a chuckle, "but he still cast the . . ." Dumbledore paused in mid-sentence. "Mister Abercrombie, you said that he stood there?"

"Yes, Sir."

"He did not wave his wand or recite an incantation?"

"Yes, Sir. Um, that's correct, Sir."

"That's impossible," Louis Renault said.

"Obviously it is not, Mister Renault," Dumbledore pointed out. He looked at Euan. "I assume the other first years can verify your statement?"

"Yes," three voices shouted."

"I would suggest that all of you return to the feast. I will be there shortly."

Dumbledore's manner made everyone obey but left them all with a feeling of hope.

"Mister Renault?"

"I'll wait and watch, Teach. This guy's proving to be a character. I want to see how it turns out."

"Malcolm?"

"You know as much as I do, Professor. I don't remember that day at all."

"I was asking if you had any objection to the other boy being here?"

Malcolm shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

Dumbledore managed to scowl with a smirk. "You have given me some of the strangest problems I have ever had, Malcolm, and I have had many to deal with. I will let you attend the farewell feast but you must remember that you are here as a guest. Your status is still that of a student who has been expelled, although I will discuss these new facts with the Minister."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Remember, Malcolm. I can give no guarantees. Off with the two of you now."

"I'm impressed," Louis laughed. "You hit a teacher, and it looks like you'll get away with it."

Malcolm joined his laughter. "And you were worried about your reputation."

As the headmaster opened the door to the Great Hall, Louis threw his arm over the other boy's shoulder. "You know, Malcolm, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."