A/N I guess it has been awhile since I have updated. I'm sorry. This chapter is going to be short but it should clear up a few questions, and raise a few more. Don't you just love that? As to why the wedding set has three rings: it is the custom here in the US where I live. One wedding band for the husband and both a wedding band and an engagement ring for the wife. Not very British, I'm sure, but I had to throw it in.
As usual, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review. I really appreciate hearing form you.
And now… On with the story.
Chapter 10
Maybe or maybe not
Harry couldn't hear Ron and Hermione calling to him over the din in the Gryffindor common room. They finally caught his eye as he looked around the crowded room, their wild gestures barely noticeable.
"Harry, you missed professor Dumbledore's announcement at dinner," gasped Hermione, "seven students have been expelled!"
"They were death eaters," explained Ron "at Hogwarts!"
"Students, Harry," continued Hermione "Voldemort has started recruiting students."
"So that's what the professors have been upset about," said Harry
"One was a Gryffindor; one of us, Harry," said Ron disbelievingly.
Harry questioningly looked up.
"Adams," confirmed Hermione "I would never have suspected him. He was studious, and most this time with a couple Ravenclaws."
"Which might explain the two Ravenclaws expelled," reported Ron. "One Hufflepuff but three Slytherin, I guess professor snake had a good reason for being angry."
"Agreed," replied Harry. "I wonder why… He didn't tell me a thing about this at supper."
"No wonder, Slytherins are…"
"Ron, stop it," scolded Hermione. "There must be some good Slytherins or professor Dumbledore wouldn't continue that house, tradition or no."
"How were they discovered?"
"Fred and George told me that the professors did a search of the dorms," answered Ron. "We were busy bringing the first years up so we missed it."
"So, us three, and the first year Gryffindor's were not checked. What about the other houses?"
"Not sure," Hermione answered as Ron shrugged.
"I think I will ask around, it would be nice to know."
"So, how was supper?" asked Hermione changing the subject.
"Good," Harry answered and then continued with a chuckle. "You should have seen Dobby and Winky!"
"What?" asked Ron leaning forward.
"He has them wearing solid black uniforms!" Harry laughed.
"What?" Hermione and Ron asked in Unison.
"Yep," Harry nodded giggling.
"Dobby in black?" asked Ron incredulously.
Harry could only offer a nod in confirmation before the trio burst out laughing, raising puzzled glances from the rest of the room.
"That's right," shouted George from the far corner.
He jumped up on a table to continue his announcement.
"He-who-must-not-be-named tried to get his death eaters into Hogwarts, and failed. We should be celebrating!"
As Minerva McGonagall turned down toward the Gryffindor common room to offer what comfort she may be able to provide her shocked house, she was surprised by the noise emanating from behind the portrait. Peeking her head into the room she saw a party in full swing instead of the doom and gloom she expected.
Amused by her house is ability to recover from the worst of news, she chuckled softly as she sent word to the staff member on my duty that her students had permission to stay up as late as they wanted, before she retired for the night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Exhausted after the previous nights Quidditch tryouts, Harry nodded into his Defence book. DADA had, in the past few weeks, become an even better place to catch a nap than History of Magic. A sharp elbow caught his attention enough to keep his head from falling forward.
"Thanks Hermione," he whispered.
"Quiet! Reading does not require talking," the creaking voice of Professor Books warned.
Catching sight of the face Ron was making behind his book, Hermione took the opportunity to give him a sharp kick.
"Class dismissed," the elderly professor finally called. "Pack up your books; I will see you next week."
"It's been three weeks!" complained Ron as the entered the Great Hall "We haven't learned one thing. That class is a total waste of time."
"Reading is a very important part of learning. Perhaps you should pay a little more attention."
"The point is, all of our other professors expect us to read the text before class so that we are prepared for the lesson or practical application. Professor Books has not given us a single lesson or any practical application time," explained Harry.
"Well…"
"Hermione, we have O.W.L's at the end of the year. How so you think you will do with out a single practical lesson?"
"I am sure we will have practical lessons before the end of the year."
"Even the Slytherin students are complaining. I overheard Malfoy telling his goons that he had written to his father."
"So, when does the list go up?"
"Honestly, do you ever think about anything besides Quidditch?"
"Tomorrow morning. We have a meeting after classes this afternoon. We'll make our final decision then."
"Remember, we have a full moon tonight. This will be our only chance to do our Astronomy homework before it's due."
"Full moon? We will be doing the bonding tonight then. Oi! Guys, the meeting is moved to tomorrow night. We'll post the tryout results Sunday morning."
"As you say, El' Capitan," Fred stood and saluted smartly.
"Captain, you made Captain and didn't tell us?"
"Congratulations Harry. Come on, we'll be late to Transfiguration."
"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Ron as he followed his friends out into the Entry.
"I wanted to wait until after the results were posted. I'm sorry."
"But Father," Draco Malfoy complained "Mother doesn't want me so far away."
"Enough Draco, I will not have your education neglected because that fool Dumbledore insists on hiring idiots to teach."
"Father, perhaps if you talked to him. Order him to hire a new Professor."
"I have already spoken with him about the inappropriateness of his choices in hires. He refuses to see reason."
"Father, you have always said that connections were equally, if not more important than education. Are not the connections I can make at Hogwarts superior to those I can make at Durmstrang?"
"This matter is decided. I will here no more of this. Be sure to pack all of your things when you come home for term break. You will not be returning."
"Yes Father," replied Draco as he watched the elder Malfoy turn and leave.
The trio waited for the young Slitherin to leave before turning the corner and running down the hall to the Transfiguration classroom.
"Can you believe that?" asked Ron as they ate supper, "Two and a half Malfoy-free years."
"I am more interested in why he is being withdrawn," replied Harry darkly, "It sounded like there was more to the reason than just Professor Books."
"And, why doesn't he want to leave?" asked Hermione, "Did you hear that?"
"I have to go, I'll meet you up in the astronomy tower later." Replied Harry, excusing himself.