Author's Notes: A shortish little chapter. Back to school, back to work,
but not back to the same old routines.
Disclaimer: If you recognize it from the books or movies, it is not of my creation.
Chapter 62: Back to Business
The next morning, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall met with Dumbledore, and was briefed on the activities of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. However, a sense of honor prevented the Headmaster from describing the perverse nature of their crimes in embarrassing detail. Some details were best kept to those who were directly involved, and given out only on a need to know basis. And at the time, there was no legitimate reason why the Deputy Headmistress needed to know exactly how the Malfoys had victimized the Potions Master and his lady friend. Unsettled, McGonagall returned to her classroom to ponder the new developments, and what they could possibly mean.
After lunch, Dumbledore met with a contingency of highly skilled and experienced Aurors. Again, he related only that information which was necessary to organize a mission of covert surveillance to try and track down Lucius Malfoy. None of the Aurors seemed particularly surprised by the fact that the dark wizard had been spotted and was up to his old tricks. Suspicious by nature, they all remembered the fact that Malfoy's corpse was never accounted for, and never quite believed that he was gone for good.
The meetings finished, Dumbledore took a moment to write Sirius Black; informing him of a credible report of Lucius Malfoy being spotted alive and up to no good. He suggested that during the remaining days of the Winter holidays, Sirius should keep a watchful eye on Harry just to be safe. The dreams the boy was having might or might not be related to Malfoy's return; but until more information was gathered, it would be best to err on the side of caution. Harry was quite unhappy with the sudden loss of independence. He felt as if he were being babied and didn't take kindly to Sirius' suggestion that he spend his days at the Ministry while his godfather worked at his new job. After an evening of quarreling they reached a compromise. Harry would not go to work with Sirius, but would instead spend the day at the Burrow with Ron, where Molly could keep a watchful eye out for him.
Professor Snape kept himself occupied with preparations for the new term, and obeyed the Headmaster's order not to try and hunt down Malfoy on his own. He wasn't pleased to be stuck at the castle while the Aurors carried out their surveillance and he made his displeasure known. He would have sworn on his life that Lucius was holed up at the country estate Narcissa was believed to have retreated to. But, without grounds for a warrant, the Ministry would never allow the Aurors to stage a raid. Even with their ties to dark wizardry, the Malfoy family name carried clout in the Ministry.
Mira spent the days immediately following the ball helping Professor Sprout transplant seedlings in the greenhouses, and occasionally helping Professor Snape with less distasteful Potionmaking tasks. They were lazy quiet days of busywork and simple companionship. While enjoying her vacation from duties as shopkeeper, Mira was anxious for the new term to begin so that she could return to familiar routines.
Two days before the students were set to return, Dumbledore called Mira and the professor into his office. He expressed concern over her returning to Hogsmeade while Lucius Malfoy was still at large. Outraged, and rightfully so, Mira argued her case to be allowed to return home and back to her normal life. Snape wouldn't hear of it, he didn't want her setting foot off the castle grounds, and Dumbledore voiced his agreement. After a few minutes of female histrionics over being held prisoner in the school and not allowing any dark wizard to run her out of her own home, Mira succeeded in reaching a compromise with her protectors.
She would return to work at the shop, but never alone, always with an assistant. And she would not live above the shop until Malfoy was captured and whatever threat he posed to her was neutralized. Professor Snape petitioned Dumbledore to open a one-way floo connection between the tailor shop and Mira's guest room, but the old wizard refused. It would be a weak spot in the school's elaborate security network. And, after the term began, a strange woman walking the halls every morning and night between the Headmaster's office and guest wing would incite gossip and could be construed as improper by more traditional and conservative wizarding families. The best thing would be for Mira to move in with her cousin and simply travel to and from the tailor shop. As a consolation gesture, Dumbledore said that he would devise a rotation schedule among the heads of houses, so that they were all allowed some personal time away from the school, if they should choose to take it. That way, the couple would be spared the indignity of stealing away for stolen hours together like a pair of married lovers arranging forbidden trysts.
Mira's last day at Hogwarts was particularly stressful. Between Professor Snape's very vocal disagreement with her choice to return to work at the shop, and the other faculty members rushing about making last minute preparations, she stayed close to her room, taking her time packing her belongings, refusing the assistance of the house-elves. To add insult to injury, her cousin seemed to lack enthusiasm over the new living arrangements. While Susan and Albert would bend over backwards for Dumbledore, in order to keep in good graces; they were hesitant to allow their poor relation into their home considering her uncanny knack for attracting trouble, including attracting men reputed to be involved in dark wizardry.
That evening, Professor Snape escorted her to Hogsmeade, so that she could take care of some business at the tailor shop. After making peace with the neglected shop-owl, Mira went upstairs to pack a few things. While she went about her business, the professor reinforced the security wards and charms protecting the building. Once finished, took her on through the floo network to her cousin's home just outside of London. Susan, Albert, and the old housemaid were all standing in the formal parlor to meet them. While painfully polite, Mira couldn't help but notice that they all three kept stealing glances at the Potions Master, as if they expected him to whip out his wand and start cursing everything in sight. After declining an offer to stay for supper, explaining that he had a trainload of students to prepare for, Professor Snape gave Mira a chaste kiss on the cheek and stepped into the floo fire which would take him straight to the Headmaster's office.
Harry slept in Sunday morning. He wouldn't need to catch a train; Sirius would simply walk with him to the train station, or hire a carriage to pick them up at the millwright's cabin. He took his time packing his school trunk and coaxing Hedwig into her cage. Ron would arrive shortly after lunchtime, and they would all three go to the train station to meet Hermione when the Hogwarts Express came in. While he was sorting through a pile of books and magazines, deciding which ones to take to school with him, Sirius knocked softly on Harry's door. Molly had just spoken with him over the fire, and Ron would be arriving shortly. Harry stacked the old Quidditch magazines and adventure novels on his little desk and put the ones he wanted to take to school into his trunk. Ron burst through the door without knocking, dressed in his uniform shirt and trousers, tie untied and looped around his neck like a scarf.
"Oy! Harry! You ready to leave? Sirius said that if we hurry, we'll have time to stop in the pub before the train makes it to the station."
Harry decided that a bottle of butterbeer sounded brilliant, and grabbed his cloak. While still not allowed to use much magic out of school, the boys let Sirius shrink their trunks to the size of matchboxes, so that they could carry them in their pockets. The owls, however, would remain their normal size. After stashing the owl cages and the re-enlarged trunks in the train station office, the trio walked over to the Three Broomsticks Pub for a round of drinks. Butterbeer for the two boys, a tankard of ale for Sirius.
While the boys sat at a table by the window, they saw some of their classmates trickle in towards the station. Not all students at Hogwarts took the express train to Hogsmeade. Many of the students lived in or around the wizarding settlement. And those, like Ron, had come in early to visit with friends before reporting in at the school. A clanging bell signaled the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The boys gulped down the last of their drink, and Sirius tossed a few coins onto the bar, and followed them out the door. They had just retrieved their belongings from the conductor's office when Hermione clambered off of the train, Crookshanks the cat in his wicker travel basket.
Hermione gave Harry and Sirius warm hugs, and still conflicted about Ron, gave him a quick friendly hug with a pat on the back. After seeing them to the horseless carriages, which would transport them across the bridge and to the school grounds, Sirius bid them farewell and returned to the pub. Being the end of Winter holidays, and not the start of a new year, there would be no sorting ceremony. Students were to report to their dormitories and then make their way down to the great hall for the welcome back feast.
As the students trickled into the dining hall, they wandered around, greeting friends from other houses, before settling in at their own house tables. When all were assembled, Headmaster Dumbledore rose to make his usual start of term announcements. Business taken care of, the students tucked into a splendid meal. Harry chatted with his friends, and looked around the room to see the familiar faces. The professors seemed all to be present and accounted for. Mercifully the welcome back feast wasn't a formal enough occasion to warrant their stuffy academic robes. Harry saw that Professor Sprout was chatting amicably with Flitwick, but McGonagall had a somewhat pursed look on her face as she sliced her roast beef into precise little pieces. Professor Snape seemed to be in a particularly foul mood. He had pushed his plate away and was sitting with his arms crossed, occasionally taking a sip from his goblet, and trying his best to ignore Hagrid's attempts to engage him in conversation.
Harry cringed inwardly, knowing full well that once the Potions Master was in a particularly foul mood, he was likely to remain that way for some time. And he was scheduled for double Potions on Tuesday.
"Great" he said under his breath, and reached for the gravy.
After the welcome back feast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione found a secluded corner of the Gryffindor common room where they could talk in private, without fear of being overheard. Harry told Hermione all about the note Sirius received from Dumbledore, warning him that Lucius Malfoy was not dead, and was believed to be at large and up to no good. Ron didn't believe it. He thought that somebody probably saw a wizard who looked like Malfoy, and panicked and now Dumbledore and the Aurors were getting all worked up for nothing.
Hermione was more willing to believe that Malfoy was indeed alive and still involved in dark magic. After all, she reminded the boys. Nobody had seen his body. He was last seen dying, but not dead. Harry didn't know what to believe. Either way, he was very upset at having his freedom curtailed because of a Death Eater who may or may not be alive and on the loose. With classes starting early in the morning, the trio decided to make an early night of it, and retired to their respective dormitories.
Disclaimer: If you recognize it from the books or movies, it is not of my creation.
Chapter 62: Back to Business
The next morning, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall met with Dumbledore, and was briefed on the activities of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. However, a sense of honor prevented the Headmaster from describing the perverse nature of their crimes in embarrassing detail. Some details were best kept to those who were directly involved, and given out only on a need to know basis. And at the time, there was no legitimate reason why the Deputy Headmistress needed to know exactly how the Malfoys had victimized the Potions Master and his lady friend. Unsettled, McGonagall returned to her classroom to ponder the new developments, and what they could possibly mean.
After lunch, Dumbledore met with a contingency of highly skilled and experienced Aurors. Again, he related only that information which was necessary to organize a mission of covert surveillance to try and track down Lucius Malfoy. None of the Aurors seemed particularly surprised by the fact that the dark wizard had been spotted and was up to his old tricks. Suspicious by nature, they all remembered the fact that Malfoy's corpse was never accounted for, and never quite believed that he was gone for good.
The meetings finished, Dumbledore took a moment to write Sirius Black; informing him of a credible report of Lucius Malfoy being spotted alive and up to no good. He suggested that during the remaining days of the Winter holidays, Sirius should keep a watchful eye on Harry just to be safe. The dreams the boy was having might or might not be related to Malfoy's return; but until more information was gathered, it would be best to err on the side of caution. Harry was quite unhappy with the sudden loss of independence. He felt as if he were being babied and didn't take kindly to Sirius' suggestion that he spend his days at the Ministry while his godfather worked at his new job. After an evening of quarreling they reached a compromise. Harry would not go to work with Sirius, but would instead spend the day at the Burrow with Ron, where Molly could keep a watchful eye out for him.
Professor Snape kept himself occupied with preparations for the new term, and obeyed the Headmaster's order not to try and hunt down Malfoy on his own. He wasn't pleased to be stuck at the castle while the Aurors carried out their surveillance and he made his displeasure known. He would have sworn on his life that Lucius was holed up at the country estate Narcissa was believed to have retreated to. But, without grounds for a warrant, the Ministry would never allow the Aurors to stage a raid. Even with their ties to dark wizardry, the Malfoy family name carried clout in the Ministry.
Mira spent the days immediately following the ball helping Professor Sprout transplant seedlings in the greenhouses, and occasionally helping Professor Snape with less distasteful Potionmaking tasks. They were lazy quiet days of busywork and simple companionship. While enjoying her vacation from duties as shopkeeper, Mira was anxious for the new term to begin so that she could return to familiar routines.
Two days before the students were set to return, Dumbledore called Mira and the professor into his office. He expressed concern over her returning to Hogsmeade while Lucius Malfoy was still at large. Outraged, and rightfully so, Mira argued her case to be allowed to return home and back to her normal life. Snape wouldn't hear of it, he didn't want her setting foot off the castle grounds, and Dumbledore voiced his agreement. After a few minutes of female histrionics over being held prisoner in the school and not allowing any dark wizard to run her out of her own home, Mira succeeded in reaching a compromise with her protectors.
She would return to work at the shop, but never alone, always with an assistant. And she would not live above the shop until Malfoy was captured and whatever threat he posed to her was neutralized. Professor Snape petitioned Dumbledore to open a one-way floo connection between the tailor shop and Mira's guest room, but the old wizard refused. It would be a weak spot in the school's elaborate security network. And, after the term began, a strange woman walking the halls every morning and night between the Headmaster's office and guest wing would incite gossip and could be construed as improper by more traditional and conservative wizarding families. The best thing would be for Mira to move in with her cousin and simply travel to and from the tailor shop. As a consolation gesture, Dumbledore said that he would devise a rotation schedule among the heads of houses, so that they were all allowed some personal time away from the school, if they should choose to take it. That way, the couple would be spared the indignity of stealing away for stolen hours together like a pair of married lovers arranging forbidden trysts.
Mira's last day at Hogwarts was particularly stressful. Between Professor Snape's very vocal disagreement with her choice to return to work at the shop, and the other faculty members rushing about making last minute preparations, she stayed close to her room, taking her time packing her belongings, refusing the assistance of the house-elves. To add insult to injury, her cousin seemed to lack enthusiasm over the new living arrangements. While Susan and Albert would bend over backwards for Dumbledore, in order to keep in good graces; they were hesitant to allow their poor relation into their home considering her uncanny knack for attracting trouble, including attracting men reputed to be involved in dark wizardry.
That evening, Professor Snape escorted her to Hogsmeade, so that she could take care of some business at the tailor shop. After making peace with the neglected shop-owl, Mira went upstairs to pack a few things. While she went about her business, the professor reinforced the security wards and charms protecting the building. Once finished, took her on through the floo network to her cousin's home just outside of London. Susan, Albert, and the old housemaid were all standing in the formal parlor to meet them. While painfully polite, Mira couldn't help but notice that they all three kept stealing glances at the Potions Master, as if they expected him to whip out his wand and start cursing everything in sight. After declining an offer to stay for supper, explaining that he had a trainload of students to prepare for, Professor Snape gave Mira a chaste kiss on the cheek and stepped into the floo fire which would take him straight to the Headmaster's office.
Harry slept in Sunday morning. He wouldn't need to catch a train; Sirius would simply walk with him to the train station, or hire a carriage to pick them up at the millwright's cabin. He took his time packing his school trunk and coaxing Hedwig into her cage. Ron would arrive shortly after lunchtime, and they would all three go to the train station to meet Hermione when the Hogwarts Express came in. While he was sorting through a pile of books and magazines, deciding which ones to take to school with him, Sirius knocked softly on Harry's door. Molly had just spoken with him over the fire, and Ron would be arriving shortly. Harry stacked the old Quidditch magazines and adventure novels on his little desk and put the ones he wanted to take to school into his trunk. Ron burst through the door without knocking, dressed in his uniform shirt and trousers, tie untied and looped around his neck like a scarf.
"Oy! Harry! You ready to leave? Sirius said that if we hurry, we'll have time to stop in the pub before the train makes it to the station."
Harry decided that a bottle of butterbeer sounded brilliant, and grabbed his cloak. While still not allowed to use much magic out of school, the boys let Sirius shrink their trunks to the size of matchboxes, so that they could carry them in their pockets. The owls, however, would remain their normal size. After stashing the owl cages and the re-enlarged trunks in the train station office, the trio walked over to the Three Broomsticks Pub for a round of drinks. Butterbeer for the two boys, a tankard of ale for Sirius.
While the boys sat at a table by the window, they saw some of their classmates trickle in towards the station. Not all students at Hogwarts took the express train to Hogsmeade. Many of the students lived in or around the wizarding settlement. And those, like Ron, had come in early to visit with friends before reporting in at the school. A clanging bell signaled the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The boys gulped down the last of their drink, and Sirius tossed a few coins onto the bar, and followed them out the door. They had just retrieved their belongings from the conductor's office when Hermione clambered off of the train, Crookshanks the cat in his wicker travel basket.
Hermione gave Harry and Sirius warm hugs, and still conflicted about Ron, gave him a quick friendly hug with a pat on the back. After seeing them to the horseless carriages, which would transport them across the bridge and to the school grounds, Sirius bid them farewell and returned to the pub. Being the end of Winter holidays, and not the start of a new year, there would be no sorting ceremony. Students were to report to their dormitories and then make their way down to the great hall for the welcome back feast.
As the students trickled into the dining hall, they wandered around, greeting friends from other houses, before settling in at their own house tables. When all were assembled, Headmaster Dumbledore rose to make his usual start of term announcements. Business taken care of, the students tucked into a splendid meal. Harry chatted with his friends, and looked around the room to see the familiar faces. The professors seemed all to be present and accounted for. Mercifully the welcome back feast wasn't a formal enough occasion to warrant their stuffy academic robes. Harry saw that Professor Sprout was chatting amicably with Flitwick, but McGonagall had a somewhat pursed look on her face as she sliced her roast beef into precise little pieces. Professor Snape seemed to be in a particularly foul mood. He had pushed his plate away and was sitting with his arms crossed, occasionally taking a sip from his goblet, and trying his best to ignore Hagrid's attempts to engage him in conversation.
Harry cringed inwardly, knowing full well that once the Potions Master was in a particularly foul mood, he was likely to remain that way for some time. And he was scheduled for double Potions on Tuesday.
"Great" he said under his breath, and reached for the gravy.
After the welcome back feast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione found a secluded corner of the Gryffindor common room where they could talk in private, without fear of being overheard. Harry told Hermione all about the note Sirius received from Dumbledore, warning him that Lucius Malfoy was not dead, and was believed to be at large and up to no good. Ron didn't believe it. He thought that somebody probably saw a wizard who looked like Malfoy, and panicked and now Dumbledore and the Aurors were getting all worked up for nothing.
Hermione was more willing to believe that Malfoy was indeed alive and still involved in dark magic. After all, she reminded the boys. Nobody had seen his body. He was last seen dying, but not dead. Harry didn't know what to believe. Either way, he was very upset at having his freedom curtailed because of a Death Eater who may or may not be alive and on the loose. With classes starting early in the morning, the trio decided to make an early night of it, and retired to their respective dormitories.