Chapter 3
Monday – 8 July
Harry was naturally a light sleeper, and the soft sound of the two women sleeping just feet away from him was quite comforting. He quietly got up, at five and glanced over at Tonks in the early morning light. In her natural state, she appeared to be about five foot four with a slim build. Her hair was cut pageboy length and was a light straw blond in color. Her face was oval shaped. She really was a pretty young woman when she wasn't going for a goofy or hard Goth look.
Ginny had gotten her hair cut since she met him in the park on Saturday morning. Harry realized that he should have said something about it yesterday. It shaped her face nicely, and gave her a more mature look. Slightly taller than Tonks, she was just a bit curvier too. Harry shook himself out of his self-induced trance, smiled to himself, and quietly left the room. He took a shower, and put his same clothes back on. A few minutes later, he made coffee and watched the sun come up as he made breakfast. Forty minutes later Tonks and Ginny came down and sat at either side of the table. There were no elbows in the butter dish this time. The two women at the table exuded self-confidence. Harry had made toast, coffee, sliced fresh fruit, and had cooked some breakfast sausages. He poured everyone a glass of orange juice and sat down.
POP, POP! Dobby and Winky had arrived. They were each carrying a small bag that apparently had all of their possessions. Not bothering to put them down, Dobby ran up to Harry, somehow still wearing at least three hats and cried, "Good morning Harry Potter sir. Dobby and Winky is very happy to see you sir. Can Dobby or Winky get you or your Miss friends anything?"
Harry poured them each a glass of juice and made them each a plate up for breakfast. "Good morning Winky. Good morning Dobby. I am happy to have both of you here. Please sit down and have breakfast with us. After that we can discuss what needs to be discussed. Dobby and Winky, this is Tonks and Ginny Weasley."
Winky curtseyed. "Winky is a good house elf. Winky promises to work hard, and keep her master's secrets."
Harry smiled at her. "I know Winky. I am very happy that you are here too. Please join us. Then we can get started."
The prospect of being able to do some proper housework after breakfast seemed to be enough to settle Dobby and Winky down long enough for the others to finish eating. After an amusing few minutes of watching Dobby and Winky anxiously squirm in their seats, Tonks said, "Harry you have business to discuss with Winky and Dobby. Ginny and I will visit in here for a few minutes until you are ready."
Harry took them up to the study on the third level. The little elf began. "Dobby and Winky is both wanting to work for Mr. Harry Potter sir. Professor Dumbledore said that we is free to work for yous as long as yous wants us to. We is both promising to do a good job, work hard and obeys your wishes." Dobby looked at him hopefully.
Harry smiled at his small friends. "OK Dobby. OK Winky. You both can come and work for me. I will pay you each two Galleons a week, and you will need to pick one of the bedrooms to be your own. When I am back at school, you can spend part of your time here, and the rest at school. You both can work for me as long as you wish to. Is that agreeable?"
Dobby and Winky whispered back and forth to each other for a moment. Winky shook her head. "I's only wants one Galleon a week."
Harry had expected this. "OK Winky, then you can save the other ones and give them away to anyone that you wish to. OK?"
Winky and Dobby whispered to each other for another minute. "OK, but we only wants one day off a week, not two days like we had to have at Hogwarts."
Harry smiled. "OK. You can start any day that you wish to."
Dobby hugged Harry. "We is ready now Harry Potter sir. We is both ready."
Harry explained what he was thinking about with the house. "OK. Please start in the big open room on the top level. See if you can clean and lighten all of the woodwork, peel the wall coverings off and paint them white. Thank you both very much. Please let me know what you need. Thanks again. I am really glad that you are both here. We will be sorting the household goods and will need help from time to time. After lunch, please pick out one of the bedrooms for your own. Please ask Ginny what she would like for lunch today. Again, thank you both very much. Also please let me know how to handle the household money that you will be needing."
Winky explained that either Harry could leave some cash out for their use, or they could be added as authorized users of his accounts. Since Harry had a large pile of Galleons available, he told Winky that he would leave the money in a jar on the desk. Harry took a coffee mug, and transfigured it into a matching cookie jar that read Dobby and Winky. Harry dumped about half of his Galleons into the jar and set it back on the desk telling them to take what they needed, and to let him know when he needed to add more. Winky looked very pleased. "We's will certainly do a good job, Master Potter, sir."
"I know that you will Winky. Please call me Harry. Just Harry." Satisfied with their negotiations, the elves scurried off to begin their appointed tasks.
Harry went downstairs and found Tonks and Ginny looking around in the library. Harry remembered to mention that he thought Ginny looked great with her new haircut. Tonks smiled at her, and excused herself to get something out in the kitchen. When she came back, Harry was still visiting with Ginny, who was unconsciously brushing her hair out of her eyes. "OK loverboy, let's get started here. She smiled at them both. "I'll look through the titles and sort out the really dark stuff. You may want to float the paintings off of the walls, and set them in the great room. Ginny if you can, why don't you move the stuff from the front entrance way. Our packages from yesterday should be arriving this afternoon. We can meet up again in about an hour."
Not counting Mrs. Black and Phineas Nigellus, there were about two dozen or so wizards or witches portraits in the rooms that Harry had visited so far. With a swish and flick of his wand, he had floated each into the great room. Sensing their eminent disposal, the portraits began all talking at once. "Who are you? Where are the others? Why am I here?"
About that time, Harry heard a screech. "Blood traitor. What are you doing? Stop. Kreacher!!!" Knowing where the noise came from, Harry quickly walked into the front entrance. Mrs. Black's portrait was yelling nonstop at Ginny. "Filth, get out of my house."
"Silence," Harry shouted imperiously. Somewhat surprisingly to him, she actually did. "This is my house, and at the moment, you are here at my pleasure. I will return in a moment. In the mean time, please hold your tongue." Harry went and found the portrait of Phineas.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," it said. Harry was a bit surprised that the old headmaster had lost all of the arrogance that he had displayed when Harry had talked with him in Dumbledore's office.
"Hello Professor Nigellus. Will you help me?"
Surprising to Harry, the portrait said, "Yes I will."
"There is a portrait of Sirius's mother in the front entrance. She is rude to everyone, and shouts at people as they walk by. The portrait is hanging by means of some type of sticking charm. Either she comes down on her own, or I will blast her off of the wall. It is her choice, but either way, at the end of an hour, the portrait will be off of the wall. Perhaps Professor Dumbledore will take her to Hogwarts, but I won't have her here. Will you talk with her?"
"Yes I will."
"Thank you." Harry carefully picked up the portrait of Phineas and leaned it against the wall on the floor across from Mrs. Black's portrait. He set it at a bit of an angle so he could see Mrs. Black easier and left. Harry entered the library where Tonks and Ginny were whispering with smiles on their faces.
"What did you do?" asked Tonks.
"I told Phineas that he had an hour to convince Mrs. Black's painting to unstick itself from the wall or I would blast the wall out of the house. Perhaps Dumbledore will take her. Maybe Snape would hang her in his bathroom, and could visit her each morning." They all laughed at the idea.
"What did you do with that horrible troll leg umbrella stand?" asked Harry.
Ginny replied, "I got it about halfway to the throw away pile when that witch started yelling at me and you came over. It's still in the hallway. It's disgusting."
"I hate that thing, said Tonks. I bet I've tripped over that bloody thing twenty times."
"Not anymore," said Harry. "What should we do with all of the paintings?"
Tonks answered, "I would recommend asking Dumbledore about them. Perhaps they can be safely moved. Perhaps they pose too great of a risk to the Order. I hope that you can sell them. They are really quite valuable. I take it that you have no great attachment to any of them?"
"No, with the exception of Phineas. We get along OK." A few minutes later, Harry walked back into the entranceway. Mrs. Black had stopped shouting. Indeed, she wasn't saying anything. Harry asked if he and Ginny could lift her off of the wall and put her in the Great Room. She nodded. Harry and Ginny came back a minute later, each carrying a kitchen chair to stand on. Carefully they lifted the painting off of its mounting, and gently set it on the floor against the wall as the carried the chairs back into the kitchen. Gently they each took an end of the four by six foot painting and started carrying it into the Great Room, Ginny going first. Just then, a gray blur jumped up and grabbed Ginny from behind by the neck, attempting to choke and bite her at the same time. His long grubby fingers were around her neck and his broken teeth looked lethal. In an instant, Harry had his wand out and hit Kreacher with the same flame cutter spell that Dolohov had attacked Hermione with. Unlike Dolohov, Harry wasn't under a silencing charm, and his spell was full blast. In a blink, Kreacher was on the floor, dead. Harry heard a moaning sound. He rushed over to Ginny. "Are you all right?"
There were tears in her eyes. "That thing jumped up and tried to kill me." She hugged him so hard. "Thanks Harry. You saved me, again."
A moment later, Tonks came out, wand in hand. "Cor, what happened?"
"Kreacher tried to kill me. Harry saved me." They heard another moan. It was the portrait of Mrs. Black. When Kreacher had attacked Ginny, she dropped the portrait just as they were carrying it over the umbrella stand. Mrs. Black had been impaled with six umbrellas.
Tonks pointed her wand at the ruined painting. "Evanesco." The portrait and the Troll leg were gone. "Harry there is no law against saving a pretty girl who is being attacked by a mad house elf." She looked at Kreacher for a moment. "Merlin Harry! What did you hit him with?" Harry looked. Kreacher was in two pieces, each of which had been cauterized by the force of the flame curse.
"Don't know. Something I saw last month."
Tonks was amazed that Harry had killed the house elf so quickly. That was a nasty curse that he had used. She had never seen anything like it. "Ginny, remind me never to piss him off. Evanesco." Kreacher was gone.
It was a quiet group for the rest of the morning. Ginny sat in a leather wing chair in the library shaking. Harry wasn't sure what to do. He went into the kitchen and got three sodas. He brought one over to Tonks who whispered, "Just hold her for a few minutes Harry. She's pretty scared. I'll go see how Dobby and Winky are doing."
Harry walked into the library and sat down on the floor in front of where Ginny was sitting. "Hi Ginny. I brought you a soda." She sat down on the floor beside him. Harry handed her the soda. She took a sip, and set it down. Ginny threw her arms around him.
"Thanks Harry. That's three times that you've saved me." Not quite sure what she expected, Harry gently put his arms around her and patted her back. She smelled faintly of vanilla. After another minute, she stood up and helped Harry up. When he was standing, she reached up and kissed him on the lips.
Shocked at first, Harry found that kissing Ginny was much more pleasant than kissing Cho had ever been. She felt so warm and passionate. When she was finished, all Harry could say was "Wow! Thanks."
She smiled at him, a bit of satisfaction in her heart at having kissed Harry Potter, apparently to his satisfaction. "My pleasure Mr. Potter. Thanks again." Harry noticed that Ginny had really pretty eyes. They offered so much expression. They heard a faint tapping against the kitchen window. Half a dozen owls were sitting outside the window. Harry opened the window, and the owls flew in. There were letters from Hagrid, McGonagall, Flitwick, Molly and Arthur, Hermione, and Neville. Harry took a look at the letters, while Ginny looked after each of the owls.
Dear Harry,
I was saddened to read of the deaths of your Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin. My parents express their sympathy too. If you need a place to stay, or we can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to ask.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Hermione
Harry knew that she meant what she had said. She really was his best friend. He picked up the letter from McGonagall.
Dear Mr. Potter
I was saddened to hear of the deaths of your Aunt and Uncle. Albus informed me of the investigation. Please let me know what I can do to help you. I received a letter from Miss Granger. We would be happy to take good care of your Hedwig for the summer. Also attached is the recommended reading list if you have extra time. Again our best wishes are with you.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
The others were about the same. Molly and Arthur wanted to know if he was planning on attending the funeral being held the next afternoon. Harry hadn't thought about it one way or another. He wasn't sure that he wanted to, and was less certain if he could safely go. The last thing that he wanted was to endanger anyone else. Harry wrote replies to each of the letters, thanking them for thinking about him. He also wrote Professor Flitwick a note asking if he would show him how to do electrical wiring in the next few weeks if he had a chance. Harry asked several of the Hogwarts owls if they would mind staying for a few extra hours in case the others had any post that they needed to send.
It was getting to be lunch time when Remus arrived. He knocked on the door and Dobby answered the door. "Good afternoon, Mr. Lupin sir. You is Mr. Potter's first visitor. I will gets him for you."
"Thank you Dobby," said Remus, more than a little amused at the little elf's quirks.
Harry arrived at the door. Remus gave him a hug. "Harry. It's good to see you. I was sorry to hear of Petunia's and the other deaths. What happened?"
"I'm not certain. Director Bones told me that their car was attacked and blew up somehow. I haven't heard anything else."
Remus considered what to say. The entire Order as well as half of the Aurors were investigating the case. None of the news would do Harry any good in the short run, so he said nothing about it. Instead he said, "I brought you your things. He went back out to the ancient BMW and brought in two large shopping bags, each containing the shrunken bags that they had purchased, as well as six cases of butterbeer.
"Thank you." Harry felt guilty that Sirius had left his entire estate to him, and had seemingly forgotten his old friend. "We're just about to have lunch. Please join us."
Winky had made fresh vegetable beef soup, fresh baked bread, ham sandwiches, vinegar crisps, and a light desert for lunch. Tonks said, "No offense Harry, but this is way better than jar sauce spaghetti."
Ginny nodded her head, "But yours was great too." She gave him a half wink.
Tonks filled Remus in on their morning, not mentioning the flame cutter curse that Harry had used against Kreacher. Lupin was more than a little impressed to hear how Harry had gotten Mrs. Blacks portrait to volunteer to come off of the wall. "What would you have done if she hadn't agreed to come down?"
"I don't know. I probably would have asked Dobby to scrape her off of the wall. It was kind of ironic that she met her end due to her own house elf attacking someone who was doing something nice for her."
Remus asked if Harry wanted to go to the Dursleys' funeral. Finding out that the time and location had been published in several newspapers, Harry decided against it. For one thing he wasn't in the mood to be verbally abused from Vernon's sister Marge. More importantly, he didn't want to endanger anyone else, and said so.
Tonks shook her head. "Harry it's your right to go if you want to. Every one of the Aurors would be happy to escort you if we need to."
Harry replied, "I know that you'd all put yourselves at risk to protect me. That's exactly why I don't want any of you to get hurt, certainly not over the Dursleys." Changing the subject, he said, "Let's go see how Dobby is doing." When they walked up the stairs into the open space, they were amazed. Dobby had scrubbed about a fourth of the big room to the point that it looked like it had been constructed just last week. The wood was bright and clear, and the walls were perfectly white. It looked quite impressive. All Harry could say was, "Wow Dobby! It looks fabulous! Thank you so much."
Dobby looked up at Harry with awe in his eyes. The Malfoys had never complimented him, ever. "You is welcome Harry Potter sir. You is a great wizard. Dobby heard how you saved your Miss friend from the bad Kreacher elf. Dobby is very proud of you sir."
Not really knowing what to say, all Harry could think of was, "Thanks." It was awkward talking about killing a house elf to another house elf, even Dobby.
The others had stayed upstairs. Harry went back to the entrance and carefully placed the portrait of Phineas in the library. He asked the portrait if he would mind residing in the study after things got settled in. Phineas was agreeable to that. Harry asked the portrait if he had ever lived in the house.
"Yes, for a few years."
"If you were going to hide something in the house, where would you put it?"
Phineas contemplated the answer for a minute. "I think what you're really asking me is where Sirius would have hidden something. Is that correct?"
Harry smiled. "Correct." He understood why Dumbledore used the portraits in his own office. They made excellent sounding boards.
"Sirius rarely left his room. I would suggest looking under the floorboards under the dresser. Do you know what you are looking for?"
The Gringotts Goblin said that he recently made several substantial cash withdrawals, and I'm not certain that he actually spent the money.
"That would make sense. It would not have been easy for him to get to Gringotts, and he had to have some cash on hand in case he had to leave suddenly."
Harry realized that this conversation really wasn't Dumbledore's business. "Phineas, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Are you going to tell Professor Dumbledore about the things that you see here?"
"Harry, you are the master of the house. If you say so, I won't say anything unless you specifically request that I do."
"Thank you. I would like it that way, and I won't ask you about the things that go on in Dumbledore's office."
"As you wish, young master."
Meanwhile, Remus had been very helpful sorting through potions and the different equipment in the cellar. At dinner he was able to give a complete report. He recommended that the entire lot be boxed up, and donated to Hogwarts. "Harry there's a cellar full of obscure and dangerous potions and ingredients down there. Sirius' mother was a Potions Master. You and I are not, and I don't expect that you'd be very happy having Snape snooping around for a week. I'd be very happy to box it up over the next few days if that's your choice."
"Thank you. I'd like that."
Remus nodded. "Is there anything that you'd like from Hogwarts? I'm flying Buckbeak back to the forest tonight, and will be back tomorrow morning about nine."
Harry shook his head, "I don't need anything. If you see Professor Dumbledore, you might ask him if it is OK if Mundungus sells the portraits. No worries if you don't see him. I will owl him tomorrow night when we have a more complete list."
Harry considered his next words for a moment. "Remus, I want to talk with you about something else. I want to share part of the inheritance with you and Tonks, and I don't want you to fight me about it."
Remus looked at his young friend with additional respect. He didn't think that he deserved anything, but didn't want to push Harry away by saying no to him. "What did he leave you?"
"Sirius left me this property, a property in Cork, an interest in the Nimbus Corporation, and an interest in St. Andrews Old Course Hotels Ltd. He also left some cash in the Gringotts account."
"I see. What did you have in mind?"
"I'd like to split the proceeds of the sale of the household items and jewelry between you, Tonks, the Weasleys, myself, Hermione, and a trust fund."
Remus was delighted that his young friend had thought to include Tonks, Hermione, and the Weasleys as well. He asked, "What are your thoughts for the trust fund?"
"I'm not sure. I haven't thought that part through quite yet."
Remus forced himself to go along with Harry's wishes. It was not in his nature to accept financial help from people, but he really could use it. Somehow he would find a way to earn it. He looked at Harry and said, "All right – OK, and thank you. I accept on the condition that you let me help you sort through this stuff this week. There might be more here that you can use than you think."
Harry smiled back. "OK. Thank you and you're welcome. Please don't say anything to Tonks. I'm not sure of the splits yet. OK?"
"Not a word. It will be easier to decide when you know what the total is. I will be back tomorrow morning."
At ten than night, Remus opened the large window from the back of the room where Buckbeak had stayed. Harry remembered back what seemed a lifetime ago to the day that he had first met and flown on the back of the great animal, and the time that he and Hermione had helped Sirius escape, flying away on Buckbeak. Getting onto the beautiful animal, Remus waved at Harry, Ginny, and Tonks. With a mighty leap Buckbeak leapt out of the window and they flew west to get out of London, and then would fly north. Given that the clouds hid the moon, it was unlikely that they would be seen. Harry closed the window wondering if he would ever see Buckbeak again. He was tired and they still hadn't gotten to the second floor.
Again, Tonks conjured sleeping bags for the three of them. This evening there were no hand-me-downs or ill-fitting sleepwear. Ginny and Tonks came in with silk nighties that looked very good on them. Harry couldn't help but notice how well that the sleepwear fit the women. "You two look quite tidy in your new sleepwear."
"So do you, Mr. Potter," said Tonks, appreciating Harry's genuine comment. She had brought each of them a butterbeer to enjoy while the sat by the fire. When they had about finished, as if on cue, each of the women gave Harry a slightly longer kiss on the cheek. "Pleasant dreams, Mr. Potter," they both said. They winked at him.
"Thank you. You too."
"Good night, loverboy."
Harry drifted off to sleep, but his dreams were anything but pleasant. Wormtail, Umbridge and another Death Eater were being tortured by Voldemort. "Crucio. You idiot. It is a miracle that I am allowing any of you to live." Turning to one of the Death Eaters, he said, "You assured me that he would be with them. Crucio. I expected better things from you." Turning to Wormtail he snarled, "And you assured me that those blundering muggles wouldn't be seen." He got to Umbridge. "And you assured me that their car would be vanished after it had been hit." He walked back to the first Death Eater and kicked him. "No dead Potter. Instead I have a dead drill salesman, and every Auror in the country is looking for you three. Crucio."
Harry woke up screaming. Tonks and Ginny were hugging him. He was soaked in a cold sweat and shaking. They felt pleasantly soft and warm against him.
"Harry, are you all right?" asked Ginny. Tonks had relit the fire. She looked scared for him.
Trying hard to avoid retching in front of the women, Harry said, "I had a vision of Voldemort torturing Pettigrew, Umbridge and someone else in connection with the murder of the Dursleys." Harry was shaking. He went to the bathroom, and for a minute, another cold sweat hit him. He splashed water on his face, dried himself off, and felt better. When he came back, Tonks had rearranged the sleeping bags, so they were all open. She laid one on top of the other, so it would be softer for them. She motioned for Harry to come between her and Ginny, and covered the three of them with the third sleeping bag. Harry lay on his back as the two women snuggled up to him, put their arms around him, and kissed him goodnight.
Harry woke up at five with both women wrapped around him. Trying to get up without inadvertently groping either woman, Harry took in their smells for a moment. Ginny had the faint smell of vanilla in her hair and Tonks just smelled clean. Harry got up, went down to the library and wrote Professor Dumbledore a note, explaining the vision that he had seen. He was positive that Wormtail and Umbridge were there, but he couldn't make out the third person. He was certain that it hadn't been Snape or Bellatrix. Harry was not certain of the safety of sending the letter that he had just written by school owl. He wished that Fawkes could deliver it. A few seconds later, to Harry's utter amazement, he heard a single note that he recognized as Phoenix song, and the beautiful red and gold bird appeared in a flash in front of him.
Stroking the bird for a moment Harry said, "That was brilliant Fawkes. Can you take this to Dumbledore for me?" Harry looked as the swan sized bird nodded his head. Harry carefully placed the letter in Fawkes' open mouth, and an instant later it vanished in a flash of golden flame.
Ginny and Tonks had been quietly standing in the doorway watching him. Ginny said, "Harry that was amazing! It's still really early. Please come back and get some more sleep. You were up half the night."
They walked back up to the study. "Lay down on your side Harry," said Tonks. Harry did. Ginny curled up behind him, and Tonks in front of him. "Give me your hand Harry." She took her hand and put it around her small waist, above just beneath her ribs. Harry breathed nervously. "Calm down Harry. You aren't doing anything that we don't want you to. You won't do anything extreme that we don't want you to. For one thing, it's not in your nature, for another if you tried anything, we would pound you." Ginny put her arm around Harry and he felt her soft breath against his neck. Harry didn't sleep, but for an hour felt perfectly at peace with the world. As he was gently untangling himself from Tonks, he felt Ginny softly kiss the back of his neck. He took a shower and got dressed, then went down to the library.
Dobby popped in. "Would Harry Potter like anything?"
"Please. Dobby, could you get a copy of the Daily Prophet from yesterday and thismorning?"
"Of course Harry Potter sir. Would you like anything else?"
"No. Thank you Dobby."
Dobby disappeared, and returned a minute later.
He looked at his morning's paper
FAMILY OF THE BOY-WHO-LIVED DIE IN MUGGLE ACCIDENT!
(London - Lacy Purehart)
In the early morning hours, the Dursley family (Harry Potter's muggle relations) were killed instantly in an automobile accident on the M4 motorway when their vehicle apparently overturned and exploded. Mr. Potter's Aunt, Uncle and Cousin all died instantly. At this time, no word has released on the whereabouts of the Boy-Who-Lived other than a sighting at Gringotts Bank the same day. It seems Mr. Potter's life was spared by happenstance. We join the Ministry and the rest of the Wizarding World in our condolences for this latest shock in the life of one of our heroes.
BOY-WHO-LIVED AN ORPHAN?
(London - Rita Skeeter)
With the death of his muggle relatives and guardians as well as the news that his godfather (infamous Azkaban escapee, Sirius Black) has died as well, it seems that Harry Potter has no guardian. There has been no comment so far from either the Ministry or Mr. Potter himself. As Mr. Potter has not reached his 16th birthday, we hope to hear soon if some lucky wizarding family will soon take up the reins of guardianship for this poor lad. Many seem to feel that the family of Arthur Weasley (Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office in the Ministry of Magic) has the most chance of taking in the Boy-Who-Lived as he has been a frequent guest in their home over the summer holidays. Apparently Mr. Weasley's son Ronald is considered by Mr. Potter as his best friend. He was also one of the students who accompanied Mr. Potter to the Ministry on the 28th of June and participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries with numerous Death Eaters. We continue to listen for word of Mr. Potter's fate.
FUDGE IS OUT! AMOS DIGGORY NEW MINISTER OF MAGIC!
(London - Reginald Stanton)
In a vote that took no one by surprise after the recent invasion and battle inside the Ministry itself by You-Know-Who's Death Eaters, the Wizengamot voted 39-11 to oust Cornelius Oswald Fudge as Minister of Magic for failure to act on information that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named had returned in the early summer of 1995, attempted character assassination of Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter through numerous legal and illegal methods including the pressure brought to bear on the previous editors of the Daily Prophet. It is also alleged that personnel in his office attempted outright murder of the Boy-Who-Lived by sending Dementors after him at his summer home in Surrey. Most blatantly, his close association with known Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy has brought charges of collusion with Death Eaters and their Lord's policies. An official investigation into the Minister's Office and affairs is currently underway according to Director Amelia Bones of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. "That pompous windbag did everything he could to ignore the threat of the Dark Lord and his followers and instead chose to harass the Headmaster of Hogwarts and a 15 year old boy." Director Bones commented as she was leaving Courtroom 10 after the vote. The Wizengamot immediately assigned Amos Diggory, now former Head of the Department for The Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, as Minister of Magic for the rest of Fudge's term of office. We hope that Minister Diggory can turn things around and get the Ministry back on track. Minister Diggory has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon where he will state the objectives and plans for his time in office.
Harry noticed the article from this morning's paper.
Accident or Foul Play?
(London – Rita Skeeter)
The crash that ended the lives of Harry Potter's relatives is being thoroughly investigated. Muggle Officials reported that several eyewitnesses claim that their car seemed to have flipped over for no apparent reason. Other witnesses claim that the car exploded first then flipped over.
Director Bones was quoted as saying "The evidence is being reviewed, and was being treated as a criminal investigation
Harry thanked Dobby for bringing the papers, and asked that he bring them each day for the holiday.
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Tuesday morning after receiving Harry' note, Dumbledore met with Amelia Bones and shared it with her. He explained how Harry could occasionally see amazingly accurate visions of what Voldemort was up to, and that the information could be considered absolutely reliable. They speculated ho the third person might have been, but neither came to a positive conclusion. The muggle investigators had found evidence that the car had been hit with a rocket propelled grenade. Two known criminals had been found nearby, apparently murdered using the killing curse.
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