A/n: ….Wee!

***

Chapter 22

Disbelief crossed Snape's face as he regarded Duo, who simply looked at him questioningly.

"Well? Do you have scissors?"

Snape's anger came back quickly enough. "Maxwell, WHAT in the HELL were you doing to Zabini?"

Duo shrugged. "Reminding him."

"Of what?" Snape demanded, exasperated. The burly man beside the raven-haired professor looked over the group interestedly.

"Of what happens when you try and kill one of us."

"Kill?" the burly man asked, the first words he'd spoken since the ordeal. "Who did he try to kill?"

Duo's eyes darkened and he didn't respond. Quatre, having mostly recovered from the shock of Heero and now dealing only with Duo's strong emotions, stepped forward to continue the conversation.

"Blaise played a… prank, on Duo and Heero. Duo's hair fell off and Heero was meant to throw up bugs, but Zabini made his potion incorrectly. Heero is in St. Mungo's receiving treatment."

The man's bushy eyebrows flew to his hairline. "Honestly?" he asked, surprised.

Quatre nodded. Snape looked about ready to start handing out punishments, but the burly man beat him to it. "All right, you two," he gestured to Trowa and Wufei, "can stop looking like you're gonna kill those two now."

A slow smirk crossed Trowa's face. "I can think of ten places I could hit him right now to paralyze him for life." Goyle looked at Trowa, shocked. The large, gorilla-like boy stepped back immediately. Trowa relaxed into a bored-looking pose, but was still tense.

Wufei straightened slowly, watching the other gorilla, Crabbe, carefully. He looked at the burly man expectantly.

"Right, great, now, Mr. Maxwell, you were talking about scissors?"

Ten minutes later the crowd had dispersed, along with an annoyed looking Snape. Quatre speculated that he was mad that his chance at punishment had been taken away. The burly man, who'd introduced himself as Professor Ihsaar, brought them back to his classroom before breakfast had finished and transfigured his watch into some scissors.

Duo had immediately cut himself some shaggy bangs, which were suspended at his hairline due to a natural cowlick. Duo grinned.

"That's more like it," He said, reaching back and braiding his now-waist-length hair. It still had a ways to go, but Duo wasn't sure how close to his length it would end up.

After dealing with the hair situation, Quatre checked his schedule. All of them had Defense Against the Dark Arts first, and Ihsaar beamed at them.

"You're in my class first!" he exclaimed. Duo looked pleased, as did Quatre. Trowa and Wufei looked impassive. "It's too bad you missed our first lesson, because today we're doing mostly book stuff and lecturing about the Ministry of Magic."

"Uh, Professor… Are we going to be punished?" Duo asked hesitantly. He didn't want to be detained when Heero could be back at any minute.

Ihsaar shook his head. "No, you were reasonably upset. Although, if Snape asks, say I gave you some sort of errand to run. Next week. Or something." He waved a hand dismissively. Quatre beamed.

After realizing they only had a short while before the class would start, the boys decided to skip breakfast and go back to the Gryffindor Tower to grab their school supplies. Although Duo was much more withdrawn than usual, he was obviously trying not to worry by laughing and talking with Quatre.

When they arrived at the Common Room, they saw that there were only a few people still in it, and that Harry, Ron and Hermione were not there. With only Quatre nodding politely to the Room's other occupants, they went to their dorm, retrieved their books and wands and left again through the portrait hole.

They backtracked back to Ihsaar's classroom, and upon arrival discovered that they were first in the classroom, except for Ihsaar himself and two owls sitting on a desk.

"Shinigami? Odin?" Duo called incredulously. The two owls hooted back at him, blinking their large, colorful eyes. Ihsaar laughed.

"I had a feeling they belonged to you, Mr. Maxwell."

Duo frowned and sat at the desk where the owls were sitting. Wufei sat beside him, and Quatre and Trowa took the seat behind them. Duo placed his laptop case on the seat on the other side of him, to reserve for Heero should he return early. Deep down Duo knew it was very wishful thinking, but he couldn't help but hope…

"Duo," Ihsaar called. Duo looked up, blinking. He was the first Professor to call him by his first name. Looking around, Duo saw that more students had arrived. "If your owls can keep quiet then I'll allow them to stay in the classroom, but we're going to have a guest in today. Do you think they'll be all right?"

Duo looked at Shinigami and Odin, who were hopping around on the desk in front of Heero's seat. He smiled. "I think they should be fine, Professor, thanks." He played with the owls until the class began, and then transfigured one of Quatre's pencils (much to his amusement) into a little perch.

Unfortunately, Odin and Shinigami had decided they both wanted to stand on the perch and were shoving each other. Duo grinned, snatched another pencil and made another perch. The owls hooted in thanks and stood on their perches, looking at Ihsaaru as if they expected to learn as well.

Harry dashed into the classroom with the bell, and smiled apologetically to the Professor before taking his seat with Hermione and Ron, who were seated to Quatre and Trowa's left. Ihsaar took a quick role call and dove into his lesson.

"Now, unfortunately some of our students missed the first day, and one is missing today as well. I plan on giving them pardons from the homework until they catch up with the curriculum. I know that that's fairly unorthodox, but I believe you'll think it's fair when you consider that you've all had five years experience, whereas they've had… none. So!" Ihsaar clapped his hands and beamed at them all. Trowa smirked and leaned over towards Quatre.

"Doesn't he remind you of Rashid?" he murmured. The blond blinked in surprise and regarded their teacher curiously. He had deeply tanned skin, like Rashid, and dark hair, like Rashid, and was large with a booming voice, like Rashid, but he had no facial hair and didn't look much like Rashid.

"I suppose…" Quatre murmured back. Trowa snorted. Ihsaaru did, in fact, to a person who hadn't known Rashid his whole life, look like Rashid.

Professor Ihsaar looked around at the students. "Welcome back, to those of you who were here Monday, and a general welcome to those who weren't. I know we've only just started the term, but that's precisely why I want to get this area out of the way: Magical Politics. The way the Ministry works, but of course, simplified and censored in certain areas."

"So basically what they want us to know, whether or not it's true," Wufei murmured. Ihsaar nodded, smirking.

"Yeah, basically, but it's a requirement to have it taught to the sixth years for those wanting to have places in the Ministry. Or, for anyone who wants a general idea of how the Ministry works. You'll be marked on how you respond to the things you're taught, and how well you understand the concepts."

Duo could hear Quatre snort softly and he grinned. Quatre had been taught politics since he could speak. The Winner Corporation had major ties with every colony – this would be a breeze for him, if he could remember it, and if the Ministry of Magic was anything like their own politics.

A knock sounded at the open door of the classroom, and the occupants looked up to see a smiling wizard in fancy black and gray robes. Ihsaar smiled back and waved him in.

"Come on in, Mr. Kenser. Class, this is Mr. Kenser, an Auror who specializes in the Law Enforcement division of the Ministry. I asked him here today to explain a bit about the Law process and answer any questions you may have."

Mr. Kenser was a tall, lean, balding man with thin blond hair dusted across his head, along with dark green eyes. He smiled and looked friendly, although Duo could see their was a harsh edge to his friendliness. Whatever an Auror was, it wasn't someone to be taken lightly. He unconsciously straightened, not knowing the others were doing the same.

"Thank you, Professor," he said graciously, turning and facing the class. "As per Mr. Ihsaar's introduction, I am Gunther Kenser, in my sixteenth year as an Auror, and my tenth year in the Ministry of Magic Law Enforcement division. I suppose if I am supposed to lecture you, you may want to learn a bit about me. I became an Auror just before You-Know-Who was defeated by our dear Mr. Potter over there," Kenser gestured to Harry, who rolled his eyes. Duo frowned in confusion, and since Quatre was behind him he didn't see the blond's hand shoot up.

"Um, yes?" Kenser called, seemingly surprised at a question so soon.

"What's a You-Know-Who?" Quatre asked innocently. Duo blinked, looking back at Quatre who continued watching Kenser.

"Erm, you don't know who You-Know-Who is?"

"Well, no. I only learned magic existed two days ago."

Duo looked back at the front. Kenser fidgeted for a bit, before Ihsaar leaned forward from his place perched on the edge of his desk. "You-Know-Who is how wizarding folk refer to Lord Voldemort." A shudder ran through the room at this mention, and Harry rolled his eyes again.

"So, people call him You-Know-Who because they're afraid of his name?" Quatre asked, shocked.

"Yes," Ihsaar affirmed. Quatre began shaking his head.

"But that's stupid. You can't fear a name."

"And why not?" Ihsaar prodded.

"Fear of a name adds an element to the object itself that would normally not exist. It makes something more terrifying than it should be," Trowa added, frowning. Duo nodded enthusiastically, silently urging them on.

"Yeah, definitely. You can't be scared of a name, just like you can't be scared of death or pain. Fear in a name gives it power over you. If people were to fear my name they'd be easier to control. It's a psychological thing, you know?" Quatre continued. Ihsaar looked at him, impressed, while Kenser eyed him distastefully.

"Very well, young man. That is an opinion."

Quatre sighed and shrugged. "You can continue, if you want. I just wanted to know who you were talking about."

Kenser cleared his throat, looked at Quatre oddly again and continued. "After the defeat of You-Know-Who," he said pointedly, with a bit more conviction than earlier. Quatre stared back at him innocently, resisting the urge to smile and wave. "I decided that preventing any sort of uprising or backlash due to the defeat of the Dark Lord would be my job, and I like to believe I did it well. I was one of the Aurors responsible for bringing Sirius Black to Azkaban."

A few awed whispers started up in the room, but Wufei's hearing caught someone emitting an annoyed huff of air. He turned his head to see Harry glaring at Kenser, Ron looking annoyed and Hermione looking surprised, glancing at Harry to judge his reaction. He was about to mention this to Trowa or Duo when he noticed Duo's hand up in the air.

"Yes, young man?" Kenser asked more tentatively then before.

"Who's Sirius Black?" Duo demanded. Kenser didn't bother to ask, and merely responded.

"Sirius Black was the Secret Keeper of Lily and James Potter, and a follower of You-Know-Who. He told Him their whereabouts and they were killed."

Glancing at Harry again, Wufei saw his face flushed with anger.

"So, he told on them?"

"Yes."

"How do you know that?" Duo asked, and people in the room gasped.

Kenser's mouth formed a grim line. "He was their Secret Keeper. There was only one Secret Keeper."

"So, everybody knew he was a Secret Keeper?" Quatre piped up. Kenser was about to respond, but Duo beat him to it.

"That's kind of stupid, you know, that everybody would know he was the Keeper. Voldemort coulda just went straight to him, you know? The smart thing to do would be to pick someone else and PRETEND that the other guy is your Secret Keeper."

"Unless you made the wrong person the Secret Keeper," Trowa added quietly. Duo nodded.

"Yeah, then you'd be screwed. If you told the wrong person and THEY ratted out to Voldemort, then the ORIGINAL Secret Keeper would get the blame."

"And, if they tried to do anything about it, they'd get in even more trouble," Quatre added enthusiastically. Ihsaar was watching them, surprise written all over his face. Kenser looked between shock and extreme anger.

"Sirius Black was convicted of not only violating the trust as the Secret Keeper, and being in league with You-Know-Who, but he was also convicted of murdering Peter Pettigrew and a group of bystander Muggles."

Wufei, who'd been watching Harry again, spoke up for the first time since the discussion (although it wasn't really classwide – really only them vs. Kenser). 

"Who was Pettigrew?" he asked Kenser. Duo and Quatre waited for the answer eagerly.

"A dear friend of Lily and James Potter," Kenser answered respectfully.

"So, Lily, James, Sirius, Peter… they were all friends?"

"And Remus," Harry's voice came from the back. Duo and Quatre turned to look at him. Wufei had already been watching him. "Remus, Peter, Sirius, and my father. Best friends."

"Aw, shit, Harry. I'm sorry. We were talking about this like it wasn't somebody's parents…" Duo started, feeling bad. Harry smiled and shook his head.

"No, actually, I like hearing your version. It makes a lot of sense."

Duo nodded, accepting Harry's permission for what it was. He turned back to Kenser and continued pushing their theory.

"Okay, so, they were all friends. Sirius was the Secret Keeper. It's totally possible that they duped everyone, isn't it? I mean, you have to admit that, right?"

Kenser pursed his lips, looking very displeased. "I suppose, that if the facts were not as so, then your theory may have some weight. However -"

"Okay, so, it's possible that they did in fact change their Keeper. They could have made it… I don't know, Peter, right?"

"Peter Pettigrew was killed by Sirius Black!" Seamus shouted from the far left side of the room. The boys looked at him in surprise.

"Oh yeah?" Duo asked, seemingly interested. "So like, they have a body, murder weapon, motive, proof, all that stuff, right? He was killed and Sirius did it?"

Kenser didn't respond and Duo turned back to look at him. Glancing back at Harry, he was surprised to see the green-eyed boy smirking devilishly. He returned his gaze fully to Kenser and arched an eyebrow.

"Well?" Quatre prodded.

Kenser cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. "Sirius Black was convicted guilty. There were several eye witness accounts."

"No possible way they could have been tricked? I've seen some of this magic crap – it's pretty nifty. Muggles are non-magic, so no protection, right? It should be easy to manipulate them?"

"What are you getting at?" Kenser demanded Duo sharply.

"I'm saying where's the proof? I haven't grown up with this story, I'm looking at what you're telling me and find it severely lacking. I mean, you can't just lock a guy up in Azkabibble with no proof. It's not right. It's not justified."

"Azkaban," Ihsaar corrected calmly, watching Kenser curiously. Kenser was turning an odd shade of red.

"Now listen here, you," he began, glaring at Duo and Quatre alternatively. "Sirius Black was convicted of being in league with You-Know-Who!"

"Um, how do you know somebody's in league with Voldemort?" Quatre interrupted.

"They have a mark in the inside of the arm, a skull with a snake in it. It's called the Dark Mark," Ron answered. Quatre nodded and looked at Kenser expectantly.

"What?" Kenser demanded.

"Well, Black had a Dark Mark, didn't he?"

Kenser didn't respond. He seemed to hesitate, then looked as though he was going to respond, but stopped himself again. The class seemed to be hanging on to hear his response.

And then, suddenly, the bell rang. Kenser cleared his throat.

"It was interesting, being with you all today. I hope you enjoyed the…. Discussion," he said quickly, making his way out the door. Nobody moved.

"Professor," Wufei called. Ihsaar looked at him. "They have proof, don't they? Can't they just look at his arm?"

Ihsaar smiled a bemused, pained smile. "Mr. Chang… Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban three years ago."

***

"That was messed up," Duo announced as they left the classroom together. Odin was perched on his shoulder, and Shinigami was fluttering above his head. Quatre, walking beside him, nodded.

"Yeah, that was definitely weird. If this is Wizard Politics I don't want to get arrested."

"Harry wasn't upset at us defending the guy that was supposed to have killed his parents," Duo mused. Quatre nodded again.

"There's something about that… It's bothering me. Sirius Black has escaped, so if he really wanted the Potters dead, wouldn't he have gone after Harry?"

Duo looked up and spotted Harry as he turned a corner farther down the hall.

"How about we ask him?"

***

………..don't ask

I don't know what this is. This was the GW boys picking apart things, trying to find out about the world they're in, I suppose.

I can see them arguing an illogical viewpoint, though. Quatre especially.

Next chapter we get more important things, such as Blaise and Heero.

This was introducing Ihsaar, Sirius (This doesn't follow OotP), and…. *shrugs* written for the sake of being written.