------------------------
For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter 1
------------------------
15 - Classes, Week Twenty One, First Year
------------------------
Monday, January 11, 1999:
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Slytherin table
------------------------

Gran and I were not allowed in to see Professor Harry or the Cortez twins, but Susan Fawcett said as she was leaving that they were resting comfortably. She also wondered how I had gotten back to school, but I simply said that I had come back with some of my Clan. Gran cocked an eye at me, but I simply smiled as Gran said, "Watch out for the trick step, there."

I wondered how Professor Dumbledore beat us down to the Great Hall, when we had left him in his office. I shrugged, and joined the Slytherin table for lunch, while Susan and Gran left for the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables, respectively. Regardless, the Headmaster stood, tapping on his goblet with his knife. The room quieted, and he said, "Welcome back to all of you. I will be addressing you once we are all settled, but for now I have a few announcements." He looked us over, and said, "Firstly, the most difficult request I have to make is for those members of the Ravenclaw and Slytherin Quidditch teams not to discuss their experiences with your friends. This is necessary as we will be sitting down with you to record them for legal reasons." There was some discussion about this, but he continued, "Secondly, as you may be aware, there were three injuries, but fortunately, no deaths. However, since one of the injured is Professor Potter, second year defense class this afternoon is canceled. We will be having a substitute instructor in a day or so." He smiled at the groans, and said, "The experts suggest that getting back to a routine is best, and we are a school, after all."

"Well, munchkin, that means we need to get back to Gotham," Dick said. "You'll be all right?"

"I think so, brother mine," I admitted with a grin. "I've got seventy or so other big brothers and sisters to look out for me."

Lois' cell phone rang, and she flipped it open, saying, "Lois Lane. Oh, hello Chief. Yes, I've met her, we both have. Sorry, no, can't tell you. Because she asked us not to. All right, Chief, I'll tell Clark. Right, thanks. Bye." She looked at us, and said, "Clark, you go home, I'm on special assignment for Gran, and Perry is not particularly happy about it. Don't let him badger anything out of you. Mattie, he wishes you a speedy recovery." I grinned, and she echoed it, asking, "Can I borrow your laptop?"

------------------------

"Ms. Lane?" Lois looked up, and Ginny smiled and said, "I'd like you to meet my mum and dad. You wrote that article in the Common Room?"

Lois looked at me, and I mouthed "Christmas article". She smiled, and said, "Please, sit down. What can I do for you?"

"Well, you're a writer for an American paper, and we were thinking we could help. Dad works at the Ministry, and Mum knows, well, lots of people," Ginny said.

"I see. I was thinking about a small article or two for Mr. Lovegood. Professional courtesy and all," Lois said. "I don't know what the British law is on this, but in the States, what you tell me as a journalist is considered confidential. I will not reveal your names, and the courts have held this up repeatedly." She held up her hand, and repeated, "I don't know what British wizarding law is. Emma has written her mum, who's a solicitor, to ask. Therefore, don't tell me anything now that can't be verified elsewhere, or that you wouldn't want your name attached to."

"I see," Molly Weasley said. She turned to look at me, and added, "Mattie, Madame Pomfrey would like to look you over." Mom nodded with a smile, and I excused myself from the table, joining Sprink and the others outside.

------------------------

The six of us tiptoed into the Infirmary, and Madame Pomfrey moved to intercept us. She glowered, and then said softly, "You're here to see the twins?" We nodded, and she added, "They're in the last two beds on the left. Don't have anything to do with the …" her mouth twisted in distaste, "… persons on the right. Miss Wayne, you come with me."

"Is that Pettigrew?" Amanda asked.

Pomfrey nodded. "He's got a broken back, and is shackled to the bed. If he tries to turn into a rat, there are … measures … in place to prevent that." I looked, and saw a dozen cats sitting or lying on or around his bed, including my own Dynamo. All gazed at him with unblinking cat-stares. His silver hand had been removed, and a short chain led to his wrist from the bed frame. He shifted his head to look at us, and the cats hissed in warning.

"Extra chairs are at the end of the row," Pomfrey added. "Miss Wayne, did you perchance throw something at Mr. Pettigrew?" I nodded, and she pulled it out of a pocket. "What is it? I've never seen this material before."

I took it, and said, "It's a throwing knife, made of carbon fiber." Pomfrey and Amanda blinked, and I added, "Think of it as a diamond knife." I flipped it in my hand, and then asked, "Can I have it back?" Amanda motioned, and I passed it to her.

"I think it best I retain it for now, until the legal matters are resolved with Mr. Pettigrew," Pomfrey said. Amanda handed it back to her, sucking on a cut finger. Pomfrey waved her wand over the cut, adding, "It was half an inch from his liver when I removed it. You have others?"

With a twitch, I had one in my hand, ready to throw. I smiled, and added, "I just hate to break up the set." I stowed it, and smiled again, and Pomfrey shuddered, motioning them toward the twins as I followed her into an examination room.

I hopped up on an examination table. Uncle Doc joined us and took my pulse and blood pressure as Madame Pomfrey waved her wand over me. After a few minutes consultation, Uncle Doc asked, "Any complaints, kiddo?"

"Aside from my knife?" I shook my head, and he smiled at me, raised an eyebrow at Madame Pomfrey, then said, "Go on, join your friends. You're fine, and I'll tell your folks that."

"Thanks. They were down in the Great Hall," I said.

"Hey, there," Arthur said, as I sat down on the end of a bed. "How you guys feeling?" he asked the twins.

"Better," one said, and the other said, "Bored." They chorused, "When can we get out of here?"

Sprink put down the fresh uniforms she was carrying as Andrew said, "Oi, wait until tomorrow at least," as he plopped their textbooks down. "That way you can miss Binn's lecture."

"True," one said. "Hey, what happened to our brooms?"

I turned to look as Andrew said, "Yours were recovered by Professor Flitwick, and Sprink's by Professor Snape." He took a breath, and said, "Mattie, I don't think yours survived. After you were stunned, it flew directly into the stands." I winced, and he hastily added, "By the looks of things, you were going rather fast, and it is stone there. You only fell about fifteen feet onto the grass, though."

------------------------
Tuesday, January 12, 1999:
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Slytherin table
------------------------

"Post's here!"

The usual storm of owls came in, to Lois' delight. She was somewhat surprised to see several of them wheel and land in front of her. Several marched up to her, and thrust out their legs, with red envelopes tied to them.

"Howlers!" Sprink and Emma cried, and ducked under the table.

"What is…" Lois began, but Terry (who was safely out of range) said, "Open the red ones straight away, ma'am!" She shrugged, and opened the first one (the owl immediately taking off), the envelope screaming at her, "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT LUCIUS MALFOY! HE HAS BEEN AN UPSTANDING MEMBER…" I reached out and batted it away, and it exploded in a storm of confetti. Someone called, "Mattie, the Quibbler!" and tossed it to me.

Terry had a subscription to the Prophet, so he held out the front page to Lois. "This will make you feel better, ma'am. Notice what's NOT on the front page."

"Ministry announces new trade agreements…" Lois read, flipping through the paper. "Not a thing… oh, here's something on page six below the fold. 'Education Secretary Percy Weasley announces the start of a preliminary investigation into the alleged… ALLEGED? Death Eater attack on Hogwarts.'" She looked up, and said, "They call THAT journalism? ONE sentence?"

"It's a Ministry paper, ma'am, I'm surprised it has that much," Terry said. "Now look at the Quibbler."

"Oh, yes, that's much better!" Lois purred.

ATTACK ON HOGWARTS!

The headline screamed in large letters. Below it, Lois' article began:

Lois Lane (Metropolis Daily Planet)
Exclusive for The Quibbler

Hogwarts - On January ninth, a beautiful Saturday morning was rocked when the remaining forces of the deceased Dark Lord Voldemort attacked the school's Quidditch pitch while the game was ongoing. Led by Death Eater Lucius Malfoy, and assisted by Peter Pettigrew, they succeeded in kidnapping all twenty-eight Slytherin and Ravenclaw Quidditch players, and portkeying them to an unknown destination.

Malfoy demanded the immediate surrender of Quidditch referee and Defense instructor Harry Potter, threatening the immediate torture and death of the kidnapped students, unless Potter accompanied him. Concerned for his student's welfare, Potter did so, surrendering his wand to Malfoy, and was portkeyed away.

The eyewitness accounts, and the live Wizarding Wireless broadcast during the game, were all the information anxious parents and concerned citizens had. Working together, the students (some as young as ten years old), managed to break out of their spell-induced stupor, gathered intelligence on Malfoy's plans and his conspiracies with senior Ministry officials, break out of their cell, and capture several Death Eaters.

Problems remained, in that Pettigrew had tortured two students as well as Professor Potter at Malfoy's orders. These two students (identities withheld for their protection), as well as others, Malfoy intended to deliver dead to Hogwarts as 'examples'.

Communication was established with Hogwarts' Infirmary by floo, however Malfoy's wards did not permit transit until a Death Eater was persuaded to give the password. All three of Malfoy's victims are expected to make a full recovery.

Documents recovered by students from Malfoy's dungeons reveal an extensive pattern of bribery and corruption on the part of Ministry officials. In addition, a large volume of Dark publications and materials were recovered and are being analyzed. Tests on wands recovered from the dungeons reveal numerous instances of Dark curses, including the Unforgivables.

Questions to the Ministry must include why usage of these Dark curses were dismissed by the Ministry, instead of the mandated life terms. Questions must also include why Malfoy and other Death Eaters were released, as well as possible corruption among Ministry officials, including…

"Ah, that's better," Lois purred. "Now what I need is…"

"Excuse me, Ms. Lane?" Lois nodded, and Narcissa sat down, nodding at the newspaper Lois held. "I was married to Lucius Malfoy for almost twenty years. Can we talk?"

------------------------
Wednesday, January 13, 1999:
Hogwarts, Third floor charms corridor
------------------------

"Hey, guys! Wait up!" I turned, and saw the Cortez twins hurrying toward us. We waited on the third floor as they stopped, panting slightly. One of the twins asked, "Have you Slythies talked about finishing the game?"

"No, we haven't," Sprink said, juggling her books. "Of course, we were ahead before…"

"So what DID happen to you lot?" Amanda asked. "Everyone's dying of curiosity."

Sprink opened her mouth, but I kicked her shin. Arthur opened the classroom door, and added, "I'd like to know that too. Charlie came in the common room and said Snape had awarded him a hundred points, but we haven't been able to find out for what." He winked at Sprink and me, and asked, "Can we borrow your rack?"

"What's this about a rack?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"We were asking about Professor Snape awarding Charlie a hundred points, sir, but he won't talk about it," Amanda replied.

"Ah, yes. Severus mentioned it at the staff meeting this morning. Very good, Mr. Adams, very good indeed!" The bell rang, and the tiny professor clapped his hands, calling, "Take your seats, please! We're going to review our warming charms!"

------------------------
Thursday, January 14, 1999:
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office
------------------------

"Good morning, Mr. Hat!" I said as I entered the office. I could see the Headmaster on his knees, making a firecall.

"Good morning, Miss Wayne!" Alastair said. "Did you have a Happy Christmas?"

"Marvelous, and yours?" I blinked, then remembered who I was talking to. "I'm sorry. You must have a bit of a boring life, sitting on a shelf all the time. What do you do for the Holidays?"

"Oh, I celebrate them with Minerva, Albus and Abe." The hat seemed to settle down for a long gossip session as I sat down to listen. "While I don't get out and about as much as when I rode on top of Gryffindor's head, I get to hear the most fascinating things. There are advantages to being thought of nothing more than a dirty bit of headgear. Why, Albus and Minerva alone, for the last few Christmases, have been…"

"Thank you very much, Alastair," the Headmaster said. His eyes twinkled, and he added, "My personal life shan't be bandied about the school by a randy old bit of felt. Why, if Minerva found out, she'd be after you with a 'ravelous sticus' charm!"

"Albus, don't be such a stick-in-the-mud! YOU get to be out and about. I sit here and talk to the portraits. Why, do you know how long it's been since I've seen a decent Quidditch game? 1463! Hufflepuff absolutely flattened Gryffindor!" The hat sighed, and added, "While the portraits tell you quite a bit, you don't get the more…juicy… bits that I hear. Why, I heard the most interesting things about Pomona the other day…"

"THANK you, Alastair," the Headmaster frowned, but the twinkle was still in his eyes. An idea came to me, but I slipped my poker face on as the Headmaster looked at me. He gave me a second look, his twinkling blue eyes inspecting my green ones. I tried to look innocent, but he snorted and waved me to my usual chair by the fire.

"Now then, Miss Wayne," Professor Dumbledore said. "I understand that your godmother is a solicitor in the United States?" I nodded, and he added, "Putting on my Wizengamot hat, I would suggest that she be licensed to practice Wizarding law as soon as practicable. While Miss Dobb's mother is a capable solicitor, her presence will be a benefit, especially with her breadth of experience." I started to say something, and he raised his hand. "I cannot say more. I would suggest you convey my… suggestion as quickly as possible." I nodded, and he added, "We will assist her as much as possible. I am aware she is a muggle, however, both Professor Snape and I think this would be a wise move."

I nodded, and said, "I'll send an email as soon as I leave here, professor. If I can ask, what is being done for Professor Harry and the twins? Any sort of counseling?"

"Counseling? Do you mean psychological assistance?" I nodded, and he said, "I do not know. I will discuss this with Professor Flitwick and Madame Pomfrey. Why do you ask?"

"In Charms class yesterday, they didn't seem quite… themselves," I said. "It's tough to pin down, and it's not really my place to say, but they're my friends, and, well…" I looked down, and fiddled with the hem of my skirt.

"You want to help," he inserted. I nodded, and he smiled gently. "We will pursue this. Now, then on to other matters. This you may share with your housemates. We have agreed to reschedule the interrupted game for the 27th of March. The game will resume at the 103rd minute, which is just after you had performed your feint. The score will be reset to 120-80 in Slytherin's favour, and I wish both teams the best of luck."

I grinned, and he smiled, saying, "On to today's lesson. Today, I want you to try and provide a false image to me." I raised my eyebrow, and he said, "Normally, I receive a mental image of a stone wall when I try to read your mind. What I would like you to do is to provide me with a false image when I cast 'legilimens'. The idea is to misdirect the attack, not simply to block it. Ready?" I nodded, and he said, "Legilimens!"

------------------------

To: All Slytherin Quidditch
From: Mattie Wayne
Subject: Talk with Professor Dumbledore

Hi, all!

As you may remember, I'm taking Occlumancy lessons with Professor Dumbledore on Thursday mornings. Today's proved to be an interesting conversation, as he suggested that my godmother be licensed to practice Magical law here as well as in the States. If you have solicitors in your Clans, it may be worthwhile to get in touch with them as well. Since he said this (unofficially) as a member of the Wizengamot… well, draw your own conclusions. I'll pass this on to the Cortez twins (Ravenclaw's beaters) as well.

Secondly, we will be resuming our interrupted arse-kicking of said Ravenclaw team. The match is scheduled for March 27th, the game is restarted at the 103rd minute at the 120-80 score.

Lastly, what are the Quidditch regulations regarding a team mascot? I happen to know someone who hasn't seen a good game since 1463…

Mattie

To: Roshawn Cortez, Shaundra Cortez
From: Mattie Wayne
Subject: Talk with Professor Dumbledore

Hey, there!

As you may remember, I'm taking Occlumancy lessons with Professor Dumbledore on Thursday mornings. Today's proved to be an interesting conversation, as he suggested that my godmother be licensed to practice Magical law here as well as in the States. If you can refer to a solicitor (I think Professor Harry's is a Ravenclaw.), in your house, it may be worthwhile to get in touch. Since he said this (unofficially) as a member of the Wizengamot… well, draw your own conclusions. I've passed this on to the Slytherin teams; you may want to pass it on to the Ravenclaw team as well.

Secondly, we will be resuming our interrupted arse-kicking of your poor, pitiful Ravenclaw team. The match is scheduled for March 27th, the game is restarted at the 103rd minute at the 120-80 score.

That snitch is MINE!

Mattie

To: Aunt Sheila
CC: Dad, Mom, Uncle Clark
From: Mattie Wayne
Subject: Talk with Professor Dumbledore

Hi, all!

In today's class with Professor Dumbledore, he unofficially put his Wizengamot hat on and suggested that Aunt Sheila be licensed to practice before the Magical Bar as soon as possible. He wouldn't elaborate, but I would assume it has something to do with the Death Eaters.

Also, the interrupted Quidditch game is rescheduled for March 27th. I'll tell Aunt Lois, who's out and about today with Mrs. Weasley. Her articles are kicking up a bit of a fuss, needless to say! (I've saved copies for you, Uncle Clark!)

Love to all,

Mattie

------------------------
Friday, January 15, 1999:
Hogwarts, Defense class
------------------------

"Good morning, everyone!" Professor Harry said as we took our seats. "I think we can all agree that this has been an … interesting week." He took off his robes, throwing them over a chair like he usually did as the class murmured agreement. "Now then, I know we'd all like to talk about what happened last Saturday. So would I, but until the Headmaster gives us the go-ahead to do so, we've got to keep mum."

There was some grumbling, and he said, "On that note, I'd like to see the Cortez twins, Sprink and Mattie for a minute after class." I glanced at the others, and they looked as puzzled as I was. Professor Harry resumed, "Now then, I've talked to Ginny and Abby Michaels about what happened in the Commentator's booth, but what about you lot? Anyone want to share what happened on Saturday? Yes, Amanda? What happened in the Gryffindor stands?"

------------------------

"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Sprink asked.

"Yes, I did. Since it's well known that all four of you play Quidditch, I felt it was best this way." He cast a privacy spell, and continued, "I'm talking to all the Quidditch players on both teams. This way, Roshawn and Shaundra aren't singled out." He looked at them, and said gently, "I've been the recipient of the Cruciatus myself, as has Professor Snape. We KNOW what it feels like, while people like Professor Flitwick or Madame Pomfrey don't. If you need to talk, scream, cry or whatever, please let us know."

"Thank you, Professor. Professor Snape said the same thing yesterday. He even gave us some dreamless sleep potion if we need it," one said. The other twin said, "I want to learn to fight." She looked at her twin, and said, "I won't be taken like that again. Mattie, will you help?"

"Whenever and wherever you want, if Madame Pomfrey says you can," I told them. They nodded, and I added, "You have to be in shape, too. Damn, I wish there was a decent gym here!"

"Use the Hufflepuff gym," Professor Harry said. I raised an eyebrow, and he said, "I don't think it's quite ready yet, and Professor Sprout let it slip at Wednesday's staff meeting. It's close to their common room, I think. I'll ask her at lunch." He grinned, and said, "I'd like to learn a few things from you myself, Miss Wayne."

"Um, guys, I'm not a trained sensei," I warned. "I'll do my best, though."

"That's what I said when I started the DA in my fifth year. You'll do fine, Miss Wayne."

------------------------

The twins sat down on either side of Charlie, while Sprink and I double-teamed Arthur. I smiled sweetly, and said, "Hi, guys! Mind if we join you?"

Charlie swallowed, and pointing past Arthur, said, "Um, girls? This is the Hufflepuff table. Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables are over there."

Sprink looked hurt, "We can't sit with our friends? You blokes have sat at our table."

One of the twins said, "Pass the Shepherd's pie, please," she spooned some out onto her plate, and passed it to her sister, who passed her the peas, in front of Charlie. Sprink added a bit of sugar and milk to her tea, and stirred it.

"What do you want?" Arthur asked.

"The milk, please?" I asked, taking some peas for my own plate.

"You lot are up to something," Charlie said.

"Lunch, at the moment," one of the twins said. "After that, well, we've got a free period this afternoon. We could do homework, I suppose," the other twin agreed. "Unless you've got a better suggestion," the first said, pouring a cup of coffee. "Personally, I'm kind of home worked out at the moment," she added.

"How true," Sprink added. "Death Eaters and all, takes the mickey right out of a History essay, wouldn't you say?"

"Very true, mate, very true," I nodded. I leaned on Arthur's shoulder, followed by Sprink on the other side, and asked, "Right now, I'm a little … frustrated, and I'm looking to hit something, know what I mean?" Arthur gulped as his ears reddened.

One twin leaned on Charlie's shoulder, and crooned, "Like a speed bag," her sister leaned on the other shoulder, and whispered, "Or a punching bag," they chorused, "Know where we can find them?"

"They've found out about the gym, mates," Charlie said.

"EXCELLENT!" we chorused. "Where is it, Arthur, dear?" I whispered in his ear.

He eyed me, and said, "We were TRYING to keep it a secret. It's not ready yet, and you really don't do sultry well, Mattie," I pouted, while the girls at the Hufflepuff table giggled. "Dammit, what do you have to do around here to keep a secret? Kill someone?" Arthur asked.

"Why, we wouldn't keep secrets from YOU, Arthur," Sprink crooned. "Well, at least not IMPORTANT things. Just little, tiny unimportant things like Quidditch that you don't need to worry about."

"That's right, Arthur," I agreed with a soft voice, "You worry about all the important things; we'll handle the details like Quidditch."

"I'd still like to know how you lot found out about it," Charlie said.

"Our spies are everywhere…" Sprink said in a spooky voice

"For a live one, you've got that down very well, Miss Tonks," the Fat Friar complemented with a smile as he rose through the table to his waist.

"Why, thank you, Friar," Sprink said. "Um, you're cooling the tea."

"I'm sorry!" the Friar said as he moved. He mostly centered himself on the milk and pumpkin juice pitchers, adding, "Not even the Ravenclaw and Slytherin ghosts are talking! I'd like to know just as much as anyone what happened!"

Sprink tapped her wand on her tea, warming it, and said, "Sorry. I gave my statement in the Headmaster's office, but until he says we can…" She sipped her tea, and mentioned, "First time I've used a pensieve. Bloody strange things, they are." I nodded, as did the Cortez twins.

"What's a pensieve?" Charlie asked.

"It's a shallow stone basin, about the size of this plate and a couple inches deep, with runes around the edge." Sprink said, tapping her dinner plate. "You extract the memory you want with your wand, and drop it in, then tap it with your wand to watch it."

"Something else to avoid," Arthur muttered.

"Why?" I asked Arthur, as I picked up a butter knife. "If someone's going to try to read your mind, they'll use a spell, not something passive like a pensieve." I buttered a roll, adding, "It requires your co-operation. When we gave our statements, we recalled the memories of what happened, and then Professor Dumbledore and Madame Bones reviewed them, and asked questions." I shrugged, took a bite, and then added, "It's a magical version of videotape."

"What I think is nobody's business but mine," Arthur replied.

"Normally, I'd agree with you," I told him. "However, this is a criminal case, and we're witnesses. This is just another form of testimony, one that's more accurate. This way, the court sees what we saw. Nobody's rummaging through your brain."

"It's a matter of principle, Mattie," Arthur argued. "You take Occlumancy lessons, you should get this."

"Would you rather a wanker like Lucius Malfoy get off because you refused to testify?" Sprink asked, waving her teacup and spilling a bit. "He's used the Unforgivables! He's tortured and killed people! Don't you want to put him in Azkaban?"

"I wasn't there Sprink, so I can't testify," Arthur said as he stood up. "So it doesn't matter what I want. But just for the record, I don't want Malfoy in Azkaban, because he's already managed to get out of there once." He walked away with a sour expression on his face.

"Arthur," I said rising before Charlie put out a hand to restrain me.

"You know how moody he gets," he said quietly. "Just let him go for now."

I sat back down and it was a moment before the conversation started back up, one of the Hufflepuffs asking, "Does the memory thing hurt?"

I shook my head and demonstrated, extracting a memory with my wand, and then putting it back. "There's a bit of an itchy feeling where it comes out. Can ghosts use a pensieve, Friar?" I asked.

"I've no idea, Miss Wayne. I don't think it's ever been tried," he admitted.

"Might make an interesting experiment," I mentioned.

"A bit painful, too," he added. "Wands feel very hot to ghosts."

------------------------

"So… how do you get to this super-secret gym?" one of the twins asked Charlie.

"Why do you want to know?" he asked. "It's not ready for use yet. The original plan was to have it ready after Easter break. There are only six guys and two girls working on it."

The twins nodded, and Charlie continued, "We've salvaged the wood off the bleachers to make benches for the locker rooms, but the lockers are no good, we've written them off. The cold water and drains are pretty good, but the hot water for the sinks and showers need a plumber to fix. Actually, Myrtle was a help, telling us which drains were plugged. Only one loo on each side works, but the fixtures just need a bit of work. There's some exercise equipment that we've got working, and there's a bench and weights from the 1940's in there."

"What kind of repair equipment do you have?" I asked. "You know; a plumber's torch and wrenches, parts, that kind of thing? Dad taught me how to sweat copper pipe."

"Mattie, your dad's a billionaire. Why don't you use the Yellow Pages?" one of the twins asked. Sprink looked confused, so the other said, "It's a business directory. You can look through it and call a plumber if you need one."

"The last time we did, we ended up missing stuff," I answered. "We never did get one small Picasso back. It's the same thing when we have a party or something, we have to use bonded caterers, and even then stuff gets stolen." I shrugged, and said, "Price of doing business. What are you gonna do, a cavity search on each waiter to find a missing fork?"

The twins giggled, and Charlie continued, "We've got a hardwood floor down, and basketball and volleyball laid out on it. Only one backboard and basket, though. The space where we took out the bleachers is about twenty feet wide by a hundred feet long. We had about two-thirds of that for the weights and machines, and the other for aerobics. Could you teach martial arts, Mattie?"

I took a sip of coffee, and thought about it. "I've taught before, it's necessary to advance to second and third degree black belt. Is the room padded?" Charlie nodded, and I said, "All right. Narcissa or Madame Pomfrey must clear people medically, and I want a floo connection to the Infirmary." I looked at Charlie, and added, "When I taught martial arts at my old school, it was like the DA. There are no houses or faculty, just the sensei and students."

------------------------

I heard a tapping, and looked to the head table. The headmaster was tapping on his goblet, and the dull roar of conversation died down. He smiled, and said, "I would just like to mention that the Ravenclaw and Slytherin Quidditch teams may now talk about their experiences. Please do not force someone to talk that does not wish to. As you know, the rematch between Ravenclaw and Slytherin is scheduled for March 27, and the Hufflepuff and Slytherin match is moved back a week, to April 24, to accommodate the hearing for the captured Death Eaters. Thank you."

There was an immediate roar of conversation, and the Hufflepuffs leaned close, Charlie asking, "What happened?"

"Mattie had just feinted, and we had possession, going toward the goal…" Sprink started.

"Doing that damned Ballistic of theirs again," one of the twins interrupted.

Abby Michaels, the Hufflepuff captain nodded, "We think we've got a counter for it."

Sprink smirked and continued, "Anyway, someone said that the players were being stunned, and we saw the Dark Mark, so Mattie went up to join the Ravenclaws, so we could do a coordinated attack."

"That's when you threw the knife at Pettigrew?" one of the twins asked me. I nodded, and the other continued, "We were stunned, and portkeyed somewhere. We woke up in a stone cell, bound and without our wands."

"Not for long!" Sprink added. "Mattie still had hers, and she started to cut everyone loose."

"How did you keep your wand?" Abby asked me.

Sprink smirked, and I sighed as I undid my left sleeve. "Spell-shielded wand holster," I said. "Malfoy used accio on the wands, and didn't bother to count them, or search us. He really is an incompetent terrorist."

The twins grinned, and they took up the narrative. "So anyway, Mattie cuts herself loose, hands her wand to Ian, and starts to cut everyone loose, giving us these really nasty knives to help." The other twin said, "I want a set of them. Where did you get them?"

"Weaponsmith in Gotham," I replied. "They're expensive, though, and you really need to know how to fight with a knife."

"Can I see one?" an older Hufflepuff leaned over to ask. I pulled the sheathed knife from my left boot and handed it to him. He pulled the knife out, and whistled at it, asking, "What's it made of?"

"Carbon, just like a diamond," I said. "Come on, guys, I didn't do anything special."

The twins snorted, and Sprink said, "Right. Who snuck through the air vent? Who spied on the Death Eaters? Who found Professor Harry?"

I opened my mouth, and one of the twins added, "Who got our wands back, who freed the rest, and who captured all the Death Eaters?"

"Come on, guys, I just helped out!" I protested.

Susan Fawcett leaned over Sprink, and said, "I was with you in the air vent, but you're the one that did everything, Mattie. Don't deny it."

"Guys, you're making me out to be some sort of storybook hero, and I'm NOT!"

"You can say that, Mattie, but don't forget, we were there," the twins argued. I glowered at them, and Susan added, "Okay, Sprink brought in Bella, but you got the rest of them."

"But… they're a bunch of incompetent terrorists! Anyone could have…"

"Maybe," Sprink said. "Maybe anyone could have. But you did." She added, "Bella's my aunt, and she wasn't involved. She didn't count. You're the one that captured Malfoy."

"Another thing you're ignoring, Mattie," Susan said. "Malfoy planned to have a Dark Revel with us." She sat on the bench, and poked me in the chest, "That means that I owe you my life and that means a Wizard's Debt. I can't speak for anyone else, but I intend to honor it."

The twins added, "We owe each of you, Mattie and Susan." The bell rang, and Abby said, "I need to get to DADA. I wonder what Professor Harry will say." I groaned, and Charlie asked, "What next?"

"Now I REALLY need to hit something," I muttered.

------------------------

"You know where our common room is?" I nodded, and Charlie continued, "Down the corridor toward the kitchens, you'll see a large tapestry of the Founders. Face Helga, say something nice about Hufflepuff House, and turn around to your left. The door will appear."

"Simple enough," I admitted. I checked my watch, and said, "I'm going to go change and meet you guys there in fifteen minutes or so."

"Wait, Mattie," Charlie said. "Why are you helping us?"

"Why, you want my secret, Slytherin motivation?" I rolled my eyes, and said, "First of all, it sounds like you guys could use a hand, and I've done my share of home repairs. Secondly, I want to use it; thirdly, if I'm going to teach martial arts, I've got to get that up to scratch. Lastly, aren't we all supposed to be working together?"

"I still don't believe you do home repairs," one of the twins said with a grin.

I snorted, "Just because we don't have battalions of servants? You were at my house over the Holidays; you saw that it's just the three of us there."

"And your family ghosts," one of the twins teased.

I grinned and nodded, and the Friar asked, "You have a family plot?"

"Yes, it's a few acres, but it just wouldn't do to have Great-Aunt Eloise appear at a society ball. Muggles tend to get … upset around ghosts, for some reason," I grinned.

------------------------
Saturday, January 16, 1999:
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Slytherin table
------------------------

"Post's here!"

Aunt Lois looked up with the rest of us, and saw several owls head toward her, clutching red envelopes. She chuckled, and Emma looked at her. "You don't mind howlers?"

"No, that means people are THINKING about what I write." She took the first one, the owl immediately taking off. "HOW DARE YOU SAY MINISTER FUDGE IS …" it screamed before she batted it away.

The Quibbler's headline read:

MINISTRY BOUGHT BY
DEATH EATERS?

Lois Lane (Metropolis Daily Planet)
Exclusive for The Quibbler

London - On January eleventh, kidnapped Hogwarts students rescued themselves from the dungeons under Malfoy Manor, bringing with them a large quantity of documents. Among these were ledgers going back to 1975, detailing payoffs to a wide assortment of Ministry officials. Ministry Finance officials declined the opportunity to examine the books themselves, calling them a 'fabrication by the Minister's political opposition'.

Analysis of these books by two different accounting firms leads to the same conclusion: Malfoy has been buying influence from Ministry officials, including former Minister Millicent Bagnold and current Minister Cornelius Fudge. This is supported by letters to Gringott's authorizing transfers from the Malfoy vault (#366) to a list of numbered vaults, and a list, in Malfoy's hand, cross referencing those numbers to Ministry personnel (see table one) and thirty of the fifty Wizengamot members (see table two).

Examples of this include letters from Wizengamot members confirming meetings with Malfoy and his solicitors, withdrawal and transfer receipts from Gringott's shortly before notable court dates, including the arrest and transfer of Sirius Black to Azkaban (without trial), the arraignments of notable Death Eaters including Malfoy, Peter Pettigrew, and the Lestranges and their subsequent release with charges dismissed.

This new information asks the question, what will happen to the Death Eaters captured? What will happen to Pettigrew and Malfoy regarding charges and evidence of using the Cruciatus curse on students and Professor Potter during their captivity?

Wizards will need to review their use of familiar household products such as Butterbeer, which is owned by Malfoy through a series of shell companies (see diagram one), and support of the Ballycastle Bats Quidditch team (forty percent ownership, see diagram two). These companies provide Malfoy with seventy percent of his monthly cash flow (see chart three) of three hundred thousand galleons. The balance of his income is from real estate investments, including prime property located …

------------------------