Chapter 25

Making Changes

Harry (undisguised) stood near the back of the press crowd. He wore his old Invisibility cloak that he had quickly gone back to Hogwarts to borrow from Courtney. Looking over the crowd he was glad to see no sign of Rita Skeeter, and not very surprised to see Colin Creevey wielding a camera and quill. As the impatient reporters shouted out their questions he wondered, not for the first time, why he had thought it would be a good idea to attend a press conference.

If you want something done, you've got to do it yourself. The old adage ran mockingly through his head as Percy came to the point in his speech where he announced Harry. The man in question smirked at the effect those words had on the crowd.

Then, after a minute, he removed the cloak.

ooOOoo

After the initial shocked silence, the first thing all the reporters did was look around quickly for the infamous Man-Who-Disappeared. When they did not see him immediately they turned back to the Minister of Magic expectantly. There was a moment of eager anticipation and then a gasp was heard at the back of the crowd. As one, they all turned to the source and saw Harry Potter moving through the crowd. They parted for him to pass through, some in awe, some in fear.

Finally standing before them at the podium he took a deep breath and started speaking.

ooOOoo

Molly Weasley had refused to go to the Wizengamot trial. She knew she would not have been able to handle seeing four members of her family put on trial by a fifth member. So instead, she had started cleaning the attic—something she had been meaning to do for months. When, after a few hours she had not heard anything she gave in to the temptation to turn the WWN on. Nursing a cup of juice she waved her wand at the receiver and sat down to listen to the news.

"…In regards to today's trial, all charges against the accused have been dismissed. The laws that they broke should never have been made in the first place. Hiding from the past can only do harm—it must be dealt with."

Mrs. Weasley wrinkled her brow. She didn't quite recognize the voice of the speaker, but the words themselves were surprising. What had made Percy change his mind?

"Expect some major changes in the coming months. With the powers that have been granted to me I will implement a number of changes. The details have not been worked out yet, but the broad goals will be to ensure that it is impossible for an innocent to be sent to prison, to ensure justice is served for the remaining Death Eaters and their victims, to give more rights to muggles involved in the Wizarding world…this is of course an incomplete list of goals, but it will give you an idea of what is coming. Keep in mind that I will not only be reviewing this Ministry and its laws, but the laws all over the world governing wizarding bodies."

Molly traced her finger around the rim of her cup, listening closely, trying to understand what was going on. It sounded as though Percy was not Minister, but of course that was ridiculous—elections weren't for another two years.

"The wizarding world has been left to its own devices for far too long, your society is crumbling at its foundation and so I will be building a new foundation for you.

"I will be calling another press conference in a few days to give a clearer idea of what will be done. The Ministry of Magic will, for the next few days, still be under the guidance of Percy Weasley who will be taking care of the ordinary duties of the Minister. Any larger decisions will be forwarded to me by him.

"Lastly, I expect that I will be receiving a lot of mail, please address any mail to the Hogsmeade Owl Office. There will be those there designated to bring me what is important and discard that which is not. Any owls delivered directly to me will be returned unopened and without acknowledgement."

There was some silence on the WWN and then the announcer's voice came on, "If you just tuned in to this station let me get you up to speed on what has happened. This morning's highly controversial trial regarding confidential war intelligence being shared in a public setting was ended without a verdict. The defendants were released. In a press conference just minutes ago Percy Weasley resigned as Minister of Magic and," the announcer's voice shook, "Harry Potter addressed us from the podium."

Molly Weasley's cup shattered.

ooOOoo

All in all, the Press conference had not gone that badly. Of course, the reporters had been a little stunned at first but by the end they had all been shouting questions. Harry pointedly ignored them and walked away, disappearing under the invisibility cloak once again—much to the disappointment of the crowd. He disguised himself once again and headed back to Hogwarts. It was late in the afternoon when he entered the school again and approached Dumbledore's office. He knocked on the door and stuck his head in when invited, "I'll be taking Amelia and Courtney with me now for the rest of the evening."

That was when he noticed Minerva in the room, looking a little put out at him just telling the headmaster this rather than asking. Dumbledore however, just nodded and said, "Thank you for telling me," there was a slight pause and the old man looked hard at David, "Amelia?" He questioned, remembering seeing the Slytherin with him earlier.

David nodded, "I am adopting her."

A smile crossed Albus' face, "Fantastic."

David started to close the door but Dumbledore's voice stopped him, "Oh, Mr. Barnes—here is the ... uh…telephone number of the MP I told you about. She is the one you should contact to get in touch with the Ministry committee that acts as liaisons with this world."

David stepped into the room and took the parchment piece. He stuffed it in his pocket and left to find Amelia and Courtney.

"Well, we have a little time to waste before dinner at your grandmother's Courtney, what would you ladies like to do?" David said as the three of them walked to Hogsmeade. "I have some calls and other arrangements to make, but I can do those from my mobile."

Courtney shrugged and looked to Amelia. The older girl thought for a moment and then said, "Actually could you just show me your…our home?"

David found it difficult to breath for a moment. The house…still with all of Kathryn's things. He had yet to return there. Both girls noticed how he seemed to have frozen. Courtney said "Dad?" worriedly. David shook himself, "It's nothing."

In Hogsmeade they flooed to the public floo closest to the Barnes home. David realized with some amusement that they would have to walk from the subway station back to the house, but it was not that far to walk. Entering the quiet empty house, Courtney immediately started showing Amelia around while David once again had to calm the raging emotions. Everything was just as he had left it when Fred had given him the horrible news. There was still food out on the counter that he had left when the knock came on the door….

David shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out the parchment that Dumbledore had given him. He quickly dialed the number and was rewarded with an almost immediate answer, "This is Paulina."

David, startled, did not know exactly who he was supposed to talk to—he had simply dialed the number without looking at the name. He glanced down at the name. In Dumbledore's spidery handwriting was written Paulina Granger.

"Ms. Granger," he said with surprise, "I'm sorry I did not expect you to answer."

There was a pause, "Who is this, and how did you get this number?"

"Sorry," he said hastily, "My name is David Barnes; I was given this number by Albus Dumbledore."

"Oh!" There was a pause and then Paulina said, "well then David, what can I do for you?"

"I understand that you are a key member of the Committee for Cooperation."

Paulina snorted, "Well, yes I am a key member, but everything we do is pretty much one-sided. The Wizarding World isn't known for its cooperation with 'lesser beings.'"

"How would you like to help me change that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Could I meet with your committee sometime soon?"

ooOOoo

Paulina Granger hung up her phone somewhat confused, but also curious. She looked at the caller identification on her phone and then went online to look up this David Barnes.

Apparently he was a rather famous doctor. Rumors said he was very wealthy. According to the local paper his wife had died just days before in a tragic accident.

Well then, what did he have to do with the Wizarding world? She shrugged to herself, she would find out tomorrow when he met with her committee. And, it wasn't like it was always obvious how someone was connected to the wizarding world. There was an elderly gentleman on the committee who only found out about magic when his son and his wife had been killed in a car accident leaving him with their three grandchildren—all of whom were magical. Paulina couldn't imagine having to suddenly just believe that magic existed.

She had always known about magic. Hermione had been sixteen when she was born and, though she had never been close to her sister, she had always known about Hermione's abilities. It had actually been some of her discussions with her sister that had gotten her into muggle-wizard relations after her political career had started. Hermione of course would never admit it, but everyone in the wizarding world, the great Professor Granger included, had egos in desperate need of deflating. She had thought, naively, that she would be able to affect changes, but had realized that such changes would have to start within the wizarding world and had lost much of her spark in the fight.

She wondered what this Barnes fellow thought he could do.

ooOOoo

After David had made a few more phone calls, including speaking with the hospital and getting a longer leave of absence, he called Kathryn's parents' house and told them they would be over soon for dinner. That done, he gathered the girls into the car and drove to the Taylor home, where Michael stood waiting in the yard for them.

David scooped up his son and proceeded to ask him about his day, just as he always had done when he got home to his children.

"Gramma an' me looked at pictures of Mommy." Michael said with a solemn face.

"And did you like that?" David asked, his heart constricting painfully.

Michael nodded, "Gramma cried. I saw Mommy when she was little. She played in the dirt."

David laughed slightly and entered the house where the wonderful smells of dinner assaulted him.

ooOOoo

As David helped Rachel clear up the dishes he asked her how Michael had behaved that day. Rachel smiled at him, "He really was quite good today. But…" a small confused look passed over her face, "he was saying some of the strangest things."

David withheld a sigh and said, "Such as?"

"Well, he said that he had seen Courtney turn an matchstick into a needle."

This time David let the sigh out. "Rachel, there is something I need to tell you and Jackson about."

She looked at him shrewdly and David winced at how the expression seemed so familiar—he knew his wife had gotten that expression from her mother. She nodded sharply and quickly finished up the cleaning.

They all gathered in the living room, Michael falling asleep in David's lap, and David started speaking softly, "Rachel, Jackson, you know how I have hidden my past for a long time." They both nodded. "Well, part of what I had kept hidden was the fact that I am…" he paused for a moment, to gather the courage to actually declare it, "I am a wizard," he said in a rush.

His in-laws blinked. "A what?" Jackson asked.

"A wizard. With magic. Michael is a wizard too, Courtney and Amelia are both witches. The school Courtney goes to is a school for magic. That is where we have been living since Kathryn…. That is where it happened," he said almost inaudibly.

"The wizarding world was the past I was hiding from myself and from everyone else." He looked at the two of them, trying to understand. They both were looking at him as though he was insane. He pulled out his wand and conjured a flower and handed it to Rachel. Her mouth opened in surprise and awe. Jackson, on the other hand, passed out.

ooOOoo

Explanations had taken a few more hours and it was late by the time the four of them returned to Hogwarts. After sending Amelia and Courtney to their respective dorms and putting Michael in his bed, David tiredly ascended to Dumbledore's office. It had been a very busy, trying day and tomorrow didn't look like it would be any easier.

A short knock brought an invitation and David entered to find Dumbledore alone in the office. The younger man wondered at the stamina of the Headmaster—he had to be at least 170 years old by now.

"I," David halted to yawn, covering his mouth, and then continued, "I need to go to sleep. I have a meeting tomorrow morning with the Cooperation Committee, but shall we meet tomorrow afternoon?"

Albus simply nodded and David trudged out of the office and to his rooms, collapsing on his bed, without even undressing, and falling fast asleep.

ooOOoo

Surprisingly, David awoke refreshed bright and early. He arose and scrunched up his face at the state of his clothing. He washed quickly and dressed in the same clothes (which had been cleaned by the house-elves while he was showering), and went into the main room of the suite. He found Michael already awake and chatting with a small creature.

He looked incredulously at the flopping ears, "Dobby?" he breathed, not quite believing it. The small creature turned around and regarded the man curiously, "Is sir knowing Dobby?"

"Uh…"

"This is my Daddy Dobby!" Michael said bouncing on the balls of his feet, "He is the bestest Daddy in the world!"

"Dobby is pleased to meet sir!" the house-elf bowed. David was still staring at him. Finally he said slowly, "Do you still work at Hogwarts?"

"Yes sir, I is hired by the Headmaster sir."

"Would you like to work for me?"

"Sir wants Dobby to work for him?"

David took out his wand and reverted back to Harry.

"Yes, Dobby, I do."

Dobby burst into tears, "Oh! Oh! Sir is Harry Potter! Harry Potter asks Dobby to work for him! Dobby is not worthy!"

"What do you mean, not worthy?"

"Dobby could do nothing for sir when he was accused!"

Harry's face took on a stunned look, "What do you mean?"

"Dobby tried to go to Azkaban and help Harry Potter, but Dementors," Dobby shivered, "Dementors," he whispered, "have bad effect on house-elves."

"You believed me?"

"Of course Harry Potter! Dobby knew you sir! Dobby knew you!"

Tears were suddenly streaming down Harry's face and he said, "Dobby, I would love for you to come work for me."

ooOOoo

The Committee for Cooperation met in conference room in the Portcullis House. The Committee wasn't so much made up of government officials as 'concerned citizens.' They had a rather large database of people who had magical connections, and while most of them would get together periodically with others who knew of the wizarding world, there were less than two dozen interested in meeting to discuss political aims in muggle-wizarding relations.

Paulina looked around and noticed that most of the people she had called had been able to make it. She had notified the Prime Minister that they were meeting; he always liked to know what was going on in the wizarding world and often liked other perspectives than the official communications from the Minister of Magic who had become more and more taciturn in recent years. Right on time, the door swung open to reveal a thin man with brown hair and brown eyes. She recognized him from his photo on the hospital's website.

She stood and greeted him, "Dr. Barnes, I am Paulina Granger."

He shook her hand and looked at her closely, then declared, "You look absolutely nothing like your sister."

Paulina raised an eyebrow, "You know Hermione?" 1

David nodded without explaining and looked around the room at the others gathered. To his surprise, Megan Weasley was there. His mind drifted back to what Dumbledore had told him….

"How are you doing David?" she asked bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Better, thank you. How are you doing?" He had just realized that this woman had been the one to see Kathryn die.

She mustered a shaky smile. David then looked to Paulina. She sat back down and gestured for him to go ahead with what he wanted to do.

"I am assuming you are all here because you have an interest in muggle-wizard relations or at least your status in relation to your magical friends and relatives."

There were brief nods.

"My name is David Barnes and my daughter started Hogwarts this year. A few days ago, my wife, a muggle, died in an accident at Hogwarts. And the Ministry of Magic had the audacity to, without even asking, take my eleven year old daughter who was still grieving for her mother to court to testify in a trial."

Murmurs ran through the room. "Are you speaking of the Hogwarts trial?" One man asked, "The one having something to do with restricted information?"

David nodded, "I am. When I went to the Ministry and was told because I was a muggle I had no rights, it made me realize some changes needed to be made."

"And what do you propose we do then?" a woman asked scornfully, "We've been trying for years to get them to listen to us."

Paulina spoke up in agreement, "The only way it will ever happen is for someone in the wizarding world to propose some changes."

"Which is exactly what I intend to do," David said smoothly, "I am a wizard, I just have been living outside of the wizarding world for eighteen years. I turned my back on them and never looked back until my daughter started Hogwarts."

"I doubt they will listen to a wizard who has denied his heritage for almost two decades," Paulina said, "I know you have good intentions, but…"

David held up a hand, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a way of accomplishing this. I want to know what changes you think are necessary and why. And I will see to implementing them."

"How?" one elderly man said.

David took out his wand and waved it over himself, "I am the be-all, end-all in wizarding law, not just for the UK, but for the entire world. I am Harry Potter."

Paulina, who had been balancing her chair on the back two legs, fell backwards. She had heard rumors about this man, but whenever she had asked her sister about him, the older girl had clammed right up. Some others in the room showed signs of knowing who he was, but it was obvious that a few did not understand the implications.

"Because of my acts in the last war, I was awarded the distinction known as Merlin's Staff. I am the ultimate governing official of all wizards and witches. What I say is law. Period."

"But, what good is that? How do you expect to enforce your laws?" One man asked.

Harry grinned, "It is not just a title, it is a magical endowment of power. Anyone who has taken an oath whether it be as Minister of Magic or other government positions, or among the Aurors, is compelled to follow my commands. Refusal breaks their sworn oaths to uphold the law. The power of Merlin's Staff ensures my will is done. Now what changes do all of you see as necessary?"

ooOOoo

The meeting had taken a long time and near the end the Prime Minister himself had come in and he and David had ended up meeting alone for an hour afterwards. David had lots of notes and lots of suggestions. Some were probably not usable at this time, but others were more solid—good enough to start building on to give the results he needed. He only hoped the meeting with Dumbledore would be as productive.

When he entered Dumbledore's office again however Percy Weasley was sitting there with Dumbledore. Percy shot to his feet when he saw David, looking almost comical. David raised an eyebrow at him. "Ah, Malfoy's lawyers are protesting his arrest without charges and holding him without bail and a number of other numerous charges."

David blinked. He had actually forgotten about Draco Malfoy. David nodded shortly though and said, "I will come tomorrow and give an affidavit." He then turned his attention to Dumbledore who retrieved a scroll of parchment and handed it to David. He opened it and perused its contents it was a concise summary of wizarding muggle relations in the UK—much of the information was redundant with his earlier meeting, but there were some pertinent points Albus had included as reasons and motivations for certain actions—things which had never been explained to the Muggles. The list of names included had a number of people he had met that morning.

"I just met with the Committee for Cooperation and the Prime Minister," David said, "They presented a number of ideas to me, but this helps as well. Now, both of you, explain to me what has been done to change the legal system since I left."

After a lengthy explanation and even more notes Harry then asked the most pertinent question to him, "Now, please tell me why in Merlin's name you thought it would be a good idea to hide the truth about me, about what happened?"

There was silence for a long time, but David didn't make it any easier on them by breaking it. Finally it was Percy who spoke in a defeated voice, "It was easier to continue as we were."

David eyed him shrewdly and then looked to Dumbledore, waiting for him to answer. "As I told Courtney not long ago—we wizards are a selfish lot. Despite abilities that would astonish any muggle we are far more narrow-minded than they are. Perhaps in earlier centuries, where we struggled to survive, it was appropriate, but we don't have those same problems, yet we still apply the same patterns of behavior. Change is slow in the wizarding world, probably as a result of our extended lives and our longstanding traditions."

Silence reigned once again and finally Dumbledore sighed. "I know these answers are not acceptable, because the attitude is unacceptable, but they are the truth."

"I know," David finally said then he stood to go ready himself for dinner.

"If I may ask…" Dumbledore said hesitantly. David gestured for him ton continue, "Your intentions towards the Ministry are clear, but what changes will you be making at Hogwarts?"

David thought for a moment and then gave an answer that surprised the other two men a great deal, "Nothing for the moment. I have my hands full with the government, I can't think about Hogwarts right now. As you have recently proven yourself a slight bit more competent than the average wizard at making decisions that are good ones, I'm not going to make any changes."

A small frown crossed Dumbledore's face and he replied, "You should know then, that I intend to retire at the end of the school year."

David nodded, not really surprised for some reason, "Still, I don't need to worry about that now." With that he left.

As he walked back to his chambers though he thought more about Dumbledore's question—there had been a subtext of what are your intentions towards your former friends to the question, and David had yet to figure out the answer to that.

ooOOoo

The next morning various reporters were gathered at the Ministry because it had been rumored that Harry Potter was to come to give evidence against Draco Malfoy. There was another rumor circulating that he would also be exposing some other Death Eaters. When David Barnes entered the Atrium the reporters barely spared him a glance to make sure he was not Harry Potter. He smirked to himself-this was the perfect illustration of the complete idiocy of most members of the wizarding world. They had to see something to believe it despite the fact that they could conjure items out of thin air. He didn't look like Harry Potter, so he wasn't Harry Potter, never mind the fact that there were multiple potions and spells that could disguise a person. However, since it was working in his favor at this time he didn't begrudge it.

A few of the reporters saw David Barnes enter an empty elevator, but since none of the press were allowed into the Magical Law Enforcement department, none of them saw Harry Potter leaving the elevator. A young office aid spotted him and promptly dropped all the files he was carrying and started scrambling around on hands and knees gathering them all again while hastily welcoming Harry.

Harry raised an eyebrow and wondered why the young man had not used his wand to pick up the items. When he had managed to get a hold once more of all his things, the young man led Harry back to an office.

The placard on the door read Octavius Rockwell III, Esq. Ministry Attorney. Harry entered to find four people in the room. The one behind the desk he assumed was Octavius. Draco Malfoy sat in one chair with a wizard on each side who Harry assumed were his lawyers.

"I understand you need my testimony?" Harry said languidly was Draco paled dramatically upon seeing him.

Harry took a seat, without waiting for an invitation, and launched into the tale of the night he was framed. It was not too long of a story, but he told them every detail he could remember. Then he provided his memory of it to Octavius who secured it from tampering so it could be admissible in court.

"There are other crimes I am aware of but I am unsure that my testimony would be admissible. I was witness to many of the things he did under Voldemort's," they flinched, they still flinched at the name, "command. But, as I was seeing things through Voldemort's," there it was again! "eyes in visions, it may not be admissible."

"True Mr. Potter," Octavius said in agreement. Harry had to hand it to him, he was handling all of this remarkably well, despite the fact that he winced at the Dark Lord's name too. "However, I do know a number of people who have been keeping silent on what they know. I understand that Severus Snape was exonerated for past crimes," Octavius nodded, "Did anyone ask for his testimony?"

The silence that filled the room was answer enough. Harry just sighed. Every time he spoke with anyone in the wizarding world his list of world's stupidest decisions grew longer.

"Why not?" he asked.

Octavius fidgeted now under Harry's scrutiny and finally mumbled, "His word wasn't trusted."

ooOOoo

David left the Ministry as soon as possible after setting a few things straightand returned to Hogwarts where Dumbledore informed him that he had called a school wide assembly to tell them the truth about Harry Potter. He had asked Courtney to say a few words regarding her correspondence with him because rumors had spread but would do most of the talking himself.

David did not attend the assembly but instead started pouring over his notes and drafting out more concrete ideas about what was going to change. It took him hours and he didn't even realize how much time had passed until a knock came at the door.

He called for whoever it was to come in and was surprised to see Hermione standing very nervously in the doorway. Unsure as to what purpose had brought her here he set down his pen and looked at her closely. "The Headmaster has invited you to dine in the Great Hall tonight," she said very quickly, not meeting his eyes, and turned to leave.

"Hermione," he called half a moment later, "please meet me in the room off the Great Hall after dinner, bring Sirius, Ron and Dumbledore."

If anything her nervousness increased. She just nodded though and left quickly.

David did eat in the Great Hall but declined an invitation to the head table and instead ate with Michael (who had been left to the care of Dobby most of the day) and Amelia at the Slytherin table. Courtney looked well enough at the Gryffindor table with her friends surrounding her.

Dessert was cleared up all too quickly though and David was trying to work up the courage to go through with the meeting with his former friends. Oh well, they were, he knew, at least as anxious as he was.

He strode into the room as students exited the Great Hall by the main doors. Minutes later he was joined by those he had asked to come. He looked at each one of them piercingly and then said, "I really don't know what to do about you. I already told Albus that for now Hogwarts will remain as it is, but the only reason I said that was because you didn't try to stop Courtney when she learned the truth and you stood up for her against the Ministry. You four," David's voice shook somewhat, "were the ones who hurt me most. I will never be able to fully trust you again. Albus has managed to gain back some of my trust, but even so, I will not rely on you as I used to. I don't want association with you but a certain amount will be necessary. What I want from you is to treat our relationship as you would any other parent of your student. We are acquaintances only, not friends. We are perhaps allies in the changes that I am instituting, but not comrades. Please do not push these boundaries.

"I will not be rejoining the wizarding world—I will remain on the fringes only, I have no interest in controlling everything. I will be setting the changes in motion and overseeing things, but the majority of the work will have to be done by witches and wizards who want to keep their world alive. I don't know what your views are or will be on the future effects of my actions. However, I don't want your support if it is only for me that you are doing it. Don't follow out of some misguided apology to me. It is far too late for that and would be absolutely meaningless. Even if your actions are genuine, do not look for a better reconciliation, it won't happen."

The four of them nodded, tears running down Hermione's face, the others a study in solemnity. Sufficiently convinced that his message had gotten through to them he turned to leave.

"David," Sirius said hesitantly. The man looked at him raising an eyebrow. "There is something you should know. We are of course, all guilty of betraying you, but…" he paused wondering if it was wise to even bring this up, but he was a Gryffindor and so he plunged on, "Ron is perhaps less so."

Interested now in what Sirius was trying to say, despite the fact that he didn't really think it could be true, David glanced at Ron who looked rather confused.

Albus spoke up next, "The first words out of Ron's mouth after he woke up in the infirmary were to ask who had been impersonating you. He refused to believe me when I told him what had supposedly happened."

David narrowed his eyes, "At the trial…"

"He had to say what he saw. But he only ever said that it was someone who looked like you. He never declared in the trial it was you," Hermione said softly.

David tried to think back to that day so long ago. The details were difficult to recall. He decided to look up the court scribe's record of that trial when he got a chance. He motioned for them to continue.

"It was months later that I finally managed to convince Ron that you were guilty," Sirius admitted, not looking at Harry. "Prior to that he had been found trying to teach Dobby how to conjure a Patronus to break you out of Azkaban," this came out as a whisper.

David stood frozen as he processed this information. Things were suddenly shifting again. He tried to think this through, but logic was failing him at the moment. He would have to deal with this slowly.

"Don't," Ron's voice ripped from his throat, "don't do this!" he was looking at the others in horror, "Just…don't. I'm just as guilty…I can't…" he trailed off and fled the room abruptly.

David looked at the other three closely, he could see their shame and grief in their eyes, but he also saw determination in them. He didn't exactly know what they were determined to do, but he sincerely hoped they would not be looking to find redemption because it would be a fruitless search. David was finally, once and for all, closing the book to his past and looking to the future-one that did not really include them.

Well, if they were not already convinced, then it would be a lesson they learned over time. He left the room.

ooOOoo

1 Paulina Granger is of course Hermione's sister. JKR has indicated that she originally conceived that Hermione had a younger sister, but that the character never made it into the books. The name comes from Shakespeare's Winter's Tale—which is where JKR got Hermione's name. I just decided to continue the tradition.