Not All Muggles Are Muggles (and Salazar admits it)

Chapter VII

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. You know that and I know that but I still have to write the disclaimer, even though the site is called FAN fiction. I have read many fanfictions and consequently may have "borrowed" other people's ideas so if you recognise something it probably isn't mine. Finally if I am aware that I have taken somebody's idea I will put their pen name in brackets after it or acknowledge them at the end of the appropriate chapter, this is only if I know the name. If you recognize something of yours that has not been acknowledged, tell me and I will acknowledge it. I am not making any money out of this so don't sue. I don't know why I bothered to write this as no one reads these anyway…

Review replies at the bottom of the chapter.

Last time:

It never occurred to him that this was the first time he'd had any idea of how to comfort someone crying. If it had, maybe he'd have seen an unwelcome parallel between himself and Mark. (Chapter 5)

As the sky grew darker Mark's room became progressively colder, until Harry eventually decided that shutting the windows was probably a good idea.

Gingerly extracting himself from a still tearful and shaking Mark Harry shut the windows, locked the door, turned on the radiator and massaged the blood back through his knees. He had knelt rocking his distraught cousin for the majority of the day, the rest of the time he had been sitting holding the blotchy faced boy in front of him. They had missed lunch and dinner, but Harry certainly wasn't hungry. Mark had been spilling his heart out, and what he had found out was more than enough to make him shiver.

"In order to increase security," the new minister for magic, Amelia Bones, spoke out across the sea of apprehensive faces before her, "a new scheme will be put into place. The like of which has never been attempted before. Many of you will have to put aside your prejudices for this to work, but my colleagues and I feel that it is the best method for protecting as many young witches and wizards as possible. All wizarding families will be involved, however, if you are willing to aid the ministry further, you may sign up at the end of the meeting."

There was general applause, moving of feet and muttering.

"Bloody politicians, saying God knows how many words but none of us know what's going on yet" came the dark and, though he'd deny it, bored, voice of one Mad-Eye Moody.

"At least she's better than Fudge," retorted Shacklebolt, who had been tolerating Moody's griping for the past three hours whilst they and many other witches and wizards were lead through a speech marathon by the new government.

"Just how, exactly, is she better?"

"She has accepted You-Know-Who's presence"

"Wonderful, but what is she doing about it?"

"S-"

"Nothing!" bellowed Moody, causing the people nearby to move away. "And it was a rhetorical question anyhow".

In an office somewhere in the ministry, Arthur Weasley was unpacking paperwork into the spacious office that he had just acquired. With Amelia's promotion she had left the Head of Magical Law Enforcement position open and she had given the job to him. To the shock and surprise of many, especially Percy who was still secretary to Fudge, but Fudge now had a rather lowly position having replaced Mrs Edgecomb who had lost her job through being considered one of Fudges allies who could be sacked without causing to many problems.

Oh, and Dolores Umbridge is now working in the Centaur Liaison Office, this is despite her racist tendencies and her terrific fear of centaurs that means that she runs at even the sound of clip-clop noises. (Her new colleagues have already discovered the hilarity of making such noises with their tongues whilst she is drinking tea.) Overall it is as well that no centaur ever goes to the Centaur Liaison office.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for listening so attentively. It is encourage to see how many people are interested in the workings of the ministry and I am proud to have been chosen to represent you…"

"Get On With It! For crying out loud."

"Shut up!" hissed a seriously pissed off Shacklebolt.

"…I hope that many of you sign up for greater participation in the new scheme to increase protection for all and bring the different parts of our society together…"

"I'm leaving."

"No you are not. We were told to listen and so listen is what we will do."

"Youngsters! Dumbledore does not need us to listen to a lot of twaddle."

"We missed it, you idiot!"

"WHAT?"

"Because of your stupid commentary we missed what the new scheme is, he's going to be so disappointed…"

"Why do you care? It's not like it will jeopardise your chances of being prefect, you've graduated. Christ! I'm dealing with kids."

Muttered quietly, "I'm not a kid. You are."

"We need to get him out now you gilt loving fool."

"No, we can't bring two people up here"

"I wasn't intending to."

"So you'd leave the other one down there?"

"YES!"

"All on his own?"

"Yes! and I would because when Harry goes back those bitches can be the first he tries his new powers out on"

"But other things are happening…"

"And that will only get worse."

"So we are getting him."

"Yes, finally I get it into your thick skull."

"Just because I didn't get formal education…"

"It's more because anyone who survived the crusades without consciously using magic must've had a thick skull to not be killed by missiles."

"Well it was worth it. I was knighted for my efforts."

"Earning a title is not the same as being born with one." came the calm superior voice of Salazar.

"True, earning your title is far more prestigious" was Godric's smug response.

End of chapter

Three points of note, a definition and a disclaimer:

1: JK has said that Mark Evans is not related to Harry, neither is he important to the story. I'm carrying on with the fic regardless of this fact.

2: JK has said that Harry is not descended from Salazar Slytherin.

These two facts mean that I am writing in AU from now on.

3: In book 5 McGonagall tells Dean (I think) that they will get a letter containing their OWL results in July. In this fic, Harry received a letter telling him when he would get his results in July. This was to make OWL results come out on the same date as GCSEs this year, 26th August.

Definition: Gilt: Gold leaf or plating applied to objects to make them look more expensive. Generally unfashionable and considered tacky nowadays. It was used in reference to Gryffindor's family colours.

Also the idea of Umbridge running at clip-clop noises is not mine, when I remember, or if you know whose idea it was, please tell me in a review of e-mail.

Review replies:

Hermes09
I liked hearing other points of view. I want to see Hazel and Holly's faces when they find out that its Mark and Harry pranking them. More soon!

I'm glad you liked the last chapter, you will see how they react, but not yet. Gandalf Lyonn (beta reader) has given me an idea that I might incorporate into the 'finding out' bit.

athenakitty
When will the clues force Petunia to wake up? Will Rowan wake up and smell the coffee beans?

No sooner than anyone else and probably not, at least not until it's too late.

Thanks again to my beta, Gandalf Lyonn, and to my reviewers.

To everyone else: PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!

Fire Tempest