Eric stood in the back of the hall, reviewing his notes from the meeting. The rest of the meeting was a presentation of evidence supporting the claims made, and suggestions of how the Knockturn Alley residents could watch after one another. Eric was busily pondering how difficult that would be when a familiar voice clearly spoke to him. "Buried in your thoughts?"

As Eric's head jerked upward, he found himself facing Rodney Wyndham, the Archivist of the Daily Prophet. "Um, a bit, sir. I was just examining my notes."

His face formed a gentle, if slightly crooked smile. "Excellent, my boy, excellent! You would make a top reporter; that is, if there was a newspaper worth having a top reporter these days." His eyes darted about and his mouth turned in a crook of frustration. "The Prophet sent me here to investigate a clandestine meeting – a pity I didn't find anything but unsupported rumors of a meeting that never took place." He placed a crooked cigar in his mouth while wiggling his eyebrows.

Eric thought for a moment, not wishing to appear naive. It then occurred to him that Rodney wasn't going to report anything said that night. "Sir – don't you think that people should know about this? I mean, if it's true."

"Oh it's true, my boy, it's true indeed. However, I can't report that anything happened here. The Ministry would kill the article instantly and clamp down tight against Knockturn's residents in response to such seditious actions." A drawl in his voice indicated what he thought of such an accusation. "The only way that anything discussed tonight has a hope of succeeding is if things are carried out in great secrecy. These people need to be careful, though. If the number of illegal incidents coming from Knockturn drops, even that would tell the Ministry that something's up."

Eric felt his chest deflate. "How are we ever going to survive this?"

Rodney patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Take heart – there's nothing more motivating than looking out for yourself. All these people are now thinking about how good things are compared to what they'd be if the Dark Lord was in charge. You'll quickly find most of these folks willing to watch over each other to protect their own backsides; just wait and see. Now, if you'll excuse me; I need to find a dark corner to drink away the rest of the night." Lighting up his cigar, he smiled as he left the hall.

Eric fell in with his friends, all of whom were waiting for the Professor to break from answering a myriad of questions. Finally, he joined his students. "Well, my pupils, the gauntlet has been cast. We should soon see developments from this."

Dorian replied first. "Professor, what makes you think that anything will result from this meeting?"

He smiled. "Because there were spies from the Ministry, the Death Eaters, and the Draconians all in the crowd. I know this because having such spies is what I would have done in their circumstances. We can expect the Ministry to intensify it's scrutiny of Knockturn under the guise of reducing crime. The Death Eaters will be seeking to intimidate the Alley's residents, while the Draconians will work more towards infiltration and subversion. Hopefully, we have gained enough allies tonight to counteract these threats, while others will see the truth in what we've said."

The professor drew his students aside. "Now, I wish to discuss your upcoming O.W.L.s with you."

Dorian was the first of them to speak. "Don't worry, Professor – we'll make you proud!"

Corvin shook his head. "Unfortunately, that is what you must not do! I have heard rumors, which I cannot confirm at this time but which would follow the course of activities which have been progressing to this point. All I can say for sure is that you must not draw undue attention to yourselves. Pick topics based on what you wish to pursue, but be prepared to throw a subject or two if it feels prudent."

Heading back to the Dark Harveste Apothecary, Eric shook his head in frustration. The only thing he ever could do reliably was excel in his studies. This year, however, he was under instruction to avoid excelling. With everything else that had happened, this was lining up to be the worst year of his life.

"Buried in thought?" Sheena had come about to Eric's right side. "I know I'm glad that this is my last year at Hogwarts. Things are getting too weird rather quickly. I'm all for getting out into the real world. That reminds me – you owe me a favor!"

"Huh?"

"The World Cup, remember? I'd keep your secret, and you'd owe me a favor."

"Didn't do so well, though, did you? People found out."

Sheena smiled. "People may well suspect, or even find out. They can't, however, prove anything without my help. So: do I get my favor?"

Eric shrugged. "Sure. I said I'd do it, so what do you want?"

She straightened up proudly. "An invisibility cloak."