Chapter Seven – Changes

Darren looked at the paper in shock. The headline told him all he needed to know. He did not even need to read the article because he knew exactly what it would say.

"Great, huh?" It was Blaise, holding his face where he had been hit just a few minutes earlier.

Cho was looking at him. "What happened Blaise?" she asked.

"Oh, Malfoy and his goons were looking for Darren, and they couldn't find him, so they decided to get me instead. I guess the news made Draco a little more like his old self this morning."

"What news Blaise, what are you talking about?" she asked him.

"Read the paper, it tells everything," he replied to her.

Cho took the paper that Draco had thrown from Darren and scanned it quickly. Her face turned from surprise to disgust to outrage. Darren was watching her, silently urging her to hurry up so he could read it as well. He had only seen the headline, and it was enough to make his blood boil. She finished the article and handed the paper to Darren, saying "You won't believe this."

Darren looked at the paper and started to read.

Lucius Malfoy Released From Azkaban by Minister Decree

Yesterday evening, Lucius Malfoy was released from Azkaban Prison, the wizard's prison, by special decree of Minister of magic Cornelius Fudge. Readers will probably recall that Lucius Malfoy was arrested last June in connection with the invasion of the Ministry of Magic by You-Know-Who. Mr. Malfoy, a member of one of wizardom's oldest pure blood families has been accused in the past of being one of You-Know-Who's biggest supporters, and it seemed as if these accusations had been proven correct with he was arrested and sent to Azkaban last summer. Mr. Malfoy had been confined there since.

Minister of Magic Cornelius fudge yesterday used a little known and seldom used Minister's power that has been on the books or over six centuries, but had not been used in over four hundred years, not since Minister of Magic Alexander Cornwallis excused Boric the Brawny, a goblin leader, for his role in the Goblin rebellion of 1685.

Here is the statement by the Minister that he made to the Daily Prophet last night.

"It is with great pride and joy that I am able to pardon an innocent man today. Lucius Malfoy is of one of the most powerful and influential wizarding families in the entire world, and I am happy to announce that he has been pardoned fully, and released from Azkaban Prison. Mr. Malfoy has also been a major contributor to St. Mungo's Hospital for the Treatment for Magical Maladies and Injuries and he and his family are one of the leading pure blood families in the entire wizarding world. I have every reason to believe that Mr. Malfoy, once he has recovered fully from the effects of the Imperius Curse that he was so obviously under, will be able to once again take his place as one of the most influential wizards in Britain. Thank you."

That statement was made just minutes after the Daily Prophet learned of Lucius Malfoy's release. When asked if the other accused Death Eaters that were also imprisoned last June were to be released, Minister Fudge said "I have no reason not to believe that if Lucius is innocent, then the others are probably innocent as well."

Minister Fudge declined further comment on the matter of the other prisoners, but was asked about his connection to the Malfoy family and St. Mungo's. When asked if the recent five thousand Galleon donation to St. Mungo's by Narcissa Malfoy, wife of the recently released Lucius Malfoy, had any bearing on her husband's release, the Minister declined to comment on the matter. He did say that he would be looking more deeply into the mater of releasing the others that had been sent to Azkaban at the same tine as Lucius Malfoy.

Reaction in the British wizarding community has been strong, to say the least. Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the person most believe to be the next Minister of Magic, was most virulent in her reaction to the news last night. When reached by the Daily Prophet, she had the following to say.

"I am very disappointed in the actions of Cornelius Fudge on this matter. Lucius Malfoy was cleared of charges in the past as part of the Wizengamot's work after the downfall of You-Know-Who, but his actions in the Ministry of Magic last June make me believe that the initial charges sixteen years ago were in fact true and he never should have been let free in the first place. I will be initiating a full investigation into Lucius Malfoy and any pressure he or his family may have made on the Minister in order to have a pardon granted in this instance. The Aurors will also be put in place to keep a close eye on all of You-Know-Who's former supporters. Also, I will be ordering the specially trained Hit Wizards to begin scouring the country even more earnestly in their search for Bellatrix Lestrange, You-Know-Who's most violent and ardent supporter. Her continued freedom after escaping from Azkaban last year is a major concern to our department, and she must be brought to justice."


When asked of reports that tie Minister Fudge to the charity fund of St. Mungo's. Madam Bones had this to say in response.

"Everyone in the wizarding community has known for some time that the charity fund at St. Mungo's is Cornelius Fudge's personal bank. It is no surprise that five thousand Galleons bough Lucius Malfoy his freedom."

When asked to elaborate, she declined any further comment, only saying she would initiate an investigation of the charity funds at St. Mungo's, and would be looking for any relation between the donation by Mr. Malfoy's wife and his release from prison.

The Daily Prophet also tried to get a comment from Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but he declined to comment on the situation.

Readers of the Daily Prophet may remember that Albus Dumbledore attempted to warn the wizarding world two summers ago the You-Know-Who had returned after the Triwizard Tournament, but his warnings, and those by Harry Potter, were ignored by Fudge, who had to admit last June that he had been wrong about the return of the most evil dark wizard in a century. Many readers may have questions about this surprising turn of events, and should refer any questions to Minister Fudge's office itself. Any letters or Howlers should be addressed to Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, Ministry of Magic, London.

Further reaction form the wizarding community – page 4

Reactions from around the world – Page 5

History of You-Know- Who's activities, and those accused of supporting him before- Page 6

Darren had to re-read the article twice to let it sink in. He had thought last June that with Lucius Malfoy gone, it would all be over. Now, he knew it would only get worse and probably soon too. After he had finished the article for the third time, he just sat down and stared at the lake, unable to comprehend how this could happen.

Cho broke the silence. "This makes no sense. He was caught red handed last June. How could he be let go, even if the Minister has this pardon to use?"

Darren just looked at her and said "It's obvious. Malfoy made a donation the St. Mungo's that went directly to Fudge, and now that he has the money, he let Malfoy out. Simple and effective use of bribery, if you ask me."

Blaise just snorted derisively at Darren's proclamation. "Yeah, he bought his way out last time, and he did it this time too. Nasty bastards those Malfoys."

"Yeah," Darren and Cho said in unison.

"We better get back to the castle. I bet everybody is talking about it now, and Draco is probably in Snape's office celebrating."

"Darren!" Cho exclaimed. "Why would Professor Snape celebrate with Draco over this? He is a teacher, not a politician."

Darren felt his temper rise at her chastisement of his beliefs. "Come on Cho! Everybody knows Snape lets Draco get away with anything he wants to do, and we all know that Draco's father is good friends with Snape too. So why wouldn't he be happy? Lucius Malfoy has always wanted Dumbledore out of Hogwarts, and if the Malfoys get their way, I bet Snape would love to get the job."

Cho just made a face that told him she didn't entirely believe all of that, but she did not reply to him. Instead she started back to the castle, leaving Blaise and Darren alone for minute as they were talking.

"So, how bad do you think Draco is going to be now?" Blaise asked Darren.

"Worse than ever I bet," he answered.

"Yeah, probably. I can't wait to sleep on the common room couches again tonight to get away from him," said Blaise as he rolled his eyes in disgust at the prospects of haring a dormitory with Draco Malfoy tonight.

"Look Blaise, I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"Okay, you better catch up with Cho she looks mad."

"Yeah, she does, and watch out for those three idiots will you?"

"I will, see ya later Darren."

Darren ran to catch up with Cho, who was walking very quickly back to the castle. When he caught her, she acted like she didn't see him for a second, and then rounded on him, which caught him by complete surprise.

"Why on earth would you believe, for one second, that Professor Snape would be happy that Lucius Malfoy is out of Azkaban Prison? I can't believe you would think that of one of our teachers Darren!" she yelled.

Darren recoiled in shock at her shouting and replied hotly "You have never been in the dormitory with Draco, or seen how Snape treats everyone else when Draco is around, have you Cho?"

"That isn't the poin"

"It is the point. You have no idea what you are talking about here Cho, so let it go, trust me on this."

Cho just turned and started to head for the castle again, her arms folded in defiance and her gait telling Darren she was not completely convinced by what Darren had told her.

"Look Cho, I realize you like the teachers, but not all of them are as good and wholesome as you seem to think."

"OH, REALLY?" she replied vehemently to him.

"Cho, you have never had a class with my year, have you? Snape hates Harry Potter. He treats him worse than he would a dog, and he treats Neville Longbottom even worse."

"What does that have to do with anything? Everybody knows he hates Harry."

"It has everything to do with everything. It shows that Snape is not fair to the students, and plays favorites. Why do you think just about every student her hates him so much?"

"The students hate him because he is hard on them and doesn't make his classes easy."

Darren did not quite believe what he was hearing. Was Cho as blind to the facts as she was making herself out to be? "His class should be hard, it is Potions after all. And why treat Neville that way? What did he do to Snape to deserve that?"

"Neville Longbottom is incompetent and Snape is just trying to make him more confident by treating him differently than the other students. That is why."

"No, Snape is a bully, plain and simple. He treats Neville like that because he can, that is why. And Harry Potter isn't incompetent, so what is Snape's reason there?"

Cho just looked at him, her face telling she wanted to retort to his last statement, but also telling him that she had no real response to him.

"Professor Snape is just"

Darren cut her off again. "Professor Snape is what?"

"Professor Snape isâ€isâ€just â€well"

"See," Darren said, "You know I am right, but you don't want to admit it, do you?"

Cho's ears pulled back and her mouth went very thin. Darren was reminded of Professor McGonagall by the way she looked at him. She looked like she very much wanted to tell him he was still wrong, but he could also see that she had to realize he was not overreacting at all. He was telling the truth. Snape is a bully. Why couldn't she it too?

"What if you are right Darren? What then, what will it do to be right about professor Snape?"

Darren had to think for a minute and he had no answer for her, none at all. He just sat down and looked out over the lake. The wind was making small waves that broke on the shoreline and he wished he could just leave before things got any worse, but he could not leave and he knew it. Cho stood there and after a few minutes sat next to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Darren, I know you are unhappy in Slytherin, but what can you do to change things?"
"I know Cho. I just wish I had never been sorted into Slytherin in the first place. You have no idea how much I hate it there."

"Well, you and Blaise seem to be pretty good friends. At least you have a friend in your house."

"Yeah, that is true, but I would give that up to be out of Slytherin. I just can't take it anymore Cho, I really can't."

"Well, you only have this year and next, and then you are out of school and you don't have to worry about Professor Snape or Draco Malfoy at all ever again."

"It's not Draco Malfoy that worries me Cho."

"Then what is it that is worrying you?" she asked, but his reply was cut short by an owl that landed next to him. It had a letter tied to its leg and was looking him as if to say "Take it."

Darren reached out and the owl put its leg out to let him get the letter. It was addressed to him, and he felt his heart seize a bit at the though of what might be in it. He had never gotten good news at school and he did not expect any now either.

Darren opened the letter and read it quickly. Cho was looking at him with concern on her face. Concern at his reaction to the contents of the note, a note that he had known was coming, but that he had been hoping he would never have to read.