Chapter 24
… --- …
January 4
The passes for the trial that Abraxan had given McGonagall caused quite a stir at Hogwarts. Every one of her staff members wanted to attend the trail. So did every student that had ever endured Snape's classes. In the end, Dan Granger made her decision easier.
At the emergency staff meeting she had called, the muggle had muttered something about the circus that the trial for someone named OJ had become. Then he pointed out that all of the staff could not leave. It would leave the castle undefended. Even with the Auror staff coming in to teach classes, it would be a bad idea. McGonagall agreed that only three of them could go to the trial.
The arguments began about who should go began instantly. McGonagall had finally cast a silencing charm on the whole staff and then gave them the glare that she usually reserved for misbehaving students.
She removed the charm after a few seconds but it had its effect.
Dan took out a piece of parchment and tore in to small pieces. He wrote something on each one and then stole McGonagall's hat and placed them in it. In the end Flitwick, Hagrid and Slughorn had drawn to go. McGonagall noted that the Grangers had not elected to draw.
"Good, that's settled. Dan you had something you wanted to discuss about the muggle studies classes?" McGonagall asked.
"It can wait. Which students will be going to the trial?" Dan asked. McGonagall knew he was asking if his daughter would be attending.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Lisa Turpin, Anderson Condor, both of the Greystone sisters…" McGonagall continued and there were no surprises on the list.
"That's only twenty people," Emma said with a slight frown. McGonagall nodded.
"I want Diane to go. The kids are going to need her. I think the remaining nine passes should be for a protective detail for them. I will talk to Mr. Potter about that," McGonagall said. She hesitated and then added, "I'm also canceling classes for the day. The wireless is broadcasting the trial live due to unprecedented interest."
Minerva asked Diane and the Grangers to stay after the others had left. She closed the door behind Poppy and Jonie arrived with a fresh tray of biscuits and tea. She sat down again and said, "Thank you for staying. I wanted to talk with you for a moment about your children." They collectively understood that she was referring to Hermione, Harry and to a lesser extent Susan.
McGonagall put her cup down and said, "I have no personal experience as a parent, but I have a lot of experience with children of their age. The law may recognize them as children one day and adults the next, but the reality is that they're seventeen and eighteen and circumstances have thrown the weight of the world on their shoulders. They have assumed and been assigned roles of soldier, general, healer, billionaire, strategist, as well as roles that traditionally have been reserved for the Directors of the Aurors and the Department of Mysteries. All the while, they're desperately trying to be young people who would like to develop a love and plot out a future together."
She continued. "I bring this up not out of disrespect for their behavior, which I regard as remarkable, rather to talk about their relationship with Severus Snape the ex-professor. Snape has a remarkable talent for verbal cruelty. Tomorrow may well be his last day on Earth, and I am certain that he will use his opportunity to say something particularly reprehensible toward your children."
Diane nodded in understanding and replied, "The worst lies are those that have an element of truth in them. Harry would be highly vulnerable to them."
Minerva agreed saying, "Unfortunately when he is hurting the most, it is his nature to assume the properties of a turtle, turn inward and simply reply that he's fine. I believe that these will be the hardest two or three months of their lives."
… --- …
The night before the trial was to begin, Harry had a lot of trouble sleeping. The next morning he woke up in Hermione's arms after a night of nightmares. She had been awake half the night comforting him as he relived Dumbledore's murder.
The night had been bad but the morning was much better as her comforting turned into more. Hermione thought that Harry's touch had an almost desperate feel to it. It was the first time they had broken their promise not to take advantage of their status as Head Students.
January 5
The trip to the Ministry was quiet. Harry and Hermione decided to apparate separately because they knew that the reporters would be all over him. They were. Besides the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, and Teen Witch Weekly, Harry also saw the Detroit Wizarding Press, the Kiev Monthly Chronicle, the Iceland Informer and Malaysian Star Gazer.
Surprisingly enough they were just as interested in Hermione. They shouted questions at Harry about being the Chosen One. They asked her questions about Dan and what Hermione thought about the bounty on him. They asked deeply personal questions about the two of them that made Harry think of hexing them.
Off to the side of the pack of reporters stood one wizard who was doing nothing but watching. Harry nodded to Odd Lovegood, walked over and shook his hand. Hermione also shook his hand.
"How's my daughter?" Odd asked as if there weren't fifty other reporters throwing personal questions around.
"She's doing fine. We saw her at breakfast this morning," Harry said smiling at him. The crowd stopped speaking and listened.
"Good. I know you don't have time to talk right now. Tell Luna to send me an owl. You kids today, you would think writing a letter would cause your hand to fall off," Odd said.
"Yes sir," Hermione said with a slight smile. She knew that Luna owled her father quite often. He gave her a vague smile and winked.
They had been slowly making their way to the security entrance and managed to slip inside before the pack knew what happened. They stepped in line behind a tall black man and a much shorter white man.
"Hello Auror Shacklebolt," Hermione said politely. Kingsley turned and looked them over.
"Ah, hello Miss Granger. Mr. Potter," Shacklebolt said. He introduced his companion as a muggle national security liaison.
They chatted as they stood in line. Harry wasn't feeling too talkative. He was nervous about testifying. He didn't know what he would do if he screwed this up. Snape always had a way of messing with his mind.
Eventually they got to courtroom ten. Hermione went to find her seat. Harry went into a separate room for the witnesses, and talked briefly with Director Thomas. Until he testified, he would be in seclusion.
Hermione found Professor McGonagall with ease. She was surrounded by students wearing Hogwarts uniforms. The DA security detail that McGonagall and Harry had assigned was doing their jobs wonderfully. She saw the Cadets in the visitor section and nodded.
Hermione sat down as Minister Abraxan and the rest of the Wizengamot entered the room. Everyone sat quickly. The seat next to her was one of the few empty ones. It was reserved for Harry.
One of the assistants spoke. "I call to order the British Court of the Wizarding Ministry. The ruling Minister will be leading the proceedings today in the matter of the Ministry of Magic verses Severus Snape. A warning for all; anyone causing a disturbance in the Court will be arrested for disorderly conduct. I present Minister Abraxan."
She looked around for room for a moment and said, "In the matter of the Ministry of Magic verses Severus Snape I call together the Wizarding Wizengamot to stand as jury in the pursuit of justice. What say you, Wizengamot?"
"Aye," forty-nine voices called back.
"Does anyone want to remove themselves in fear of not being impartial?" she asked. Not one sound was heard in the room. Then she requested that Snape be brought forth.
Snape looked, for lack of a better term, like shit. It was obvious he had been near a very large fire recently. The burns were visible to all. His normal sneer had been replaced by a thin-lipped grimace. He was limping and having trouble walking in the shackles.
Sympathy was in short supply.
"Mr. Snape, remain standing as the charges against you are read," Abraxan said firmly. Snape didn't have much choice. The two bulky aurors that were escorting him had his arms in vise-like grips. Abraxan continued, "Madame Chambers please read the charges."
"In the matter of the Ministry of Magic verses Severus Snape the charges are as follows;
Murder of magical persons – Albus Dumbledore, Janice Turpin, Andrew Turpin, Jacqueline Condor, Anderson Condor Senior, Amelia Bones and Emmaline Vance.
Conspiracy to commit murder against magical persons – Lily Potter, Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, William Weasley, Charles…"
Hermione listened as a list of every current member of the Order of the Phoenix was read.
"Conspiracy to murder Aurors - James Potter, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, Alastor Moody.
Murder of nonmagical persons - Peter Masterson and Sebastian Grant.
Manslaughter of nonmagical persons – Frank Trampion.
Conspiracy to commit murder against nonmagical persons – Daniel Granger, Emma Granger, Mary Renny, Michael Renny and Sean Waters.
Unauthorized use of Dementors
Use of unforgivable curses
Breaking the secrecy statutes
Use of magic on muggles
Robbery of muggles
Robbery of magicals
Conspiracy to help prisoners escape from Azkaban Prison
Aiding in the escape of prisoners from Azkaban Prison
Terrorist acts on the village of Hogsmeade with the intention of murder, rape, mayhem, torture, and theft
Terrorist acts on Hogwarts with the intention of murder, rape, mayhem, torture, and theft
Conspiracy to frame Sirius black for murder
Possession of Death Eater paraphernalia
Possession of and creation of illegal and restricted potions including Polyjuice, Veritaserum, Heartserum, Intestinal fire juice and Epidermis elimination."
Madame Chambers finished and silence descended in the room. Then Abraxan asked how Snape would plead. His barrister, Jonnie Cockroach stared straight ahead and answered.
"To all of the charges but one my client pleads… guilty," the shifty looking man said.
The whole crowd gasped and burst out talking. Abraxan called for quiet.
"Which charge does Mr. Snape refute?" She asked. It took a lot to surprise the high priestess but Snape had done it.
"The conspiracy to commit murder against a magical person in the case of Lily Potter. My client has a statement he wishes to make before you pass judgement," Mr. Cockroach told her firmly.
"Very well. The witnesses in this case may be allowed into the court room," Abraxan said.
Harry looked at Hermione puzzled as he sat down next to her. He leaned close to her and asked, "What happened?"
"He pleaded guilty," Hermione murmured, stunned.
"Mr. Snape you may make your statement now."
"I can give you many reasons for why I have chosen the path that I ended up on. But I did not choose my path. Both circumstance and my parents set it for me. My mother was a blood-traitor. My childhood was unpleasant at best and brutal at worst," Snape said. He was wrapped up in the magical chains that seemed to tighten themselves more with every sentence.
Harry snorted and growled in a low voice, "Join the bloody club."
"While at school I was tormented by my classmates much like my father tormented me. I was happy to join the Dark Lord in his quest for purity. I joined him as he promised to cleanse my blood and make me pure, such as he has done for himself," he paused having chosen his words carefully.
Snape continued, "The Dark Lord does things in his own time and I do not question why the rituals to purify my blood have not been preformed. I can speculate that the reasons begin and end on October 31, 1981. In June of 1980 I overheard a prophecy that I knew would grant me all that I yearned for. It spoke of a child that would be born that would vanquish the Dark Lord. I informed my master of the threat and we conspired to eliminate the child before it could grow powerful enough to defeat my master."
Minerva bit her lip as her former colleague described years of duplicity.
"I joined the Order of the Phoenix under the guise of being a spy for Dumbledore. I was actually a spy for the Dark Lord. I discovered that two children fit the prophecy. Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter. I informed my master of this and he rewarded me by allowing me to have the Potter mudblood as my own after he killed James and Harry Potter," Snape said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Harry looked as if he was going to get sick. Hermione put her hand on his shoulder but he pulled away.
"I was the one who turned Peter Pettigrew to the noble cause of my lord. I chose him because he was the weakest link in the Order of the Phoenix. He didn't want to join me but I left him little choice. Serve or die. He chose to betray his friends and live. I didn't know he was the secret keeper for the Potters. It was just happenstance."
Hagrid wanted to stand up and snap Snape in two. He clenched his fists as Snape continued.
"Lily Potter was to be my prize. I knew that after she and I were purified together she would be mine forever. Then she threw herself in front of a killing curse meant for her obnoxious little brat. She had always been the best witch at charm work that I have ever seen. I shouldn't have been surprised that she found the charm that would protect her son from the killing curse."
Remus exerted every ounce of self-control that he possessed to keep from killing Snape as he spoke.
"You idiots who think Harry Potter is going to save you are sadly mistaken. He didn't defeat the Dark Lord in October 1981. His mother did. Lily Potter was not to die that night. It was her choice to step in front of the curse. The only good thing to come of that night was the imprisonment of Sirius Black. He attempted to murder me while we were in school and he finally paid for his crimes," Snape finished.
Absolute silence reigned until there was a commotion in the crowd. Snape looked around. The Potter brat was saying something to his mudblood whore.
"Potter!" Snape snarled loudly. Potter stopped his movements but didn't look up. The Granger bitch did though. "You will never defeat the Dark Lord. Your mother was delicious." Severus yelled at him.
Harry looked up slowly. Snape could tell that he had gotten to the brat. Potter's buttons were so easy to push. He would never be certain that he hadn't lied.
Harry spoke in an amazingly controlled voice. "Every person I have spoken to that knew my mother tells me what a kind and decent person she was. Your delusions that she would be yours are ludicrous. She jumped in front of that curse to save me. That is a power your Dark Lord knows not. There are a lot of things your master doesn't know Snape."
Snape didn't argue. He sneered at Potter again and then noticed the look in his eyes. Snape shivered.
Abraxan looked at Snape with hard eyes and demanded, "Is there anything else you wish to confess to?"
It was a glib question and she didn't expect an answer, but she got one. Snape laughed loudly.
"You are all fools. You should be praying to Merlin for the Dark Lord's mercy when he comes for you. I can assure you it will do you no good! Your precious Potter can't save you. His ugly mudblood whore can't satisfy him. She's never had an original thought in her life. There are no books on defeating a Dark Lord."
Shouting broke out and people began screaming for Snape's head. The room was almost in chaos when Abraxan shouted for silence. Snape laughed the whole time.
"What are you going to do when the Dark Lord comes for you?" he asked Abraxan. Then he sat up straighter. He shouted, "Long live my master, the Dark Lord!"
Harry stood up and slowly walked toward the exit. He had to get out of here or he would murder Snape himself. Hermione followed him.
Abraxan adjured the Wizengamot to discuss punishment. They left for a private room.
Snape sneered at the crowd as his punishment was being discussed. It was not a matter of if he would die. It was a matter of when. The magical chains binding him continued tightening.
He had been questioned under Veritaserum for four hours a day since his capture. He had given up nothing, as the idiots at the ministry didn't even know the proper questions to ask.
He watched as Marjorie Chambers, an imbecile that he remembered well from potions class left the Wizengamot debating room. She searched the crowd until she found Minerva McGonagall.
'Speaking of imbeciles,' Snape thought.
'Minerva was an idiot.' Snape had witnessed her blind faith in Dumbledore. She and the rest of the Order of the Phoenix were all foolhardy. They all put their faith in Albus Dumbledore who in turn put his faith in a mere boy.
'That irritating, irresponsible, reckless snot was as awful as his dead father. They were cut from the same urine stained cloth.'
Severus, to this day, had trouble believing that his Lily had sacrificed her self for that worthless brat. As he waited for the Wizengamot to return, he thought about Lily Evans. She had been so kind to him in the beginning. However, in the end she had made her decision. She had chosen James Potter.
Abraxan entered the room followed by the rest of the members of the Wizengamot. Lily had made her choice and Severus had made his. He would face this like a man.
"In the history of this court suspects have typically plead guilty in order to beg for the courts mercy. I must admit Mr. Snape you surprised me. You pled guilty knowing what your fate would be. You have perpetrated crimes against the human race - muggle and magical alike. You deserve the punishment that you are about to receive."
Snape stopped smirking. 'She was up to something.'
"You mentioned a purifying ritual several time, Mr. Snape. It was suggested by several members of the Wizengamot that we use a new process that the American Wizarding CIA has developed. It would strip you of your magic and leave you nothing more than a muggle. You are wanted by the muggle authorities for manslaughter and robbery. You could your spend years in a muggle jail. I doubt you would survive the experience."
No! Snape thought. 'That would be too cruel. Me the greatest Potions Master of all time reduced to a muggle?'
"However, doing that would set a precedence of not executing Death Eaters. That is a dangerous road to start down and not one that the Ministry is willing to consider at this time," Abraxan continued.
'Of course. You wouldn't want to be seen as weak now would you?' Snape thought as he sneered again.
"It is the opinion of this jury that you deserve death. However, before you are executed you will have your memories of all Death Eater activity and interaction with the Dark Lord removed from your mind." Snape began to feel dizzy as she spoke.
"It has never been disputed that your knowledge of potions is unparalleled. That said, we will also be removing all of your knowledge of potions and store it in a pensieve that will become available to all students so that your abysmal performance as a potions professor can be reversed." Snape seethed with anger, but said nothing as she continued.
"Your execution time will be set after the Department of Mysteries is through with you. That is of course dependant on if there is anything left of you to execute. Court is adjourned," Abraxan said. She banged her gavel on the bench and rose to leave.
The crowd watched and jeered at his as Snape forgot his pledge to face his punishment like a man. He was crying like a baby when the Aurors drug him from the courtroom.
… --- …
Back at Hogwarts students were hi-fiving each other as if Christmas had come early. Poppy, Dan and Emma silently went back to their rooms. Having the Ministry take this awful man's life wouldn't repair things for the hundreds of individuals who he had stained.
They awaited the return of those that they loved and cared for.
… --- …
January 8
Three days later Hermione was at her wits end. Harry had curled inside himself emotionally. She didn't ask him to talk about it. She tried not to push. Instead she just let him know that she would be there for him.
So far Harry had done everything in his power to avoid the subject of Severus Snape. When a debate about his fate had begun at the dinner table he had left without a word. Later that night he had started a fight with Hermione.
She knew that he was venting his frustrations and fears on her but she didn't know how to avoid it. She refused to fight with him over trivial things.
For the first time in months he was sleeping in his own room. That bothered Hermione a lot. Not only because he was shutting himself off but also because she needed him. He didn't seem to realize it and she didn't want to be selfish. She could lose a little sleep to bad dreams if it gave him the time to work out what ever was going on in his head.
This morning there was an editorial in The Daily Prophet.
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
By Reggie McDonald
Earlier this week the Wizengamot in its infinite wisdom almost made a heinous mistake in delivering justice. It was suggested by two members of the Wizengamot that Severus Snape be stripped of his magic and sent into the muggle world to be put on trial for crimes committed against some muggles.
To remove someone's magic and let them retain their memory is a horrible punishment that even outweighs death. How would he live? How could he survive?
Turning a pureblood wizard into a muggle and sending them to live in the muggle world is sentencing them to a life of horror. Without their magic they would not be able to find work, move from location to location or even cook food.
True this punishment was inflicted on Ronald Weasley after he was convicted of accidentally killing the director of magical law enforcement. Allegedly he was given the memories of a muggle and a large sum of cash. The money was rumored to have been contributed by Harry Potter. Ronald Weasley was given a chance at a new life when he should have been thrown through the veil.
Severus Snape was going to be sent to a muggle prison. What horrors could await him there? He would have no knowledge of the way of life or no way of defending himself from muggle criminals.
Sentencing him to life as a muggle would be a travesty.
The article received many reactions.
Hermione was furious. She had adjusted and was still adjusting to life as a witch with very little help from anyone. No one had told her about the floo system, house elves or the insane pureblood prejudices before she came to Hogwarts. She thought that she had adjusted pretty well.
Dan, Emma and Diane were all extremely insulted. The editorial made it sound as if being a muggle were a hardship to be endured and that they were lucky they even knew how to breathe. Dan was especially aggravated. He had risked his life to help in the fight. Several members of the Wizengamot thought that turning criminals into what he was could be used as a punishment worse than death.
Molly had never been so angry in her life. Ron had been given a punishment that the Wizengamot thought worse than death. The Daily Prophet said it was too harsh for a confessed mass murderer. When Fred and George had said something about paying Reggie McDonald a visit, she had kissed them each on the cheek and left the room.
Harry read the article and the paper had burst into flames. After storming out of the great hall he had literally vanished. Hermione retrieved the Marauders Map and found him sitting in the cold, by the lake, under his invisibility cloak.
When she approached him he took off the cloak and glared at her.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
"I was worried…"
"Don't be. I just want to be alone," he told her.
"You don't have to deal with this by yourself Harry," she said. He scowled and threw a rock into the lake. It bounced around the ice chips and finally found water to sink in.
"You don't understand," he snapped at her.
"No, I don't, but I understand you're hurting," she told him.
"You don't understand anything. Both of your parents are alive. You don't have to wonder what they were like," he said roughly.
"That doesn't mean I can't sympathize with you," she said frowning.
"I don't want your sympathy," he said in a sneer that Snape would have loved to have possessed. She flinched and he looked almost satisfied.
"I love you, Harry," she said not knowing what else to say.
"Please, I just want to be alone right now," he said turning back to the lake.
She stood there for a moment collecting herself and then tossed the map at his feet.
"If you need me you know how to find me," she said. She turned away before the tears started. He didn't notice how upset she was. She was hurting too and needed him but knew that he had to work through his demons first. She went to find Diane.
… --- …
January 9
Susan frowned as she listened to the younger Hufflepuffs talk about Harry and Hermione. The rumors about them breaking up were growing like a baby hippogriff. She was about to tell them off when Hermione entered the great hall. Harry was five steps behind her.
Neither of them looked particularly happy but that had been the case since Snape's trial. She had spoken to her adopted sister about it. Hermione's tears had come quick. Like most of the students Susan had at one time thought that the Head Girl was a solid brick that never let her emotions overwhelm her. She knew better now but the intensity behind Hermione's breakdown had surprised Susan.
The younger girls were watching them closely for signs. The only signal that got was when Harry helped Hermione into her seat he kissed the back of her hand making her giggle. Susan watched all of their faces fall and she smiled.
At the Professor's table Emma and Diane had observed them too. They kept watching and noticed that Harry and Hermione were not talking to each other. They were not talking at all. Individually they were falling apart under the stress.
… --- …
January 10
Dan and Emma's meeting with McGonagall about the muggle studies course work had been enlightening to say the least. She had been shocked at their statements about the textbook being a history book not a guide to modern muggle life. Emma pointed out the things that it didn't include, like the gasoline engine, automobile, jetliners, computers, electricity or the concept of technology.
Dan was stunned into silence when McGonagall had asked if electricity was important in a muggle home.
"We thought that maybe a fieldtrip to a muggle home would be in order for the pureblood students in our classes. Then we realized that so very few of them take muggle studies. Those who do are left with the impression that modern day muggles are all using spinning machines and are ironworkers or are cotton farmers. They have no idea of the muggle world. It is no wonder that there is a huge divide in the muggleborn and pureblood communities," Emma explained.
"We propose that we teach the muggle studies classes as they are but as history. We know that the course cannot change this year. OWL and NEWT exams are based on the current text. However, in addition to the class we would like to hold a few seminars on modern muggle life for the whole school. These kids need to know what the muggle world is really like," Dan said.
"I don't think that the Board of Governors would approve of such a thing, but you are welcome to present your ideas," McGonagall said with a frown. The idea was sound but it would never pass.
"We would like to hold the first seminar with the current pureblood students in our classes. There are five of them. We would like to invite the Board of Governors and the ministry examining board to the seminar. They need to see why the courses should be changed," Emma said.
McGonagall agreed and that was how a group of pureblood wizards ended up at a muggle house. Hermione and Harry had gone along for the portkey trip.
The pureblood students were Anderson Condor and his Slytherin friend Buford Dandy, Susan Bones, Lisa Turpin and a nearly mute third year named Jennifer Youngstaff. Jennifer was intimidated by the older teens and before Dan and Emma had never met a muggle before.
The Greystones lived in a nice home not far from the Granger's burnt out home in Crawley. All three of the Grangers instantly recognized the street that they were on but none of them mentioned it. Andrea Greystone had agreed to let them use her home as a demonstration site. Both of her girls were in the class and were allowed to come with the group.
Mrs. Greystone had been astounded when nine students, two professors, five members of the board of Governors and three members of the Ministry of Magic had appeared in her back yard. Dan Granger instantly took charge.
He asked his daughter to conjure something for three fourths of the people to sit on. She threw up a warming charm around the group and conjured some patio furniture. Allie and Katlyn both hugged their mum and then grinned at her expression.
"Didn't know what you were getting into did you?" Allie asked. Mrs. Greystone kissed her daughter's forehead.
Dan and Emma spoke briefly to Mrs. Greystone and then requested the adults all join them for a tour of the house. Harry went inside with them while Hermione remained outside.
"Did you live in a house like this Hermione?" Anderson Condor asked her.
"Almost exactly like this one. See that part of the house over there? It's an expansion to the rest of the house. They must have used the same architect my parents did," she mused.
The group sat quietly occasionally talking about school or their own homes.
After about an hour the group in the house came out. The adults looked shell shocked. Dan was smirking. Hermione recognized it as his I was so right look.
"Dr. Granger you have my permission to change the course anyway you see fit. You have approval for the seminars that you outlined. We cannot do anything about the exams for this year but next year they will be written to the class you teach," Madame Marchbanks told them. Every member of the board of Governors agreed. They took a portkey to the Ministry of Magic.
"You'd think they had never seen a telly before," Allie commented.
"They probably haven't," Dan told her. He nodded to the rest of the kids and motioned them to go into the house.
They spent the next hour looking over all things muggle. Anderson had seen some of it from being at number twelve. Arthur Weasley had let him borrow a couple of the books that he had gotten for Christmas too. Susan, having spent the greater part of the summer with the Granger's and Alyx had discovered that muggle technology was fascinating and intimidating. The other three were astounded at what they saw.
Emma described the television and how it worked. She explained the different types of shows and channels and the idea of mass communication. She mentioned that the Greystone's had a cable system that allowed them many different channels. Dan showed them the VCR and the DVD player.
Then they demonstrated the telephone. Dan told them that Harry could call his aunt who was living in the states and speak to her as if she were standing in the room. Skepticism reigned so Emma offered to call Diane who was in her office. Each of the kids knew Dr. Diane and was amazed when they spoke to her. Hermione apparated Anderson to Diane's office and let him speak to one of the other kids from Diane's end.
Harry offered to call his Aunt in the States on his cell phone. The kids were amazed that he had a portable communication device that allowed him to call any muggle phone at any time.
"Most muggles have a telephone in their house. A lot are using the cellular telephones like Harry has. Dr. Emma, Hermione and I all have one. Dr. Diane has two. One for work and one for her personal use," Dan told the group.
"Allie and I share one when we are home during the summer. We're usually together so it's not a problem. Muggle parents use them as a leash. Mum and Dad can call and check on what we are doing and who we are with at anytime," Katlyn said.
They moved on to the kitchen and amazed the kids with the microwave and then the ice dispenser on the icebox. After Allie made some microwave popcorn and everyone had some they all washed their hands and moved on to the den.
Dan demonstrated e-mail and the Internet. He sent Jack an e-mail asking him if he were coming to the Warlock Awards that minister Abraxan had insisted on holding. A few minutes later Jack replied that he wouldn't miss it. He also asked Dan to tell McGonagall thanks for letting his wife return home three nights a week.
The Greystone sisters showed off their bedrooms but refused to open their brother's door.
"The little snot can do accidental magic on purpose," Allie explained. She continued looking at the door warily, "The door is warded."
"Really?" Hermione asked, impressed.
"Oh yes. The girls were pretty easy but Brian regularly blows things up. I think it's a boy thing," Mrs. Greystone told them. Emma chuckled.
"You wouldn't believe some of the accidental magic that Hermione did when she was little. Or I suppose you would," Dan told her. She nodded.
"Isn't it kinda weird how muggleborns run in families?" Anderson asked.
"You calling me weird, twerp?" Allie asked. She was grinning at him and he stuck his tongue out at her. Katlyn rolled her eyes.
"You're no weirder than usual Al," Anderson answered.
They returned to the dining room where Mrs. Greystone told her daughters to set up the table with the leaf and extra chairs. Allie wanted to use magic but in the spirit of being in Muggle Studies they didn't. Harry had to conjure a couple extra chairs anyway.
Mrs. Greystone answered questions from the kids and then had a few of her own.
"You said it was weird that muggleborns ran in this family. Is that an unusual occurrence?"
"Not really. The Creevy's had three magical children," Hermione answered.
"I only remember two Creevys," Buford told them. He was a fifth year Slytherin who had taken the class for an easy O.
"Colin and Dennis had a younger sister named Rebecca. She would have started school next year," Hermione said quietly.
"I didn't know that," Harry said. Hermione saw him flinch slightly and took his hand. She gave it a quick squeeze but then he dropped it and moved away from her.
"Ginny told me that Rebecca was even more hyper than her brothers, if you can imagine that," Anderson told them. They were quiet for a moment and then Jennifer laughed softly.
"Can you imagine the look on Professor McGonagall's face if she'd had three Creevys at the same time?" She asked.
"Merlin, Gryffindor tower might have fallen from all the bouncing," Lisa said.
"Oh, I don't know. There were five Weasley's at the same time and nothing too bad happened," Hermione said fondly.
"Oh, easy for you to say. Ginny and Ron were your friends, Percy respected you and Fred and George are afraid of you," Allie told her.
"Which wheeze did they get you with?" Hermione asked knowingly.
"The stupid canary one," Allie answered.
"Four times," Katlyn qualified, snorting with laughter
Dan offered to demonstrate the best function of a telephone. He called and ordered pizza for delivery. Anderson smiled widely and looked at his Slytherin friend, "Wait until you taste this muggle food. It is almost as good as the chocolate mouse my Mum used to make."
The kids continued to talk and Mrs. Greystone started a soft conversation with Emma. She mentioned that there was a lot of past tense in their remarks about their friends. Emma nodded sadly and explained that the war was really taking a toll. She had noticed that Harry, for the most part, had been in a decent spirit today. Hermione had told her about his mood swings but she really had not seen it herself.
Brian Greystone arrived home just after the pizza had arrived. He had a black eye and a busted lip and a chip on his shoulder.
"Another fight?" Mrs. Greystone asked in resignation. Brian scowled.
Hermione offered to heal his bruises with magic. Mrs. Greystone watched in fascination as the wounds healed. Hermione also gave the boy a short lecture on the art of the right hook.
"Hermione Jane Granger!" Emma said as Hermione told him the secret of getting his opponent down. Alyx had taught her a lot.
"Oh please. Would you rather he turn the little snot into a hot air balloon? Maybe make his hair turn green?" Hermione said. She had put up with bullies the whole time she was at a muggle school. She knew that it wouldn't stop but giving Brian a way to defend himself could stop him from doing worse with magic.
"Did you do those things when you were young?" Anderson asked with awe in his voice.
"The hair thing yes. Harry blew someone up once," Hermione said examining her handiwork on Brian.
"Totally chill, no way. How?" Brian asked.
"I don't know. She irritated me by saying some nasty things and the next thing I knew I was on the Knight Bus running away from my uncle who was not amused," Harry answered.
"What else did you do?" Brian asked Harry and Hermione.
"Yeah Miss Head Girl and Mr. Head Boy, what other out of school illegal magic did you do?" Lisa asked.
"I drove away some dementors once, apparated to the school roof when a bunch of bullies were chasing me and I did the hair thing once too. It just looked better blue," Harry said.
"I was a perfect child. I never made anyone's pants refuse to stay up, never made anyone's text book bite them, nor did I curse my father's golf clubs," Hermione said, winking. Emma snickered and Harry said, "Ouch."
"Took a month for it to wear off," Dan told them. He realized that most of the kids didn't know what golf clubs were.
"I never even considered doing that," Brian mused. His mother gave him a look and the boy smiled innocently.
"Golf club? Isn't that what Dr. Dan got you for Christmas?" Anderson asked Harry.
"That's a putter. Just one club. I think we should give lessons," Dan told Harry.
"Anderson would cheat and use magic on the ball," Harry said with a smile that wasn't all there.
"I would not! Okay, so I probably would," Anderson admitted. The others kidded him about cheating at Quidditch. Buford rationalized that it was a house tradition.
"Do all muggle born kids have so much trouble in muggle schools?' Mrs. Greystone asked looking at her son.
"I believe so. One of the Auror Cadets at school told me that everyone she knew had stories that would make you cry. It's hard to fit in when you know you are different," Harry replied.
"Alyx is a wise woman. You should listen to her," Emma told him.
"How did you know it was Alyx?" Harry asked.
"She's the only female Auror Cadet and she told me the same thing last summer. Fascinating lady," Emma told him.
"Gorgeous lady," Anderson said.
Anderson and Buford both sighed. Hermione rolled her eyes and gave Susan a sympathetic look. The breakup had been mutual and they were still close friends. Hermione knew how much Susan was hurting though.
The rest of the afternoon they enjoyed their pizza and had fun learning about each other.
… --- …
January 11
Minster Abraxan had insisted that something be done for the defenders of the castle. She thought that the wizarding world needed something positive. While it was true, the leaders of said defense wanted little to do with it.
Emma Granger and Pomona Sprout ended up arranging most of the celebration by default. A feast was the most plausible solution and the best location was of course the great hall at Hogwarts.
Many ministry officials and parents wanted to attend. It was a logistics nightmare until Sprout approached McGonagall about getting portkeys set up for the parents.
Once again Harry and Hermione were transporting groups of people from Hogsmeade Station to the castle. The muggle parents were especially impressed because the castle would suddenly appear when they entered inside the wards.
Harry though that it was a terrible idea and had the Order and the DA all on duty. After the third trip to Hogsmeade he decided to stay at the station and watch for trouble. Hermione thought that he was shirking his duty but bit her tongue. She had been doing a lot of that lately.
"In the year 1732 a young man named Montello McGee saved a village from destruction. He single handedly defeated nine trolls that were intent on destroying the village of Godric's Hollow. The details of his story are told as a bedtime story to children and I am sure you all know it," Abraxan began. She frowned and looked at the text of her speech.
"Apparently my speech writer forgot whom I was to be speaking to this evening," she said to the crowd that contained many muggle parents.
She told the story and both Harry and Hermione felt themselves smiling a bit sadly. McGee had levitated their clubs and used them against the trolls. Hermione caught Professor McGonagall's eye and saw the question in them. She nodded and McGonagall chuckled softly.
Abraxan expounded on the first recipient of the British Warlock award and then on its meaning. Harry tuned her out for a while and scanned the room looking for something but not sure what. Hermione poked him when he needed to pay attention.
"…ers of this castle on Halloween night are all heroes. They risked themselves to protect the younger children and the castle. Many of you were injured that night. You have all healed and are stronger for the experience."
She continued. "There are no classes to this award. You are all equal in your bravery and your values. I am not going to name the recipients of the award tonight. A list will be published when the danger of retribution has passed. I will however say that the youngest recipient ever of this award is in this room tonight. Before tonight a nonmagical person had never received the Warlock Award either. Tonight three of them will be given the honor. The defenders of the castle were a diverse group that worked together as one and overcame obstacles that would have left most of us dead." Abraxan said. She kept talking for a while longer and Harry tuned her out again.
After the awards appeared in front of the recipients and three other people had spoken it was time for dinner.
Seating for the dinner was assigned. Emma and Sprout made sure to put one ministry official and one set of parents at each section of the tables. Minister Abraxan sat with the Professors. Harry and Hermione were also at the head table.
Knowing how much work Emma and Sprout had put into the night was the only reason that Dan, Harry and Hermione showed up.
Harry was still in his mood and didn't want to get out of it. He was finding it comfortable and familiar. He and Dan golfed in the room of requirements occasionally. They didn't have conversations of depth though. He would use the room to fly also, but always alone. He managed a pretty good public face but Hermione was driving him crazy sometimes. He didn't like fighting with her but she was closest to him and was bearing the brunt of his anger.
Hermione was irritated and not just with her angry and un-communicative boyfriend. Everything seemed to be getting on her nerves lately. Her period had been two days late. She had realized it when she had gone to see Poppy for the fatigue that she was feeling. The lecture that she had to endure from Madame Pomfrey about taking better care of herself was not something that Hermione cared to ever repeat. The negative pregnancy test had done a lot for her frayed nerves.
Dan was still disgusted about the Wizengamot decisions and made it a point to not talk to anyone from the ministry. He hoped that changing the muggle studies classes would help bridge the divide. Tonight he felt like he was in the zoo as many of the pureblood parents and Wizengamot members were staring at his family. He mentioned this to Harry and young man snorted.
"Welcome to my life," said the green-eyed wizard.
Professor McGonagall stood and the room fell silent. "I have something I would like to add to Minister Abraxan, Mr. Jasper and Mrs. Marchbank's words. I am extremely proud of each and every one of you. You younger children followed your prefects and kept calm when the world around you was falling apart. The young men and women who stepped up and volunteered to defend the castle showed a resolve against the dark forces that Albus Dumbledore would have cried tears of joy to see. In his honor I have four more words for you - Let the feast begin," she said with the wave of her hand. It was not quite as impressive when you knew that the wave of her hand was merely a magical signal to the house elves. Harry and Hermione both knew the secret and were amused at the gasp from the crowd.
"What do you say to you and I catching the next portkey to St Thomas and playing golf for a week?" Dan asked. He was scanning the crowd as he ate. People were being rude and some were even pointing at them.
"Brilliant, make it a month. Too bad our women would kill us," Harry answered.
Hermione, who was listening to the conversation, didn't comment. She picked at her food and pushed it around her plate. A flask of a potion vitamin supplement appeared next to her plate and she glared at it. She was on the supplement until her strength was back to normal.
"They could come along. Hermione knows how to caddy, don't you, love?" Dan said. His daughter picked up the flask and glared at him. After muttering under her breath what they could do with their golf clubs she excused herself and left the table.
"What in the world did you say to her?" Emma hissed at the snickering men.
"Don't worry about it dear. I think our daughter is being a bit sensitive. I'll apologize for my stupid sense of humor later," Dan answered.
Hermione returned a few minutes later. Emma gave her a questioning look and Hermione shook her head. Dan apologized for the joke and she waved him off as if it were nothing. Minister Abraxan asked about her plans for after she finished school.
"I have decided that I want to go into medicine or teach," Hermione answered.
"Since when?" Harry asked.
"I've always been interested in medicine. I think it runs in the family. I've discovered this year that I really enjoy teaching too," Hermione said. Emma smiled at her daughter. When she was little she had wanted to be a teddy bear doctor. Something told Emma to keep that particular fact to herself for now.
"When were you going to tell me?" Harry asked. To Hermione it sounded as if he were whining but it was a valid question.
"We haven't exactly had a lot of time together lately have we?" She asked trying to not start an argument.
"It doesn't sound like a new thing though. You had career counseling during fifth year with Professor McGonagall," he pointed out.
"Yes, I did. All the while the big toad sat there and poo pooed every thing that was said. Rubbish, waste of time," Hermione told him. Harry smiled at that.
"Did you just call Professor McGonagall a toad?" Minister Abraxan asked in shock. McGonagall laughed.
"I believe, Minister, that she was referring to Delores Umbridge. Poo pooed is quite polite Miss Granger," the headmistress said.
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione replied. She avoided Professor McGonagall's eyes so that she could contain her laughter. The accidental magic she had performed during that session was something that she and Professor McGonagall had agreed never to speak of. Especially after they had laughed until they cried at Umbridge who was unconscious and covered in dragon dung.
"You never said what you picked fifth year," Harry told her with a frown.
"And you and Ron never asked me either," she pointed out. She ate a couple bites of her vegetables while he thought about that.
"It was a pretty bad year," he mused.
"Yes, it was. If I still had the time turner I would go back to the beginning of it and hex the warts off that witch," Hermione told him softly. Harry laughed and she squeezed his hand. Not all of their moments were bad and they both lived for ones like this.
"I was hoping you would join the ministry Miss Granger," Abraxan said.
"I wanted to when I was younger, but writing reports on cauldron thickness is not how I want to spend my life," Hermione said. Harry smiled about how earnest Percy had been. He found Molly and Arthur in the crowd easily. Molly looked up when she felt his gaze and he gave her his best forced smile. She returned the same type of smile and they understood each other.
"I'm sure that we could find a job for you that is not a complete waste of time," Abraxan told Hermione. While things were very much improved under Abraxan, Hermione would rather snap her wand than work at the ministry. Hermione smiled politely and humored her.
"Like what?" Hermione asked. Emma carefully kept her surprised look off her face. She knew her daughter's feelings. Diane was smirking and Jack was still looking around in wonder.
"There are many openings. I am sure your NEWTs will be outstanding," Abraxan told her. Hermione nodded and continued to eat.
"And you Mr. Potter? Are you still interested in becoming an Auror?" Abraxan asked.
"I've been examining my options a bit more lately. I have been working with Gringotts and trying to figure out what to do with my investments. Hermione and Diane have both had several interesting ideas for foundations. I don't think being an Auror is in my future," Harry said.
"Interesting. You have been quite adamant about that being your career choice," Professor McGonagall said. Harry nodded.
"I was until someone pointed out that I have more money than the queen. I want to do something useful with it. Too many things are wrong with the world that can be fixed if the right time, effort and money are put into them," he answered.
Harry stayed as long as he could stand the forced polite conversation. He excused himself saying he wanted to check with the Order members that were working tonight. Dan left with him.
Jack noted that Dan was wearing his pistol and Harry his sword. Feeling like he was under-armed he volunteered to go with them.
"How long before they are in the room of requirements playing golf?" Diane asked after they left.
"It takes about forty five minutes to do one round of the castle. I give them an hour," Hermione answered. She looked at her plate and decided that she had eaten enough. She was aware of Poppy's expert eyes watching her. She caught a slight nod from the healer.
"Hermione what was that potion?" Emma asked. Hermione cringed. She had not been eating with her parents to avoid the questions.
"A vitamin supplement," Hermione told her. Emma nodded as she took several of them herself.
Two hours later they found their men in the room of requirements hitting on a driving range. They were relaxed, smiling and making really bad jokes.
… --- …
Reggie McDonald looked up at the doorway in shock.
"How did you get in here?" He demanded reaching for his wand. The two men dressed in black muggle clothes and masks didn't answer. Instead they summoned his wand and bound him quickly.
They stunned him and then set to work. When they left he was hanging upside down and naked in the doorway of his office.
He would find the other surprises later.
… --- …
February 1
Harry continued to meet with Bill Weasley once a month. As January turned to February, Bill returned with answers to two things that Harry had asked about. He handed Harry a parchment and said "These are the addresses to three properties that Dolohov owns through different names. It would be very hard for the Ministry to find this information."
Surprised that he could find the addresses, Harry asked, "How did you get them?"
Bill smiled and replied, "Griphook searched Dolohov's vault under the pretense of performing a physical inventory of the assets, which by the way, have been considerably depleted in the last year. It's not that uncommon for a property to be owned under a name that would be difficult to tie back to the real owner. The villa that you visited over the holiday is owned by Turnbull Property Management, Ltd. Nothing in that sounds like Harry Potter."
Curious, Harry asked, "When you have the time, please see if you can find how that relationship started and when the property was acquired."
Bill nodded and replied, "No worries. What else?"
Harry was going to ask Bill to give the addresses to Minister Abraxan, but didn't want to compromise Bill or Griphook's part in obtaining them. He would do it himself. Instead he asked, "How's Fleur?"
Bill smiled and replied, "Very pregnant. Mum stops over, a lot."
Harry smiled, but didn't say anything. He knew that Fleur must have been missing her own mum terribly. After a moment he replied, "Thanks for your help, Bill. I really appreciate it."
It was Bill's turn to laugh. "Harry it's I who need to thank you. You arranged one of the best jobs at the branch for me and I really love it. Egypt was fun but coming home at night is everything."
… --- …
February 5
A few days later Harry met with Remus. He had come by to tell Harry that the basilisk body armor was done. Harry asked him to give them out to the people in the fighting group, Hermione, Dan, and Emma, McGonagall, and Susan, leaving two spare sets. He also asked that Remus collect the old sets and give them to Sunset, Abraxan, and the sixth year DA members who weren't already in the Order.
That afternoon he went to Diagon Alley to visit Minister Abraxan. There were several for sale signs outside shops that had been busy a year or two earlier. He made a note to himself to ask Bill to look into buying them. It had been Harry's intent to ask Abraxan to post spotters a distance from Dolohov's properties like she had done the last time. He was surprised when John Thomas insisted on taking the operation over.
"Are your certain, Sir?"
"We're the Ministry Magical Law Enforcement group. This should be handled by proper ministry officials, not some militia." Harry ignored the insult.
Abraxan didn't say anything. She knew that Thomas had been ruffled over the raid that Harry's Order had run on the Death Eater house in Wales. It was obvious that he hadn't gotten over it and she knew that he would insist on charging up this particular hill without outside assistance. She also knew that Harry's group had better equipment in the event of a firefight and prayed that Thomas' show of one-upsmanship wouldn't ultimately get some good people killed.
Harry who had a much better relationship with Minister Abraxan than Director Thomas, nodded and replied, "Good luck Director. I'd best get back to school now. Thank you for your time."
Abraxan stood and said, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Potter. I also wanted to thank you for the package that Mr. Lupin dropped off. He has outstanding taste." She casually tapped her side and smiled.
Harry smiled back understanding her unspoken message, nodded and replied, "Cheers."
Later that night he and Hermione had an argument that started when he noticed her relief that the Ministry had taken over the raid. He sometimes wondered if she had any confidence in his abilities at all. They ended up going to bed angry at each other.
He heard her crying in her room and it made him feel awful. The next morning they both pretended that nothing had happened and that her eyes were not tinged with red.
… --- …
A week later Diane softly knocked on Emma's door. Her old University roommate let her in and gave her a hug. "Hi Diane. Come in."
"Hi Em. How was your day?"
Emma answered as they walked to the love seat in front of the fireplace, "Fun and frustrating both at the same time. A part of me misses our practice and another part feels like we're actually making a difference in shaping a better life for Hermione. It's such a world of contrasts. In a lot of ways I feel like we're looking at a completely different culture. I don't know if they've locked themselves in or are desperately trying to lock the rest of the world out."
"What does Hermione think?"
Emma replied, "The ingrained superiority and prejudices didn't really become apparent until she was about twelve. It's obvious that much of their government is based on family ties and cronyism. Throw a bit of old money into the equation and you have a recipe for disaster. You're witnessing the result of generations of spoiled, arrogant kids who possess the power to kill another person with just a thought. It's really quite frightening to think about."
Diane nodded and shuddered at the thought. She remarked, "I had a conversation with the painting of Professor Dumbledore the other day. He told me about a dark wizard who had aligned himself with Hitler in the late 30s."
Emma asked, "How did it end?"
Diane replied, "In the summer of 1945 Professor Dumbledore snuck into Grindelwald's fortress and shot him seven times with the pistol that he gave Harry."
Emma remembered hearing Hermione tell her that Dumbledore was considered the greatest wizard of the age and had seen his picture on the wizard trading cards that Hermione had brought home after her first year. She knew that many of the students now traded the cards with Harry's picture on it. She recalled that the card mentioned that he'd defeated someone in 1945. She replied, "Hermione told me about that."
Diane asked, "Did anyone think less of him because he shot the evil wizard?"
"I doubt it. He helped end a war."
Diane replied, "Then why not just shoot this Voldemort with a pistol or better yet a sniper rifle from a half mile away?"
Emma smiled sadly and replied, "Too practical I guess."
"So what are they going to do, challenge each other to a duel at twenty paces?" Diane looked at her best friend with concern realizing that that was exactly what Harry was likely to do.
Emma shuddered and replied, "I hope not. Even odds are nowhere near good enough in my book."
They thought about that for a moment and Emma called for Jonie the house elf. She asked her to bring them some hot chocolate. Diane was surprised knowing that Emma and Dan were almost fanatical about sugar intake. She didn't say anything about it though. One could only drink so much tea.
Changing the subject Diane asked, "Did Harry and Hermione work out their differences?"
Emma shrugged slightly and replied, "As well as they can, I suppose. You would know more about that than I would. They're so stressed out. Now he's taking it as his fault that those three Aurors got killed last night."
"Why would I know more and how would he possibly consider it to have been his responsibility?"
"Are they not having sessions with you? Apparently he supplied the Ministry with the address of the house that they raided. The ministry positioned a spotter and suggested that the raid begin. Voldemort came back early."
Diane shuddered again. She purposely avoided the question about the sessions not wanting, nor able to tell Emma that Harry's had abruptly stopped and that Hermione's had almost doubled. Instead she asked, "What happened?"
"The Aurors killed or captured eight Death Eaters and had started to leave when Voldemort showed up along with three others. Apparently three Aurors were killed. Only one got away." Emma shivered a bit knowing that Harry and Hermione had both been on a similar mission.
"Who?"
"Bob Sunset who went on the trip with us. He got hit with some sort of spell, but was wearing Harry's old set of body armor and lived to talk about it. Apparently he was the only one on the raid wearing body armor," explained Emma.
"His lucky day, I guess. I saw a small article about it in the Daily Prophet. I'm surprised that there wasn't more detail."
"There was," replied Dan who had just walked in. The other paper, The Quibbler had a much more comprehensive article." He handed it to Diane.
Ministry raid goes bad
Director of Magical Law Enforcement Director John Thomas acknowledged the deaths of three Aurors this morning. Thomas reported that Aurors Laura McDonald, Eugene Wilderberry and Nick Straighthand were killed at the conclusion of a raid on Death Eater Antonin Dolohov's estate in Nottingham. Eight Death Eaters tied to Voldemort were killed in the raid.
Thomas reported that he and the other Aurors had left moments earlier to transport evidence that had been collected at the home and the others were in the process of torching the home when Voldemort, Dolohov, Lucius and Draco Malfoy suddenly appeared. Before the Aurors could leave, Straighthand, and Wilderberry were hit. McDonald was killed after hitting Dolohov with a spell. Auror Sunset was able to activate a portkey that he had been carrying, even after being hit with a curse. Auror Sunset was taken to St. Mungo's for treatment of his injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Death Eaters were identified as Romanian nationals. All wore the Dark Mark.
Thomas offered no comment when asked why the other Aurors left the scene a full minute before the attack started.
Diane put the paper down and asked, "Where's Harry?"
Dan replied, "He and Hermione had gone with Alyx to visit Sunset. They just got back. Riddle had cut off the heads of the three Aurors and impaled them onto polls. They were found just a few minutes ago just south of the village." Dan looked grim as he was saying the words. The war seemed to be getting uglier and more personal with each passing month.
Diane looked as disgusted as Emma. Fortunately none of the Aurors that had been killed had children who were students. She spent another hour with her friends. She could see that they were worried about the kids but had managed to figure out some way to relieve themselves of some the stress of it all. She didn't ask about it. She was just glad that they were able to cope.
… --- …