CHAPTER 25

The Following Morning, Headmaster's Office - 7:19AM

Irritation.

That was the dominant emotion Severus allowed himself to feel.

It was the most palatable of the whirlwind of emotions kept in the impenetrable confines of his Occlumency shields. It wouldn't do anyone any good to have his ire, grief, and helplessness be revealed.

The previous night had been the worst sort of disaster, and the fallout was still ongoing. As it stood, Lily's petrification was the only matter of import now.

The Potions Master had spent the bulk of the night and early morning between Tom's study and the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts Library. Tom's cuff had received the same SOS beacon as Snape's, before going dead-cold when the witch had been petrified. Panicked, he had Saul Croaker work to establish a temporary emergency Floo connection from Shamballa to his personal study.

Said discussion had yielded absolutely nothing of use. The two friends had spent the bulk of the time of their Floo call arguing with no feasible solution presented. Tom couldn't contravene the parameters of the Fidelius and divulge what he knew regarding the Chamber of Secrets. Severus had cajoled, screamed, and even gone as far as to insult Lord Gaunt to provoke either the Secret or the Secret Keeper's information out of him, but alas, it was to no avail. Tom's attempts at discovery theater had been met with Severus' ire, before the call had been terminated. 'An absolute waste of my precious time.' Snape resented the fact that Third Year Tom had been so precociously… Slytherin that he'd required the use of a bloody Fidelius charm to conceal his secrets!

The Restricted Section had been just as much of a waste; there were no references anywhere to the Chamber of Secrets, not even in the 1st Edition copy of Hogwarts: A History. It seemed the Fidelius had successfully obscured any direct references to the Chamber of Secrets. In fact, Severus had discovered that any attempts to directly think about and attempt to circumvent the Fidelius' power led to him being psychically and physically misdirected, at times even by himself! His fifth attempt had resulted in him reading almost three chapters regarding the misuse of chamber pots before his Occlumency had finally been able to alert him to the discrepancies.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Snape had spent the earlier parts of the morning comforting Harry as the distraught boy fretted over the state of his mother. Hermione Granger had been there as well, openly weeping at the sight of her favorite Professor completely petrified. Both friends felt guilty for (ironically enough) the same reason; their inability to protect the life of the woman they held dear. Harry was already holding in an incredible amount of guilt over Lily being cursed with the Scarlet Letter spell (Snape had been briefed regarding Harry's exposure to Boggart-Lily), and the Potions Master knew he'd have to work with the younger Potter to build upon his decompression exercises to ease any desire to abuse the emotional-stunting capabilities of his Occlumency. 'It would help me too at this bloody rate.' He paused to take a small sip of water, needing to do something with his hand as the current conversation drawled on in the background.

After an hour of that, he'd left for his private quarters to begin the painstaking process of brewing the Mandrake Restorative Draught.

Which led to the current situation.

"This is very troubling Gilderoy," said Dumbledore quietly. "It cannot be a coincidence that both yours and Severus' distilled mandrake solutions were stolen just before Lily was petrified." His expression was grave.

"Indeed Headmaster." Lockhart was uncommonly serious, with that dreadfully affected laugh nowhere to be found. The minute Severus had sent off his Patronus the DADA Professor had come bounding down the hall, citing that he'd been "doing his rounds" when he'd spotted the ghostly form of the vesper bat and retraced its origin. Naturally, Snape had found that explanation entirely too convenient and therefore difficult to believe. He recalled Lily and Harry's concerns that the overhanded foppishly poncy git routine was just an act of the DADA Professor meant to hide a very cunning and highly capable wizard. As it stood, Severus was more than inclined to believe their misgivings.

"Are you certain you have none left anywhere Gilderoy?" asked McGonagall concernedly.

"None Professor, I assure you. My entire stash was stolen during the Dr. Barbie invasion Team Protector faced the previous afternoon. Which now, is obvious, was a rather heavy-handed means of distraction so the thief - presumably hidden under some sort of invisibility spell - could successfully abscond with my mandrake solution without detection." He paused to adjust his beautifully embroidered blue and bronze arm sling, courtesy of said Dr. Barbie distraction the previous afternoon. Though the ensorcelled dolls hadn't broken the surface of his skin with their poisoned orichalchum scalpels, two had managed to snap the ulna of his non-wand arm. "It is also most troubling that the thief succeeded in stealing Severus' stash as well. Mine, to my own admittance, was not properly guarded. Yours," he turned to look at Severus with a rather cheeky expression, "was locked away in your, presumably, heavily warded potions supply closet. Rather…strange, don't you think so?" Snape bristled at the insinuation though his expression remained unmoved. He so wished he could give in to the urge to hex the smarmy git in his too-smooth face.

"I neither appreciate nor agree with your sentiments Gilderoy," Severus replied woodenly. "I am not certain how the attacker was able to get past the alarm and security wards on the potions supply closet, but somehow he or she did during the… hubbub of the previous night." The cheeky expression dropped off Gilderoy's face. Satisfied, Snape turned to address Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I cannot stress the seriousness of this situation enough. Whomever is responsible for this madness was cunning enough to ensure that our only feasible means of aiding the petrified victims has been removed, with none remaining to be found anywhere."

And Severus had checked; Tom didn't have any mandrake solution, and neither did the Kolumbikos according to Sameer. As a matter of fact, the Kolumbikos mandrake crops in their Tazirbu, Cairo, French, and Austrian estates wouldn't be available until the second week of April at the earliest, coinciding with the harvest time for Hogwarts' own crops. Snape had even inquired with Madame Longbottom, and regrettably their mandrake farms - domiciled in South Africa in the Southern Hemisphere - wouldn't be available well until August.

"I agree Severus, and believe when I say that I am deeply perturbed by this turn of events. Our top priority now will be devoting the necessary time and resources to acquiring the necessary amount of Mandrake extract needed to revive Professor Evans. I…I am not certain Hogwarts can shoulder the cost-"

"House Prince will cover any expenses incurred, Headmaster." Dumbledore nodded gratefully at Snape.

"Thank you Severus, truly." Severus nodded politely at Minerva. "Do…do we have any idea who or what may be the cause of all this? It was bad enough when Mrs. Norris was attacked, but she was thankfully revived. However we were never able to find out who or what the cause was. Just a disturbing if not vague reference to the 'Chamber of Secrets' and the 'Heir of Slytherin' whatever the hell either means. And now," she paused to take a deep breath, expression utterly troubled. "Now…the worst has happened; a faculty member has been Petrified, and we are no closer to any useful answers. Albus, what are we going to do?" Dumbledore could only sigh, looking every bit of his age.

Truthfully, there were quite a few theories bandying about in the Headmaster's mind regarding the Chamber and the so-called Heir of Slytherin. He knew the Dark Lord was definitely involved, though to what end he wasn't sure. He was certain that none of the Professors - including Gilderoy in the DADA capacity - was possessed or harboring the shade of You-Know-Who. The most likely reasoning was that one of the older students, either a Sixth or Seventh Year, was acting as the Dark Lord's agent to sow discord within Hogwarts. More than likely groomed by a Death Eater or pureblood fanatic parent into continuing the Dark Lord's agenda. Only a NEWT-level student would have the capability of casting the Petrification Curse, and doing so in a manner that would leave no trace behind.

Oddly enough, one minor theory he'd considered was that Tom Riddle may have something to do with it, but for the life of him, he wasn't able to make the necessary connection as to how and why. In fact, any attempts to ruminate on whatever would-be connection he believed exist would lead Albus to distraction, his mind drifting to other unrelated subjects. And it never occurred to the Level 7 Legilimens and Occlumens that he couldn't be all that bothered to notice his distraction in the first place.

DMLE Director's Office, Auror Department - 9:53AM

Amelia Bones paused in the reading of her missive to observe the occupants in her office, specifically the two seated directly across from her.

Though seated somewhat close to the other and flanked by their respective House solicitors, it seemed an entire gulf existed between James Potter and Sirius Black. Things had been frigid between the two former best friends for years, ever since James and Lily had been divorced. They'd had quite a few clashes over the years, though none had been as explosive as when Sirius had confronted James over his drunken Howler to his godson during his First Year. Amelia had been absolutely disgusted when she'd discovered James' actions, even more so when her niece Susan had written to her detailing the wretched things Potter had said and promised to do against his 11 year-old son and ex-wife. Foolishly, Amelia had assumed that said event would be the worst of it.

Naturally, James had succeeded in surprising her.

Lord Potter - in a pique of drunken rage no doubt - had cursed his ex-wife and the mother of his children with the Scarlet Letter Curse, an olde magick spell that would see her robbed of her life force in a few years (if she was lucky). If that wasn't awful enough, the basis of his use of that spell had been some mad belief of Sirius and Lily carrying on with some torrid affair that may have resulted in the Potter twins not really being James' sons. Which was absurd, because save their eyes, they looked exactly like Lord Potter. It seemed in his inebriated haste, James hadn't stopped to consider that his accusation could render House Potter vulnerable to Line Extinction. 'Imbecile.'

"As it stands, James Lord Potter and Sirius Lord Black will perform their Auror duties in complete separation from the other. Each will be assigned specific separate days for when they'll be expected to complete their office hours, with weekend duties cycled between the two when necessary, including any Azkaban-related check-in and or patrol assignments. Their former Auror Partnership Agreement as established in 1979 - signed off by my predecessor Bartemius Crouch Sr. and Chief Auror Rufus Scrimgeour - has been officially terminated as of today 14 January 1992. A new Auror Partnership Agreement will be drawn up for James Lord Potter and Corban Lord Yaxley effective 20 January 1992. Sirius Lord Black will be partnered with Alastor Moody until their mentee Rodney Heir Montague completes his DADA Mastery in conjunction with his Auror training. After his formal graduation, he will become the official partner of Sirius Lord Black upon their mutual signing of an Auror Partnership Agreement. Is this to the satisfaction of both parties?"

Sirius turned to address his wizened solicitor Ewald Wiggleswade, who'd served House Black since Arcturus was in shortpants. The two exchanged a few words behind a privacy bubble, mirrored by James and Obediah. After a few minutes, both parties dispelled their mutual privacy charms.

"It is to the satisfaction of Sirius Lord Black, Madam Bones," said Ewald in his deep yet somehow raspy voice.

"It is also to the satisfaction of James Lord Potter, Madam." Obediah gave a gratingly cheery smile with his too-straight teeth. Though she would never admit it out loud, Amelia found the man's obsequiousness to be quite off-putting, to the point of…disquieting insincerity.

"Excellent. As is custom, both parties and their solicitors will sign off on the arrangement, as will myself, Chief Auror Scrimgeour, Minister Fudge, and Kingsley Shacklebolt in his capacity as the neutral witness in this…clerical transaction. Let the records once more show that events that occurred between James Lord Potter, Sirius Lord Black, and Ms. Lily Evans necessitated that these changes were initiated and finalized. Due to the nature of the…conflict between the aforementioned parties and its potential to be escalated to the Wizengamot courts, we here at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement felt it prudent to ensure that we could demonstrate that we did all in our power to…mitigate the circumstances to minimize conflict." Which was bureaucratic-speak for dotting their i's and cross their t's in case Sirius and James decided to duke it out in the Wizengamot and drag the DMLE - as their mutual employer - into their male ego-driven squabble (though the bulk of it lay at James' feet).

"Understandable Madam, nothing less would be expected. Now, the signatures if you may?" With a quick nod, Amelia floated over some Ministry-issued quills to both men and their solicitors, watching quietly as they both signed. Kingsley then signed off, followed by Scrimgeour, her, and finally Cornelius Fudge. Satisfied, Amelia made duplicates of the signed parchment and floated a copy over to the Black and Potter solicitors.

"Perfect. As is standard, Houses Black and Potter have a copy for their recordkeeping. Another copy will be retained on record here at the DMLE, while the original will be filed with the Office of Administrative Services for official recordkeeping. Is there anything else that either Lord requires?" Obediah and Ewald responded in the negative. "Perfect. I hereby conclude this bit of business as complete."

Mad-Eye immediately stomped out of the room to attend to his business. Kingsley soon followed, citing the need to "complete patrol reports". Scrimgeour exchanged some brief polite conversation with Ewald, inquiring about the man's family and grandchildren before making his exit. Minister Fudge - to Amelia's consternation - attempted stilted conversation with James and Sirius, but it was to no avail. After his third awkward attempt, Sirius politely interrupted:

"It was a pleasure speaking with you Minister, but unfortunately, I have some pressing personal matters at Hogwarts that I must attend to." He gave a formal bow to Cornelius and Amelia as Ewald stood dutifully by his side.

"Wait, Hogwarts?" asked James. "What's happened at Hogwarts?" Sirius didn't respond, though he gave Lord Potter a look that conveyed a wealth of contempt for the man at his shameless temerity. With a dramatic flourish, he and Ewald made their exits.

Sighing, James ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He'd had a rough few weeks; he'd used a damn near forbidden curse against his ex-wife that would more than likely kill her (his heart hammered painfully at the thought), accused his best friend and said ex-wife of having an affair (in front of nearly every member of wizarding high society), and ultimately, called into question the legitimacy of his own Heir and the survival of his House. Oh, and said heir was giving him the silent treatment, outright ignoring him for the remainder of the Christmas holiday when he'd refused to divulge to him the details of the Scarlet Letter curse. He knew Jim hated him, but James reckoned he hated himself more.

But then an image of Lily and Sirius kissing flashed through his mind, and as always, his self-loathing melted away in the face of his rage.

Gryffindor Common Room - 1:31PM

"And exactly what is going on here?!"

Everyone froze at the sound of Percy Weasley's voice from the entryway, though his question did nothing to ease the thick cloud of tension that hung over the Common Room.

On one side was Cormac McClaggen, flanked by Seamus and Lavender. His face was twisted and reddened in anger as he glared in open disdain at Amy Wilkes, who stood on the other side. The witchling - flanked by Noel, Saffron, and an exhausted Hermione - looked equally angry, her wand held in a death grip as she glared a hole through Cormac's head. Off to the side stood an exasperated Neville, though he kept his wand at the ready in case he needed to intervene between his two Housemates. Several other Lions were watching the exchange with varying expressions of nervousness and excitement, wondering (and in some cases hoping) for a confrontation.

"Need I ask again?" said Percy with a touch of noticeable asperity.

"Well," replied Lavender nervously. "Um…we were just lounging in the Common Room after lunch during our free period when Amy came in with Saffron and Noel. Cormac noticed her enter and immediately jumped up to confront her about her…um… involvement in the Dr. Babsy doll situation in Lockhart's classroom yesterday."

"It's Dr. Barbie," corrected Hermione quietly. She stared unblinkingly in Cormac's direction, not that the young wizard had even noticed.

"Right, Dr. Barbie. Anywho, Cormac went on to yell at Amy and accuse her of setting off the killer dolls to hurt Lockhart and the members of Team Protector, all part of her, um, plan to continue the Toymaker's legacy." Lavender cringed in spite of herself.

"Which is a complete lie!", Amy said furiously. "I would never involve myself with my late father's atrocious schemes!"

"As if I can bloody believe that, Wilkes!" Cormac was literally shaking in his anger. "I don't know how you convinced the Hat to put a dirty snake like you in Gryffindor, but you certainly aren't fooling me! Please! You're a little Death Eater spawn for Merlin's sake, literal Death Eater spawn!" The gathered audience started to murmur in agreement, though quite a few stared askance at McClaggen's rather spirited vitriol. He took a threatening step closer to Amy, whose eyes had started to shine with unshed tears. "I said it before when this whole Heir of Slytherin nonsense happened; you're behind all of it, working with your other slimy snake friends to unleash one of your father's monster toys that will Petrify and probably end up killing us all!" Before Amy could respond (or flee to cry her eyes out at the awful accusation), something unexpected happened.

"Oh come off it McClaggen!" Saffron Brown stepped up to the taller boy, startling him and her older sister, who stared at her with wide eyes. "You've had it out for Amy ever since she stepped foot in Gryffindor! Circe's sake, she's nice to practically everyone, has top marks in Transfiguration, and McGonagall - Gryffindor Head of House McGonagall - adores her!" Noel nodded in agreement as Amy blushed at the praise. "All you've ever done is be mean and belittle her at every turn, and quite frankly, I'm bloody sick of it!" Amy's eyes widened as she felt her heart warm, shocked that Saffron was standing up for her so vigorously. While they shared a much more amicable relationship than they had at the beginning of the year, the young Wilkes had not expected that to translate to this. She wasn't the only one; Lavender openly gawked at her little sister's reaction, moreso startled that the usually timid and reserved girl was yelling.

"No I haven't!" Cormac looked outraged as quite a few people rolled their eyes (Percy included). The boy had not been shy in his insistent claims that the Toymaker's daughter was responsible for practically any and every disaster that had befallen Hogwarts.

"Oh please, it's all you ever talk about!" Hermione's glare intensified. "It's all 'Amy did this', and 'Amy did that', and 'it's raining today, Amy must have lured the clouds in' or 'no more pumpkin juice? Amy must've drunk it all!'." Granger rolled her eyes as a wave of chuckles went through the gathered crowd, infuriating and embarrassing McClaggen in equal measure. He'd only ever been concerned about a mini Death Eater being allowed into the Lion's Den for Merlin's sake! He was trying to protect his Housemates!

"What-I-that's…that's not true at all!", he sputtered indignantly.

"Oh please, she's all you practically talk about!" Granger's eyes glinted. "Blimey, if I didn't know any better I would think you're obsessed with the poor girl!" Several chortles sounded as Cormac - utterly embarrassed - gnashed his teeth in fury.

"Why, you-you… filthy little mudblo-'' He didn't have a chance to finish his nasty slur as Amy's alder wand snapped up to land directly under his chin, forcing his mouth to close with an audible clack as his eyes goggled.

"Take it back." Wilkes' tone was quiet with a pulsing undercurrent of danger, dark gray eyes burning.

"Ms. Wilkes," said Percy quietly. "Please lower your wand and-"

"Not. Until. He. Takes. It. Back." She pressed her wand deeper into Cormac's chin as the boy audibly gulped. To his alarm, he felt the wand tip grow considerably warmer.

"Ms. Wilkes, I implore you to please put your wand down so we may properly resolve the matter." Percy's tone was as gentle as it was firm, hoping the witchling didn't blow the idiot boy's head off. 'Please don't open your big fat mouth McClaggen.'

"Y-Yeah, you-you heard the man, l-lower your wand." That was the wrong thing to say. 'Idiot boy!' was the resounding thought in Percy's mind.

"And you heard me." Wilkes' voice sounded almost sinuous, sinister in its restrained fury. "I am not lowering anything until you take back that nasty insult you used against my friend." Hermione felt her heart warm at the younger witch's words and protectiveness.

"It's alright Amy," said Granger quietly. "He isn't worth it, not in the least." Unbidden, a flash of hurt ran through Cormac, feeling his stomach squirm uncomfortably at Hermione's rather damning words. "Please, as your friend, I'm asking you to lower your wand." A beat passed, before Amy slowly lowered her wand even as she continued to stare furiously at the taller boy. Hermione came up and laid a reassuring arm on the younger witch's shoulder, physically guiding her away from Cormac to the couches near the fireplace. Leveling matching sneers at the embarrassed boy, Saffron and Noel followed in their stead. Neville re-holstered his wand, though not before glaring at the back of McClaggen's head.

He wasn't the only one; quite a few of the Lions stared in open disdain as they muttered disapprovingly, no doubt in response to his use of the odious m-word. Lavender and Seamus backed away from him, not wanting to be in close proximity with the soon to be very unpopular boy.

Shaking off his embarrassment, Cormac stomped his way to the steps to the boys dorm, only to stop short at the sound of Percy's icy voice:

"I don't recall dismissing you Mr. McClaggen." Cormac's eyes narrowed though he gulped in spite of himself. "You did just use a most crass insult against your Housemate in the presence of a Prefect. Naturally, I must report the incident to the Head of House, and I imagine now is as good a time as ever. Come along."

With his head bowed, Cormac followed Percy out of the Common Room, wondering if it was too late to tell Amy that he would, in fact, take it back.

Prefect's Row - Room 6, 5:42PM

"It's perfect. Potter will never see it coming."

Cassius stretched and crossed his arms behind his head as he reclined in Miranda's chair, oozing smugness. His cronies Peregrine Derrick and Lucian Bole loudly, though there was a distinct undercurrent of nervousness in their tones. Muriel Rothley and Horatio Pershore chuckled nervously, wondering if it was entirely too late to back out of this increasingly terrible arrangement.

And lastly, there was Miranda. Though she wore an expression of snide aloofness, inside she was a jumbled mix of nerves and simmering displeasure. Her persisting idiot of her cousin had, by some terrible miracle, come up with a suitably crafty and clever plan to exact his revenge against Harry Potter.

In two days, he and his cronies would corner Jim Potter en route to the Gryffindor Common Room after he completed his next-to-last detention with Professor McGonagall. They would incapacitate him (relying on strength in numbers) before dragging him off to one of the old and unused Transfiguration classrooms to further "rough him up". All while wearing the face of his identical twin brother.

Somehow, Cassius had secured six phials of Polyjuice Potion from Team Chameleon, specifically Fred Weasley's formula with the Volubilis Potion modification. Miranda had recognized the thick and jagged chicken scratch that the Weasley Terror passed off as penmanship. The witch was certain that her cousin - or rather someone he'd either paid off or threatened - had stolen the potion. Weasley loathed Warrington, thinking the boy to be nothing more than a 'bigoted obnoxious arsewipe!' in the few times the boy's name had ever come up. Miranda was confident Fred would never give Cassius or any of his associates anything, even if they paid for it.

And there was the subject of Potter's hair, and how the hell her cousin had been able to acquire it. She assumed Bole and Derrick had succeeded in stealing some strands of the boy's quidditch gear during practice. 'He'll need to learn the Anti-Breakage Jinx on his hair at this rate.' Miranda would need to find a way to sequester the stolen strands and Vanish them, preferably before Cassius' two day deadline.

"I have to admit, I'm very impressed." Warrington preened at the older witch's words as she fought back the urge to roll her eyes. "Your plan is cunning, methodical, and will undoubtedly deal a well-deserved blow to both Potter brothers." She could literally hear the boy's ego grow bigger. "Though I will say, I think you should have Jim Potter attack his brother instead." Cassius frowned at the challenge. "I'm just saying; their filthy mudblood mother lays petrified in the Hospital Wing, felled by the Heir of Slytherin, whomever he or she may be. Not only that," she smiled in a manner approximating cruelty, "she's been afflicted with an olde magick spell that will soon kill her, if she's not cast out of our society long before then for seducing Lord Black while married to Lord Potter. We both know disgustingly close and protective Potter is of his precious mudblood mother. If we can trick him into believing Heir Potter was the one exacting his revenge by this attack, he will be finished." A few beats passed as Cassius stared thoughtfully, lulling Miranda into the false belief that he'd finally listen to reason for once in his miserable idiot life. Even the other idiot occupants looked thoughtful at her proposal.

Unfortunately, idiocy persevered.

"Nah," said Cassius dismissively. "We go with my plan, it's perfect and it will work." Miranda screamed internally for many seconds before nodding firmly.

"If you insist."

"I insist." His tone was unyielding.

"Lovely. Now, are you going to tell me exactly what the whole 'roughing him up' bit pertains to? I'm all for hexing the filthy little halfblood silly, but I'd rather not get my hands dirty by having to touch the boy." She screwed her face up in affected disgust, causing the other idiots to snicker crudely.

"We'll…address that when the time comes. Just know that Potter is going to get everything that's coming to him." And with that Cassius resumed his relaxed recline before engaging Derrick and Bole in Quidditch conversation while Pershore and Rothley haltingly contributed.

Miranda snorted, before quickly excusing herself from the office area of her room to use the bathroom.

All she could think of was the times when certain someones had gotten what was coming to them courtesy of her vengeful and cruel cousin.

Like when Cousin Lisette had won a game of wizarding chess, only to have the pieces hurled directly into her face by a furious eleven-year old Cassius at his losing. The poor witch still carried a small scar across her left eyebrow and eye from being scratched by a knight's sword.

Or when little cousin Aristide spent an entire terrifying night locked in the Bonnevie wine cellar during summer holidays, all because he'd beat then ten-year old Cassius in a game of Quaffle-Tag.

Or when cousin Grégoir had bested him in a game of gobstones, and nine-year old Cassius - in a pique of childish rage - had stomped on the Grégoir's hand and broken three of his fingers.

Or when Albertine had teased eight-year old Cassius for his attempt at growing out a ponytail to match his father's, so Cassius had cut off all the little girl's long locks while she slept. And drenched her scalp in Depilatory Solution, so she remained bald for the remainder of the summer months.

Miranda could only shudder.

Later that evening en route to the Lair, Harry would be rather rudely bumped into by Miranda Bonnevie. The witch would sneer and subtly insult the boy's heritage, unknowingly stoking his ire as the stress of his current situation with his mother significantly limited the reserves of his patience and tolerance for pureblood snobbery.

In the Lair, Harry would grill Luna Lovegood and ask her if she was absolutely sure about Miranda's intentions, in which the witchling would confidently respond in her airy voice that she was, in fact, absolutely sure.

Rolling his eyes, Harry would pat the pockets of his outer robe for an extra bar of chocolate he'd taken from the DADA classroom during Team Protector's class the day prior, starting in alarm when he found a small folded bit of parchment with nondescript handwriting that could only be caused by a spell.

He would check the parchment for any jinxes, hexes, or offensive magic before using his wand to slowly unfurl and read the message, eyes widening with each word that confirmed Rothmere's detailed intel he'd received that very morning before visiting his mum in the Hospital Wing. .

Harry would then hiss-swear rather passionately, startling his friends at the ferocity of his tone. The younger Potter would then spend the next few minutes blushing furiously while Alecto and Tisiphone read him the riot act for his "improper and absolutely abominable desecration of the Founder's tongue, completely unfitting for a Prince!"

AN 1: Cassius is kind of a sociopath isn't he? We'll see how that goes soon enough.

AN 2: The whole bit with the DMLE is to prevent them from being embroiled in a lawsuit should the two Lords decide to escalate the situation. The two do work for the same employer in the same building, and one levied an accusation against the other for sleeping with his wife and potentially siring his sons in a blatant act of Line Theft. As their employer, it would behoove the DMLE to show that they made an act of 'good faith effort' to stave any would-be clash.

AN 3: McClaggen can definitely forget about being invited back to Hermione's study group! It is important to note that Cormac does come from a 'traditional' pureblood family, in spite of his more amiable than normal personality. Just a thought.