September 1st saw the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and his Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge, coming to Hogwarts uninvited. They had tried to force Umbridge into the Defense Against the Dark Arts position but Minerva took charge when she realized Albus had no intentions of doing so and blocked their attempts. "Minister Fudge I am confused why the Ministry thinks they can get involved in Hogwarts business," she said briskly.
"The Ministry is allowed to fill any vacant positions," Umbridge said in her sickly sweet tone and smirked at Minerva.
"What vacant position does the Ministry think we have," she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts of course," Fudge said pompously. "I have it on good authority that position is vacant."
"I hate to inform you but that position was filled two days ago," Minerva answered indifferently. "If you decide to change career paths in future Delorse, feel free to Owl a resume to me."
"I demand to know who the new teacher is," Fudge bellowed angrily.
The doors opened as a cloaked figure walked in and slowly made their way towards the group. The cloak hood was removed and a dark-headed curly haired witch smiled at the group. "Sorry I am late," she said. "I had to tied up loose ends at my previous job."
"Welcome Andromeda," Minerva greeted then turned towards Fudge and Umbridge. "Mrs. Tonks has graciously accepted the Defense position."
Outrage showed on Umbridge's face as she stared at Andromeda Tonks. "You hired a disowned witch as the Defense professor? The Slythrein's will torment her to no end. I demand to have that position."
"You are in no position to demand anything," Minerva hissed angrily. "You nor anyone else at the Ministry has control over Hogwarts. Andromeda was offered the contract and signed it. It's legally binding for a year as you very well know."
Andromeda smiled as she watched Minerva verbally strip hide from the Minister and his Undersecretary. Allowing her pureblood training to come to the forefront of her mind, she moved graciously beside of Minerva. "I would have assumed such an important figure in our government as the Minister of Magic would be aware of changes taking place in one of the Most and Ancient Houses. Lord Black has reinstated me and my line back into House Black. I also am Acting Regent of House Black until the heir apparent reaches his majority."
"Is the heir apparent Lucius' son," Fudge asked confused.
Andromeda chuckled in amusement before replying to the dense man. "Young Draco is not the heir apparent. In fact he is so low on the heir list, he shall never inherit the Lordship of House Black. Harry Potter is the heir apparent of House Black and you would do well to remember that. Shall your smear campaign not cease against our heir immediately, I shall bring the full force of House Black and its allies on you at the next Wizengamot meeting."
"I wasn't aware of it," Fudge stammered, his skin tone turning pale at the mere thought. "I will contact the editor of the Daily Prophet immediately."
"Make sure a front page apology to Harry Potter is issued within the week including all of the reasons you are apologizing to him for or House Black will seek retribution," Andromeda Tonks informed the trembling man coldly. "Our solicitors are rather greedy and vicious when it comes to potential monetary gains. I can assure you as a member of the Sacred 28, House Black would most likely win big."
"I shall see to it Mrs. Tonks," he stuttered and then quickly exited the building with an outraged Delorse Umbridge following behind.
Minerva shocked the returning students by breaking out in musical laughter. She had her head thrown back and tears leaked from her eyes in her mirth. Soon the remaining staff and students alike joined in.
"Miss McGonagall, a word please," Professor Tonks said at the end of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Hermione frowned but remained seated as her classmates left. Andromeda smiled reassuringly at the young witch before grabbing a small box from the shelf and moved to sit near the girl. "Ted's grandmother was a squib," she said. "He never felt the need to reveal it to others that he had magical relatives. He figured if it mattered to a person who or what your family was then he didn't need them as friends."
"Sensible," Hermione offered with a smile.
"Agatha, Ted's grandmother, was French born," she said. "He was the only child to be born to the family in decades. The magical siblings of his grandmother were unable to have children. One of Agatha's brothers blood adopted a baby girl named Arwen."
Hermione looked at Andromeda in delighted suprise. "Really?"
"Yes," the witch said as she pushed the box towards the teenager. "Ted picked this up for your brother and you on his last trip to France. Arwen may have been adopted but that made her no less family in their eyes. When Ted revealed that Arwen was married and had twins before her death to the remaining family, this box was compiled for you and wills were changed."
"What," Hermione stammered. "We just want to know our family, we don't need their money."
Andromeda smiled in delight at the witch's response. "That's the reason you shall inherit just the same," she said. "Besides Nymphadora, your brother and you are the last of the line. Everything from the Bellamy Family will be split three ways."
Tears gathered in Hermione's eyes as she stared at the witch before her. "We would like to meet them," Hermione finally managed.
"I shall arrange it," Andromeda promised with a grin. She pushed the box to Hermione before reminding the girl, "You need to run along to your next class. I will let Minerva know the details."
"Thank you," she whispered as she hugged the suprised teacher.
Andromeda laughed before urging, "Run along dear before you late to your next class."