The Disclaimer is in the first chapter.

Thank the Higher Power for one more chapter.

All my love to my home cheerleaders. My Mom and my Son.

A shout out to SlytherinSal for all her help. Marc the Unruly for being so patient. A hug to the Noppoh who is invaluable. And, my gratitude to The Deathly Minion. Thank you for all your support.

To all my lovely reviewers, thanks for your following and kind words.

I still don't feed trolls.

Reviews are welcome.

Enjoy!


-oo0oo-

Chapter 11. The day the Pied Piper came for her pay.

17 October 1991

What happened to the head of the Head Department of the International Magical Cooperation, Barty Crouch Sr.?

Article by Rita Skeeter.

My dearest readers, it is a sad day to tell you that Bartemius Crouch Sr. was recently found dead. He was a victim of a splinch accident. Frank Longbottom said, as part of the press release from the ongoing investigation by the DMLE, "It seems that a massive dog or a bear attacked Mr. Crouch while leaving his work, last evening, and, in his rush to escape, the man severed his head from his body by splinching, thus ending his life. We are still trying to locate the head, and, no Rita, it wasn't a werewolf if you were going to ask that. Remember, last night it was a crescent moon, not conductive for werewolf transformation or attacks. To all the members of the ministry and press envoys, that's it, good day to you all."

It was a very unusual turn of events. It is not a secret that Barty Crouch Sr. had a long list of enemies but, according to the DMLE, there was no foul play, dark magic, or a werewolf involved. It was an odd thing, as simple as that the envoy of death took shape as a dark Grimm, and mauled the once fearsome Barty into a pile of human garbage. And, that was that.

Could it be that being so close to Samhain, the old spirits of the hounds of hell are coming back to seek justice? The only one who could answer, cannot, since he is missing his head.

But I know one thing, the new head of the DMLE, Frank Longbottom, will solve this since he even seemed to read my thoughts or decode my acid Green Quill.

On the last note, may Barty Crouch Sr. rest in peace.

Rita S.

((((~o~))))

Letter from Sirius Black to Lucius Malfoy sent on 19th of October 1991. Through Gringotts courier.

Letter to Lucius Malfoy from the head of the noblest house of Black.

Hello Lucy,

How are you, you daft bastard? You think I would not remember the fact that you conned my Great Uncle into marrying a Black. Bella couldn't take your Ego and your lack of manhood, Andie was just not interested in inbred condescending idiots, and the only young/naïve enough was dear old Cissy, who was so desperate to run from her loving parents that she took the devil's bargain and wed you, only to be made into a whore, since you could not break her like you did Bella. Yes, you and your murder and rapist club buddies. All of your frat buddies and worshippers of that half-blood anomaly who identifies as Voldemort. What? You didn't know that Voldemort is the son of a Squib destitute Gaunt and piece of a shite muggle? Well, ignore this Summoning to Gringotts on 20th of October 1991 at 11:50 pm, and announce to your wife, your loving mates, and associates, that the big bad head of the Black family summoned you for a debt of honor, and I will publicly disown Narcissa and will reveal the Marriage Contract and all the clauses you failed to comply on, and get this, I will bankrupt the Malfoys by asking the dowry and the interest on the fifteen years of marriage. So, yes, leave me standing here, and I promise nothing but adverse publicity and destitution for anyone carrying the surname Malfoy, understood?

One last thing, don't reply to this letter or you will be hexed by the same letter in your hands. Just get here, you flaming piece of dragon excrement.

Sirius Orion Black.

Head of the Noblest House of Black.

End of Letter.

((((~o~))))

31 October 1991

The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hogsmeade

Scotland UK

5 PM.

Lady Augusta Longbottom was being escorted through the Castle on a guided tour of the premises, along with Emma Granger and several other members of the School Governors. Minerva McGonagall led the group.

Next to them, Dolores Umbridge was busy taking notes, while the rest of the ladies, including Lady Alice and Madame Bones, kept a close watch on Emma.

Dolores asked, "I don't recall the name Granger in our school year; where did you get your NEWTS, Mrs. Granger?"

"Down under. I was raised in Australia. I studied at the Adelaide Academy of Magic. My maiden name is Puckle, Emma Helen Puckle, Miss Umbridge. My husband is the one with the last name Granger; I took it after our wedding," answered Emma.

Madame Bones smiled and said, "Oh, weddings are a beautiful thing, aren't they? Have you been to a lot of weddings, Miss Umbridge?"

"That is not important now is it?" answered a flushing Dolores.

"Understood, and of course if you are raising young or planning on a new family member, checking the Hogwarts School of Wizardry is a grand idea. Are you planning on having a family, Miss Umbridge?" Lady Alice Longbottom inquired.

Minerva knew that the poor ministry worker had poked someone powerful. The ladies' replies were brutal with the innuendo.

"Oh look, these staircases are just as crazy as Hermione said they would be. Imagine if you were left here, and you missed a class. Tell me, is there an alternative route from this path?" asked Emma.

"Well, in case a student is stranded, there are the portraits there and there," said Dolores, pointing to the 2nd and 4th floors.

"Oh, Daphne sent a letter stating that at the welcoming feast the Headmaster said that there was a promise of certain death on the 3rd-floor corridor, and to stay away from it. She also mentioned that the man said some silly words, like oddment and tweak. Tell me, Professor McGonagall, is Dumbledore close to losing his marbles, or is he already lost to all?" Graham Greengrass asked.

"At the moment, I cannot comment, but I understand your concern. Oh, Miss Umbridge, be careful. The stairs can throw you off balance. Hold my hand," Professor McGonagall offered.

Dolores was glad. They had reached the 3rd-floor corridor in question, went to the alleged locked room, and pulled. To everyone's surprise, she opened the door and walked in.

What followed was a gory and surreal ending to a ministry woman who'd been clueless that there was a beast behind the forbidden door. Nobody could help the undersecretary, as the screams stopped as soon as she emitted the sounds. The three-headed beast attacked out of instinct. The Governors and Minerva stood paralyzed by the action that took only thirty seconds. The magical hand that had kept them safe pulled the Governors out.

Well, that made a lasting impression. Amelia Bones summoned a team of magical beast experts to come and remove the Cerberus. Augusta Longbottom said, "Minerva, we need to speak to the Headmaster, and no, he doesn't have a choice. He will hear us now. Otherwise, I promise beside the beast experts, I will have Aurors shut down the school and drag the fool out in chains."

"I need to be at the gates to receive the team of beast experts, excuse me," said Amelia Bones.

"The children need to be accounted for and in their common rooms if the experts are bringing out the Cerberus, Minerva," said Lady Alice.

"I agree with Lady Longbottom," said Graham Greengrass.

As the group was moving towards the Headmaster's office, a young couple appeared.

"Gran, Mom, I thought you were going to be here later?" said Neville.

"Father, is everything alright? You're very pale?" asked Daphne.

Both parents took hold of their children. "Oh Merlin, Neville, dear, please take Miss Greengrass to her common room and tell all your friends they need to return to their dorms. The school is on lockdown, and no, it is not a joke," said Augusta Longbottom.

Neville nodded, took Daphne's hand, and together they descended to the dungeons. Professor Snape joined the group as he was nearest.

Minerva gave Severus explicit instructions to please ask the house-elves to locate all the children and start popping everyone to their respective common rooms as the castle was in a state of emergency.

It was 5:30 pm and a group of Ministry workers walked up to the castle doors. At the entry, they met the Potions Master Severus T. Snape who directed the team to the third-floor corridor. As the magical beast experts and Aurors along with the Head of Slytherin were escorting the subdued Cerberus, Amelia noticed movement from the Forbidden Forest. Using her monocle, her vision uncovered an odd scene.

Madame Bones watched a man with a turban directing a twelve feet tall Mountain Troll on its path towards the school. Something about his stealth and direction rang alarm bells. Amelia started walking to intersect the man and the beast in tow, conscious that the Forbidden Forest was full of dangerous and exceptional magical creatures. Her team followed behind.

It happened in seconds, the man in the turban and the Troll got eliminated. But, what really blew everyone's mind as the Cerberus got Port-keyed to a secure area, was that the movement nor the fantastic menagerie of beasts cease to appear and attack, no, a gigantic mass moved within the shadows. Before clearing the forest brush, an unknown, mammoth reptile rounded on the man in the turban and the Troll, then wrapped itself around the two figures, squeezed the life out of the two, and then disappeared just as fast, leaving a huge plaster of darkened goo and the echo of a wailing wraith. Apex predator against a lesser foe in a brilliant and uneven match. For a moment, Amelia recalled reading Rita's article and wondered if the feral magic of the land was making its own justice by releasing the beasts from over the veil to carry out their duty and protect innocent magical blood. Amelia smiled a cynical smile, and considered in silence, 'and, pigs will grow wings, and deliver bacon directly at my door, right'.

"What in the bloody hell just happened? What was that, and why are these remains painted like tar?" asked a seriously enraged Amelia Bones as she reached the area.

"Boss, did you see the animal that attacked them? It looked like a huge serpent, but on its head, it looked like it had a hat," said an Auror.

"No, Vance, I missed that tidbit, but this looks bad. The remains are dissolving as though they were doused in acid; don't touch anything," said Amelia. "We are going to have to bring the equipment to scrape the remains and cleanse the area. Use Dragonhide gloves and protective gear, you hear me?"

"Yes boss," said Auror Vance.

Amelia walked up to the Headmaster's office and found Augusta Longbottom chewing out Albus Dumbledore.

"Well, it's a good thing that we sent you a message letting you know that the board of School Governors was making a visit. As well as an official visit appointed by the Ministry and sanctioned by the Wizengamot. Otherwise, this could have turned into a fiasco. Oh no, wait, it turned to fecal matter. How dare you endanger our children by putting a highly dangerous creature behind an unlocked door? One of our children could have been killed! But no, a Ministry worker got killed instead. Dolores Umbridge perished, no thanks to your stupid schemes, and after this, you are going to answer for your insane and lax policies regarding the safety of this castle. In the best-case scenario, you are going to get sacked and we will place here an Inquisitor, in the worst case, you will be thrown to Azkaban for the conspiracy to kill our children."

"And you think I'm just going to go quietly?" asked Dumbledore as he rose from his seat. Behind him, a glittering invisibility cloak revealed Mary Simmons with a beater bat. She hit him on the head and replied as he fell to the floor unconscious, "Yeah, that's exactly what you will do, you miserable old goat." She raised her emerald eyes to the group and said, "This piece of shite is mine. House Potter and House Black have claimed a Blood feud with Albus Dumbledore, any questions?"

"No, Regent Potter, none," said Dame Augusta Longbottom.

Mary placed a portkey on the fallen man and said, "Activate." Then, she turned to the crowd and said, "A pleasure seeing you ladies again, excuse me." She disappeared.

"What am I going to say to the world, now that Albus is gone?" asked Minerva.

Nobody noticed the elf magic behind the sorting hat being popped over, or when it animated to answer Minerva's last question.

"That the Pied Piper came for her payment," answered Alastair the Sorting Hat.

"Fawkes, you didn't protest this?" asked Minerva.

"Minerva, my dear, Fawkes is a prisoner and until Albus is dead, he will not be free. Albus enslaved the bird and forbade me from telling anyone in his presence," revealed Alastair.

Then, the crowd listened to a sinister laugh from one portrait. "My great-great-grandson did one thing right; he married that dangerous femme fatale. I'm just so proud of my boy. She embodies everything right and wrong of being a Lady Black, too vicious and too loving. I'm so proud, I could cry," said Phineas Nigellus-Black, former Headmaster.

"Merlin helps us, that woman was Lady Black?" Graham Greengrass asked.

"Yes," answered Lady Alice Longbottom, "she is. Why, Lord Greengrass?"

The man paled, which made Phineas smile with satisfaction as Graham added, "She's dangerous."

Everyone nodded and Amelia Bones added, "The DADA teacher got killed by a snake in the Forbidden Forest. I have to go back out there and fill out the paperwork for the death of not only Miss Umbridge but also for Professor Quirrell. I'll say goodbye to Susan before I leave."

"Goodness, will this night ever end?" Minerva asked.

"Yes it will Minerva, we'll help. You are not alone," said Augusta.

Alice nodded, which made Emma nod too and she said, "There are a lot of things wrong, but there are some that are right. Thankfully, I have my trusty quill, my color-coded stickers, and a decent notebook. Let's get to work ladies and gents; I somehow gather that we need answers in case the ministry wants to stick their nose in here. We don't need any inquisition or control from another organization. If Hogwarts is to remain autonomous, then we need to get all the answers. Dumbledore had enemies and a debt to pay. The children's education is all that matters now, agreed?"

"Agreed," said Minerva, followed by Augusta, Alice, and Graham.

"At last, some common sense. May I make some suggestions?" asked the Sorting hat.

"Yes, please do," said Minerva. Fawkes trilled quietly at the changing energy in the room. It felt right.

((((~o~))))

Flashback.

31 July 1988

Potter Glen.

Wales UK.

12 am.

"Happy Birthday, son," said Mary and Sirius Black in stereo as they observed Harry sleeping on his eighth year anniversary. "I want him to live a normal life, Sirius. No boy-who-lived nonsense, No Tom Marvolo Riddle, no Death Eaters, no stupid Prophecies or blood feuds, and no Albus Dumbledore. I just want him to be a happy, educated boy, a sensible, and boring adult who marries his sweetheart." Sirius held her and said, "He will, Mary, we'll make certain of it." They stepped away and Harry/Andy turned to the door frame after his parents left. "I promise mom, I won't be anything other than boring," said Harry in a whisper.

End of Flashback.

((((~o~))))

31 of October 1991.

Gryffindor Common Room.

The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

6 PM.

Hermione opened the door at the sound of a young boy asking for entry.

Andy and Hermione welcomed Ron. "Ah, Ron, what are you doing here?" Andy asked.

"Sorry, it's just that I was looking for my brother Percy and the twins, are they here?" said Ron.

Neville and Sally got close to Hermione and Andy, and now Ron. "Uh, no, wait, let me check," said Andy.

Andy and Neville nodded to each other and went in search of the older Weasley Brothers. They came back empty-handed. "They're not here. That's very unusual. They are always around us, but the adults promised a visit and the ministry too. It makes sense they would lie low," said Neville.

"But not Percy, he would be here lording over all of us," said Hermione.

"You don't think they would be stupid enough to go through the hidden room on the third floor?" asked Sally.

"The twins would, but not Percy," added Hermione.

"Crap, something is wrong; something is not adding up," said Andy.

"Well, we knew it was a trap, and now the three stooges fell for it. We need to find an adult that will listen," said Hermione.

"Yeah, meantime, my brothers get killed! I'm sorry, but I'm not waiting for an adult," said Ron.

"Ron, no, listen, we will get your brother's back, but I need you to keep a clear mind. Panicking will not help us. I'm sorry, 'Petrificus Totalus,'" whispered Andy.

Neville turned to the common room, dispelled the secrecy bubble, and said, "We need to take Ron back to his common room and there is a Ministry worker outside. Miss Umbridge, If you guys go out, Professor McGonagall will get us all. Better than Andy, Hermione, and I get caught than all you guys. We owe Ron a favor and, Wood, you can kick the crap out of the Weasley twins when we get back. McGonagall will set Mrs. Weasley on Percy's hide, deal?" asked Neville.

"Can I go with you?" asked Sally.

"Sorry, Sally. Hermione, Nev, and I have a bit of training. If you get hurt, or if Ron gets hurt, I wouldn't forgive myself. I promise when we get back, we'll start you on the training, deal?" said Andy.

"I understand. I hate this, but I understand. Go, Ron is turning purple, and that's not a great sign," said Sally.

The trio nodded, and they went out. They reduced Ron to pocket size, and they all got to the third floor and past the unlocked door. They stepped over the bloody mess left by Fluffy and found that the trapdoor was opened. The three friends jumped and felt themselves tangle in an array of foliage and leaves that came alive just as octopi fauna.

Neville said, "Right Devil's Snare. Um, Hermione, relax and breathe as though you are just going to sleep on top of a lovely bed made of foliage."

"What about me, you twerp?" asked Andy.

"Nope, you can just choke," said Neville.

Hermione started giggling.

"Look, just because I said you were a chimpanzee you don't have to prove my point, Nev," replied Andy.

Neville relaxed and so did Andy, and they all rolled to the floor. They got up and continued. Next, they found a corridor that was full of winged keys. Hermione noticed the broom and Andy said, "Okay, let's find the one that opens the door. He got up, in the air, and while the keys turned aggressive as a group of angry hornets, Andy said, 'Immobulus'. The keys froze in mid-air and Hermione picked the key closest to her that had a bent wing.

The chamber inside displayed a room that looked like a giant Wizarding Chess Board. In the middle, Fred was under a large rock that somehow resembled a Knight, and George was knocked out in a corner of the room. He had a bruise on his head.

"Okay, the twins are here and out cold. Let's get them out of here," said Hermione and called out, "Lula?"

A well-dressed, girl house-elf replied. "Mistress Hermione called?"

"Yes, ah Lula, could you help me remove the twins and Ron from here and take them to the School Nurse? But not before we step into the next chamber."

"Lula can, and Lula can also take you to the chamber where the next bad ginger is Miss," said Lula.

"Bad ginger?" asked in a stereo voice, Andy and Neville.

"That piece of crap was the one responsible for Sally being stuck on the third floor, near the entry door, wasn't he?" asked Hermione.

"Let's focus on what we know," said Andy. "Ah, Jules, can you come here, please?"

"Master Andy called?" answered Jules the house-elf.

"Yes," answered Andy, then he turned to Hermione who was still steaming from the idea that the Weasley brothers and Sally could fall prey to Percy Weasley, he added, "Okay, uh, let's focus on what we know. One, the twins and Ron need to be away from here." He brought the petrified mini Ron out of his pocket and reversed the spells. Afterward, he said,

"Ron, you need to take your brothers to the school Nurse. We don't know what happened to Percy, but Fred and George need you. As soon as you reach Madame Pomphrey, let her know that Hermione, Nev, and I are in the forbidden corridor on the 3rd-floor."

"You mean the one the Headmaster said was deadly?" asked Ron.

"The same one," answered Andy.

"Alright, I will Andy," said Ron.

Andy said, "Right, take them away Jules." The three Weasleys disappeared. "Ready to go big or die?" asked Andy once it was just the original trio of friends.

Hermione whacked Andy upside the head and added, "Don't even joke about that. You made a promise back in 1988; books and cleverness are okay, but there is only one you."

"Ouch, sorry, I love you too," said Andy as he hugged her.

"Um, not that I don't think this is cute, but weird and creepy ginger is that way," said Neville.

"I hate you, Nev. Fine. Let's get the show on the road, special Elf-Force-One. Lula, Jules, and Kreacher, front and center."

"Yes, little Andy," said Lula, "Jules is ready," replied Jules. "Master Called?" answered grandad house-elf Kreacher.

"Welcome Kreacher, now, super elves, we have a problem, and here's what we are going to do. Uh Kreacher, can you bring the warding stones?" said Andy, as a plan took shape.

Inside the last chamber, a dark-haired boy gained more color as his Slytherin colors displayed his house affiliation, and another boy in the corner became pasty white and lost strength at an alarming rate.

The prefect in Slytherin colors kept looking at the Mirror of Erised and tilted his head to one side, then another.

Andy walked in, looked at the third figure looking at the mirror, and then to the other corner, and said, "Well, that makes sense; you possessed Percy, didn't you?"

The boy in question turned around and said, "Was I that obvious?"

"Not that obvious, but why Percy?" asked Andy.

"Easy target. He was the one that came to me, wrote in my diary, and did my bidding. He was a fool, an idealistic creature, tired of being poor, and being treated like the least interesting of his family. Of course, I listened. His brothers were hard to fool until the chessboard took them out, and now that Dumbledore is busy, the opportunity was perfect."

"You wouldn't be Tom M. Riddle, now would you?" asked Andy.

"You have me at a disadvantage," answered Tom.

"I certainly hope so. You hurt my friends, even though I wanted to smack Fred for hitting on my mom. I just have one question, Who the fuck do you think you are, you little weasel?"

"I don't have to answer to you. You're not even Harry Potter, so I think I'll kill you now." Then, the Slytherin brought up a wand, to which he said, ~~Diffindo!~~

Andy disappeared and reappeared next to Tom's Diary, and he noticed the ward stones around the Horcrux. He said instead, ~~Fiendfyre!~~

Tom looked in abject Horror how the boy was a Parseltongue speaker, and he felt his life force absorbed into nothing. Tom's fading silhouette and frantic eyes, tried to make sense of his foe, and Andy just said.

"You're wrong to the end. I am Harry Potter, but what do you care? Go to hell and stay there, you creep!" He stood next to Percy and did a Protego Charm, in case the Horcrux backfired. Then, he added, "Ah grandad Kreacher, can you please put out the fire?"

Kreacher snapped his fingers, and the fire was extinguished. Andy got near Percy, and as he was about to call out to Percy, he felt his mother's presence. He turned to his parents. Mary removed the invisibility cloak. Once there, she took notice of all the mishaps and the ashes in the corner and the pale ginger boy. Sirius nodded and called the Potter and Black elves. A moment later, Mary and Sirius looked at each other and they hid under the invisibility cloak. The room became tidier, and Hermione and Neville joined Andy.

The two boys kept vigil on Percy, while Hermione took a step to the Mirror and just saw herself holding a beautiful crimson stone. She felt the stone fall in her coat pocket, shrugged, and went back to Percy since he didn't want to come around. Hermione said, "Maybe we should give him a restorative potion. He looks like he's seen the devil, and he's having nightmares."

"Yeah, okay." Andy took his potion emergency kit from his pocket and gave the bottle to Hermione. She administered the potion and Percy gained a bit of color and relaxed. As the three stood guard, Professor McGonagall and the other heads of the houses walked in.

Percy was stretched on a bed, and the kids looked at the adults with faces of relief. Minerva said, "I can't believe this, from all my cubs, you would be the last three I could imagine breaking the rules. But here we are."

Andy was going to say something when his stomach lurched, and he threw up. Hermione moved a second later next to Andy, holding his head and vanishing the mess. Neville got up and his voice became glacial. " I think it would be a good idea to take Andy and Mr. Percy Weasley to the hospital wing, and I promise, Professor McGonagall, we will explain everything."

Minerva knew this kid was not playing games, and although she was concerned, she was also a bit proud that the hat sorted him into the house of Lions. Once they reached the hospital wing and Andy was given a sedative potion, Hermione refreshed Andy with a wave of her hand, and Neville became quite sober in his explanation.

"I had just left Miss Greengrass in her common room, just like my Gran told me to, and was back in the common room when Ron Weasley came and knocked on our door. He was concerned because he hadn't seen his brothers the entire day. We checked for the twins and Percy and we couldn't locate them inside the tower. Andy, Sally, Hermione and I realized that the only place that would be interesting at the moment was the 3rd floor corridor and its forbidden door. Following a hunch, Andy, Hermione, Ron and I went to the corridor. Ron was frantic to find his family, and we did. We went through the Devil's Snare, a crazy set of flying keys, we found the twins unconscious on the Giant Wizarding Chessboard, and we asked Ron to bring his brothers back to the hospital wing. The last test was a riddle and Andy beat us a rock, paper, scissors, and he got in. Andy found Percy Weasley unconscious, and we waited for the cavalry. We knew you would come, Professor. We are sorry we disobeyed instructions, but the Weasley's were in trouble. I understand if you want to expel us."

Minerva went from pale with fright, to blushing, then snorted before pulling Neville into a full embrace. "You stupid, wonderful, hardheaded Gryffindors." She began shedding tears. "If anything happened to any of you, I would have gone insane."

Mary came out of her hiding spot, and Sirius, Augusta, Alice, and Emma joined the fray. They all witnessed how the new headmistress lost her face and cried at the idea that the children could get hurt. While Andy, Hermione, and Neville held her hug and patted her. Hermione detached and brought her trusted miniaturized wicker basket and said, "Tea, please." They directed the new interim Headmistress to take a seat and gave her a cup.

"Are you going to get better Professor?" asked a shy Andy.

"Yes Mr. Simmons," replied an exhausted Minerva.

Percy Weasley came around and asked, "What happened?"

Mary Simmons looked into his eyes. Percy blushed crimson while Mary smiled without teeth. Percy nodded in silent agreement. Mary then moved to the twins, who didn't fare any better. The two followed Percy's example and nodded in silence to Mary, while Ron smiled before the very nice lady and said, "Hi, Mrs. Simmons?" Andy's mom nodded and Ron said, "Thank you for Hades, he's the most amazing Eagle Owl, and he loves my cooking."

Only then did Arthur and Molly Weasley come through the Hospital Wing's door. "Fred, George, Percy, Ronald you're all here, oh thank heavens! The clock wasn't lying, now was it Arthur, I mean, they're all bruised up. What happened?"

"I promise we will tell you everything," said Lady Alice Longbottom.

"But, for now, Professor McGonagall is taking a rest, and my gran is keeping guard over her," said Neville.

"Well said, Mr. Longbottom, let us go into my office and we will tell you what happened to your children," said Severus Snape. "Once Mr. Simmons is feeling better, Miss Granger will escort him to his common room, the same thing for yourself Mr. Longbottom."

Neville and Hermione nodded, while Andy said a brief goodbye to his mom and dad. "I tried being cool-headed, and I lost my lunch in front of Professor McGonagall and Hermione." Sirius laughed. Mary whacked his head and held her son. She added, "We'll talk about this later. Take your medicine and go back to your common room, just like Professor Snape said, alright?"

"Yeah, mom." Andy hugged Mary.

"Ouch, listen to your mom, she's the one with the brains., I'm just glad you're safe and sound. Love you, son, now, be good," said Sirius.

"Okay dad," replied Andy.

Once the trio was back to the common room, everyone waited up. Hermione just added in a tired voice, "The Weasley's are okay. We're all okay, thank you for trusting us. Andy just took medicine, and Nev and I have to take ours. Good night."

Sally came and hugged her, and Hermione's strength fell short as her knees almost gave in.

Andy noticed and took Hermione in his arms, and then said, "Tibbles, take Hermione and place her in her bed."

Hermione disappeared, and Andy turned to his dorm room. He walked with heavy feet to his bed and just face-planted the pillow.

"Good night, Andy," said Neville as he, too, went to bed fully clothed. At the moment, everything else lacked importance, and oblivion would be welcomed.

-oo0oo-