This wasn't going to be easy, that much was obvious. Most of the names on the list were well-known celebrities, and some were even part of the board of governors. We have decided to go in the order of the list for lack of better ideas.
Brainstorming plans with people you barely knew was impossible, especially with the animosity they held towards Marvalo.
He stared at the people sitting around this table and sucked in a sharp breath. He wondered how he would manage this along with his NEWTS.
"I think the political side of things can be handled by those on the Wizardingmont?" Glancing around the room, he watched as everyone gave their agreement.
"Perhaps we could start with the easy targets." Those who don't have as much sway over the Wizardingmont and other bodies of justice ", Marvalo started "Such as Kimblee Johansson, who has been charged with 3 counts of... kidnapping," Marvalo stuttered to a stop.
"What the hell has been happening at Hogwarts?" Smith said, looking at the list in horror. And, to be honest, Harry had to agree because this list contained such heinous crimes.
"Beatrice Kendra is dead," Pandora Lovegood said, her voice unusually tight. Reading her crimes on the sheet, he could sympathize.
She had killed three muggle-borns in the 1910s, and nobody had been informed. The children had just disappeared. What made it worse was that she was the school nurse. It disgusted him that she had gotten away with it.
"Well, that's one we don't have to deal with," Smith said, shaking his head.
"We could begin with articles in the Daily Prophet. Even if it's mostly a gossip rag, most people in the country have a subscription, I reckon, "Charles Potter said, softly glancing around the table.
"Great idea, Charles," James said proudly as Charles winced and Harry grimaced.
"Alright, that leaves us with Derek Hernandez, Bethany Wildcroft, and Albus Dumbledore," Marvalo said, listing the names that hadn't been marked off.
They began planning immediately.
Harry sighed as he left the room of requirements. His whole afternoon had been spent planning out how to take down men he had thought were good people.
How had so many people committed heinous crimes against a castle full of children? A school and get away with it. What was the ministry doing?
He slowed down as he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and fired a stunner and was startled to see Marvalo ducking.
"Oh it's you. I'm sorry." "I've just been on edge since the meeting," Harry said apologetically.
"That's quite alright, Harry. Would you want to talk about it or walk-in silence?" Marvalo asked softly.
"I'd rather have a hug if I was honest," Harry said as he came to a stop turning towards Marvalo.
The man's arms opened up in invitation as Harry stepped forward, crashing into the man's chest and burying his face in Marvalos's side.
He was glad that Marvalo had said yes to hugging him. He wasn't really sure what he would have said to a no, but he really didn't want to think about it.
Marvalos' robes were soft, probably made of the finest silk, and extremely expensive. Just his type, in fact. He hadn't really had a type before Marvalo. He had barely liked people as a whole. But one man has changed it all.
"Hey, Marvalo?" Harry said, his voice muffled as he leaned into Marvalos's side.
"Yes, minx," Marvalo shot back. Harry smiled at the nickname.
"You know this doesn't mean you're let off the hook for the Hogsmeade weekend, right?"
He heard Marvalo groan and counted it as an honest victory.
Marvalo had been working hard. He had set up an article to be released tomorrow which would begin the chain reaction they needed for each and every one of the people on the list to be punished.
Marvalo was especially looking forward to Dumbledore's Downfall. Perhaps that should be the headline; it did have a certain ring to it. He smiled, sitting at his desk.
He didn't want to admit it, but he was looking forward to meeting Harry's friend. He wondered how much blackmail material they had after living with the man for seven years. He simply couldn't wait.
This whole relationship has been surprisingly easy until now. He wondered if Harry's friends would disapprove of him. He really wouldn't blame them. He was a Dark Lord who had committed heinous crimes.
To be honest, he didn't really know how he had even gotten Harry to be his in the first place. He knew he wasn't the best of partners, but he really was trying, and Harry seemed to like it well enough.
Despite himself, he couldn't help but hope for this to go well. Harry was brilliant, unlike any individual he'd ever known. He argued back and was a brilliant strategist. He was a wonderful artist and, frankly, had the most perfect smile in the world.
He winked whenever he saw Marvalo now. He wrinkled his brows when he thought something you said was stupid or he disagreed with the statement. His lips quirked minutely when he found something funny, and he cracked his knuckles almost obsessively.
Marvalo could stare at him all his life and not get bored. Marvalo was immortal.
LORD HERNANDEZ WAS IMPRISONED BY WIZARDINGMONT
Lord Hernandez, a well-known benefactor of St. Mungo's hospital for magical maladies and a man well known for being a ward master, was arrested last evening. A witness states that the arrest was calm and Lord Hernandez seemed sure he would be able to prove them wrong.
"We have recently uncovered his crimes against Hogwarts in a meeting of the heirs and are going to pursue justice to the nth degree." "We are hopeful he won't get away with his crimes," says Lord Slytherin when asked for a statement.
Based on the report, the man had been accused of ward tampering and even illegal removal of wards. Not only that, but endangerment of minors and even attempted homicide.
The ministry is in shambles trying to figure out why one of them would do such a thing.
Is Lord Hernedez working for He Who Must Not Be Named? Is there any ulterior motive for him simply removing wards? Was he asked to do so or did he do so of his own free violation?
That is what I am here to find out. Reeta Skeeter, yours truly.
More information about ward tampering on page 7
For more information on Lord Slytherin and the Meeting of their Heirs on page 5