OLD MAGIC

Chapter 51: Tuesday Morning Surprise

After the best night's sleep since coming to Hogwarts or even when he was at home, Draco woke to the sound of unfamiliar voices. He grinned widely. It wouldn't take long before those voices would be familiar and welcome. For now they simply meant what he had been wanting so long ... safety and security. What a great feeling that was.

Throwing his bedding off with glee, he bounded out of bed and grabbed his bathing things before heading off to the bath. After an invigorating shower, he dressed quickly in his new robes.

"Well don't you look bright eyed and alert this morn," Robert said, smiling down at the newest member of his house. It pleased him to see the happy, relaxed expression on the pale face that had once worn the look of worry and anger. This went a long ways toward making him more at ease with the former Slytherin.

"I am, thank you. And I'm starving," Draco said, grinning from ear to ear.

"You aren't worried about what is going to happen when we get to the great hall," Terry Boot asked, joining them near the stairs leading down to the common room, a concerned frown on his face.

"Yes and no. Of course I'm concerned. I know several Slytherins who will be furious at my seeming betrayal and wont hesitate to attack me," Draco said candidly. "Want to know why I'm not worried?"

"Of course, that's why I asked," Terry snorted.

Draco tapped the boy on the chest and grinned. "Because of people like you who want to be my friend and protector," He said sincerely.

Terry blinked in surprise then smiled widely pleased by the compliment. He wasn't afraid of Slytherins but was duly cautious when called for. It warmed him that Draco could consider him honorable and brave enough to keep him safe. It made him feel useful and proud.

"Blimy, I guess I will just have to show those Slytherins, Ravenclaw wont let them bully one of our own," he said, clapping a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"So will I," Robert agreed, not to be outdone. "Let's go eat!"

The group joined others streaming out of Ravenclaw and heading for the great hall. Without much conscious thought, Draco's new fellow students formed a protective ring around him. When they entered the hall and made for their table, no one could actually see Draco until they all sat down. And only then did the proverbial excrement hit the fan.

"Oy, why is Malfoy sitting with Ravenclaw," Ron Weasley hissed, anger suffusing his face. He had been looking around waiting for the food when he saw the familiar blond head in the wrong place.

"Yes!" Harry exclaimed ignoring Ron's nasty comment. His face radiated joy at his friend's new circumstances. "Now he is safe at last."

Hermione stared in stunned surprise and didn't know what to say or think.

"He doesn't belong there," Ron growled again, his ire rising. He wished at that moment he dared to draw his wand and wipe the grin shining broadly on the former Slytherin's face away. But in the next moment, he found himself yanked hard by his tie in the fist of a furious Harry Potter who pulled the boy close until they were face to face.

"I told you he was not an enemy! You will accept he was never someone to fear and that it is just your blind, ignorant prejudice against the entire Malfoy family or you and I will no longer be friends," Harry threatened, his emerald green eyes flashing fire. "I will not abide people around me who are soo filled with hatred they can't see things for what they really are. Draco is not responsible for what everyone else does in Slytherin House nor the poor choices of his father. Maligning Slytherins just because it so happens the pure-blood fools children are in it, is no excuse for condemning the whole house. I told you this time and time again, but you stubbornly refuse to listen, so sure your long held prejudice was right." He shook Ron using the tie to yank him back and forth.

"Grow the f**k up for bullocks sake! Or stay away from me permanently!" Releasing Ron's tie suddenly and adding a shove for emphasis that nearly made the boy fall from his bench seat, Harry made it very clear how angry he was with his troublesome, red headed, friend by turning his back on him.

Ron gaped at his friend's back in shock. Straightening his tie without thought, he turned face forward to the table again, which was still empty of food, swallowing his humiliation down. My face must be as red as my hair right now, he thought miserably.

The rest of his house that had overheard and witnessed the violent episode were just as shocked as Ron by Harry's action and words. Moving a bit further away from Weasley, the rest of the students began furiously whispering among themselves about this unusual event, and casting glances at the object of all the turmoil, Draco Malfoy.

Ron ignored everyone else as he grappled with what had happened. He had always been taught that no good comes from Slytherin House so he had ignored Harry's insistence that he was being blind and stupid about that prejudice. So, was Harry right? Was he clinging to a prejudice without real cause? He better figure it out or it would cost him an important friendship that he was certain would lock him out of all the odd and interesting doings that surrounded Harry.

He carefully glanced toward Harry who was gazing at Draco again who, shockingly enough, was smiling back. Giving Draco a more studying stare, Ron realized for the first time just how relaxed and really happy Draco looked now as opposed to the sneer and angry pout he normally saw the boy sporting. He frowned in consternation. Was he really wrong? Had Malfoy been acting the part of a spoiled, arrogant brat simply to keep himself safe among the pure blood snakes?

The proof was before him and that made him sick inside. He had been a fool! Harry was right, he had ignored the small signs of Draco's unhappiness and fear. That prejudiced view had also prevented him from noting that only a small number of Slytherin students had it in for Harry and they were right bullies. But the rest of the house ... with the blinders off ... he could see they kept themselves separate from the evil ones by congregating at the far end of their table. He realized, with disgust at himself, that this larger group of Slytherins had never harassed his friends or himself and had done their best to distance themselves from the worst of their number.

Movement at the other end of the Slytherin table caught Ron's attention. He noted quickly that there was serious trouble brewing as the expressions on the trouble makers faces were all furious eyes and mouths as they glared across the room at Draco. "Oy, now we're in for it and I'm a stupid asshole," He thought, tensing in worry at what the group might do.

Those that could see what was going on gasped in horror as several of the worst Slytherins made their ire known by lunging to their feet and drawing wands. Only those in the know had any idea what was going on. The rest of the student body were bewildered and confused.

"Traitor!" Marcus Flint roared aiming at Draco, readying a curse. Beside him three other fools Joined his stupidity which wasn't terribly surprising considering they were Crabbe, Goyle, and Derrick … being blind followers after all.

"Cease!" Professor Snape bellowed, freezing all four without using a wand.

All sound switched off in the room. Shock was the prevalent emotion as students stared at the sight of four students with drawn wands now frozen like statues, their facial expressions halted in macabre masks of pure fury. Eyes looked around at the teachers seated at the head table, at Professor Snape standing, black eyes snapping with anger, then movingto Headmaster Dumbledore who held an equally furious and cold expression, the twinkle gone from his blue eyes. What was going on? Was the common thought racing around the room. Then Snape spoke, voice flat and cold as ice.

"For the offense of drawing wands, detention in the Dark Tower is warranted, don't you agree, Headmaster?" Snape stated more than asked.

Dumbledore was furious but not surprised at the reaction of the worst of the Slytherin rabble but to draw down in public like this was just down right deplorable. "I agree Professor Snape. For this most grievous of offenses we will discuss a more suitable punishment in my office later," he said frostily, glaring at the four miscreants.

Snape nodded, eyed the four coldly for a moment before, again, wandlessly and wordlessly, made the four disappear.

Stunned shock rocketed through the Death Eater students. None remotely thought their house leader would do such a thing to his own students. Snape hadn't even objected but offered the harshest response to what the others felt was a justified threat to their house. None of them knew what to say or do, so chose to mutely stare at each other in sick fear and anger. However, the Slytherins sitting at the far end of the table shared amazed and relieved looks. Perhaps things were changing for the better? Was the prevailing thought.

"Bloody Hell," Ron breathed barely above a whisper. "He took out his own students."

"Because they did something really unforgivable, Ron," Hermione whispered back, her tone harsh and angry. "No one draws a wand, certainly not in a crowded room of people. Doing so is normally cause for immediate expulsion."

"They deserve whatever punishment is mete out to them," Harry muttered darkly. "However, I have a feeling expulsion would be kinder than what they may face soon. And sending them away will not solve or end their hatred and prejudices. No, I believe they will not be expelled but I think, after this, they may think twice before daring such a thing again. Unfortunately, if the punishment they receive isn't strong enough, those four will not let go of their hatred and pure blood arrogance. Instead they will, in all likelihood, attempt another attack on Draco's life," He predicted.

Color drained from Ron's face as he realized how deadly this whole situation had become and that only Snape's quick action had prevented a tragedy. It brought home just how much danger Malfoy was in within the walls of Hogwarts. No student should have to fear going to school but he now realized that just being in the wrong house could be a death sentence and that seemed wrong. And what was worse, he realized he too had been part of that problem. He felt renewed shame bloom in his cheeks. Yeah, his mum would not be pleased with him right now.

On his other side another soft voice spoke up, "Draco was brave to manage to get out but I wouldn't give a fig for his chances right now."

Ron turned to stare at Neville in surprise. Shrugging his shoulders, the mild mannered and shy boy eyed him back. "It's only the truth. He obviously doesn't believe in that pure blood nonsense and made a smart choice to change houses but now he will have a lot of enemies to fight off because of that decision," he explained, defending his statement.

"You are quite right, Neville. I had felt bad for thinking Draco was like all the others in the beginning simply because of the house he was in but I have watched him since the beginning and he always seems to talk the talk but never actually follows through on his threats which made me think he wasn't really into all that blood-pure stuff after all. Turns out I was right about him. And good for him for getting out now before he got in any deeper. I think Ravenclaw suits him," Hermione said, thoughtfully.

"Don't worry, Neville, Draco does have defenders, many you know and many you wont ever see," Harry reassured the boy. He had overhead the comment and had turned around to respond, still ignoring Ron.

Neville eyed Harry with uncertainty. "How do you know that, Harry?"

"Let's just say I have many friends outside and inside and they are also now Draco's friends. I can't say more than that." Harry smiled mysteriously.

"Oh, alright," Neville muttered, confused but willing to take Harry's assurances at face value. Somehow he just knew there was more going on under the surface here at Hogwarts. He wondered if he would ever find out what it was.

Over at the Ravenclaw table everyone hadn't been surprised by the attack but were shocked by how far the Death Eater students were willing to go and by Professor Snape's rather drastic response. And being smart students, not many missed Professor Snape doing wandless and voiceless magic. Only the most powerful of wizards were capable of that. It was awe inspiring and a bit concerning too as the potion master wasn't necessarily considered on the good side either or had that changed as well?

As for Draco, he sighed with relief, though he too had been shocked by the sheer blatancy of Marcus, Vincent, Gregory, and Peregrine for actually pulling wands. What the bloody hell had they been thinking? Oh, right, those four act first and never think of the consequences. He snorted in amusement. Now that the drama was over, he wondered how soon they would be eating. He was still starving.

"If I may have your attention please," Dumbledore spoke over the many whispered and excited conversations going on, effectively putting an end to them. Snape had already sat down as if the previous dangerous moment hadn't happened at all.

"As the bit of drama indicated, there has been a change. Mr. Malfoy requested a switch in houses and it was granted. His reasons being most sound and none of anyone's business but those involved. Please accept the change gracefully and move on or suffer the consequences being faced by Misters Flint, Goyle, Crabbe, and Derrick. Now, on to other business … I am happy to announce the replacement for the untimely loss of Professor Quirrell with Professor Remus Lupin as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

That was when most students realized there were strangers among the teachers at the high table including one with four legs which raised some gasps in the room. "Also welcome Firenze, the centaur, as assistant to Sybil Trelawney in Divination. Please give them a round of applause in welcome." The students obediently did so. "Now that the announcements are over let us eat." At that command the food appeared before the hungry students. There were immediate sounds of appreciation and digging in.

When breakfast was over and students began making their way to their first classes of the day, Harry gestured his friends off saying he would meet them in class then peeled off to catch Professor Snape.

Sending a quick knock first to the man's shield to halt him from leaving the area, he caught up to the waiting professor at the top of the stairs leading to the dungeon.

Smiling broadly, he quickly pulled a small package out of his robes. "Professor Snape, sir, I just wanted to give you this before we both hurry off," Harry said, handing off the package and then turning and hurrying off to class before Snape could respond.

Frowning, Snape looked down at the plain paper bag. Curious, he opened it and stared inside. A smiled suddenly bloomed before just as quickly vanishing from his face. To his delight, it was a full bag of his favorite candy, Pina Colada Chewy Sour Balls. He quickly hid the bag in his robes and headed down the stairs.

"I must thank him later for the really nice surprise," he thought. Despite the horrible start to the day, his heart was lighter now.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

In the Dark Tower, four students, each in a cell by themselves, stared around and at each other in stunned bewilderment.

"Snape sent us here!" Marcus gasped, unable to decide if he was angry or just shocked.

"But he's our house leader! How could he do this to us?" Goyle nearly wailed, shaking the bars which were cold and immovable.

Derrick scowled and paced around his cell. "He's a traitor!" He hissed.

"Huh?" Crabbe blinked stupidly at Derrick.

"Don't you get it yet? Snape and Draco have switched sides," Derrick snarled.

"Don't be stupid!" Flint snapped. "It's because we pulled our wands that he did what he did. In hindsight, it weren't a smart move."

"What was so right about sending us here?" Derrick demanded.

"Maybe it was the best way to keep us from being shot for pulling wands," Flint argued. "Idiots! No one pulls wands unless it is to fight or kill and a roomful of fellow students isn't one of them."

Derrick opened his mouth but closed it with a snap. He didn't like that Flint was right nor that Snape had done this to them. "Draco is still a traitor," he said sullenly.

"Course he is," Flint agreed.

"Me da is going to be furious about this," Crabbe said quietly.

Silence fell as the others contemplated their fate when their fathers got word of this. None of their parents were known for kindness of any kind as many a back attested to their treatment at their father's hands.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

When Dumbledore reached his office, he sat heavily into his desk chair and stared out the window. Breakfast had been a disaster and now he had to deal with its aftermath. He didn't hold Snape at fault for the action he took. He was just more disappointed by the behavior of the four students now residing in the Dark Tower. He knew he had to tread lightly on how to deal with them as the boy's fathers were dangerous men on the run. But until they were declared so by the ministry of law enforcement, he had to pretend the parents still had the right to make his life hell.

That would change as soon as Madam Bones was apprised of the true situation and who the enemy was. She would believe them but without proof, namely the tattoo which was now gone, finding evidence of wrongdoing on the slippery Death Eaters was going to be a nightmare. The tattoo had been easier but now the old tried and true investigation methods would have to be used.

Just one more hurdle to climb before peace could be found again. He sighed and thought about what to do next. At least those four can't harm or instigate anything for a little while.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Snape knew he had to get to Dumbledore's office right after breakfast but he had something to do first in his own. He ignored the headmaster's rather annoyed look when he noted Snape not following him up but going downstairs. He can just wait, this must be done first, Snape thought, It will make things easier for both of us.

Reaching his classroom, he passed through it into his office. First he stashed the candy Harry had given him in a lower drawer of his desk after palming one for now and putting that in a pocket of his robe, then he leaned against his desk and closed his eyes.

"Hogwarts," he called mentally.

A deep ponderous voice answered, its cadence slow and thick like molasses, "Yessss, brother?"

Severus shivered in surprise. This was the first time he had ever attempted contacting the castle spirit and it was rather unnerving to feel such warmth from it for him as well as to be called "brother" …. it felt … nice?

"I am seeking advice. The four in the tower should be punished but they are hard headed and mislead by their fathers that they will not care nor heed what the punishment should accomplish. They will only want revenge and death and there has been enough of that."

"Agreed. Enough bloodshed, death, and hatred spilled. A more impressionable form of punishment then? One that leaves lasting and profound change?" It asked.

"Perhaps ... I don't truly know. However, I do know I don't want to kill or imprison them for life. It is a waste of young lives."

Approval flowed over Snape in a wave and made him smile involuntarily.

"You have grown wise, brother. Waste of young lives should be prevented. Leave their punishment … nay … their enlightenment toward a better goal in life … to me." And then its presence in his mind was gone.

Shaking himself, he stood a moment to regain his mental legs. That had been intense but in a good way. He hoped he had made the right decision but he really had no other options. There were going to many more children wanting revenge on Draco and it was all so wasteful. They were still so young, especially the first years. But there was still time to help turn them away from the harmful influence their parents poured into them in their more formative years. The older ones in their teens might present more of a challenge as hormones made them more volatile but they weren't lost yet, there was still hope. He had to believe that.

He sighed and let it go for now. If he could save these four there was hope the rest could be saved as well especially if they all worked together here at Hogwarts to make it happen. They could only try.

Settled, he left his office and made for the Headmaster who was definitely not going to be happy with him once he found out what he had done.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

In the hallways, as students headed to class. some of that aggressive, revenge filled attitudes goaded a few more Slytherins to accost Draco despite his obvious Ravenclaw guard.

"You'll pay, Draco. No one leaves our leader's rule," Millicent Bulstrode hissed as she and two others stood just outside the classroom.

Draco rolled his eyes but didn't respond to the rather lame threat.

"Only fools make threats they can't carry out, Bulstrode. And yours are rather lame," Robert said in a mild, disapproving tone.

"The future is what you make it," Luna added airily. "Those that live by death and destruction are not the ones who make a future that will continue into success and power and peace. Your way only leads to darkness and emptiness."

Bulstrode, Parkinson, and Green frowned in confusion then disgust at Luna. But then they were a bit too dense to understand anything that was a bit too esoteric. Threats and their cousins were all the language they understood better ... sadly, Draco thought, keeping his expression blank so as not to inflame the situation more.

He and his new friends kept straight on into the classroom, ignoring all the posturing which sort of inflamed more than words could but he didn't see how they could have done anything else. This was going to be the way it was until the fools saw the error of their ways and changed, died for the cause (which would be stupid), or left school to waste their lives doing menial things. It was their choice. He just wanted to graduate and make a difference in the world.

Was that really too much to ask? Staring at the mulish faces of his former house mates, Draco decided maybe it was. He took his new seat away from Slytherin and concentrated on the day's lesson. It was going to be a long day.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Dumbledore looked up when there came a knock on his door. "Come in."

He wasn't surprised to see Snape stepping in and closing the door behind him. He eyed his potion's master dourly.

"I know you wont be happy with this decision but the castle spirit will be administering punishment to the four miscreants in the hopes of truly making them regret their behavior for the foreseeable future rather than returning immediately to their sworn hatred and revenge," Snape bluntly stated before Dumbledore could speak.

The frown on the Headmaster's face grew deeper and his blue eyes flashed with anger. This was overstepping beyond anything Snape had done before with him. It was bad enough to find out Snape was in league with the Elder Council but to have him go around him on something that was his jurisdiction was crossing the line.

"You overstep your authority," Dumbledore snapped.

"Have I? I don't think so, Headmaster. They are my students and it is my responsibility to see to their punishment is it not?" Snape said coolly.

Dumbledore snapped his mouth shut and allowed his ire to cool a bit before speaking again. "That is correct to a point, Professor Snape. But these students didn't just do something wrong, they did something heinous, drawing a wand on their fellow students outside the dueling rules. That enters into my domain."

Snape gracefully nodded that was true. "However, the punishment that is normally meted out for such an offense, unfortunately, wont have any affect on these four except to inflame their anger and make them want vengeance even more. They wont care about breaking rules and will most likely leave the school to create havoc on an innocent population with their Death Eater parents."

He drew closer to Dumbledore until he stood leaning over the desk into the man's face. "Is this what we want? To waste young, impressionable lives in this way? The war is over but they don't know it. We need to win them over to our side and help them be a part of the change that is coming not more fodder for a dead war."

Dumbledore blinked in surprise at Snape's passionate words. He hadn't seen such fire before in the man and was unable to decide what it meant under these circumstances. It was damning, though, that what the man had said was very true. It was for those reasons Snape had given that had himself stewing about what actions to take in dealing with the four. But what solution had Snape come up with that included the castle spirit?

"You are right, but I don't see another way to change their learned behavior. Their parents have had many years to bend them to their will..."

"And we have seven years to bend them back," Snape said firmly. "But we must start now or they are lost."

"Their parents will only reimposes them when they go home," Dumbledore argued.

Snape shook his head. "These parents who are deeply entrenched in the pure blood feud are doomed. Their fate is sealed and it is only a matter of months before they are captured or killed. I strongly urge, once their parents are considered outlaws, that we do all we can to find a way to keep these affected children as wards of Hogwarts."

Dumbledore's mouth dropped open in stunned surprise. Shaking his head, he thought about what Snape was suggesting. No one had even thought about considering such a thing. Could it be done? Was it worth pursuing? By God yes it was! He felt ashamed that he had not thought of such a solution before now. Of course it started here. Those impressionable minds could be turned to the Light much easier without their parents influence. But, he paused his racing thoughts, there will be loss and grief that must be dealt with. They were talking about separating these children from their families. That shouldn't be taken on lightly.

Sighing, he leaned back and stared at Snape thoughtfully. "Your plan is not without other issues that must be addressed. Separating children from their parents is just as painful as trying to save them."

"I am aware of that, sir, which means will need to do what muggles do for such situations, seek the help of trained therapists. We will need to set up such an office within the castle and get the help of those muggles that are privy to our world to find these professionals for us. In the long road to recovery this will be the most important step next to providing guardianship we can do for the soon to be displaced youngsters. However, all that must wait until after we have some form of guardianship set up to handle the temporary custody of those children who parents will be taken into custody. Only we have the space and ability to house and care for these untrained wizards. Also, we need some kind of rescue system for those children who are met with threats when they return home." Snape halted and shook his head. "There is so much we need to do now that the war is ended and the criminals are rounded up. But for right this moment in time, our focus needs to be on those four first, then a working plan must be laid out before taking such a dire step for those things I've mentioned. Meanwhile, I wish to do what I can to prevent vengeance and hatred from forcing children to become killers. The darkness already has caused disruption and divisiveness among houses and that must stop. Here's our first step toward doing that."

Dumbledore sat there in a daze for a moment. Snape's ideas for the future care of the children after the war were incredible and amazingly well thought out. It was for certain, to cause a major upheaval of how Hogwarts did it's job from here on out. But as Snape had said, this subject must wait until the enemy was dealt with first. Shaking his head mentally, he pulled his mind back to the present problem. "An ambitious plan, Severus, and one worth all of our efforts to develop and work on, but you are right that is for later. So, would you please tell me what the castle spirit intends to do about the four?"

"I can't. It didn't tell me so I left that up to it but I have no doubt whatever it decides will benefit those four more than anything you or I could do and make a much bigger impression."

"Hmm, since Hogwarts has never done such a thing before I'm forced to hope for the best outcome since it is out of my hands. Very well, what's done is done but I would like to see them afterward."

"Of course, sir, as would I."

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

By end of the day, with classes over, Draco hoped he wouldn't have to deal with anymore confrontations but that wish died aborning as he and three Ravenclaw students made their way down a fairly empty corridor for Ravenclaw's staircase.

A sudden spat of magic burst from around a corner at them and would have done them harm had not a watchful Dobby spotted the ambush and made a shield to protect them from harm. No one saw Dobby but Draco had guessed who had done it. The shield remained up and the attackers apparently gave up before they could be spotted. Once they left, the shield simply disappeared.

"Was that one of the protectors we were told was guarding you that saved us?" Robert asked as they began walking down the corridor again.

"Yes, and I am truly grateful for their quick action. That was damned sneaky and we wouldn't have done well if it had hit us," Draco said, bitterly.

"You think?" Terry Boot snorted in disgust. "Those Slytherins are sure determined. Such a stupid waste of energy that could be better used when a real attack happens rather than against their fellow students."

"There are good people in Slytherin House," Draco felt compelled to say, defending his former house.

"I'm sure there are, Draco. It is only the bad ones that give them such a bad name," Luna agreed soothingly.

"Yes, I know and it is they that are suffering," he said sadly. The Ravenclaws clustered close to him offering comfort as they made their way upstairs to their house.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Much later that evening, Blodrig, the goblin, met with Munch the watch wizard from the ministry for a bite of food and some conversation at the Leaky Cauldron. Blodrig had managed to snatch a corner table and when Munch arrived, he set a privacy spell over it so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Munch," Blodrig said warmly. He and Munch had a comfortable working relationship due to his frequent business at the ministry and Munch's sympathies toward the goblins cause for acceptance by wizarding kind.

Munch was also a staunch defender of the Light and had no truck with the Dark Lord. Unlike his boss Cornelius Fudge, he did believe Voldemort existed and did his best to try and keep much of the ministry free of his influence. It wasn't his fault that Fudge, the idiot, had already allowed the bad guys entry to nearly every area of the Ministry of Magic. That left him with only one action left, spy for the Light by observing, taking notes, and making a list of names on those he suspected were working for the enemy.

The two ordered a hot meal and talked of inconsequential things while they waited for their food. Once it arrived and they had eaten most of it, Blodrig broached the council's plan. He made it sound as if a group of good wizards were trying to do their best to help the Aurors find the enemy hidden within the walls of the ministry, identify them, then pass the information onto the Aurors so they could arrest them. Blodrig had to reveal that he knew for certain the Dark Lord was truly gone.

Eyes wide, Munch gaped at the goblin. "You really sure he's gone because there have been many times that was said but wasn't true."

"This time we have proof my good friend. None of the known Death Eaters have their tattoos. The Dark Lord is truly gone."

"Blimey that be wonderful news! But that means those blighters are still hanging about hoping someone new will take charge then," Munch said, showing he had a good grasp of the current situation which made it easier to recruit him.

"Aye, that be right my friend and that is why me and my friends want to sweep the bastards out entirely but we need to know who they are, where they are, and what they are doing, before the Aurors can bag them all at once," Blodrig said gravely. "And we need to make sure we have hard evidence to use against them in court."

Munch nodded. "Oh aye, that be a sound plan. So this is what you would like me to do? Listen and identify who the bad guys are, perhaps record their doings if possible?"

Blodrig grinned showing all his sharp teeth. "That be exactly what we would like you to do."

"Then you be in luck for that is what I been doing for some time now. I would be honored to turn over what I have and to continue to help pin these buggers to the wall. Now, who would I be passing the information on to ... you?"

"Only if I be there. You can also send it by way of my fellow goblins who will know about you. No one should suspect you as you always talk with us so no one will be the wiser. And thank you for having the foresight to spy on the enemy on yer own and keeping notes."

"Och, you're welcome. Glad I am my decision to do so has sped things up. And your plan be brilliant in the handing off so none guesses my involvement ... the perfect set up. I love it," Munch said, clinking his mug against Blodrig in a symbol of solidarity.

Blodrig smiled broadly. The plan was in play and woe be to the enemy as they tightened the trap around them.

Notes:

Sorry to make you read chapters over again but after reading through my entire story to ensure it flowed well I discovered to my horror that I failed to pay attention to the flow of time. The Hunt for Peter Pettigrew should have been Chapter 47 not 51. So I've now rewritten 47, made some editing corrections through the next chapters and am writing chapter 52 to input the sections I removed from 47. Hopefully it now all makes more sense.