Chapter 16: Respect

I was glad I had a break, as the first day back to classes had been crazy, as usual. Don't know why I thought it would be different, but it had been a mix of funny and infuriating. The first years were fun, even if Hall and Hoates couldn't figure out why I thought it was hilarious they sat next to each other. It had been the standard introductory lecture for them, mostly about electricity. Since Muggles didn't have magic they had to have some way to make things happen, and electricity helped that out in many ways. Internal combustion as well, but I'd cover that later, as they had a hard enough time wrapping their brains around electricity. Well, the non-Muggleborn, anyway. I had one girl from Ravenclaw in my class, and she was from Liverpool, so she wasn't very impressed with my opening day lecture. Or my football team, as her whole family were Liverpool supporters instead of Everton. I put a tick next to her name as one of the students that would drop Muggle Studies as soon as she could; it was always a struggle to make things interesting for the non-wizarding raised. I tried to have them help out a bit, and to see how their classmates viewed Muggle stuff.

The third years were a lot of fun, especially as I had a very attentive student in Reena. The whole human world was fascinating to her, and seeing how similar people could view the world so differently, not to mention how they interacted with their culture, made her a bit stunned. She sat next to Echo, with Yvonne at the next set of tables, so I didn't feel too bad. They were a good group, fairly studious, and had actually done the summer homework.

It was the fifth years that finally made me break out the swearing book, as I'd said 'would you guys shut the fuck up?' when they were talking amongst themselves after I'd started the unit on the internet. Little bastards. Also, Louise Libreth, the usual brown-noser, had decided somehow that she should try to test whether I'd actually be able to tell if anyone did magic. George's little notebook paid off, as I made like I was going to take a drink of tea but set the cup down on my desk before taking a drink like six or seven times just to watch her face. I took away ten points from Slytherin before they left, irritating her. Oh, and detention with Hagrid for a week. They really should know better by now. It pissed me off.

So that was how I was when Neville came in, pissed off and ignoring the world by listening to my WUMP. I guess I had it up pretty loud because I didn't hear him and he surprised the shit out of me by tapping me on the arm.

"FUCK!" I sat back and pulled out my headphones. "Dammit, Neville, don't do that. A little warning?"

He shook his head. "I'm glad you aren't in class, hate to fund your swearing party. And I tried, I waved my arms and called your name but you ignored me." He pulled a chair out from one of the tables and sat down. "I understand from Professor Blundel that you gave Louise Libreth detention."

"And took away ten points. After Poesy Phillips' class that was amateur hour." I sat back and adjusted my glasses. "You didn't come here just to talk about Libreth's detention. What's up?"

"Hank, remember when Flurbin called your class...what was he called it?"

Flurbin. Yeah, I remembered that fucking asshole. Vividly. For more than the fact he'd called Muggle Studies a little bit better than underwater basket weaving, the bastard had tried to have me killed. "A soft option. Pretty sure that was it."

"Uh-huh." He nodded, and I wanted to roll my eyes, as he was doing that whole 'I know something you don't' thing. "Haven't looked at your seventh year roster yet, have you?"

"Nah, I never do. Tradition. I always want to be surprised when I see who actually shows up." I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why? Let me guess, one Ravenclaw and that's it?"

He laughed. "Oh no, far from it. I think when you see who's in your class you'll be pleased. I wish there was a way for Flurbin to know. Just to watch his head explode." He looked at his watch. "Better go, have the first years in Herbology next."

I nodded and waved him away, as I knew the class for the first years was always one of his favorites. Since I had a few minutes, and didn't know exactly how many students I'd be preparing for, I took out my seventh year plans. After a disastrous lesson on Muggle music one year that turned us all into hair models for a bad eighties party I'd only tangentially touched on the topic. This year, though, I figured I'd do it for the NEWT students. Music would be their entry point into all sorts of things about Muggle culture, everything from racism to culture clashes and technology, not to mention poetry, feminism, war and, well, just about everything. Plus, to be honest, I wanted a year where I could play music every day and have it be something educational. The idea had been rolling around in my head for years, and I'd talked it over with Mike Greene once over beers. He'd been his usual, helpful self, saying I should just play them 'Let There Be Rock' and 'It's a Long Way to the Top' by AC/DC and just show them the movie School of Rock. Fucker.

I very, very rarely did it, but I was thinking about packing my pipe and opening one of the windows for a bit of a smoke. My seventh years knew I smoked a pipe, obviously, as they'd been around me at Hogwarts for more than a month, so they wouldn't exactly be surprised. What did surprise me was, when I opened the window and waved my wand, creating a sufficient amount of flames, the pipe wouldn't light. I kept trying but it just wouldn't light. It didn't make any sense.

It was when I was trying to figure out exactly why it wouldn't work, or if Neville had anything to do with that fact, that my first two students walked into the classroom. Ravenclaws, of course. Always punctual. I nodded to them and watched as they realized the usual lecture-type seating arrangement was gone, replaced by the more informal lounge-type chairs with a little writing desk on the side. It was one of the suggestions from my former NEWT students, that since it was more of a discussion class that better chairs would make things more comfortable. I asked Titus about it, and he simply said to do whatever I thought best. It was at times like that I realized that, even if I did have to teach certain things for the OWLS and NEWTS, I had more academic freedom at Hogwarts than most universities. Hell, tons more than at Muggle schools.

And then three more came in, and I nodded and just motioned towards the chairs. I knew my Hufflepuffs would be well represented, it'd been that way for some time now, but it still made me feel good. I returned to my prepwork, as I wanted this class to go well. Part of me needed this class to go well, as if I fucked it up I could turn them off of Muggle music forever, and that almost made me nauseous.

It was when my watch buzzed, telling me it was time, that I finally looked up. Ten. I had ten NEWT students. One of the biggest class rosters I'd ever had for seventh year, possibly the largest. I'd have to check against the previous years just to make sure, but looking out at them I felt a slight swell of excitement. And then I knew what Neville had been banging on about, earlier. Wendy Barrath, the Slytherin Head Girl, was in class as expected, but sitting a few chairs over from her was Robin Murray, the Head Boy from Gryffindor. I laughed a bit internally, as Cho had given me shit at the sorting for trying to make Barry White the Head Boy a year early, but it would have been too funny if he actually was Head Boy. But Murray was quite the student, a generally good kid and...well, shit, there were reasons he was Head Boy. Muggle Studies had the Head Boy and Head Girl in the NEWT class. I really wish I could've seen Flurbin's face. The old bastard would have had a heart attack. Hopefully a very prolonged and painful one.

I stood up from my desk and went over to the largest, most comfortable chair in the grouping. The house elf assigned to me because Nonky was staying with Mel and the kids had gone overboard a wee bit, as it was an overstuffed chair, including ottoman, in a plaid with the Hufflepuff colors. Looked like the loud McLoud tartan, but I didn't mind. They were a sept of Clan Donald anyway. I sat down and looked at them, all of them eager and ready. They wouldn't know what hit them.

"Ok, y'all, as you can figure this is not a lecture class, it's a discussion class. You will have assignments and papers and shit, because..." I watched as Ellie Paxton got up, went over and got the swearing book from the back shelf, sat it on her little table and sat down.

"Great, off to a great start. I'll pay up at the end of class, Eleanor." I watched as she wrinkled her nose at my use of her given name and continued. "And in this class, since it's mostly informal, I won't be using 'Miss Paxton' and stuff like that. Too damn stuffy." I paused. "I know, well, I think I know why some of you are in this class, but I'd like everyone to go around the room, state your name, and why you're taking this class. Yeah, I know, everybody knows each other, but humor me." I turned to Ellie. "Eleanor, you can go first."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Ellie Paxton. I help out at St. Mungo's with my mum and I'm thinking of being a Healer when I leave Hogwarts. Mum said that Muggles do some amazing things with medicine that St. Mungo's doesn't consider, and I think it'd be good to know that as well as all the normal St. Mungo's stuff."

"Good, good start, Eleanor." I watched her roll her eyes dramatically and turned to the student to her right. "Counter-clockwise, if you please."

Autumn smiled. "It's anti-clockwise, Professor. How long have you been here?"

"Shut up about that." I waved it off. "Go on."

She smiled. "Autumn Winters, and, um, I don't know what I want to do after Hogwarts. I'd love to play Quidditch professionally, but I don't think I'm good enough. Maybe be a scout or something." She paused, glanced around the room and continued. "I found out a couple of years ago that my great-great grandmum was a Muggle. I just want to know more, and..." She wrinkled up her nose. "Sorry, but it's an easier NEWT than Charms."

That made everyone laugh, including me. "You're right, and Professor Chang would agree. Ok. Continue." I watched as Bollings nodded.

"James Bollings, and I'm taking the NEWT because it's required to be an Auror. Makes sense, as often as Aurors interact with Muggles."

Yep, that was Jim-Bob. Short, sweet and to the point. I knew from his papers there was much more going on behind the succinct sentences, but he was a man of few words. Auror Instructor Dinkins would love him.

"My turn, then. Carys Jones. And...um not sure exactly why, but I just thought it would be a good idea."

I watched as the dark-skinned, braided Gryffindor girl struggled to explain exactly why she'd taken my class. She was always shy in class, something odd for one of Neville's kids, but I was sure the hat had sorted her there for a reason. I thought about just waiting for a better answer but since it was the first class I couldn't do that to her. "Even if you aren't sure exactly why you're here I appreciate the honest answer. Hopefully you'll find something to pique your interest. I think you will. Next?"

The dark-haired Slytherin girl smiled. "Wendy Barrath. My father owns Magiflow, so we produce enchanted or otherwise magically enhanced versions of Muggle products for wizarding markets. I plan on joining Magiflow after Hogwarts, so not only is this class helpful but father insisted."

I almost choked on my tea hearing that. A Slytherin father insisting that his daughter take the Muggle Studies NEWT. Hermione Weasley would be so pleased. Not to mention Draco Malfoy, as that was he did in some respects, mostly with DAS Enterprises...and I thought about Draco, then, struggling with Astoria's condition. I hadn't heard about him from Harry, which was worrying. Hopefully he hadn't gone all Darth Vader.

"Professor?"

I turned and saw that I'd been spacing off again. Thankfully as seventh years they were used to it. I saw Murray looking over to me. "Sorry, sorry. Continue."

The lanky, brown-haired Head Boy nodded. "Robin Murray." He paused. "I've always enjoyed Muggle things, but it was over supper with my parents a couple of years ago that...well, they weren't happy with some of the house elf legislation that was going through. Wait, that's not right, Mum was against it but Dad was all for it. Dad works for the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry, and said that if anything we were finally coming up to the way the rest of the world sees house elves. I want to go into the DMLE after Hogwarts, and I'll need a good grounding in both wizarding and Muggle law for that."

I nodded and took another sip of tea. Hermione would be interested in Mr. Murray, that's for sure. "You're right, Robin." I saw nods all around. It was going to be a good year. "Continue." The intense look on the Ravenclaw girl's face made that excitement wane a bit.

"Daisy Jenkins. I'm taking this class because I want to get more NEWTS than my sister."

That caused some soft laughter from her classmates but I shushed them. "Thank you for the honest answer, Daisy. Hopefully you'll find more in this class than a tick in checkbox. Actually, I'm sure you will." I turned to the next student and he started without prompting.

"Sam Campbell." The Gryffindor boy beamed. "I got an internship last summer with Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes, and George...Mr. Weasley, that is, well, George said it was absolutely necessary that I take this NEWT. He said it'd be brilliant."

Fuck. Sam Campbell. He wasn't quite up to Poesy Phillips' standard, but he was definitely George's type. Lord knows I'd given him enough detentions over the years, not for anything bad, just...George level shit. Relentlessly cheerful, easy-going, and actually a decent student. "I'm glad to hear that, Sam, but I will warn you that the penalties for pulling your usual shit will not go over well." I saw Ellie make another tick on her parchment. "Oh come on, Eleanor! It's the first class. Give me a grace period or something." She just shrugged and smiled. Dammit.

"Ritchie Lister." I saw the thin, gangly Ravenclaw swallow hard. He'd never liked speaking in class before. Hoo boy, was he in for it in this class. "Um, I like Muggle stuff. Thought it would be good to know, whatever we do. There's Muggles everywhere."

That caused everyone to laugh and I nodded. "Too true, Ritchie." Finally we'd come to the end, and Campbell's Gryffindor buddy looked nervous. Where Campbell went, he went. Thankfully he didn't have Campbell's irritating qualities.

"Um, ok, guess it's me, then. Joseph Parke-Ivy, but Joe's fine. Really, it is, if you call me Joseph I'll think I'm in trouble with Mum." He seemed to panic for a bit but eventually blurted out. "I have no idea, Mum said I needed a few NEWTS or else I'd have to work with her and Dad." To the questioning looks from those not in his house he hurriedly added "Mum and Dad have a bed and breakfast near the Puddlemere United stadium. Lot of Quidditch fans and such. Dead boring, none of the players ever stop in, just..." He looked over to me. "Is that enough?"

I nodded. "It is, thanks Joe." I crossed my legs and looked out at them. Some of them were rather focused, some of them, well, weren't, but it didn't matter. Hopefully the year would not only be fun for them, but I planned on having fun as well. Educational, as well. Obviously. But fun. Also time to spring another surprise on them. "I'm sure it didn't go unnoticed that this class is longer than what you're used to for Muggle Studies, and there's a reason for that. We need to cover a lot of ground, and I also know that it didn't escape your attention that we'll be having lunch during class. Don't worry, I have it covered. We'll use lunch, which will be provided here in the classroom, as an opportunity to try Muggle food. If you don't like it I'm sure we can get something else from the kitchens."

I stood up and began to pace a bit, something that I couldn't shake, even though it was an informal setting. "When you think of me as a person, besides the whole thing where I'm completely crap with my wand, and I smoke on occasion, what comes to mind? Don't answer, I'm not a first year professor, I wouldn't dream of asking you that because I'm not sure I'd actually like the answers, but I'm hoping at least one or two of you will think about music. Music. That's going to be theme of the year. And before you start complaining, it's not just a way for me to make you listen to a lot of music I like, which, let's be honest, it kind of is, but it's also a way to get insights into Muggle culture. You'd be surprised at what you find in there if you listen closely, and try to understand everything."

I went back and sat down, took another sip of tea and continued. "Music is a reflection of culture, of how people perceive their world, how they interpret it. It can be experienced as an entire culture, or rather personally. I have many songs and albums that mean something to me because of what happened in my life at that time, so to me a certain song may make me remember being young or...stop it, Sam, I'm not that old."

The Gryffindor boy smirked. I would have to get a triple-W intern again. I did a quick count of students and realized that my thoughts on assignments would get easier, five pairs to work on specific projects. Clearing my thoughts I returned to my comments. "We will cover wizarding music as well, as one of the things you'll find is that music influences everyone, Muggle or magical. Very few things spring out of the air without any precedence, and music is like that. Now, before we continue, let me ask you something; does everyone have a WUMP?"

As the heads nodded I noticed Sam had his hand up. "Sam, this isn't first year, you don't have to hold up your hand."

He pulled his hand down hurriedly. "Sorry, George thought this might come up. He said to tell you that he has the third series of WUMPS ready. Free of charge."

Shit. Had I told George about my NEWT plans? I must have, at some time. I'd have to ask about it later. "Good, good. I'll write him later to thank him. You'll have noticed that there wasn't a textbook assigned, I'm sure. Your main text will actually be music, and from the discussions I'll be supplementing with the appropriate books, and that can be everything from literature, the Bible, you name it. Now I'm going to put on a song and I'll explain why I've chosen it after you've had a chance to listen to it, think about it and tell me what you take from it. Before you ask, there are no right or wrong answers, music is subjective. Everyone brings something different to hearing a song."

I'd been struggling with what to play for them first. Worse than any mixtape I'd ever made for anyone, including...Jesus. Chris. I hadn't thought of Christine Rowan in a while, but with my finger hovering over my WUMP, and glad that I had those little speakers setting around the room, I took a look at Carys and made a decision, disgarding my initial thought of playing them Muggle songs about magic. I scrolled through the playlist I'd made for the class and softly said the song title.

As the first few notes of Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' erupted into the room I turned down the volume and watched my students. As the song went on I noticed several reactions; some were listening intently, some were making notes, and thankfully I saw a few toes tapping. When the song ended I saw every eye turn to me.

"That was Aretha Franklin, who's known as the Queen of Soul. No, it doesn't mean soul like we know it here at Hogwarts. Obviously the song title is 'Respect.' Thoughts?"

I listened as some of the girls mentioned how it meant that men should respect women, but other than that they didn't have a lot to offer. I understood, as it was the first class, and they needed to ease into things. "It is about respect, amongst men and women, but context makes this even moreso. Aretha recorded that in the sixties, it was originally recorded and written by Otis Redding. In the sixties America was going through the civil rights struggle, something I know you remember from our coverage in previous classes." Seeing nods I continued. "Not only were the civil rights of African-Americans being asserted but also women's rights."

I watched as several eyes turned to Carys, just for a moment. "Put it this way, if you'd been told in more ways than words that you were less than what others thought, because of your skin or your sex, how would a song celebrating, and let's be honest, demanding, respect, how would that make you feel?"

"Bloody awesome."

As the class laughed I turned to Ellie, one of the students whose toes had been tapping. "Right, and that's a little less from the swearing book for me. Canceled out at least one word, there. But you're right, Eleanor. It would make you feel awesome. Plus, I noticed several of you were tapping your toes. Music's damn good, too. Plus, I mean, shit. It's Aretha. Nobody can sing like her. Only Etta James can give her a run for her money, if you ask me, but that's for a later time. Dancing is a big part of the culture, or at least it definitely was back then. Put on some records, dance, meet people, all of it. So when we hear Aretha sing about respect we can see how the song's a reflection of the times. More than that, though, it's a damned good song and you can always just appreciate a song or an album for the music in and of itself. Ok, I'm going to put on a playlist now of Muggle songs about magic and, well, I guess voodoo is sort of like magic, so just go with it. I'm going to put that on, I want you to listen, take notes, and by the time the music's done it'll be time for lunch. We can eat and discuss then."

I started the playlist and chuckled to myself as the old Searchers song 'Love Potion No. 9' filled the room. I sat down at my desk at the back of the classroom and started making some changes to my assignment list, as having pairs work on things made my plans easier. Since there were ten of them each pair would work on a decade, from the fifties to the nineties. I'd cover music before then, when appropriate, but since music from the fifties on was more in my wheelhouse it was just more comfortable. I laughed watching them react to Screamin' Jay Hawkins' 'I Put a Spell on You' and tried to figure who to pair. I'd be separating Sam and Joe, obviously, as those two were entirely too comfortable and I didn't quite trust Sam. Finally, giving up I started tearing up parchment into little slips and clicked my ink pen several times before writing their names down. The pen reminded me I needed to get a refill for the good, old-fashioned fountain pen I had from my grandfather. I put all the slips into an empty mug on my desk, thankfully it was clean, and as the last strains of Donovan's 'Season of the Witch' dissipated I rejoined them in my ostentatious chair.

"Ok, we'll get to everything later, but I don't know about y'all but I'm hungry. Lunch?" As the heads nodded I took a breath. As far as house elves go Nonky was, well, I was used to Nonky. And Leeky, my mother-in-law's elf, not to mention grumpy Kreacher and the Malfoy's annoying elf, but the one that had been assigned to me? I figured with all the leeway Titus was giving me he figured I needed to repay him in some fashion and had assigned a very young elf. A very young, very enthusiastic little elf. I paused and looked up towards the ceiling. I don't know why, but I always did that, like they pop out of the sky or something, but it was a habit. "Drizzy?"

Drizzy popped in, her eyes wide and ears flopping. "Professor Smoky be needing Drizzy?"

My class laughed, as even though I told her to call me Boyd or even Professor Muggle she simply couldn't do it. So much for respect. "Yes, Drizzy, we'll take lunch now. The special menu I sent to the kitchens, please."

Without another word she popped away, followed shortly by the delivery of several pizzas with a multitude of topping choices. The kids had eaten pizza at my place before, at the Muggle Studies party at year-end, but it was my class and I was hungry for pizza. And Cokes, real Cokes, the ones from Mexico in the bottle with real sugar. Being a professor did have it's perks. As everyone went over to the table with the pizza I put on Elvis' first album, for background music, and took three slices for myself. And then I couldn't help it and took a fourth, grabbed a Coke and sat down in my chair, swiveling over a table for the pizza.

After a few bites Wendy looked over to me. "Why does that man not want a cat to step on his shoes?"

I laughed. "Well, he's not referring to an actual cat, and he's very proud of his blue suede shoes. I didn't put this on for you to examine critically, just for enjoyment. And to be honest, to have a little music. The wizarding world is so fucking quiet." I groaned and nodded. More in the swearing book. "The man is Elvis Presley, and he's very important to Muggle music. But we'll get to that eventually, actually, no time like the present. Could one of you summon that mug on my desk?"

Ritchie took out his wand and very precisely magicked my mug over to me, hovering it in front of my face. I took it quickly. "Thanks. Ok, we're doing pairs for the first part of this class. You'll work together, concentrating on a specific decade. Elvis' music is very important to the fifties, so I'm sure whoever gets that decade will be very interested in this album later on. For now, just listen. Ok, pairs." I pulled out two names from the mug. "For the fifties it's Jim-Bob and Daisy." Getting no reaction from the two of them I pulled out the next two names. "Sixties...Robin and Eleanor." Ellie turned up her nose at me but I ignored it. "Seventies...Carys and Joe. Just remember, the seventies had good music, more than the disco shit most people remember." Seeing blank stares I moved on. "Eighties, now I may be biased...ok, I am biased because that's the music I grew up with...Wendy and Sam." That made me happy because there was no way possible she'd put up with any of his shit. "And for the nineties, obviously it's Ritchie and Autumn."

As we ate I answered questions about Elvis, pointed ones from Daisy. Jim-Bob paid attention but was silent as usual. I exlained that even though Aretha's song had multiple meanings in regards to context a great portion of music was, well, romantic music. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy, etc. etc. I'd wondered about how to get them the music, obviously, as it was near-impossible that they'd have the albums I wanted them to hear on their WUMPS. Thankfully Gideon Crumb from the Weird Sisters had come through, as he'd started a company that supplied George with wizarding copies of Muggle music. There was some agreement that George did with Gid, and somehow the Muggle music companies, to pay for the rights to distribute the songs but I didn't care. It was like having every freaking album I ever wanted available. Didn't make it quite as good as hearing it on vinyl, which was near impossible, but it did work.

As everyone finished eating, and class time was close to the end, I decided to have a little fun. "Ok, the music we're going to listen to can, usually, be called rock and roll. That's what it's commonly called, anyway, even though it may not exactly follow...right, too much information. But the music was a definite change in culture, mostly for teenagers like yourself. It started out that way, anyway, but...right. Easier to show than tell. I'm going to play you a song that was popular before rock and roll and then one of the first wave of rock and roll. See if you can tell the difference."

I went to my WUMP and started the strings and lush orchestration of Perry Como's 'Wanted.' Watching them listen was hilarious. I got a lot of odd looks, the 'what the fuck is this' expression from some of them. Oddly, I did see Daisy tapping her toe. I knew it would be fun, seeing her react to the next song. As Perry crooned on to the end I started the next song. 'Ready Teddy' by Little Richard blasted through the room, and I might have goosed the volume up a bit. As Little Richard 'Ooooooohed!' every now and then I saw their eyes bug a bit. Autumn sort of dance-bopped in her seat but then Ellie leaned over and whispered something in her ear and Autumn hit her on the shoulder. Autumn looked irritated.

As the song ended I looked over to them. "Something wrong, Autumn? I think it would be hard for anyone to not dance a bit listening to Little Richard."

Ritchie paled a bit. "Little Richard?"

"Hopefully the fifties team will explain, but..."

Ellie smiled and ignored Autumn's attempt to shake her off. "It's just...Teddy Lupin has the biggest crush on Autumn. Follows her everywhere."

"Oh shit." Everyone laughed and as I took a look at my watch I knew class was just about over. "I'll speak to Nev...Professor Longbottom, that is. Just be nice to him, Autumn. And how much do I owe, Eleanor?" I dug into my pocket and pulled out a bunch of money. "Just take it from there."

Time was up, and they started gathering their things. Ellie smirked at me as she took out a Galleon and a Knut. Somehow I knew this class was going to be expensive.

-ooo-

It was later that night, after supper and almost time to go to sleep, when there was a knock on my door. I got up, rubbed the bridge of my nose and hoped it wasn't one of my Hufflepuffs getting into trouble after the first day of classes and opened the door. It wasn't Neville or Titus telling me about one of my students. Not at all. It was Harry, and he was in his Auror robes.

"Sorry, Harry, but if you're here at this time of night it can't be good news. Come on in."

He nodded and came into the room, and after I'd closed the door he took out his wand and cast several spells, which didn't make me feel better. "Uh, what was that?"

"Privacy spells, Hank."

"Shit, here? What's going on? Want to sit?"

He shook me off. "No time, sorry, but thanks." He paused. "It's Malfoy. He's missing."

"Fuck." I took off my glasses. Had Draco turned to the dark side? "What's the last anyone..."

Harry shook his head again. "I know you have clearance, Hank, but I'd rather not discuss the details. I can tell you the last anyone saw him was at hospital with Astoria. She's taking as can best be expected, but Draco? According to the reports from the Healers over there he's...well, you can imagine. Not well at all. I'm here because you two spent time together and wanted to ask you if there was anyplace we should start our search."

I looked at him oddly. I knew Harry was concerned about Harry, but this sounded like something different. "He hasn't done anything illegal, has he?"

"No." Harry's shoulders slumped slightly. "It's not an offical investigation or anything, but with his history the Ministry..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm trying to make it from becoming something official. It isn't widely known but he has to notify us of his whereabouts. Not the day to day things, obviously, but anything big. When he moved over to America there was paperwork for our Ministry and the American lot. If we don't hear from him in the next two months there will be an official inquiry."

I nodded. I got it. "And after everything he's done to turn things around an official investigation would bring all the bad shit up again."

Harry nodded. "He's a former Death Eater, Hank. I know that doesn't mean as much to you as others, but some people will never let that go. He's made a very conscious effort to change, and I respect that, but there's a part of the wizarding world that would like nothing better than to see a former Death Eater punished. Or worse."

Shit. I got it. "Ok, all right. I'd start with New Orleans, obviously, but..." I tried to tell him about Malfoy's voodoo granny but the words wouldn't come out. That felt weird, as I'd been able to tell Horatio at the magic equivalent of the X-Files all about her. And that made me think of Horatio and everyone else still over with the faeries as far as I knew. Hadn't heard anything about them. Instead I felt the insides of my wrists tingle. I rubbed my wrist and shook my head. "I know that isn't much help. Maybe talk to his workers at DAS Enterprises. And...maybe Horatio McLellin. If he's back."

Harry nodded. "Good idea. He's not back but Greengrass is." He smirked. "Doesn't talk very well of you."

I rolled my eyes. "She's a piece of work. I'd try her, then. She's Astoria's sister, after all. I'd bet she'd have an idea, anyway."

"Right, thanks." Harry turned to go but stopped, and like a curtain had been drawn away the Auror Harry expression fell from him. "So, how's Reena been? How was she in class?"

I smiled. "Good, so far. Nobody has any idea that she's really a faerie, I guess. She was very attentive in class, anyway. Made a couple of friends, from what I've seen."

"Well, she did sort into Hufflepuff." He waved his wand, dispelling the privacy stuff. "We'll owl you if we find anything. Until then, if you can think of anything that might help send us an owl. Just seal it with wax and press your Auror badge into the wax, it'll keep anyone from an Auror from opening the letter."

And with that he was gone, leaving me in my room, the high of the NEWT class lesson disappeared, filled instead with concern for Draco.

A/N: Not the longest chapter, but one that hopefully that was as enjoyable to read as it was to write. I have to admit, I might have gone a bit overboard on preparing for the NEWT class. The lengthy playlist on my phone tells me that's a distinct possibility.

It might seem as this was a chapter that didn't really advance the plot much, but it's laying groundwork for later stuff. And, like Hank, it was a not very subtle way to have fun writing about music. Seriously, Little Richard's first album is so damned good. Imagine listening to that for the first time after the usual schmaltz that was on the radio back then.

We'll resume regular service with crazy shit happening soon, and possibly another horrible novel in the Potter Adventure Series. You've been warned.

As always, thanks for reading and review if you wish. And on that topic, I read every review, even if I'm absolutely horrible by not responding to individual reviews. Thanks again.