Hey everyone,
I have good news. Starting this chapter will I be adding small bits of texts which I put into the CR parts to further prove how my – if you view him that way – OC Harry came to be and this will continue with all other books.
Fun, right?
Venquine1990
Chapter 06
Why were you so angry just now?
Fudge's POV
I can barely believe what just happened. You-Know-Who wants to use our precious Tournament to get, use and kill an innocent teenager, who is also our National Hero and caused our entire Tournament to become one big scam with all the trouble the Fourth Champion thing caused all those months ago.
Luckily, the reading of what that monster did with his minions and enemies showed perfectly well how terrible it is to serve him and how important it is to fear him and while I can see from the faces of all students that they now hate the monster as well, do I think: "At least now the Ministry can help Hogwarts take a stand against that mad man."
I then see Potter, the young lad being very courageous and strong seeing how he held himself through all these terrible event, looking at the scary large black dog, reminding me of the Grim my grandfather saw, 3 hours before he died of his cancer suddenly worsening terribly and the boy then looks at me and says: "Minister, I think you should read next."
This makes me smile, because I have quite liked the boy since I first met him in the Leaky Cauldron back before his third. The boy had shown a strange – but seeing how bad his relatives treated my men still slightly understandable – desire to never see those Muggles again and I wonder if the books will show me why on that,
At the same time can I not help but feel overjoyed at getting to know a boy so little people really seem to know. I then again look at the boy and his tight-knit group of friends and know that although barely anyone really knows the boy, those that do know him, know him heart and soul, something I can see is truly essential to the young Potter Heir.
With that I stand up, remembering how it felt when I was in school and with my friends and instead walk over to the owl stand on which the book is lying and as I walk, I look back at the other books and think: "Yes, Potter is secretive, but he has a good heart and knows when to open up." And with that I start reading, feeling glad Skeeter's not invited.
The Parting of the Ways
Dumbledore … being sick.
"I can assure you, Mr. Potter, the only thing making me sick was how cruelly that monster treated those around him and how little he thought of those important to us." McGonagall says sternly, but with a caring tone and while several adults look at her with smiles of pride, can I just not agree more with the stern, caring woman as I read on.
However, when … needs me."
This makes me feel relief as it means Hogwarts and the Ministry can work together to prepare for the mass-terror You-Know-Who will surely cause. The thought that he came back during my reign as Minister does indeed worry me, but then I look back at the boy who faced him and was forced to be used for his return and think:
"I hope he can stop this from happening." But then shake my head and think: "It might be his plan, but why on earth would I rely my fate on the shoulder's of a fourteen year old." And with that do I resign myself firmly. Would Harry's plan fail, then that will only stimulate me all the more to bring that monster down and with that do I read on.
Snape nodded … first, Harry."
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" Lupin shouts furiously, actually shocking me as I know the man to be known for his reasonable calmness, but then realize the man's only shouting out of worry for his cub and quickly read on, hoping to Merlin that Albus knows what he's doing.
He said … us there."
This seems to make the werewolf slightly calmer and he growls: "You better let Sirius comfort Harry, Albus, or I swear full moon will be nothing compared to how I will rip you a new one." Everyone who knows Lupin – mainly the teachers – looks shocked that the man actually threatens the Headmaster of Hogwarts and I think:
"Who on earth is this Sirius person that Lupin thrusts him with his own cub?" I try to think of people that Lupin can know that have that name and instantly dismiss the first possibility – even if Harry Potter's behavior last year still leaves me with slight doubts about Sirius Black's guilt. But then I shake my head and read on.
Harry nodded … Mrs. Diggory?"
Now Potters' friends smile at him knowingly and proudly, as if expecting nothing less of the lad, while the parents in question thank him for caring with their own smiles and while Cedric smiles as well, obviously happy to know that Harry cares, does Harry shrug, as if his worry for them is to be considered nothing out of the ordinary.
This makes me know that most of what Skeeter wrote about the boy is nothing but lies and I turn to the Aurors and say: "Shacklebolt, Tonks. You have official permission to investigate Rita Skeeter on ground of public lies and reporting lies of a minor." The two Aurors nod, Tonks looking ecstatic and I continue reading.
"They are … escaped Azkaban.
I shake my head and read the last part of the sentence again, suddenly realizing who we have been reading about the entire time. I look up, again remembering how avidly Potter and his friend had tried to defend Black's innocence only a year ago and ask: "Mr. Potter, do you actually – trust – the mass murderer – Sirius Black?"
And Potter, leaning back against Krum and examining his finger nails as if they're more important to him than the many shocked looks on the faces of the students around him, says calmly: "Seeing he gave me my Firebolt and that the teachers can testify for there not to be any curses on that broom, yes, Minister, I do."
I look at this shocked, my eyes straying to a shocked McGonagall and Flitwick and Hermione says: "And if you read on, Minister, you will see that Sirius Black cares for nothing but his Godson and only his Godson." I look at the girl, who looks back at me with a look that dares me to contradict her, just like last year and so I read on.
In one … Harry's knee.
The Phoenix in question is of course also in the room, but since the Prior Incantatem chapter have I not seen hide nor hair – I mean, feather – of the bird. Then the creature softly makes a sound and to my shock, I see him leaning on the back of the gigantic dog lying on Potter's feet. Shocked at the strange union, do I read on.
"'Lo Fawkes." … relive everything.
"ALBUS! NO!" Lupin shouts and he goes on: "Harry will not be your source for intel! He just saw a murder, for Merlin's sake! What he needs is a person who will first comfort him, help him get over what he saw and then, as he gets over it, help him relive it in a calm and loving environment – NOT SOMEONE'S BLOODY OFFICE!"
"Remus –." Dumbledore tries, but Lupin won't let him and snaps: "No Albus! Harry has a memory that excels that of Lily and James, I saw that all last year when I taught him. He needs to let go and come at peace, so that he can peacefully analyze his memories and come up with ways to prevent it from reoccurring!"
He then glares so ferociously at the man it's almost like the wolf within him is leering at a fresh prey or an enemy endangering his pack and he snarls: "If this happens again, I want your word Harry will be send to Sirius immediately and will be around only Sirius, until he is ready to openly talk about it. YOUR WORD, ALBUS!"
Lupin shouts in the end as Albus tries to yet again reason with the werewolf – something that makes me want to shake my head as I already know this to be fultile – and McGonagall says: "Remus, I will see to it that Black and Potter will get together if this does occur, but I need your word that Black can be trusted with this."
Lupin smiles at the woman, while Albus looks at her as if she betrayed him and the werewolf, now calmly, says: "Trust me, Minerva, I wouldn't let Sirius get Harry after something like this if I wasn't one hundred percent sure my cub would come of it out alright." The woman nods, but then Potter looks shocked and asks:
"Cub?" And again am I reminded of the strangely difficult relationship of the boy and his relatives as Lupin smiles at him and says: "Yes Harry, you're the cub of my pack and the only one I have, so in werewolf rights, you're as good as my son. And you sure made me feel for you like that when your dad first showed you to Sirius and me."
The boy smiles and Amos and Nella, who have been sitting close to Harry if only to be close to their son, make way for the werewolf to sit with his cub, who then hugs the boy and says: "We'll help you through this, cub. If your plan fails, we'll help you set things straight again, I promise." And internally do I promise too.
"I need … what happened."
The glare the werewolf shows his old Headmaster doesn't lessen as he listens to me reading and I too think: "Albus, what do you think of this boy? A recruit in your army or something?" And for some reason this makes me fear how far Dumbledore is willing to push the boy. I send a worried look the boy's way and then quickly read on.
The phoenix … feel better.
"I doubt it." Lupin growls, while he now has Harry very close against him with one hand in the boy's hair and Dumbledore asks: "Remus, why are you so adamant against Harry telling me this?" And Lupin snaps: "I'm not, Albus. I'm against the fact it happened so early on. When I first heard of Lily and James being killed, it tore me apart."
This makes both Albus and myself wince but the man seems determined to make a point as he says: "But then Sirius was arrested and I was brought to the Ministry, questioned about my friendship with him and the Potters again and again. It gave me nightmares and I couldn't let go of Lily and James dying for three full years."
Everyone looks shocked, some of the students looking at my coworkers in disgust and Lupin bites: "Had the Ministry waited two or three days, I would have been able to come at peace with myself with the fact that my friends were dead and I would have done everything I could to make sure they didn't die in vain."
He then glares at Dumbledore, while I vow to never let such a thing happen again and he says: "You're being no better than the Ministry all those years ago, Albus and I swear I will eat all of the grass of the Quidditch pitch if Harry doesn't get nightmares of Cedric dying and Voldemort being reborn." And with that I read on.
When Harry … Dumbledore's eyes.
"Albus!" Lupin hisses softly, but so vehemently it would have sounded less frightening had he shouted it and he goes on: "If this is one of your terrible Greater good scapegoat plans, so help you, Albus, this entire Great Hall won't be full enough to stop me from killing you." This statement shocking me enough to stop reading.
The werewolf then ends the rant with a furious spat: "No one and I mean absolutely no one ever endangers my cub." This makes me think of Black and I wonder what would have happened to the man had Lupin not discovered of the man's possible innocence before their meeting. Shuddering at the possibilities, do I read on.
But next … Harry's knee.
"WHAT?" Potter asks shocked, his voice louder than that of all the other students that now look between the boy and his Headmaster and Potter looks down at the Phoenix still perched on the black dog and whispers something I can't hear, but to which the bird lets out a melodious sound that the boy seems to take for a confirmation.
He looks shocked and whispers: "Unbelievable, but that does make sense." And the bird happily chirps, while I wonder what he's talking about. And more importantly, why he's suddenly looking so intently at the second book of the row. Remembering how bad I screwed up at the end of that year, I feel embarrassed and read on.
"My wand's feather … was painful.
Now the dog whines, but Harry smiles and whispers something, his head actually bowed to make sure others don't hear him and the dog happily turns his head up to lick the boy's face, making the boy laugh and making those around him – Krum and Lupin – smile at the picture along with a few others, who I know are still slightly confused.
Glad the boy has so much to keep himself calm during all these terrible and tense chapters and that there are so many people supporting him, do I think: "How much worse can this book become? We're only one more chapter away from the end. Surely it can't get worse." And I sigh and then read on, not knowing how wrong I am.
"The last … his hands.
Now Potter lies his head down as if in deep pain and says: "Azkaban must have prevented him from ever coming at peace with what happened." This shocks me, but strangely enough not Lupin, as I wonder why the boy feels bad for something like this, seeing how it's mostly Black's fault it happened in the first place.
Then suddenly McGonagall shocks me and says: "Wait a minute! Wormtail?" And Potter, Granger and Weasley smirk, while Lupin says: "I wondered how long it would take you, Minerva. You're losing touch." Do I see him cast a silencing spell at the twins, which makes me wonder if they know the Marauders as well.
The woman glares at the man and Bagman asks: "What's so special about that name, Minerva? Sounds like quite the common Halfblood of Muggle name to me." And the woman answers him, her voice shaking more and more as she speaks: "It's not. Black, Potter and Lupin used that nickname. They used it for Peter Pettigrew."
This shocks me and Shacklebolt asks: "Are you sure, Minerva?" The woman nods, her eyes now locked with Lupin's who just keeps smiling at her in a strange sense of pride and says: "Positive, I lost count of how many times Black changed that to Wormy. They all had nicknames, but only Lupin's always made sense.
Moony of course represented his lycanthropy as it stood for his full-moon problem, a problem I remember Mr. Lupin always knew how to hide away. But Padfoot, Wormtail and Prongs I never understood, although I did often believe Black called Potter Prongs, because he could be as stubbornly proud as a stag or something."
This makes Weasley, Granger and Potter snicker and to my confusion, I see the dog lying down and lying his paws on top of his muzzle, while – in some way or another – I can see an amused smirk on the mutt's face. Lupin then waves his wand again and the twins ask: "What did we miss?" But Lupin shakes his head at them.
Then I focus back on the matter at hand and think: "But if Wormtail was the nickname for Pettigrew – then why does You-Know-Who use it for that servant? I mean, Black killed Pettigrew years ago, didn't he?" But for some reason – probably because of the book – do I not feel so sure about that anymore and I read on.
Harry suddenly … tonight, Harry.
"And in return you just ordered him to report those terrible events as if you're some war general and he's nothing but a meager soldier or something to you." Lupin growls, obviously still furious at Dumbledore for not letting Potter rest and while I cannot help myself but agree with the angry werewolf, do I read on.
You have … to expect.
"A right – TO EXPECT!" Weasley is the one shouting this, his face redder than his hair and his fist already clenched tight enough his hands are bleeding, while his mother tries to pull him down from where he has stood up and while everyone – mostly the teachers – now looks as if they've been punched in the gut.
Most of them are gaping, while some of the French and Bulgarian are softly whispering in their native tongue and then suddenly Weasley's mother shouts: "Ronald Billius, have some –." But that's as far as she gets, before her eldest sons grab her arms and shake their heads at her, telling her not to interfere, as her youngest goes on:
"YOU ACTUALLY THOUGHT YOU HAD THE BLOODY RIGHT TO EXPECT FROM HARRY THAT HE POURS HIS HEART OUT AND RELIVES SOMETHING CLOSE TO – NO, TEN IF NOT A HUNDRED TIMES WORSE – THAN A NIGHTMARE ONLY BECAUSE YOU TELL HIM TO?
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE IS? A COMMON HOUSE-ELF? THAT'S MY BLOODY BEST FRIEND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! DO YOU REALLY THINK WE WILL ALLOW YOU TO TREAT HIM WITH SUCH DISRESPECT? STAY AWAY FROM HIM IF YOU THINK SO LITTLE OF HIM!"
Everyone looks shocked at the furious, steaming young boy, the white, trembling Headmaster he's glaring at and the furious mother who is only being restrained by the eldest two sons and then he spats something I can barely believe: "Years ago, Hermione, Harry and I suspected you had orchestrated the whole thing concerning the Stone.
Don't make us believe the same actually happened here, Headmaster." And he sneers the title with a sneer worthy of the Malfoy Family. I look at Albus shocked, hoping the Weasley boy to be wrong about this and while Albus is now glared at by almost the entire population of the Great Hall, do I continue reading.
You will … hospital wing.
"Great." One of the twins says silently, his voice filling up most of the hall as everyone else is too curious to speak and the other goes on: "Black." And while both look at the dog sitting with Potter, they chorus: "Dog?" And to my shock a grinning Sirius Black transforms out of the dog, the Phoenix on his back flying up to land on his shoulder.
He takes his place on the other side of the boy, Krum moving away to let him and then he hugs the boy and whispers: "You have no idea how hard this was. The whole time during that duel I –." But he seems unable to find the right words and Potter, shockingly enough, hugs him back, holding him tightly as he says:
"I know, Sirius, I know. It's alright." This again reminds me of how vehemently Potter had tried to defend Black last year and then I think: "Could Severus have been lying to me? But why would such a cunning man risk lying to the Minister of Magic?" And I spare a quick glance at the glaring Head of Slytherin House before reading on.
When Dumbledore … this evening."
Now Black glares at Albus, his glare almost as furious as young Ronald was minutes ago and hisses: "Filthy hypocrite." And the man lowers his head, while Lupin goes on: "Not allowing his friends to ask him careful questions that can help him overcome his pain, but still demanding our boy to report to him like some low-class Auror."
And I shake my head, realizing how right the two are and how wrong Albus has handled the situation. I look at the man I so often send letters to with questions for information and wonder: "What happened to you, Albus? What made you want to lose our trust?" And while I hope that this question is proven wrong, do I read on.
Mrs. Weasley nodded … He needs quiet!"
This shocks me and Nott snorts and says: "And that while she was the only one, next to Dumbledore, speaking." The woman flushes but glares at him, shocking the boy, but he doesn't back down, instead he looks back at her indifferently. The woman seems shocked that her glare doesn't make young Nott apologize and I read on.
Headmaster." Said Madam Pomfrey …of him.
"More like scared for you." Weasley answers the teen and Granger, with deep care in her tone, goes on: "He's right, Harry. We might trust Dumbledore, but that he didn't bring you to the Hospital Wing instantly would have made us really worried. We would have really wanted to help you get over what happened and then Dumbledore –
in the book, that is –." She corrects herself before saying: "Comes in and says he already interrogated you and that you shouldn't be questioned again. As if we're the ones demanding to know everything." She shakes her head and I too feel myself doing so, while Albus now lowers his head, obviously ashamed at his mistake.
Then Mrs. Weasley spats: "Hermione Granger! That's the Headmaster you're talking about, young lady!" And while the girl looks shocked, Weasley glares at her, actually shocking the woman and he spats: "It can be the Minister for Magic of the entire world, mum, and still I would have cared less with how he treated Harry."
And to this the twins seem shocked, while the eldest two smile in pride, their eyes showing a longing that makes it clear that they wanted to go against their mother like that for a long time. I wonder just how bad the relationship really is between the Weasley Matriarch and her kids and hope they can make amends as I read on.
"I'm all right." … to sleep.
This makes many people around the Great Hall sigh relieved, most of them having obviously felt tense since the Portkey incident and Nella says: "Finally he can get some rest." And Black growls: "Merlin knows it's heavenly overdue." Softly stroking Potter's hair as he holds the boy close to his chest, obviously not willing to let go.
I then get almost blinded by something shiny and when I look up I see a small bottle of the same purple potion flying through the air. Lupin catches it and Weasley hands him a goblet of coco. He seems to smile at the Head Table and then pours the potion into the drink, before turning to the pair and saying:
"Here Harry, this should help some." The boy smiles, not noticing the devilish grin Black gives his old friend over his head as the young man must have apparently missed what the werewolf did with the drink and the boy gets to drink half the goblet, before he sways and Black quickly takes the Goblet and lies the boy on his and Lupin's lap.
The boy yawns, mutters indistinctively something that sounds like traitor, before the potion becomes too much and he falls asleep, Black and Lupin going back to petting his hair and back to help him sleep. This makes me smile as I truly believe the boy has heard enough already and I read on, relieved to know that Black really is trustworthy.
Harry woke … very long.
"How is that possible?" Madame Pomfrey and she goes on: "My Dreamless sleep Potions always work for at least 7 hours to more." And Weasley answers: "Harry is a really light-sleeper, so even under the influence of that potion, something must have aroused him." The woman nods, looking worried and I continue reading.
Then he … arguing about?"
This confuses me and Flitwick asks: "Minerva, weren't you guarding Crouch Jnr.?" The woman nods and Sprout asks: "But that's almost on the other side of the school. How can you be heard near the Hospital Wing?" The woman shrugs, seeming not to know and I continue reading, while wondering about the bad feeling in my gut.
Now Harry … to that!"
This shocks and confuses me, but Granger and Weasley look at each other and Weasley asks: "Didn't McGonagall say the Minister had brought something into the castle? What could –?" But then both their eyes widen and mine do too as my mind too answers that question and internally I think: "What have I done?" Before I read on.
Harry had …possibly dangerous –"
"Cornelius." Albus then speaks to me angrily, while his tone holds a hint of happiness I just can't place and he says: "I might have made a mistake regarding Harry and how to attain the information he holds, but I will never allow a Dementor near my students. My teachers are more than capable enough to protect everyone within this castle."
I nod and vow to never more use those vile creatures, especially seeing how they have an extremely bad effect on Mr. Potter – actually making him relive the night his parents were murdered. I then shake my head, feeling terrible that I allowed for this to happen multiple times over the last year and hear Black mumble:
"Attain information, he says. More like demand things he has no right to." But when I look at him and Lupin, I see them petting Potter lovingly, keeping their touches soft and tender in their – now very obvious – need to keep the young lad asleep, even when their faces are grim every time they look up and glare at the Headmaster.
I look on and see that while Amos and his wife aren't holding their wands aimed at the black-haired supposed criminal, is there a glint in Amos' eyes that says he'll attack at the first sign Potter's in danger of the man. And with this I again read on, while in my heart the evidence is starting to prove Black's innocence to me.
But Professor McGonagall's … last summer."
"Does this mean you realize your mistake?" Black spats, but Lupin grabs his arm as the black haired man almost goes to stand up from where he still has Potter in his lap, while Amos grabs his wand, but one look from Lupin, who glances first at Black and then at Potter, is enough to make the man calm down again, while Albus says:
"No doubt have I already placed the entire memory of what Harry told me in my Pensieve, together with Barty Crouch's confession. It's now up to you, Cornelius." This makes me gulp as I know how much value I have gone to put in my position as Minister and I read on, now dreading the meaning behind the title of the chapter.
Fudge still … he said quietly.
This makes several adults, under which Amos and Black, hit themselves on the head – Amos with his wand still in his hand – while Granger and Weasley glare at me, knowing their friend is right and I turn red, wondering why I believed the words of a reporter over what I witnessed from Harry during the few times I met him.
I shake my head and then the young Lovegood girl speaks and says: "It's like the Nargles always say. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." To this I can't help but nod and I look at the young sleeping boy in apology, which makes the glares of the boy's friends change back to attentive worry, before I read on.
Ron, Hermione … bell before …"
"And no cursed scar has ever before been created by a back-fired Killing Curse!" Bill Weasley shouts at me, before he goes on with a more clipped tone as he says: "Of course you couldn't have heard of it, Minister. Harry was the first to who something that terribly disgusting happened." I can't help but agree and sigh before reading.
"Look, I … him back.
Harry wanted to scream at her, but held back – one because he had been doing it so many times now, two because he didn't want the only other Weasley here angry at him and three because there were more important matters than the overbearing woman.
This makes the – I can't help but call her – overbearing woman glare at the sleeping boy and to this Black growls: "Do that when he's awake and –." He says loudly as the woman wants to open her mouth and he goes on: "When it concerns something you have evidence of to prove otherwise. If not, leave my Godson alone."
The woman now glares at the black-haired man, while Amos – while still holding his wand – now has a proud smile on his face and the woman spats: "As if you're the Godfather of the year. With where –." But then Ronald hisses: "Finish that sentence and I will personally make you pay." The woman looks shocked and I hastily read on.
"I saw … to Fudge.
Still Harry understood the new look in Snape's eyes as he looked at Fudge with a stare that expected the man to contradict Harry. And Fudge did.
Malfoy was … he's trustworthy?"
"You know, Minister, if there is one thing I have learned from everything I've been through with Harry, it's this." The Weasley boy spats angrily, his ears almost redder than his hair and his fists balled under the table and he goes on: "Magic's not good or evil until you've seen with what intention the wizard uses it.
You-Know-Who is evil, everyone knows that and nobody, knowing the terrors of the last war, would deny that, but just because my best friend has a talent You-Know-Who had, does that not mean he's his follower or sidekick or something like that! He Bloody well used that Parsletongue to save my sister 2 years ago!"
This shocks me and I again look at the books, the second book now eluding me more than ever as it seems to come back again and again throughout the comments thrown. Wondering what could be so important about that year and why Weasley's comment made his younger sister look as if she just turned into a ghost, do I read on.
"You fool … face purpling.
"I have evidence for you!" Granger shouts, just as furious as McGonagall seems to be in the book and while I just cannot believe that I am – indirectly – calling a child a murderer of another teenager, does she spat: "Cedric was killed after touching the Cup while the fake Moody was still in the Maze! So it couldn't have been him!"
This logic shocks me enough to shock me out of my growing self-hate and my internal angry rant at my own actions and then I think: "Please let her use that logic in the book too. That will definitely force me to believe the boy's story and then we can work to protect the Wizarding World against that lunatic." And with that I read on.
"It seems … have risen.
This makes me lower my head, knowing that the boy is right and yet feeling terrible over it and Madame Bones says: "Nothing can be worse but to lose the confidence of a child. After all, most of us live to protect and raise our children and the Ministry was essentially formed to protect Wizarding kids against themselves and Muggles."
This shocks the Muggleborns, which makes me wonder what they know of our history and about the curriculum here, something that makes me look at Lucius with a curious wonder as to what he did as Governor as my co-worker goes on, saying: "The Ministry was formed when the Witch Hunts of the 1600's were at their worst.
Magical children, in their fear of their parents or those outside their families sending them to the stakes for their abilities, showed too much accidental magic and so the Ministry was formed to make sure Muggle and Halfblood parents were aware of their children's abilities and that the parents wouldn't sell out the children.
During those dark and aweful times the Ministry, as it began to form, grew a close bond with Hogwarts and the Headmaster of that time agreed that parents not willing to raise their children would be memory wiped and that the Heads of Houses would then care for the children, until they were old enough to attend Hogwarts.
Then the Houses and its students would take care of the orphans and most of the time the orphans found someone who they really bonded with and got married or were adopted into those families. Students that didn't have that luck often became the assistants of teachers they liked or started working in Hogsmeade in return for shelter.
Later, as the English world of magic developed into what it is today, did the Ministry become more important, because of witches and wizards misusing their magic, causing crimes, terrorizing Muggles and slowly it began to grow its departments. I'd say around 1750 the Ministry was as wide and varied as it is today."
Everyone looks intrigued for the History lesson, some of the students having even gone to sit closer to the woman or getting notebooks and then Susan asks: "Auntie, would you like to do O.W.L., sixth year and N.E.W.T. History of Magic lessons? Then you can split your work." The woman smiles and says: "Only if the teachers will have me."
But I can see by all of their faces that the teachers already wanted to ask the same question and that some of them looked shocked, but that might be because Amelia had more attention of the students to her lesson than Binns ever did. I shake my head at this as that ghost should have moved on eaons ago and read on.
"Voldemort has returned." … the Dementors –"
This shocks me, part of me wanting to rebel against such a drastic idea, but then I remember what Book-Voldemort had said and turn to Shacklebolt and say: "Inform the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures that they need to find a quick way to get rid of the Dementors without the prisoners noticing."
The man nods, looking at me with a pride I normally only see when he looks at his chief and I turn to her and say: "Amelia, the same goes for your Department and Tonks, I want you to inform our top experts on Magic Creation to find a spell that can either cause the same effects as a Dementor or can keep a prisoner from the need to escape."
Then I take a deep breath, remembering what the Weasley boy told me just now and says: "If need be, tell them to make a new version of the Imperius curse. I want that prison secure and if we have to take prisoners away their will to escape, so be it." Everyone, except for Albus, looks at me shocked and I think:
"Albus, you better know what you're doing." Before I take another deep breath and think: "Please don't let me screw up my conversation with those two even worse." But as I read on, I already know in the book I will, as the small voice that was against the man's ideas is still whispering to me to just forget what I had heard.
"Preposterous!" Shouted Fudge … his outrage.
Harry personally believed Dumbledore was being stupid, because while his reasons for the action were valid, Harry had yet to hear where Dumbledore would want the Dementors moved to or who would replace them.
This makes the elder man look slightly flustered, while some of the students look at the man curiously and Mrs. Weasley glares at Harry, as if angry at the boy in the book for thinking such things through. She then wants to open her mouth, but squeaks instead and I see William pinching her leg, obviously to keep her quiet.
The woman glares at her eldest son, but then Dumbledore says: "Cornelius, while I agree that my plan sounds only half-done, am I sure that my book-self just wanted to prove my trust in you by letting you think out the rest of my idea." To this Mrs. Weasley smiles superiously, but I personally feel slightly uncomfortable as I read on.
And by looking at Fudge, was that possibly one of the reasons he refused to believe in the probability of Dumbledore's suggestion. But apparently Dumbledore wasn't finished yet.
"The second … the giants."
This shocks me even more and actually makes the voice in my mind stronger, but then I look up, remembering again what You-Know-Who said as I look at Lupin and think: "He's a werewolf, yet he's the most caring and protective man I have ever met. I really have to judge people and magic by their characters and uses."
Then I make another decision and know I will get a lot of hackles raised as I say this, but I turn to Tonks and say: "Arrest all werewolves, vampires and other magical creatures." Everyone looks purely shocked and Lupin whitens, while Black glares at me, obviously daring me to arrest his friend while here, before I say:
"I want them all questioned under Veritaserum to see if they want to or ever will join Lord Voldemort. If not, the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures must make laws that can apply to them as Hogwarts applies to our students." The words take a few minutes to sink in and then Lupin – to my shock – is the first to start applauding.
Black soon follow his lead, followed by the Weasley siblings, the twins even standing up as they applaud and soon the whole Great Hall is cheering for my idea. This, at long last, seems to make the little voice in my mind go silent and I smile, knowing this is why I became Minister in the first place five years ago and read on.
"Envoy to … from Dumbledore.
Harry believed this only right as Dumbledore was asking the wrong man to do this job. Hagrid was, after all a Half-giant, so why didn't Dumbledore offer Fudge to send him instead? Wouldn't he be the best man for the job? Harry wondered this as Fudge went on.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! STOP QUESTIONING THE HEADMASTER! HAVE SOME RESPECT!" Mrs. Weasley shouts and Ronald spats: "Mum, shut it! He's a Light Sleeper! Give him his rest!" And this shocks the woman and while I feel relieved at seeing Harry only twinge, but not wake, do I read on.
"If the magical … to rebuild!"
Harry could not believe what he was hearing. What was Dumbledore thinking? Did he really think those words would convince Fudge? They even made him want to believe otherwise and he saw it happen himself? Harry held no grudge whatsoever as Fudge again tried to argue Dumbledore's words.
"Insane." Whispered Fudge … at Fudge.
Harry's own mind, in the mean time, was racing with ideas, ideas that could indeed help Fudge keep Voldemort – and other lunatics – from taking control, but while his mind was working out the finer details, were the after-effects of the Dreamless Sleep Potion making it hard for him to focus on more than one thing at a time.
This makes me look at the young man intriguingly and Lupin looks at Black before he says: "I'll let Harry know what we read about and ask him if he knows what those ideas could be about." I nod and smile at the man, who whispers something in Black's ear, making the other man nod before I lie everyone's focus back on the story.
"If your … a wand.
Harry again, silently, chose Fudge's side in this as it seemed as if Dumbledore was knowingly digging himself deeper and deeper into a political grave with the man.
"Now, see … against me –"
"Actually Cornelius, there you made the mistake of forgetting something very important." Amelia softly reprimands me, her tone telling me she is disappointed in my book-self but still proud of my earlier decisions and I think for a second, before I realize what she's talking about and think: "Of course, the treaty."
I nod at the woman and she explains to the students: "In 1829, the Minister for Magic was a real blind and selfish fool. He was greedy like hell and, to save all the money he could get his hands on, he wanted to scrape down the budget yearly given to Hogwarts for the maintenance of their halls, class rooms and the salary of their staff.
But the students – probably through the worried conversations they heard from the staff – knew this would cost them classes they didn't want to lose, mostly because it would even cost them a class that was quite essential to get further in life and so they, the teachers and, in essence, even the castle's magic in itself all went into strike.
It closed off completely, students refused to study, teachers refused to teach, House Elves let go of all of their chores except taking care of the students and staff and Hogwarts sealed herself off so no mail or other people could ever again get in or out. This of course made many parents worried, but it also did the trick.
A little later the Minister tried to get into Hogwarts to get the contract of the cut back signed by the Headmaster, but no matter what spell, charm, hex or curse he cast, the castle would not open and the few students who had been set up at the borders to wait for him, told him he would never be let in, if he didn't tear the contract.
The Minister refused to be taken down by some students, but then the summer holidays started and families wanted their kids home for the hols. But the students refused to come home before they were sure they would keep their classes and so – the Minister had to give in, as he was attacked – vocally, that is – by many worried and furious parents.
He decided to never more interfere with Hogwarts and to make sure no other high official would get it into their minds to go and try a thing like this, he created the Board of Governors, created out of families who were not only Pureblood and high in society, but also the most worried about their children stuck at the castle.
It was then by the Ministry and the Board agreed that no high Ministerial official could ever more have a say in the come and go of Hogwarts and that if the Ministry wanted something done at Hogwarts, they would have to speak to the Board of Governors, who would work and stand up as a spokesmen for Hogwarts, its staff and students."
Everyone looks shocked and intrigued, all of the Ravenclaws now with their notebooks and several scrolls open in front of them and I hear one of the Seventh years mumble: "Never learned more about History of Magic then I did this chapter." And another Seventh year mumbles back: "You sure don't learn this much in Binns' class."
I then decide to explain the reason behind this History class and say: "And that is what Madame Bones meant when she said I forgot something very important. I forgot that I, even as Minister have no say in the come and go of Hogwarts, because of the treaty signed centuries ago by the Minister, the Board of Governors and the Headmaster of Hogwarts."
This makes many heads nod in understanding and while I, again, see that some teachers are shocked at how interested the students were in Amelia's History lesson and hear some students muttering about what they just learned – most of them positive and some even going back to the topic of Amelia taking the job, do I read on
"The only … can't be …"
Harry knew exactly how the man felt. Up until the point where he himself had spoken the words to Dumbledore, had a part of him been silently whispering in his ear that all of this was just another one of his nightmares. Yet, the nightmare was real and Harry saw something that he knew would not make it any easier for Fudge to accept this.
Snape strode … the fold.
Now everyone looks shocked and then Zacharias Smith, of who I know has his father's stupid arrogance, asks pompously: "And you, Professor? Did you too betray him?" But Snape's answer confuses me as he says: "No, Mr. Smith, he betrayed me." The Hufflepuff is as confused by this as I am and I shake my head before reading on.
Fudge stepped … his head, something Harry had been doing the entire time – unnoticed because everyone's attention was on the tattoo on Snape's arm. He did …at Dumbledore – while Harry knew he had made a terrible mistake and didn't blame him for it – and whispered … the Ministry."
I shake my head, feeling terrible as it seems that I – in the book – listened to that strange tiny voice in my head and say: "I never should have forgotten the treaty." I then turn to the Hogwarts student body and with finality say: "I just want to apologize beforehand for all the terrible things I will surely be doing in the next book,
Only in my own stupid need to keep my office and keep my head in the sand, regarding the matter of You-Know-Who." The students nod and a boy I know is named Creevey and of who I know was attacked two years ago, asks: "Does that mean you will promise not to do anything of the things you will do in the future book?"
I nod and while determined to finally be the Minister I dreamed of being, do I say: "And any crimes any of my men commit in the future will also be dealt with as if it's a crime committed a week to a month ago. They will be punished as if they had done it during the last war against Yo – oh, screw this – against V-V-Voldemort."
This shocks the students and then Amelia stands up with a large smile and starts applauding, making me blush a little, but he is soon followed by her niece, who is followed by the rest of the table of Hufflepuff standing up and applauding and soon it sounds as if they're an orchestra of drums being played as everyone applauds loudly,
Making me proud of myself and proud to be their Minister. I then look at the Potter boy, who seems slightly disturbed by the applause, but sleeps on and think: "I will give him everything he deserves for going through what he did. He will win and I'll make sure his plan will work – no matter what." And with that I read on.
He had … Harry's bed.
Harry wished the man would look at him as he tried to rely to Fudge with his eyes that he did not blame him for his disbelief, but Fudge looked out the window positioned over Harry's head as he said, "Your winnings." Harry's bed.
– Harry tried to hide the disgust at Dumbledore for his retarded actions out of his eyes and mind, but Dumbledore seemed focused on other matters.
"Harry JAMES!" Mrs. Weasley finally tries to shout, but Black hisses: "Wake him with your shouts and you'll understand why I was arrested in the first place." The woman whitens, while Lupin shakes his head and rolls his eyes and while some students now look at the man warily, do I decide not to intervene and instead read on.
"There is … Madam Maxime."
"The envoy to the giants." Granger gasps and while I feel angry that Albus is, behind my back, working with men of my own work station, do I feel glad he is doing the things I should be doing. Then I think back to my own plans and hope they'll work as well as the ones Albus tried to present to my book-self.
But then one of the Ravenclaws asks: "Did Dumbledore perhaps read Harry's mind when he was talking with Fudge? I thought that was Harry's idea?" And the elder man looks flustered again, making Lupin and Black glare at him and making my eyes widen as I wonder why"Minerv man would read the minds of his own students.
"How dare you accuse the Headmaster of such a horrendous thing, young lady. Apologize –." Mrs. Weasley tries to say, but then the same girl asks: "Are you his mistress or something? You're more loyal to him than we are." The woman turns a different shade of red and sputters indignantly as I quickly read on.
Professor McGonagall … a word, while Harry tried to recall if Dumbledore had looked at him at any time while he was offering Fudge his suggestions, because that sounded like what he had thought about just minutes ago.
"Poppy." Said Dumbledore … usual form."
"Wait." Weasley says suddenly and everyone, except for the still sleeping Potter, looks at him and he asks: "Isn't professor Snape still in the room?" And Snape, who seems to have caught on with what the boy is thinking about, angrily says: "Yes Mr. Weasley. I indeed am." This seems to confuse the Weasley boys and he asks:
"But you and Sirius hate each other, don't you sir? So why would he ask Sirius to transform if you're still there?" And while Minerva now looks at her co-worker with the same confusion as her student, does Albus answer: "I am sure my book self is trying to take down the feud between Severus and Sirius, Mr. Weasley."
And then I hear Black, who has a death glare worse than when he was furious with Albus on his face, growl something that shocks me and makes Lupin whiten and Lucius look down as it's growled loud enough for everyone to hear. "Either when Hell freezes over or – he growls – when he apologizes for that cave incident. Filthy torturer."
But then Lupin, who is still white and seems to take bravery out of the boy still lying peacefully asleep in his lap says: "Sirius, that wasn't Severus." And Black says: "What? Of course it –." But Lucius interrupts him and says: "No Black, that was me." Black turns to Lucius so fast I'm sure his neck cracked and he asks: "You?"
Lucius nods and says: "We Snakes have – or rather had – an initiation where we had to cruelly, painfully or in any other dark way prove ourselves superior to Lions, Gryffindors. By Second year Severus had the near problem to be out casted by the elder snakes and I – I decided and convinced them to let me take his place.
By then I and professor Slughorn – you remember him, our old Potions Teacher –." Black nods, his confusion apparently strong enough to subdue his anger and Lucius says: "were very fond of Severus, because of his amazing knowledge with Potions and its ingredients and because he had the amazing ability to use Dark Spells for light purposes.
I knew that ability would make him muck up his initiation, not to mention that he didn't want to hurt any Gryffindors too badly, because of his friend, Potter's mother, Lily Evans. I also knew that it was already making many elder Slytherins willing to, instead, initiate him by hurting him. So I took his place and kidnapped Lupin."
The man then makes his son gasp and makes me look beyond horrified as he says: "I hereby admit that I whipped him, cast a burning spell to make the whip marks permanent and that I even cast the Cruciatus curse and a spell to keep Lupin's mouth open, but Severus found me before I could finish his initiation; mouth rape your friend."
Even Narcissa now looks as if her own husband betrayed her and Lucius goes on: "I know you hate Severus for what I did all those years ago and I know I left a trauma with your friend and for that I admit to be sincerely and magically sorry. By the end of this book will I accept any punishment you wish to give me as revenge."
Black now has his hand on Potter's so tightly I wonder if he's not breaking the boy's hand and his lips are less than a thin line while his grey blue eyes turned black in his fury, blazing in silver rage and staring directly at the Malfoy Lord in such a way that everyone who sits between the two is cowering in pure fear at anger not directed at them.
But I myself feel shocked that the man, my old friend, who has – like Albus – helped me since I was first elected and who's mansion I visit almost every week, was able to cast a Cruciatus curse at age 16 and that he actually tortured a 12 year old like that and – worst of all – that he wanted to mouth rape said 12 year old.
Black then turns his head swiftly and almost at breakneck speed to Snape, obviously going over the part of the confession concerning the initiation and Lucius says: "Severus knew nothing of this, Black, that I swear on my magic. He even ranted me out of ever doing that again and was the one who convinced us to break up that initiation.
I ruined our friendship and betrayed his trust and it took me until Draco's birth before I got it back, but I swear again that Severus knew nothing of this and was absolutely furious when he found out." Black nods and says: "Promise you will keep your nose out of Gryffindor business and I promise to work on that truce Dumbledore wants."
Snape nods curtly and Black nods just as curtly, his thumb now rubbing circles on Potter's hand, which he is still stiffly holding onto and I know the rubbing is only for him, to help him calm his fury. I then decide to talk to Lucius later and while I see that the students between Black and Lucius now look relieved, do I read on.
The great … each other.
"Seeing I misunderstood what you did to Remus and that you misunderstood my reasons behind that Willow incident, I guess we can make truce on ground of several stupid, dangerous misconceptions, in which we or our friends got badly hurt or close to death to be acceptable or not held accountable by the party responsible for his actions respectively."
Black says with a curt tone, his words shocking me as I had known about the infamous grudge between the Marauders and Potions Master Severus Snape and to my shock, the Potions Master nods and says: "Can I then be assured you will explain me your reasons behind that incident, Black?" And with Black nodding, do I read on.
Harry thought … shook hands.
Harry personally voted on this whole truce thing going wrong before the summer was a quarter way through, but kept quiet nonetheless.
They let … once more, something Harry thought was more to keep the two from silently cursing each other than to regain everyone's attention. "Now, I … you there."
"Not. A. Chance." Black growls, his anger at Dumbledore's words obviously fueled by the fury he must now be feeling for Lucius and he turns to the ancient Headmaster, sending a short furious glare to Lucius as his eyes pass over the blonde in the process and he says: "If you think I won't be there for my godson."
But then, from the corner of his eye, does he see me wince and blanches in shock, turning to me with wide eyes and his anger obviously being replaced for shock, before he mouths: "No way." But with growing dread as I can tell that this reading has already really changed the man and his beliefs, do I read the rest of the story.
"But." Said Harry … don't you?"
Now Black looks down at the young sleeping boy on his lap and whispers: "How? I mean, I know the Order's important, but – Harry – he – he just went through hell. How could I – how could I?" But Lupin, who's been white and quiet since Lucius started his explation, lies a hand on the man's shoulder and says:
"You just want to protect Harry, Sirius. You know the Order can do that and you know you need their help." To this Black nods, but then, with a voice that proves to me he doesn't really believe his friend's words, does he say: "In protecting him, yes, not in helping him get over what he's just gone through. I should have stayed."
And while the man looks at the young boy as if he betrayed him, do I feel for him and know that he won't do that if Potter's plan fails. Then I again wonder what the boy is planning to do to keep Voldemort from coming back and while again determined to take on the madman myself if the boy's plan fails, do I read on.
"Yeah." Said Harry … was gone.
Harry personally felt a new wave of fury for the Headmaster and wondered what else he had planned because he could already see all of these plans backfiring one way or another. Dumbledore might think he was keeping the war from turning into a living hell, but Harry only saw more and more problems piling up onto each other the longer the elder man spoke and wondered when someone with more social skills would step up and take the man's place.
This makes an anger and resentment I have never seen before be shown on Dumbledore's face for only a second, before the calm mask hides it yet again and he says: "Molly, no need to get upset. I am sure it's just Harry's fatigue that's talking right now." But I personally doubt this – and see that others do as well – before I read on.
Yet, this didn't happen and Harry tried not to grind his teeth as Dumbledore went on.
"Severus." Said Dumbledore … glittered strangely.
"What did he ask of you, uncle Sev?" Draco asks, shocking quite some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs with how he called the Potions Master and the man seems reluctant to answer. He then looks at Lucius, which makes Black growl before he says: "He asked me if I was willing to go and join the Dark Lord. To spy on him for the Order."
"You spied on the Dark Lord?" Lucius asks shocked and Snape nods, making Lucius asks: "Since when?" And Snape answers: "Since Lily was 2 months pregnant." This makes me wonder what kind of significant event could have occurred then, while Lucius seems to understand the answer behind the answer and I read on.
"Then, good … after Sirius and Harry wondered if this was because Snape meant more to Dumbledore than Sirius or because Snape was taking a bigger risk in Dumbledore's eyes than Sirius. As Harry didn't know what Dumbledore had asked Snape to do, was he unable to find out and so he simply listened.
It was … Dumbledore disappeared. He personally felt more exhausted of realizing how bad and unfinished Dumbledore's plans were than of everything else that had happened, but didn't say a word, even after he was sure Dumbledore was many floors away. Hermione, Ron … your winnings."
"MUM!" Ronald shouts, his voice loud with anger and still high with shock and he looks at her as if she's lost it to Azkaban and asks: "How can you even think about that yourself? Harry just saw a friend get killed and all that and then had to say goodbye to the only father figure he has and you want him to think of money?"
But then the Weasley Matriarch shocks me and spats: "Black's not Harry's father figure! Arthur is!" Everyone looks at her shocked, the Weasleys seeming most shocked of all and Arthur asks: "Molly, what on earth makes you think that?" And the woman, who seems not to have listened to her surroundings at all, says:
"Of course you are, dear. And Harry is going to marry Ginny – after they graduate, of course – and then he will be our family for life and Ginny will have her dream come true and then he can come over to our birthdays with expensive presents and become an Auror and earn all the money that Ginny deserves and –."
But then a male voice, that is so filled with fury I am shocked it doesn't wake Potter and female voice, that is almost as shrill as a banshee shout and the female shouts: "MUM STOP!" While the male shouts: "Не, това никога няма да се случи!" The woman sits back shocked, while the shouting seems not to have awoken the Potter boy.
And that while Krum was the male voice shouting; him sitting only a seat away from the young boy and glaring at the woman in undiluted rage. Then Ginerva, as I was told is her name, says: "Mum, Harry didn't even think of asking me to the Yule Ball, he obviously doesn't look at me that way and I happily accept that."
"B-bu-but you – you deserve –." Molly sputters shocked, her eyes making me wonder what goes on in that diluted mind of her and then Williams, the eldest, spats with crossed arms: "And this is why we left." The woman looks at her son shocked and Charlie tells her with a stern, angry tone that I know he inherited from her:
"We could have easily taken jobs here in England, mum, and still have the jobs we have. Bill could have been Curse Breaker or Expert for the Gringotts in Diagon Alley – anyone knows that and especially with all the tunneling Goblins do for their Vaults – and I could have gone to work at the Reserve in the South of Scotland.
But while we have known this since we both prepared for our Carreer days, did we chose to go abroad, to look for our luck way beyond the boundaries of England and – in Bill's case – Europe, because we wanted to have a distance from you, mother. Not because we wanted to live abroad or leave the family and siblings we love so much,
But because both Bill and I have and always will be sick of your favoring of Ginny, of how you constantly try to turn her into some princess and your blind, stubborn, stupid, old-fashioned beliefs and orders concerning us and our lives. You tried to control us in a way that would ruin our lives and we wanted out."
The woman's deadly shocked, while many of the other Gryffindors now look at the other brothers and sister with sympathy and then William turns to his father and says: "We're sorry we only saw you once a year, father. We just didn't want to fall back in the ordering, old-fashioned clutches of your wife." The man nods and I read on,
While the school looks shocked at what they just heard and the twins mutter: "That Family meeting is getting more important with the minute." To which their siblings, especially William and Ronald nod in vehement agreement. I then spare a look up and see that these two are also glaring at their mother and quickly look back down.
"I don't … the ceiling, wishing Sirius was here to comfort him.
"Him? Why him? Why not Ar–." Mrs. Weasley starts, but then – while William and Ronald glare her silent – does the Patriach turn to Black and he says: "If what you've shown us here is any indication, do I know that Harry has all the reason to want you there, Black." The slightly younger adult smiles at him and I read on.
"It wasn't … a mother.
"See! He cares for me! He knows! He knows I care for him! That I love him like a mother!" Molly shouts, her voice almost sounding hysterical, but then William shouts back: "You don't care about him! You care about yourself and yourself alone! Only what you want matters and only what you believe is right!"
"And what is wrong with that? What's wrong with wanting to believe that I know what's right if it holds you all safe!" The woman now screams at him and while I cannot believe her words does William retort: "It never held any of us safe! You didn't want us safe! You wanted us to stick our heads in the sand and be like everyone else!"
"AND SO WHAT?" The woman shouts, obviously out of her mind with anger and while I wonder how this had yet to wake up young Mr. Potter sleeping so close to them, do the Weasley siblings all stand up as one, towering over the woman for – probably – the first time in their lives as they shout in perfect, furious union:
"WEASLEYS ARE BORN DIFFERENT! IT'S OUR BLOODY FAMILY MOTTO!"
The woman sits back, white with shock and while I want to spare a quick glance at Harry, does Ronald state: "Cum tibi sit alius. Being yourself is being different. The Weasleys have always valued their own personality and their difference from what others think, especially those that easily follow the words of those high in power."
And all other Weasley siblings nod, their union more creepy than when I saw the Weasley twins do twin speak, before one of the twins says: "And if you can't accept that, Prewett." And the other ends: "Then you shouldn't want to be a Weasley." And together they chorus: "Merlin knows we're ashamed to be your sons."
The woman looks shocked, while – like always – I have to shake my head to get rid of my confusion and then a soft mumble is heard. Black and Lupin look down, only to see a young Harry Potter with his eyes opened slightly, just enough for slits of his emerald green irises to be visible and Black asks: "What was that, Harry?"
And the boy speaks a little louder: "Now I know what I'll do if I win the Tournament." We all look shocked, as this is as far from the current topic as possible and then Potter shocks us and says: "Donate it to the funding of building the Joke Shop of Fred and George Weasley. Merlin knows those two will make the Marauders proud with their Prank Items."
This shocks the school, some of the students instantly starting to gossip about this in their shock and others looking on with shocked pride and Bagman asks: "You would actually give away money to something that doesn't even exist yet?" But Potter answers: "I would, because I know those two will go to their deaths to create their Jokeshop."
The twins smile proudly, while I can see in their eyes that they won't just go down and accept that money as easily as Harry offers it and then Black says: "And if you don't win, we'll use our Special Vault to fund their Jokeshop construction." To which the twins and some of the teachers ask: "What Special Vault?"
Black nods, his smile proving how relieved he is that the shouting is finally over and while Lupin waves his wand again, does he say: "Back in our Fourth a lot of students started to notice that most of our prank-targets were those that had, before we pulled one over them, pestered hurt or otherwise harmed one of our fellow students.
This was what made them love our pranks so much, even those that actually had friends with our targets and they started paying us for our pranks, which made us decide to make the whole Prank thing a real business. It took us a while – and about ten to twenty pranks – but in the end we managed to put up a perfect prank schedule.
Prongs and I would plan the prank, set the construction of it and see how largely scaled the prank would have to be, that scumbag rat would arrange the products, get books on the charms we would need for our pranks and keep an eye out on our targets so we would know when to strike and who to avoid, like teachers or innocent bystanders.
And Moony would set up a date and contract and would summarize how expensive the prank would be, depending on our prank-date, the scale and the number of people involved in the prank, not to mention how much time it would cost us to put the prank together. He would then, before the prank was pulled, show this contract to our clients."
Everyone looks shocked at the actual brilliance the four boys thought off all those years ago and then Lupin goes on and says: "Once we received the money, we would use half of it to restock our products and the other half would go in the Special Vault that was under guard of the Potter and Black family ownership."
Then Black turns to the twins and while his friends again waves his wand, does he say: "And now you boys have the same idea, but then larger scaled as you want to do it outside school and for that, we know the Marauders will be only too happy to help you. So count on our Special Vault to fund anything you can't afford yourself."
The twins seem to smile as if Christmas has come early and I can tell that the two men in front of them have just become their idols, if the grins are anything to go by, and while I hear Minerva muttering about never knew – that organized – pranks! and while I know that they still don't know who the Marauders are, do I read on.
The full … her hand.
"What the hell, Hermione?" Ronald asks, shocked and obviously slightly angry, probably because he believes her to have ruined the only chance Potter had to let go and while the girl looks just as angry with herself, does her face change to thoughtful as she says: "I don't – no wait – I might have an idea why I did that."
But the girl doesn't elaborate, just lies her hand on her mouth and looks thoughtful. I wonder if she does this more often and then, when I see Ronald and Harry shrug as if used to this behavior of their best friend, do I decide to just let it rest for now as I'm almost at the end of the chapter anyway and so I read on.
"Sorry." She whispered … no more.
This makes many sigh in relief and I say: "There's just 1 chapter left." To which we all look at each other, but then Potter turns to Krum, who still seems to try to calm down and asks the one question that was on my mind since his fury came out after the Weasley matriarch said those ridiculous things: "Why were you so angry just now?"
