Hey everyone,
So I did some checking ahead, cause I had a sudden thought that kind of worried me, but I managed to calm myself down by checking ahead. What did I check. In what month/year I would get to the chapters that concerned Harry's horrible nightmare and everything that happened in the Department of Mysteries.
And while I am sure some of you would thank me for this, do I also feel sure others will hate me for this. Going by my calculations, I will reach the chapter before the nightmare in March 2019. However, I will consider this the LAST chapter the group reads before they take a break. Meaning that the DOM will start in May, maybe June.
In summer, which to me is a huge relief. I HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE those chapters and doing them in the Spring/Summer months is a good thing. If I had to do them during winter, I would probably actually take this story out of the update list and only put it back after winter was over.
Yeah, I said it,

Venquine1990
PS. I hate those chapter THAT much. HATE! HATE! HATE! HATE THEM ALL! And I know I am not alone.


Chapter 37
Educational Nightmares

14th of August 1995
Tonks' House, Cardiff
Tonks' POV

The home I grew up in looks as great as ever and just as warmly. I know my mum had a decent upbringing, yet it's obvious that she tried her hardest to make sure the lively three-story townhouse resembled everything her own family home didn't. And with a guy like dad as her husband, she definitely succeeded.
Sometimes I actually wonder how a serious, uptight and respectable woman like mum can get along with a happy-go-lucky guy like dad, but if there was ever a couple that proved that opposites attract, it's definitely those two. Unfortunately, in my youth, I tried finding someone just like that and it caused me a lot of trouble.
I then softly let my hand slip over the lower part of my right side where a scar is cut into my skin, forever reminding me of this fact, but then I remember all of the mental and emotional scars that are being applied to Hermione and the others and I return to my focus at hand, walking past and opening the garden gate.

And of course I make sure to open the gate by hand as mum rushes out, wand blazing and ready to show her Black magical heritage to anyone who does so by magic and I feel the spellwork that mum applied to the fence over the last war and that she never pulled down because of Lucius Malfoy check for my magical signature.
Of course, mum also takes grandpa and grandma – dad's Muggle parents – into account and he made sure to give them rings to wear that are similar to a wizard holding a wand. If they then made sure to wear the ring while opening the fence, mum would know it was them, an agreement they happily made with her many years ago.

I then notice mum coming out of the front door and she says: "Nymphadora. I didn't expect you so soon after your letter. Is there something going on?" And I nod as I say: "There is, mum. A lot of stuff and way more than the Prophet will ever get their hands on. Though if I have to summarize it, I could only say this.
Our family needs us." And this is something that shocks mum as she knows that I know that she would never answer to that, unless it was from family I know she knows she can trust. And we both know that Sirius and his family are currently the only members of the family that we both know can be considered worthy of our trust.
"Well, they're certainly not waiting for the grass to grow." Mum then says, but I say: "Trust me, there is more than one reason why they want you to come to them this quick after announcing their return." And only then does mum seem to notice that I am not my usual bubbly self and she herself turns stern and says:
"Give me nine." Which is our family's way of saying I need to let your father/mother know and get my stuff, wait for me. I nod and turn, leaning against the front wall of the house with my left boot leaning against the wall and my arms crossed, which is a pose I usually take when I need to get things done, but need to wait on others.

And mum does indeed need nine minutes to write her letter to dad and pack her required stuff before she comes back out, her face turning even more concerned when she notices the stance I am in. And while at first she would have scolded me for putting my boot against the wall, does she now just say: "Take me there, Nymphadora."
And just because I know that, Hermione more than any of the others, the people at the arena are in need of her expertise, do I ignore how annoyed I get over her just not calling me by my preferred name. Instead I take her hand, pass the gate and then Apparate us both to just outside the boundary wall of Potter Place.
James lets us in and while mum seems amazed at the magic at play that make the outside look a lot better than it actually is, as the draught is every bit as bad as it was described in the first chapter of the book, does James lead us around the house and over to the arena. And as he does, does he notice mum's large hand bag.
He nods and says: "You came prepared. Good, you're going to need it." At which mum instantly says: "Fill me in then." And James explains her everything, both what was revealed at the Wizengamot meeting and through the Prophet and what wasn't. And of course, this includes the whole Time Travel thing and Sora, Riku and Kairi De-Aging.

"So let me get this straight. House Longbottom is now bonded to House Black, who has been bonded to House Potter for almost two decades and House Potter is now officially bonded to both House Weasley and House Flame, which is actually a man that is both from the future and from a world that is part of another universe?"

Mum asks shocked and Sirius snickers: "You were always brilliant at describing entire stories in a single nutshell, Andy. Glad to see that hasn't changed." At which mum says: "No, but you all seem to have changed a lot." And Harry looks down as he says: "Personal hardships and bad upraising can change people, Mrs. Tonks."
At which I wince as James hasn't yet told mum about the horrible crimes that Dursley senior was arrested and sentenced for and that Augusta made sure didn't become a media craze after Hermione warned Sirius and Harry and the woman looks understandably shocked, yet Mrs. Longbottom says: "I'll explain, sit down, dear."

Mum does as suggested and while the twins and Lea make sure that Harry is properly distracted, does Mrs. Longbottom fill my mum in on the last few details and does Moody give her an explanation on what is going on between Harry and Umbridge. And then we get a great shock as mum shouts: "SO THAT'S WHAT THAT IS!"
And she is looking straight at Harry as she says this. Yet the boy doesn't look shocked, he looks relieved and asks: "You can see it, can't you? The Heartstamp Spell?" Mum nods and I feel a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders, my lips turning into a large smile as she nods when Harry asks: "Can you remove it?"
And this nodding causes everyone to sigh in relief before James asks: "Can you see it on anyone else?" And mum gives us a huge shock as she says: "I do. And there are more of you than I would like. Sirius, all five of the Weasley kids, that girl over there, my own little girl, Moody, Kingsley, Albus, Arthur –."

Yet then Harry growls: "Everyone who was staying at London or even spent enough time there, they could spent private time with that blasted woman. She cursed us all. Probably whenever we were either asleep or somewhere we thought we were alone." He then looks at his dad and says: "And that explains that too."
Sirius nods, but Sora asks: "What does it explain?" And Sirius answers: "Why I can't see it. Either the victims can't see it on each other or that witch ordered me blind." To which Tonks says: "Both. The spell is only slightly visible to other victims, but only if the caster doesn't tell them don't see my wrong magic.

And even if they don't believe it to be that, they need to word it like that or the spell will still be visible." Yet then Riku rubs his nose and he hisses: "That doesn't make sense. Being around her, her daughter and even that bastard that tried to kill us made my nose itch horribly, but I couldn't smell the scent of her dark magic? Why?"
Yet here mum sighs and says: "You're probably not going to like this, kid. But in this world, Dark magic is odorless. Light magic has a scent to it. You will never be able to smell a Dark Spell, whether it is on you, heading for you or about to hit someone you care for." And Riku grimaces heavily at hearing this.
"So it was their horrible stench, the smell of their Darkness, that I smelled, not the scent of the magic they cast. That explained why I wasn't able to smell that guy out. He barely used any magic while around us, only dark magic that he probably told his colleagues was light and meant to cover them up for their task ahead."
And while Albus grimaces at the reminder that he had spies inside Potter Place earlier on, does mum nod before Sora sighs and says: "This is getting as dreadful as the book itself. Can we please leave the dread to the book? And on that note, can we please read on?" At which the twins happily chuck the book at mum.
The woman nimbly catches it and sends them a stern look, but they say: "Sora's right. Harry feels sad enough just by the book's contents. Read on, please. It's your turn." Yet then I shake my head as they spoke that so perfectly one after the other, it sounded as if they were chorusing. Mum seems unbothered and just opens the book.

Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four

At this mum looks up and Dumbledore says: "I'm afraid that, in the book, the problems between Cornelius and myself are running quite out of hand." And just by looking at mum, do I know what she's thinking: "At the cost of the students? Not on my watch." And with her tone proving her determination, does she read.

Harry felt … the lake.

"That's good to hear. You do have a long line of strong and smart witches and wizards to live up to, but if you can't enjoy living up to their legacy, it really shouldn't be worth the effort you put in it." Mum says and Harry looks intrigued as he says: "I never thought of it like that, thanks." Mum nods at him and then reads on.

Hermione, who … and scarves.

"Is there a reason behind that?" Mum asks and Hermione answers: "I want to bring proper rights to the House Elves. I thought making those things would help give them the freedom they deserved." Yet mum seems confused about this and she asks: "You do realize you're just another student, right? Another face in the crowd?"
Yet Hermione seems to take this offensively, that is until Sirius says: "What she means is, as just another person that comes into Hogwarts one day and, in the eyes of the House Elves, leaves it the next, you have no power over them. You were basically just wasting your time." The girl grimaces at this and mum reads on.

Knowing they … favorite classes.

"I still feel as if there is so much I am missing out on. Who exactly is this Cho person?" Mum asks and Harry answers: "Someone who can count on me to help her past her grief, but won't have any other effect on me anymore, regardless of how much she enchants her looks." And while this shocks and intrigues mum, does she read on.

He and … more students.

Yet here Belle looks up shocked and asks: "Can you – can you read that again? That last line?" And when mum does, does the brunette gasp before she starts laughing, confusing us all. "She just shot herself in the foot. We have something we can use to make sure she never puts out Educational Decrees, definitely not like these.
We even have evidence that she can't do so, in more than one form.""Eh, what are you talking about?" Hermione asks and Belle smiles as she asks: "Tell me this one. What do you, Harry and Ron have in common with Sora, Riku and Kairi?" And instantly mum is onto her and turns back to the book, yet doesn't read out loud.
She seems to take another look at the sentence she just read and whispers: "group … regular meeting of three or more students." She then looks up and says: "That would indicate any group of friends that have either one boy and two girls or vice versa. It would include them whenever they would want to meet together for breakfast or something.
That decree –." And Belle nods, smiling widely as she says: "Is incapable of being followed through, because there are too many groups that are like that. It would make her be swarmed on a daily basis with people who would want to meet for breakfast, but didn't feel sure of that, because of the decree being in place.

It would drive her up – the – wall." And by now everyone is looking at the brunette in awe and amazement and Mrs. Longbottom asks: "Andy, can you copy that bit of text for me. I would like to have that on me, in case Dolores tries anything. I kept her from taking either of her planned rolls, so I doubt she's happy with me."
And mum, who I know has a deep resentment for the woman due to their past and how Umbridge tried things with her before my birth that mum always called unspeakable and unethical, happily does as asked while Hermione says: "I'll make sure to have the evidence against it written down." At which the other lady smiles as mum reads on.

Permission to … High Inquisitor

I then notice Harry, Ron and Hermione share a look and Harry says: "I think we all know that, if it wasn't for the club, we would have come up with this fact ourselves.""And probably used it against her, just to punish her for those horrible detentions." Ron smirks and Hermione nods in delighted agreement as mum reads on.

Harry and … told Umbridge…"

"Not quite, kid. There are two other options." Alastor says and we all look at him as he says: "Either Umbridge noticed Granger here talking with people she normally never does – or Flitwick discussed with Minerva what Granger asked him and didn't notice that Umbridge was there. Both are viable options as well, you know."
At this Harry nods and Hermione says: "It must be the former. The fact that I thought I could talk about the club in the Great Hall of all places proves that. I made a really big mistake doing that." At this Sirius takes pity on her and says: "Give me a quick minute, everyone." And he leaves back inside the house.
A little while later he comes back, a heavy looking tome under his arm and he hands it to her as he says: "Here, Lily read this right as she started her little act to keep the bond between Jamie and me a secret." And Lily mutters: "Privacy; a Pureblood guide to secrecy and stealth." Before smiling at Sirius as mum reads on.

And he … look, too –"

"I know I am just saying that because I found out he was dating Ginny, but on the other hand anyone who wants to date her has to have some shifty kind of character." Ron mutters, but then Harry says: "Unless he was tricked the way Ginny was tricking us all. She could have had ulterior motives." Ron nods at this and mum reads on.

"I wonder … than girls.

"You know, I can see where the Founders were coming from, especially if you take my and Jamie's personas into account, but I also agree with Ron. If nothing else, there should be a charm on the front door of the boy's dorm that should make the girl wanting to come in knock and announce who she wants to see before letting her in."
"And why should that be the case?" Hermione asks affronted, but Sirius says: "Because of various reasons. One, it can give girls with great personal pride an ego. Two it can cause awkward situations between friends if a guy dating a girl wants to have private time just because she came in when he is having fun with his friend.
And I can think of a few others, but I think the main reason is this; it gives both genders equal rights to privacy. And I do believe you are currently all about equal rights, aren't you?" And by now Hermione looks obviously convinced and Bill says: "If the Heads agree, I will happily install this charm." Making mum read on with pride.

Anyway, why … the houses?"

"I approve." Alastor smirks, but Sirius grimaces and says: "I don't. I would normally, but there is one aspect of all this that you're not taking into account here, Alastor. The fact that, even now, not everyone in that group came fully willingly. This could actually push them to never trust Hermione – or in retrospect Harry – again.
It could have consequences in the need to have people see the truth." At this the Auror grimace and he says: "Damnit Black, you're right. Not to mention, if any of those kids harbor grudges, they could pretend not to care, only to spy on that group and then spill everything they found out. That's a risk Granger shouldn't have taken."
"I think it all comes down to the fact that, either the potions are just messing with Hermione's mind – which considering her ability with Secrecy, this definitely proves to be true – or she got a severe set-back in her secrecy skills, due to her emotions getting the better of her." Harry mutters and Hermione nods as mum says:
"I think it's the Heartstamp spell at work. Every time you guys talk about what Hermione dear did wrong in this situation, I can see it light up and grow in strength." Yet this terrifies the girl and she asks: "Wait, that spell is – getting stronger?" Mum nods and says: "I'll take it off later, after the chapter." Hermione nods and mum reads on.

It was … perfectly desperate.

Instantly everyone realizes why and to all of our relief, Harry's most of all obviously, Mrs. Longbottom says: "Ugh, absolutely not. That, if nothing else, is another reason I will not let that decree go through. I will not – why didn't I realize this the minute they mentioned the Gobstone clubs. Ugh, I won't let that happen."
Everyone smiles at her, but then mum says: "You do realize you will probably have to take on both Umbridge as well as my brother in law, right?" But Mrs. Longbottom asks: "You think I can't handle them?" To which mum smirks and says: "Never said that, just wanted to be sure you knew." And the two women smirk as mum reads on.

"It's okay … behave myself…"

Yet the twins shake their heads at this and one of them says: "The fact that she is already blaming Harry if she doesn't get that permission." And the other goes on: "It's just wrong." And they chorus: "Of her and of Umbridge if she, indeed, sinks that low." And everyone nods at this, the twins looking disappointed as mum reads on.

"Bet Umbridge … other, too.

And Alastor seems to already know what is going on as he glares and says: "That – is a complete and utter breach of so many ancient laws, it can shut down the entire Ministry. Fudge and that witch are taking this way too far." And the fact that the man is speaking of laws he usually hates worries me as mum continues reading.

"Oh, I've … odd angle.

And Alastor nods, proving he saw this coming earlier on before he turns to Kingsley, who says: "Intercepting letters, animal abuse, abusing rights of privacy. Combine that all with the fact that Harry is supposed to be the last of his line – yep, the Ministry can shut their doors for a long time if –." But then Sirius growls:
"They won't." Shocking everyone before mum sighs as she says: "He's right and there are two factors in play that prove that. One is the Heartstamp Spell that Umbridge probably has some control over. The other is the lack of ancient heritage lessons that are taught at Hogwarts, or even inside all of Magical England.
Harry, at least in the book, doesn't know that him being the last of his line can have consequences for others. Others are walking over those rights too much for him to know those consequences even exist. Combine that with the united evil of Umbridge and Molly –." Everyone nods here and turns gloomy as mum sighs and reads on.

"She's hurt … Grimmauld Place'.

"You sent her off again?" Hermione asks shocked, yet Sirius looks at her sternly. That is, until mum says: "I might need to break in my chapter. That spell seems to be growing in power the more I read." And instantly Sirius' stern look turns worried, but Hermione shakes her head and says: "I got it, read on." And mum hesitantly complies.

Professor Grubbly-Plank … won't you?"

"And the fact that you just accept that without taking into account the fact that this breaks a good hundred rights of privacy, considering how many students there are, just doesn't make things any better." Kingsley growls and mum says: "I think you might want to call in a meeting sometime soon." Shocking us all.
"Sorry Andy, but the Order doesn't meet here and I am not going back to where they do." Sirius then says, but mum shakes her head and says: "I don't need you to. I just want to see if any other members are also affected by that Heartstamp spell. Cover as many bases as I can." At this Sirius nods and smiles at her as she reads on.

"I –" said … intercepted, too!"

And this instantly turns Sirius' mood sour before he says: "That means – this chapter is going to be the last one I will be in for a long time, at least until Christmas, maybe even longer if things take a turn for the worst." Yet to this Luna says: "They will, but they will force a joined Christmas, not a separate one." And we all look at her.
"She's reading the wind again." Harry gasps as he sees her looking up, but then Hermione says: "But how is that possible? This in the books, not the actual future." But Sirius shakes his head and says: "Remember, the future is still only 35% changed. Too much is still the same." Making Hermione grimace as mum reads on.

They trudged … he wants."

"Yeah, he's just proving he knows he's a bad player." Luna suddenly says and this makes everyone who goes to school with the boy look at her shocked as she says: "Well, he does. He's constantly so busy trying to get you in trouble and trying to get you off your game, he knows he's nowhere near your level of skill."
This shocks the teens, but then Ron bursts out laughing and says: "Luna, you – never change. Just – just never – never change. You are brilliant – just the way you are. Oh, I am going to enjoy realizing that every time Malfoy tries dumb stuff like this." And while the girl seems to feel really flattered, does mum continue reading.

"I mean … by magic."

Yet the cold, furious tone that my mum uses to finish off proves just how she feels about this and Mrs. Longbottom, Sirius, James and other adults look equally furious. Yet Harry, for reasons I don't get, looks just as furious, only for mum to turn to Sirius and hiss: "You, me, Narcissa, tonight." To which Sirius nods and asks:
"Your place or mine?" Yet mum sighs and says: "I'm sorry, Sirius. But there is only one place we can meet her at." To this Sirius sighs, apparently agreeing with her and then he turns to Mrs. Longbottom and asks: "Permission to take your grandson with me, Augusta? Considering his natural affinity to repel Dark magic?"
And while the woman is obviously hesitant, does she nod and Riku smiles at them both as he asks: "London?" And the two nod before mum turns to Sirius and says: "I'll make sure to meet her separately during the meeting." And while Kingsley seems against the idea and while I can get why, does mum furiously read on.

Malfoy made … you apart."

And while Neville seems to have missed the entire exchange between Sirius, my mum, his gran and Kingsley, does Lea then put a hand on his shoulder and the boy turns to him as he says: "Don't worry. Even and I will teach you how to get even with that little prat." And this seems to be what Neville needs to calm down as mum reads on.

Neville said … Harry knew.

Yet at this mum looks up and says: "Young lady, over here, now." And she is actually looking at Hermione, who until now, was growing to look hurt and betrayed. The girl looks shocked and walks over. Mum puts her hand on the girl's head in such a way her thumb is at the center of the girl's forehead and starts to chant.
For a few short seconds mum mutters in a language I have never heard her use and both her and Hermione's eyes actually start to become brighter in their color before mum stops and says: "That should keep the spell at bay for now. I will get rid of the rest later. You can sit down again, dear." And Hermione does so as mum reads on.

Harry, Ron … the other.

Yet the same doesn't seem to be the case in here as the entire teenage group, even Sora, Riku and Kairi, all shout: "SNAPE!" And Harry even goes on and says: "By a landslide." Making the rest of us laugh as I'm sure that, if not for these books, Harry would have never said that. And with the growing tension broken, does mum read on.

"We are … the syllabus."

"That's a joke, right?" Mum asks shocked and she quickly copies the text before she says: "A Strengthening Solution is one of four potions any potential Healer is supposed to be able to make, some even blind, if they want any kind of chance at a job at St. Mungos, regardless of the floor or even the position they desire."
And Mrs. Longbottom seems to get why this made mum copy the text as she says: "And that is a worldwide requirement, meaning the Ministry will get the ICW and the MACUSA on their neck if they even mention that desire." And the two smirk at each other as mum hands Mrs. Longbottom the text and reads on.

Snape straightened … – er – backgrounds."

"Now that is just utter bull and she knows it. The entire Magical world knows that Snape was a turned Death Eater. This is just her baiting him." Mum growls and James snarls: "And the fact that it happens in the same class as my son probably has nothing to do with it." Yet it's obvious he is being sarcastic as mum continues reading.

She turned … else today!"

"And yet students have the right to skip elective classes, especially if it comes to their health getting in the way of vital classes and homework, which in Harry's case is indeed what is happening." Sirius tells the girl, who asks: "How do you know that?" And Sirius gives her the one answer that she obviously never expected.
"It's in Hogwarts, a History." And this makes both Harry and Ron look at him quite comically before Hermione shrieks: "No, it's not! I read that text cover to cover every month!""And do you check it for secrecy spells too?" Sirius asks, smirking at her and silencing her before she can get into a rant as instead she stutters:

"For – for – for what?""Secrecy spells. They're on practically every page and hide so much text. Why do you think the book looks so much fuller when closed?" The girl looks horrified and flabbergasted and then a House Elf appears, a copy of the argued text in his hands. "Thank you, Dwibbles." Sirius says, taking the book.
He opens it at a random page and then states: "Reveal your secrets." Which actually makes Harry chortle for reasons only he seems to get, yet Hermione ignores this as her shocked and wide eyes are on how new text is starting to appear onto the page, the already existing text shrinking in size to make room for the new text.
"You really didn't know. Wow Hermione, that actually disappoints me." Sirius says, but the girl mumbles: "But – but – but how – how could I have known?" And Sirius closes the book, turns to the back of it and reads: "Read this novel and uncover the many secrets of Hogwarts, if you can. Sorry dear, but it's right there."
And this seems to absolutely break the girl at which Sirius hands her the book and mutters: "Just go. Go and set your world right again. And Ariel, go with her, please." At which the redhead nods and she gently takes the flabbergasted younger brunette with her, both of them vanishing into the house before mum continues reading.

There was … shall not!"

And just like last time when it was mentioned, do Sirius, James and Dumbledore all turn angry and betrayed and James growls: "I will never forgive her. If I ever see her again. She will regret what she did. A Potter might forgive, but he never forgets. She will pay." And Sirius nods in agreement, yet something greatly shocks me.
Albus, who has always been one to try and keep people on the side of the Light, who always tried to vouch for others and would always try to see the best in others, regardless of popular opinion, is not saying a word to convince James otherwise or chiding Sirius for agreeing with him. I feel shocked at this as mum reads on.

"But, Professor … our fate."

"It's not. It's your fate. And deep, deep, deep down, you know you deserve it. It – and so, so much more. Potters might forgive, but you, I will never ever forget what you caused." James growls and to this Harry finally asks: "Mum, please just tell us. What did she do?" And yet the man seems too lost in his anger to hear him.
Yet it's Hercules who, after sharing a few looks with Albus, answers: "To summarize all that she did, Harry, I only need say one thing. She – and Figgy – are the main cause of everything that ever happened to you. From your aunt dying to everything after that. Them working together caused all that to happen."
Harry looks shocked at this and then tears up before he turns to Dumbledore and actually begs: "Please." And while he doesn't say anything else as Beast goes to sit with him and takes the broken boy in his lap, letting him hide away in his wild fur and wraps his cloak around him, does Albus nod and say:
"I will ensure that she has left before the school year starts. I will ensure that Divinations becomes everything she is not. And you will never hear of the class or be needed to follow it again, my boy. I will take it off your schedule." At which Harry lets out a grateful whimper as he cries in Beast's fur and mum reads on.

She gulped … on probation."

"Trust me, she's not alone." And to the shock of everyone is it actually Luna who says this and when she sees our shock, does she snap: "I don't support killers." Making us cringe and mutter apologies at her. And before the first words are even uttered, does the girl go back to smiling at us dreamily and mum reads on, shaking her head.

Umbridge entered … their breaths.

And just from this does mum look up and say: "Please, for all that is sacred to the art of teaching, tell me you got something to keep – this – from happening." And the fact that she doesn't call the woman by her name or describe the situation proves how disgusted she is even more than the tone of her voice alone does.
And Mrs. Longbottom happily tells her: "Don't worry, I have already agreed to take her supposed position at the school and taken on her other role as well. I even knocked her down a few pegs when she tried to fight me over it." And mum proves her Black heritage with her grin alone as she says: "Good." Before she reads on.

"No Quidditch … bright side –

"Hold on a second, Mrs. Tonks." One of the twins then suddenly says and the other goes on: "Permission, sir?" And the Beast looks at his wand with a raised eyebrow before nodding. The twin then casts a spell and says: "Silencing charm. We think this is going to be the Potions talking." Mum and the Beast nod and mum reads on.

at least … Snape's essay!"

"Called it!" The twins chorus and the Beast seems to check on the effectiveness of the spell. He seems to be holding a quiet conversation with Harry, yet the spell really does work as I can see his lips move, but can't hear a word he says. This makes me look at the twins and they say: "Practiced it for our Extendable Ears."
At which I nod and I notice Moody casting a few spells by trying to tap a strange rhythm to the ground with his cane, yet it doesn't seem to work and he whistles as he says: "Damn lads, I don't think even Albus ever managed to circumvent my spells like that." And while he doesn't say it, is the compliment obvious as my mum reads on.

"That's a … they are."

"Which, if she wasn't under the influence of those Potions and the Heartstamp spell, probably would have meant that she would finally start to see the twins for who they really are. It would've probably inspired her to look deeper than just their surface front." Sora says and Ron nods, while Harry remains hidden as mum reads on.

She, Harry … their stuff."

"Wait, that doesn't make sense. We found out chapters ago that Harry was actually onto them." Sora says and Ron looks shocked and others confused as Kairi says: "I can only imagine that he tried raising his voice and tried to inspire them to come clean. Though with their mum still around –." Sora nods and mum reads on.

"Oh, they … Galleons already."

"And you only started selling that same year? That's bloody impressive!" James whistles before he turns to Sirius and asks: "Remember Roger from the year below us? He tried having that little store inside Hogwarts, right? How long did he take to get that amount?" And Sirius seems to think really hard before he says:
"Pretty sure he never actually got there. Scrivenshaft's Quill shop, I do believe, came down on him because he was actually selling their quills for double the price and not willing to split the profit he was making. Though he did get close, if I remember things right." And James nods to prove he is before mum reads on.

It was … he said.

At this the man in question turns to the Beast, but the huge being shakes his head. "He'll want to hear this. This will be the last time I will meet him in the book for many chapters." But then Beast smiles and slightly opens his cloak, allowing us to see that Harry has actually fallen asleep in his arm before he closes it again.
"The emotions of hearing about that woman, together with the knowledge she has been his teacher for two years – and something else he wouldn't tell me – were too much for him. I rocked him to sleep. He needs it." Beast softly growls and we all nod, Sirius, James and Sora sending the being a grateful smile as mum reads on.

Harry whipped … short pause.

"There is no way either of us would report that to anyone." The twins instantly chorus, but Moody says: "That doesn't mean the same doesn't count for your ex-sister. Or that one of those other patrons wasn't a London member in disguise. Besides, none of us even suspected you, anyway." And the twins smile as mum reads on.

"How did … the veil."

"That sounds so humiliating." Belle says shocked, but Sirius growls and says: "That no good bastard endangered my godson for some stolen cauldrons. That's weak compared to what I want to do to him." And Belle seems shocked, but then nods in understanding, yet mum sends me a very telling look before she goes back to reading.

"That was … Harry angrily.

"And apparently still not being offered any counseling or outside help. Which reminds me." Sirius says and he turns to Albus as he says: "If you get any – and I mean any - reason to have Harry followed like that, they will be my owls. No discussion, Albus. And you will discuss this desire with James and me before doing so.
Hogwarts may be your domain, but Harry is and stays our son." And Albus nods at this, while Beast happily wraps his cloak a little closer around the now obviously sleeping bundle in his arm, smiling in pride and agreement at the father. Belle is also sitting by his side and Simba has gone to lie at the being's feet as mum reads on.

"Yeah, you … seen him."

"Yeah, and if he did show himself, it would have compromised all of the Order as no one is supposed to know that you are in contact with us, laddie." Alastor tells the boy, who sighs and says: "Good point. I didn't think that one through.""Do so from now on." Alastor tells him, yet doesn't look angry and mum just reads on.

"He was … duty tonight."

Yet by now the whole arena is just swirling with anger and concern and Remus is the one wording what most of us are thinking. "And considering how angry you showed to be just days ago when confronting her, does it really prove how badly she has gotten you under her control that you are doing this so willingly."
At this mum looks at Sirius in concern, but then sighs and says: "That – really isn't surprising." And everyone looks at her as she says: "It's not really a wide-known fact, but – when the Heartstamp spell was first invented – the Blacks invented it to escape the pain that certain wars were causing them. It was a way to escape horrors."
This shocks the whole group and James looks horrified as he says: "And with my poor Siri hating his state of being a wanted murderer, not to mention his housing situation, he will gleefully – willingly even – give into the full effects of that spell. Molly has him completely at her whim and call. She played him like a fiddle."
At this Sirius pulls James close and whispered: "Book-me, Jamie-love. She played book-me like a fiddle. I am not her puppet, she has no control over me and her spell is probably weakening now that I am in the one place I love above all." And to all of our relief, does mum nod to confirm this, all of us sighing in relief as she reads on.

"On duty … excellent idea!"

"And considering how much you are actually against the idea and the great facts that proved why you should be against it really prove the hold that spell has over you all the more. Sirius, I – I am so sorry." Hermione then tells us, shocking us as none of us heard her coming, yet Sirius shakes his head at her as she sits down and says:
"You are not to blame here. You are just as much a victim of her madness as I am. We are being played against each other and I am not going to take anything book-you says about book-me personally. I know you don't believe what book-you does and that's what matters." Hermione smiles at this and mum reads on.

"You do … good idea!"

"Not to mention there is apparently someone trying to destroy us from the inside at the same time. Honestly, if she wasn't so set in her ways, I would truly have called her another Tailrunner." Sirius mumbles, but then James says: "She doesn't want London destroyed, just – my loved ones." And Sirius hugs him close as mum reads on.

"And if … back to –"

And just the way that mum breaks up her read sentence like that says everything and makes Sirius pull James close for reasons other than to comfort him from his previous statement. "That actually took longer than expected." Alastor grumbles, but his lame joke falls on deaf ears as everyone is much too worried as mum reads on.

He broke … seize it.

"That woman is just begging to be arrested." Kingsley grumbles before he asks: "Speaking of which, when are we going to hear about this evidence you mentioned earlier, Luna?" And the girl looks confused for a minute before she says: "Oh, I'm sorry, but tragedy loves company." And those words utterly horrify us all.


Luna, why?
Well, to be honest, this chapter was actually quite fun to write. There were a lot of points where the readers could come up with solutions to solve the problems they read about and their criticism of each other was a lot more constructive. To be honest, this chapter went much better than I anticipated at the start.
Next chapter: Harry wakes and everyone feels a little better as they hear the title of the next chapter. Yet Andromeda is a Healer at Heart and demands a chance to, at least, lessen the effects of the Heartstamp Spell before anything else. She and Dumbledore also discuss the Narcissa and London issue before the reading commences.
Have fun,

Venquine1990
PS. Would anyone be interested if I turned that whole Decree thing into a Venquine's Mind Preview? I actually came up with a great little story plan for it after finishing this chapter.