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Disclaimer: I own nothing.

(A/N: Hi! No, I'm not dead. I'm just an idiot for not publishing. Chapters will start to get longer soon, and get ready for some bombshells to come... hehe...)

Kingsley let us in quietly with a grim face. I smiled softly and Ron nodded to acknowledge him. Seamus entered the temporary Minister's office soon after.

The tall man cleared his throat and spoke in his deep, booming voice. "As you know, Mr. Longbottom was not able to join us full time, due to his acceptance of the teaching position. Thus, I have hired some other talent to assist us."

A dark haired man with a blue streak in his hair appeared in the doorway, knocking softly. Seamus, being closest to the door, opened it to allow him inside. He shook Kingsley's hand and turned to face us. "Gareth Grillan," he said in greeting. His accent seemed American, slightly British.

" Hey," Ron mumbled. We stood awkwardly in silence.

"Hem-hem," spoke Seamus, making Ron, Kingsley and I jump with his on pint Umbridge impression. "What the bloody hell are we doing standing here? Lets get started!"

"I believe Mr Finnivan is correct," continued the Minister. "Now then, to your excitement, or dismay, you will be heading back to Hogwarts." Grillan smiled in response. "Unfortunately, this is for quite a tragic reason. A child has been kidnapped from his home." His smile immediately vanished.

Images of abuse from the Dursleys crept into my mind; lost birthdays and bearing in punishment of ruining their "dear Dudders'" third plate of streaky bacon.

"Thjs is why Mr. Longbottom is not able to join us full time. When he gets breaks from lessons, he will be able to assist you in the case if necessary. Mr Grillan here is a master of Potions, and graduated from Ilvermorny in America. He has been living in Britain for the last two years."

"Nk wonder he has that weird accent," Ron whispered.

"Either I have expert hearing, or you're really bad at whispering," Gareth replied as Seamus and I snickered. "Im leaning towards the latter, however."

Leading his throat again to signal silence, Kingsley continued. "Ms. Hermuone Granger and Abigail Fexler will be able to assist you, as we." Ron's mood significantly brightened. " I have copies of the files for any students and staff involved in the case. Seeing as today was the start of term, take tomorrow to familiarize yourself with the documents. I will meet you here at six-oh-clock tomorrow evening, to Apparate with you to Hogsmeade."

A young woman's head popped in the doordrame. "Sir? The conference with the Muggle Prime Minister..."

"Ah, yes. Well gentlemen, read these files thoroughly. I expect to see you back in my office soon. Goodnight. And please let yourselves out," he added on his way out of the door.

Seamus was the first one to make his way to the door. "Got to go. Se you rocks later," he joked.

"Oi!" Ron yelled. Seamus vaguely waved behind him. "Bloody got," he whispered.

Grillan stuck his hand out to me as Ron continued muttering vehemently. "I believe we never met properly. Gareth Grillan, at your service. I presume you are Harry Potter?" he asked, not bothering to investigate my forehead, where the faded, barely visible scar lay.

"At your service."

He laughed.l, opening the file folder. He frowned as he came across the second page. "Dennis Creevy... poor child."

I blanched. "What did you say?"

Ron looked over confused. "What?"

Gareth explained as I stared at a curve on Kingsley's desk. "The child kidnapped was Dennis Creevy."

Ron rubbed his temples. "First he loses his brother... As if this couldn't get worse."

Suddenly, the door opened, and a small paper airplane flew through. Harry James Potter, report to my office immediately.

-Dolores Jane Umbridge