ʻA telephone cabin? The visitorsʼ entrance to the Ministry of Magic is an old telephone cabin?ʼ
ʻDonʼt fuss, Letty, get in,ʼ said Serena, pushing Colin and Dennis into the cabin.
ʻHow can you be so calm?ʼ moaned Letitia, rearranging her blue robes for about the millionth time since the morning. ʻWe might all spend the evening at Azkaban.ʼ
ʻDonʼt be silly,ʼ chanted Serena. ʻThey donʼt want a crisis with Italy. Youʼre as safe as the Oakshaft.ʼ
ʻWhat about you?ʼ said Letitia, as depressed as before but stepping into the telephone cabin as well. ʻOr the boys? Do you have any sensibility for how dangerous this whole affair is?ʼ
ʻWe can start to worry when we have a reason to,ʼ sang Serena. ʻNow dial us down. Something like nine - two - something. Ah, that code is Blurting me, do you remember it?ʼ
With a sigh and a deep crease on her forehead, Letitia reached over Dennis for the receiver. ʻSix... two... four... four... two,ʼ she muttered as she dialled.
As soon as she finished and the dial returned into place, a cool female voice filled the cabin. Colin looked around, but there was no source visible.
ʻWelcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.ʼ
ʻColin and Dennis Creevey,ʼ twittered Serena immediately. ʻThey are to attend an interview by the Muggle-born Registration Commission. Their mother, Letitia Corvini, and Serena Dennyston accompany them.ʼ
ʻThank you,ʼ said the voice. ʻVisitors, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes.ʼ
From the metal chute slid four square silver badges. Dennis took them and handed them around to the other three. Colin looked down at his. It read Colin Creevey, Interview at Muggle-born Registration Commission. He gulped but pinned the badge to his new robes.
ʻVisitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium.ʼ
ʻAnd we didnʼt take their wands with them,ʼ whimpered Letitia as the floor of the telephone box set in motion, and they started to travel slowly down into the ground.
ʻWhich is very clever of us,ʼ said Serena contently. ʻSo they canʼt confiscate them.ʼ
ʻBut if this is what they want-ʼ
ʻNever mind what they want,ʼ said Serena dismissively. ʻYouʼre their mother, theyʼre underage. So you decided it is wiser to do not let them near their wands during holidays. Thatʼs your right, isnʼt it.ʼ
Letitia made a sobbing sound. Colin took her hand, and she pulled him into an embrace. Her anguished face somehow calmed Colin more than Serenaʼs demonstrative relaxation. Leaning against her and closing his eyes, he could almost imagine himself in safety.
Then, the darkness was interrupted by a quickly mounting stream of dimmed light at their feet until the cabin touched ground again.
ʻThe Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day.ʼ
ʻPleasant?ʼ groaned Letitia. ʻThatʼs the worst sarcasm I ever came across.ʼ
ʻPoliteness, sis, thatʼs politeness,ʼ said Serena, pushing her and Colin out of the cabin, before she danced after them, holding Dennisʼ hand. ʻWhereʼs that Cobbing security desk?ʼ
Letitia took Colinʼs hand, who hastily gripped Dennisʼs free one too, and they proceeded down the Atrium together. The large room was full of people, and they got tossed around, but Colin kept on to both hands as if to dear life as they approached a large, black statue. It represented a witch and a wizard, sitting on thrones and looking down majestically. Colin had to stifle a gasp when he saw their merciless faces, and he needed all his courage not to just run back.
ʻMagic is might,ʼ muttered Letitia.
ʻMighty funny,ʼ said Serena cheerfully. ʻWhat makes you say so?ʼ
ʻThatʼs written here,ʼ whispered Letitia, horrified, pointing at the base of the statue. Colin looked a bit closer and had to gulp again. The thrones represented a mass of ugly, naked people, intertwined to form the thrones of the witch and wizards.
ʻWe can go sight-seeing later,ʼ chirped Serena, but Colin thought her grin had become a bit strained too at the sight of the statue. Letitiaʼs shoes clacked loudly on the dark wooden floor, and Colin noticed for the first time that she wore shoes with so impossibly high heels that she was over a head taller than the rest of their little group. Nevertheless, she managed to make her way with firm steps, and Colin let her lead them to the left where there stood a desk that a sign over it marked as Security.
ʻGood morning,ʼ said Serena in her usual merry voice when they stood before the wizard sitting at the desk.
ʻStep over here, one after the other,ʼ said the man in a strained voice, his expression wary.
Letitia let go of Colin and stepped up to the man who moved the same sort of golden rod up and down Letitia that the wizards before Gringotts had used. When the wizard had finished with Letitia, Colin took her place, followed by Dennis and Serena.
ʻYour wands,ʼ the wizard grunted as if he felt deep aversion against his order.
Letitia handed hers over. The wizard put it on something resembling an old wage with just one dish. The instrument started to vibrate and a strip of parchment appeared out of a slit in the base. The wizard took it.
ʻNine and a half inches, unicorn hair core, been in use twenty-four years. That correct?ʼ
ʻI think so,ʼ said Letitia with a nervous smile.
The wizard eyed her badge. ʻYou get the wand back,ʼ he said slowly, ʻand I keep this.ʼ He indicated the parchment.
ʻLovely,ʼ said Serena, her wand already outstretched for the wizard to take.
ʻTen and a quarter inches, dragon heartstring core, been in use thirteen years?ʼ
ʻLucky Iʼm not superstitious,ʼ said Serena with a grin, holding out her hand. As soon as she had it back, she made to usher them all away.
ʻI need the boysʼ wands too,ʼ called the man with a slightly desperate tone. ʻAnd I need to keep them.ʼ
Colin saw Serena and Letitia exchanging a nervous glance. Letitia stepped forward again.
ʻIʼm extremely sorry, but we left their wands at home. Theyʼre not of age you see. And with teenagers carrying wands when theyʼre not allowed to use them... I just deemed it better that my sons arenʼt tempted while on holiday. Should I - should I go back and get them?ʼ
The man hesitated, looking extremely nervous. ʻNo madam,ʼ he finally said. ʻBest you explain this before the Commission. Then you can always go and get them.ʼ
ʻWonderful!ʼ exclaimed Serena, already walking away backwards and taking Colinʼs and Dennisʼs hands.
ʻWe must go one level down,ʼ said Letitia in a small voice right after they had made their way through golden gates into a smaller hall with about twenty lifts behind golden grilles. ʻHave you ever been down there?ʼ
ʻWhat in the name of Plumptonʼs Snitch would I be doing in the underground courtrooms?ʼ
Colin looked around cautiously, and he remarked a small group of people standing before one of the golden grilles. They all had the same frightened look that was quite equivalent to Colinʼs own feelings. Furthermore, the rest of the crowd seemed to avoid them, and as they walked nearer, Colin saw that many of them wore silver badges like he did.
Just then the grilles slid open and the frightened crowd went in. Serena marched after them, drawing Dennis with her. Colin and Letitia hastily followed.
No one talked as the lift full of people descended downwards. Colin had the feeling that he could smell the othersʼ fear, and he was glad that he had not been able to eat breakfast in the morning. He felt like vomiting anyway.
ʻDepartment of Mysteries,ʼ said the cool voice that had already spoken in the telephone cabin, and the grilles slid open.
They all streamed out of the lift, forming a compact little group that neither dared to move back nor to proceed. Colin saw a black door ahead of them.
ʻWell, letʼs get this done then,ʼ murmured Serena, her face suddenly concentrated, stepping away from the others while she still held Dennisʼs hand. Colin looked up at Letitia. She smiled weakly.
ʻLetʼs go.ʼ
They walked a few steps forward before they turned left down some stairs. As they took step for step, there appeared a fog that went right through Colin. He felt his insides freeze, and all his worries and fears attacked him with more force than ever before. He looked up at Letitia. All the blood had drained from her face, but she kept on walking down with an emotionless expression. Colin turned to check on his brother and Serena. Dennis looked exactly like Colin felt, but more shocking was to see Serena. She had slowed down and seemed to have to rely on Dennis to walk on. Colin looked quickly ahead again, dreading to reach the bottom of the stairs.
But they did reach the dreaded bottom of the stairs, entering into a sinister corridor made from bare stone walls with torches fixed to them. Far more horrible was the sight of numerous tall, black, hooded figures. Colin could feel his energy failing him with every ragged breath the Dementors inhaled.
On hard, wooden benches, there sat already several people, many hiding their faces. Nobody took any notice of the newcomers as Letitia sat down with Colin, Serena and Dennis imitating them.
They huddled together, Colin immensely glad for Letitiaʼs arm around him. His fake mother sat very upright, still not moving a muscle in her face, thereby managing to look unconcerned. Serena hid her face, and Dennis embraced her, burying his face between her shoulder blades.
All of a sudden, the heavy door before them opened. Two Dementors appeared, leading a woman away. Her expression was full of the utmost horror, but she walked on beside the Dementors with dignity. Colin stared after her with wide eyes even when she was no longer visible, the Dementors having led her not upstairs but through some narrow door further down the hallway. Colinʼs eyes stung in the cold air, and he felt like crying, but no tears came.
ʻNext - Max Sandys,ʼ a voice sounded out of the courtroom, magically magnified. A shiver of fear ran down Colinʼs spine, making him feel worse than before although he would have thought this impossible a moment ago. He closed his eyes and leant against Letitia, trying to think of her as his mother, first to prepare for the interview, second to console himself.
Probably after half an hour the man left the dungeon again between two Dementors, sobbing desperately, and a woman had to enter next.
Letitia started to nervously flatten her robes. Then she produced a brush out of her robes and yanked it through her curls. The next moment, she had replaced the brush with a comb and tried varying partings on Colinʼs head. He patiently endured it, at least able to distract himself, when the woman left the dungeon screaming, and the next victim entered.
Serena whimpered.
ʻFor Merlinʼs sake, Serena!ʼ snapped Letitia so suddenly that Colin jumped, hitting his head against the combʼs teeth. ʻYou said yourself everything will be fine. Conjure a Patronus if youʼre having problems.ʼ
Serena slowly raised her head from her hands (Colin noticed that the skulls on her fingers had turned, showing only the back of their heads). ʻA Patronus?ʼ she whispered hoarsely. ʻHow could anybody conjure a Patronus here?ʼ
Letitia clacked her tongue angrily and continued combing Colin more forcefully.
ʻCan I lend your comb?ʼ asked Serena feebly.
Letitia threw it to her, now starting to tug on Colinʼs robes. Meanwhile Serena began to brush Dennisʼ hair.
When the door to the courtroom opened again, the woman the Dementors dragged out seemed to have fainted. But Colin had no time pitying her for the creepy voice called out again.
ʻNext - Colin Creevey.ʼ
ʻCome on,ʼ muttered Letitia, getting to her feet and managing a smile.
Colin took her hand and walked as calmly as he could beside Letitia to the door. Just as they reached the doorway, the last bit of hope left Colin, for he recognized the squat, toad-like figure in pink.
Professor Umbridge.
ʻOnly one person,ʼ she said in her false, sweet voice, before they could enter.
ʻI beg you pardon,ʼ said Letitia, to Colinʼs amazement sounding genuinely indignant. ʻMy son will turn sixteen but in a few days, that is, he will come of age only in a year. I have every right to be with my underage son.ʼ
Colin saw Umbridge exchange a glance with a blunt faced man next to her. Nothing but the sharp hissing of their whisper reached Colinʼs ears.
ʻWell, we can make an exception,ʼ said Umbridge at last. ʻCome in.ʼ
Colin entered after Letitia, or rather, she had to pull him in after herself, her footsteps echoing sharply through the room. It was relatively small, but the ceiling was very high, giving off the feeling that the walls could crumble and crush those inside at any time. In the middle of the room was a single chair. Dementors stood in the corners, far away from a high, raised platform. A shining Patronus in the form of a fat, ugly cat patrolling in front of it, there sat Umbridge, the brutish looking man on one side of her, on the other a very thin man who hastily handed over a wad of parchment.
ʻSit down,ʼ said Umbridge sweetly.
Colin tried to look as haughty as Letitia as she led him towards the chair on which he had to sit down. Chains clinked out of the arms of the chair, only managing to bind his left arm. The other, Letitia had hastily pulled up, and the chains on the right clinked angrily, not able to reach him.
ʻI demand that you release him,ʼ said Letitia cooly, still holding Colinʼs arm up, so that it started to hurt him because of the unusual angle. Yet, he was glad for the physical pain, distracting him from the Dementors, who were freezing him from inside. He looked up at Umbridgeʼs saccharine expression, and if he had had any hope remaining, he would have lost it now. He had seen enough of her to know that - even if his story were true - she would not care about his, about anybody's, fate. All she wanted was to let her victims feel how powerful she was.
ʻI donʼt think so,ʼ simpered Umbridge with another laugh. ʻLetʼs first look a bit closer at who you are. You are Colin Thomas Creevey?ʼ
ʻYes,ʼ whispered Colin hoarsely, clearing his voice and repeating the syllable with the appearance of more confidence.
ʻBorn the 29th of August 1981?ʼ
ʻYes.ʼ
ʻYou were supposed to hand a wand over upon your arrival at the Ministry. You have not done so. Explain yourself.ʼ
ʻMum said Iʼm not allowed to have my wand outside school,ʼ said Colin, the words coming smoothly from his lips. He concentrated on the pain in his shoulder, fighting the Dementors with it, remembering that Letitia was there and didnʼt want him bound.
ʻAnd you claim that this woman is your mother?ʼ
Colin nodded, hearing with a surge of hope Letitia murmur angrily, ʻClaim?ʼ
ʻSo you are Mrs Creevey?ʼ said Umbridge, turning to Letitia with a sugary smile.
ʻI was.ʼ
ʻAnd what do you mean by this?ʼ cut in the brutish man, exchanging a glance with Umbridge.
ʻThat I no longer bear this name and have been spared bearing it for thirteen years.ʼ
ʻI am sorry,ʼ said Umbridge, her laugh making Colinʼs hair stand on end. ʻI donʼt quite understand. You wouldnʼt explain yourself better, would you?ʼ
Letitia sighed, thereby raising Colinʼs hand even higher so that the hurt spread down his back.
ʻIt is long story,ʼ she said gravely. ʻAnd it is not pleasant for me to retell it. I was very young when I committed the mistake of marrying that Muggle. Mr Creevey, I mean. When I got older - and wiser - I divorced him.ʼ She paused and breathed deeply.
ʻThat is all very well,ʼ said Umbridge, an unpleasant smile on her slack face, ʻbut we checked when we got the information the boy sent us, and you are definitely not listed as his mother. In fact, we couldnʼt find any record of your presence in Britain during the date of birth of this boy.ʼ
ʻDo you really think that I did not exterminate any sign of that filthy connection? And, hidden away in the Muggle world, would I not have been excluded from proper society?ʼ said Letitia with an affronted expression. ʻAll I wanted was to flee from that...ʼ She needed again to pause. ʻI do hope that I eliminated everything that could have suggested that I had ever known this man. So, as soon as he married someone of his sort, I changed the date of marriage and the memories of the persons involved. This wasnʼt easy, I can assure you, there were many people to be Obliviated. But you can imagine my relief when I was rid of my shameful past.ʼ
ʻBut now youʼre here?ʼ asked the man sarcastically.
ʻNow Iʼm here,ʼ said Letitia thoughtfully, lowering Colinʼs hand a bit, but his shoulders continued to ache. ʻAnd it is quite an accident that I am. You will understand that I have never dreamt that children from such a man-ʼ (she paused once more and gulped) ʻ-could be magical. So I left them with no regret, certain that they would become like their father. I probably would never have thought of them again had it not been for my sister. Sheʼs the only one to whom I ever told my story, some years ago, warning her not to make the same mistakes - luckily I had always been able to hide this affair from my parents, for I was ashamed of what I have done very soon.
ʻThis sister met my sons at a Quidditch game they attended about two years ago and recognized them by their names. Thus, when my sister realised that the Ministryʼs new approach might earn my sons harsher penalties than they deserved, she informed me. As gruesome as it was to be reminded of my past, you can imagine my relief when I learnt that my sons had not become copies of their father but have inherited more noble talents. For this reason, I had them retrieved from their base surroundings, placed more Memory Charms, and hope that they will be formed into wizards I do not have to be ashamed of. Now I am here, confessing my most well kept secret to protect children I consider myself compelled to finally recognize as my own.ʼ
Umbridge and the man exchanged a derisive look before the man turned to Letitia again. ʻAnd who exactly are you?ʼ
ʻI am Letitia Corvini, born Dennyston, daughter of Gwendoline Dennyston née Griffith and Beatus Dennyston-ʼ
ʻBeatus Dennyston?ʼ cut in the brutish man, his expression suddenly far more interested. ʻThe former Quidditch player?ʼ
ʻYes.ʼ
ʻSo your grandfather is Felix Dennyston?ʼ asked the man, leaning forward. ʻOnce Chaser of the Montrose Magpies?ʼ
ʻHe started at the Chudley Cannons, but yes, thatʼs my grandfather,ʼ said Letitia, her expression as calm as before. ʻAnd my grandmother, Ambrosia Nott, played in the same team.ʼ
ʻThere was another Dennyston...ʼ said the man slowly, not minding the angry quiver on Umbridgeʼs slack face.
ʻMy aunt Hillary played a while for the Holyhead Harpies, but she had to stop a long time ago because she got badly injured in a match against the Falmouth Falcons. My other aunt, Glynnis Griffiths, is far more famous.ʼ
ʻReally?ʼ said the man, his expression as friendly as Colin supposed his face was capable to be. ʻBut isnʼt there a Dennyston with Puddlemere United? I think I read-ʼ
ʻI suppose you mean my little sister Serena?ʼ
ʻYes, I think this is the name. Do you play?ʼ
ʻNo,ʼ said Letitia. ʻI was no good at Quidditch, though of course I always knew everything due to my Quidditch crazy surroundings-ʼ
ʻMy dear,ʼ simpered Umbridge, looking angry, ʻyour family is of no importance here. Where have you been until recently to never have realised that you had children?ʼ
ʻDid I not mention,ʼ said Letitia, ʻthat I did all I could to keep my distance at first. And later on, when I might have started to think about them again, I moved to Italy. My grandfather once played there late in his career and returned when he was in retirement. And there I met my second husband and naturally didnʼt want to have any part of my past troubling my happiness.ʼ
ʻSo you married someone better?ʼ said Umbridge with a silly smile.
ʻIndeed, I am sure I did,ʼ said Letitia, drawing herself up, thereby increasing the pain in Colinʼs shoulder. ʻMy husband, Alessandro Corvini, is of a very distinguished Italian wizarding family. He is Head of the Ufficio dello sport in the Ministero della Magìa.ʼ
Now Umbridge looked over to the Quidditch fan with a far more worried expression. ʻAnd may I ask what you are doing, dear?ʼ she said sweetly.
ʻI work at this Ministry too,ʼ said Letitia. ʻWe wrote this in the questionnaire. My specific duty is to give information about Britain to Italian witches and wizards travelling there, and I can be contacted by the British when they are in Italy.ʼ
The look Umbridge and the man now exchanged was clearly one of disquiet.
ʻYour husband is Head of what exactly again? Could you say it in English?ʼ she simpered.
ʻOffice of Sports,ʼ Letitia said uncertainly. ʻI donʼt know how it would be called here. He was a Quidditch player too before he changed to the Ministry.ʼ
ʻDo you play Quidditch, boy?ʼ asked the man sharply, causing Colin to flinch what increased the pain in his shoulder so that his eyes started watering.
ʻNo,ʼ Colin stammered after a short glance at Letitia who smiled at him encouragingly and lowered his hand.
ʻDo you attend Hogwarts?ʼ asked Umbridge, looking as if she tasted something extremely sour.
ʻYou know I do,ʼ said Colin without thinking. ʻYou taught there two years ago.ʼ
Umbridgeʼs mouth twisted itself into something that was probably intended to be a smile. ʻThen you will find many changes for the better when you get there in September. I have been discussing the Muggle Studies curriculum with the new teacher. A lovely woman.ʼ
ʻBut I donʼt take Muggle Studies.ʼ
ʻOh, you will. I hope you will show yourself worthy of your maternal roots and support the new regime at Hogwarts to the best of your abilities.ʼ
Colinʼs stomach turned at these words, but he forced himself to a polite nod.
Umbridge looked shortly but furiously at the man, before turning to Colin, changing her scowl to something sickeningly sugary again. ʻWe will inform the school about your blood status, dear. It was a pleasure to see you again.ʼ
The chain on his left arm quivered and opened, freeing Colinʼs arm. He jumped up, suppressing a scream as his shoulder returned so quickly into a normal position. Letitia laid an arm around him, looking up at Umbridge with a polite smile. ʻDo you wish to interrogate Dennis too, or can I take them both home?ʼ
Umbridge and the man interchanged looks again.
ʻYou may go,ʼ she said, her voice growing ever more saccharine as her bad mood improved. ʻI wish you and your brother a successful time at Hogwarts as you are finally as blessed as to benefit from the advantages of a new headmaster. I can assure you it will be a very pleasant surprise to the whole wizarding community when his name will be announced.ʼ
ʻThat is very considerate of you,ʼ said Letitia, retaining her polite expression. ʻThank the madam for her kind wishes, Colin.ʼ
Startled, Colin looked up at Letitia, but her eyes were on Umbridge. He opened his mouth. He swallowed. ʻThank you, madam,ʼ he managed to choke at last, kicking himself internally for these words.
ʻYou can tell your aunt that Mr Yaxley wouldnʼt object to have free tickets for a Puddlemere United match,ʼ said the man, just as Letitia wanted to turn.
ʻOf course,ʼ said Letitia with another smile. ʻIt was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking your time and for your understanding.ʼ
Colin had to hide a sigh of relief when Letitia finally led him to the exit, the heels of her shoes sounding loudly through the room. The doors opened before them, and they stepped out to the waiting crowd.
Outside, everything looked exactly as before. Some new Muggle-borns had arrived, also hiding their faces. Dennis was one of the few who had his eyes on the door, expression full of fear. Colin smiled weakly whereupon Dennis shook Serena. She slowly lifted her head and stared at them with huge eyes.
ʻNext - Jane Parke,ʼ called out Umbridge behind them, her sweet tone assuring Colin that her next victim would suffer the more from the disappointment she had just experienced.
He wished he could stop the stranger as she walked past him and Letitia into the courtroom, half opening his mouth. But the doors already closed behind her, and Letitia marched quickly over to Serena, who jumped to her feet, Dennis more slowly imitating her.
ʻYou all right?ʼ Serena whispered and Colin noticed that the branches in her face had lost all their leaves.
ʻWeʼre fine,ʼ said Letitia calmly. ʻAs you said.ʼ
Serena stumbled forwards and embraced her sister, then Colin. Putting her arm again around Dennis, she said, ʻLetʼs go.ʼ
ʻAnd the others?ʼ said Colin, his despair back, but now for the other Muggle-borns.
ʻWe canʼt help them,ʼ whispered Letitia, pushing him towards the stairs. ʻWe must be thankful that we could save you... at least for now.ʼ
ʻPro... probably we should...ʼ stammered Serena, hovering with Dennis behind them.
ʻWe have to go,ʼ said Letitia desperately. ʻThe longer we stay, the more probable that they change their minds. Weʼre not safe here. And we cannot help.ʼ
Colin looked at his brother, seeing how his lips mouthed the same protests his own inner voice shouted, nevertheless admitting that Letitia was right. Serena nodded too and hastened after them with Dennis. The little group was soon hastening up the stairs, escaping the Dementors but leaving ever so many behind to a grimmer fate.