UPDATE 30/01/2012: I have started working on this story again! I cant give an exact date for when I will upload again, but I'm hoping to have a new chapter up by Valentine's Day. I've decided that I won't be going back and changing anything until I've finished writing the entire story. I've changed some of the things in this story that you've pointed out don't make sense. Like the currency, and the school system. Thank you all so much for your reviews, they are truly my inspiration.
"Did you remember your lunch money?" Hermione asked nervously, adjusting Damon's shirt collar for what seemed like the millionth time.
"Mum! I have everything already. You're acting like it's my first day of school again!" Damon said, annoyed.
"Sorry sweetie, maternal instinct, that's all."
Draco came out from the kitchen a few moments later. "Ready to go bud?" he asked.
"Uh huh!" Damon replied, running towards his father.
Father and son headed out the door, and within moments, they disappeared into the car and drove off. Hermione let out a sigh, and thought, 'This is harder than I thought it would be.'
To take her mind off of everything, she decided that she better get started on the case. Making sure all the blinds were closed, she grabbed a handful of Floo powder that had been hidden on the mantel in a small china cup, and said clearly, "Cormac McLaggen's Office, British Ministry of Magic."
Cormac's head popped through the Floo moments later. "I assume you want the case files now?" he asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied; they had not been allowed to travel with the files.
"Here you are. I'll be seeing you again on Sunday," Cormac said, handing her the files before his head disappeared out of the Floo.
Hermione grasped the files in her hands and made her way to her and Draco's shared office. She opened the first file that held the details of the first home invasion. The files' contents were as completely gruesome as they were the first time she had seen them. She got nowhere in the twenty minutes that Draco was gone. When he arrived back, they sat down together and went over the files. Again.
"The thing that's really confusing me is the word Purity. Why is this...thingwriting those words on the victims?" Draco asked.
"Since these crimes have magic involved in them, I'm guessing it might be a former Death Eater who wants to make a point. The point being that muggles are filthy creatures; that's his belief," Hermione said, grimacing when she voiced her guess.
Draco nodded. "The Ministry keeps record of every known Death Eater. If this monster was a Death Eater; we'll find him in the list."
"But what if he was an unknown follower? If he is, then we're screwed," Hermione said glumly.
"I'll ask McLaggen for the files on Sunday," Draco said, nodding.
"Also, what's with the skull and the rose? What meaning could it have?" Hermione asked.
"The skull could be showing that this person is a Death Eater, but I'm not sure about the rose," Draco replied.
Draco and Hermione spent the rest of the day pouring over files, getting almost nowhere. When the clock hit two-forty, Draco and Hermione decided that it was time to go pick up Damon.
It was a short drive that was spent mostly talking about the case. When they reached the school, named Seashore Elementary school, they walked to the quaint main office, where they were greeted by a bubbly secretary.
"Welcome to Seashore Elementary, how may I help you?" the secretary said happily. She had brown hair and hazel eyes, and looked to be in her mid to late twenties. Her name tag said that her name was Natasha.
"We're here to fill out some forms for our son Damon Williams," Hermione said politely.
"Okay, but the principal would like to speak to you first," Natasha said, moving some files around. "The office is there," she pointed to a frosted glass door.
"Thank you," Hermione said civilly, before she led Draco towards the door.
Hermione adjusted her blouse before knocking on the door. A moment later it was opened by a thin woman who Hermione assumed was the principal.
"You must be the Williams'" she said warmly, "Please come in."
They entered the medium sized room, and the principal took a seat behind a mahogany desk, while Hermione and Draco sat in comfortable armchairs.
"I'm Principal Morrison," she greeted happily. She was a tall, slender woman with platinum blonde hair that was cut an inch under her shoulders, and ice blue eyes. She seemed to be in her mid-thirties.
"I'm Carrie Williams and this is my husband Braydon," Hermione said, glancing at Draco for moment. "Sorry if I'm being rude, but why are we here?" Hermione asked, concerned.
"I just want to speak to you two about Damon," she said, folding her hands, "He is a very bright boy, and we believe that third year is not suited for him. He's already at the level of some of our fourth years!" Mrs. Morrison said, sounding amazed.
"He probably got that from us," Draco said, chuckling. At the principal's curious look, he added, "We were the top students at our school."
"Ah," she said, "And which school was that?"
"It was an elite private school in the English countryside," Draco lied smoothly, glancing at Hermione.
The principal nodded before continuing on what she had to say. "Anyway, we would like to skip Damon into fourth year, with your permission of course," she said seriously.
Hermione and Draco looked shocked for a moment, then, almost telepathically, they came to a decision.
"We would like to ask Damon what he wants to do before we give you our decision," Hermione said, glancing at Draco as she said their decision.
"I respect your decision. Please let me know ASAP," Mrs. Morrison said.
"We'll send a note with Damon tomorrow," Draco said, standing up.
"Have a good day."
"You too."
The couple walked out of the office and towards the desk. Draco and Hermione quickly filled out the forms, and went to wait in front of the school for Damon.
"This feels so weird, yet good," Hermione said as they waited.
"What?" Draco questioned.
"Being a parent. One day, we're mutual enemies, and now we're 'married'," Hermione said, crossing her arms.
"You're right, I'm already thinking of him like he's my own son," Draco said, staring into the distance.
"I know me too. This case is easily going to be a few months long, and if I'm so attached to him now, what's going to happen in a few months when the case is over?" Hermione asked.
Her question was left unanswered since the bell rang a moment later, signalling that school was over. Damon came out within a minute.
"Hey, Mum, Dad," he greeted, with his bag slung over his shoulder.
"Hi sweetie," Hermione said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey bud," Draco said, ruffling his hair.
They walked back to their car and started the drive home. Halfway there, after Damon had given a brief description of his day, Hermione asked Damon the question.
"Damon, if you think the class you're in right now is easy, the principal said that it would be okay for you to skip into the next year." Hermione glanced back at him.
"That'll be good. I want something more challenging." Damon said with a smile on his face.
The house came into view within a few moments, and the small family went inside, eager for some rest.
I hope you liked it!
Now, I will repeat what I said in my other story. Only difference is a detail change after the defence attorney's statements.
Remember to keep Const. Garrett Styles in your memories, he died protecting his community on June 28th after he pulled over a 15 year old who was joyriding his parents car. He was dragged for 300 metres before the car flipped into a ditch, pinning him underneath. He died an hour later in hospital, around the time he was supposed to be home with his family. He left behind a wife, Melissa, a 2 year old daughter, Meredith, and a 9 week old son, Nolan. Neither of his children will remember their brave father because of their young age.
The fifteen year old driver is currently paralyzed and cannot speak, but can hear. I believe that that is a suitable punishment for his stupid acts. He'll have to suffer for life now. If the idiot hadn't panicked and stepped on the accelerator, a lot of pain and loss could have been prevented. Hopefully he'll be prosecuted as an adult instead of a youth.
The Toronto Star wrote a excellent article on it, here's the link (remove brackets): http:/www(.)thestar(.)com/news/article/1020060-wife-of-fallen-officer-garrett-styles-tells-tearful-crowd-she-s-in-pieces
Transcript of last call (WARNING: Some readers might find the content disturbing, viewer discretion is advised): http:/www(.)torontosun(.)com/2011/06/28/dramatic-transcript-of-officers-last-call
Review!
~Shaki