Chapter Eleven

Asking for Trouble

Saturday morning bright and early, Jeremy and Quintin arrived in the Owl Room for breakfast. They were so eager for their first meeting that they decided to do their homework there, despite the fact that the order meeting wasn't taking place until after lunch.

Much to Quintin's chagrin, he had been voted to take over for TJ as Chairman of the Owls, only agreeing to it after Jeremy promised that he wouldn't pressure him to join Quidditch this year. Quintin knew the time spent in the Owl Room during that first week would be limited, so he set aside most of the day to compensate for that absence. After overhearing their plans to go early, Jack decided to head down for breakfast and was still making up his plate when Boulderdash came in. The goblin librarian had some new books to label, setting them on his work desk and hopping onto his stool.

"Good morning, Dusthorns. Will you be filling your last seat this year?" Boulderdash inquired as he got settled.

"I should think so," Quintin replied. "Now that Jack is on our side, we don't have to worry about having all of us graduating at once, and we can pick someone from first year too."

"I can understand your concern, which is why I allowed your house to remain unfilled last year," Boulderdash said. "However, I suggest you no longer restrict it to what year the student is in and simply choose the best candidate. Take your time deciding on the last spot, but do try to get it filled by the end of the year if you can."

"Alright," Quintin agreed.

"When does the Daily Prophet come out on Saturdays? Is it earlier or later than usual?" Jeremy wanted to know.

"Typically earlier," Jack replied, sitting down beside him. "Why, did something happen I don't know about yet?"

"Nothing like that. I put in an advertisement and I wanted to see if it made it in," Jeremy explained.

"For what?" Jack asked.

"You'll see," Jeremy said mysteriously. Quintin gazed steadily at his friend and then sighed at him with exasperation.

"It won't work," Quintin informed him.

"Care to wager on that?" Jeremy inquired. "We can wager the cost of the advertisement."

"Sure, why not? It's not like I'm going to lose," Quintin said. But before Jack could ask, the door opened and Rus and Sissy came in.

"I told you we wouldn't be the first ones in here," Rus said with exasperation. "Boulderdash and all of the Dusthorns are here."

"Good morning," Sissy said. The others greeted her as she took her seat and Rus went over to the breakfast cart. "Are you planning to join the Quidditch team this year, Jack?" she asked.

"Of course, if they'll have me," Jack said.

"We'll see at tryouts, I suppose," Jeremy said noncommittally, but then grinned. "I'm actually going to be allowed to pick the team this year, although I do need to consult Professor Brittle and Mr. Tinker before I announce it in case they have any reservations. Still, I'm glad I finally get to have a say in it as team captain."

"I hope Pete makes the team. He talked about it a lot on the train," Sissy informed them. "He said he saved up his money and bought a racing broom, and then spent the rest of the summer going between his local football club and playing Quidditch at Aviation Park."

"Really? I can't wait to see how he does then," Jeremy said.

"Pete is very much into sports," Quintin agreed.

"He's also very much into Sissy," Jeremy smirked.

"He does fancy you a bit, Sissy," Quintin admitted reluctantly, since Jeremy already said something.

"I thought he might after he sat with my friends and I on the train," Sissy admitted with a sheepish smile. "Still, it is rather flattering. I've never had anyone chat me up like that before. He even knew a lot about me after playing with my Introduction Card all year. He said he just didn't want to offend me."

"I can understand that. I did the same thing when I got one of your cards," Rus admitted. "When we first became friends, I was really afraid that I'd say something wrong, and I really didn't know what to talk to you about."

"I get that a lot," Sissy admitted. "I had a job working as a shop clerk in Mohannan Music over the summer. Some of the other employees and even the customers seemed really nice when they were speaking to other people, but often turned quiet and awkward any time they spoke to me. Even when I convince them to relax and treat me like anyone else, it still takes a while before the awkwardness goes away."

"I doubt Myrine acted like that," Quintin said.

"No, of course not, nor did Dale, Lucky, or anyone from the school who knows me well already," Sissy said. "They're already been broken in."

Rus laughed at that.

. "The Professor even visited the shop to have his violin restringed after he'd stopped practicing it for a while... not that it seemed to help," she added mischievously.

"Grandfather just plays to relax, he isn't really trying to be a master," Rus said defensively.

"Your brother plays for relaxation too," Sissy pointed out. "But Jay is the best violinist that I heard in the shop all summer."

"Didn't my mother come into the shop this summer?" Jack taunted.

"Er... yes, sorry, I stand by my statement anyway," Sissy replied.

"It's okay, I was just pulling your chain. Blacks do that," Jack said with a grin. "You don't feel like anyone in the Order acts awkward around you, do you?"

"Not currently," Sissy said. "But we will have new people coming in, won't we?"

"Two Slytherin, a Gryffindor, and our last seat in Dusthorn," Quintin replied. "And you Ravenclaws still have one extra."

"That will sort out the year that my class graduates, since a lot of us will be leaving at once," Jack said.

"Oh, yes, the Minute Generation are sixth years now. That really will be a changing of the guard," Sissy replied.

"I was planned," Jack immediately interjected.

"So was my brother, but you still get stuck with the title anyway," Rus replied.

"What title?" Jay asked as he stepped inside, followed by Ella Hauk.

"Minute Generation," Rus explained.

"There are worse titles," Ella pointed out, working her way to the seat in the back.

"Yes, we'll get into that in a moment. Have the goals been updated?" Jay asked. Ella paused to look at the scrolls, pulling hers out.

"Mine has been. Do you want yours?" she asked, handing it over before getting herself some tea.

"Thanks," Jay said and sat down, looking across the table at Jack. "It's about time you showed up in here, Jack. We can't possibly talk to you outside of this room anymore, you know, now that we're Slytherin Prefects. We'd have the entire house on us if we did."

"Because I'm in a different house now?" Jack asked.

"It's more than that and you know it," Jay said seriously. "It wasn't as if you were re-Sorted, you left voluntarily. This isn't a matter of the Headmaster deciding to move you, and everyone knows it. After you helped with that article that slandered Slytherin..."

"It isn't slander if it's true," Jeremy interrupted in protest.

"Either way, it's put Jack in a bad position with the house. The majority of which are calling you a traitor for what happened... they're saying it about Janus too, especially considering they learned he had worked against Slytherin from that article," Jay said.

"Isn't it interesting that they believe that Janus betrayed Slytherin but disbelieve anything having to do with Slytherin betraying the school?" Jack noted.

"What people choose to believe isn't the point," Jay replied sternly. "The point is that you need to be careful. I noticed that none of your major classes are with us this term, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Being the only Dusthorn in your year made it easy for Professor Weasley to put you in with the other houses," he continued. "But even if those bases are covered, you need to be careful during your electives and in the corridors, and make sure that you are watching your brother's back as well."

"Joey didn't have anything to do with any of this," Jack protested.

"I know that, but they may get frustrated with the lack of opportunities and turn to him since he's an easier target," Jay said.

"Then they'd be in for a nasty surprise," Jack shrugged. "You know as well as I do that Joey's a lot scrappier than I am."

"Of course I do, I've gotten into altercations with him myself, but I think it'd be better for everyone concerned if you simply didn't put yourselves in the position of getting into a fight in the first place," Jay advised sincerely.

"I'll talk to him," Jack promised.

"Good," Jay said, finishing his drink. "I've got to head to Auror Club. I'll be back at lunch."

"Good luck, brother! See if you can get in the A team straight off," Rus encouraged him.

"I plan to," Jay replied, stepping back out again.

Ella watched the door close, then gazed over at Jack.

"I hope you realize he's sticking his neck out for you just by talking about this, Jack," Ella said solemnly.

"I know he is. He spoke up because we're family," Jack said, Ella nodding at that.

"You're right," Rus agreed. "My brother may not get along with everyone, but he believes in prioritizing family just as much as anyone. Underneath that cold exterior of his, he's actually a really caring guy."

"Don't say that! It makes him sound weak," Ella scowled at Rus.

"I don't think it's weak to be caring," Rus told her with a shrug.

"It doesn't matter what you think. It matters what the other Slytherin think," Ella said.

"I am so glad I left. Best decision I've ever made," Jack said adamantly.

"Perhaps it was best for you, but show some respect for those who stayed, regardless of their reason. At the very least, have some sympathy for those who have been misled," Ella said sternly.

"So you believe the article yourself?" Jeremy asked thoughtfully.

"Of course I do," Ella sighed. "Not only did I bear witness to some of your work, but my parents went to school with Aurelius and remember when the details behind Wuscfrea came out. The fact that Professor Brittle herself confirms the events she was witness to also lends credibility. On top of that, my parents have always told me that you can be surrounded by darkness without letting it define you, and that I should let my self-pride bring pride to my house, instead of being proud of what house I'm in," she explained. "I also try to get my relatives the benefit of the doubt, no matter how distant of a cousin they are."

"Thanks, Ella," Jack said with a smile, getting a solemn nod in return.

"It is going to be tricky to get two more Slytherin in the order this year," Ella admitted solemnly. "We may have trouble finding a suitable fit."

"Feel free to take your time," Boulderdash said from his stool, reminding them all he was still there. "Some of this order's best members came in when half the year was over because of things that had come up during the first half."

"We will keep that in mind," Ella promised.

There was a sudden thump from behind the main library wall.

"Sounds like the newspapers have arrived," Jeremy said excitedly. "May I borrow a Daily Prophet?"

"As long as you help my aids set up the circulation desk while you're out there," Boulderdash replied. "It won't take long if all three of you do it."

"Sure thing!" Jeremy said, hurrying out.

"You're not going to write another paper this year, are you?" Ella asked Quintin critically.

"Nothing on that scale, at any rate," Quintin said. "My attention this year is solely on my studies, especially since my Father gave me permission to pick up an extra elective 'to help occupy my time', as he put it. I'm taking Symbology and Creative Writing," he explained. "Of course, I do have a weird assignment for Defense to tackle. See, Jeremy has the opinion that the Dashing Doppler isn't all that dangerous, especially compared to Ludo Bagman, so we have to write opposing papers about it."

"It's no contest. Bagman is most decidedly more dangerous," Rus said.

"Only I got stuck with the other side of the argument. Somehow, I have to prove that the Dashing Doppler is as dangerous," Quintin said. "I can see why Jeremy feels that he isn't. Bagman is a ruthless murderer, while the Dashing Doppler is more of a troublemaker than anything."

"You're both downplaying it, if you think that's all it is," Rus said. "That Metamorphmagus is so talented that he's infiltrated the Ministry of Magic multiple times over the last two years. My mother says he's a security nightmare because he's gaining access to all sorts of classified information," he explained. "Every time my mother has confronted him, he's always commented about information that he shouldn't know, and he always manages to get away before she or her Agents can get to him. Not only is he a security nightmare, but the fact that he's been running circles around both the Mysteries Department and the LE Department makes the entire Ministry look bad. On top of that, the Ministry doesn't know what he's doing with all that sensitive information. He could be passing it on to just about anybody."

"So they do have something in common," Ella concluded. "They are both spies who work against the Ministry. They just have different methods of going about it. Do you think the Dashing Doppler might sell information to Bagman?" she asked.

"I don't think anyone knows for sure, but then our mother doesn't tell us everything. Of course, even if she did know, she wouldn't be telling us," Rus said. "She just tells us things that are publicly known already."

"Do you know how the Dashing Doppler got his name?" Sissy asked.

"Oh, yeah," Rus replied. "You see, the first time the Ministry became aware of him, he was working as a street performer in Covent Garden as a grey-haired gentleman, wearing an old fashioned French-tailored suit and performing juggling and Muggle-style magic tricks... except he was using real magic to do it," he explained. "He would give out balloons to any child who tipped him, a trinket box with a tie to any man who tipped him, and a rose to any woman... whether they tipped him or not." Sissy laughed softly at that. "BELA got a complaint about him because someone thought he was being a bit too obvious, so Aunt Anna and Mum went down there to talk to him. Apparently they were just going down there to ask him to be a bit less obvious with his magic around the Muggles, but I guess things got out of hand and he left them a mess to clean up. Ever since then, he's been showing up randomly and causing mayhem, sometimes leaving a rose or tie or some other random trinket like a calling card. One thing's certain; he doesn't seem to mind everyone knowing when he's behind something. Aunt Anna says that he does it for attention," Rus explained. "But since this business has been going on for two years without him getting caught, the fact that he does things to get attention is exactly what the Ministry doesn't want."

"At least he leaves flowers instead of blowing up buildings," Quintin replied. "But I can see why the Ministry's concerned about what sort of information he's finding out while impersonating people. It makes me feel better knowing there's so many Truth Seekers in the school who can see through disguises like that."

"Not only that, but I remember Aurelius mentioning that the school's gate has a charm on it that forces a person into their natural form to even get inside," Rus pointed out. "Besides, there's no motive for the Dashing Doppler to come all the way up here. He's always operated out of London."

Jeremy came back in with a newspaper in hand, grinning excitedly.

"It's just as I hoped. My notice was in the paper today," Jeremy declared. Quintin groaned.

"What notice?" Sissy asked.

"I'll read it," Jeremy said, opening the paper. '"'The Hogwarts School Paper, The Veritable Wizard, requests an interview with the famous Dashing Doppler as a matter of public interest. Please reply by Owl Post with an acceptable, confidential meeting place in Hogsmeade so that the reporter and his escort may arrange an appropriate time. Send inquiry and details to Jeremy Miller, head reporter of Dusthorn house.""

"Head reporter? You're the only Dusthorn reporter," Quintin pointed out.

"What a complete waste of money!" Ella said with exasperation. "It isn't as if you're going to get any response to such an advertisement. Public enemies don't go around giving interviews to children on school newspapers."

"He's not a public enemy, he's a public nuisance," Jeremy corrected. "And if he's out for attention, what better way than to agree to an interview so that he can tell his side of the story?"

"He's in London. He's nowhere around here," Rus replied.

"The Daily Prophet sells more copies in London than anywhere. He's likely to see it," Jeremy reasoned.

"You're not going to get disappointed when he doesn't respond, are you?" Quintin asked.

"No, because he will," Jeremy said resolutely. Quintin sighed and cleaned up the plates. "Can you get our scrolls while you're over there?"

"I could use my scroll as well," Jack said.

"And us," Rus replied.

"I'll help, Quintin," Ella offered, pulling out Rus' and Sissy's goals while Quintin fetched his, Jeremy's, and Jack's.

"Looks like yours is written in braille this time, Sissy," Ella noted.

"Good, it means that Rus can't peek over my shoulder this year," Sissy said, unrolling hers.

"What? I was just curious," Rus protested.

"You knew what every goal I had last year was, and considering we're allowed to keep them secret, I found it quite rude," Sissy informed him.

"I'll make it up to you by telling you mine," Rus said, looking them over. "This one says, 'make first in all of your classes at half term.' What? Me?" he exclaimed, gawking at it in disbelief.

"That'll be the day," Ella said. "You'd have to best Olivia and Milo to be first, and there's fat chance of that."

"Well... it does say in my classes specifically, and I have two or three that neither of them are in, so maybe I'll get feathers for half credit?" Rus suggested hopefully. "Effort has always counted towards goals, right?"

"I bet that goal was from Uncle Severus," Jack commented. "He probably just wants you to be as close to the top of your classes as possible before you leave for Whitebridge."

"You've got a point," Rus said. "I'll just do my best and see how far up I can get."

"What's the next one?" Sissy asked.

"'Buy a token Christmas present for each member of the Owls, including the new ones. Spend no less than ten Sickles and no more than a galleon on each. No way!" Rus protested, his jaw dropping. "But that'll cost a small fortune, especially if we fill all the seats this year!"

"Oh, I like that one! Do you take requests?" Sissy asked.

"I'd settle for some chocolate frogs," Ella decided.

"I'm not agreeing to that! We're not obligated to do any of these goals, you know," Rus pointed out.

"I bet Aunt Jennifer is behind that," Jack smirked.

"She's not one of his advisors. Boulderdash and Laura are," Quintin pointed out.

"True, but she could have made the suggestion. What's the last advisor goal, Rus?" Jack asked.

Rus looked at it.

"'Join the Sparring Club to help hone your Defense before traveling abroad. That's Laura for sure... Boulderdash, you did that gift one, didn't you?" Rus confronted him.

"Rus, you know perfectly well that I never confirm or deny which advisor added which goal to any students list," Boulderdash said. "But I will say that I can guess why one of the three advisors added that particular goal to your list, and that is because Professor Craw has been expressing a great deal of concern to anyone who will listen about sending you to Whitebridge with such poor money management skills. In fact, I believe she even insisted that you to take my budgeting class this term. Is that not so?" he pointed out.

"Yeah," Rus confirmed ruefully.

"Then on behalf of all of your advisors who will have to listen to her concerns long after you're gone, do us a favor and complete that goal," Boulderdash suggested.

"Fine," Rus sighed.

"By the way, I'm rather fond of Carnegie's spiced meat pies that he makes during the holidays," Boulderdash added for good measure.

"I think I'd better make a list," Rus decided reluctantly, finding that he had little trouble in getting suggestions.