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Chapter 2

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"Talking"

'Thinking'

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Marine Admiral Borsalino Kizaru was BORED, all he could do is explore the castle that he was currently stuck in, trying to get his mind off of the recent events that just had happened to him and his fellow Admiral. He had learned a lot about his wife (even though he did not tell that to the people who summoned them, he made sure that any if all documents of their marriage was well hidden in a vault that it would make Nami cry trying to break in) and her "friends", but he was not the only one either who was summoned as well. Marine Admiral Kuzan Aokiji had come along by accident, well if one could call it an 'accident'. Well, Kizaru will happily admit that he rather have Aokiji with him than Marine Admiral Sakazuki Akainu, who would have not listened to any reason and would have killed everyone. He was a right bastard.

He and Aokiji were in a different world all together, where there are no Blues, Grand Line, Pirates, and the World Government, but instead there was magic, wizards, witches, other magical things, and the development of those who do not have any magic within their blood. This was the place that Eve 'The Sea Witch' and Cedric 'The Dark One' came from. And this explains a lot to why they could not find the island or islands that those two came from. The people were trying to summon Eve and Cedric but instead they were summoned for some reason, much to the confusion of the others. Kizaru thought it might have something to do with being married to Eve. And also, he may have forgotten to tell them that she and Cedric were pirates/criminals. But what they didn't know at the time couldn't hurt them.

The two Admirals were given a tower to stay in while they were there. When they were left alone, Aokiji rounded on him and demanded answers to the reason of why they were there instead of at home like they should be. It was then that Borsalino told him everything about being married to Eve and how that came to be. In Borsalino's opinion, Aokiji took the news very well and to his eternal relief, Aokiji promised not to tell anyone his secret when they get back home, if they ever. Because to be honest he thought him and Eve are just too cute together. Even if they don't always see eye to eye.

Suddenly, Kizaru stumbled as the ground shook violently as the skies grew dark and stormy quickly which caused him to raise an eyebrow slightly as Aokiji came running towards him with the look of alarm on his face. Soon the shaking thankfully stopped.

"Look outside! They summoned the 'Red Force'!" Aokiji quickly told him.

Both Kizaru and Aokiji had heard the story of Eve Potter the 'Girl-Who-Lived' and both had thought it was a load of crap. They could clearly see why she seemed so happy to be free from this and have no problem with becoming a Pirate, just to irritate him for fun. Kizaru saw some pictures of a way younger Eve and he had immediately noticed that Eve did not look as happy as he had seen her before, in a way he felt sorry for her, he could see some of the bruises that decorated her arms where the robe sleeve had risen up some, even when she was threatening with death and among other things, when he refused to get a divorce.

Kizaru looked outside at the lake and saw that Aokiji was indeed right. There in the middle of the lake was the 'Red Force'. No one seemed to be on the ship. So ignoring the people who came out of the castle to see what they had summoned now, Borsalino jumped out the window and used his Devil Fruit powers to flash onto the ship, he found that everyone was knocked out cold like he and Kuzan were when they were first summoned.

Even his wife's pet snake was knocked out cold from the summoning. This was the perfect chance to cope a feel from his wife without getting punched in the face again. But as his hand barely reached her beautiful firm ass, a voice spoke out, "Do you really think that doing that is a very good idea, considering what had happened the last time you tried to do that?"

Behind him was one of the 'Seven Warlords', Dracule 'Hawk-Eye' Mihawk. Mihawk just looked amused at the sight in front of him, and without being a seer; he knew what is going to happen without a doubt. After seeing it happened before. He had just woken up from his nap. Immediately, he could tell that something very wrong had just happened. It was too quiet on the 'Red Force', you could hear a pin drop, and that had never happened before, considering whose ship that he was on. There was always someone making noise. Anyways, the last time that Kizaru groped Eve, she punched him so hard in the face, that she sent him flying through a wall of a public hot springs. He had landed in the women side of the hot spring and that is where the women had beaten the crap out of him and also he became later known as the perverted Admiral. He had refused to answer any questions that he was asked about that indecent, but now that Aokiji knows the truth, he might guess what had happened.

"I have no idea what you are…" A fist planted itself in his face, sending him flying about ten feet away, crashing into the floor.

Eve drew back her fist and rubbed her head as it throbbed. She slowly sat up, she was relieved to find that her glasses are where they should be and was not knocked off. She could hear the others groan as they, too, began to wake up.

"You are loosing your touch, Eve–Chan," Mihawk's voice broke through the mess that was her mind. Eve knew that he was commenting on the punch, because she has a stronger punch than that, but she felt weak for some reason like her magic was somehow drained. And that wasn't a good feeling.

"Eve!" Cedric's soft voice was filled with shock and horror once he got his baring straight. "We're back! BLOODY Hell we are back!"

Eve's body stiffened before she jumped onto her feet and looked around. There it was in front of her, was Hogwarts, in all of her glory. She felt dread settled down in her stomach at the sight. She really did not want to be back here, where everyone judged her for things that she had no control over. It has been five years since they had last seen Hogwarts.

Cedric watched Eve closely as she just stood and stared at the once beautiful castle. He knew that she didn't want to return here. The both of them were happy with the way things were. If they had come back here after six months away, they would have been happy to go back home. But they grew up. Sure, he knew that there were problems in the Wizarding World, but as he sailed with Shanks on the seas and had seen things that he had seen, his eyes were finally opened to the heart breaking truth of their world. And to know that his own father is helping the problem grow, instead of fixing it, made him sick to his stomach. Who cares if the person is not human!? They can still feel like the rest of them.

"Cedric." Was all that came out of Eve's mouth.

Putting an arm around her shoulders, he whispered, "Hey, everything will be okay. We will return with the Captain no matter what."

Kizaru suddenly appeared in front of her, he gently took hold of her chin and made her look in him in the eyes and said, "They aren't keeping you here forever, my dear Eve. I promise you that you are coming back with us to the Grand Line where you belong."

'Damn Kizaru for being sweet and making that promise,' Eve thought as she just hugged Kizaru, who hugged her back tightly.

"So this is Hogwarts!" Shanks exclaimed excitedly as he and the others looked at the castle and their surroundings. Shanks was acting like a kid with a pile of toys and candy in front of him for his birthday. He gets that way whenever there is a new adventure in front of him.

"My castle is much better than this," Mihawk simply stated nonchalantly with an expression of extreme boredom on his face.

This was kind of true, Mihawk's castle was at least two times bigger than Hogwarts and has its own island filled with warrior gorillas and man eating plants. And the best part of it was that it could not be found with a log pose.

"You know, that there are people standing on the beach getting nervous and anxious," Aokiji pointed out when he climbed on board the ship.

This was true, because there is a group of people on the beach, talking to each other nervously. Some of them were trying to see if Eve was among those on the 'Red Force'. Cedric and Eve could recognize a couple of them.

"What are you two doing here?" Shanks asked as it seems that he finally noticed that there were two Admirals on the deck of his ship. A lot of the crew, including the two admirals, sweat dropped at this.

"We were summoned by accident a couple of days ago," Kizaru answered and Shanks nodded lightly.

"Well, let's meet our generous hosts/kidnappers, then," Shanks called cheerfully to his crew, before jumping off the 'Red Force' and onto the ice field below that was created by Aokiji when he walked to the ship.

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-...On the beach…-

"So you summoned us, old man," Shanks asked with a grin on his face as they finally made their way to the group on the beach. This caused the people in the group standing behind Albus Dumbledore to gasp in shock at the disrespect of the Headmaster.

Albus merely smiled lightly, "Yes, I did. May I ask who you are?"

Shanks grinned, "Captain Shanks of the 'Red-Haired Pirates' and this is my crew."

"THERE is NO WAY that Potter and Diggory are Pirates. They don't have the guts to be Pirates," Severus Snape sneered at the red head.

The grin on Shanks' face got a bit bigger and bigger as he spoke up, "I won't bet on that. Eve, Cedric, front and center!"

Exchanging smirks, at least their Captain knows how to make things entertaining. Eve and Cedric made their way to the front of the group. Cedric was the first to speak with some smugness seeping into his voice, "I guess that we are proud to prove you wrong, Professor Snape."

For once Snape was at a loss for words. There was NO way that Potter and Diggory could and was apart of this group of ruffians but with the pair standing there with a smug look that screamed 'I TOLD YOU SO!', the red head was right they were pirates.

For a rare moment, Snape did the impossible and fainted. While everyone just stared.

Eve and Cedric couldn't help but feel extremely smugged that they finally did the impossible of making the great 'Dungeon Bat' faint. Of course they couldn't really care what that git was thinking about right now. They had more pressing matters to address. Even Eve's pet snake was amused.

With a smirk and then they proceeded to give little to no information to what they had been doing in the last five years of not being in Hogwarts or in England in general.

In all out honesty the pair would rather be back on the Grand Line doing what Pirates normally would do. Sail and party and sail some more, harass Marines, then party some more.

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Albus watched the group with a hint of amusement but of course there was that underlay of disappointment, that things may not go as planned. Oh he was so disappointed it wasn't even funny. He was hoping that he could manipulate both Eve and Cedric to do his bidding to win the war against Voldemort. One part of the plan was to have Eve kill Voldemort. Then after that marry her off to Ronald Weasley to get her vast fortune. Or kill her outright and take over her fortune through 'Right of Conquest'. But seeing what they had become it may be harder then it looks. Due to the fact they both had been missing for five years, things had changed. And this is a type of change he hated. But somehow he would make his plans work. He frowned slightly not because of what happened to Snape but at what one could be called state of undress. Especially Eve with what she had on. Which wasn't much. With tattoos on her hip and all over her back. Especially now that he noticed that they all was armed but none of the weapons drawn. With the exception of the two Marine Admirals. When they got there they wasn't even armed. But they wasn't defenseless. No they was far from being defenseless.

He was more concerned that the red head that was the captain would be a great danger to his plans and needs to get rid of him and his merry party so he could keep to his plans. But seeing how close they are to Eve and Cedric it might not go as well.

Keeping the grandfather look he tried to answer the Pirate groups questions in hopes that they would stop being a nuisance. However he was kind of glad that the students won't be back until the end of the week. So there was time to try and sort out what to do with the group.

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Snape in the meantime is still unconscious, Poppy on the other hand was trying to wake up the poor Professor to no avail, while the others who followed down watched. With a sigh she glanced over to Albus who seemed to take everything in.

But what they really don't know what Albus is actually thinking and what was really going through his mind at the moment.

Poppy glanced over to Minerva McGonagall who watched with pinched lips she was the least happy to see what her favorite cub had become. But she could see that she was happy even if she wasn't showing it that Eve was alive and well even if she had become a Pirate. For the most part she is just happy to see both of them alive and well.

Pomona Sprout on the other hand gave a sigh happy to see that her student was alive. Though she wondered and she wasn't the only one to think about what had happened. From what they all could gathered they don't look like the age they are supposed to be, just where did they go to have aged so drastically. Eve should be fifteen years old and Cedric would be at least eighteen years old. Both was built for fighting. Lean and not overly so.

The only other person other then Albus who wasn't happy at the site was Dolores Umbridge, she was seething mad. From what she understand, both Eve and Cedric went missing at the end of the last task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, that's what was reported in the Daily Prophet. Some say they died in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but those was just rumors there was no proof seeing there was no bodies to conform what was being said. So she made sure to brush the whole thing under the rug so to speak.

So with the reappearance of both Eve and Cedric, everything changed therefore she had to tell Minister Cornelius Fudge the news of what is going to go on in Hogwarts that year. But with that she kept her fake smile and her annoying "hem, hem" cough that she was so fond of. But there is little that Albus could do at the moment with Umbridge.

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Shanks and the others kept asking annoying questions even though they had already knew some of the issues already. But it was kind of funny to watch the witches and wizards squirm at the most random questions. Especially the alcohol that is sold locally. When told the local alcohol name "Fire Whiskey" Shanks was all over the place. He wanted to try it. And maybe stock up on the said stuff before and when they return to the New World. Well that's IF they ever get back to the New World.

The other two that stood further apart the two Marine Admirals watched with amusement. In a way they hope they will be able to return to the Grand Line and New World. Kizaru kept an eye on his pretty wife Eve talking to the witches and wizard clearly annoyed at the point. He raised an eyebrow as he watched one of the teachers he didn't like how she was eyeing Eve like a meat to be dangled. Eve maybe a Pirate but an honest Pirate none the less. A few that he could tolerate at this moment.

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Mihawk had disappear into the Forbidden Forest with much protest of the school staff to look around seeing that the others where fine on their own for now as long as the two Marine Admirals don't start anything against the 'Red-Hair Pirates'. Well that depends if Kizaru tried another cope a feel against Eve again. And with that being said Mihawk knows that Kuzan would try and keep Kizaru under wraps for the time being.

Glancing around the Forbidden Forest it wasn't as special as everyone made it out to be. His forest was much better and more amusing then this so called Forest. But seeing that he and his merry band from the New World is stuck here for who knows how long might as well use the time to check things around.

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They had been at the beach for hours and the sun was setting low in the sky as Albus pointed out that it was close to dinner time and by that time Snape had regained consciousness and was still sneering at the group. And Albus said, "Might we head to the Great Hall for dinner and sort out sleeping arrangements?"

The 'Red-Hair Pirates' shared a look agreeing that food was a good idea, and then nodded in agreement. Food was a good thing as well as the drinks. As the group made their way into Hogwarts and into the Great Hall. The crew minus both Eve, Cedric and the Marine Admirals, gawked at the Great Hall ceiling.

Glancing around the group was allowed to sit down and eat. Eating was a merry event as the staff of Hogwarts noticed. They watched how Eve and Cedric interact with the crew. They looked very happy with the Pirate crew. They seem to laugh at the littlest things and get mad over things then make up by saying something strange. Even the damn snake was in on the whole merriment.

The teachers was shocked when Eve and the snake when they learnt it's name was Sirius, named after her God-Father started to argue over a piece a meat who in then started to wrestle on the floor for it while the crew just laugh at the pair and of course Cedric would jab back seeing the snake spoke human language.

How was that possible well with Eve ANYTHING is possible the teachers finally pointed out to themselves. So with that deduction put to rest for now they continued to watch the group become rowdy and loud but unlike some pirates, the 'Red-Hair Pirates' was one of the few who gets rowdy but not overly. They would just laugh over something so small like a broken beer mug. And pay it little mind.

As the night wear on, dinner came and went, now is to find places for the group to sleep for the night. Which shouldn't be hard right?

It turns out it was a lot harder then it sounded. The Pirates returned to their ship for the night the two Marine Admirals went to their rooms they was given. SO what was the problem? There was a lot of problems, Albus wanted to keep an eye on both Eve and Cedric. But since they are on their ship he couldn't unless he used a spell or small device to watch them. Which wouldn't be a good idea seeing how the group was.

He had a week to figure out how to get his plans into motion. Or his whole plans will wind up blown in his face with a force of a giant Sea King fart. (Don't ask. I have no idea where that came from...)

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A week had gone by and the rest of the school was coming back from Summer break for the new term tonight. Meaning that every teacher was trying to get both Eve and Cedric back into the role of a student again. For Cedric he would be in his last year while being the oldest. And Eve she had to endure at least several more years since she is the youngest.

That was a nightmare...

-Flashback-

Albus Dumbledore smiled as he talked to the two well former students into coming back to finishing Hogwarts. Of course the Red-Haired Pirates, Mihawk and the two Marine Admirals stared at Dumbledore like he was crazy. Dumbledore explained that they had yet to finish Hogwarts seeing that Cedric was in his Sixth year and Eve was only in her Fourth Year when they mysteriously disappeared.

Eve and Cedric couldn't believe their ears at what Dumbledore was suggesting that they HAD to go back to school while they was stuck there. There was no way either of them could go back to school not after being gone for so long. And not only that they wasn't the same as they were before going missing. Not even in the slightest.

Five years in Paradise and New World was only 2 years missing in Real World as Snape has lovely sneered at. Clearly Albus thought they would come back, so desperate into going back to Hogwarts. However both Eve and Cedric protested. There was no way they could go back not with the training they had gone through and the stuff they had done by all means they could easily kill every witch wizard in a heartbeat. Especially with the Haki Training they went through and Cedric's Devil Fruit powers. On top of that they are pirates. PIRATES for Gods sake.

Finally with a lot of glares and loads of arguing Dumbledore wore them down HOWEVER they still refused to attend seeing that their magic was semi-useless. They could still perform their magic but not in the same way that Dumbledore would want. Finally he relent and both of them won't be students but guests to Hogwarts.

Dumbledore even suggested that Eve goes back to the Dursleys in the summer holidays.

"I'm only going back to get the few things that even matters and that is it I am NOT staying with them. And you can't FORCE me to! And I am an adult whether you like it or not. And we are NOT sitting with our former tables we will be sitting with our Nakamas!" Eve yelled out at Dumbledore with a glare which finally put an end of the argument.

-End Of Flashback-

Meanwhile Umbridge had dug into the archives to piece a convincing story to fool the general public of what was really going on to why no one could find both Eve Potter and Cedric Diggory. The Ministry told the public that something had happened but couldn't prove anything.

The real reason is Umbridge even bothered was to get both Eve and Cedric on the side of the Ministry Of Magic because if she could sway them over then Ministry Of Magic will have an edge of overthrowing the Great Albus Dumbledore. If she did that then she would be in better favor with Fudge. And that would mean a high pay raise. She didn't care if this whole thing ruined all of Hogwarts and Dumbledore at all. She glared at the ship that was anchored in the Black Lake. She hated the group just as much as she hated anything that isn't pure-blooded.

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After the drama with Dumbledore both Eve and Cedric returned to the 'Red Force' none too thrilled on what they had to do but there was little they could do at the moment. Shanks watched the both of them and said softly while patting them on the shoulders, "Don't worry, we'll figure out something." Cedric heaved a sigh and said, "I hope so. Captain, I hope so..." With a sigh the group got ready to head back into Hogwarts since the students are going to be there shortly. Hopefully no one would bother the ship though Shanks made sure to have people on board just in case some nosy students got too curious.

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By nightfall the students had returned and of course the students noticed a large ship docked on the Black Lake. But it was too dark to see anything more then that.

The students filed into the Great Hall and was shocked to see people they don't recognized, they wore strange Muggle clothing. Who were they and what are they doing there. The hall went silent when Minerva McGonagall started the new students for the year. One by one the first years was sorted into their new houses.

Dumbledore smiled some as the new first years went to their new houses he then stood up and the students went silent as he spoke up, "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Now that has been said in regards this group of special individuals who is with us, they are from a far off place. They are called "The Red Hair Pirates" I do believe you remember Eve Potter and Cedric Diggory! Who are a part of this group!"

Whispers broke out as there was chorus' of "No way!" "Is it really them?" "They don't look like Cedric Diggory and Eve Potter?!" "They are Pirates!"

"Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." Dumbledore said as food appeared onto the tables and everyone dug in while people was still talking about both Cedric and Eve.

It was a shock learning that both Eve and Cedric were Pirates. Who knew that their Savior is a Pirate? It blew the minds of the whole student population. Especially to Hermione, Neville, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny. Luna seemed to be the only one who knew even before they had been brought back. And she wasn't really thrilled on what, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had done before Eve and Cedric mysteriously vanished.

They are going to have to find the time to talk to them and see what happened.

They glanced over to the table where the Pirates are and they was taken back at the Pirates table manners. They were worst then Ron's and that was saying something. A fork stab here and there a knife jab and all around laughing and drinking. The only person who wasn't bothered by the display was Luna. Somehow she knew that both Eve and Cedric was taken for a reason. A reason she feels that wasn't in her place to say. Luna was just happy that they was happy.

Dumbledore watched the students talk with their friends and having fun talking about what they did over the summer. There was so much this year and he hope that he can get Eve and Cedric to do his bidding like he planned since year one. But as the feast progressed he thought more on what needs to be done and how. Trying to read both Cedric's and Eve's mind was not working very well.

Dumbledore gave a very weak sigh but then he stood up and said as the students went quiet, "May I have your attention please! Tryouts for the house Quidditch teams will take place on the -"

Dumbledore broke off, looking enquiringly at Umbridge. She was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking with the exception of the 'Red Hair Pirates', but then Umbridge cleared her throat with a "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.

Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat down smartly and looked alertly at Umbridge with annoyance as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff were not as adept at hiding their surprise. Professor Sprout's eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair and Professor McGonagall's mouth was thin. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.

"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore," Professor Umbridge simpered with false sugary voice that made ears bleed just from her talking, "for those kind words of welcome."

Her voice was high-pitched, breathy and little-girlish and, again, Eve felt a powerful rush of dislike that she could not explain; all she knew was that she loathed everything about her, from her stupid voice to her fluffy pink cardigan ever since she met the vile woman. She gave another little throat-clearing cough "hem, hem" (someone needs to either give her a cough drop or shoot her) and continued.

"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!"

Ron glanced around. None of the faces he could see looked happy. On the contrary, they all looked rather taken-aback at being addressed as though they were five years old.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!"

Students exchanged looks at this; some of them were barely concealing grins. 'Good friends my ass…' Eve sneered lightly.

Umbridge cleared her throat again "hem, hem", but when she continued, some of the breathlessness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them for ever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching."

Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back to her. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawk-like, and Eve's former friends distinctly saw her exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little "hem, hem" and went on with her speech.

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation..."

Professor Umbridge did not seem to notice the restlessness of her audience. Neville had the impression that a full-scale riot could have broken out under her nose and she would have ploughed on with her speech. The teachers, however, were still listening very attentively, and Hermione seemed to be drinking in every word Umbridge spoke, though, judging by her expression, they were not at all to her taste.

"...because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

She finally sat down and Dumbledore clapped. The staff followed his lead, though Eve noticed that several of them brought their hands together only once or twice before stopping. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.

"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most 'illuminating'," he said, bowing to her. "Now, as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held..."

"Oh yes, it certainly was illuminating," said Hermione in a low voice.

"You're not telling me you enjoyed it?" Ron said quietly, turning a glazed face towards Hermione. "That was about the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy."

Dumbledore smiled and said, "Off to bed with you all! Off you Trot!" As the students headed to bed while the 'Red-Hair Pirates' went back to the 'Red Force' for the night.

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...TO BE CONTINUED...

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