Author's Notes: Thank you to all the readers out there. This story is now over 14,500 hits. And a special thanks to all my reviewers.
ProfessorChris: Must be interesting in your house whenever the North London derby occurs. As for Megan... well, we'll see about what happens with her. She certainly is an ambitious girl. Thanks for your support.
Last chapter's Monty Python reference was where a flustered Henry blurted out "Burma!" This is a reference to episode 22 of Monty Python's Flying Circus, "How to Recognise Different Parts of the Body." The sketch in question is "Exploding Penguin on the TV Set" and has become another famous sketch in Monty Python lore. In this sketch, Graham Chapman and John Cleese play two pepperpots who are arguing about the penguin on top of their TV set. At one point in the sketch, Chapman forgot his line and shouted "Burma!" Cleese was caught off-guard and Chapman just sat still for a few seconds, but both stayed in character and the sketch continued.
Well, the regular weekly updates for this story will end after the next few chapters are posted. Hopefully I can get chapter 26 finished by then, but I do have a one-shot story waiting to hold you guys over for new chapters of this story. This story will be finished; I know where I want to go with it from here. It's just that school keeps interfereing with my ability to write. I'll also need to get to serious work on my other upcoming story, The Legend of Zelda: Dark Apprentice.
Well, enough of my jabbering. Lets get back to the action.
Chapter 23: A Change of Hats
Later that day, four people who had Apparated from London to Hogsmeade walked up to Hogwarts Castle. Once inside, they made their way up to the seventh floor of the building. Most of the first and second year students whom they encountered in the hallways backed away from them because of the black cloaks two of them wore, which hid most of their faces in shadow as they followed the other two individuals through the hallways. Their details were hard to discern, though at least one of the cloaked individuals was obviously a female, who was slightly shorter than the other cloaked individual. Their presence here in Hogwarts was a bit foreboding, although Headmistress McGonagall was expecting them.
Most of the students, however, were shocked more by the woman walking in front. She was a squat, toad-like woman who wore a pink robe with Ministry patches stitched onto the front and both arms for all to see. She also wore a short velvet bow in her short and tightly-curled hair and was holding a clipboard in front of her. Every Gryffindor house student recognized her immediately and either glared at her with malice or backed away in fear, some clutching the backs of their hands as they saw her. There were no Slytherin students around that would have recognized her, but they would have been very happy to see her again.
The fourth individual was a young man whom a select number of students would have recognized, and none of them encountered the group on their way up to the Headmistress's room. He was tall and thin. His red hair gave away part of his identity to those who knew anything about wizard families, and then his horn-rimmed glasses and figure gave away the rest of it. His family was persona non grata to the three people around him, but his history separated him from all that enough for them to bring him along on this trip. He occasionally glanced back and forth, remembering the times when he walked the halls of this castle as a student. Unknown to the other three people with him, however, his past history would become meaningless within the hour.
The four people made it to the seventh floor and approached the gargoyle that blocked to way up that particular tower. "Did they send you the password, Mr. Weasley?" the woman in pink inquired in her high-pitched voice that reminded him of a little girl's, though he still had some amount of respect for her.
"Yes, yes, they sent it to me," Percy affirmed as he cleared his throat, "Bing Tiddle Tiddle Bong."
The gargoyle leapt aside, allowing them to go up to the office on the ascending spiral staircase. The gargoyle jumped back into place as they went up. After about fifteen seconds, they found themselves standing at a polished oak door with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin. Percy took hold of the knocker and used it to hit the door twice.
A moment passed before they heard McGonagall's voice say, "You may enter."
Percy opened the door and the four people entered the circular room. On the walls all around the office were the portraits of pervious Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts, many of whom were watching the four entering the room intently. Dumbledore, however, was fast asleep in his portrait, which hung directly behind the desk in the room. This desk was a bit cluttered with paperwork at the moment, as Minerva McGonagall stood up from the high-backed chair to greet the Ministry representatives. However, it was the second person who was already in the room that gave the four cause for concern.
"Headmistress McGonagall, I was under the impression that you would be meeting with us alone," the woman in pink stated.
Minerva smiled upon hearing that. "Last time you and I were together, Dolores, I took four stunning spells to the chest," she reminded, "I am not keen on repeating that experience this time."
"I demand that you remove this murderer from my presence immediately!" Umbridge exclaimed, raising her voice.
"I can remove him permanently if you want, Dolores," the cloaked woman pointed out in her harsh voice as she reached for her wand, "Just give me the word and it shall be done."
However, she had made a mistake in speaking out loud. Geoffrey Gryffindor was now sure of the identity of this woman. He reached for and drew his wand immediately. "Bellatrix Lestrange," he muttered through his teeth with pure hatred as he pointed his wand at her, though Percy was in the way, "You point that wand at either Minerva or myself and you will not leave this castle alive."
"Better do as he says, Bellatrix," the other cloaked figure suggested, obviously a man by his low-pitched voice, "He is a very dangerous man to cross."
"I fear no one except the Dark Lord himself!" she snapped back as she removed her hood, revealing her long black hair and heavy-lidded eyes to everyone in the room. Arrogance seemed to emanate from her very being.
This unveiling only made Geoff's anger even greater. "Avery, if that's you, tell this bitch to chill," he suggested, having recognized the cloaked man from his voice.
Bellatrix's eyes went wide in rage. "What did you just call me!?" she roared as she brought her wand out.
"Bella! Don't! He wants you to do this! He's looking for an excuse!" Avery responded as he grabbed her right wrist before she could give Geoff the one movement from it he was looking for.
"No one speaks to me like that and lives!" Lestrange shouted back, "I will kill you, Gryffindor!"
"I'd love to see you try," Geoff replied, "Because I would love to see you dead at my feet."
"Enough of this!" Minerva exclaimed, silencing both of them, "We have official business to discuss. If you must settle your blood feud, please do it outdoors."
"Sorry, Minerva," Geoff apologized, but didn't put away his wand. Instead, he took the thin, eighteen-inch wand made of elder and with a dragon heartstring core, and pulled apart the two ends, separating the wand in half, and then gripped a half in either hand as if they were two separate wands.
"Headmistress McGonagall, remove this criminal from my presence immediately!" Umbridge repeated.
"I'm not going anywhere, Dolores," Geoff responded, "You can deal with me or you can leave the grounds now. Your choice."
"Dolores, he sounds resolute on that," Percy pointed out, "Just present our demands, please."
"Well, fine," Dolores replied bitterly as she looked down at her clipboard, "Headmistress McGonagall, we are here on Ministry business, specifically ordered by Minister for Magic Thicknesse himself, to ensure that the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are receiving a first class education in all areas of the magical arts. To this end, we have been sent here to evaluate the proceedings here at Hogwarts and provide a list of recommendations to improve the education of Britain's young witches and wizards. As a matter of fact, I have with me a list of recommendations to be implemented upon the start of the second term of this school year."
"We shall evaluate your recommendations, Dolores," Minerva pointed out, "But I have the final say on implementation."
"Of course you do," Bellatrix noted sarcastically.
"Is that a threat?" Geoffrey inquired.
"Geoffrey," Minerva called, "Don't start this again."
Geoff stood down, though he would not be bullied around by Bellatrix. He was the dominant one, the one in charge, and he wanted these Ministry lackeys to know that. Percy and Avery were getting the message immediately, but the arrogant women would need more time, it seemed. Not surprising, Geoff thought, These two take a back seat to no one.
"The first item on the list," Dolores began, "Is the expulsion of any students in this school who cannot prove that they have wizarding lineage."
"Expulsion for being a Muggle-born?" Geoff inquired as if surprised, "That's ridiculous! The children can't help that they are born a wizard or witch."
"The only way to have magical powers is to have magical blood in your veins or to steal powers from a wizard or witch," Dolores answered, "Any so-called Muggle-born in this school has stolen their wand and need to be punished."
Geoffrey was about to respond to this, but Minerva cut him off and cut the conversation short. "Absolutely unacceptable," she declared, "We will not expel students for what they are."
"This is a demand from the Ministry!" Dolores declared.
"Which Headmistress McGonagall is free to disregard if she believes it to not be in the best interest of this school," Geoff calmly explained, "And in this case, she believes it isn't. Lets move on, please."
Bellatrix was tightening her grip on her wand, which Geoff was watching out for like an owl staring at its prey before it strikes. His stare finally got her respect, though she'd still kill him in an instant if she got the chance. She knew his body count was bigger than hers, and that just wouldn't do at all for her.
It took a moment for Umbridge to regain her composure before moving on. "Fine then. Second, we are looking at a few changes in the Hogwarts staff," she continued, "We are looking to replace the Defense Against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies teachers."
"I didn't realize you'd tell the Ministry I was incompetent behind my back, Minerva," Geoff stated.
"I didn't," McGonagall replied truthfully, "Though I am uncomfortable with Professor Burbage's continued use of indoctrination in her classes."
Geoff groaned at this. "Again!?" he asked, "I just can't get through to her."
"Can we take it that you'll consider replacing Professor Burbage?" Percy asked.
"If you can provide us with a more qualified candidate, then yes, we will," Minerva affirmed, "However, I feel Professor Gryffindor here is a fine teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"His past history puts your students at grave risk," Dolores explained, "This man has been linked with no less than 17 murders."
"Linked, not convicted," Geoff pointed out.
"Just admit that you did them, Gryffindor," Bellatrix demanded, "I know you did. What did you feel when you realized you killed a human?"
"I don't know," Geoff answered, "But I'd be happy to find out using you as my guinea pig."
"Geoffrey! That's enough!" McGonagall shouted.
"No, let him keep talking," Bellatrix goaded, "Lets see how deep a grave he'll dig for himself."
However, Geoff did not respond to this. He knew that the Ministry would be digging up evidence against him to question his innocence. He had already been found not guilty for the 1990 killings, but there were six others that occurred in 1982 that he was also connected to that were never tried in court. And those killings gave Geoffrey Gryffindor the reputation he relied upon so much now. The seventeenth killed Death Eater they referred to was almost certainly Charles Franks. Of course, there were many others as well.
"As I was saying, Dolores," Minerva continued, "I feel that Professor Gryffindor is doing a fine job. He's definitely better than you were, that's a fact."
She might as well have stood up, walked up to her, and slapped Dolores Jane Umbridge across the face. She did not take that well. "I provided my students with the knowledge . . . ," she began.
But Geoff wasn't going to let her finish. "Knowledge without practice is useless," he interrupted firmly, "You had no business being a teacher of any kind at this school."
If Minerva had given Dolores a slap to the face, Geoffrey just took a lead pipe and slammed it into her forehead. She was incensed at the nerve these two renegades were showing to the Ministry. "You are in complete contempt of the Ministry for Magic!" she exclaimed as her hands shook with anger.
Percy had to step in at this point, which was what Geoff wanted from the start. "Dolores, I think I should continue," he suggested firmly as he reached for the clipboard she was holding.
"No!" she shouted as she pulled it away from her junior colleague, "These two have insulted me. Insulted the Ministry! They must be disciplined!"
"Insulted the Ministry?" Geoff asked with mock surprise, "I don't recall insulting the Ministry. Do you recall that, Headmistress?"
"Not at all," Minerva replied, "Unless, Dolores, you ARE the Ministry."
Percy wasn't going to allow this anymore. He reached over and quickly ripped the clipboard out of Dolores's hands while she was still reeling from this blow. And now she was in a state of pure hysteria. "Mr. Weasley! You hand that back right now!" she screeched, making Geoff cringe.
"You're getting us nowhere, Dolores," Percy answered calmly, "As we were saying, Headmistress McGonagall, the Ministry would like to propose new candidates for these two teaching positions."
"And I'm always open to new, better teachers," McGonagall replied truthfully, "Who does the Ministry have in mind, exactly?"
Percy looked down at the clipboard for this information, as he hadn't even looked at it before. "Amycus Carrow and Alecto Carrow," he read as he looked back up at the two Hogwarts teachers, then looked back down quickly at the sheet, "Wait, that can't be right. They're wanted by the Ministry."
"They were exonerated earlier today," Avery informed, "I guess you didn't get this morning's memo."
"Well, I was asked to go to the school directly from my home this morning," Percy explained, "I haven't been in my office yet today."
"Understandable," Avery commented, "You'll get up to speed soon enough, I'm sure."
"Yeah," Percy replied uncertainly.
"The Carrows?" Geoff asked with surprise, "I didn't realize they were qualified for teaching." Is that the best you losers can do? The Carrows? was what he was really thinking.
"May I point out that you are not qualified either, Mr. Gryffindor?" Dolores stated.
"Touche, Dolores," Geoff replied without interest.
"Of course, I will take a look at their credentials and get back to you on the possibilities of interviews," Minerva replied to Percy, "Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Weasley answered as he looked at the list again, "Third is to alter the curriculum in the two previously mentioned subjects, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Muggle Studies. I'll just give you sheets on the overview." Percy handed McGonagall and Gryffindor a sheet detailing how the curriculums of those courses were going to change.
"You want me to teach the students how to perform the Unforgivable Curses?" Geoff asked.
"You've already taught the seventh years the Killing Curse, from what we understand," Avery pointed out.
"Strictly for self defense purposes," he answered, "The other two Unforgivable Curses have no applications to self defense."
"Not all situations would demand use of the Killing Curse," Avery countered, "I'm sure you recognize that."
"I recognize that the other two Unforgivable Curses are only used by those who need to do something illegal and evil," Geoff stated firmly as he looked back down at his list again, "Allow students to use curses on each other as punishment for disobedience? What sort of school does the Ministry think we're running here?"
"Change the Muggle Studies curriculum to emphasize how Muggles are nothing like wizards and witches in any way?" Minerva paraphrased, "What for?"
"That is the Ministry's new line, McGonagall," Bellatrix answered, drawing a quick glance from Percy that no one but Geoff noticed.
"I would like to have some proof of this before I go and change the Muggle Studies curriculum," the Headmistress requested, "Along with independent verification."
That'll take forever, Geoff thought.
"Of course Headmistress McGonagall," Percy answered, now going through the list of requests and becoming more and more unnerved by what he found there, "Next is a demand for mandatory education of all eligible students of magic here at Hogwarts."
This one caught Geoff a bit off guard. He wasn't expecting this. "Mandatory Hogwarts education for all witches and wizards?" he paraphrased.
"Yes, that would be accurate," Percy affirmed.
"Not everyone is cut out for Hogwarts, you know," Minerva stated, "And some parents prefer to home-school their children."
"Be that as it may," Dolores said, "We at the Ministry would prefer that you educate all young witches and wizards here."
"So you can have more bureaucrats?" Minerva inquired in a joking manner, though only she and Geoff laughed.
Geoff finally figured it out at this point. This is in anticipation of a Hogwarts takeover, he realized, Once they control the school, they can use it to brainwash the children into submitting to Voldemort's will. Hell, he'd probably take my job for himself. I wonder if this might apply to Harry as well.
Geoff decided to ask about that very subtly. "Would this also apply to a student who wants to take a year off from school voluntarily?" he asked.
"They would not be allowed to do so, no," Dolores answered, "We feel that it is essential for wizards and witches of that age to stay at school as regularly as possible."
"Speaking of students who aren't here that should be, where's Potter, Gryffindor?" Bellatrix demanded.
"Bellatrix," Avery said with a tone of caution in his voice, "Now may not be the best time for that."
"I have absolutely no idea where he is right now," Geoff stated. It wasn't exactly a lie, as he didn't know where Gary had taken him last night or where he was right now.
"Liar!" Lestrange shrieked as she moved forward slightly.
"Bellatrix! No!" Avery shouted as he put his arm up to stop her.
"Avery, stop being a coward!" Bellatrix responded, "You have always been weak."
"This isn't a battle you can win, Bellatrix," Avery warned, "You have to trust me on this."
"Once again," Geoff interrupted, "I have no idea where Harry Potter is at this time. Why are you interested in finding him?"
"The Ministry wants to question him about the events of June 1997," Dolores informed, "We feel he can help us in our investigation of Headmaster Dumbledore's murder."
"What makes you think Mr. Potter had anything to do with those events?" McGonagall asked.
"Don't play innocent with us, blood traitor," Bellatrix warned, emphasizing the epithet.
"Are you accusing Headmistress McGonagall of being dishonest?" Geoffrey inquired, trying to make Bellatrix stop overstepping boundaries.
"Yes, I am," she answered, starting to cross that boundary, "And I say you are lying as well, Gryffindor."
And now she went too far. After this, he started to walk forward toward Bellatrix. His body language indicated that he had no intentions of attacking at this time, but the gesture itself put everyone on edge and reaching for their wands in their robes. Geoff moved Percy aside as he took one final step and stopped just a foot in front of Bellatrix Lestrange. And now she pulled out her wand, though Geoff saw she wasn't going to use it yet. Geoff stared into her eyes, hardened by her life of crime and time served in Azkaban, for a few seconds before finally speaking again.
"If you were a man, I'd challenge you to a duel," he informed in a quiet, but intense, voice, "You have dishonored myself and my family with your accusation."
But Bellatrix wasn't going to back down. Those words only applied to her when confronting the Dark Lord. "Your family had no honor to lose, Gryffindor," she retorted, "You and all your family of blood traitors. You all make me sick."
"Bellatrix, please, don't do this," Avery reminded, "We're not here for that."
"I think I need to teach you, Avery," Bellatrix replied, not looking at her fellow Death Eater while still looking at Geoffrey, "That Geoffrey Gryffindor here is just a wizard like you, and nothing more. I could have killed him when I entered this room without a second thought."
"Then why didn't you?" Geoff asked.
Bellatrix smirked. "In good time, Gryffindor," she replied, "Your time will come. Your death will come."
"We all die, Bellatrix," Geoff pointed out, "I'm not afraid of death. It will come when it will for me, as for all of us."
"I'm not afraid to die, either," Lestrange answered.
In another time and place, Geoff was sure that he and Bellatrix Lestrange would have been allies, perhaps even friends. They were so similar, holding their beliefs so closely in mind that they could not be compromised. However, they were on different sides of this line in this war, and both of them knew that at least one of them would die at the other's hand before all was said and done. Besides Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange was the only Death Eater who did not fear Geoffrey Gryffindor. Her master emphasized that while Harry Potter was the greater threat, Gryffindor was a close second. And since the Dark Lord wanted to destroy Potter himself, Bellatrix would have the honor of destroying the man once known as the most promising wizard of his generation, one who had already killed or had a hand in the deaths of at least 17 Death Eaters already.
As for Geoff, he knew that Bellatrix Lestrange was too powerful and skilled for anyone other than him to take on alone. She knew all the tricks in the book, just as he did. They were so equally matched that Geoff knew that it would be he who would kill her and finally end the brutality and pain she had caused for so long. He also desired her death to avenge his godson being left without proper parents at only the age of one. This was a challenge that had to be answered, and he had every intention of taking her life for the good of all and for his own peace of mind.
"Don't insult my family again," he warned as he backed away from her to where he stood before. He would not dare to turn his back on someone as dangerous and unstable as Bellatrix Lestrange.
McGonagall realized that this wasn't a situation that she could control anymore. The hatred between Geoffrey and Bellatrix was just too great. "Lets try to finish this quickly, please," she requested, "I allowed Mr. Potter to defer his last year of education at Hogwarts for personal reasons. He lost the closest thing he ever had to a father when Dumbledore died, you know. He needs time to sort out all his feelings. And he is of age. He may live wherever he wants to live."
"As I said, he needs to answer questions pertaining to Dumbledore's death," Dolores repeated.
"I thought that investigation was complete," Geoff stated.
"It was reopened this morning," Avery informed.
At this point, Percy turned around, a look of exasperation on his face. "Is there anything else that I should know about?" he asked in frustration, "I feel like I'm flailing in the dark here."
"You can catch up with everything when we get back to London, Percival," Dolores stated, "We can discuss it all over lunch."
"Yeah, sure, that sounds good," Percy replied as he glanced down at the list again, "Well, I think we should cut this short here since I feel like we're overstaying our welcome. I'll just leave this list of requests with you, Headmistress McGonagall."
Percy handed the list to Minerva, who accepted it immediately. "Is that all?" she inquired.
"I believe so," Percy answered, "If there's nothing else you want to say, we'll be leaving now."
"Actually, I'd like to speak to you, Mr. Weasley, and Avery in my office, if it isn't a problem," Geoffrey requested.
"Well, I guess I can spare the time," Percy answered, "But I can't be long. I really must get back to work."
"I can spare the time, certainly," Avery replied as he finally took his hood off, revealing his face. It was a face that would have made anyone believe he couldn't be a Death Eater, were it not for the scars. It was a face that was more rounded in shape, in opposition to the sharp features that defined the faces of Bellatrix and Geoffrey himself. His short black hair and brown eyes were hardened, but only because of experience.
"The rest of you may leave, then," Minerva said, "Have a nice day."
The two women from the Ministry left the room without another word, though Bellatrix gave Geoff a long look before leaving. Geoff waited two minutes before he too left the room, the two male Ministry representatives in tow.
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"Professor Gryffindor, what in Merlin's name is going on here?" Percy inquired inside Geoff's office, "What has happened with the Ministry? And why are known Death Eaters accompanying me here?"
"Come on, Percy," Geoff answered him, "I know you can put it all together."
"I don't think I want to," Percy pointed out.
"Then I'll do it for you," Geoff began, "Scrimgeour was tortured and killed yesterday by Death Eaters. You-Know-Who is in control of this country and everyone who was a member of the Order has pretty much been driven into hiding or, like your father, are watching their backs for attacks from Death Eaters. They're now trying to break through the autonomy this school has while in session and enforce their new line of fanatical pure-blood support on the young wizards and witches of this country."
"But I would have heard something . . . ," Percy began, wanting to deny the perfectly logical explanation he just heard.
"Heard from who?" Geoff demanded to know, "Who would have told you? Whom do you know in the Order?"
"My . . . ," Percy began to reply when he suddenly had an epiphany, "Oh, I've been a bloody fool, haven't I Geoff?"
Geoff nodded in response. "At least you're able to admit it, Percy," he said, "There's hope for you yet, young man."
Percy was still shaking his head slowly as he sat down and brought both his hands to his forehead. He didn't want to believe any of it. "What's going to happen to me?" he asked.
"Your record up to this point will keep you alive," Geoff assured, "Though I'm sure you're no Death Eater."
"Of course I'm not!" Percy exclaimed as he looked up at Geoffrey, "I'd never support any of these measures! And I would never join them!"
Geoff nodded, obviously in deep thought about something. After a few moments, he finally spoke again. "Percy," he began, "Would you be willing to work for me for a while?"
Percy knew what he meant by that immediately. "You want me to be your spy," he stated bluntly.
"Sure, however you want to phrase it," Geoff replied, "You want to make your mother and father proud of you again?"
"What would you want me to do?" the younger man inquired, "I'm just a clerk."
"A little rule for spies," the older man instructed, "Hear all, trust nothing. You will report everything you hear to me on a regular basis via an encoding device I'll give to you and show you how to use it. You'll send me messages in the guise of forcing me to accept the Ministry's authority. It's very simple, really."
"And if I get caught?" Percy asked, though he knew what always happened to caught spies.
"I'll make sure you know when to get out of dodge, as our American friends would say," Geoff assured, "I have my ways of communicating with your father. And even if his employment with the Ministry was terminated, I have back up plans for informing my people of danger. You'd be able to get out of danger before you'd see an executioner. This is a risk Percy, one that I cannot force upon you. If you do not wish to help me, I will not make you do this. It's your choice and your responsibility."
But Percy knew there was no choice. He had to make amends for all of his foolish behavior. He had put his career ahead of everything else, even his own family. And now he was adrift at sea with only one lifeboat nearby, and that lifeboat happened to have Geoffrey Gryffindor already in it. "I'll begin immediately," Percy stated as he stood up.
"You're sure?" Geoff asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Percy affirmed, "I'll let you know about everything I hear."
"Just so you know," Geoff began to explain, "If the Ministry starts suspecting you, they may start passing off information to you intentionally to catch you red-handed when their target turns up missing for no reason. I won't be able to use all the information you provide me and we won't be able to save everyone you hear of being attacked. It's just the way this goes, so don't get discouraged."
"Yes sir," Percy answered.
"Now, if you'll come over here," Geoff requested as he dug through his desk for something, "I'll show you how to use this device."
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"It's good to talk to you again, my old friend," Geoffrey stated as he and Avery stopped on a covered bridge on the grounds that offered those who walked on it a look at the beautiful Scottish countryside, "I just wish it could be under better circumstances."
"Yeah, I hear you on that," Avery replied, "But the Dark Lord is back and we're in control now."
"Yes, it seems that way, for now," Geoff replied.
"How is Gary doing?" Avery inquired, "I haven't seen him since my last year here at Hogwarts when he was just coming in."
"He's doing fine," Geoff replied.
Geoff was gazing at the countryside to the south while Avery glanced between that and Geoff a few times, trying to find the courage to take this conversation on a new line. "It's not too late, you know," he finally informed.
"Not too late for what?" Geoff asked.
"To join us," Avery answered, "The Dark Lord would be more than happy to accept such a powerful wizard into his service, and a pure-blood at that. You'd soon become his second-in-command."
Geoff laughed at that notion. "More dear to him than even Bellatrix?" he inquired.
"Bellatrix's strength comes from her reputation for brutality and violence," Avery explained, "You are more powerful than her, without a doubt."
"And he'd trust me with that position?" Geoff asked, "Considering all I've supposedly done to him, I would think he'd want me dead."
"He could not pass up on such a powerful wizard like you," Avery replied, "And he could help you unlock all the magical potential that still remains within you. I remember that you used to brag about how powerful you'd become one day, Geoff. Don't you still dream of finding that power?"
Geoff decided to end this charade now. He turned to look at Avery, who was now looking back at him. "Avery, your master would never let me live because of that potential," he explained, "I'd always be a threat to him. And my past would never allow him to trust me. You know that."
Indeed, Avery did know the main reason behind Geoffrey's change from a kind boy to the man he was now. "That scar runs that deep with you," he realized.
"It was over, Avery," Geoff began ranting, "And everyone knew it. He was gone. The war was over. And when the war is over, the fighting ends. There are no more attacks from either side."
"Your side attacked ours," Avery accused.
"Death Eaters had to be punished for what they had done, you know that," Geoff asserted, "You fought a revolution and you lost. You knew what would happen in that case."
"It just seemed like we couldn't be stopped," Avery recalled, "The whole failure thing never came to mind. And then Halloween came and . . . "
"Yeah, I understand what you mean," Geoff said, "But it was over. The Lestranges could have just fled overseas and never been seen again. They may have even found You-Know-Who. They didn't have to do that to Frank and Alice."
Avery had to tread carefully here. "They felt like they knew where the Dark Lord was," he said.
"No, that wasn't it," Geoff denied immediately, "I heard the testimony in court. The other three wanted to leave after they saw that they knew nothing, but it was that bitch who kept them there! She wanted to see Frank and Alice suffer beyond any measure imaginable. I went to see them in St. Mungo's and I was broken when I saw them. I couldn't believe that any human being could inflict such pain just for its own sake." By now, Avery saw that Geoff was on the verge of tears.
"Her faith in the Dark Lord is absolute and unwavering," Avery admitted.
"She must be destroyed," Geoff resolved, "A monster like her cannot be allowed to live and inflict any more pain on anyone else. She cannot be allowed to torture or kill again."
"Then join us, Geoffrey," Avery demanded, seeing a chink in his armor, "You could challenge her as our second-in-command. You could free us all of her influence."
"No, I will get my opportunity soon enough," Geoff denied, "I am a patient man, Avery. I will wait for that opportunity without joining what I seek to destroy."
"Geoff, I know of your beliefs about Muggles and wizards," Avery countered, "How you believe we're the next phase of the human race and that we will eventually replace the Muggles."
"What of it?" Geoff asked.
"The new, superior species should supplant the old, inferior one," Avery explained, "That's the way your evolution works. How is what we do any different from other instances of evolution?"
"We aren't animals, Avery," the Hogwarts professor answered, "We don't have to resort to force and we can think beyond such things. The evolution is one way and irreversible. Why should we kill Muggles when the evolution will be accomplished on its own? Unless, of course, we wizards and witches keep having no children, like so many of you Death Eaters do."
"Our devotion has to be to the Dark Lord and him alone," Avery stated.
Geoff shook his head. "I couldn't do that," he admitted, "I love my wife and children too much to give such a thing to your master. That's why I feel your organization is a disgrace to all wizards and witches. Your master demands everything from you, and in exchange for what? Power? What good is power when you have nothing to do with it? No future generation to benefit from it?"
"Geoff, that's not true," Avery denied.
"Really?" Geoff retorted, "How many children do all these Death Eaters have in total?"
Avery hesitated before he answered. "Not many, I have to admit," he said.
"And thus you completely defeat the point of evolution," Geoff accused, "Not only do you not multiply, but you also kill off other wizards and witches. That makes no sense."
"I don't enjoy serving him," Avery confessed, "And I never did."
Now it was Geoff's chance. "Then join me," he encouraged his friend, "I will demand your loyalty and nothing else."
"The Dark Lord made me suffer for my lapses before," Avery began, "He would have me killed for abandoning him again."
"I can protect you," Geoff assured.
Avery took a few moments to think, but then shook his head. "I'm sorry Geoff, but I've made my bed," he said, "And now I have to sleep in it. I'll see you around, I hope."
"Yeah, see you later," Geoff replied as Avery began to leave. He was extremely disappointed that he had failed to convert Avery to his cause. He was close, but Voldemort had established too much fear in his mind for Avery to even try to abandon him again.
With a sigh, Geoffrey Gryffindor walked back inside the castle and went back to his office. He had a lot of things to do before the students got back for the spring term. Meanwhile, Megan finally came out from hiding behind an outcropping in the covered bridge. She was not seen, yet she had heard everything.
"Evolution," she mused as she made her way back to the Slytherin common room, "Maybe Granger should know about this."
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From the pages of the Daily Prophet:
BULGARIA OVER USA IN FRIENDLY
BULGARIA EARNS NARROW WIN IN FIRST TIMED QUIDDITCH FRIENDLY
The first ever international Timed Quidditch friendly turned out to be a huge success, as the Bulgarian National Quidditch team and the reigning championship team from the United States of America played 120 minutes of exciting Quidditch action, with the conclusion of the game never a certainty until the final second went off the clock.
In the end, USA seeker and captain Maximus Brankovitch III was unable to catch the Golden Snitch in time with his team down two points, as time ran out on the game just seconds before he could grab it and Bulgaria defeated the USA by the score of 75 (15 and 30) to 73 (15 and 28) in a game that had everyone shouting out with excitement, despite the lack of talent on both sides outside of the seeker position (the scores in Timed Quidditch are often expressed in the form of "captures and goals," as shown here).
"Of course, I hate losing, but I feel that this event was a big success," Brankovitch said in the post game press conference, "There were over 60,000 wizards and witches packed into the stadium and I don't think they sat down for a moment while the teams were flying. Of course, this shows us that we need to get better, and we will get better. I really hope that this game spreads now that you have had a taste of it."
As previously reported, a timing issue may have come with this game, and that was definitely an issue that caused controversy at the end of the game. Only two seconds after time expired on the game, Brankovitch caught what would have been a game-winning capture for the Americans, but as time had expired, it did not count. Both seekers declared that this violated the spirit of the game itself.
"The rules of play definitely need some improvement," Bulgarian seeker and captain Viktor Krum declared, "The play just started and stopped too much in my opinion. Every time someone scores, the players have to reset and start all over again."
"Well, that's something I didn't like when the IAQ [International Association of Quidditch] released their version of the rules for this game," Brankovitch pointed out, "Because it's really two different games going on at once, and each game can continue while the other one resets on its own. We could keep the clock running while play for one set of players resets and the other set keeps battling for points. That's how it usually works in the States. Of course, we'd still stop the clock for injuries and timeouts, which only the team with possession of the Quaffle should be allowed to use. And never to be used to deny a Seeker the Snitch."
"I agree with you on that," Krum replied as IAQ head Hassan Mostafa took notes feverishly, "Another thing is that I feel you were robbed at the end of the game when they didn't award you with that last capture. I think there should be a rule that each half lasts 60 minutes plus one capture of the Snitch."
"That sounds good, yes," Brankovitch responded, "But lets remember that you were robbed of a capture at the end of the first half for the exact same reason I was robbed of one at the end of the second half. So we still would have lost by two points. Also, such a rule would encourage the seeker on the team that's behind by more than three at the end to just block the other team's seeker from getting this Snitch, which isn't any fun at all."
"You and I both know that tactic only works for so long," Krum countered, drawing a laugh from everyone present.
When asked about the potential of this new game format, Krum was very positive about the game. "I believe that this game is the future of our sport," he stated, "It's exciting, it's consistent, and it's fair. On an average team, you'll get three goals on average for every one capture and with modifications, this will render the old points-basis league system completely unnecessary. You can just go on wins, ties, and losses, with point differential as a tiebreaker."
"I have nothing to add to that assessment," Brankovitch replied, drawing a laugh from those present.
Also present at the game were management employees from all the teams of the British and Irish Quidditch League, including five owners, along with the league's commissioner, who declined to comment to the Prophet at this time. However, several of the owners present felt the game has much promise and will watch its evolution carefully.
The press conference was cut short by the USA team's security personnel. There has been no explanation for this action at this time.
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Author's Notes: Don't worry, this is the last time you'll be seeing Dolores Umbridge in this story. I hate everything about her character. However, in a future Harry Potter story, Echoes of a Lost Past, she will play a major role in the story. However, that's still way far off.
As far as I know, the idea of wizards and witches being the next stage of human evolution (Homo magicus if you must get a scientific name) is one I came up with. Rowling says that wizard genes are "aggressively dominant" in that most people who have wizard blood turn out to be wizards or witches. However, from my study of biology (which, I admit, is not very great), genes are not "aggressive" in terms of which genes get passed down to the next generation; it's simply random chance. In addition, Rowling tried to explain the large number of Muggle-borns to Squib ancestors who passed wizard genes down to their children until they finally manifested themselves again, which also seems like a suspect argument to me. Evolution would explain how wizards can have this "aggressively dominant" gene and why Muggle-borns are becoming more common. And honestly, being a wizard does have its advantages over being a Muggle. Muggles are bound, ultimately, by the laws of physics. Wizards are not bound by any law of science (except that the dead cannot properly be restored to life and the other obvious restrictions).
The problem with this theory is that it could easily be abused by those like Lord Voldemort, who could claim that this theory of evolution validates his ideas of Muggle persecution. Since Muggles are now an evolutionary moot point, they don't matter anymore. But this is not the way Geoffrey sees it. I feel like I'm equating Geoff to Professor X in the movie "X-Men" and Lord Voldemort to Magneto, but the only problem is that Professor X and Magneto are friends, while Geoff and Voldemort are not.
Well, that's about all for now. Next week, you will hear the truth behind the man that is Gary Gryffindor. It is a very sad tale, so get yourself ready for that.