A/N: Here is the next chapter in the exciting life and times of . . .

Of course it's exciting. Who wants to read about someone who is dull and boring.

How many of you out there said to yourselves, I'm going to read about Millard Fillmore, instead. How many of you have heard of Millard Fillmore, a former president of the United States? It was during his administration that the Post Office came out with the perforated postage stamp.

Chapter 17: The Rite of Inclusion

It was Rodolphus Lestrange who walked Draco back to Hogwarts. He assured the boy that he was correct. The Minister had a hand in the sabotage of the sign, although it would be very difficult to prove. His best guess was a timed vanishing spell. The second rule on the sign simply disappeared when the whistle blew the fourth time. No one would dare suggest the Minister examine his own wand. Nor was such a petty action against the man's morals. If the Minister was convinced he was right, then whatever he did was appropriate.

Draco agreed with his godfather. It would be best for the school, the ministry and the Minister for Magic to remove such a reckless child as himself.

"Will it work? The Rite of Inclusion?" Draco asked.

"Dumbledore disapproves," Rodolphus answered. "I wouldn't worry too much about the teachers or the staff. I would worry about the students. You have several enemies, even in your own house." He then muttered, "those damned witches."

"Why them?"

"Why indeed." His voice held anger and frustration. "They went to the trouble to create that clever little plan to keep the Minister at bay, then they throw it all away at the last minute. And they were not quiet. They boasted about it."

Both fell silent as they neared the school. Too many students were close by as they neared the main doors. Once inside, Draco was steered up the staircase and down a hall, into the first deserted classroom they came to. Rodolphus sighed.

"It was a good run, Draco, but I think we must prepare for the worst. You will be expelled. That is guaranteed. I will talk to Madame Maxime. I know she was upset about the tampering with the sign. She might be willing to take you in as a student. I'll also talk to Karkaroff. He's a bloody coward but I might be able to threaten him enough . . ."

Draco smiled at what his godfather was saying. First, make sure he had another school to go to. Otherwise, he could end up as the victim of another of the Minister's schemes. But when the man stopped talking, Draco felt his shackles rise. Something was wrong.

Rodolphus Lestrange suddenly had his wand in his hand. The door to the classroom slammed shut as he waved the wand. The windows, already closed, locked themselves. And his face was red with anger as he began to speak.

"I know you're here, you bitch. Show yourself or I'll fumigate the entire room and be done with you."

As Draco watched, a small bug, a beetle from the look of it, flew off the wall toward them. As it neared, it grew larger and changed shape. In an instant, Rita Skeeter was there. She was smiling. Draco hid his surprise. The reporter was an animagus, probably illegal. And his godfather knew it.

"Rudy, that wasn't a nice threat to make. And after all the good times we've had together."

"I meant it, though. I will not be spied upon. It's bad enough that I'm constantly watched by the teachers at this school, but I will not play the fool for the press."

"You? Why would I be interested in you? Not until your brother shows up. I wanted to get the honest reactions of a poor student set upon by unfair trials." She paused. "I like that line. I will have to work it into my next story."

Draco smiled. "I am truly heartbroken by the mean tricks that were played on me."

"That won't do. I wish I had my quill with me." She smiled at Rodolphus. "Why don't I change that to 'I am truly heartbroken by the cruelties thrust at me by an uncaring world'?"

Rodolphus growled. "Write whatever you like but keep my name out of it. Do you understand?"

"Of course, Rudy. And I never intended to mention you at all. It might make people think Draco was not the innocent I want to show him as. The poor, misunderstood boy, shunted aside as he tries to find his way in an uncaring world." She paused again. "I do wish I had my quill with me. That was absolutely inspiring. I can't use both of them though. Too much uncaring." She looked at Draco. "Never use a clever word twice in one article. It's still a good quote."

"Quote?" Draco asked.

"You have a wonderful way with words, my boy. At least, you will. Once I'm done writing my article." She smiled at Rodolphus. "I even found you, alone, in a deserted classroom, crying about what happened to you."

"I ain't cryin'."

"You're bawling your eyes out," she said testily. "You'll have the readers' sympathy by the end of the first paragraph. I promise. I'll even have them crying as I describe you leaving the Great Hall for the last time, afraid of what will become of you now that you are alone in the world with no place to call home."

Rodolphus was smiling again. "You are good, Rita. Will you write the story before or after the Rite?"

"Before. Once Draco is thrown out, I speed the article to Prophet. They might even put out a special addition, although I think that would be wishful thinking on my part."

"Hadn't you better get started?" Rodolphus asked.

Rita put her hand lovingly on his arm. "There's plenty of time, dear. And Draco might say something worthwhile if I talk to him, now that I can't listen in." She turned to Draco again. "You do know how to keep a secret, darling, about the beetle thing. It would ruin my career. And any chance of you ever having the truth told about your sad life."

"Sure, no problem. Did you know my godfather, before he went . . . away?"

The gold teeth flashed as she smiled. "More than I care to tell you. And keep that under wraps as well."

"My lips are sealed."

"So, Beaubatons or Durmstrang?"

Rodolphus Lestrange walked over to the desk and sat on it. They way he gestured, and his bemused smile told Draco to go ahead with the interview.

"Hard choice," Draco answered. "I was born in France but I'm sort of friends with Viktor Krum. "

Rita gazed upward. "Go with Durmstrang. The moral support that Viktor Krum has given is more than I ever received at Hogwarts. I do hope I can remember all these good lines."

"Can I ask what you're going to say about the Minister?"

"Oh, nothing. I learned long ago that if I can't praise the man then I'd better not mention him at all. Especially when I write about you. Do you know, I didn't think it was possible for him to hate you more than he did when you entered the tournament. Then I had to revise that to when you returned from the Hebrides with that dragon. (That was a beautiful article. I may even win an award for it.) But when you managed to take that cute silver cup . . . He was absolutely livid." She leaned forward to look Draco in the eye. "I am curious, though. For my own sake. Whatever were you talking about to that spider? The conversation seemed to last forever."

"Um. 'e's a frien' of Hagrid. Jus' bein' sociable."

"Really?" She stood up and held out her hand to Draco. As they shook, she told him to have a good life. She blew Rodolphus a kiss. "I'll see my way out, dear."

As the door closed, Draco watched his godfather laugh.

"That woman is amazing, Draco. She would never even think to curse or hex anyone, but she's destroyed more men with that quill of hers than I have with my wand." He smiled wistfully at the door, then shrugged his shoulders. "That reminds me to ask, have you seen the American witches much?"

"Well, they were always around, looking things over, until the dragon left." Draco understood what his godfather meant. For the first few days, the witches were always there. Professor Duracam even suggested the means to convince the dragon to return home. Since that time, the Professor had rarely been seen. Professor Adrem was frequently in the library, but rarely talked to anyone unless they approached her. And Doctor McCudgeon was seen at the meals but hardly ever made an appearance elsewhere. The exception was when they discussed how to juggle the Minister's desire that they take Draco with the fact Draco did not want to leave. "The Doctor said we should talk."

"When?" Rodolphus clarified his question. "When did she say that?"

"When we were on the platform, at the end of the first task. That was all she said."

"Make sure I am there," Rodolphus commanded. He looked at his watch. "It's almost time, boy. Shall we go to your execution?"


The Great Hall was crowded, especially the teacher's table as every teacher was there. And every ghost, including Peeves, had appeared. When Draco asked if all the ghosts were included, not just the house ghosts, he was told yes. Draco asked about the portraits. Hermione asked him if was serious. The ghosts were being included because of Professor Binns. She also assured him not to worry. She had a speech prepared when it was the students' turn, if they made it that far.

As soon as Argus Filch closed the doors to the Great Hall, Bartemius Crouch began his explanation. A student had, by his order, been expelled from Hogwarts. There was, however, a small complication. As he was the Minister and not the Headmaster, the expulsion could be contested. He noted that this contestation was known by the name of 'The Rite of Inclusion'. The details of the Rite were simple. Everyone in the school, teacher, student, staff and ghost, had to agree to let the student stay.

Albus Dumbledore stood up as the Minister finished. He explained that, in the interest of fairness, anyone could make a statement as to why they made their particular choice. All statements must refer to the defendant, Draco Malfoy.

"A waste of time," the Minister muttered. He paused as the sentence was heard throughout the hall. There were pockets of laughter as well as a few remarks that the Minister was right. Hermione whispered to Draco that the acoustics had been enhanced so that anyone could be heard throughout the hall without having to shout. She then blushed furiously as Dumbledore, from the front of the Great Hall told her she was correct and that was why everyone should remain silent.

The Minister called for Draco to come up to the front of the hall to stand with him and the headmaster. Draco did, and was given his place. Then the polling of the teachers began. Most of the teachers simply said yes, that Malfoy should stay. The first statement was made by Professor Binns, who was a ghost, having died several years earlier and never noticed.

"I assume we are talking about . . ." He looked around. "No, He's over there, sitting with the Gryffindors. Oh, it's you. Yes, you have my permission to leave."

"But I want to stay," Draco exclaimed before anyone could stop him.

"If you're feeling better, then stay. You should make up your mind before you ask these things. You are spending too much time with that Perkins boy. You are picking up his bad habits, Mister Malfoy."

"Sorry, Sir. I will try to do better."

Professor Crouch made the second statement. He explained that he was voting yes because of his close relationship with the Minister. Should his be the only no vote, then it would appear to be a fixed matter.

It was a small pleasure for Draco that the Minister was annoyed by the statement.

The third person to comment was Igor Karkaroff, the headmaster for Durmstrang. His remark reflected that of Professor Crouch. He would not pass judgement because he was only a guest at the school. But since circumstances demand that he cast a vote, he would vote yes, leaving the final choice in someone else's hands. Madam Maxime made the same statement when she was asked.

Professor McCudgeon smiled when her name was called. "Barty, I wouldn't take him off your hands before, why should I change my mind now. I say he should stay here."

Professor Adrem smiled and said, "Since he can't come to our school, I agree he should stay here." (Since he cayn't come to are school, ah agree he should stay hee-uh.)

Professor Lestrange was next. He commented that while he had many personal reasons to want his godson to stay, he was voting yes simply because the Minister didn't want him to. He was smiling.

It surprised Draco that Remus Lupin would comment as he was another of Harry Potter's Uncles. He explained that his student had successfully met every challenge in the contest so far. That included the challenge of the age barrier. He should not be expelled because he was too successful. Professor McGonagall enlarged upon this statement by pointing out the services that Draco had already performed for the school. Twice, he defended it from attacks by Voldemort.

Draco couldn't help himself. He told the Minister, "She means You-Know-Who."

McGonagall glared at him until the laughter died down. "Despite a strong desire to change my mind, I'm voting yes."

The polling continued smoothly. Each teacher said yes. Until the Minister asked Professor Trelawney. She was holding a tarot card in her hand.

"Do you see? It's the hanged man."

"That is interesting," the Minister said, "but what does it have to do with your decision."

"It's the sign of death. If I vote then Draco Malfoy will die."

"Then by all means vote," the Minister said. "Since he will die either way, there is no reason to keep the rest of us standing around."

Professor Trelawney smiled. "That's it. The rest of us." She pulled a deck of cards out of a sleeve and cast them face down on the table in front of her. She then moaned briefly as she waved her upper body about. Professor McGonagall aided her attempt at meditation by muttering, "for Merlin's sake."

Ignoring the laughter, the Divination Professor waved her hands over the cards. She carefully selected one, pulled it out and looked at it. She then screamed, throwing the card back onto the table. As she gathered all the cards together and began shuffling them, Trelawney apologized to the Minister, explaining that her inner eye demands she examine both possibilities. She cast the cards on the table and repeated her earlier motions. When she was done, she reached down and picked up a card at random. As she had done the previous time, she screamed and threw the card back on the table. One of the teachers behind her, Professor Sinistra, whispered to the professor next to her that it was the same card.

Trelawney gathered up the cards again and thrust them up her sleeve. She turned around, running toward a back door as she called out, "Let him stay. Let him stay."

One of the students was heard to remark, "Let her go. Let her go."

Finally, they came to the last teacher, Professor Vector. She made it a point to deliberately smile at Draco. "Of course he can stay. If for no other reason than he makes life interesting."

Draco smiled. But only for a second. The Minister began polling the staff. Argus Filch smiled and said yes. Draco did expect that vote. Filch still made it a point to make sure Walburga Black's portrait was being properly taken care of. Hagrid also voted yes, and gave Draco another thumbs up. So did all the other staff members. Madam Pomfrey made it a point to say "most definitively, yes." Her look was one of disgust at the Minister.

Draco knew why she had that look. She was aware of certain irregularities in the first task. Such as the erased sign and the troll getting loose. And because of all the times she had Draco in the infirmary, she took these affronts personally.

The Minister did not seem too surprised at the results. He knew that Dumbledore disapproved and that the teachers and staff were likely to follow their headmaster. He expected the same from the ghosts. Nor were there any surprises. The Grey Lady, house ghost for Ravenclaw, approached the Minister after the last staff member had been polled. She paused to curtsey to Draco, who bowed in return, saying softly, "My Lady."

Fred Weasley's voice could be heard saying, "Myrtle's going to be jealous."

"Am not," Myrtle said from across the hall. "We both know he's only being polite."

"Please," the Grey Lady said, although there was amusement in her voice.

"Something other boys should try," Myrtle commented to a fair amount of laughter.

"A simple suggestion, Minister," the Grey Lady said. "Rather than ask every ghost, as we are all present, merely insist that any one of us that wishes Draco Malfoy to leave has merely to stay. And each is free to make his or her own choice." It was noticed that the Lady was looking at the Baron, Slytherin's house ghost. It was known that the Baron was the only one who could control Peeves. The proof was that Peeves had been quiet the entire time he was in the Great Hall.

"A simple suggesting, and well thought out," The Minister acknowledged. He made the official announcement and watched as every ghost withdrew from the hall. Sir Nicholas made it a point to wish Draco luck. And Myrtle embarrassed Draco by throwing him a kiss. Only Peeves was left. And he was smiling.

"It looks like there is a no vote," the Minister said smugly.

"He's not a ghost," Draco said in his own defense.

"The boy is correct, Minister," Dumbledore admonished. "Peeves is a poltergeist. He must still be polled."

"Peeves," the Minister called angrily. "Should the boy stay? Yes or No?"

Peeves laughed as he began flying around the hall "The choice is now in the hands of Peeves. Deciding whether Draco leaves." He paused to make a low pass over the Ravenclaw table, forcing several students to duck. He stopped his flying as he reached the end of the table and faced Draco. "If he lets Malfoy stay, He can annoy him any day. Peeves decides to do something sinister. He'll leave this hall and annoy the Minister." He flew around the Great Hall, laughing and shouting in a mocking tone, "Let him stay. Let him stay."

To everyone's relief, he left. Draco smiled. All he needed now was to convince three hundred plus students. Hermione would help by giving one of her famous speeches. Not that she'd ever addressed the entire student body before. Usually they were given to him and Justin.

"We will do this the easy way," Minister Crouch said as he addressed the students. "I want all of you to rise. Anyone who wants Mister Malfoy to stay has only to sit down. And anyone who wishes to make a statement has only to speak up. And be courteous." He motioned with his hands. "Please stand."

As all the students rose, the Minister gave a smile. "Any student who wishes Mister Malfoy to stay may now sit down."

A loud thump was heard at the Slytherin table. Victor Krum had sat down as forcefully as possible. The rest of the Durmstrang students were following suite. At the Ravenclaw table, the Beaubatons students were also sitting down. On the other side of the Hall, barely half of the Gryffindors were returning to their seats. As it were, most of the Slytherins were still standing. The same was true of Ravenclaw. At least half of Hufflepuff were still on their feet. At the Gryffindor table, Hermione was standing because she wanted to speak. Potter was also standing, although he was keeping his eyes down.

"I call the first speech," Theodore Nott said from the far end of the hall. The spell was still working and it sounded as though the Slytherin stood close by. "I know Hermione Granger wanted to be the first to extol the virtues of Draco Malfoy but . . . that is too bad. He is my cousin and I do believe I know him better than any Gryffindor."

"Let me begin by telling everyone why I like him. It is common knowledge that he killed my brother last year. Which was a relief for me because I no longer had to stop my brother from trying to kill him." He paused. "I know. I'm supposed to love my brother. But that does not mean I should let him become a murderer because he wants to. Remember, once he succeeded, he would have turned his eyes elsewhere, to any one of you. I wish it were otherwise, but his death was a good thing. And I have my cousin to thank for it." He smiled. "But that was a necessity, not a virtue. Let me extol the virtues of Draco Malfoy. First: His honesty."

Even Draco laughed. He never even called himself honest. Not seriously. He waited, like everyone else, to hear the rest of the joke.

"Was that funny?" Theodore asked with a mocking frown. "He IS an honest young man. At least when you compare him to the rest of the champions." Theodore's face was one of disgust. He looked at Angelina Johnson and mouthed, 'yes, you.' Then he held out a hand and pointed at her.

"Ask that Gryffindor, Johnson. She'll tell you. She is involved in this competition not only for herself but to uphold the dignity and honour of Hogwarts. Durmstrang and Beaubatons make the same claims. HONOR. DIGNITY. PRIDE," Theodore trumpeted each of these words, mouthing his contempt. "And why did Malfoy enter this contest?" Both hands were held up to emphasis the question. And the answer. "MONEY! ONE THOUSAND GALLEONS TO THE WINNER."

Nott laughed at the reaction he received. "Be honest to yourselves. How many students would have wanted to compete if the prize was a nice . . . brass . . . plaque." He walked back to his seat saying he had been standing too long. As he sat down, over half of Slytherin joined him. Slowly, the others at their table sat down as well. The last few sat down if for no other reason than that everyone else in their house did. A few more sat down at the other tables as well.

After a pause, Hermione began to speak. "As most of you know . . ."

"Granger," Cedric Diggory interrupted. "I'm sure you have a great speech prepared, but do you really think it will work. We're not dealing with reason here. Almost everyone here hates Malfoy. That's a fact. That's even why the Minister wants to expel him. No one cares what he did or didn't do. His last name is Malfoy. And for most of us that is enough of a reason to want him thrown out. People want an emotional reason to let him stay. All it takes for him to go is one person, and there are over thirty of us at Hufflepuff still standing. More than that in Ravenclaw. You're in Gryffindor. His house, and there are at least twenty students besides you that are still standing. You won't convince anyone with your fancy speech, and I won't convince very many with mine. All I can say is that something is wrong with this situation." He paused for effect. "Something happened during the first task that shouldn't have, and it involved Draco Malfoy. I do know that the Minister was looking for any excuse to get rid of Malfoy. I can't prove it, but I believe that what happened did occur for the sole purpose of giving the Minister an excuse."

"MISTER DIGGORY, YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER." To everyone's surprise, it was the headmaster who spoke. "Concerns and opinions about the Tri-Wizard Tournament are not pertinent to this case. Your comments must reflect directly upon Draco Malfoy and why he should or should not be expelled."

Cedric nodded and sat down. Draco sighed. It was a good argument. Then Draco frowned. Hermione was sitting down as well. And the Minister was smiling.

"If there are no more comments . . ."

"Minister." It was Harry Potter, returned from the dead. "If you don't mind, I would like to say something." Potter put both hands on the table and leaned forward.

"When I first heard that Malfoy had been expelled, I embarrassed myself by yelling too loudly. I have always considered him an embarrassment to our house and thought he caused most of the problems he ended up resolving. I was worried about the Rite and called my father by floo powder at once. Both to tell him the good news and to make sure there were no problems with getting rid of the bast . . . Malfoy."

Potter turned his head to look directly at the Minister. "My father explained to me that all I need do is insist that Draco Malfoy be removed from this school and it would happen. It would happen even if every student and teacher stood against me. I have in my hands the power to rid myself of one of the most annoying people I know. I also have an overriding reason for wanting him to stay.

"Despite the desires and wishes of almost everyone, Draco Malfoy is a contestant in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Should he be expelled from Hogwarts, he won't be in the tournament, anymore. Which should make all of us happy.

"BUT. My father also explained this. To be chosen as a champion is to make a binding magical contract. Draco Malfoy has a binding magical contract to be part of the tournament." Potter's voice was becoming stronger, angrier. "If I support his expulsion from this school, I will be voting to let Draco Malfoy die. And I will not have that on my conscience." He turned his gaze from the Minister toward the crowd of students. "Any one of us who remains standing is an accessory to murder."

Harry Potter sat down.

Slowly, almost like a wave, the remaining students sat down as well. Most of them looked stunned, as did many of the students who were already seated. What Potter mentioned had occurred to no one. By her look, that included Hermione Granger.

Draco felt his paranoia stirring. As the Minister was watching the students, he slowly backed up until he was against the teachers' table. In one swift motion, he jumped, pushing up with his hands, and seated himself on the table. It was McGonagall who admonished him and ordered him off the table.

"No, Ma'am," Draco said smartly. He pointed a thumb at the Minister. "Don't want 'im usin' the excuse that I'm still on me feet to t'row me out."

There was a silence after that remark. A silence that threatened to be uncomfortably long. It was finally broken by the Minister clearing his throat.

"Mister Potter. I want to thank you, and I will personally thank your father, for bringing those facts to my attention. We are correct in not dismissing this boy from this school at this time. I also need to apologize to everyone here. My intent was not to cause harm to anyone. I only wished to remove someone whose presence I considered to be a hindrance to the school. Be assured, we will wait until after the tournament, when such an action can be done without endangering anyone."

A few students applauded. Even Draco had to admit that the man sounded like he was being honest. That in his eagerness to do the right thing he almost did something terrible. Then Albus Dumbledore also cleared his throat.

"I don't wish to disappoint you, Minister, or anyone else, but Mister Malfoy has passed the Rite of Inclusion. He may not be expelled. Nor may he remain seated on the teachers table unless he wishes to have a week's worth of detentions." Dumbledore turned to smile at Draco as the boy jumped down.

The Minister was staring. "Are you sure?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I reviewed everything that the Hogwarts records have concerning all previous instances of the Rite, in particular the only time," he smiled, "the only other time it was successful. The exemption was made to prevent someone from waiting until a more . . . appropriate . . . time and trying it again. That would be a form of harassment."

The Minister was now frowning. The headmaster's phrasing was clearly a rebuke. He nodded his head and made a curt statement that he should be going. Without fanfare, he walked to the doors, which were being opened, and left the Great Hall. As the Minister left, Dumbledore raised his wand and dismissed the acoustic spell. The hall seemed quieter all at once. Then Dumbledore suggested it was time to eat. The hall seemed louder than before as the food appeared and everyone began to fill their plates.

Before he was dismissed and sent back to his table, Draco paused as Dumbledore made a parting comment. "Congratulations, my boy. You now have something in common with Uric the Oddball."