Quoth the Raven, Nevermore

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.

Chapter 24: Perched Upon a Bust of Pallas

Hermione got off to Hogwarts without any trouble. Since Harry Potter wasn't going to Hogwarts this year, the little elf didn't close the portal and things on the station platform proceeded as normal.

John was kept busy with his many classes and training with Wolf. It was just as well, as he was now starting the equivalent of the third-year Hogwarts curriculum. And according to Wolf, if he kept up this pace he would move on to the fourth year just before the Christmas hols. John smirked. There was a definite advantage to one-on-one tutoring.

Hermione didn't even know that John and Wolf had visited Diagon Alley during one of its busiest times. The chaos of hundreds of students and parents all shopping for school supplies in the days leading up to September first had given them the perfect cover.

A week after they recovered the foul book Her Majesty sent a missive to John and Wolf, thanking them for their vigilance in protecting Her Realm and saying that she was most pleased with their competence.

John placed the letter in a scrapbook he was keeping for all of their correspondence. Someday he would show it to Hermione, someday.

The diary remained in the cold depths of the Tower, resting on the floor of the oubliette where it had been cast by the ritual, slowly feeding its magic to the wards. It might not happen soon, but the horcrux would one day lose the last bit of magic that held it together and would be destroyed, releasing the soul fragment to its fate.

Queen Anne and Wendell the Mad helped where they could in John's studies of the more archaic laws and customs of both the Mundane and Wizarding worlds. They informed John that, since he was dealing with a goddess with such bloodthirsty tendencies, he needed to learn the old ways so that he didn't inadvertently offend Her.

Maggie wasn't too sure about this particular training, but after a long discussion among all the adults involved with John, they agreed. Knowledge, after all, was power and for his own safety John needed to know this.

0o0o0o0

Dear John,

The term is only half over, and I miss you.

It's no fun here without you. I met a new friend. She's a bit out there, if you know what I mean. Those in my House make fun of her, the poor thing. I have taken to defending her and helping her. She says the funniest things! You know, if wasn't for you and Wolf, I would probably have ignored her and looked the other way when she started to be bullied. Now, I can't.

Her name is Luna Lovegood. Her father runs a small publication that is more tabloid than real news. My other friend here is Neville Longbottom. He's in a different House than I am. He's really shy, but very good with plants. Luna and I have started to tutor him and he helps us with natural science.

For some reason, the Headmaster has hired a teacher that is very full of himself. At first, I was taken in by his looks and smile, but honestly John, the man is a joke! He makes us read his books, a load of pure fiction, which he passes off as a cross between his biography and text books. He then quizzes us on himself! I mean, really. . .how does knowing his favorite color teach us anything worthwhile? Where did the headmaster find this guy, I ask you.

I have to go. I miss you, John. Say hello to Uncle Ben and Aunt Maggie, and don't let Wolf beat you up too badly.

Hermione

0o0o0o0

Hermione was sitting down for breakfast when a letter dropped beside her. Luna looked up. "From your Muggle friend?"

Hermione nodded as she noticed the handwriting. "Yes. Poor John. He doesn't have many friends his age. He can't go to school like normal kids."

Luna nodded. 'You are such a good friend, Hermione. He's lucky to have you. You know, don't you, that truly good friends keep the Nargles away?" Her dreamy smile made Hermione roll her eyes.

Hermione smiled as she read her letter. For all its faults, Hogwarts wasn't a bad school for wizards and witches; it was just stuck in the wrong century and refused to step into the current times.

She looked disgustedly over at the Gryffindor table. The red-haired menaces were at it again. She felt sorry for their little sister. They seemed to ignore her, and if Hermione was any judge, from the looks of it she was having a poor time adjusting to school.

Rumor had it she was the only girl in a family of seven, meaning she was probably a bit spoiled. It was also whispered that she had a serious crush on the Boy-Who- Lived-and-Disappeared.

Hermione shuddered. That girl wasn't the only one that had a crush on the missing savior, if what she overheard in the halls was any indication.

Hermione was sure that over half the girls in school had the same crush, and maybe a couple of guys as well. Of course, they were all raised in the wizarding world and believe what was written about the supposed boy hero. She snorted again. She'd read what she could find in the library on Harry Potter and simply shook her head. What a bunch of drivel!

Before Wolf and John got hold of her, Hermione would have probably cited chapter and verse about Harry Potter. Now, though, she shook her head. Honestly, it was all speculation and theory; no-one had reported what really happened that night. Also, all the story books, biographies, and merchandise tied to the name of Harry Potter was just plain wrong. Were there copyright laws?Did he even receive royalties from it? Probably not since everything of note was controlled by laws stacked to favor the pure-bloods, of course. And since they owned the major businesses and publishing houses, they were the only ones to profit.

0o0o0o0

John was so busy now that the weeks flew by. Summer was coming fast. Now Hermione's letters were full of anecdotes of the professor who was famous-in his own mind that is-until Neville and Ronald Weasley, both from the same house, showed up in the Infirmary with unexplained trauma. The last person to have seen either boy was the aforementioned professor. When he was found in an empty classroom with another boy from a very well-to-do family, the scandal really erupted. Seems the professor had a taste for little boys.

John shuddered when he read her account of the incident. From what she alluded to it seemed to John that the boys, had been memory-charmed. According to the boys in question, they were helping act out the man's more exotic adventures.

It was later learned that the professor had no taste for women, or even girls. Apparently he got enough of that when he made public appearances. She also said that he disappeared the day after he was caught and none of the students knew of his fate.

John Hadrian shuddered, this was the premiere magic school? What kind of insanity led them to hire a professor without a complete background check? For the first time he fervently wished he was with Hermione, if for no other reason than to keep her safe. Goddess help them if they her come to harm!

Finally, summer and they were waiting at Kings Cross for the Hogwarts express to arrive! John breathed a sigh of relief when Hermione walked towards them with her two friends Luna and Neville in tow.

Luna took one look at John and smiled. She leaned closer as Hermione was introducing Neville to her parents and whispered, "Good disguise, Harry! No wonder the wrackspurts are having a hard time finding you! I didn't think to ask the Goddess to hide me, although radishes are almost as good." Her wide blue-eyed gaze was turned dreamily up at a stunned John Hadrian.

John sputtered as he looked at Luna. She smiled. "I promise not to tell, not even Hermione and Neville. But, you should."

"When the time is right and the Lady allows, I will," John said softly.

Luna nodded and skipped over to Hermione. "I have to go. Father is waiting to take me snorkack hunting. Have a good summer."

0o0o0o0o0

Summer was fun. Wolf kept both teens busy with advanced physical training, field trips and muggle studies. Hermione was determined she wouldn't fall behind John and that they would take their exams together.

News came that Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. Amanda Kensington had been quietly trying for years to get the man a trial, but had been mysteriously blocked at every turn. She'd had to be careful. If she'd pushed too hard the man might well have been 'accidentally' Kissed. Amanda knew Fudge was quite capable of such an act.

Now, however, she knew she had cause to delve further without a problem. The Minister of Magic came to her to seek aid from their counterparts' in the Muggle government to help recapture Black. Amanda, for her department's assistance, demanded everything they had on Black - and she wanted everything. The Minister was desperate so he agreed, but he wanted results.

A dusty box filled with files and records appeared on her desk. Amanda went through it with a fine-toothed comb. No trial transcript. No interrogation. Just a capture report and a note that Black was shipped to Azkaban. The dates were the same day.

"Perfect," she purred, grabbing the files and stuffing them into a briefcase. Snatching her muggle jacket, she left, shouting over her shoulder, "I'll be with the Prime Minister for most of the day."

0o0o0o0

Cornelius Fudge was beside himself with worry. First, there was still no sign of Harry Potter, the-

Boy-Who-Lived-and-Disappeared, and now there was Black. The first man to escape from Azkaban. Could things get any worse?

The summons to attend Her Majesty came two days later. He was to bring everything he had on Sirius Black and Harry Potter, and his Muggle Liaison Officer was to accompany him. He was to report to her the next day at one o'clock.

The magical world had governed itself since the forming of the Ministry in the late 1600s. The fact remained, however, that their autonomy could be rescinded by the Crown if the requirements of the treaty weren't met. Fudge spent a long, sleepless night.

0o0o0o0

The next day, promptly at one, they were ushered into an office. Her Majesty sat regally behind an ornate desk flanked by two uniformed, obviously armed guards.

No chairs were waiting for the visiting officials. A fact Amanda noted with some mirth. It would seem Her Majesty was not amused.

"Minister," Her Majesty said curtly. "Could you perhaps tell us why a man spent 12 years in one of the worst prisons in our realm without the benefit of trial?" One look at the Queen's cold gaze made Amanda glad that it wasn't her on the firing line.

Cornelius Fudge's face turned a pasty white as he swallowed heavily and tugged on his collar. He wished Lucius could have come with him, but the summons didn't call for him. And while he would have much preferred to stay home, failure to heed the direct summons of the Queen had penalties that he could not afford to invoke.

"Well, you see, Your Majesty..." Fudge started to say, only to be interrupted.

"We see quite clearly that one of our people has suffered a grave injustice.. Before we place any further trust in your capability to lead the Wizarding World, what assurances do we have that this miscarriage will be rectified and never repeated?" Her terse words were ice cold and demanding. She was every inch a Queen, and Fudge could do nothing more than quiver in fear.

0o0o0o0

We want to thank everyone who has reviewed and have been waiting patiently for the next installment. We really appreciate you all. There have been a few constructive criticism which we took to heart. Also, if we have offended anyone, we humbly apologize.

Now that the holidays are over, we hope to update more regularly.

Until next time. -GF and The Frau