Another chapter... really hope you like it. Please review...

Chapter 27:

Albus and Charlus waited for Minerva to return with the next student. A brown haired girl in Ravenclaw house, a seventh year. Her muggle parents had both been killed in the incident. "I don't know how you do it, Albus," Charlus sighed.

"On days like today I don't either," Albus admitted, "you just do. You have to."

Charlus sighed, "I just keep thinking how awful it would be if you were having this conversation with James. I don't think I could forgive myself if I ever left him to fend for himself. I risk it every day. Every day Albus. Every day I risk my life and I know that I'm risking leaving him without a father and yet…"

"the fight seems worth it?" Albus asked.

"Yes, it does and I know that he would do the same and he would never blame me, but I can't help but feel guilty for all the times he fears that I might die or might already be dead. He has known that fear too much for a boy so young."

"He is brave, dear friend, he is brave. He is brave just like his father." Albus replied.

Charlus sighed, "I know." His tone changed suddenly business like, "do you know what they are demanding? These death-eaters as they are calling themselves."

Albus shook his head, unsure what to expect but certain that he wouldn't like it. "There first demand is that a new law be made regarding marriage between wizards and muggles. They want restrictions. They want wizards who marry muggles to have to hand in their wand and renounce the magical world."

"I see," Albus said, his fingers pressed against the bridge of his nose.

"They are saying this is only their first demand. I can only what will come next." Charlus shook his head angrily, "soon they will want it prohibited. Then they will want all muggle-borns removed from Hogwarts and the ministry. When will it end, Albus?"

"I'm not sure, Charlus," Albus said, honestly.

"I'm growing old and I'm so very tired of it all," Charlus frowned, a tear in his eye, "I'm fed up of fighting for equality when no one seems to want it."

"There are those who want it," Albus said, his eyes twinkling, "there are those who need it."

Charlus nodded as they heard a sharp knock on the door, "enter."

"Miss Jackson, please come in and take a seat," Albus said quietly.

"Have I done something wrong Professor? Am in trouble?"

"No dear, not at all. I merely need to speak to you. Nancy, this gentleman here is the head of the auror office at the ministry, Mr Charlus Potter. He and I need to speak to you about the incident that happened this morning. You will have heard about it, I'm sure?"

"Yes sir," Nancy Jackson replied, growing worried.

"The thing is Nancy, your parents were on the train home from the city centre at the time. It was their train that was attacked. I'm sorry to say that they both died this morning on the way to the hospital."

Nancy screamed until her voice went hoarse. McGonagall placed a soothing hand on the girl's shoulder. Charlus stepped forward, "Miss Jackson, I understand this has come as a shock but I must speak to you about your siblings. You are of age and are now according to your parents' will, their parental guardian. I must ask what you wish to do. Obviously, you have options. Your brother is in his fourth year, I believe?"

"That's right," Nancy nodded.

"And your other two siblings are not of Hogwarts age yet?"

"No," Nancy cried, still in shock.

"We could arrange for a temporary guardianship of your brothers. They would live with a wizarding family who can be trusted to care for them and you could continue your studies. After all it is your last year."

Nancy nodded for him to continue, "or you could leave Hogwarts to care for your two sisters. I am under the impression you have no other family."

"No. Just us. I don't know. Do I have to decide today?"

"No, no you don't. I could potentially if you would agree arrange for my wife, Dorea to pick them up from school and they could stay with us until the end of the week. Then perhaps you could come to our house at the weekend and tell your siblings the news and make a decision then. What do you think?" he asked kindly.

"Yes, can we do that?"

"Of course, if you will excuse me I will go speak to my wife directly."

"Thank you. Thank you very much Mr Potter."

Charlus nodded at the young girl who was gaining three childrens' worth of responsibility. "Albus, I'll be back in a jiffy."

"Very well dear friend." Albus smiled sadly, "Nancy, we other things we need to discuss. Firstly, I must tell you that we will do everything we can to assist you with the preparations for your parents' funerals. Secondly, I'm sorry to do this to you but I really feel that it might be better if you told your brother."

"Yes, I suppose it would," Nancy nodded.

"Professor McGonagall could you please go fetch Mr Jackson."

"Yes, Albus." McGonagall quickly exited the room, just as Charlus returned.

"It's all arranged. If you wish to speak to them before they go to bed tonight you will be able to reach them with the fire. We're attached to the flu network. Professor Dumbledore will arrange for head of house to accompany you to our home on Saturday. You may stay the whole weekend if you wish and feel free to bring your brother. I know that for my family, we are strongest when we are united."

Nancy nodded again.

Some minutes later, Nancy was leaving with a slightly younger boy curled up under her arm, tears falling down his face. Nancy had told him the horrible news and they were now on their way to the hospital wing for a tonic and a good night's sleep.

Charlus sighed, "two more to go."

"Two more to go," Albus confirmed. "The next one's rather complicated isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. Unbelievably so. I can't believe how organised this attack was."

"Do you know what the minister is planning to do about the demands?" Albus asked.

"He is wavering. I think he wants to fight but a good percent of the ministry think we should just give in. He's young. He's scared he'll make the wrong choice."

"Well that's inevitable; at least in the eyes of the media." Albus Dumbledore chuckled.

Two more to go guys...

I just wanted to show some of the pain caused.

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