First of all, thank you, my loyal 4 or 5 readers. Secondly, I'd like to let you know that I have made an adjustment in the chapter "Your Grace": Justin couldn't have been in Hogwarts during Voldemort's regime, for he's muggle-born. I've replaced him with Terry Boot. Since he's a Ravenclaw, I had to make some adjustments to make it work, but it won't change the main storyline. If you spot any other mistakes (including grammar mistakes, or in case you have any tips), please, message me.

15. The Minister & Mr Weasley

"Hannah, I'm sorry to wake you up," Paige whispered through the phone. "But you won't believe who's checking in right now..."

"Huh..." Hannah yawned leisurely. "Did you wake me up just to gossip, Paige?"

"It's your friend again," Paige ignored Hannah's last remark. "Mrs Scamander."

Hannah abruptly sat up on her bed. "How's she...?"

"This time... don't think she'll be fine, Hannah," Paige told her, gloomily. "Mediwitch Bell is on her case. She has nasty physical injuries... that we can handle, I guess. But, more than ever, she can't seem to make any sense. I reckon she's lost her mind for good."

"Oh... my..." Hannah walked to the cupboard and poured a glass of Firewhisky for herself. "Do you know what's happened to her this time?"

"Do you think... do you think maybe Neville could have slept with her again?" Paige asked. "Maybe her curse's been triggered..."

Hannah took some time to ponder. "Yes... and no," she answered, to Paige's complete confusion. "I have no idea. He's aware she's carrying a curse... and he doesn't mean her any harm. But..." she sighed, "maybe... who knows, they couldn't keep themselves from each other...?"

"Oh, my, I've got to hang up! Mrs Potter's just walked in. I'll call you back to keep you updated. Bye!"

"Ginny's there!?" Hannah spilt Firewhisky all over herself. "Paige...! Damn! She's hung up on me...!"

Back at the hospital, Paige neared Ginny as the ginger marched through the corridors. "Good morning, Mrs Potter. We've met before, I'm Mediwitch Paige. I suppose you're here for Mrs Scamander...?"

"Luna," Ginny corrected her harshly, striving not to let her misery leak onto her speech. "Never address her by that name again."

"Forgive me for my lack of tact, Mrs Potter," Paige's cheeks reddened. "May I accompany you to her room?"

"Where's Mr Lovegood?" Ginny scanned the corridors as she followed Paige. "Is Luna alone? Is anyone accompanying her?"

"We've sedated Mr Lovegood, Mrs Potter. He's currently in the aid station," Paige informed. "That poor old man's state was heartbreaking. He was on the verge of a nervous breakdown... we feared he could end up having a heart attack."

"Oh..." once more, Ginny sought to hide her sorrow, keeping her face stiff as though she'd been envisaging one of her opponents in a game. "Right. So, am I allowed to go inside?"

"Sure. Mrs... I mean, Luna is awake," Paige smiled at her. "Maybe your presence can cheer her up."

"Awake!? I've heard she's in a critical condition! Why didn't you put her to dreamless sleep?" Ginny hollered, taking her grief on the innocent healer. "Why are you keeping my friend suffering unnecessarily!?"

"Please, don't scream, Mrs Potter. We're in a hospital," Paige pleaded, coming to a halt before a door. "Your friend isn't suffering. She had grave physical wounds when she arrived here, but she's already improved. She'll be completely fine in a couple of days." The healer smiled politely at the other, but still Ginny couldn't bring herself to drop her weapons. "Also, Mediwitch Bell couldn't detect a significant increase in the level of dark magic in her body. Her old dark magical wound, for instance, hasn't grown much since the last time she's been here. The whole problem is..." she hesitated.

"What's the problem!?" Ginny pushed her to keep talking, exasperated. "Spit it out!"

"Well... her mental condition... er..." the healer couldn't find the right words. "It's better if you see it for yourself." Paige opened the door and invited Ginny to follow her.

When Ginny finally laid her eyes on her friend, she almost didn't recognise her. Luna had been clutching her eyes forcefully and twitching incessantly. "Luna..." Ginny rushed to her side, grabbing her hand carefully. She'd been shaking so much that Ginny had difficulty seizing it. However, Ginny could swear she sensed Luna trying to squeeze her hand back. "It's me, Ginny. Can you hear me?"

Luna slowly opened her eyes. They were red as though she had acute conjunctivitis. Surveying her from a close distance, Ginny also noticed she'd been struggling to breathe.

Giving in to her sorrow, a single tear travelled Ginny's cheek slowly. Luna, for her part, falteringly sought to reach out for Ginny's face with one of her hands, but she couldn't, for her arm fell flat back onto the hospital bed due to utter lack of strength. "Luna, do you understand me?" Ginny repeated her question, trying to convince herself that her friend's situation wasn't that grave. However, Luna merely stared back at her. "I'm sorry, Luna..." Ginny brought a hand to her tousled silvery hair, which seemed less shiny than ever. "I've had no less than six brothers... but... you're my only sister..."

Most unexpectedly, Luna leisurely opened her mouth and muttered, "Mi... nis.. try...?"

"Ministry!?" Ginny almost jumped, in shock. "What about the Ministry, Luna!? Can you talk!?"

"Mrs Potter, please, calm down," Paige hurried back. "Your friend can talk, but nothing she says makes any sense. The alienists will arrive anytime to examine her."

"Alienists...!? Nothing she says makes sense!? Luna...! I know you're listening to me!" in denial, a desperate Ginny began shedding tears thoughtlessly. "What are you trying to tell me...!?"

"Kings... ley...?" Luna mumbled with difficulty, panting heavily, in a tone that suggested it was a question.

With her heart sorely bleeding, Ginny swallowed her tears. 'Perhaps Mediwitch Paige's right... this time, she seems to have lost it for good,' she thought. "Thanks, Luna. It's been great to hear your voice." The ginger grabbed a chair for herself and sat by Luna's bedside.

"Hold on a second, my muggle communication device is ringing..."

"Don't pick it up!"

"Why?" asked Parvati, unseeingly searching in her handbag.

"Hannah told me it's easily traceable. We should listen to her. She understands a whole lot about the muggle world." Neville explained as they walked the path towards Hogsmeade. "We don't want to be tracked. I left my phone back at school. According to her, we should avoid phones and the floo network... but I think it's safe to apparate. The kid's got the tracer, though..."

"I'm sure Hannah didn't mean we should immediately get rid of our phones, Neville," Parvati reasoned. "It's still dark outside. No one has noticed we're gone yet. It'll take some time until we're actually wanted by the law." She finally found her phone and checked who was calling. "It's Ron."

"It makes sense, ma'am," Lysander said. "I think you should absolutely answer uncle Ron."

Out of the blue, Parvati began struggling without apparent reason. "No...!" she wimped. "You may not use my body without my permission! We've talked about it already! You're not allowed everything! There are rules...!" Thus, as suddenly as she began, she stopped picking up the phone hurriedly. "Won-won..." she emotionally greeted, her voice cracking, tears in her eyes. "I couldn't be more worried about you! Are you fine? Are you safe? Oh... my...!" she wept. "I'm sorry... I just..."

Ron coughed awkwardly, "Er... Lavender...?"

"I'm sorry... I know the last person you'd want to talk to is me..." she sniffed. "I took over Parvati's body... she's pretty upset with me for it..."

"Uh... no... Lavender, it's OK. Thanks for your concern... I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me." Ron couldn't be more embarrassed than he was right now. "Erm... I just called to ask if you happen to be near Hogwarts. I was trying to reach Neville... I thought he was going to reach out to me after I sent..." he was about to say 'my daughter', but he decided he better not do it, she might be sensitive about that, "a message. Yeah, I sent him a message... expecting a proper and lengthy response. But he's simply sent me back a 'Yes'! Can you believe it?" He giggled, trying to soften up the mood.

Surprisingly, Parvati (or Lavender) giggled back. "Oh, I can imagine Neville'd do that..."

"Yeah, right?" feeling utterly embarrassed, Ron sought to act the most sympathetic he could. "Since the phone doesn't work properly at Hogwarts, he can't receive calls... and I've tried his fireplace, but he's not there... you know... maybe... it's possible... I figure you must have already left the school, but...?"

"Oh, we have left indeed, but he's with us," Lavender informed, cheerfully. "Won-won, please, promise you'll be safe. That maniac is out there trying to reach you..." she moaned. "Neville, it's for you."

She handed the phone to him. "Neville!" Ron angrily whispered. "Greyback may be out there searching for us and you leave the school!? With Parvati, of all people!?"

"Huh... I... we're on the run. We're bringing Lysander with us."

"You what!?"

Neville sighed, sensing it was time for a proper and lengthy answer. "You know Rolf well, Ron. I've been in the dark all these years, but you've seen his wickedness first-hand..." Neville distanced himself considerably from the others, fearing Lysander could hear it. "You know he's probably planning something huge... I need to be ahead of him. I'm saving Luna and Lysander." Neville filled his lungs with air. "Can you guys cover for me? Can you talk to Hermione about this?"

"It's quite clear that she'll cover for you, mate," Ron said. "Though, when she finally lays her hands on you, you know she'll kill you, right?" Ron laughed nervously. "She'd say Hogwarts is the safest place one could be..."

"And you believe that garbage?" Neville chuckled. "Sincerely, after everything we've been through?"

"Huh... actually, I'd feel better with my kids back home, but it's only rational to trust Hogwarts' defences," he didn't sound so convinced. "Also, reinforcement is about to arrive." Ron scratched his head. "Neville, we don't have any sound evidence Parvati's sightings are true. Taking a child without its guardians' permission is a felony. Mate, be reasonable. Head back before anyone misses you."

"Right. I'll do it."

"Are you serious!? You'll take him back!?"

"You're his godfather, Ron. I'll take him back to school and you'll take him instead. It sounds reasonable and legal to me. Then I can concentrate on saving Luna."

"It's not legal, mate. I'm not his guardian. Given his parents' current situation, the only one who could pick him up would be Xenophilius Lovegood."

"And where would Xeno be right now, Ron?"

"Huh... right now, I suppose he's at St Mungo's with Luna."

"Perfect," Neville retorted ironically. "Then it's not an illegality, I'm just anticipating the legality. There is exactly where we're headed to. In the end, I'm just retrieving Lysander to his guardian."

"Neville, I can't believe I'm saying that, but this is serious, mate...! You could end up in Azkaban. I'm horrible at that, but I'm still a certified legal assistant. Trust me when I tell you this is no joke..."

"I won't rest until both of them are somewhere safe and ideally far from Great Britain," Neville paused to catch some breath. "Can I count on your support? I'm heading to the Leaky Cauldron to take some important stuff, then we'll head to St Mungo's to take Luna..."

"Mate, Luna needs to stay in the hospital...!"

"Can you do anything to get her out of there legally?" Neville asked, hopeful. "And keep her whereabouts secret?"

Ron took some moments to answer. "St Mungo's security has been reinforced already, but... I'll have Harry require that she be moved."

"Can you do that?" Neville's heart almost jumped with joy upon hearing that.

"Huh... I guess it's not that hard. We just have to ask the Administrator of Ireland..."

"Ireland!? Are you planning on moving her to Ireland!?"

"Well, it's technically out of Great Britain, isn't it?"

"I meant I want her out of the Ministry's kingdom, not out of the muggle queen's kingdom!"

"Ministry's kingdom... this is funny. If Hermione is the queen, that means I'm the... king...?" Ron rambled in a dreamy tone that almost resembled Luna's.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Neville ironically and heatedly bellowed, lowering his voice following that, fearing that it could attract the kid's attention. "Can you focus on our situation!? Is it possible to transfer Luna to the continent? To France, maybe? Or better, to Germany? Hannah's there, so it'd be perfect..."

"They wouldn't deny it to us, the french and the germans... but it'd take days..."

"Then I'm breaking into the hospital myself, Ron!" Neville interrupted him. "There's no way you'll talk me out of it." Ron made a protesting sound, but Neville didn't let him talk. "Look... I have to make up to her, Ron. She says the only thing she wants in her life is to live peacefully with her children..." a tear rolled down his face. "I'm aware of the implications of my actions, but I'm doing whatever it takes to make it happen. I wish I could have rescued the other twin as well, but he'd never come with me..." Neville brought his hands to his face. "There's no other way."

"Fine, mate. I just think you're being a little hasty. Look, I'll watch your back. We'll talk to Professor McGonagall. I don't think she'll deny pretending Lysander isn't gone. Rose and Scorpius can help in that too. In the meanwhile, try to disappear with the kid. However, do I have your word you won't do anything to take Luna out of St. Mungo's?" Ron hopefully asked. "Neville, we've got Rolf in checkmate this time. In a few hours, the Ministry will be finished with him." Yet again, he didn't sound so sure. "Can't you just have faith in Hermione?"

"Well, it'd be a lot easier if you sounded more confident yourself..."

"Mate, if you could see Luna, you wouldn't even think about taking her out of there. Ginny's with her right now. Luna can't even..." his voice cracked. "She's twitching nonstop and doesn't even talk... she..." Ron struggled to find a way to tell his friend about Luna's actual situation. "In my opinion, Rolf doesn't have anything else in mind to take revenge on her. I think he's done with Luna already. She's lost her mind for good this time, Neville." Ron took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. She... she's... worse than your parents used to be."

Neville couldn't bring himself to say anything. He began sobbing immediately. Lysander, for his part, meant to approach him, but Parvati kept him from doing so.

"I couldn't feel worse, mate. We all care for Luna as dearly as you do," Neville still couldn't muster enough will to speak. "At least until Hermione's finished interrogating Rolf, Neville. Please," he continued, "find a safe place and hang in there. I'll contact you when she's done. I promise I'll update you on the outcome of the investigation. If there's any sign of Greyback, I..." he hesitated. "We'll back your rescue plan up. We'll do everything we can to help."

"Right," Neville dispiritedly said. "I'll find a safe place to hide Lysander, then."

"Neville... I know you must be feeling horrible... but..." Ron didn't know what to say to cheer his friend up, but he needed to make something up. "You're taking good care of the kid, aren't you? This is what Luna would've wanted above everything else. You have her dearest wish in your heart, she'd be..."

"Don't talk about Luna as if she were dead, Ron...!" Neville croaked. "She's not. We'll figure out a way... she can't be..." his voice trembled. "You know Lysander's told me... he wanted me to be his dad?" Neville wept. "Why did things turn out the way they did, Ron!? It's all my fault... all my fault..."

"No, it's not, mate. Besides, I think maybe Lysander tells anyone that..."

"No, he doesn't," Neville corrected him. "He's only told that to you and me."

"Oh..." Ron swallowed hard, simultaneously touched by Lysander's feelings and sorry for his friend. "He's... he's a lovely child..." he cleared his throat. "Neville, it's not your fault. For instance, take a close look at Parvati. Think about how she's never recovered from Lavender's death... do you think I don't feel it's my fault? That I don't feel horrible about how I've hurt Lavender back then? She had real feelings for me, mate. And she's had a horrible premature death... she never had anyone treat her the way she deserved..." he paused. "Do you think I don't feel guilty as well?"

"It's not your fault Lavender's died, Ron. We both sought to avenge her, didn't we?"

"I know, mate. Just like what's happened to Luna is not yours... but still..." Ron argued. "Still, send Parvati home, Neville." He asked. "Don't drag her into the eye of the storm with you. That's the way Lavender would have liked."

"Er..." Neville stuttered. "I never asked for her to come... she's coming out of her own free will..."

"What if something bad happens to her, Neville? Do you want to be haunted by the loss of Parvati for the rest of your life?" Their past selves would all be blown away by the idea that Ron in his forties would end up as the most responsible and considerate gentleman, in spite of his childish sense of humour. "Her family needs her, mate."

"Well... I guess... I'll talk to her..."

"Thanks, mate. For the 50th time, don't do anything reckless," although it was Ron talking, in his mind, Neville heard it in Hermione's voice. "Be careful."

After he ended the call, Parvati and Lysander neared them. "Professor, why were you crying?"

"It's grown-up stuff, dear," Parvati warmly told him. "Don't worry about that. So," she sought to change the subject. "I think I have the perfect place for us to stay."

"Wait," Neville asked, puzzled. "Were you listening? How could you...? I was quite distant..."

"I'm sorry, Neville. Lavender's heard everything." Parvati had a meaningful expression that indicated snooping wasn't actually what she was sorry about. 'Could she be grieving Luna as well?' Neville questioned himself. "Well, may I show you the place?"

"Huh, Parvati, first of all, I have to talk to you..."

"The answer is no," she broke him off, resolutely. "I'm not going home, Neville. You are the person with whom the planets are telling me to be."

"What...!? How come...!? How could you possibly hear what Ron's told me over the muggle device...!?"

"I just told you, Neville. I was quite far from you, but Lavender was listening closely to everything. She is dearly touched by Ronald's words about her, by the way..."

'Oh, Merlin,' Neville thought yet again. Could Lavender's soul be actually there with them?

"It's a well-protected place, the one I have in mind. No one will search for us there," the woman outstretched a hand in his direction. "It's impossible to apparate in there and they don't own a fireplace. I'll show you a point where we can meet and thus head there together. When you're already familiar with it, you should pass by the pub to fetch your stuff. In the meantime, I'll come back for the kid and bring him to our meeting point non-magically. Wait there for our arrival," Neville seized her hand. "Lysander, I'll be back in less than one minute. I'll leave Lavender watching you." The child nodded. Thus, Parvati turned her face back to Neville. "May we go?"

"Hermione Jean Granger!" Ron angrily whispered to his wife's ear. "Absolutely not! You won't go there by yourself! I forbid you!"

"Can someone bring me more coffee?" Hermione wearily raised her voice, seeming as though she had never rested in her entire life. For a moment, her head spun like a ballerina. Dizzy, she brought her two hands to her forehead, bowing for some seconds. "Thank you, James." She said when her godson joined the room and handed her a cup.

"Hermione..." Ron pleaded in an unsteady voice. "Please, Hermione... mind your state... you're almost passing out... I... you're in no condition, Hermione... I won't let you go there on your own...! I'm going with you...!" shaking, he tenderly held the hand with which she hadn't been holding a cup in both of his. "Listen to me...! For Merlin's sake! When was the last time you slept?"

"I'm fine, Ron," an exhausted Hermione caressed her husband's hand. "I have to be the one to do it. He poses no danger and doesn't even have a wand. Chill out, OK?"

"Are you ready?" Harry ushered into the room. "I just heard from Ginny. Luna's being analysed by the alienists in this exact moment and..." he breathed leisurely, postponing the moment of delivering the news, "her mental condition's deteriorated significantly."

"I'm ready," Hermione stepped out of her desk. "Do we have all the Ministry's aurors on duty at the moment?"

"Everyone's here and at their posts."

"Thanks. I'll be right back," Hermione headed to her fireplace. "Have my back, Harry."

"Why on earth do you have to go alone!?" Ron exploded. "Not even your own guards you're taking with you! Listen to me! Can't you see what you're doing to me!?" Hermione came to a halt, surveying her husband thoroughly. "Why do you have to put yourself at such risk... I... you... you've seen what this psycho is done to Luna, Hermione! He'd just adore doing the same with you!"

"I've placed my guards at St Mungo's, Ron," Hermione explained for the 50th time, seeking to be comprehensive of her husband's overprotective worries. "Nothing will happen to me, sweetheart." She approached him affectionately, pecking his lips. "I know exactly how you feel, but I've signed for this, Ron. This is my duty. I need you to understand this."

"Ron," Harry spoke, seeking to sound reasonable. "Hermione alone is more than enough to neutralise an unarmed Rolf. Besides, if anything happens, we'll be ready to back her up. But we need to keep our forces here and in the field in case the werewolves attack."

"At least let me accompany you..." he embraced her. "Why can't I...? Why don't you let me?"

"Ron, we've talked about it already," she answered. "You don't work at the Ministry. This is not your duty."

"I've signed as your husband..." he held her tighter. "It makes no sense. There's no law forbidding the Minister's spouse from accompanying him or her... quite the contrary! I'm the first lady!" Harry snorted loudly, whereas Hermione brought a hand to her forehead. "I'm like... the legit king of the British wizarding community...!"

"Who would've guessed 'Weasley is Our King' was actually a prophecy?" Harry mocked amid a fit of laughter.

"Ron..." Hermione argued. "Please, don't make this harder than it is..."

"He's got a point," Harry cluelessly said, still not fully recovered from laughing. "I have to stay here in order to command our defences on your behalf, but I don't see any reason for him not to go along."

Hermione brought her hands to her hips, staring daggers at Harry. "Harry!"

"What did I do!?"

"It's obvious why he may not go! Stop hindering me at once, Ron...!"

"Why is it obvious!?" Ron retorted. "I don't find it so! Can you explain it to me!?"

"Because..." Hermione mumbled, slippery, gazing at her shoes. "Because... precisely because I need to be certain you're safe, alive and well!"

"That's the damned reason!? Bloody hell!"

"Just let him go already, Hermione!" Harry urged.

"Mr Scamander, please, present yourself," Hermione called him calmly as she stepped out of his house's fireplace, Ron arriving seconds following that.

"Madam Granger," he walked into the living room some minutes after their arrival. "Sorry for keeping you waiting. You caught me quite by surprise, I wasn't fully dressed. Oh..." he laid his eyes on Ron. "Mr Weasley, it's been some time."

"Don't worry," Hermione drove herself to the centre of the room.

"Would you like to take a seat?"

"I'd rather keep standing, thanks," Hermione politely nodded at him. "But, Ron, feel free to sit if you'd like. On that couch, I stress." The Minister pointed to a couch somewhat distant. "On that armchair, on the other hand," once more, she indicated with her finger, "you will sit, Mr Scamander."

"Well, well, aren't you making yourself at home, Hermione?" he commented, sarcastically, but he did as she ordered. "Could you imagine having friends so close that they invite you to sit in your own house?"

"You'll address my wife as 'Minister'," Ron commanded, albeit quietly, drawing his wand discreetly.

"Ron, put that down," Hermione asked him. Ron didn't pocket his wand, he purely held it pointed at the floor. "Mr Scamander, I'm here to interrogate you one more time."

"Here? In my house? Without my legal assistants? What about my rights?"

"Unfortunately, this is urgent. We don't have time to wait for your assistant's arrival. However, if you only wish to speak in their presence, you may use your right to remain silent." Hermione didn't sound as nice as she did the first time she questioned him. She still sounded polite, yet remarkably austere. As she paced before the armchair in which Rolf was seated, Ron, standing behind her, felt almost as though it were possible to physically grasp the aura of magnificence that emanated from the leader of the British magical community. It bothered him a bit, he prefered to think of her just as his wife. "May we commence?"

"One thing, Minister. Why here? Shouldn't I be questioned in the Ministry?"

"We have reason to do it here. Fortunately, the surveillance apparatus works fine recording everything, doesn't it, Richards?"

"It does, Madam Granger," the voice of Richards, the recording wizard, rose magically in Rolf's living room.

"I must warn you that you're being watched by Mr Potter, Mr Henderson, a whole lot of aurors and other Ministry personnel."

"So... that means you won't take me to the Ministry?" Rolf insisted.

"Not today, Mr Scamander. Not today," Hermione replied, resolutely. "May I begin questioning you?"

"Er..." visibly troubled, Rolf babbled. "Sure, Minister..." resigned, he agreed to it.

"Are you Rolf Artemis Scamander, son to Artemis and Mina Scamander, previously known as Jones, 53," as Hermione read his qualification, Rolf also noticed the abrupt change in her attitude. This time, compared to the previous one, she read his personal information almost aggressively, on the precise edge between severity and hostility. "British and American, currently serving as a professor at the Magical Natural School, married to Luna Scamander, previously known as Lovegood?"

"I am."

"Mr Scamander," she raised her voice sternly. "I am sorry to inform you that your wife has been found nearly dying outside her father's heavily protected house located not far from here, in the countryside of the village of Ottery St Catchpole."

"How is she, Minister?" Rolf sought to play the worried husband part, but it had never been that unconvincing.

"This time, I fear she might've lost her mind for good," Hermione informed, fighting the grief that wanted to invade her chest. "Nothing she says makes sense, Mr Scamander. We still have to wait for her to be thoroughly examined by the alienists, though..." the woman paused briefly, staring keenly at him. "Do you have any idea of what might have happened to her?"

Rolf covered his face with his hand, pretending to be crying. Ron crossed his arms, annoyed by his shamelessness. Hermione, on the other hand, stood impassive.

"So...?" Hermione encouraged him to go on.

"No, Minister..." Rolf faked a sniff. "But... I reckon... it's all my fault..."

Ron, caught by surprise, almost jumped when he heard that, but his wife gestured for him to remain quiet. "Your fault, Mr Scamander? Can you elaborate on that?"

"I..." Rolf pretended to be crying still, more to gain time than to convince them. "I... I'm ready to plead guilty."

"Are you? Richards, are you recording?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Please, Mr Scamander, if you may, state what you're guilty of."

"I... as you had correctly guessed, Minister, I really felt jealous when I found out my wife had met with Longbottom. I was dead jealous of him, because, when I first met her, they were deeply in love. Feeling desperately possessive of my wife, I had someone cast a... that thing that you call 'marital curse'... on her. I never informed, nor asked her permission, though." Rolf cleared his throat and stared at Hermione. "I plead guilty to the felony of wrongful curse against my wife."

"Is that so, Mr Scamander?" Hermione asked, almost teasing him. "What about the allegations that she made in her testimony? She's claimed you've been abusing her with the Cruciatus Curse for years... even when she was pregnant. Your son Lysander also confirms these allegations. We also have the testimony of her best friend, our sister, Ginevra Potter, who claims to have assisted the victim sometimes in the aftermath of your... for lack of a more suitable word... fights."

"Luna and Lysander are delusional, Minister. You're well aware of that. I don't plead guilty to these."

"Is Ginevra Potter delusional as well?"

"Am I delusional as well," Ron meddled in, "when I claim you made Lorcan combine testimonies with you about four years ago?"

"Ginny takes my wife's word more seriously than it'd be wise," Rolf answered. "As for you, Mr Weasley, I think there's a conflict of interests taking place here. You're interrogating me, aren't you? Yet you refer to yourself as a witness? Isn't it a violation of my rights, Minister? From what I'm aware, we're way past the Holy Inquisition..."

"I'm not interrogating you, Rolf, I'm here to protect my wife!" Ron fiercely aimed his wand at Rolf. "My wife who, if I recall it well, your wand has almost blown into pieces with hideous dark magic!"

"Ron, please," Hermione carefully pushed his wand down, gazing pleadingly at him. Thus, she turned back to Rolf. "Mr Scamander, you don't have to answer my husband's questions, OK?"

"Fine, Minister."

"So, you've admitted wrongfully cursing your wife..." Hermione proceeded. "Can you elaborate on why that might be linked to her most recent health condition?"

"I don't know well, Minister... but cursing her was a grave mistake... one I'll never be able to forgive myself for... she..." he faked sniffing again, "she had already a severe mental disorder, Minister... and she was already afflicted by nasty dark magic... how could I ever think cursing her was a good idea!? It was obvious that her mental health would end up being harshly affected! I was so stupid, Minister! Ridiculously stupid! An idiot! I have no words to describe what I am! I had no idea which kind of magic this was...! I deserve to pay for what I did to her."

"You suppose she's in the state she is due to the curse's effect, Mr Scamander?"

"Well, it's possible that it's not, but, if so, then I'd have no way of knowing what might have caused it. I figure that her curse might be triggered again sometime during that night... this time, unfortunately, Professor McGonagall wasn't there to stop it from destroying the remaining sanity she had."

"Did you perform this curse yourself, Mr Scamander?" Hermione asked. "Or did you have someone do it?"

"Oh, no. I had no idea how to do it. I had no idea it was that harmful, actually," Rolf readied himself for this glorious moment he had been expecting for days. "Someone else did it. It was her idea, actually... she considers cheating on one's husband dishonours a witch's family..."

"Who is this person?"

"She's someone Luna and I take in high regard. She only meant Luna well, Minister... she's never meant her harm. I believe she didn't think this would end up happening..."

"This person's name...?"

"It's Luna's cousin. Narcissa Malfoy."

Ron's face contorted itself in shock. "Narcissa!?" he exclaimed. "How come!?"

"Ron," once more impassive, Hermione gestured for him to be silent, seeking to communicate solely with her expression that Rolf must have been lying. "Interesting. Do you happen to know if she did it with her own wand?"

"I will kill you, Scamander! I will murder you!" a hateful voice filled the room magically. "You wash your filthy mouth before you even think about saying my mother's name, you bastard!"

"Malfoy! Shut your mouth!" Harry's voice sounded as well.

"Let go of me, Potter! I'll kill him, let me go..."

"Silencio!" they heard Harry shout. "Sorry, Hermione, I had to shut Malfoy up. Please, go on."

"Mr Scamander," Hermione drew his attention back to her. "Let me ask again, did she do it with her own wand?"

Rolf hesitated. He wasn't expecting this question. "Erm... well..." he scratched his head. "You'll have to ask her that."

"Fine, Mr Scamander," Hermione paced before his chair. "Please, Mr Henderson, summon Narcissa Malfoy for questioning a second time. Of course, we have thoroughly reversed Mrs Malfoy's wand, but we'll look into that anyway. We can't dismiss anything."

"So... are we done, Minister? I guess now I should be taken before the Wizengamot to plead guilty and receive my sentence, is that right?" He asked, almost unable to contain his excitement. "When will it be taking place? Can you inform me?"

"If you are eager to be sentenced, Mr Scamander, I'm glad to inform you that, as Minister for Magic, you may plead guilty before me," she cracked a tiny smile, but the rest of her face remained stern. "I have the authority to sentence you. Would you want to plead guilty right now?"

"Now!?" he almost fell from his armchair. "Right here!? Right now!? But I have the right to..."

"Oh, certainly, you have the right to plead guilty before the Wizengamot. You have the alternative of pleading guilty before me now if you'd like, though."

"I'd rather plead guilty in the Ministry," Rolf spat.

"Are you sure, Mr Scamander? Let's bargain, shall we? The earlier you plead guilty, the more it'll be worth to you. I compromise myself," she straightened herself mightly, "not to sentence you to Azkaban. That's a good deal, isn't it?"

"Not sentence me to Azkaban?" he sought to conceal his astonishment, without much success. "Where to, then?"

"Can you believe it, Ron?" Hermione's eyes rested on her husband as she forced a tiny giggle. "It almost sounds as if he wanted to end up there, isn't it?"

"No, ma'am. I absolutely don't," Rolf rushed to deny it. "I'm aware you dislike sentencing to Azkaban and that there are lesser known facilities... I just don't understand much of law, that's it"

"Oh, right. I'll explain it to you, then," Hermione gazed back at him. "The sentence I have in my mind for you, Mr Scamander, is for you to remain in confinement in this house. Furthermore, the time you've been here will also count as time served." This time, she sounded nice and simpered as Dolores Umbridge would. "As a treat for pleading early, you may keep attending your professional appointments at Magical Natural School, escorted by an auror. This is a pretty good deal, isn't it?"

"Huh... then... I'll just remain here? I won't be taken to the Ministry... or Azkaban... or anywhere else...?"

"Precisely. You'll remain in your comfortable home."

"Well... huh... erm..." Rolf faltered. "Then I'd prefer pleading guilty before the Wizengamot, Minister."

"Mr Scamander, would you like to contact your legal assistants?" Hermione approached him, faking sympathy. "They'd surely advise you to accept my proposition. You know, the Wizengamot isn't likely to be as lenient as me. Moreover, they may consider you to be guilty of other offences. For instance, they may reckon Luna's allegations are true... it's a risk I wouldn't take."

"I'd still want to plead guilty in the Ministry and not here."

Thus, the Minister crossed her arms, scowling at him. "Is it your final decision? Because... we have reason to believe you may have taken part in even more criminal activities. This may complicate you in court. May I interrogate you about that?"

"What...?" Rolf was taken aback.

"Mr Scamander, we have reason to suspect you may have violated the terms of your pretrial detention." Hermione searched in her handbag, taking a small piece of paper out of it. "Do you recognise this?"

"Huh...?" Rolf examined the piece of paper. "What's it? A photo...? Of a crup, I guess."

"This is evidence, Mr Scamander," Hermione explained as if teaching a class. "When Luna was found, this crup was next to her and wouldn't leave her side. The poor thing was injured as well. Mr Lovegood believes it to be one of Luna's crups." Hermione retrieved the photo from him and pocketed it, searching in her bag a second time. "It responds by the name 'Lance', which is indeed the name of one of Luna's crups." From it, she took a folder containing various documents. "According to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, she's the owner of 24 crups. This is Lance's file." She showed it to Rolf. "Since you're the one currently in possession of Luna's crups, Mr Scamander, could you tell me where are they?"

'Damn!' Rolf thought. 'I forgot one of these obnoxious little demons there!'

"I don't know all of Luna's crups by name, Minister, but I'm sure every creature she might have left in this house is being very well treated."

"Could you fetch them for us, Mr Scamander?"

"Sure," disgruntled, Rolf called the crups to the living room. "Here they are, Minister."

"Lance," Hermione called, but no crup reacted to it. "So, Ron, help me count?" whilst Rolf almost died with anxiety, Ron and Hermione leisurely counted the crups. "22, 23... well, I think that is it. Did I miscount, Ron?"

"No, I counted 23 as well," he agreed.

"I guess Lance's the crup that Lysander brought with him to Hogwarts, Minister," Rolf sought to sound nonchalant. "Usually kids are not allowed to raise crups there, but, given that Lysander's so used to taking care of crups, Professor McGonagall made an exception..."

"Oh, I'm aware of it," Hermione said. "We met Lysander with his crup when we dropped Rose and Hugo at the Hogwarts Express. However, I'm pretty sure it was his own crup, Toby..."

"Yeah, absolutely. It was Toby," Ron agreed. "Lysander's got Toby since he was a little kid. We're familiar with it."

"In case you don't remember, this is Toby, Mr Scamander," Hermione handed Rolf yet another file. "It's not one of Luna's crups, its registered tutor is Lysander. If one counts it, the sum total would be 25 crups." Thus, she stored all the files. "Why do you think that crup was found with Luna, Mr Scamander?"

Rolf stood gazing dumbfounded and speechless at Hermione. He didn't know what to say, he'd better invent something to gain time. "I have no idea, Minister. Well, this house is not that far from Ottery St Catchpole, she'd always stress how important to her it was to live near her father... it may have gotten there by himself. Perhaps... it was the reason why Luna might have left the house. You both know how she can't resist a stray..."

"That's one intelligent crup," Ron commented, ironically. "Luna must have been an exceptional trainer..." He thought of Neville's sermon about how he should not talk about Luna as if she were gone and felt guilty. "It found its way to Mr Lovegood's house even though it was undetectable due to the effect of the Fidelius Charm...! I was raised in Ottery St Catchpole, but I'm sure I'd never find the way to his house if I hadn't been told the secret... this crup is probably smarter than me!"

"Let's go on," Hermione waved her wand, causing images to appear in the air. "This, Mr Scamander, is the footage of your garden the previous night. It's not possible to distinguish much, because your Abraxans are under the effect of the Invisibility Potion. This here," she waved her wand again, and more images appeared, "is the heat signatures of your Abraxans that same time."

Rolf couldn't believe she had brought the Abraxans. 'How could this nasty mudblood find that out!?' he shouted in his mind. "Huh... so...?" he asked, seeking to hide his outrage.

"The only thing visible in the first depiction is this handbag," she pointed at the image with her wand, "and, strangely, moments following that," she flicked her wand one more time, and the figures gained movement, "one can spot the handbag flying away on its own." Hermione paused, giving time for people to process the information. "For its part, the heat signatures explain that your herd of Abraxans happened to be taking off at that exact moment. That led me to think one of them might have taken the handbag with them."

"One fancy Abraxan, no?" Rolf giggled. "Doesn't leave the house without its fashionable handbag...!"

"That's really funny, Mr Scamander," Hermione let out a polite laugh, which Ron couldn't tell whether it was genuine or not. "So, we believe this handbag's capacity might have been enhanced by an Extension Charm, making it possible for you and 24 crups to be inside it." Knowing she had exposed him ultimately, rejoicing, she simpered once more. "Mr Scamander, could you let us examine the content of this handbag?"

Rolf hatefully clawed at the armrests of the chair he'd been sitting on. "Do you happen to bring a search warrant with you, Minister?" He asked, seeking to control the anger in his voice tone, but failing.

"I'm afraid I don't," Hermione reacted with an exaggeratedly disappointed expression. "We were counting on your collaboration."

"I'm sorry for letting you down, Minister."

"Well, if you're really not pleading guilty before me, I think we're about done here," Hermione announced. "Since, as I demonstrated, there is reason to imagine that your creatures could have been put to improper use, they will be confiscated, Mr Scamander. Please," she raised her voice, addressing the people back at the Ministry, "you may come in."

From the fireplace, numerous wizards and witches began arriving in Rolf's living room. Some of them headed to the gardens, others to his underground room and some searched inside the house. "Dad!?" Rolf shrieked when he spotted Artemis carrying a wampus kitten in his lap. "Dad, don't tell me you're part of this!" However, Artemis didn't even look in his son's direction. "Dad, talk to me!" Rolf thundered.

Artemis briefly glanced at him and muttered, "You're not my son." Thus, he turned his back on him and left the house with the creature.

Rolf began sobbing desperately as he helplessly witnessed all his creatures being confiscated. He grabbed fistfuls of his own hair, frantically yanking on it. Hermione maintained a stern expression as these events unfolded, whereas Ron had to hide his mouth with a hand to conceal the smirk on his face.

"Well," Hermione called Rolf's attention once more. "From now on, for safety measures, until we find out what's actually happened to Luna last night, you're no longer allowed to leave the house, not even to attend Magical Natural School. Therefore, I'm afraid we'll have to restrict your access to the floo network. Finally, you no longer will be allowed in your garden."

"What!? You promised..."

"I promised you'd be allowed to keep attending your professional appointments in case you pleaded guilty before me, here and now. Do you change your mind about that, Mr Scamander? If you don't, I'm afraid you'll have to deal with these precautionary measures until your day in court."

"No!" he shouted so hatefully Hermione was drenched in his spit. "I demand to be heard by the Wizengamot!"

"Fine. It's your choice," she smiled cynically. "Well, I'd hate to break even more unpleasant news, but our intelligence has found out that the werewolves may be planning an attack on the Ministry," she told Rolf seeking to sound the most casual she could. "For that reason, your day in court won't be actually in the Ministry. This is because we're avoiding transferring the people in our custody. We have reason to believe they plan to attack amid the transfer of prisoners."

As his ears caught that, Rolf became purple. 'It is impossible!' he thought in despair. 'How could she have found out about that!?' More and more, he let himself be poisoned by anger.

"However, I reckon the entire court can squeeze in this living room, don't you think?" Hermione continued. "Hey, are you done in here? Do you need any help?" She addressed the personnel in charge of the creatures. After a while, all of them were out of the house.

"So, there's no way I'm leaving this house?" Rolf broke the silence when he realised everyone else but Hermione and Ron was gone. "Not even from here to the Ministry? How could travelling to the Ministry through the floo network be risky, Minister? You're being a little extreme, don't you think?"

"Better safe than sorry," Hermione giggled. "But it's a good thing for you. This way, none of your rights will be violated and you will most likely avoid serving in Azkaban or other facilities. You don't need to thank us, Mr Scamander." Ron kept smirking as she teased. "Ron, can you help me lock and reinforce all the doors and windows magically? Apart from the front door, that is..."

"On it," he began casting 'Colloportus' on every door. Trembling from head to toe, Rolf powerlessly beheld all of it as though a horrendous dream.

"Well, it's time for us to go," Hermione simpered one last time at Rolf, her heart overflowing with joy for her victory. "Ron, you may take the fireplace. When you're gone, I'll disconnect it from the floo network and head to the outside to cast more protective spells upon the house, to make it even more inescapable." Rolf stared daggers at her whilst listening to that. "See you in a few at the Ministry." She snapped a quick kiss on the ginger's cheeks, turning to the fireplace.

"No way!" Ron objected. "I'll stay here with you until the last second!"

Hermione sighed. "Right," she stepped in the fireplace's direction and cast a spell on it. "It's already disconnected. Come, Ron..." hand in hand with him, she headed to the front door. "It's been a pleasure, Mr Scamander."

"Wait, Minister!" whilst Hermione cast various spells on the outside of the house, suddenly, Rolf had an idea. "I reckon there's one last thing for you to do here! Come back!"

"What would it be, Mr Scamander?"

"Do you still wish to survey the content of that handbag?"

"Oh... well, do I have your permission?"

"We'll, there's no way out, is it? A search warrant will be issued sooner or later..." Hermione and Ron came back through the house's front door. "Hold on a sec..."

Not Ron nor Hermione wondered that it could be an ambush. When Rolf returned to the living room with the handbag, he had both his hands inside it. This, for its part, raised Hermione's suspicions enormously, having her aim her wand directly at him, being immediately imitated by Ron.

"What's with the hostility, Minister?"

"Hands where we may see them!"

"As you wish," Rolf laughed manically, letting the handbag fall on the floor. As it happened, it was revealed he had punctured his own forearm with a syringe, injecting its entire content into himself before Ron and Hermione's eyes.

"What means this, Mr Scamander!?" Hermione screeched in horror, her wand up high. "Harry, send reinforcements!"

"You've disconnected the fireplace!" a panicked Harry retorted. Rolf, hearing that, cackled hysterically. "Anthony, can you reconnect it from here!?"

In the midst of a fit of laughter still, Rolf's bones abruptly began outgrowing disproportionately, brutally ripping his clothes apart in the process. Every second, his body became harrier and harrier, and dreadful fangs began emerging in his mouth. It was a process both of them were already familiar with, for they had witnessed it when they were 13 years old. Rolf was transforming into a werewolf before their eyes, under plain sunlight, exactly as Parvati had warned them.

"Bloody Diadem taken out of the fire from the Room of Requirement!" Ron recited in horror the entire swearing that Ravenclaw's portrait despised so much, protectively tugging his wife close to him.

"Incarcerous!" Hermione flicked her wand in Rolf's direction, binding him in thick chains amid his transformation. "Wingardium Leviosa!" she swung and flicked her wand at a cupboard, launching it violently in his direction.

"Weasley! Granger! What are you waiting for!? Run through that door at once!" Malfoy was heard squeaking in a hysterical fit of terror. "Are you eager to die or what!? Do you have brains at all!?"

"I'm not done making this area completely unescapable! I can't leave! We'll lose the suspect!" Hermione bellowed. "Ron, run! I'll stall him!"

"I'd rather die than leave you alone with a werewolf!"

"We've issued portkeys to travel to this region as fast as we can, but, due to the complex magic affecting this area, part of the trip will have to be through non-magical means. We'll take about 20 minutes to arrive!" Percy Weasley's voice could be heard this time. "We're coming the fastest we can!"

"That's a truly optimistic estimative," their friend from Hogwarts, Anthony Goldstein, contested. "I'd say we'd take at least 40 minutes to arrive. The reasonable thing to do is to vanish from there...!"

"Shut up, Goldstein!" Percy retorted. "I'm the boss! If I say we'll make it in 20, we'll make it in 20!"

"Ron, let's try to stun him! I need your help!" Hermione bellowed, and Ron promptly stood by her side brandishing his wand. "On 3... 1, 2, 3..."

"Stupefy!" both of them bellowed in unison, striking Rolf straight in his chest, but he didn't seem to feel it.

"Ron, Hermione, I'm on my way!" Harry told them, seeking to hide the panic in his voice.

Fully transformed, Rolf freed himself from the chains as easily as he lifted the cupboard Hermione had launched on him and threw it back in their direction. Ron and Hermione both dodged it by a hair.

"Confringo!" Hermione cast in his direction, causing wreckage to fall upon him.

For a moment, he stood so quiet that they felt they had won. "I can't believe you did it..." Ron murmured, trembling from head to toe, staring transfixed at the werewolf's unresponsive body. Both brandished their wands up high, on full alert.

However, most abruptly, Rolf emerged from the wreckage at once, unexpectedly snatching Hermione and bashing her brutally against the wall without letting go of her.

"My fellows usually say mudbloods taste as good as they stink," Rolf said in an unrecognisable low and throaty voice. "I'm dying to see if it's true..."

"NO!" Ron shrieked desperately, tears steaming mindlessly from his eyes. "Keep your filthy fangs out of her!"

He couldn't think straight watching his wife in the clutches of a dreadful werewolf, so he decided he'd do the same as she had just done. With the Levitation Charm, he launched the couch forcefully against Rolf. 'It worked to save her from the troll once...' Ron hopelessly thought. Upon being smashed by such a great impact, Rolf howled in pain, but he ended up losing grip of Hermione in the process, having her fall from the height of the ceiling.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" he hollered as she let out a pitchy scream of pain. From the way she fell, she must have broken her legs. "I didn't mean to!"

Taking the chance, Rolf jumped on her at once, pressing her tightly against the floor, causing her to scream a second time. In complete shock, feeling as if his deepest fear had come true, the sound of his wife's screams paralyzed Ron entirely as he was swept away by a flashback. Reliving events from more than 20 years ago, he could almost hear her the same yell of immense pain from the time she was tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange.

Whereas Ron stood dumbfounded, overwhelmed by this nightmare, Hermione, just when Rolf's fangs were inches from her face, raised her wand in one ultimate breath and hit him right in his eyes with a might Conjunctivitus Curse. Immediately, Rolf brought his hands to his eyes, stumbling around unseeingly.

'I need to do something,' Ron snapped out of his inactivity. 'Not everything is lost yet!' Fearing that he might hurt her unintentionally again, he decided to fight up close. Grabbing a flower pot, approached the werewolf and tossed it against his head. As Rolf staggered, dizzy from the impact, Ron mounted on his back and caught his neck in a rear-naked choke.

Not letting go of Rolf even with all his struggling, Ron kept crushing his neck non-stop with all the strength he possessed, his face greasy with blood and sweat. On the verge of passing out from lack of air, Rolf attempted to sink his fangs into Ron's forearm, but, yet again, Hermione acted faster, bewitching him with "Cantis!", a hex that causes the person to sing uncontrollably. In Rolf's case, for he had the form of a wolf, he howled thoughtlessly instead, which led him to lose his remaining breath even more rapidly.

"That's brilliant, Hermione!" Ron panted, just before Rolf, sensing that he would pass out anytime, bent a lengthy arm towards his back and, at full, jammed his claws against Ron's back, trespassing him savagely at the height of his shoulder.

Spitting blood, Hermione squealed at the brutal sight of Ron being violated by the beast, striving to creep in their direction. 'Ferula,' still in the midst of her yelling, she non-verbally mended her broken legs, stumbling clumsily towards them. "Stop it! Stop it! STOP! IT!" she urged, almost soaking in her own tears, whereas Rolf tossed Ron forcefully to the floor, slashing him straight in the face with his free arm.

"Do... you..." Rolf howled, for he was still under the effect of Hermione's hex, "want... me... to... stop...? Set... me... free... mudblood!"

"So be it! Finite Incantatem!" trembling from head to toe, she pointed her wand at him, breaking the hex. "Go, Rolf! Go!" Thus, she swung her wand non-stop above her neck, breaking every protective charm in effect at that place. "It's done! You're free!" she growled. She even created a humungous hole on the house's walls with 'Confringo'. "Take your paws off him at once! GO!"

He, still unable to see well, dumped Ron unconscious on the floor and hopped over the hole in the wall.

Hermione, thus, leapt in the direction of Ron's plagued body, sobbing uncontrollably. "Vulnera sanentur, Vulnera sanentur, Vulnera sanentur..." she chanted amongst her sobs, trembling so abruptly she couldn't work the wand movement properly. Still, better than she would have expected, his wounds knitted gradually, yet considerably. She kept healing him on and on, even when his main wounds had already been amended, passing her wand through any sign of injury or cut she could spot. She wouldn't stop until he woke up and she heard his reassuring voice telling her that everything would be fine.

"Hermione!" Harry called from afar, in the air on a broomstick, landing beside her after having flown through the hole in the wall. "What in the world has happened to Ron!?"

"Vulnera sanentur, Vulnera sanentur, Vulnera sanentur..." she continued healing her husband, ignoring Harry's questions. Moments following that, more people arrived at the scene, most of them exclaiming and questioning, but Hermione didn't respond to any of them. She only stopped performing the healing enchantment when she passed out from exhausting her own powers.