Author's Notes:
Here's Chapter 137 for you!
A short continuation of the last chapter and a peek behind the curtain reveals what a certain group have been up to recently.
I was supposed to upload this on the 11th of February but got really ysick. I thought I had covid because I had a lot of the symptoms. I took lateral flow test twice daily and a PCR, all of which came back negative. I'm feeling much better now and managed to finish this short chapter for you.
Love, DW
P.S. Enjoy x
After the disappearance of Harry Potter at his own birthday party, the majority of the guests had turned the conversation to another person who was on all their minds, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt. Their joint hatred of the man, mixed with the strength of the alcohol on offer, meant that many of the stories were on the fabrication side.
"I saw him kick a puppy once," Lee Jordan states, and the group of friends around him burst into raucous laughter.
"No, you didn't," Oliver Wood shakes his head, the amusement is evident on his face.
"Nah, but he looks like the type who would kick a puppy if it was in his way," Lee shrugs.
"He's a puppy kicker!" George Weasley raises his glass.
The rest of his representative group raise their own glass, chanting, "Puppy kicker, puppy kicker!"
Hermione's brows furrow as she walks past. This wasn't exactly the desired result of Harry's party. Perhaps they should limit the amount of alcohol at the buffet table. She heads over to where Draco is sitting at the entrance to the Burrow, beside the buffet table, and begin to remove bottles of firewhiskey and muggle liquor.
"There's not much networking going on," she admits, sneaking past Draco to place the bottles in the kitchen. "How's your post going?" She asks.
"No one seems to have noticed that Ginny, Harry and Molly have disappeared." He answers, bouncing Scorpius on his knee, and smiling at his giggles.
"I'm going to suggest the groups mix, George's group are all together and calling Shacklebolt a 'puppy kicker'," explains Hermione.
Draco laughs, "Makes sense to me."
Shaking her head, Hermione walks back over to George's group, "Hey, you're supposed to be mixing with other groups," she reminds them.
"But we're having fun," Lee complains.
"Go!" she uses her teaching voice to split the group up.
The members reluctantly wander off to join other groups, and as they seemingly explain their reasoning for joining, others start moving around the garden, chatting to representatives they wouldn't usually come across.
With the event back on track, Hermione takes a moment to stand back and watch. This is what the New Order was all about, the freedom of information sharing. Something some person might not think is a big deal, might be the missing link for the other person in understanding the motive behind the Minister's actions.
Hermione watches Alexander Vyner and Elias Woodward walk towards her, their faces stern and serious.
"We need a private word, Ms Granger," Elias states.
Curious, Hermione nods, gesturing for them to follow her around the side of the house, "What's going on?"
"Elias has just informed me that the Minister is planning on completing his own inspections at Hogwarts," Alexander begins.
Hermione frowns, the Minister still hadn't officially announced his new Department for Education Standards, but the news had gotten around to the professors, who were spending their summer holiday planning lessons, resources and their classroom. They had found it more than a little coincidental that the DES would be conducting inspections just in time for Hermione and Draco to return to work.
"This must be the announcement the Minister is planning on giving in September," she comments.
"In the past month, the Minister has shown interest in the archived files of a few Hogwarts staff. He's been attempting to keep it a secret too. I caught him leaving the basement with copied files just last week. I didn't press him on it, since he's still wary of me after your New York holiday, but Lyra made another copy of the Archive Map, and she informed me of the filing cabinets he opened." Alexander explains.
"Who's files did he take?" Hermione asks.
"Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Darius Cain," Alexander pauses. "You, Draco, Neville Longbottom, Pansy Parkinson and Jonathan Atkins."
Wondering what all this could mean, "Why Minerva, Filius and Darius?" She adds.
"Minerva McGonagall is Head Mistress and Filius Flitwick is Deputy Head, therefore all decisions that affect the school are made by them. Then, Darius Cain is a new member of staff, but he was also undercover for such a long time that the Minister thinks he may have been turned into an anti-Ministry spy." Elias shrugs.
"Darius is not an anti-Ministry spy," Hermione scoffs. "He's nearly as bad as Mad-Eye was with all his 'Constant Vigilance'."
"I assume those of us who were apprentices was chosen as a cover to inspect Draco and me?" Hermione asks.
Elias shuffles on his feet, "What I do know, is he's worried those of you who apprenticed before becoming professors aren't experienced enough to be leading your own classes. He's going to be focusing on you five." Elias answers her question.
Hermione's skin crawls at the thought of having Minister Shacklebolt sat at the back of her class, watching her, waiting for her to fail. Although, she couldn't argue with the logic. They had only apprenticed for one year and then went on paternal leave during their first full year.
"We'll just have to be ready," Hermione stands tall.
"My inspections will be monthly," Elias reminds them. "The Minister's will be twice a term, so probably every six weeks." He divulges.
"Thank you, I'll pass this information on to Minerva, so she's aware," Hermione nods.
"Thanks," Elias nods, glancing around the garden. "So, where's the birthday boy gotten himself?"
"Or Mrs Potter," Alexander mentions, locking eyes with Hermione knowingly. "I haven't seen her all party."
"Now you mention it, neither have I," Elias scans the garden. "They must have gone off together. I know the purpose of the party was for networking, but it would have been nice to at least wish Mr Potter a happy birthday. I do have to be going soon."
"I'm afraid they're a little busy right now, but I'll pass the sentiment along," Hermione smiles, nodding once in Alexander's direction to confirm his unasked question.
Elias wishes a few friends goodbye before leaving, and Alexander wanders over to his girlfriend, laughing at something she appears to have said.
Hermione's grateful the Head of the Archives didn't push the issue further. He's a curious man, but he seems to have been satisfied with her answering nod.
Over near the Burrow's kitchen door, Andromeda and Teddy are speaking with Draco, so she joins them.
"Teddy just wants to say goodbye," Andromeda says as Hermione comes within earshot.
"Are you leaving already?" Hermione asks, wrapping an arm around Draco's waist.
"Yes, Teddy's all tired out after running around with the other children. I was just asking where Harry and Ginny have gone since the boy wishes to tell them goodbye."
Teddy is wrapped in his grandmother's arms, already dozing off with his head tucked under her chin.
"Draco, why don't you walk your Aunt down to the apparation point?" Hermione suggests, opening her arms for her son.
Draco nods, "Of course, would you like me to take Teddy? He's growing quickly." He offers.
Andromeda doesn't question the change but does allow her nephew to carry her grandson as they set off across the garden path towards the Burrow's gate.
—
As soon as they're beyond the wards of the Burrow, Andromeda asks, "What's happening?"
"Ginny's in labour but doesn't want to go to St Mungo's for fear the information will be passed along to Minister Shacklebolt, the restrictions will go back up and the guest will be arrested," he explains the simplified version of events.
"Oh, goodness!" Andromeda gasps. "That girl needs to focus on herself and that baby of theirs."
Draco shakes his head, "You know how headstrong Ginny is, there's no telling her. At least her healer is here to support them."
"Perhaps I should have offered to take James for the night," Andromeda suggests.
"It's alright, James can spend the night at ours," Draco assures her.
"You're a good man, Draco," Andromeda pats his cheek before taking Teddy back in her arms.
Draco's posture stiffens, "I don't know about that," he shrugs.
"No, you are. You've done so much good the past three years, and I'm very proud of you," his Aunt smiles.
With tears in his eyes, he suddenly blurts out, "Hermione's pregnant."
Andromeda's eyes widen, "Oh, congratulations. I wasn't expecting that." She pulls her nephew in for a hug. "What did your mother say?" She chuckles.
"I haven't told her yet. I wanted the first person I told to be happy for me," Draco admits.
"Oh, darling, I am so happy for you and Hermione." She hug him again. "If you need me to be there when you tell your mother, I'll be there." She offers.
"Thank you, I'm so glad I got to know you," Draco sighs in his Aunt's arms.
"Me too," she grins in agreement, as Teddy begins to fidget in her arms. "Alright, let's get you home."
Draco waits for them to apparate away before rejoining the party.
—
"I told Andromeda," Draco admits as soon as he returns to his wife.
Hermione only sighs, "That's fine. We need to speak to Minerva soon. I also have some information to relay back to her, from Elias Woodward."
"Anything interesting?" Draco asks.
"Yeah, it seems like Kingsley going to be taking some of the inspections next year," Hermione explains.
"Just what we need," Draco sits back down in his chair beside the entrance to the Burrow, just as Arthur squeezes past, back into the garden.
"How is Ginny doing?" Hermione quietly asks.
"Molly says she's doing well. Her healer wants to take her to St. Mungo's, but she's refusing. How's it going down here," the Weasley father glances around his garden at the multiple groups of people still milling around.
"Some information has come to light, and I'm sure we'll hear more at our next meeting. Although, it was supposed to be tomorrow and I'm not sure I want to go ahead without Harry." Hermione claims.
Arthur scratches his chin, "We can skips August's meeting and pick back up in September, but then the first is the start of the new school year. You're going to be busy," he points out.
"Not until the night, we can meet at lunchtime again," Hermione suggests.
"It's set then," Arthur nods. "I think we should send these people home. It's been a few hours. If everyone leaves, maybe then Ginny will go to St Mungo's."
"That's fine," Hermione nods.
"We'll take James with us for a night or two," Draco tells Arthur. "Get him out of your hair for a few days; he enjoyed the last sleepover with Scorpius."
"That's amazing, thank you," Arthur claps Draco on the shoulder. "I'm going to tell the boys," he mentions, hurrying over to where the remaining Weasley sons had managed to gather in a group, laughing and joking together.
Hermione watches as Arthur tells Ginny's brothers, their faces turn into a mix of joy, excitement, annoyance and then understanding. The brothers then spread out, informing the crowd that 'they don't have to go home, but they can't stay here'.
Quite quickly, the garden empties of guests, leaving just family and close friends.
Draco finds James playing with Fred and Victoire in the playpen, now full of small plastic balls.
"Where did all these come from?" He asks, squatting and splashing the balls around.
"Papa," Victoire answers, her accent giving away the fact she's been living in France for the past four months.
"Really, wow, that's fun," he comments. "James, guess what?" He asks, trying to excite the child.
"What?" His eyes brighten.
"You're coming to our house for a sleepover tonight," Draco smiles down at the toddler.
"Why?"
"Because it's your dad's birthday, and he wants to spend time with your mum." Draco makes up.
"Okay," he shrugs, attempting to climb out of the playpen. "We go now?" He asks.
"Yes, we're going soon, here." Draco leans into the pen, wrapping his arms around the boy and lifting him out.
"I like pizza," James states.
"That's nice," Draco mentions as he walks to where Hermione is thanking groups of people for attending the party, as they walk past her and Scorpius.
"Sorpus like pizza?"
"Scorpius has never had a pizza before," Draco explains.
"Why?"
"He's too young," he claims, already regretting his decision to take James for the night.
"Ted like pizza too."
"Do you want pizza for dinner?" Draco questions.
"Yay!" James claps his hands.
Meeting back up with Hermione, James begins chanting "Pizza, pizza, pizza".
"Guess what we're having for dinner," Draco asks, amused.
"Chicken?" Hermione jokes.
"No, pizzzzza," James shouts.
"Okay, have you ever made your own pizza, James?" Hermione asks as they walk towards the apparation point.
"No!"
"Would you like to?"
"Yesss," He hisses.
Draco stares with concern at the child on his hip, he's a strange one.
Once in the confines of their house, they take the two boys into the living room to play for a little while Hermione and Draco share the information they had been told in greater detail. That night, they would make pizza together, watch a film on VHS, and have a good night's sleep.
—
A tall muscular man jogs down a quiet street, his miniature toy poodle in step beside him. He knows how it looks, a man of his stature with a pure white toy poodle that barely reaches halfway up his thick calf, but she's what his girlfriend had chosen from the shelter. The man takes a sharp turn down a tree-lined path, which will eventually lead to a fishing pond. This usual route takes him around the pond, back along the path and home again, the perfect post-work exercise. The further along the path he runs, the darker his surroundings become, as the canopy of trees blocks the light from the moon. The man runs this route every night though, in summer and winter, so he knows when to turn when to hop over the roots of the trees, and when to duck under than one specific branch that had been bent in a storm last year.
The man wears headphones, connected to the Walkman clipped to the waistband of his running shorts, which is why it's the sudden flash that brings his attention to the present, and out of his mind. He stops suddenly, hanging his headphones around his neck as he softly whistles for his dog to return to his side. The man walks slowly to where the flash had come from, thinking how it's probably some kids playing with fireworks. However, what he doesn't expect to see when he peers through a thick bramble bush, is three cloaked figures, all wearing distinctive white and gold masks.
Ears straining, the man listens to their conversation, mentally taking notes to write up once he gets home. He wasn't aware of any cult activity in the northeast of England, but he would definitely bring it up with his detective superintendent in the morning.
"Master," the shorter one greets the obvious leader. "I bring news of the Potter's. Their child has been born."
"The same day as the father, how sweet," the leader's voice is low and mechanical, as though spoken through an electronic voice changer. "Does the child have a name?"
The short one cackles unexpectedly with excitement, "Yes, he does, Heres."
"Calm yourself, Cura," this master snaps, and they stop. "What is their name?"
"His name is Albus Severus Potter, Heres," Cura's voice gives away their continued excitement.
The one who had yet to speak scoffs.
"I agree, Umbra, but we can use this to our advantage," the master pulls a greetings card from within their cloak. "Cura, you'll be able to plant this in young Mrs Potter's room."
"Of course, Master," Cura agrees, breathlessly, the joy overtaking him.
The master opens the greetings card and speaks, "Dearest Potters, congratulations on the birth of your son, we take your naming him Albus Severus as confirmation that the New Order and our movement are joined in our effort to remove the Minister from his seat of governance, yours sincerely, Heres."
The card is handed to Cura, who places it inside his cloak.
"Umbra, why are you here?" The mast questions.
Umbra stands tall, shoulders squared, confident in themself, "I have managed to infiltrate further into the New Order. They will not be meeting tomorrow, due to the Potter's circumstances, but the main seven will be meeting with their representatives in the upcoming weeks to share information. For their last meeting, I gather Potter, Granger and Malfoy are aware of a 'double agent' working for both us and them. They refuse to divulge whom, but I have my guesses." She speaks clearly and with much disdain.
"Do you not assume that I am aware of this person, and they are acting under my orders? Do you assume my leadership to be weak, Umbra?" The master's irate voice raises.
"Yes, Master, I assumed as much," her head cast down. She's lying.
"Umbra, dear, you've done a lot for your master. How are you?" Their master questions.
"Healthy," Umbra answers.
"Any suspicion?"
"None," she sneers. "He's a moron."
"Don't underestimate him, Umbra. That's how mistakes are made. He mustn't find out until the Minister has been removed."
"I know my mission, Heres."
"Good," the master turns to Cura. "Be on your way," they order.
In another flash of light and a crack of thunder, the one called Cura disappears into thin air.
The tall man, crouched behind the bramble bush, gasps loudly as he scrambles away, tripping on a tree root and landing flat on his back. His miniature toy poodle, not understanding the severity of the situation, barks with joy, assuming his current state on his back to be part of a game.
With terror coursing through his veins, the man's eyes scan the bramble bush and meet the sinister eyes of Umbra, staring wildly at him through her ornate mask. In his line of work, the man is used to feeling scared and uneasy, but he's never felt absolute fear like he does now.
A crack of thunder behind him sends the man shuffling around to face the master of their group, their piercing blue eyes twinkling down at him as they growl, in a voice that doesn't match their eyes, "Nosy muggles, Umbra!"
"Avada Kedava!"
The man hears the words spoken; sees the green flash behind him but that will be all he will ever know about his death. What the tall muscular man will never know is how his miniature toy poodle positioned herself on his chest, barking and growling at the cloaked figures, staying beside him even in death. When the master kicks the dog off his body, in order to push the man's open, vacant eyes away from them with the toe of their shoe, the dog yelps, but doesn't stay down, racing back over to protect the man who has once protected her when he rescued the dog from the shelter.
"Umbra, the dog!" The master snaps.
Another flash of green, this time striking the dog, sends her tumbling to the dirt floor, beside her owner.
"Umbra, your work is appreciated within our movement, and with the recent arrest of a few of our members, I do believe a personnel change is in order," the master announces.
"Thank you, Heres," Umbra bows her head in respect.
"Let us be on our way, we do not wish to be here when this one is found," Heres glares down at the mess by their feet.
Both cloaked figures apparate home: one to a cold, empty house and the other to a warm meal, cooked by their husband. Left in their wake is the dead man and his dog, who wouldn't be found until five o'clock the next morning when a nurse walks down the path on her way to work. What the cloak figures could never have known, is that this night was a turning point for their movement, the New Order and the Minister of Magic.
Thank you for all your name considerations, you can still comment your suggestion for the new Malfoy baby, as I won't be finalising the results until a chapter before their birth.
Thank you so much for reading.
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