A/N: This would have been out earlier if it wasn't for me getting captivated by Frank Herbert's Dune novel.
New oc character alert! Faceclaim for Hunter Martinez - Francisco Lachowski (when he was younger)
Also I've decided on a new faceclaim for Isadora Brown because why not lol. New faceclaim for her: Kaya Scodelario (Wuthering Heights).
Though they were no longer in the same room as Voldemort, they could still hear the battle he was having with Professor Dumbledore from where they were now located - back out in the spacious corridor with all the doors. There were countless press at one end flashing wizard cameras, all pushing to try and get a good shot. Someone had taken the initiative to put up an invisible barrier to stop them from hounding forwards, which was a good choice - Amelia knew she would have choice words for any reporter that would otherwise try shoving a microphone in her face, demanding to know what had just happened.
As far as she knew, nobody had died in their second scuffle with the Death Eater's, which she was bloody glad for. She knew that Ginny, Tonks, Hermione and Daphne were mildly injured, but the main thing was that they were alive.
Looking around her, the general consensus of the Senior DA members was that they were just exhausted. Angelina was sliding down against a wall, pushing her tight braids back out of her face as she did and breathing as though she had just done a marathon. That was saying a lot - Angelina could go three hours playing Quidditch without even having a bead of sweat on her forehead. Similar to the Hogsmeade battle - barely two days ago - this Ministry battle had been intensely fierce; since they were in a smaller space, it had meant they were facing one enemy after the other with barely any room to maneuver. Amelia found herself more tired now than she had at Hogsmeade.
And like at Hogsmeade, Theo was at her side through it all, including now.
He stood beside her in the corridor, his face sometimes being illuminated with the flashing cameras behind him. She realised he was trying to shield her from them - though that was a bit pointless, as she knew at least one camera would have caught her. This whole event was bound to be big news anyway; the Death Eaters and Voldemort, albeit very briefly, had the Ministry under their control. It was only thanks to Minister Bones initiative to send her niece a Patronus, and the Senior DA themselves, that they had managed to repel them. It would have been disastrous otherwise.
Gradually, the Senior DA members recuperated and checked up on each other. Then they discussed the current situation; was Dumbledore managing against Voldemort? There was no way of knowing, since they'd all practically been thrown out of the room.
Mrs Weasley appeared beside her all of a sudden, windswept hair and wide eyes. "Are you hurt, Amelia?"
"'M fine, Mrs Weasley, really." She insisted, but gave in and let the woman run a diagnostic spell over her anyway. The woman still didn't look wholly convinced when the scan came back clear. "When will we be able to leave?" She asked.
Molly Weasley looked at her. "That all depends if Dumbledore can beat You-Know-Who. He has to - he must."
Theo spoke up as Ron, Ginny and George wandered over. "Well, I suppose there's one good thing that comes of this; everyone will believe that You-Know-Who really is back."
Mrs Weasley made a noise of agreement. "At bloody last."
Everyone got the fright of their lives, for they heard a muffled shouting, and then windows started shattering.
"GET DOWN!" Someone shouted.
Amelia dropped to the floor like everyone else. Theo hovered over her, fiercely protecting her from the falling shards. But the thing was, no shards fell.
When she dared to look up, Mad-Eye and a few other Aurors had created another barrier - it was almost like a transparent blanket that shielded everyone, including the reporters. The glass shards, when they hit the blanket barrier, almost evaporated into mist.
Panic over, the Aurors removed the barrier. God knows what they would have to do if Voldemort decided to bring the walls down.
Weirdly, there was no longer any noise coming from the room where Voldemort and Dumbledore were having their duel. People started panicking. "What if Dumbledore's dead?" Zacharias Smith voiced.
"What if he's dying with nobody to help him?" Came from Hannah Abbott.
Everyone was silenced when they heard the creaking of a door open, and some even drew their wands; smart choice, considering it could be Voldemort about to come and kill them all.
But it was Dumbledore.
Everyone either gasped or sighed with relief. The Headmaster didn't even look affected - sure, he looked windswept, but that was to be expected.
"Where is he, Albus?" Moody asked, his voice carrying.
"He couldn't beat me. He has fled."
That was only just comforting - Voldemort was still alive, and was likely going to come back for more.
"Senior students, I want you to return to school right this instant. Remus, Sirius, get them to the Floo networks in the main atrium. I will be with you momentarily.
Just like that, they were herded away from the scene. It only just occurred to Amelia that they could be in so much trouble for this; after all, they disobeyed orders to not go tearing off, but had, and some people had gotten injured because of it. What if they got expelled for this?
Surely not, she thought, we saved their lives by coming!
When they got to the main atrium, it was shocking to see that Voldemort had been able to smash the glass there as well. Tiny little glass shards were on the floor - and up above them a tapestry of Minister Bones had almost been torn completely when the glass had initially smashed and hailed down. Remus and Sirius vanished all the shards as they went, so that nobody would cut their shoes or feet.
Amelia tried to speak to Sirius as she walked past him. "Are we going to get in trouble?"
Sirius's previously expressionless face softened at her. "Not necessarily, darling. I imagine you'll all be commended for your bravery."
Flooing the Senior DA back didn't take overly long, and soon it was Amelia's turn. When she appeared back in Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall was there with other people who had gone through the Floo before her. "Miss Potter, glad to see you're okay."
"I think all of us survived the ordeal, Professor." She said.
McGonagall had something of a sharp look. "You were all reckless, tearing off after me telling you not to, but it was selfless. Ultimately, you saved lives too."
When everybody was accounted for and back at school, they didn't have to wait long until Dumbledore joined them. When he appeared, they all fell silent without being asked.
"You have no idea how much you crippled the Death Eater's plans, turning up at the Ministry there." the Headmaster started, in a tone that held no anger, but every bit admiration. "They literally would have taken control right there and then."
A few people shuddered at that thought - Susan Bones and the Weasley's included.
"I myself was surprised to see You-Know-Who himself there. Which further proves this was their grand takeover, his reveal to the world that he's alive. But you set them back considerably. Their coup failed, and now those that evaded capture will go scurrying back into hiding, planning their next attempt. The key thing though - is that many people witnessed Voldemort and saw him there in person with their own eyes. The news tomorrow will literally be nothing but Voldemort. Rightly so; Fudge will look like an utter clown for ever once suggesting that Voldemort couldn't be alive. Thank you, every last one of you, for going to the Ministry tonight. It will not be forgotten."
With that, Dumbledore dismissed them for the evening. Amelia shared a look with her friends - their course of action had indeed changed everything.
Harry woke up the next morning, feeling a bit odd. This would be his last time waking up as a fifth year, for after the graduation ceremony, they would be heading down to Hogsmeade Station to start summer break. He was looking forward to spending summer relaxing, especially after the battles at both Hogsmeade and the Ministry. He knew his sisters, as well as Blaise, Theo and Barnaby, would be sharing that sentiment. He couldn't wait to go back to his own bedroom at Black Manor; and he had a feeling that Theo's mum would have baked treats for them coming home. His stomach rumbled and his mouth watered just thinking about Ophelia Fortesque's baking.
When he got dressed and opened the curtains around his bed, he saw Seamus rather comically trying to flop down on his trunk in an attempt to shut it. He had no clue how the boy's trunk had gotten filled to the brim, but nonetheless it was funny.
"Help me out with this, Harry, would'ya?" Seamus said, blowing out a bit, as his previous attempt at shutting it had proven futile.
Harry grinned, and moved to help him. He held it down as best as he could whilst Seamus tried to zip it up. It took a good few minutes, but they got it zipped up in the end, although it did look fit to burst in a few places.
A thought came to Harry then. "What are you going to do over summer? Will Dean be coming to yours?"
Seamus flushed a bit. "Hoping to get him over to Ireland for a few days, but we really don't know if we're going to tell our parents about our… relationship, yet."
"Are you even 'out' to them"?
Seamus bowed his head a little, as if embarrassed. Harry quickly continued. "Hey, there's no rush. I'm no expert, but I do know that things like these take time. Tell them when you're ready."
"That reminds me; when will you and Ginny be getting together, eh?" Seamus had a cheeky grin and nudged him. Harry couldn't help but flush crimson, which just made Seamus chortle more.
"There's just been so little time - from our OWLs, to her fourth year tests, to Hogsmeade and then the Ministry, I haven't had the chance." He admitted.
Seamus nodded. "There's practically two months of summer break, y'know, and by the time we're in sixth year I expect to see you walkin' the halls and holding her hand."
He flushed again at that thought. It was a pretty picture.
Seamus then changed the subject. "Oh! There's something else. I won't be seeing you until September, so I'm going t'give you, Amelia and Dorea yer birthday cards and presents the now."
Harry nodded. His and Amelia's birthdays were at the end of July (as was Neville's), with Dorea being exactly a week before them. The nearest birthday coming up was actually Theo's - he was 16 on June the 30th, which was literally only two days away. Barnaby was 15 on August 2nd, and Blaise was 16 on August 14th. They'd be pretty busy celebrating birthdays during the holidays, that was for sure.
Seamus handed him some small sealed gift bags each for him, Amelia, and Dorea, and after further discussion Seamus also handed him Blaise and Theo's presents; Harry explained it would be easier for him to just take them and give it to them on their birthdays, since he was living with them. Seamus agreed and handed him their bags.
After breakfast, a lot of people went outside and down next to the Black Lake, where the scene was set up for the graduation ceremony. Parents were arriving and being greeted by teachers as they took their seats. Multiple rows of chairs were set out. Harry was sure he wasn't the only one wondering if the parents of Roger Davies, Scarlett Lympsham and Patricia Stimpson would be here today, so soon after their child's brutal murders. He caught up with Fred and George before the ceremony started - the twins looking a bit funny but smart in their graduation gowns supplied to each seventh year. "Their actual parents aren't here, but apparently there are other relatives attending in their place. They're also going to give them the certificates and prizes they would have otherwise received, had they not been killed." George had said.
A lot of students were attending the ceremony for once instead of spending the morning packing, and Harry knew it was largely because Fred, George and Lee, the biggest pranksters, were leaving. The school would be quiet without them, and many people were coming to see them off. Harry took a seat in one of the back rows, with Hermione and Ron between him. "It's so weird how we'll never see any of them around here again."
Ron hummed agreement. Hermione was about to speak, until music began playing. As this happened, McGonagall was making sure that every seventh year (herded on a long singular bench) was behaving and - most importantly - sitting in alphabetical order of surname. They would receive their certificates that way.
Dumbledore stepped up to the podium, and smiled out at the sea of faces. He began speaking when the music stopped. "I, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, am proud to present this year's graduating class." He said, and paused to let people applaud and cheer. "Whilst I am sad to see so many people leaving us, I am sure the next chapter of their lives will be filled with success. Every year it gets just that little bit tougher - I remember many of these graduating seventh years stepping through the doors for the first time, and getting Sorted as if it was yesterday. I am sure that you, their family and friends that know them best, feel the same. To begin this ceremony, I am delighted to pass you on to this year's female recipient of the Attainment Cup, Alicia Spinnet."
Harry shared looks with Hermione and Ron, as well as Amelia and Dorea. They knew that Alicia was smart, but they hadn't realised she was the top student among the seventh year girls.
Alicia stepped up to the podium to whoops and cheers, the girl grinning back at her friends as she did. Dumbledore shook her hand and gestured to the podium. As Alicia took to the podium, she placed a piece of parchment down on the holder.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Alicia looked to Dumbledore. The podium must've had a magical microphone, as Alicia's voice easily carried outwards so that everyone could hear her. "I would like to start this speech by taking the time to thank all of the professors of Hogwarts that we've had over the years for all of their time, hard work, and dedication. Without them, we would merely be unlearned in the ways of magic, and would not have made it here today without them." All of the graduates applauded, which made the teachers look proud and bashful. Alicia continued, this time looking out forwards to the crowds. "I would also like to thank all of our parents and family sitting here today, who may not have been at school with us, but we felt your nurturing, love and care every step of the way whilst we were away learning. We definitely all felt the love when we received letters, or when we were reunited for holidays, and when we would each return home, it was like we had never been away." There was another brief pause, as the applause turned to the parents occupying the front rows. Harry briefly spotted Mr & Mrs Weasley - the latter was probably in happy tears already.
Alicia continued. "But most of all, we would like to thank each and every one of our fellow students. For the past seven years, we have all been under the same roof, shared meals, classes, and even troubling times together. Whether those troubles were mountain trolls in the toilets, dragons, teachers being impersonated by evil people, you name it - we all went through it together. We've also seen six years worth of first years begin their journeys here; word of advice, seventh year is awful, we do not recommend it." The crowd started laughing knowingly at parts. Alicia took a pause, and Harry noticed that when she next looked down at the parchment, her smile faltered. He knew what was coming - those absent. "There are people that should be here today, standing with us, graduating. I feel duty and honour bound to mention them. Cedric Diggory, Roger Davies, Scarlett Lympsham and Patricia Stimpson. Cedric and Roger in particular should be here with us today, either one of them delivering this speech and mopping up every single award on offer here today. However, if I knew any of them as well as I hoped, I'm sure they would be looking down and wanting us to be happy on this day. In their honour, though, we have set aside spaces among us on the bench - spaces they should be occupying themselves. They are truly missed, but we honour them. After today, us graduating are all off on our separate ways and different tangents. We may never again return to this moment in time, where we are students of this school. That does not mean we cannot still keep in touch, maintain friendships we have made here, or look back on happy memories created here. Sure, this time next year we may not remember just how many Principal Exemptions there are to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, or remember how to brew Weedosoros from memory, but academia is not the only thing we learned during our tenure here. In my opinion, we learned some more important things, though I'm sure some of the professors will disagree with me." Laughter rippled through the crowd again. That seemed to mark the end of Alicia's speech. "Now, I will hand you over to a much wiser individual than myself, though that's not too hard to accomplish. I would like to pass you on to the Minister for Magic, Madam Amelia Bones."
Harry started clapping with everyone else. He was sure he saw Hermione move to rub at her face from next to him. He smiled when the Minister took the podium and Alicia went back to her seat.
"Thank you, Miss Spinnet, for those words. Now, I am sure that the graduates, and everyone here, are itching to start the next chapter of their lives and holidays respectively, so I will keep my speech short. I was asked to speak here today, and it is always wonderful to return to Hogwarts, where I myself once walked the halls and gained qualifications. Graduating today does not mean this must be the final time you see this institution in person. Your professors, who may have seemed oh-so-strict during your subjects, do not wish that. They are teachers for a reason. Some of them are respected leaders in their chosen subject fields, and the best resource their subject has. The job of school professor is also a broad one - of course, every teacher chooses to teach the next generation, but also are aware of another thing in the course of their jobs; to give guidance, even after students have left. Taking advantage of that, even though your academic studies may be over, is wise. Come to visit them, ask them questions, or even simply send an owl. I'm sure many of the professors in front of me recognise the telltale signs of an ex-student wanting advice: turning up out of the blue and bringing biscuits."
The teachers laughed at that. Madam Bones continued. "The next bit of advice I will give is simple, and actually pertains to events that have happened in the past week," there was a dramatic pause, as the Minister looked up and out at everyone, "Those over a certain age; I hope you all have sobering potions on you tomorrow morning."
There was a slight silence, and then people started bursting out laughing. Who knew that the Minister had such a wicked sense of humor? That seemed to mark the end of Minister Bones's fabulous speech, as she thanked the audience and went back to her seat, people clapping and whooping in cheers as she did.
Dumbeldore took to the podium again, his face in a broad smile. "Thank you, Minister, for your words. I'm sure most of us will be taking that last piece of advice in particular on board." Harry noticed that McGonagall had now made to stand up directly below the podium. "And now, before the graduates can receive their certificates, we must carry out the annual prize giving. I'm delighted to delegate the handing-out of such prizes to my Deputy, Professor McGonagall."
The prizegiving didn't take too long. As said earlier, Alicia Spinnet was the female recipient of the Attainment Cup, but there was a moment's silence in remembrance - for Roger Davies was the male recipient of the award too. A member of Roger's family instead received it on his behalf, and took a hold of the small bronze cup as if it was made of glass.
As well as that, the prize giving included Attainment as well as Effort prizes in every single subject taught at Hogwarts. Angelina achieved an Effort in Transfiguration, with Alicia mopping up Efforts each in Charms, Defence and Potions. Fred and George looked comically surprised when their names were called out - as Fred received an Effort in Defence, with George gaining an Effort in Charms. Niles Hanley achieved Attainment in Defence (the boy even made a 'thank-you' gesture to Remus). Lee Jordan surprisingly achieved Attainment in Arithmancy.
"I didn't know he did Arithmancy?" Hermione said, surprised.
"I knew he did it, but bloody hell - in order to get Attainment he must've been top of the class!" Ron exclaimed, sounding impressed.
The ceremony continued. Seventh years such as Cassius Warrington and Graham Monague got Attainments and Efforts in subjects, though they didn't look that pleased to be receiving their awards - just barely smiling at McGonagall as they shook hands with her. There was more sombre moments of remembrance when Cedric received an honorary prize - the Endeavour Trophy, with Patricia Stimpson receiving the Scamander Shield (for her top marks in Care of Magical Creatures), and Scarlett Lympsham receiving the Bathilda Bagshot Foundation Prize for exceptional marks in History of Magic. Harry was pretty sure that by the end of the prize giving, all the seventh years had received a prize.
One of the last parts of the ceremony was handing the graduates their certificates. It took less time than the prize giving, and when it was done Harry was sure everyone had a feeling come over them - this was the end of the school year.
Dumbledore made one last quick speech, saying thank you and goodbye to everyone, and just like that, the seventh years were now officially graduates.
The seventh years were herded away for a few pictures of them standing all together, and then even as people headed back up to the school, they heard the cheers as the graduates all threw their caps up into the air. It was then a hilarious affair, as some of the seventh years started sprinting away - towards the Black Lake. Graduation gowns and certificates were all but thrown on the ground, and then they cannonballed into the Lake. For what it was worth, even McGonagall was finding it fun, only telling them off a little bit, but she let it slide - after all, it wasn't worth getting them in trouble, since they were soon to depart the school for the last time.
When there was about an hour to go until the train departed Hogsmeade, a lot of people took the time to say their personal farewells to the graduates. Lee, Fred and George had tonnes of people around them, but Harry didn't bother going to them, knowing he would be seeing them over the summer anyway. He went up to Angelina in the common room, as she was starting to take her trunk down.
"Oh, don't you start with farewells, Harry, you're going to set me off again!" His Captain said, furiously rubbing her eyes. Alicia, next to her, started laughing.
"Well, I'll say this then - it's been an honour, Captain." He said, with a mock salute.
Angelina smiled, but then started bawling. Alicia couldn't help but let a few tears slip too. "Your last ever day just creeps up on you," she said, "it's a day you just think will not happen for ages, and then bam, you're leaving your dormitory for the last time. I swear I was a first year student just yesterday…"
He understood, although he was two years off being in their position. He knew he was going to be upset at the prospect of being a leaver when that time did roll around.
At half past ten, students started making their way down to Hogsmeade Station. Dorea and Ginny had gone to collect Hedwig and Pig from the Owlery not long before. Harry, Dorea, Amelia, Ron and Hermione exited the Entrance Hall with their platoon of friends around them. Blaise, Theo and Barnaby were nearby.
"I cannot believe I'm technically now a fifth year, even though it's not September yet." Barnaby was marvelling.
"How do you think we feel? We're technically now sixth years!" Theo said, as if he couldn't believe it himself.
A thought then overcame Harry. He turned to Theo. "Do you think that your mum found out about Hogsmeade? And the Ministry?"
Theo looked startled. "Well, she'll definitely know about Hogsmeade - and if she saw any Ministry photos from the press she would have seen me in them… oh gosh, she's either going to freak out or get very teary."
"I'm amazed she didn't Floo to each battle to make sure you were okay." Harry said in part humour.
"Her work probably kept her from doing that, but either way she's going to be scanning me - and all of us - for any serious injuries." Theo replied.
When the train doors opened, they went to grab a good compartment. Neville, who usually joined them in their compartment on train journeys to and fro Hogwarts, said that he was actually going to find Hannah Abbott - to the delighted wolf-whistles of Blaise, Ron, Theo and Harry. They'd never seen Neville flush so red in their lives. Pansy, their most recent acquaintance, looked a bit shy - she obviously couldn't sit with people like Millicent Bulstrode or Sophie Roper anymore. At their insistence, she came in and occupied the last seat in their compartment.
Whilst Ron, Barnaby, Theo and Blaise had an Exploding Snap game and the rest of them munched on their horde of sweets bought off the trolley lady, Harry turned to Pansy. "What are your parents like?"
It was probably a weird question to ask, but considering they were going back to their homes for a whole summer break, it seemed relevant to ask. "Well, they're not as strict as other pure-blood parents are. My dad is a Lord - he represents Parkinson house in the Wizengamot. My mum is a tutor." She answered.
"A tutor?" Ginny sounded pleasantly surprised.
"Yeah," Pansy said, then got more confident in speaking, "obviously we don't go to school until we're 11, so what she does is gives kids aged anywhere from 6-10 a pre-education, if you will. You know, things like spelling, grammar, essays, mathematics, all of that."
"I didn't know our society had 'Lords'," Ron said, still keeping his concentration on the game, "my family's pure-blood, does that mean my dads a Lord?"
"All Sacred 28 houses should ideally be represented, but the seat can lay empty for however long until a member of the family wants to take it up." Pansy said, almost expertly.
Ron hummed, before pulling off a move that knocked Barnaby out of the game.
That got Harry thinking - House Black was a pure-blood family - did that mean Sirius was technically Lord Black? He would ask him when they got to Black Manor. It was intriguing; okay, not the high-lord, stuck-up pomp side of it all, but he wondered just how much power they had in the government, such as passing laws. He remembered when Fudge got voted out - the vote had gone to the Sacred 28 houses as well as the rest of the Wizengamot. He would look more into it later.
As the train rattled steadily towards London, Harry was content to just sit back and think. It had been a year indeed. He was so, so glad he had started the DA up. Who knows, if he hadn't, right now Theo, Barnaby, Pansy and Blaise could have been heading home to receive their Dark Mark's and do a summer of pillaging. Even though Pansy was a late addition, he was looking forward to seeing her full potential. He knew plenty of people would still be on-edge about her being a member, but he knew they would warm up to her eventually, and she would soon have her own horde of friends across all of the houses.
His thoughts were interrupted when Blaise and Ron made sounds; it turned out, Theo had since been knocked out of the game, but Blaise and Ron had tied. That was something he wished he'd been paying attention to.
When the train was ten minutes away from pulling into Platform 9 ¾, they started to take their robes off and stuff them into their bags - they had been wearing their muggle clothes under it all day, so there was no hustle and bustle to change. With five minutes to go, they could hear people out in the train corridors, starting to retrieve their luggage and pets. Amelia was about to go and get Hedwig when Sirius and Remus appeared at the compartment door, displaying the cages of Hedwig as well as Pig.
As the train pulled into London and came to a halt, Sirius spoke to him, "I hope you will be relaxing this summer, instead of deciding to take up a new subject."
He grinned. "I dunno, that extra-curricular class, Ancient Studies, does look interesting."
They laughed. Then Harry spoke to his godfather again. "Me and Theo were talking - Ophelia's going to either be beside herself or angry when we appear."
"I sent her a Floo message last night; she was demanding to know how Theo and the rest of you were, and then Reggie had to talk her down from going through the Floo herself." Sirius responded as the doors opened.
Oh great, he thought, she's probably going to initially demand to know if we're okay, and then scold us for going tearing off into danger not once, but twice.
Mr & Mrs Weasley were out on the platform waiting, and they had a quick discussion before they all decided they were eager to get home. Sirius said they would organise dates for visits over the next few days. In case they couldn't see them before, the entire Weasley family said happy birthday to Theo in advance - which made him quite bashful.
They then began the process of Apparating back to Black Manor. Sirius took Barnaby, Blaise, and Theo, whilst Remus was taking Harry, Amelia and Dorea.
"Are you staying with us for a while?" Dorea asked, hope in her voice.
Remus chuckled. "I'll stay about an hour, but then I have to get going. Dumbledore's going to be assigning me Order work over the summer."
Harry was about to ask if Remus would still be staying on as the Defence teacher, when he felt himself being pulled into a horribly familiar feeling - a Side-Along Apparation. It only lasted a second at most, but it was horrible. When he opened his eyes, he found himself on the front lawn of Black Manor.
As expected, Ophelia was sprinting towards them.
"Oh, Theo!" The woman beamed, enveloping her son in a hug. Harry was sure he heard Theo say "Mummy!" as he was embraced, but couldn't be sure. After Ophelia had hugged each of them, Harry almost thought they weren't going to be scolded, but that changed when they got inside. Though Ophelia wasn't angry at them, per se, she was angry at the fact they had to be involved, although she understood how unavoidable the Hogsmeade attack was. So all in all, she thought them brave but reckless. Harry knew that Ophelia's reaction was fuelled by the fact that they could have so easily been killed, and that was what made her react strongly.
Regulus Black shared thoughts along the same line, even though he was thankful they managed to save all those Ministry workers and Order members.
With that over, they moved to the kitchen, and they let out sounds as the baking aroma filled their noses - Ophelia had been baking, and not only did she have her signature cookies, but also a baking tray filled with brownies. They had one cookie and one slice of brownie each as an afternoon snack, served with tea, as they sat at the table and settled back in. Harry couldn't decide which treat was more delightful. They were so good they were worth risking a tip-toe down to the kitchen later tonight, when everyone was sleeping…
Later, after dinner - a delicious curry made by Ophelia with the help of Ditsy and Dippey, Harry started unpacking properly. His room felt nice and cosy when he entered it, and took a few minutes to just flop down on top of the neatly made duvet. Once that was done, he opened his trunk and got to work.
Unpacking didn't take too long, and once he set the last book back in place on his bookshelf, he stepped back and admired his work. Contemplating further, he went to go find Sirius.
He found him in an office just along from Alphard Black's library on the top floor. The door was open, but his godfather had his back to him and looked entranced in a few bits of parchment, so didn't want to spook him by knocking.
"You can come in, you know," Sirius said, amused. Harry realised that Sirius probably heard him coming due to his Auror training.
Harry made his way into the office, wondering what all the parchment was about. "You look busy."
Sirius looked to him. "I've decided it might be time for me to take up the Black family seat on the Wizengamot."
Well, that answered part of Harry's not-yet-spoken query. "So you won't be returning as Astronomy teacher?" He was sad at that - though you would never imagine Sirius having a teaching career forever, his classes were both enjoyable, hilarious and productive. A lot of students liked having Sirius as a teacher.
"Well, Professor Sinistra will be back in the country as of next month and will be resuming her role when you go back in September." Sirius said, putting the paper down and facing him.
"There's always the vacant Defence Against the Dark Arts role." Harry smirked.
Sirius did too. "Maybe as a last resort."
Harry then gestured to the papers. "What's all that?"
"Well, that's work I will be taking up when I become Lord Black. I'll be teaming up with other Wizengamot members, as well as other Lords and Ladies of the Sacred 28 houses, who share the same views as me. We'll be trying to push through laws and legislation, to make Wizarding Britain a better place."
Harry was impressed. "What sort of things?"
"Well, some things pertaining to Hogwarts." Sirius said.
"Good things I hope."
Sirius looked to him. "It's early days, but there are some things in the academic curriculum that could be changed. I've not formally met all the people that share the same views as me yet, but my cousin Andromeda and her husband Ted work with them, so I know they'll be good people. We were thinking about how Hogwarts might be lacking in some subjects. For example, the Healing course you and the others did - now, Healing is actually quite important to have, especially in this climate. One of the motions we're thinking of putting to the Wizengamot is that students in every year should be taught in Healing. What we have outlined at the moment is that they could be mandatorily taught once a week during the first term, and then after the Christmas holidays it could be made optional. That way, even if some students don't want to continue with it, they'll still have the most important knowledge of how to heal themselves and other people."
Harry nodded. "That sounds good! Really good, actually."
"The other thought we've had a think about is making Muggle Studies mandatory - your club made me realise that there's actually a lot of ignorance towards those that don't come from magical households. We hope it will at least teach some kids that not everything Muggle is scary and not to be interacted with. Might help to erase some prejudice too." Sirius continued.
A thought came to Harry. "Ooh, maybe have a Wizarding Culture subject too, maybe in first year, so that muggleborns or half-bloods from muggle households can be properly integrated into the world and society."
Sirius beamed. "That's another good suggestion! I'll note it down." Harry knew how confusing the world of magic could be when you're thrown into it without much warning, so he knew people would benefit from it.
"Pansy was saying on the train that her dad is Lord Parkinson, what's he like?" Harry asked.
Sirius looked neither confused or hateful. "Well, he's a bit weird. You'd think being a pureblood he'd be a Death Eater in waiting, but I don't actually know where his allegiance lies. He neither supports nor criticises motions presented to the Wizengamot that are pro-muggle. When I take up my seat, I'll observe him."
"How soon will you be able to do that?"
"Sometime before Dorea's birthday, I hope. Though it could be as soon as next week."
Something came over Harry then. "Do you know when all the Death Eater's are being put on trial?"
"Well, Minister Bones and Rufus Scrimgeour will be wanting them rotting in Azkaban as soon as possible, so I think that will soon be ongoing, if it isn't underway already." His godfather answered. "But you don't worry yourself with any of that. Summer break is meant to be used to lounge around and not do much. If we think of any more proposals, I'll be sure to bring them to you for you to look at."
Satisfied, Harry stood up and left the office.
Issy had no clue why she was even attending classes still - it wasn't like anyone took any notice of her. Sure, looks were still sent her way, and teachers often just looked at her down through their noses, but she was literally one last school bell away from leaving Ilvermorny and never coming back.
She forced herself to get through this Xylomancy lesson. Just twenty five more minutes, she thought, twenty five more minutes until I can take my trunk and hop my way out of this horrid place.
She did love Ilvermorny - the building itself and its history, but that all changed during last term, where some weirdo had somehow found a document where Dumbledore had detailed Issy's parentage, which had spread faster than the speed of light. Ever since, people she once considered friends would glare at her, look away quickly if she looked at them, or blatantly called her scum. As if I gladly chose to have a scummy Death Eater as a father, she thought angrily.
Thinking of Antonin Dolohov almost made her snap her quill. Sure, she shared blood with him, but she would never ever regard him as a dad. The things he did to her mother… all because he was wanting some pelvic relief. He took it out on a complete stranger, who went on to give birth to Issy and die shortly afterwards in what was likely a dank orphanage. He was scum - there was no other word for it.
Professor Torwood just kept blabbing on about whatever; Isadora had long stopped listening. Torwood was one of the teachers that just pretended she didn't exist, therefore she could just sit and stare into space and not have to worry about him calling on her to answer a question. She preferred that. Liked it, even. It left her some peace in this place. Though once she did get on with the wizard from Seattle; she would often chat with him and he would tell her about his family in England (where Isadora lived, when she wasn't at school). Yet now, he couldn't bear to look at her. It tore at her initially - as had everyone else hating her.
She would have thought that at least one person would have the common sense to realise that just because her father was a notorious Death Eater, it didn't automatically make her evil. But no - apparently everyone in this school was content to be like sheep in their thinking; following the crowd without question.
There had been occasions where she would catch people looking at her with something akin to curiosity rather than hate, but she supposed that they didn't act on approaching her lest they be seen talking to her. Another thing she hated; people caring who they're seen with.
She supposed it was typical - the second she started wanting time to hurry up, it went by slower. She thought she had been sitting staring into space for at least ten minutes - but when she looked up at the clock, barely five minutes had passed. But still, it meant time was ticking closer to the end of the period, where she was able to leave this all behind for good. She hadn't been taking notes at all - what was the point? Hogwarts didn't have Xylomancy, as far as she knew, so it was likely that she wouldn't be able to take it and therefore have no need of it.
There was a knock at the classroom door.
Professor Torwood, as well as the rest of the class, stopped and looked towards the door. Torwood told whoever it was to come in.
It was the Head Boy of Wampus (the House she was in), Hunter Martinez.
Hunter was, it was fair to say, popular. That came with being the Head student of a house, but it was like he was just naturally eager to talk to everyone. Tall, slightly tanned skin (one of his parents were Hispanic, she seemed to recall her ex-friends saying one day whilst gushing over him), tousled but well-kept hair, eyes like honey… he would likely be the poster boy for a muggle teen romance novel or film. And of course - top Quidditch player. He seemed to be blessed with everything.
"Mr Martinez," Torwood said cheerfully (the Professor had been a Wampus as a student), "To what do I owe your presence?"
Hunter stepped into the classroom and glanced out to the class, smiling at some of her classmates. "This won't take long, Professor, it's just I've been asked to grab a student in this class for a quick word."
Issy continued absentmindedly twirling her quill in her hand. However, she looked up at Hunter's response to Torwood asking who he needed to borrow.
"Isadora Brown."
Issy froze a bit, her eyes glued to just staring down at her empty notebook page. She just knew that people would now be looking at her. Low and behold, when she did force herself to lift her head, the class was staring at her - giving her dirty looks and every bad look under the sun.
Torwood's smile had sunken a bit. Hunter Martinez looked expectant. Let's get this over with, she thought, as she slowly stood up.
Martinez then moved, as if he'd just remembered something. "Oh, and you'll actually need to bring your stuff with you - sorry, forgot to say."
Wow, he said sorry, that's the first kind of apology I've had from anybody in this damn school in months. She didn't say anything as she tried to put her stuff in her bag as quickly yet as non-urgently as possible. When she did that, she looked up and ended up catching eyes with Hunter. She walked towards him to follow him out of the classroom. A thought came to her - should she wave a farewell to Professor Torwood? Nah, she thought, he wants nothing to do with me anymore.
She stepped out of the class and waited as Hunter shut the door behind them. Then he gestured for her to follow him. She kept pace with him.
"What's this about?" She asked - though she knew that he was probably feeling disgusted at even being in her presence, and wouldn't grace her with a reply.
But he did. "Headmaster said this is your last day - in fact, you're literally leaving us in twenty minutes, when classes are done for today. Since you're a Wampus, and I'm Head Boy of Wampus, it's kinda my job to see you off."
She shrugged. "Was hoping to leave quietly, but oh well."
Issy almost thought she was dreaming when Hunter chuckled in a friendly manner, "Nothing escapes the Headmaster - or me."
She glanced sideways at him, and gave him the smallest smile. They walked some more, keeping silent, although Issy actually felt it comfortable.
They arrived at the tower where the Wampus common room and dormitories were. Hunter stopped outside the door. "D'ya wanna go and get your trunk and stuff?"
She nodded. He opened the door for her and they stepped inside - obviously, as it was class time, nobody was in the common room. That meant nobody would be in the dorm.
"Wait here, I'll go get my trunk." She said. Hunter made a gesture of acknowledgement and went to sit on one of the couches.
Issy went into her dorm room and grabbed her trunk - which she'd already packed since last night, since she didn't want to delay her escape from this hellhole any longer than necessary. She did one last swoop of checking her cabinets for anything, but soon concluded she had packed everything.
She used magic to levitate it down the staircase with her. When she rounded the corner, Hunter all but jumped to his feet when he noticed her back down so soon.
"Someone's eager to get away," he jokingly remarked with a lop-sided smile.
"You would be too, if people started treating you like they treat me." She said, then almost regretted it.
Hunter sighed, and Issy knew she had just ruined it; the first person here to actually talk to her and treat her like an actual human for the first time in months, and not treat her like a scum rat, and she'd just annoyed him. Way to go.
But he surprised her again. "Listen… I'm sorry you get treated like ass around here."
She shrugged. "People believe what they want to believe."
Hunter's eyes widened. "Wait… so that man isn't your dad?"
She instantly replied. "He is. But I don't understand why people still avoid me. It's not like you can choose in the womb who you want your parents to be. Besides, I've never met him. I don't think he even knows I exist."
Hunter studied her. Issy didn't know how to feel - was it scrutiny, or admiration? To break the silence, she spoke again. "Listen, can we get down to the Entrance Hall? You know, before classes break up and there's loads of people?"
"Yeah," Hunter replied, "sure." And then he gestured for her to head out first.
They walked back downstairs to the Entrance Hall. She broke the silence again. "So… you're graduating tomorrow. What're your plans?"
She swore he held himself higher. "Well, you're not going to believe this…"
Issy eyed him. "What?"
Hunter looked at her. "Well, I've secured myself an internship."
"Wow… Okay, that's really good!" She said, pleased for her acquaintance. "Is it like a scholarship or something? Is it for a Quidditch team?"
"You'd think so, considering how brilliant I am at it," Hunter replied, smirking, before grinning (Is he being playfully cocky or is he flirting in his own way? She wondered), "But no. It's one my mom and dad put me forward to applying for. I just saw it and fell in love with the idea of doing it for life."
"Well, go on then, what is it?" She pressed. They were almost at the Entrance Hall now. Issy found herself actually enjoying this conversation, and didn't want it to end.
He walked off the last step just as he said it. "It's a position for an International Wizarding Politics and Relations Department."
"Wow." She didn't expect that. It sounded interesting, actually. "Where is it at? MACUSA?"
He looked at the ground momentarily, as if he suddenly grew shy. She furrowed her brows.
"That's the thing - it's in England. Ministry of Magic." He answered.
Now that was surprising. "That's brave, moving away from home so young. But that's a really good opportunity you've taken. Good job."
They moved into the Entrance Hall and shut the doors behind them. He seemingly shook off his initial shyness at admitting it, and grinned at her. "You'll have to give me a tour of your country."
Issy's heart sped up a bit when he playfully nudged her hand. For some reason, it felt like she was flushing. Oh god, she thought, why am I blushing?
"The only place I'd be able to give you a knowledgeable tour of would be the city where I live, I'm afraid. I don't know London that well." She quipped.
He tilted his head. "But really, it's good I actually know somebody from England - I'll know who to find if I'm stuck."
"There's no way you of all people would find yourself struggling to fit in, Martinez," she said, "you get on with everybody. You'd befriend a vampire if you could."
Hunter brushed off that compliment. "It's just… my nature. I'm not always the most outgoing or confident person. I don't even know how well Ilvermorny actually prepared me for this. Politics and International Relations stuff - I've had to learn all that myself, from my dad, and mi tío. I'll probably be so bad that the Ministry of Magic will drop me after a month."
"Don't say that, you'll be brilliant!" She insisted. They were interrupted by the bell - notifying the school that classes were done for the day, and that dinner would be soon.
Issy suddenly remembered; she now had to leave.
It seemed that Hunter remembered too. They both looked at each other. "Before I forget - I have to take your Wampus robe."
Without needing to say a thing, she all but shrugged it off - revealing her muggle clothes underneath. She pretended she didn't see Hunter casting an eye over her frame. She had the urge to tell him to keep eyeing her like that for some reason.
She handed the thin robe to him with a smile. "Well then, I guess this is it for me."
He cleared his throat, as if catching himself, and nodded. "Sure is. I think I'm jealous you're leaving a day before everyone else."
"Go pack your trunk at lightning speed and then just take the Portkey with me." She said, half-joking.
"There's an idea," he met her wit. "Speaking of the Portkey, here it is. Activate it the usual way, and then when you're ready you can finally be free."
The Portkey - which was frozen in a block of ice to prevent it from activating accidentally, was revealed to her. With any luck, it would transport her to what muggles would see as an out of order toilet cubicle within Boston Logan International Airport. She got her wand out and melted the ice, but kept the Portkey floating.
She looked at Hunter, and was about to say a farewell, when he spoke. "Say, since I'll be working in England, and you live there… do you… want to meet up one day?"
She raised her brows, surprised. He wanted to be her friend? He wasn't just being nice or sympathetic? "Oh, erm…"
"I know it's random, but I am being genuine. Not just saying this because everybody has treated you like garbage-"
"-I'll be your friend, Martinez, say no more." She said.
He grinned. "Great!" He then seemed to be thinking, "How d'you wanna keep in touch? Do you have a Floo? Or an owl back home?"
"My mum and dad have a fireplace connected to the Floo, but I don't know its connection details by heart. We do have an owl though." She explained.
"Do you wanna write me your address then?" He asked.
She ripped a page out of her many notebooks and wrote down her address. Just in case he lost it, and some randomer appeared at her house one day after finding it, she put a protection spell on it.
When she handed him the bit of paper, their eyes met again. They both smiled. "Well, Hunter Martinez, thank you for seeing me off. It's nice to have one friend around here."
(If you asked her earlier today, Issy would have laughed at the prospect of somebody in the school even uttering a word to her. In the space of barely twenty minutes, she had made a friend - only the most bloody popular boy at the school, no less).
"It was a pleasure becoming your acquaintance, Isadora Brown." He said, in a hilariously fake English accent, and he even accentuated it with a mock bow.
With one last "Owl me when you get settled into the UK!", she grabbed a hold of her trunk, and then grabbed on to the Portkey. Within the blink of an eye, she went from having Hunter Martinez standing in front of her, to the muffled hustle and bustle of the airport toilets filling her sight and ears.
She breathed, and almost felt herself joyously laughing. She was free of Ilvermorny! Never again would she have to go back there, and face scrutiny and dirty looks simply for breathing! She even whispered to herself (conscious she was now in a public and muggle setting) "Hogwarts, here I come!"
A/N: So you're probably wondering why I didn't include the rest of the school going crazy the next morning when they find out the Senior DA went to the ministry the night before - I can assure you that something like that would have most definitely happened. I'll be honest I forgot to write the reaction of the other students lol. Just assume it happened at breakfast or before the graduation ceremony.
I felt like I needed to write an Isadora pov as it's been ages haha. I'll be honest the idea to create Hunter Martinez was quite last minute (I'm so sorry if I made him and his speech mannerisms a bit cringey - I've never written an American character before haha can you tell?). I'm liking him though so he's staying.
"Mi tio" = "my uncle" by the way.