The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed louder than usual, echoing inside the Minister's office and striking Fudge's nerves. Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, walked into his office, adorned with an old desk and shelves filled with books on magical law and history. He was trying to calm himself, but the walk was not doing much. His wrinkled face was darker than usual, and his eyes looked around the room, searching for something to calm his thoughts. But all he found was a bottle of firewhisky, glinting invitingly on the edge of his desk.
Fudge poured himself a generous glass with a shaking hand, the amber liquid swirling as it settled. He hesitated for a brief moment, then brought the glass to his lips, gulping down the firewhisky with a grimace. The alcohol ran through his throat, calming his nerves, but it did little to ease the gnawing worry in his mind.
Kingsley Shacklebolt, the tall, dark-skinned Auror, stood silently near the door, looking at everything. His presence was commanding, but his expression remained calm and professional, betraying none of the tension in the room. Fudge glanced at him, trying to steady his breathing as the alcohol began to dull the edge of his anxiety.
"The Aurors are doing everything they can to apprehend the prisoners who escaped, Minister," Kingsley said, his voice deep and steady, offering no more information than necessary.
Fudge clenched his fist, wanting to scream in frustration, to demand why things had gone so terribly wrong. But he swallowed the anger down, forcing himself to maintain his composure. Yelling would do no good; it would only show his weakness.
"Do your job, Shacklebolt," Fudge said through gritted teeth, his voice low and controlled. "Find them. We cannot afford any more failures."
Kingsley nodded once, a subtle acknowledgment of the order, and then turned and left the office without another word.
"Wait," Fudge said before the Auror could open the door. "Remember that you should not talk about this with anyone."
Kingsley nodded again, and then he opened the heavy wooden door, closing it behind him with a soft thud, leaving Fudge alone with his thoughts and the remains of his firewhisky.
He downed the rest of the glass, setting it back on the desk with a sharp clink. Just as he tried to gather his thoughts, the door opened again, and his secretary, an old woman close her retirement, with large glasses and a nervous image, stepped inside.
"Minister," she said in a timid voice, "there are reporters requesting an interview with you. They're asking about... about the werewolf, Greyback."
Fudge's heart sank further. The last thing he needed right now was to face the press, but he knew he couldn't avoid it. The public would demand answers, and he had to appear strong and in control, even if he felt anything but. The least he could do was control the information he was giving to the public to ease the people and avoid any chaos.
Taking a deep breath, he nodded to his secretary. "Send them in."
Within moments, three men from 'The Prophet' entered the office, their quills ready, eyes glinting with anticipation. Fudge straightened his robes, forcing a smile onto his face as he prepared to address them.
"Minister Fudge," the first reporter began, a bulky wizard with a stern expression, "can you tell us what steps are being taken to recapture the werewolf known as Fenrir Greyback?"
Fudge forced himself to remain calm, his voice smooth and measured. "First of all, let me assure everyone that we take such attacks extremely seriously. Rest assured, the Ministry is doing everything in its power to capture the perpetrator. I have just had a conversation with the leader of the operation to recapture him. The Aurors are working tirelessly to bring him back to justice."
Another reporter, a man with a quill poised over his hat, quickly jumped in. "Minister, considering Greyback's history and his previous attack on Harry Suzuki, previously known as Harry Potter, will you be taking any additional measures to ensure his safety?"
Fudge hesitated for the briefest of moments, then gave a curt nod. "The safety of all our citizens is of the utmost priority. The Hogwarts Express will be under Auror protection, and we will be deploying additional Aurors to the school itself. Rest assured, we are doing everything within our power to protect Harry Potter and all of our children."
The reporters' quills scribbled furiously, noting every word. Fudge kept his expression neutral, even as he felt that the whole situation was pressing down on him. He had to show that he maintains control. He had to show strength, even if it meant hiding the fear that gnawed at his insides.
Another reporter, a young one, asked, "The family of Harry Suzuki is known in the muggle world as a security company. Are you willing to let them help protect him and recapture the werewolf?"
The Minister snorted at the idea that muggle security could be of any help but then tried to hide again behind the calm face. Two of the reporters also smiled mockingly, but the quill of the three wrote the reaction.
"The recapture of Greyback is a sensitive subject and needs to be taken care of by professionals. Thus, only our great Aurors will be the ones taking care of the recapture of this beast." Fudge said in a commanding voice.
The questions continued, but Fudge answered them with the same calm demeanor, never letting on how close to the edge he felt. As the interview finally came to a close, the reporters filed out of the office, leaving Fudge alone once more.
The moment the door closed, he slumped back into his chair, the façade of control slipping away. His mind was racing, wondering if he should send the dementors, but he shook his head. Sending the Dementors would only make things worse, as people still did not know the full story, and the Dementors would seem like a desperate decision to capture only a simple beast.
Fudge sighed, and then his eyes fell on the empty glass on his desk. The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed louder than before.
/
Lucious looked at his watch while waiting for his son and wife to come down. The elf had already prepared all Draco's belongings that were going to travel with him. While waiting, he looked around the room of his ancestral home, furnished with beautiful sofas of the best woods, covered with the softest cushions, and lined with the finest fabric. The walls have the most beautiful tapestry. And still, everything paled to what he had witnessed in that reunion…
He glanced at his clock, noting that it was nearly time to leave. But, his wife and son had not yet appeared. He let out a quiet sigh, his mind wandering back to his own school days at Hogwarts. He had been in his sixth year when he first noticed Severus Snape. The boy was only a second-year, pale and gaunt. Most of his peers dismissed Snape as an odd, introverted child, but Lucius saw past the image and found potential, and better yet, someone who will need help and someone he can benefit from. It didn't matter to him that Snape was often seen in the company of a Muggleborn, Lily Evans. Lucius had never shared his father's fervent disdain for all things Muggle.
He remembered when he was a little older than his own son and had a talk with his father about the Dark Lord. As a kid, he had grown up with the ideas of Grindelwald, but then his father told him that those thoughts were wrong. He remembered clearly when his father told him that Muggles should not be governed but eradicated.
To Lucius, blood status is important, and it will tell you who the superior being is, but that means that as they are better, they should guide the lower beings and benefit from their work. True to his own ambitions, he goes with the flow but never truly accepts his father's words. Why, if that was the very reason he was willing to offer help to a young Slytherin half-blood like Snape, even when he was so close to a Muggleborn girl.
Thanks to his connections, he was able to find out that Snape had a natural talent for potions, and he offered him to be his as long as he would work for him when needed. That alliance had just grown stronger over the years. Now, he stood as the person closest to the youngest professor and Head of house in the history of Hogwarts.
Lucius looked at his clock and to the door, but his family was still not present. He looked at the painting of his parents, Abraxas and Eleonor Malfoy. Lucious looked at his father before shaking his head.
His thoughts shifted to his father's lessons. Lucius had never been enthusiastic about the idea of killing Muggles. He had always believed in Grindelwald's vision, the notion that wizards should rule over Muggles, guiding and controlling them, not exterminating them. Grindelwald's ideology had a certain elegance, a sense of order and purpose. But his father, Abraxas Malfoy, had been a staunch supporter of Voldemort, and he had pressured Lucius to join the Dark Lord's ranks. Lucius had complied, of course, and while he did not regret the decisions he had made, there was a part of him that yearned for a different outcome, a better ending to the war that had shaped his life.
A soft rustling of fabric broke his reverie. He turned to see Narcissa descending the staircase, her pale blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, followed closely by Draco. His son looked every bit the young aristocrat, dressed impeccably in robes that matched his own. Lucius felt pride while watching his son. Draco was the future of the Malfoy name, and the burden of their legacy weighed heavily on his shoulders. He swears he will guide his son to the best of his abilities to become a man with honor, a true pureblood wizard, a true Malfoy.
"You're finally ready," Lucius said, drawing a smirk. "Arriving late does not reflect well on us."
Narcissa smiled at him with a small pink on her cheeks. Draco, on the other hand, seemed eager to leave.
"Apologies, Father. I was getting some pointers from Mother about the elective classes," Draco replied.
Lucius nodded. "Yes, of course," he said, turning to see Narcissa, who smiled at him.
"Now, son, " the Malfoy patriarch begins to speak again. "While in your school, there is something I want you to do."
Lucius looked at his son and tried to explain his idea to him without sounding outrageous. The change he is planning is for the best due to the circumstances he found out about a few days ago.
"This is about the incident you were part of at the end of last school year," said Lucius, and Draco tensed up. The Malfoy patriarch put his hand in his son's shoulder, "Do not worry, son. Although your actions were… unexpected, they were right. And thus, we need to work around it."
Naricisa's eyes went wide, and Draco frowned while looking at his father. "What does it mean, father?" he asked, wishing he wouldn't be asked to be friendly around the Weasleys.
Lucius smiled, "You have proclaimed that as a Malfoy, your duty is to the pure-blood protection. A very chivalry thing to say, which makes me wonder why you are not a Gryffindor… but I digress."
Narcissa listened to everything with wrapped attention and giggled at Lucius' comment about Draco's house. Lucius then continued, "What I want to ask you is to be there for any pure blood and to extend help to those that we can benefit from."
"Oh, I see," said Narcissa. "Just like you and your helping hand towards the small Snape?"
Lucius smiled, "Quite so. I'd recommend you look for the Lovegood girl." He remembered the party he assisted no long ago. "Her family, although… unconventional, has good connections with different people around the world."
Draco wanted to remind his father that he had mentioned that she was already close to Suzuki, but he decided to remain silent about it and instead asked, "And what about Suzuki? I was able to visit him this summer."
Lucius nodded, "Due to this new approach, your friendship with the Suzukis is permitted, but please remain on the side if he starts something too muggle."
"Of course, father," assured Draco. After that, the Malfoy family finally left the house toward King Cross station.
/
"Do not worry, Crookshanks. It's going to be all right. Once we are at the castle, you will be out of it." Hermione said it in a cute tone to her cat. Though the cat's face hasn't changed, Hermione thought that it was angry because it was caged and sent to the storeroom on the train. Once she finished with that, she walked back to her parents to say goodbye before going back to Hogwarts.
Dean then walked close to Hermione and her family. "Mr and Ms Granger. Good day," greeted Dean, who was answered with a nod and a raised eyebrow by Hermione's father. Dean did not notice that and turned to Hermione, "How is it going? Where's Garfield?"
Hermione's mother, Monica, giggled while her husband Wendell smiled thin, trying to contain his laugh.
Hermione huffed, "It's Crookshanks, and it's already at the train."
"Ok, ok. Crookshanks. Anyway, I saw Harry and Pansy on the other side. Do you want to go with them, or should we let them alone?" asked Dean.
Hermione did not understand why they should leave them alone, and neither asked, so she just answered, "Let's go with them. I want to talk to Harry about Professor Lockhart's book."
After that, Hermione and Dean boarded the train searching for Harry and Pansy. They found them in the last cabin next to the door that connects with the other section of the train.
Harry and Pansy were sat across from each other. The only sounds were coming outside the compartment. Harry was reading a book titled, 'Shisha no Sho.' The title was written in Japanese, but the content was written in a strange language, and Harry constantly used the notes he had in a notebook to understand its content. Pansy, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought, her fingers tracing the lines on the fabric of her skirt.
The door to the compartment slid open, breaking the silence. Hermione and Dean entered, their presence filling the space with a different kind of energy. Hermione had a thoughtful look on her face, clutching a book tightly to her chest, while Dean was smiling with a small bag showing up from one of his pockets.
"Mind if we join you?" Hermione asked, already moving to sit beside Pansy. Dean sat down next to Harry's notes.
"Sure," Harry said with a small smile while trying to put space so Dean could sit.
Hermione settled into her seat, opening the book she had been holding. "Harry, I've been reading 'No More Mudbloods,' and I have to say that I never thought that Professor Lockhart was this thorough in his investigations."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, it's definitely controversial. He mentioned that his previous editorial stopped him from mentioning certain things."
Pansy remained quiet, her gaze occasionally drifting to the window. She seemed more fragile than usual, her face a little paler and her usual feisty energy subdued. Harry noticed but chose not to bring attention to it, hoping the peaceful silence would help her relax.
Hermione, however, was too engrossed in her thoughts to notice. "The scientific approach in the book really caught me off guard."
Dean, who had been munching a chocolate ball, looked up. "When I heard about it, it sounded like a load of half-baked conclusions and ideas with nothing to back them up. But maybe there must be something to it."
Hermione sighed, "It's not about whether I agree with it or not, Dean. It's about how well it's argued. The way Professor Lockhart.."
"He is no longer our Professor," interrupted Dean.
"Agh!" huffed Hermione. "The way MISTER Lockhart explains the historical context and the genetic theories behind it… it's just fascinating. AND he does have a real backup with studies made in other countries such as America, India, and Australia. It makes you think about how much we really know about magical heritage."
Dean shrugged, grabbing a sweet from his bag. "If you say so. I'll wait until it is showing in our text books to believe it. Thought, it sounds possible, knowing your family, Hermione."
Harry chuckled lightly at Dean's comment, but his gaze returned to Pansy, who coughed as she continued to stare out the window.
Hermione continued, "It's just… the idea that 'first generations' aren't accidents but could have a magical lineage that was simply overlooked or forgotten… it changes the whole narrative. It makes you wonder how much prejudice and misinformation we've accepted without question."
Harry nodded, "Yes, or it can make it worse. The idea that Maho-nashis are unable to ever have magical linage may also create more distance."
Hermione wanted to argue with that but knew that he had a point. Harry leaned back, smiling. "That's why I thought you'd find it interesting. It challenges a lot of the assumptions we're told."
Pansy finally spoke, her voice soft but clear. "If you think that you can change the way wizards think about something, you are up to the impossible. Most wizards still believed that Muggl… Non-wizards fight with swords. They know nothing about guns or lasers."
"Lasers?" asked Dean and Hermione.
Harry shrugged, "She was in the moment when our company created a laser machine capable of cutting the strongest metal. I don't think it's going to be used as a weapon, or at least that Dad doesn't want it, and the information about that laser is kept secret. Basically because is too expensive to produce and to make it work." Harry then shrugged, "but who knows, maybe in the future."
"You mean like Star Wars?!" asked Dean.
Harry chuckled and shook his head, "No, it's more of a blowlamp than a Jedi sword."
They continued talking when a man passed close to the cabin, and Harry noticed him. The strange man was wearing shabby wizard's robes and looked ill and exhausted.
The man's gaze lingered on the group for a moment, and then it settled on the book in Hermione's hands. An expression of disapproval crossed his face, and he shook his head slightly before opening the door to pass to the other side of the train. When he turned again to close the door behind him, he looked at Harry, who also had a book in his lap, but the man could not see the title.
"Who was that?" Dean asked, frowning slightly as he looked out into the closed door.
"No idea," Harry replied, his attention briefly following the man before he returned to his own book.
Still slightly uncomfortable by the stranger's reaction, Hermione looked down at her own book and then back at Harry. "What's that you're reading, Harry?"
Harry glanced at her and then at the cover of his book. "Oh, it's an old family book of magic. Dad told me that I need to learn from it by translating it."
"Don't you already know Japanese?" Hermione asked, intrigued. "Your father is Japanese, after all."
"Yes, I do, but this is written in old Japanese. There are many kanji that I have never seen, and because they are so old, some of them have a different meaning than those used today. Remember that kanji were created based on ancient Chinese writing and, over time, the meaning changed. Some Kanjis used here may have different meaning, or may not be in use anymore, making it more difficult to read it." Harry answered his friend, but he was hiding that the writing in the book was fully in another language unknown to humanity and could only be read naturally by the supreme beings. Anyone else needs an item can read it, but Harry wants to prove his value to his father, so he asks for the opportunity to translate it.
Dean, who had been looking at the door outside, turned to see his friends and then to Harry's book. "Well, for a family heirloom, it looks new, but it does smell weird."
Harry shrugged, "It looks as pristine because of the preservation spells applied to it."
Pansy, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, finally spoke up, her voice soft but curious. "You should not show an important item such as a family heirloom, especially if the book may contain family magic."
Harry shrugged, "I hardly think anyone will be interested in it or be able to understand what's inside. But you are still right; I should be more careful with it." Harry then grabbed his notes and saved the book in a bag he had over the seats.
Dean then changed the topic of the conversation, "and, does anyone of you know the new teacher for Defence?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I just know that they had a difficult time finding one."
Pansy did turn to see Harry to know more, but her movement was so subtle that no one noticed it. Hermione was the one who asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well," Harry started. "Remember when Lockhart had that discussion with Professor McGonagall? Well, he goes on to say that pure blood is promoted at Hogwarts, but they cover it up with empty words of equality."
Hermione listen to Harry, and at the memory of her petrification she grabbed Pansy's hand. Pansy raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Dean smiled, "Maybe it was so bad that they couldn't find anyone and hired the weird man from before." He laughed for only a few seconds until he saw that his friends were thinking about what he said.
"That's probably true," said Hermione
"Wait, wait. That was a joke." Dean said a little louder than he wanted.
Pansy then finally spoke, "Only students and Hogwarts personal can ride the train." She then turned back to see out the window.
Suddenly the door of the compartment open when Seamus arrived and sat next to Dean. "Hey, everyone!"
Everyone greeted him back, some less enthusiastically than others.
"Did you see our new Defence professor already?" asked Seamus.
"Oh, we were talking about it. But we don't know who that is." Said Dean.
Seamus smiled, "Well, I know. I was in the compartment with Ron, Parvati, Levander, and Ron's little sister. And in the compartment was a man sleeping. Parvati was the one who saw the name in the man's suitcase, and we were about to leave when Ron's bag fell, and there was a dung bomb inside it."
"A what?" asked Hermione.
"A prank from the twins to Ron. Anyhow, that made the man wake up, and he quickly cleaned the place." Seamus finished his tale.
"Did he take some points?" asked Hermione, but Seamus shook his head.
"No, he said that since the school hasn't started officially, he won't take points."
Harry nodded and then asked, "And what's the name of the professor?"
Seamus then stopped and started thinking about it, "Remus, no, Romulus, no… Roman? Something like that, Romeo Lupin, I think."
Harry thought for a moment, as the name sounded familiar to him. After that, the conversation continued, going from the new school year to the electives and then to sports.
"Looks like we're almost there," Seamus said, standing to leave the compartment. "I'm starving. Hope the feast is as good as last year."
Dean looked at his friend. "You start to sound like Ron."
"Hey!" said Seamus. "I've not eaten since yesterday. I woke up late and couldn't buy anything to eat on the way to King Cross."
Pansy, who had been quiet, rolled her eyes. Harry noticed the faint shadows under her eyes and made a mental note to check in with her later, but for now, he let it be. The train finally came to a full stop with a slight jolt.
The group joined the throng of students going off the train and onto the platform. The cool evening air hit them as they stepped outside, and Harry took a deep breath, savoring the fresh scent of pine and earth that always seemed to surround the Hogwarts grounds. Hagrid's booming voice could be heard in the distance, calling for the first years.
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!"
Harry watched as a group of first years nervously gathered around Hagrid, who towered over them, his lantern casting long shadows across the platform. The rest of the students began to make their way towards the carriages that would take them to the castle.
Harry, Pansy, Dean, and Hermione made their way to the carriages that would take them to the castle, joining the other students who were chatting excitedly about the year ahead. As they settled into one of the carriages, Harry glanced at Pansy, who had taken a seat beside him. She looked tired, and though she tried to hide it, Harry could see the faint hollows under her eyes.
"Are you feeling alright?" Harry asked quietly, not wanting to draw the other's attention.
Pansy nodded, though it was slowly. "I'm fine. Just a bit tired from the journey."
Harry nodded but couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He decided not to press further.
The way to the castle felt faster than years before, but they believed that it was just because of how familiar everything now feels compared to their first year. Once they arrived at the entrance, the students started to fill the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling reflecting the sky above. Many believed this to be an amazing sight but Harry, and now another girl in Ravenclaw, felt that it was an unimpressive copy of the real thing in Nazarick.
The four long House tables were already filling up, and the buzz of excited chatter echoed off the stone walls. Harry separated from his Gryffindor friends and walked to the Slytherin table with Pansy. Not long after, Draco appeared and sat next to Harry.
Before Harry and Draco could start to talk, the Sorting Ceremony began. Harry watched the new students, but none of the names stood up except for one. Astoria Greengrass, the younger sister of Daphne Greengrass. It was nothing special of her, or perhaps it was. She looked so small and fragile as if she could break physically and mentally. She was shorter than all the others, thinner than anyone in the Great Hall, pale as the ghost, and her short hair looked so thin that it could be falling down.
The young witch looked terrified when she was called up to the Sorting Hat. The old hat's took its time to make his decision. And Harry saw Daphne in the corner of his eye, and she looked worried. Then he saw Draco slightly leaning toward Daphne.
"Did it happen again?" asked Draco, whispering.
Daphne nodded and simply said, "Last night."
"Slytherin!" the hat yelled, and the little girl walked to the Slytherin table. She was about to sit in the middle, but Daphne called her to sit next to her. Harry wondered if that was the right move, as she would need to have a good connection with her new classmates. But, as she was sorted to Slytherin, she may already know most of the students there.
After the last student had been sorted, Professor Dumbledore rose to give his customary welcome speech, his eyes twinkling as he looked over the assembled students.
"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "Before we begin our feast, I have a few words, two announcements about our esteemed faculty staff. First, to let you know that our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn, has decided to retire at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
Harry clapped with the rest of the students, who did it politely.
Dumbledore nodded and waited until the claps died down. "We all wish him the best of luck in his new duties as a Professor. Also, I want to announce to you another new member of our faculty, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
The claps happened again, a little more subdued. The new professor stood up and bowed slightly to the students.
"I have never seen Professor Snape this angry before", Draco said. Harry turned to see his Head of house and saw the frown and anger in his face.
The Headmaster waited again for the claps to die down. "Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"
"So, what electives did you end up choosing, Suzuki?" Draco asked while cutting some meat in a very delicate way.
Harry took a moment before answering. "I am in Divination, Study of Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy."
Draco nodded. "Divination is known to be quite easy. Aritmency and Runes are quite the opposite."
"Yes, well, I was trying to also get Care of Magical Creatures too, but the time of the classes clash with Aritmancy," Harry explained, slicing into his roast beef. "Divination was a bit of a try-out. I am no seer, but it can help me understand it better."
Draco drank to pass his food and replied, "I have heard that Arithmancy and Rune are quite heavy, Suzuki. Are you sure it was wise to choose both?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't think that Aritmency will be so different from physics or advanced arithmetic."
Draco knew better than to ask what 'advanced arithmetic' was in public, so he only nodded.
"What about you?" asked Harry.
"I will be taking Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures," he said. "Runes can help you learn ancient magic, and it is good to know about the different creatures, especially if you own some." Draco finished with a smirk. Harry only nodded.
Pansy remained silent, only occasionally nodding along with the conversation. Harry noticed her eyes wandering towards the food, but she didn't reach for anything. Instead, she just sat quietly, a faraway look in her eyes, with some porridge on her plate.
As the feast drew to a close, Dumbledore stood again, got the attention of all the students, and sent them to their dormitories. Daphne then walked to the teacher's table and talked with Professor Snape, who nodded. After that, Daphne took her sister's hand and walked out of the Great Hall, but not in the direction of the Slytherin Common room.
As Harry and the other Slytherin students entered the common room, Harry noticed Pansy heading straight for the girls' dormitory without a word. He watched her go and then leaned to Draco, the oldest Pansy's friend he knew.
"She seems a bit off, doesn't she?" Harry said quietly.
Draco shrugged. "Did she tell you something?"
Suzuki shook his head, "No, really. Only that she was just tired."
Draco nodded, "Then that's it. Either that or is that time of the month."
Harry rolled his eyes, "really, Draco?"
"Really, Suzuki. Haven't your parents talked to you about it?"
"You know what?" said Harry. "I'll be heading to the showers before hitting bed."
Harry left Draco there in the common room. Each one with different things in their minds.