Disclaimer: All character and the world in this story belongs to JK Rowling. I own nothing.
A/N: This chapter is extremely slow and I apologize if you get bored but please read it till the end, there are a couple of surprises.
Please Review.
Chapter Twenty-three: Train to Hogsmeade
The dark-haired wizard was sitting in the compartment of the Hogwarts Express, having an unexpected company with an unusual name, Luna Lovegood. His two best friends were busy with their prefect duties. Neville was in the compartment but he and his girlfriend were talking quietly in the corner. Susan was in the prefects' meeting with Hermione and Ron.
Harry was leaning against the glass window, watching the scenery move past. Initially, he was feeling uncomfortable due to Luna's continuously focussed gaze. But he had other things on his mind to delve any longer on it. He was thinking about what had been happening in the past few days.
Harry knocked on the door to his godfather's study, unsure of the reason for being called there. He entered the room to find Sirius sitting in the chair behind the desk, his face expressionless. "What is it, Sirius? Is everything alright?"
"Sit down, Harry, I need to talk to you." Sirius gestured him to take the seat while he opened the desk drawer, he pulled out something wrapped in a brown paper and placed it on the desktop. It was flat and wasn't very thick, Harry assumed it to be a book. Sirius pushed it towards Harry who picked the package gingerly. "What is it, Sirius?"
"Open it." Sirius instructed with a nod, a small smile slowly creeping onto his face. Harry tore open the package only to find a mirror in it, it was as big as a regular journal. "A mirror?"
That drew a chuckle from Sirius who pulled out an identical one from the drawer and held it in front of him. "I have the other half of the pair."
"Sirius, are you playing a prank on me?" Harry looked around the room but found no traces of anything out of place. Sirius could not hold his laughter after seeing Harry's reaction.
"They are charmed, Harry. That one…." He pointed to the one in Harry's hand, "…. Was your father's and this one mine. We charmed them so we can talk during summer."
Harry's eyebrows raised to almost the limit of his forehead, his grip on the mirror tightened a bit. Sirius leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk before he looked directly in Harry's eyes. "You know the password, say it and call my name."
Harry drew his wand from the wrist holster before he pointed it at the mirror in his hand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
The mirror surface turned foggy as if a smoke was rising from within, Harry looked in the fog before calling Sirius. "Sirius Black!"
The fog was no more there, the only thing that Harry could see was Sirius's smiling face. Sirius wiggled his eyebrows as he watched the amazed look on Harry's face.
"How did you like your birthday gift?" Sirius asked with a broad smile on his face. "It took Moony quite an effort to accomplish this."
"Moony made these?" Harry asked with wide eyes.
"He had knack for charms during our school years, Remus and your mother were Flitwick's favourites, apart from the 'claws, of course. I don't know how he got Lily to help him make these. This was our gift, mine and your father's, for our fourth or fifth Christmas in Hogwarts, can't remember exactly which one though." Sirius answered in detail. He could see Harry was intently listening to every word he said. "Now we can talk whenever you feel like it."
Harry rose from his chair and moved towards Sirius to give him a hug. Sirius pulled back a few moments later as Harry was thanking him continuously. "I have something else too."
This time Sirius pulled out something with leather straps and buckles, it was a sheathed dagger. The handle was of silver with intricate wine like design carved on it. A closer inspection showed that the wines were actually snakes in Slytherin-green. Harry gently unsheathed the dagger and was amazed by its blade. It wasn't a long blade, au contraire, it looked quite delicate but as sharp as any dagger. What amazed Harry wasn't the sharpness rather the colour and texture of the material. It wasn't metallic, it looked like some kind of ivory but it wasn't completely white either. It was a fusion of black and white.
"It's a heirloom, if you haven't guessed already." Sirius commented, "You see that blade, it was made by fusing bones of a Thestral and a Unicorn. A rarest of rare creation. When Hermiones asks 'how it was made' please tell her that I had no idea."
Harry chuckled and so did Sirius, he wanted to ask what a Thestral was but he decided to push it out of his mind for the moment. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"The blade has some magical powers, the blade will perpetually remain sharp, it can penetrate the hardest armours. Although that's not the reason I'm giving you this." Sirius took the blade from Harry and held it delicately. "It can open doors your wands can't."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "I don't want you to get stuck somewhere you don't want to get stuck."
Harry understood what Sirius wanted to say and where this thought came from. He just gave a solemn nod before taking the dagger back and sheathing it. Sirius looked up from the heirloom to look at Harry, "always keep it with you".
He did not raise his head from the glass panel but his hand gently moved to the dagger which was tied on his waist, under the cloak. His other hand moved to the breast pocket where the enchanted mirror was. Not even 3 hours had passed since the train departed and yet he found himself missing Sirius. He so badly wanted to pull the mirror out and talk to Sirius but he knew that it wasn't possible. His mind drifted back to the platform.
Sirius had finally got a chance to step out of that haunted house he inherited. He came to see Harry off to Hogwarts againsts continuous protests from Mad-Eye and Mrs. Weasley, although he remained in his animagus form throughout. He was noticed by the people on the platform, not because he was accompanying Harry but because of his behaviour. He was acting like a over-excited happy dog. The extent of him being noticed was that even Malfoy commented on it.
It took a moment for Harry to realize that Malfoy might know that it was Sirius, if Wormtail had broadcast the secret of their animagus forms. The smile of his faded as the realization seeped in. It was a good thing that there wasn't much time to stand around on the platform, thanks to the Weasley habit of arriving 'fashionably late'.
He was left in the compartment with Ginny and the other Ravenclaw girl, Neville and Hannah had arrived late when Susan left them to go to the prefects' meeting. Ginny had left soon after to meet her friends. He had talked to the couple for a few minutes but he wasn't in a very chatty mood. So he just sat there with his head resting on the glass panel of the window. His mind and thoughts moving faster than the scenery outside. His head snapped towards the door of the compartment as he heard it open. His remaining friends entered.
"How can they do this?" Hermione said it angrily and plopped down near Harry. He moved closer to her, her arms folded in front of her chest, her head resting on his shoulder. He was left confused about the reason of this outburst.
"They had to pick someone from fifth-year from their house." Susan answered, stating the fact but there was no defensiveness. She sat next to Hermione, her face hid her real reaction pretty well.
"What got you guys so pissed?" Hannah asked in her jovial tone.
"Let me ask you a question first, 'guess who is the Slytherin prefect'." Hermione asked in a mockingly excited tone.
"Who?" Neville asked back but he was cut-off by Hannah, "you are kidding, right?" "And as if it wasn't enough, they made that Parkinson cow the female-prefect." Ron was the one to answer. He was left with no option but to sit next to Luna.
"Well, it was between him and Nott. The others in their house are just oafs." Susan continued. "Its logical that they would pick Malfoy for the male-prefect position."
"Malfoy is the Slytherin prefect?" Neville asked, a look of shock and fear evident on his face.
This was the sign of a screwed-up year, even before the year started.
"He is quite cute." The Lovegood girl said without any expression. Her eyes unfocussed and looking in distance. Everyone had a shocked expression, except Hannah who was laughing out loud. She would have fallen on the ground if it wasn't for Neville.
"My name is Luna Lovegood, people call me Loony." The unusual girl said to no one in particular in her dreamy voice.
"What are you reading?" Susan asked in a distracted tone.
"It's Quibbler." Luna answered without looking up from her inverted magazine.
"Huh! Its just illogical conspiracy theory compilation with nonsense stories. How can anyone in their right mind would publish something like this." Hermione replied, her anger over Malfoy was shifted now to the publication.
"My father is the editor-publisher of Quibbler." Luna replied, her lips forming a thin line, the first reaction out of her. Hermione was left without a reply, her mouth was imitating a goldfish and Ron burst out laughing.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
Harry had just stepped out of the Hogsmeade Station, their group was the last one to disembark and as a result they were left with just one carriage. Ginny had also joined the group towards the end of the journey so now they were eight people and the carriage could just sit six. Harry didn't see Hagrid on the platform, he thought that the half-giant already left with the first years.
Luna went ahead and sat in the carriage, leaving the group of seven to discuss how to manage. Harry wasn't participating in the discussion, his attention was somewhere else. He walked to the front of the carriage, a look of utter confusion and disbelief on his face. "Hermione, what is pulling the carriage?"
"What?" Hermione asked back, she was busy explaining to Susan why it would be the best idea if Hermione herself would accompany Harry and they would walk to the castle.
"What is pulling the carriage, Hermione?" Harry asked again, there was something about these winged skeletal creatures with grey skin that was pulling Harry towards them. The black orbs of their eyes were so captivating that Harry was unable to look away, there was something so deep that he could not understand nor he could explain.
"Nothing is pulling the carriage, Harry. They operate on their own." Hermione answered in a gentle manner.
"No, look, it's here. This... this creature is pulling it, can't you see?" Harry asked again, still not looking back towards Hermione.
"Harry..." Hermione started to answer but she was cut off by Luna. "I can also see them, you are not going mad. You are as sane as I am."
This wasn't something Harry wanted to hear, it made him more confused and worried. He didn't get time to ponder over it any longer as Hermione slowly pulled him away by his elbow, "Harry, can I talk to you, alone?"
As Harry gave an affirmative nod, Hermione asked the others to leave with the carriage and to take their luggage along. Once the carriage was on it's way, she turned towards Harry and took his right hand in her left, their fingers entwining. They started to walk with a leisurely pace, her right hand then coiled around his arm. "We will see him soon, Harry. We will see them all soon."
Harry gave a dry chuckle, he was glad that Hermione knew what to say and when. "I just miss it, Hermione."
"I miss it too." Hermione answered and rested her head on his shoulder, Harry rested his over hers, his left hand stuffed inside his robes toying with the hilt of the dagger.
"Don't you miss them, Hermione, your parents?" Harry asked calmly, his head turning to look at her. She didn't look up, there was a dry chuckle escaping her. "God knows I do, Harry. I miss them dearly. I have been with them for only 4 days since the Quidditch World Cup last year."
"You should spent more time with them, Hermione. I don't want you to waste your time with me instead of spending with them." Harry replied earnestly.
"Why? Got bored of spending time with me already?" Hermione asked, poking him in the ribs. Harry was on the defensive the next moment, "I didn't mean that."
"I know, Harry." Hermione giggled lightly, "Mum sent a letter yesterday, they have planned a trip to Switzerland for skiing during Christmas holidays."
"That's great. I didn't know you could ski." Harry answered amusedly. He was slowly realizing that there were many layers of personality underneath this bookworm persona of his girlfriend. The rest of the walk was spent in a comfortable silence.
They were late but they did not have to face any issue as the teacher who was given the duty to receive the students was Madam Sprout. Any other teacher and they would have lost significant amount of points even before the start-of-the-term feast but all they received was a word of caution.
As they entered the entrance hall, they noticed that the hall was still unsettled, teachers hadn't taken their seats and the students were busy mingling with their friends after the long summer break. It didn't remain that way for long as the teachers entered from the back-door. The only teachers absent from the teachers' party were Hagrid, McGonagall and the new DADA professor. Hagrid had the job of escorting the first-years via the boats and McGonagall must be waiting outside the closed oak double-doors for them. Harry's eyes travelled across the teachers' table, he couldn't help but notice the perpetual scowl-snear on Snape's face, he also noticed that Dumbledore wasn't looking towards him, not even for a moment. He noticed that Dumbledore's eyes travelled just past Hermione but he was ignored by the old-wizard.
Once the headmaster was seated, everyone assumed their seats. A few moments later, McGonagall entered the Great Hall and the sorting ceremony officially began. The strength of the new students was less than fifty and a big chunk of it went to Slytherin and Ravenclaw. The students sorted into Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were on the lower side of double-digit figure, each.
"Where is Hagrid?" Harry asked Ron, he had scanned the teachers' table but there was no sign of him.
"Dunno. Grubbly-Plank escorted the first-years." Neville answered.
"He must be away for Order." Ron commented and received understanding nods from Harry and Hermione. "Can't they just already serve the feast!"
Dumbledore has just risen to the podium to address the assembled students. He opened his arms in a welcoming gesture, "To the first-years, welcome to Hogwarts. To the students returning to the castle, welcome back."
"I know you are all waiting for the feast to begin but there are a few important announcements to be made." His mannerism was devoid of any humour and it was clearly visible to almost everyone. "Due to some unavoidable reasons, there are a couple of changes in the staff this year. Prof. Grubbly-Plank has accepted to teach Care of Magical Creatures until Prof. Hagrid returns from his leave."
There were murmurs around the Great Hall, not many of which were on the sad side of spectrum. Dumbledore continued with his announcement, "The other change in the teaching staff is for the post of the Defence Against Dark Arts teacher. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the new professor, please welcome, Madam Amelia Bones."
Every head snapped towards the door to the ante-chamber behind the teachers' table. On the threshold stood Madam Bones in a black and gold robe and a black hat. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville turned towards Susan with a questioning look. The shocked look was enough to tell that she was unaware and her mouthing the words 'I didn't know' sealed the deal for them. Madam Bones walked upto the empty seat between McGonagall and Sprout, she sat after giving a curt bow to the students. This was accompanied by a round of applause from around half the population, the other half remained silent. It was clear that not all of them had very good image of the new DADA professor.
"Apart from this, everyone must be aware by now that the forbidden forest is strictly beyond limits and it would do you good to keep that in mind. Moreover, Mr. Filtch had asked me to remind you that there are four-hundred and ninety two items which are banned. The list would be posted in the common-room notice boards soon."
"Please, enjoy the feast!" He gave a small nod and food appeared on the long tables.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
"Get up Ron! We need to show the first-years the way to the common-room." She rose from her seat and gave a gentle smile to Harry before turning towards the first-years. Ron rose from his seat with a protesting demeanour and turned towards the first years, "hey midgets! Over here!"
He received a sideways swat to his shoulder, courtesy Hermione. "Oww, what's wrong with you?"
"First-years, please follow me." She turned on her heal and the first-years followed her like sheep, Ron brought the rear.
Harry did not notice Neville walking towards Hannah as he was busy looking at the bobbing mass of bushy-brown hair that was his girlfriend's head.
"Good night, Harry!" He was brought out of his daydream by the young Ms. Bones.
"Good night, Susan." He waved back to her as she led the Hufflepuff first-years out of the Great Hall. He was one of the last ones to leave the Great Hall, there weren't many from his house left behind in the Great Hall. He didn't come across anyone on his way to the common room, quite unexpectedly. So, he took the opportunity to talk to his godfather. He took a detour and entered a deserted corridor before pulling out the mirror from the breast-pocket of his cloak.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He waited a moment before uttering 'Sirius Black'.
A couple of seconds later, a bearded but elegant face appeared on the other side. "What's up, pup?"
"Hello Padfoot." Harry paused, this was the first time he was feeling homesick at Hogwarts. Hogwarts was supposed to be his home and it had been for the last four years but this summer had changed that significantly. This summer had given him a glimpse of what it could have been. And that longing won't just fade away instantly.
"Awww, missing me already, pup?" Sirius asked in a mocking voice.
"You wish." Harry replied jokingly, the marauder spirit bubbling. "And how is the old dog?"
"Where is Hermione?" Sirius asked in a more serious tone. "I hoped that you would wait for her before calling me."
"I wanted to, but she is busy with her prefect duties and I couldn't wait." Harry answered truthfully.
"So, what's new at Hogwarts? Who is the new DADA seat-filler." Sirius quizzed him.
"Madam Bones, it was a huge surprise, even to Susan, you know." Harry answered with an amused look, it was reflected on the features of Sirius too. The conversation was interrupted when Harry heard footsteps approaching. He stuffed the mirror in his pocket in a haphazard manner and turned towards the source, only to find Hermione standing at the entrance to the corridor with the marauders' map in her hand.
"Sorry. You didn't come to the common-room so..." She waved the map in an explaining way. Harry gave a sigh of relief and pulled the mirror back while Hermione 'Mischief Manage'-ed it before handing it to Harry. Harry stuffed it into his pocket without looking up from the mirror where a confused Sirius was looking out. "What Happened?"
In response Harry just turned the mirror towards Hermione, "hey Sirius."
"Hey Ms. 'brightest-witch-of-the-age', enjoying your prefect authority?" Sirius asked the Gryffindor female-prefect.
"Very much, thank you." Hermione replied in a mockingly clipped tone. "And how is the old dog?"
Sirius just chuckled at the response and received a questioning look from Hermione. "What? Did I say something funny?"
"No,no dear, you just repeated Harry, that's all." Sirius replied.
"I think we should go Harry, its close to curfew time." Hermione rested her hand on his arm to emphasize her point. "We will talk to you later Sirius, good night."
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
Hermione gave the password to the painting of the Fat Lady but the scene that waited for them on the other side left both of them perplexed and speechless. Ron was being pulled away by Neville and the twins while Seamus was being pacified by Dean, Parvati and Lavender. Both, Ron and Seamus had dishevelled look, Ron had a burst lip and bloody nose while Seamus had a cut on his left cheek and a rapidly swelling eye.
The evidence of a scuffle were as fresh as a morning mist when McGonagall entered the common-room, behind Harry and Hermione, accompanied by Dennis Creevey. Harry and Hermione stepped out of her path as she strode to the eye of the storm, a look of pure fury adorning her face. "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Finnigan, to my office, NOW!"
As they both left the common-room with red faces, McGonagall turned to the remaining students of her house. "It pains me to say this but I am ashamed of this kind of behaviour from my house. I hope that it won't be repeated in future or else the consequences would be dire for you. Everyone, off to your dormitories, NOW!"
As she gave the command and turned to leave, there was a rush to climb the stairs to the dormitory and in less than a minute, the common-room was left bare, except for a few students. Hermione, Harry, Neville, Twins, Ginny, Dean, Parvati and Lavender were the only ones left behind and there was a good reason for it.
"What happened here?" Hermione was the one to ask, true to her nature. Although the question was directed at Ginny, twins and Neville, the answer came from Lavender. "You keep your hound on a leash or better muzzle it."
"Shut your mouth, you bitch." Ginny retorted, her ears were turning as red as her hair.
"Why? Only you people can say what you want?" Parvati jumped in the defence of her best-friend.
"We are telling you..." (Gred)
"... You are going way beyond the limit." (Forge)
"Oh yeah? I believe, we don't need a lesson from you two about staying in limits." Dean replied.
"Gred, I think he needs to remember who the beaters for the house are." (Forge)
"You are absolutely correct, Forge, he might need a demonstration soon." (Gred)
"Lavender, Parvati, Dean, please leave. I'm asking you as a prefect." Hermione asked but there was no room for discussion. The tension diffused as the three Gryffindors climbed the stairs to their respective dormitories. "Neville, please tell me what's going on here?"
"It's nothing, Hermione. Everything just got blown out of proportion." Neville answered and took half a step back subconsciously. "There was just some argument."
"About what?" Harry interjected for the first time since he entered the common-room.
"Well..." Neville was reluctant to answer, so Ginny helped him out. "About you, actually."
Harry was baffled by the response and he didn't try to hide it. "What did I do?"
"You don't need to do anything, Harry, it wasn't your doing and it wasn't your fault." Ginny replied with a shake of her head. "Some people are too gullible, naive and plain dumb. You don't need to worry yourself over them."
Ginny walked away from the group towards her dormitory. Next to leave were the twins, "We need to catch a good night's sleep before the dreaded year begins."
The three fifth-year Gryffindors had the common-room to themselves so they waited for the fourth member of the group, Harry and Hermione occupied the couch while Neville took the chair on the left. The only sound in the common-room was the crackling of fire, all three were deep in their thoughts and a silence enveloped the worried state of the three teenagers. A few minutes later, Seamus entered the common-room and without giving them a second glance, stepped on the stairs leading to the fifth-year dormitory.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
"Mr. Weasley, please shut the door behind you." McGonagall commanded once Seamus had been dismissed. Ron obeyed the command without any hesitation, he could sense that any mistake on his part now would be extremely dangerous for his future.
"Take a seat, Mr. Weasley and please tell why you were given the prefect position." McGonagall asked a bit puzzled Ron, his expressions were enough for her. "So, the thought had already crossed your mind."
She opened a desk drawer and pulled out a small cardboard box and slid it towards Ron. "Have a biscuit Mr. Weasley."
Ron would have never hesitated when food was offered but right now he was way beyond his limit of being confused and that left him imitating a goldfish. McGonagall understood his situation and opened the lid of the box before pushing it towards him. "Have a biscuit Mr. Weasley."
This time Ron complied but a plethora of questions were going through his mind. McGonagall sighed before continuing with her thoughts, "You might have known this Mr. Weasley that prefects are picked by the head of the house, but this year, headmaster overruled one of my choices. You might have guessed who my choice was."
Ron couldn't understand why he was being given an explanation of him being picked as a prefect, although he understood towards whom McGonagall was hinting. He just nodded before picking a biscuit from the box.
"I don't agree with headmaster's choice and your actions certainly did not help your case. The reason headmaster gave, did not resonate with me, I have tried the same before and it had failed spectacularly and I would accept the error in my judgement then." She stood up from her place and walked towards the fireplace in her office where a small fire was burning. "He believed that you being a prefect would help keep Mr. Potter out of trouble just like what Mr. Lupin did for Mr. Potter's father."
There was a soft chuckle at the end of her sentence which was so faint that nobody except herself could hear it. "All that did was, it made their pranks even more refined and untraceable. Although, the only good thing that came out of it was that it brought a sense of self-confidence in Mr. Lupin."
She turned to look at the youngest Weasley boy, "I hope it brings a sense of responsibility in you, Mr. Weasley. But your actions today do not fill me with hope towards that end."
"I'm sorry, professor." Ron replied with his head bowing down. He could feel the anger and disappointment towards him in McGonagall's words and voice. McGonagall did not give him any opportunity to extend his spell of misery, "Being sorry won't help your case, Mr. Weasley. You need to behave more responsibly in the future and Merlin forbid, if I find you behaving this way again, I won't hesitate in taking the badge away. Have I made myself clear?"
"Crystal." Ron answered quickly.
"Off you go then." Ron did not waste another moment before walking out of the head of the house's office. The moment he stepped out of the office, the door closed shut behind him, leaving him alone in the dark corridor leading towards his common-room.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
Harry was the first to look up when he heard the portrait opening. Without uttering a single word, Ron walked across the common-room and plopped down on the chair across from Neville.
It was Hermione who broke the silence, "let's hear what happened!"
"Seamus opened his eating-hole too wide." Ron answered, his head tilted back, resting on the head of the chair.
"Language Ronald!" Hermione chastised him immediately. "Now, what happened and don't talk in circles."
"Seamus was telling lies to others in the common-room about Harry and what happened since..." Ron did not put the last part in words and he didn't have to. Harry and Hermione understood what he wanted to say and it brought a darkness over their features. Ron continued with his retelling of his actions, "He said that his mother believes that Harry and Dumbledore both are liars and mental. I tried to get him to shut up but it got out of hand and we got in a fist-fight."
"I admire you defending Harry, I really do but can you be less foolish in future?" Hermione commented.
"Hey!" Ron protested and so did Harry, "Yes, hey! For the last part."
"Don't be thick, Harry. Ron is a prefect and he could very well have used his position to ask him to stop it. Him being involved in a fist-fight doesn't show him and by association, you in good light. We need to be better than them if we want to be seen as the right side." Hermione gave a long explanation without a pause. "You can't defend yourself against a mad-dog by biting it."
"There is no such expression in literature as 'biting a mad-dog', Hermione." Harry replied to her comments.
"It seems you have read a lot of literature, Mr. Potter. And for your kind information, I am quite familiar with nuances of English literature." Hermione defended herself.
"I don't know Hermione if 'Hogwarts, a history' can be counted as literature." Ron was the one to join the banter.
"You take that back, Ronald!"
That was it for Neville as he burst out laughing, the tension was diffused somewhat, although for the time-being.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
Madam Bones had just finished going through the lecture notes McGonagall had so generously provided on a short notice. She bottomed up the remaining contents of her wine glass before and gently placed it back on the table before leaning back in her couch.
The last two days had been a blur for her, too much had happened and she wasn't sure exactly how it had come to this. She looked back at the notes spread over the table top, they belonged to her two predecessors, namely Alastor Moody and Remus Lupin. She now knew that the 'Moody' who taught here last time wasn't the Moody she knew but an imposter. The professor before him was someone she did not know properly.
She knew that he was a good person and one of the closest friends of Sirius. She did not have much contact with him, even in school. He was a member of the stupidly named group, everyone knew that most of the pranks were their doing and by the end of her sixth year, senior students from Hufflepuff knew about Lupin's 'furry little problem' (Sirius's words, not hers). Hufflepuffs are smarter than what others give them credit for. She was surprised that not many from other houses did know, Slytherins wouldn't have given a fraction of a second to think about a Gryffindor, Ravenclaws were busy in expanding their knowledge and academic horizon, Gryffindors were busy trying to get a place on the Quidditch team or showcasing their bravery. That leaves the Puffs with the time to observe and deduce about his problem.
She was astonished that no one gave any thought to the occasional scars the young Gryffindor had or the time of the month he had them. It didn't take much deduction anyway, they already had a subject called 'astronomy'.
She collected the notes from the table and walked to her desk before keeping them in the shelf behind. She was done for the day, it was a roller-coaster ride already, it had left her drained. The handsome quantity of wine that she had consumed wasn't helping her in remaining awake. She decided to finish the bottle before surrendering to sleep, but first she had to find where she kept the pepper-up potion she had borrowed from Madam Pomphrey.
The last glass of wine was accompanied with the memories of the last two days.
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
There was a knock on her office door, she was about to leave as it was the last evening she had with her niece but she decided that it would be quick. "Come in."
It was Hestia Jones who entered her office, a brown folder with the Ministry emblem on top of it in her hand. "Sorry to disturb you this late, Ma'am."
"What is it, Jones?" Amelia asked while packing her leather bag. Jones moved ahead and put the folder on the desk. "The report is ready, Ma'am, I thought you would want to have it as soon as its done."
This got her attention, the report was about Cedric Diggory's murder, that was the only assignment Hestia had. "Have you written an abstract of report?"
Jones just gave her an enthusiastic nod so Amelia continued with her question. "The forensics report and residual readings are included?"
When Amelia received an affirmative nod, she did not wait any longer. She picked up the folder before walking out towards the office the Senior Under-secretary. She read the report's abstract, forensics report and conclusions as she was on her way. It was already late by office standards and most of the ministry workers had left. Most of them had left early as it was the last day before students were to leave for Hogwarts. She did not come across anyone except her secretary and then the secretary to the Senior Under-secretary. "Is she here?"
"Madam Bones, she is about to leave. She won't be entertaining anymore visitors today. I'm sorry." Umbridge's secretary answered flatly. Amelia had no patience for this games, "inform her that I'm here and tell her that the matter is of extreme importance."
Even before the secretary could protest, there was that girlish voice behind her, "What is it, Amelia?"
"I need to talk to you about something important, Madam Under-secretary." Amelia waved the folder in front of her.
"I believe it can wait." Umbridge gave her a smile that held no warmth.
"I wouldn't have come if it could." Amelia was getting even more impatient as the moments glided past.
"Very well, to my office then." Umbridge walked away to her office with the invitation to Amelia and she didn't waste any time standing there.
"You need to see this." She placed the open folder in front of Umbridge. "This is conclusive, Madam Under-secretary, it can't be ignored or denied now."
Umbridge pulled the report and went through it with a cursory glance. "It's incomplete, inconclusive and biased. The investigation is closed."
"Excuse me?" Amelia thought that it was her chance to prove that she was right but that response threw her off balance. "You haven't read it yet."
"Oh, I don't need to Amelia." There was that smile again, Amelia wanted nothing more than to wipe that taunting smile away from that face. Umbridge threw the report on the table, although there was no force behind it. "The only place for this report is a dustbin. I hope you and your department would act more professionally in future, Bones. The performance is extremely poor."
"Mind your words, Madam Umbridge. You are not my superior and it would do you well to keep that in mind." Amelia could not stop herself and she didn't mince her words either. She was thrown off-balance again by that girlish laughter. "Go home, Amelia, you are dismissed. But please remember it, if you raise your voice in this office again, you won't be heading a department the next day."
"Do what you want, Dolores but this report will be presented in front of Wizengamot, whether you want it or not." Amelia picked up the report and turned to leave but before she could, Umbridge spoke. "Is it a challenge, Bones?"
"Believe whatever the hell you want to. I am done with you." Amelia had just turned the knob when she heard the last words from Umbridge before she walked out of the office.
"We shall see to that."
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
She had just entered her office in the ministry after dropping her niece on the platform when she was called to the Minister's office. She had moved past what happened last evening, she had to. She can't take her professional problems to home, especially when it was the last day of her niece at home. She had made a floo-call to Dumbledore last night and informed him that the report is with her.
She was on her way to Minister's office, his secretary told her that her presence is long awaited. She gave a knock before entering the office, what surprised her was the presence of two people apart from the Minister himself, namely Umbridge and Ogden.
"Amelia!", It was Fudge who noticed her first, "please have a seat".
"It seems something important needs to be discussed. What is it about, Minister?" She kept her voice at professionally acceptable levels and successfully hid her surprise at finding the other two in the office.
"Madam Bones, you have been an exceptional employee of this organization. You have done a commendable job." It was Ogden who interjected before turning to look at the Minister. Before Fudge could utter a word, Umbridge spoke. "But the security lapses the ministry had experienced for the last two years under your directorship and the inability of your department in capturing an escaped mass-murderer can't be overlooked."
The words left her speechless, the shock of what was happening was unprecedented. Her shock was plainly visible on her face, it became the reason behind the cynical smile of Umbridge. "You should understand, Amelia that unprofessional attitude and under-performance are the characteristics the ministry can't tolerate."
"It is time to infuse some discipline in the department, Madam Bones." Ogden said without any emotions. "The administration believes that a more mature and strong leadership is required in the department."
Amelia schooled her expressions to curiosity before asking, "might I ask, to whom the administration is planning to appoint as the new director of DMLE?"
"Oh, you might surely know him, Amelia. He has been an outstanding example for the wizarding society, he was previously associated with your department." Umbridge was enjoying it thoroughly. "The Minister has decided..."
"The minister can speak for himself, thank you very much." Fudge cut her off mid-sentence. "I apologize Amelia but it is important to take some strict measures and I hope you would understand my position. The ministry will be appointing Corban Yaxley as the new DMLE director."
"HAH!" She could not believe it. They were appointing another Purist from Malfoy's camp. Things started to make more sense now, although it didn't matter now. "And pray tell me, what would be my future duties?"
"I am so sorry to be the one informing you this, Amelia. You are relieved of all your duties, responsibilities and positions by immediate effect. We would appreciate if you could empty the office before the end of the day." Fudge pushed a sheet of parchment and a quill towards Amelia.
Amelia was too angry to be sensible and against her better sense of judgement, she signed the parchment without reading the contents and walked out of the office without another word. Within fifteen minutes of the incident, she floo-ed to her home.
The only sensible thing she did in this mess was to bring the investigation report of Cedric's murder mystery with her.
She did not waste any time in informing Dumbledore about her departure from the department and Yaxley's appointment.
"It's a pleasure to see you, Amelia." Dumbledore greeted as the fire in his office's fireplace turned green and Madam Bones's head came into view. "Might I ask, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"It would be better if we spoke more directly, Albus." Amelia replied sombrely.
The twinkle of his eyes disappeared for a moment as he took in Amelia's expressions, "please come through, Amelia."
"Thanks, Albus." Amelia answered before the connection got broken. A moment later, she stepped through the green flames into the headmaster's study. "Please have a seat, Amelia."
Amelia acquiesced, "it is quite important, Albus otherwise I wouldn't have called you."
"I understand, Amelia. Should I bring something to drink before we begin?" Dumbledore offered. Amelia just gave a half-nod before two crystal goblets appeared on the table and a fire-whisky bottle came floating and landed gently between the two goblets. Dumbledore offered the goblet to Amelia before filling a handsome amount. "Please continue, Amelia."
Amelia took a sip before continuing. "Ministry is appointing Yaxley as the new director to the DMLE, I am relieved from all my responsibilities and positions with immediate effect."
"Because of the investigation report." Dumbledore commented. "I was expecting something on similar lines, although this was beyond my expectation."
"You are not alone in that, Albus." Amelia replied dead-seriously.
Dumbledore did not speak for more than a minute, Amelia was getting impatient but she did not show it. Dumbledore finally broke the silence, "I have a proposition, Amelia."
-0X0-0X0-0X0-
Harry woke up late that morning, good thing that today was Saturday. Last night was something unexpected and it had continued to be so after he had entered the dormitory along with Neville and Ron. The other two occupants of the dormitory gave them disdainful looks before closing the curtains of their four-posters. Harry, Ron and Neville didn't talk any more that night and went to bed pretty quickly but sleep alluded them for the major part of the night. The three couldn't sleep but they didn't want to check on the other two, so they just stayed silent and as the night drifted towards its deepest hours, the three eventually drifted to an uneasy slumber.
When he woke up, the only person still present in his four-poster was Ron, Neville was halfway getting dressed. He still had problem tying his school-tie.
"Good morning, Harry." Neville said, still trying to tie an oriental knot, he looked tired.
"Morning. Couldn't sleep?" Harry asked while searching for his glasses.
"I tried my best." He finally abandoned the attempt and stuffed the tie in his pocket.
"You could have tried a bit longer." Harry answered, he finally stood up from the bed.
"The tie or the sleep?" That got a chuckle out of Harry.
"The sleep, Neville. I believe Hannah would be too happy to tie the knot though." Harry replied with a subdued laughter.
Neville mimicked a tomato as the understanding of the wordplay dawned. "Ha Ha Ha, very Funny, Potter. Although you are much ahead on that road."
This time Harry was the one who turned red but he was saved by the third occupant of the room. "Oh for Merlin's sake, please shut your sweet, lovey-dovey talk when there is a single person in the room."
"Ah, the sleeping beauty is finally awake!" Harry diverted the conversation away.
"My ears were becoming diabetic and your talk butchered by appetite. And Neville, why are you all dressed? It's Saturday, go back to sleep." Ron said before pulling the blanket over this face. Neville had forgotten that the classes weren't to begin till the fourth. "Well, no harm done, I will just have breakfast. You should be quick if you want to have some too, Harry."
"Hey." Hermione greeted him as he sat next to her on the Gryffindor house table, the great hall was still crowded, students had taken the advantage of the first day being Saturday.
"Hey, you." Harry replied while filling his plate. Hermione pushed a couple of sheet of parchment towards Harry as he started eating.
"Yours and Ron's lecture schedule, McGonagall distributed them a few minutes ago." Hermione answered before returning back to her book. "Where is Ron?"
"Still asleep." Harry answered without looking up from his plate.
"How in the world can Ronald Weasley skip breakfast?" Hermione asked in a dramatic tone.
"Well, apparently, the only thing that can make him skip breakfast is sleep and some romantic chatter." Harry answered while putting down his spoon and turning towards Hermione.
"And why were you romancing with your best friend?" Hermione asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"I was missing my other best friend so I had to make do with him." Harry replied while sliding closer to her.
Their conversation was halted as the whole great hall went silent before murmurs started. At the threshold of the great hall stood a short squat woman with a flabby face and little neck. She was wearing a bright pink cardigan and had a black velvet bow in her brown mousy hair. She looked like a fly perched on a pink toad.
"Who is she?" Harry asked as the women started walking towards the teachers table. She was holding a rolled and sealed parchment in her thick stubby fingers.
"She is Dolores Umbridge, Senior Under-secretary to the Minister. Tonks told about her after the trial, don't you remember?" Hermione whispered in his ear, her eyes fixed on the moving figure of the new entrant of the great hall. As she neared the teachers' table, McGonagall and Amelia stood up from their respective seats, not in respect but as a defensive position. Dumbledore remained unmoved and sat in his chair with a twinkle in his eyes and an all-knowing smile on his face.
"Good Morning, Madam Under-secretary. I'm surprised to see you here." Dumbledore Stood up from his chair when Umbridge stepped on the platform and stood directly in front of Dumbledore, they were eye-level when Dumbledore was on his chair.
"Good morning, Headmaster." She turned away from him and towards Amelia. "I am amazed to see you here, Bones. No need to stand up in my honour, don't be so formal."
Amelia had to control a scathing reply as Dumbledore steered away the conversation, "to what do I the pleasure of your presence, Madam Umbridge?"
She just handed him the roll of parchment with a sickly sweet smile. The smile didn't waver even one bit as Dumbledore read the contents of it. And before he could finish reading it, Umbridge turned towards the students.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizard of vital importance. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school. Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected and prune practices that ought to be prohibited. Towards this end, Ministry has appointed me as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor with immediate effect."
A/N: Sorry for the late updates. Please review.