I tried to get Hermione to elaborate further on what was bothering her about Matilda, but she wouldn't budge. All she would say is that she was "researching" her issue. I couldn't think of what it was, as she seemed like a perfectly normal Muggle born witch to me, but I trusted Hermione, so hoped she would just spit it out at some point. I was much more bothered about Avery and Sarah's punishment for attacking me, so after one Transfiguration class in early October, I stayed behind to ask Professor McGonagall about it.

"Yes Miss Weasley?" she said as I approached her desk.

"Professor, I've been wondering, how were Lillian Avery and Sarah Bagman punished for the attack? Has the decision even been made yet, because I've still seen them around the castle"

"Yes the decision has been made, in fact, they have been serving their punishment for nearly a month already"

"What?! So they're not going to be expelled?!" I'm sorry Professor but that is absolute madness! I was very nearly killed, I was in hospital for a week! If that's not enough to be expelled from this school then what the fuck is-"

"Miss Weasley!" said McGonagall sharply, cutting me off. "First of all, ten points from Gryffindor for talking to me in that manner. No, no!" she added, raising a hand, as I was about to continue arguing. "There is a very good reason for not expelling them"

"Oh yeah, what's that?" I asked sceptically, folding my arms and raising an eyebrow.

"We believe that Darius Avery would put in a firm legal challenge to stop such an action. He, unfortunately, like Lucius Malfoy, has a lot of power at the Ministry, and therefore, through, shall we say, financial means, it's very unlikely that we would be able to enforce any expulsion of his daughter, no matter what crime she may have committed. The Fudge Cabinet are very easily swayed by money. Miss Bagman, while not a blood relative, is nonetheless now part of his family, so the same would apply in regards to her. I'm sure it's not news to you that the Avery family are very much into Dark Magic, so he may have even approved of the attack"

I bit my lip. It was a good point that I hadn't thought about.

"Surely it's still worth a try?" I said, though by this point I was facing the ground and only speaking half heartedly.

Professor McGonagall noticed this, and her tone softened.

"I do apologise Ginny" and my head jerked upwards at her use of my first name. "but rest assured, if we felt that we had a chance of winning any potential court case, we would have pursued it" She sighed. "However, what we have done, something that Darius thankfully has no say in, is punished her to the fullest extent that we can here at Hogwarts. She and Miss Bagman will be serving detention every weekend for this entire school year, and Slytherin has lost 200 points. Without Quidditch, they have no chance of making those points back"

I looked up at her, unable to think of what to say. It was an unsatisfactory outcome, but not one we could do anything about.

"Hurry along Miss Weasley, or you'll be late for your next class"

Later that evening, Amy, Demelza and I met with Fred and George to discuss the latest in the Ludo situation.

"So did Ludo reply to your first letter then?" asked Demelza

"Yeah" said George, who had a dark look on his face "but no luck. He's trying to avoid it, he didn't answer any of our questions about the money. Instead he just said things like "it's good to hear from you" and "what's your predictions for the new Quidditch season" like any of that shit matters at the moment"

Amy sighed. "It's exactly what I expected" she said.

"Think we all expected it at this point mate" I said

"What should we do now?" asked Fred.

"I think the best bet would be to try a different approach. Try to ask indirectly, like hide your questions within a topic that sounds different. For example you could ask him how his finances are in general. Maybe that would make him slip up and boast about what he's done with your money. Then you can really pressure him" Demelza suggested.

"That could work I suppose, he's not exactly known for reading between the lines" Amy agreed.

"Isn't that a bit manipulative?" I said

"As we said before, if we're gonna get through to him, it's likely we'll have to resort to some immoral means. I'm sure people will understand if we're able to get our money back" said George.

"Give it three or four tries, and vary your words each time. If that fails, feel free to report him, there would be no other choice" said Amy. "I can also try on your behalf if you want, he might be able to silence me in person but he can't stop me sending him letters!"

"Understood, we'll let you know the outcome" said Fred. "So, Ginny, what happened in regards to Avery?"

"She's here to stay!" I spat "she and Sarah Bagman are!"

"What, why?"

"McGonagall thinks that Avery's dad will bribe the ministry into forcing us to let her stay. She says the Fudge cabinet are so blinded by money that if it came to a criminal trial she'd be found not guilty no matter what. I think if we still expelled her anyway that could result in it's own court case. To be honest it makes sense, as much as we hate it"

"I have a feeling that could be one of the worst decisions Hogwarts ever makes" said Demelza

"Me too mate, me too" I replied.