章 266: HPWW261-270
Chapter 261
As soon as Harry had cast the charms to detect harmful and ill-intentioned magic on the newspaper, he had it opened. He immediately saw the headline and was both shocked and unsurprised.
~# ~
HOGWARTS CANCELS TRI-WIZ BALL
In a combined announcement that should not come as a surprise to anyone who was paying attention, both School Board Chair-wizard Bartwinkle Creston and new Hogwarts Headmistress Lady Griselda Marchbanks have announced that the Traditional Tri- Wizard Yule Ball has been cancelled, writes your loyal correspondent, Rita Skeeter.
From the announcement, Headmistress Lady Marchbanks had this to say, "With the unconditional support of both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, together with the support of the School Board, the planned Yule Ball to be held on the evening of Christmas Day has been cancelled."
Furthermore, both schools have chosen for their students to return to their own respective schools
until the evening prior to the commencement of the second task. At that time, the Highmaster and Headmistress of the two schools will bring their respective champions, together with a much reduced contingent of students as witnesses, to take part in said task. We have been informed they also plan to do this for the third task.
[...]
~# ~
Finishing the article, Harry sat back with a sigh of satisfaction, the newspaper gripped loosely in his hands. 'Yes!' he thought, his mind image of himself dancing a jig of joy.
Knowing it was something big, and being impatient, Hermione snatched the paper out of Harry's hands.
"Hermione!" her mother snapped, scandalised. "Return that, this instant!"
"B-but," she stuttered. "Harry wasn't reading it." "Now, young lady!" her mother almost growled.
Hermione carefully returned it back to the table between Harry's hands.
Once it was back, Harry put his hand on it and said, "Hermione, would you like to borrow my newspaper?"
Almost sulking, she glared back and said, "You know I do, Harry."
Harry just cocked an eyebrow back and again asked, "Hermione, would you like to borrow my newspaper?"
Giving a huff of annoyance, she replied, "Yes, please."
"Since you have asked nicely, you may borrow it," he said, lifting his hand away.
As soon as he finished lifting his hand away, she quickly, but gingerly, took it back.
"Better!" her mother snapped.
"Hermione," he said, getting her attention again. He could see by her face she was not just a little hurt. "Hermione, you are going to have to stop this extremely bad and dangerous habit of yours to grab anything written that interests you."
When it looked like she was going to say something, he firmly said, "No. Listen!"
"Just the other day Sirius was telling me about books that are in the Black family library at his home in Grimmauld that, if you don't take a lot of care, will kill you in the blink of an eye. He was nearly harmed on no less than half a dozen separate occasions, while searching for that counter curse for the Longbottoms. And four of them would have been lethal for you.
"There are family magics that are written down that are only available to members of those families by blood. That means, not even people who have married into the family are able to touch them. I don't know if the Potters have anything like that at Potter manor, but I know the Blacks do.
"If you don't start taking care and ensuring you ask for permission first, you are going to die an early death. Do you understand what I am telling you?"
"But, Harry," she tried. "It is wrong to horde knowledge. Knowledge must be shared!"
"Bullshit!" he loudly snapped. And emphasised it with a glare. "You know better than that. Your mother and father both deal with information on a daily basis that even they cannot share with one another, let alone you. The stuff they deal with is backed by law. If you or they breach that then it's a legal issue.
"In the magical world, though, it's backed by both law
and magic. In the magical world it is legal to use magic to protect family secrets. In the echelons of magical power you now move around in, simply by interacting with me and Sirius, you are dealing with people who can... and have... use or used anything up to and including lethal magic to protect their secrets. The Black family library is one of those where, if you touch certain books you have not been given permission to touch, you will die. And they're not labelled with warning signs.
"I do not know if there will be, but there may quite possibly come a time when I'll have something such as the Potter Family Grimoire in my hands. If you take it out of my hands without my express permission then there'll be nothing I can do to save your life.
"For the sake of us all, Hermione, break that habit. I love you and it would destroy me if you died because of a simple very foolish mistake like that - simply because I hadn't drummed it into your head well enough for it to take hold."
Harry got up and walked out of the room. He left behind a betrothed who was in tears.
He knew it would upset her, he knew it hurt her, but he needed to slap her down hard on this. He just prayed he wouldn't have to do it all that often.
She looked to her parents with tear-filled eyes as both parents looked back with stoical expressions.
Harry went up to his room and, for the first time in a long time, cried.
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Chapter 262
Harry had been in his room for less than five minutes
when there was a knock on his bedroom door. He hadn't even realised he'd closed the door when he came in.
Quickly wiping the tears out of his eyes, he called, "Who is it?"
"Wendell," came the immediate response. "Come in," he said.
When Wendell came in Harry was quick to speak first. "Wendell, I'm sorry about―"
Wendell was quick to cut him off. "Don't," he firmly said.
When Harry looked up at the man, Wendell didn't appear angry with him. "You have nothing to apologise for, Harry; other than using a swear word in front of the ladies. Even then, I feel it was warranted for the conditions."
That shocked and confused the teen boy.
As Harry was sitting on the side of the bed, Wendell moved over and took the desk chair. Sitting on it, he sighed. "Harry," he said, "Those sort of curses can truly be found on books?"
"They can be found on anything, Wendell," replied Harry. "In the Black Townhouse, which is where Sirius grew up and he found the book that had the curse and counter-curse for what ailed the Longbottoms, they were on a Hell of a lot more than that.
"There were curses on doorways, a grandfather clock that shot metal spikes at you when you walked past, poisoned biting doorknobs, patterns on the carpet that had curses on them, a tallboy that shot its drawers at you to knock you into a wardrobe that was charmed to bash you. But, yes, important family books are very often likely to have charms of some sort that will deter anyone from trying to open them."
He gave a snort and amended that. "That is, it will deter someone from touching them if that person has first cast detection charms on the book or books before trying to open and read them. If they don't, then whatever befalls the person who does is considered their own fault."
Wendell sighed and said, "That's what Monica and I figured. Oh, and just so you know, Monica and I are not upset with you for being firm with Hermione. It took us being firm with her... even more than you were... when she was younger not to go through documents we each might have. It actually required a couple of spankings before she finally learned not to do it any more."
Harry very firmly said, "That is something I will not resort to. Well, for anyone above 'pre-Hogwarts' age, at any rate."
"Good," said Wendell. "I'd have stepped in if you'd
tried."
When Harry nodded, Wendell said, "Now; it's time for you to go down and see... your betrothed. Damn, that still feels a little weird to say. You two need to put this behind you before it festers into something more."
"I meant what I said, though," said Harry, rising. "Hermione must break herself of the habit of picking up things, especially books, that she does not have permission to in advance. Especially, just taking them from someone's hand without it being offered."
"Monica will aid you in that," said Wendell, not disagreeing in the slightest. "I've no doubt she's spent the time I've been in here talking to you, talking to her about it."
As the two men, younger and older, made their way downstairs it was to silence. No sound could be heard from the dinette, either.
Once both walked in, Harry stopped just shy of the table and looked to his betrothed as Wendell returned to his seat at the table.
Tentatively and remorsefully, Harry began, "Hermione, I'm―"
Very quickly Hermione was up and out of the chair and into his arms, she was sobbing. "Oh, Harry. I'm sooo sorry!"
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
At Hogwarts, Dumbledore was once again shocked at reading the Daily Prophet.
'Cancelled!' he thought for about the tenth time. 'The bitch cancelled it!'
Keeping a firm hold on his temper, he turned to look at
Marchbanks. It was only moments later she noticed he was looking to her.
'Which shows she was keeping a close eye on me and my reactions,' he thought.
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Chapter 263
He stood and walked down behind the few chairs between he and her and stopped just shy of her chair.
Calmly he said, "Headmistress Marchbanks, I need a word with you - in private."
"Whatever for, Albus?" she 'innocently' asked.
"It's concerning your foolish decision to cancel the Yule Ball," he firmly replied.
She immediately frowned back. "Foolish, Albus?" she scoffed. "I assure you, the decision was neither reached lightly nor without plenty of input from those in authority. As a matter of fact, it was a decision reached after plenty of discussions concerning it and the rest of the Tournament with those in authority to do so.
"Are you saying that myself, Bartholomew Creston, Igor Karkaroff, Olympe Maxime, Hamilton Snodway of the DIMC and Amelia Bones of the DMLE are all foolish?" she asked. "Dear me, Albus. What a positively slanderous thing to say."
Frowning even more right back he said, "I wish to speak with you in private about this."
With a hard put-upon sigh, she said, "Very well, Albus. I have a very full schedule for the rest of the school day, today. How about you come to my office to talk about this at... 8.00pm this evening."
"I would prefer we speak now, Griselda," he almost growled.
"It's Headmistress Marchbanks, Albus," she shot back. "We've been over this and over this. And, irrespective of your desire to speak with me in private now, I'm finishing my breakfast. After that, I have interviews to attend."
"We shall talk as I walk with you to your office, then," he declared.
"Albus!" she snapped back, getting quite louder now. It was now loud enough to reach the students. "I said... at 8.00pm this evening. Not a moment before!"
Noticing how quiet it had gotten, he glanced to the students and noticed they were all staring back.
"Very well," he huffed. "8.00pm in you office then, Headmistress Marchbanks."
He turned and firmly strode - stormed - from the room.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
Activity at the Granger residence and Hogwarts weren't the only places of note in wizarding Britain where surprises were in store.
After having first stopped in at the Weasleys intending to be there before Arthur had to go to work, a witch Mind Healer turned up on the doorstep of the Lovegoods.
After knocking on the door, she waited only a short while before the door was opened by Xenophilius Lovegood.
"What can I do for you?" he asked. "Do you have information that keys the previous Minister in with the
Rotfang Conspiracy?"
"No, sir," the witch replied, ignoring the comment. "I've come to talk to you regarding an offer that is to be put to you regarding the mental health of your daughter."
"Hmmm..." he replied. Stepping back to clear the doorway, he gestured the witch in and said, "Perhaps you'd best come in and let me know what this is all about."
She gave a single nod and replied, "Thank you." Then stepped inside.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After the two 'made up' again, Hermione tentatively asked, "So. Still want to go to Diagon to do your shopping?"
"Yeah, actually," breathed Harry. "I do."
"Me too," she nodded.
After informing the lead auror the trip to Diagon Alley was still on, both teens hurried upstairs to change into warmer clothing. For Harry, that meant changing into wizarding casual. However, as soon as he tried one of his outfits on, he realised the problem.
"Damn!" he muttered. He'd even outgrown the sizing charms he specifically had put on the wear.
"Well," he sigh-muttered, "There's nothing for it, but to buy a couple of outfits from Madam Malkin's"
Dressing in his best muggle casual he grabbed his wizarding currency purse and trotted back downstairs. As he knew he would, he beat Hermione by quite some time.
Their aurors had also congregated and were waiting next to the front door.
Once Hermione came down, also dressed in muggle casual, they headed out to the front portkey area and were gone.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
On arriving at the top of the Alley, Harry grabbed Hermione to stop her running off into Flourish and Blotts and said, "First things first, Love."
Confused at what he meant, she docilely allowed him to lead her along. And was quite surprised he took them directly into the next store along, Madam Malkin's
"Harry?" she asked. "Why―"
Cutting her off, he replied, "It's not just my muggle wear I've grown out of, Love. I've also grown beyond my wizarding wear, too - except for what I wore to the trial, that is. I need a small wardrobe to replace that.
"Plus, little miss Lady Presumptive, I've noticed a distinct lack of wizarding wear in your wardrobe. You need to be properly outfitted if you're going to be representing me or Sirius in the wizarding world."
Before Hermione had a chance to retort as they stepped within, they were approached by one of the store assistants. "Welcome to Madam Malkin's how can I―" she began before she noticed who she was looking at. "Oh, my! Mister Po... Sorry, Lord Potter; I did not recognise you."
"Not a problem," he was quick to say. "I'll be needing... two distinct casual wizarding wear outfits. And one formal, please; just in case."
Turning to indicate Hermione, he said, "Miss Granger,
here, has been remiss in ensuring she has proper wizarding attire and will be needing quite a few outfits, if you don't mind."
"Harry―" began Hermione.
A quick turn to her he firmly said, "Hush!" Then turned back to the assistant and said, "For now, I think we can start with five casual outfits, one semi- formal and one formal. Oh, and you'd best make sure my formal matches hers. I know that's a big thing for ladies."
Hermione tried again, "Harry, what do you think you're doing?"
"Getting you properly outfitted," he replied, as if it was obvious. Then he again turned back to the assistant and said, "By the way, this lady is the Lady Presumptive Hermione Granger, magical ward of Lord Black of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and betrothed of myself, Lord Potter of the Noble and
Most Ancient House of Potter. As such she'll need the proper identifiers included in her semi-formal and formal attire."
"It will be done, My Lord," replied the assistant.
As the assistant turned to call over 'help', Hermione hissed at him, "Harry, you don't need to do this."
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Chapter 264
"Really?" he smirked. Turning back to the assistant, who had just turned back after gesturing one of the other assistants to come over, he asked, "What would be the general view of the public in wizarding Britain, if the Lady Presumptive of a Noble and Most Ancient House was to parade about in muggle casual?"
"They would see it as a slight on the House, my Lord," she promptly replied. "Both Houses."
Turning back to Hermione, he smirked and cocked an eyebrow at her.
With a huff she rolled her eyes and said, "Fiiiine!"
He grinned and asked, "Isn't that supposed to be my line?"
"I don't know what the big deal is," she grumped. "You know I don't put on all those airs and graces."
"It's all about image, dear," said the shop assistant, cutting in. "You cannot hope to be taken seriously, if you do not dress seriously."
"Besides," added Harry. "We're going to visit Neville on Sunday, remember? You'll be visiting a wizarding home so you should dress appropriately.
"Further, we will be visiting both an allied House of the House of Potter and the Heir Apparent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom. It will be our first visit. As such, you need to look and dress the part. It would be an insult to Heir Longbottom and the House of Longbottom if you do not."
Knowing she was both out-numbered and out-argued, Hermione just gave another harrumph and turned to the assistant, "Where do you want me?"
With a satisfied smile, the assistant led her across to the ladies' side of the store.
"Have fun playing dress-up... Barbie-doll!" he called after her.
She performed a quick pirouette and flipped him a pair of fingers as she spun past before continuing on.
One of the ever-present aurors, the Senior Auror of
their current detail, said, "Well, that wasn't nice."
Harry looked at her with a grin and shrugged. "Just getting some of my own back for what she and her mother put me through a couple weeks ago."
"No, you're really not," she smiled. "You'll find she'll quite enjoy this. She's just putting up a protest for the sake of the protest."
"Lord Potter?"
Harry turned to the other assistant, who had just called his attention. She gestured to the mens' side with a smirk and said, "Shall we?"
He gave a firm nod back and made his way to the men's side of the store.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After the Mind-Healer had been visiting for the past thirty minutes, explaining why she was there, Lovegood said, "So, let me see if I have this... A wealthy widowed witch has heard about the troubles my daughter has gone through at Hogwarts, was appalled to learn of it and wants to pay for her to have as long as she needs with a Mind Healer... you... to help her through it?"
"Close," replied the witch. "The payments have already been made and will continue to be made. All of it, including the time I've been sitting here talking to you about it, has already been paid for. All you need to do is let your daughter talk to me in private. It's even been paid for me to come here to talk to her, rather than you come to my offices in Saint Mungo's."
"Why is she doing this?" he asked.
"I was told it was because this... elderly witch... was appalled to discover that a young pureblood witch had
been so terribly treated and, since she has nothing else and no one else for which to spend her money on or give to, she's using it to help young witches who, she believes, need it."
"Alright," Lovegood slowly nodded. "Now, who's doing this?"
"No idea," she shrugged. "The request and payment have come through a Law-wizard of Record... a man even I trust and is never hired by any of the dark families... who is acting as agent for the witch. And the Law-wizard cannot and will not tell me due to confidentiality clauses."
Luna, who'd been sitting back and out of the way, finally had something to ask. "Are you also going to be helping Ginny?" she asked.
"Ginny?" asked the mind-healer.
"Ginevra Weasley," Luna promptly replied. "She had
all these... problems back in her first year at Hogwarts."
"I can neither confirm, nor deny, that I am assisting young Miss Weasley," replied the healer. "Just as I will neither confirm, nor deny, I will be helping you if anyone other than you or your father ask."
"What about this elderly witch?" asked Xeno. "Won't she need to know?"
"Yes, sorry," replied the Healer. "As the witch, whoever it is, is paying the bill, I will have to inform her you have accepted the offer for me to treat Luna. However, besides the cost that is all she will ever know. She will not be informed of how often Luna and I talk, or for how long that help will last, except for what the cost will be.
"The Law-wizard that contacted me with the offer stated... flat out... the witch has no desire to know any more than that. She just wants to make sure young
Luna is offered the help and hopes you and Luna will accept it for her."
When she could see Lovegood seemed to be wavering, she said, "Even if young Luna does not need the help offered, at the very least I can be someone there she can talk to while you're busy with the important work of the Quibbler."
Lovegood gave a sigh and turned to his daughter, "It's up to you, Pumpkin. Would you like this nice lady to come around at times so you have someone to talk to?"
"Yes, Daddy," she immediately replied. "I have a feeling it's important."
"Very well," he nodded to her.
Turning back to the healer he said, "As long as it's alright with Luna - and, as long as you quit when Luna asks you to - I have no problem with it."
The healer gave a small smile and said, "Then so shall it be."
Turning her attention more fully on the little blonde, she asked, "When would you like me to next visit so you and I can talk?"
"Can you come over tomorrow morning?" asked Luna. "I'd like to show you some of the art I've made. Daddy will be at the Quibbler offices, then."
"That sounds wonderful," smiled the healer.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After over an hour in the clothier's, Harry was ready in plenty of time with his three casual wizarding outfits and one formal set of robes. He even had that done lickety-split after one of the assistants came over
bearing a swatch of deep forest green material for 'his' assistant.
Now he was over in the ladies' side and was asked to give his opinion on some of Hermione's selections.
"I honestly have no idea," he said, scratching his head. "Can't someone help me out, here?"
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Chapter 265
The female lead auror chuckled and said, "If you're willing to listen, then I'll advise."
Breathing out a big sigh of relief, he replied, "Please."
With the help of the auror and the shop assistants Hermione had her five upmarket casual witches'
robes, a semi-formal robe and a wizarding formal gown.
When Harry saw her in the last one he stuttered a bit, blushed and quietly said, "Wow!"
Like most witchwear, it was very non-revealing compared to muggle counterparts. However, what it did do was accentuate all the 'right' features. All in a deep forest green it had a 'V' neck that dipped only slightly, not even giving a real hint of cleavage. However, it had a tight-fitted bodice with the V carrying along the bottom edge of the bodice section that dropped from the hips on the side to the bottom of the V almost reaching where he estimated her 'mound' would be. Then the dress opened to a full length almost pleated skirt of the same material. The long sleeves also had the 'wizarding' tight upper arms flaring out to the loose cuffs. While not a lot of skin was displayed the cut and fit showed off the assets underneath by highlighting them.
Harry was, quite literally, speechless.
The auror chuckled and said, "That's the one, Miss Granger. Take a look at your betrothed."
Hermione took one look at Harry, blushed and looked down. This was the first robe she'd organised so Harry would have that swatch. She put it on again, because she wanted to know what Harry thought of it before they left the store.
"This is perfect," she softly told the shop assistant.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After finally getting out of the clothier, dressed in one each of the outfits Harry had just purchased for the both of them, the two teens finally got going on their Christmas shopping. It did, though, take Harry a good five to ten minutes to, as he put it, get his head back
in the game.
With her right hand and arm tucked into his left elbow, Hermione asked, "Do you know what you want to buy for everyone?"
"Errr... no, not really," he replied. "I figured... I'll know it when I see it."
Now used to the coterie of aurors that were always accompanying them, neither teen noticed that their detail had grown that day. Anyone paying attention would have noticed there were currently four aurors who formed a somewhat tight square around the pair. They might have also noticed there were at least half a dozen more moving through the Alley 'near' the pair, but not close enough to be thought of as 'encumbering'.
However, as we're talking about witches and wizards here, very few noticed the second group. And there were even some who didn't notice the first group.
Many, of course, stopped and gawked at the two teens - mainly Harry. But there were a few brave ones, who were also of the group that didn't notice any of the aurors or what they meant, who'd hurried forward to touch or speak with Harry. Most of those were immediately intercepted by the aurors.
After having to duck into yet another nearby store because of the stress of being constantly gawked at, or of people coming over just to touch him, Harry was angrily muttering, "This is ridiculous! How the Hell am I supposed to get any proper shopping done if I'm being constantly hassled?"
She replied, "We'll get through it, Love."
He gave a sigh and a nod of sadness.
Eventually, he had the gifts he wanted for Frank and Alice, Neville, the Twins, Ted and Andi and 'Call-Me- Tonks'. Added to those he purchased small gifts for
the other alliance member Houses - Amelia and Susan Bones; Eugene, Pauline and Hannah Abbott; Griselda Marchbanks; Miles and Hedda Ogden; Heathcliff, Lydia, Edwin and Tracey Davis; Samuel, Adeline, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass; and Tyler Stebbins.
He also wanted to purchase a stack of gifts for the aurors who would be guarding them on Christmas Day, but decided to just make a bloody big Christmas lunch for them all with a 'gift' of some form.
Finally, they retreated back to Wimbledon to a collective sigh of relief from everyone; not the least of which was the two teens.
"That," groaned Harry, once they returned, "Was painful."
Hermione firmly said, "At least, when we go muggle shopping tomorrow, you won't have to put up with all the gawkers."
"We, love," he sighed. "We."
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
The previous evening Walden MacNair, 'executioner' of dangerous beasts for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry, had just returned to his modest home when his wards alerted him to someone approaching his front door.
Stiffening, as he could think of no one who would ever visit him through such a 'muggle' manner, he cautiously dimmed his lights and just as cautiously made his way to the door. As soon as he got there he moved so his back was against the wall next to the door - it was steel plate reinforced, just for this sort of scenario - and waited with his wand drawn and held up.
He waited a full five seconds before he finally heard a solid three knocks upon the wood of the door. Then waited ten seconds before he quickly twisted the handle and yanked the door in and away from himself.
When there was no sudden spell fire in through the now open door, he ducked down low and looked around the frame. His looking out from such a low angle meant if someone was waiting for him to stick his head out, he'd have one to two seconds to cast a curse at an enemy before they could spot him and shift their aim lower.
Who he saw, utterly surprised him.
"You!?" he exclaimed.
Standing back about seven feet, where he'd clearly moved back to once he knocked on the door, was someone he'd thought dead - Peter Pettigrew.
"MacNair," smirked Pettigrew. "You'd best invite me in
before I'm spotted."
That meeting led him to this morning. He'd been told he needed to be at a certain place at a certain time. But, the place he had to be was simply given to him as apparation co-ordinates.
At first, he'd refused. However, Pettigrew handed him a card; on it, was one word. It was a code word known only to him and a handful of others. It was proof it was an order and he had to obey it.
When he appeared at the spot, Pettigrew was waiting for him. And, as soon as he appeared, Pettigrew said, "Follow me. And, if you value your life, do not draw your wand."
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
The two teens were chowing down on lunch when
Sirius turned up, so Harry organised Dobby to prepare him a lunch, too.
As soon as Sirius sat down, he asked, "The FNA person here yet?"
"FNA?" asked Hermione.
Harry would have asked, but his mouth was full at the time.
"Floo Network Authority," said Sirius, as his lunch appeared before him. Like Harry's and Hermione's it was a pasta salad loaded with beef chunks. It was a dish Harry had cooked, but he also had to teach Dobby so the little elf would not be too upset with him for cooking a midday meal.
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Harry had his quickly polished off and was munching on a banana when he noticed the aurors suddenly move again. "It looks like this might be them now."
With his half-eaten banana in one hand he rose to make his way to meet the person. When Sirius rose, though, Harry pressed lightly on the man's shoulder and said, "Eat your lunch. I can take care of this."
Sirius just gave a grunt as he had food in his mouth and, for the moment, re-sat.
When the person came in to the parlour, a witch, she was frowning.
As soon as she saw Harry she said, "Lord Potter. This is a muggle home. I will not break the law by installing a floo connection in this muggle house." Then spun about to leave again.
"Oi!" he barked at her, causing her to spin back. "Stop jumping to conclusions, you stupid woman!"
As the witch stood there spluttering in indignation, he continued, "The floo connection is not for this home. It's for the property out the back!"
She finally found her voice and said, "The property I have listed is this home; a muggle one. I will not be installing a floo connection here."
"And I agree," he immediately shot back. "That's why I'm telling you... yet again... the property is out the back.
"Now, come with me and I'll show you."
Not waiting for the woman to even acknowledge him, he spun on his heel and stormed off to the stairs leading down to the lower ground floor. Her flicker of a sneer each time she said the word 'muggle' had annoyed him.
Obviously curious enough, the witch followed. She was still muttering to herself as she did so.
Once outside he led her to the 'Doghouse'. Indicating it, he said, "This is where you'll be installing the connection."
Still not waiting for her, he undid the lock and led her inside. Then, pointing to the fireplace, he said, "There."
"This is still the same property!" she declared with a huff.
Walking in through the door after he'd followed them down, Sirius said, "No, it's not."
Then he pulled out the Bill of Sale for the little building and said, "I own this building." And showed her the Bill.
Almost snatching it out of Sirius's hand with the hand that wasn't holding her clipboard she'd brought with her, she glared at it as she read it before thrusting it back. "It's still the same property!"
Starting to lose his temper, Harry snapped, "No, it's bloody not! We've already had a law-wizard look over the same and confirm for us that, by law, this building is now considered a wizarding property."
As one of the aurors stepped in, Sirius smirked and handed the Bill to the auror and said, "Auror. This is a Bill of Sale for this building and the land it sits upon. As I am now both the sole owner of this property and am a wizard, does this make this property a wizarding owned property?"
The auror accepted the Bill, read it, looked between Sirius, Harry and the witch and looked back at the Bill.
When he looked up again, he smirked and said to Sirius, "Very clever." Looking back to the witch he
said, "As there is, indeed, documented evidence that this property, irregardless of its size, is wizarding owned, there is no ban on a floo connection being installed here. You're in the clear to install one."
"It's just a... trick!" she firmly declared. "It's just a... a... legal nonsense to get around the law! Well... it won't work! I will not install a connection here!"
Sirius stared at her and said, "Very well. I will need your name and under what you believe is your authority in making that determination. I will need that information for the Law-wizards of Record for both the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter; both of which are of the Seven.
"Our Law-wizards of Record will then be filing complaints against you, personally, your boss and the Ministry in general. I hope you're able to afford a very, very good law-wizard of your own, because you're going to need one.
"As you've already been informed our Law-wizards of Record have already confirmed, as per the law... and it has also just been confirmed by the Senior Auror, here... that there is no legal grounds by which you can refuse to install the floo connection, you have no grounds to refuse.
"If you do not install the connection when you have no grounds to refuse, then you have opened yourself up to being dragged before the Wizengamot to face litigation."
Then he smiled and said, "The last time I was before the Wizengamot I not only won the case, Lord Potter here... acting as co-defence with Law-wizard Tonks... forced the Wizengamot to strip an entire Statute from the books. He proved, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that the law was both unworkable and unenforceable."
Turning to Harry, he asked, "Lord Potter; how many cases argued before the Wizengamot have you lost?"
"None!" Harry firmly stated, crossing his arms and glaring at the witch.
The witch glared back, but it was easy to see the fear in her eyes. So, Harry decided to go for the 'kill'.
"Back when Riddle was running about with his thugs, a lot of pureblood homes were attacked in the middle of the night. He was able to catch those people in their homes.
"However, that should not have been possible. While his people obviously erected anti-apparation jinxes and anti-portkey wards to block apparation and portkeys, they should not have been able to block those victims from using their floos. There is no jinx, curse or ward that blocks floo travel unless it's done from within the home.
"So, I'm now thinking, the only way for those floos to have been blocked is by the Floo Network Authority...
that's you and the people you work with... deactivating them at those very specific times. When you then consider the number of homes where that was supposed to have occurred - and then consider the likelihood of the floo network having failed at that very specific time at that one location, in each case - it is not difficult to determine the likelihood of that happening is so remote... so unlikely... as to lead one to conclude it was deliberate to coincide with those attacks.
"That, therefore, means there are those within the Floo Network Authority who were actively supporting Tom Riddle and his band of thugs. They were probably even marked Death Eaters."
"Oh... Hell!" exclaimed the senior auror, suddenly realising what Harry was overtly implying.
With a sharklike grin at what he'd heard from the auror, while not taking his eyes off the floo installer, Harry continued. "Now, while Director of the DMLE,
Madam Director Amelia Bones, might not have been able to go and root them out because the minister of the day blocked her from doing so, that Minister and her likewise reluctant replacement are now gone. That means, Acting Madam Minister Amelia Bones can now order Director of the DMLE Madam Director Amelia Bones to investigate. I cannot see Acting Madam Minister Amelia Bones not giving that order. Can you?"
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Chapter 267
As the senior auror sighed, reached into his robes and drew out his auror badge, Harry continued to grin evilly at the now shocked pale and trembling floo installer.
He continued, "You should also know that, before you think about trying anything, there are wards on this property and the property that surrounds it that will do you harm if you try. And, if the wards activate against you, it will be proof that your intent was to try.
"So, unless you want to also be, as an individual, a subject of the investigation the senior auror here is about to initiate, you had best connect the floo and do an absolutely smashing job of it. If you do not, it could easily be seen as an attempt by you to do harm to... not one, but two... members of the Seven, let alone the aurors often here. The first two, alone, would mean the Veil for you.
"Within the past four weeks I have legally taken down the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, the Chief Warlock, the sitting Minister, his Senior Undersecretary, the then Minister's closest non-Ministerial confidant, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, two other Heads of Houses of Hogwarts, four other members of staff, the regent for the Noble
and Most Ancient House of Longbottom and the then Director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. A pissant little floo installer like you, until now, I felt was beneath me... right up until you annoyed me.
"Pissing off members of the Seven is a really, really bad idea. You do not want to piss either of us off any more than we are, right now. Get to work."
Sirius, with a wide grin on his face, looked between Harry and the installer, before he more directly looked to the installer and glared, "Well? Why aren't you moving?"
The witch 'moved'. The floo was up and active inside ten minutes.
Then the auror looked to the installer and said, "I've just sent a message to my colleagues in the DMLE that I am about to step through into the DMLE bullpen. I am going to arrive there in full health, am I not?"
Still shaking in fear, the installer replied, "Y-yes!"
The auror gave a nod back and said, "Wait here. I'll be back within the minute." He then turned to Sirius and instructed, "If I am not, Lord Black, please send a messenger Patronus to Madam Bones and let her know."
Without waiting for a response and taking a pinch of floo powder from a container within his robes, the auror dashed it into the fireplace and called "Auror bullpen!"
As soon as the flames turned green he stepped through and was gone.
As soon as he was, Sirius turned to the installer and pleasantly asked, "Don't you have something for me to sign?"
Without a word she thrust her clipboard at Sirius, now
not wanting to be thought of as being reluctant or reticent to do so. She was still trembling.
Sirius casually accepted it, signed the form on it in the relevant places and said, "Payment will be made by the end of the day." Then offered the clipboard back.
As the witch hesitantly took it back he asked, "Aren't you also supposed to be leaving a small bag of floo powder, too?"
She quickly scrambled for a pocket in her robes, found it, pulled out a nondescript bag of floo powder and thrust it at Sirius, "H-here!"
Again, Sirius casually accepted it and said, "Thank you." And placed it on the mantelpiece.
"I-I... need... to go," she stammered.
Harry firmly but calmly stated, "You are under orders by a duly authorised officer of the DMLE to wait right
here. Right here, you will wait."
"Y-yes, My Lord," she stammered.
He smirked and explained, "We cannot have you going to your offices in the FNA and letting your colleagues know what is about to befall them all; can we?"
"Errrr... N-no, M-my Lord."
"While we wait," he said, "I'm going to tell you further just where and when you utterly fucked up, you stupid little jackanapes.
"When you entered and found that the property you were to connect to the network was somewhere related to a muggle home, every time you said muggle, you sneered. Lord Black, here, is the magical guardian of the daughter of one of those muggles you sneered at. She is also my betrothed; she is the Lady Presumptive of the Noble and Most Ancient House of
Potter.
"Right there, you pissed me off; let alone Lord Black.
"Secondly, you tried to use your pitiful authority as a lowly floo installer to cow a couple of Lords of Noble and Most Ancient Houses. Clearly, no one has bothered to tell you that is a very bad idea. However, if you had a lick of the sense you're obviously clearly lacking, no one should have had to tell you it was a bad idea. That showed you to be a daft moron.
"I do not like daft morons. Daft morons are dangerous for everyone around them. They get themselves... or, more importantly... those around them killed.
"Thirdly, you were told we had the matter seen to by a Law-wizard. That Law-wizard is the Law-wizard of Record for two of the Seven and, I believe, the Law- wizard of Record for a number of Noble and Ancient Houses. He is not a daft moron. He would not be the Law-wizard of Record for two of the Seven and quite a
few other Noble Houses if he was.
"By you refusing to accept at least one Law-wizard of Record had already determined the law would not be broken by the floo being connected in this property, and that's besides the senior auror also telling you that, you considered that Law-wizard to be a bigger daft moron than yourself. That meant you considered those Noble and Most Ancient and Noble and Ancient Houses to be daft morons, themselves, by taking that law-wizard on as their Law-wizard of Record. That, too, was quite insulting.
"Either that, or you were stating you consider myself and Lord Black, here, lied to you. Personally, I find that even more insulting."
When the auror stepped back through moments later, he was followed through by three more aurors and Madam Bones.
Harry immediately recognised two of them that he
often saw as Madam Bones's personal guard. The third, a female auror, took one look at the female installer and asked, "Are you the witch from the FNA?"
The witch, now pretty much crying, only nodded.
"Then, Madam," said the auror. "You're coming with me. We have some questions you're required to answer."
That was it for the witch. She immediately burst into tears as she was firmly guided back to the floo. She was openly sobbing her heart out and needed that guiding hand.
She and her auror escort were gone moments later.
Chiding his godson a little, Sirius asked, "Was that really necessary, Harry?"
Harry stared right back with a blank expression.
"Yes," he flatly said. And then vehemently added, "How dare the bitch come into the Granger's home with that attitude."
Sirius, surprised at Harry's clear vehemence, only said, "Ah!"
"Alright, Lord Potter," said Madam Bones, drawing his attention to her.
She sighed and, with a somewhat pained expression, said, "We need to talk."
"Figured as much," he flatly returned.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After Madam Bones and her two aurors left, muttering about how Harry had landed yet more work through investigations onto her plate, Sirius finished with the
protections on the 'Doghouse'; one of those was a password for the floo - 'Woof woof!'
Harry just rolled his eyes.
Sirius snickered and asked, "Well, I don't think there's going to be anyone who's going to guess it, do you?"
"No," replied Harry. "But, isn't it a little childish?" "Of course it is," agreed his godfather.
"So," he pressed, "What's the actual floo address and how do I use the password?"
"Ah!" said Sirius. "You toss in the floo powder and call 'Doghouse'. Then, once the connection is through, call 'Woof woof!' and step through. Just don't call the password until the connection is through or the password ward at this end won't receive it and disengage for you."
Harry shrugged and said, "Sounds simple enough."
His godfather smiled and replied, "It is." Then asked, "How're the potions going?"
Harry immediately pulled a face and replied, "Still apparently no end in sight."
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Chapter 268
"Yes there is," his godfather disagreed. "I discovered the last of my potions this morning, when the vials didn't immediately refill after I took them. Andi confirmed it for me."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry said, "Then, mine should only be a few days away. That's good, because I wanted to be free of them before Christmas."
"Just so you know," said Sirius. "I've got a professional team of people working on the London House of the House of Black. It's a townhouse in Grimmauld Place, not far from Kings Cross Station."
"You've referred to it before," nodded Harry. "So, finally getting it cleaned out?"
Sirius nodded and replied, "That's what the team's been sent in there to do, yes. They're estimating a completion date in early February."
Harry gave a low whistle and asked, "It's that bad?"
"Yep. They're also redecorating once they've cleaned it up," he replied. "Once they're at the stage to start redecorating, they'll contact me and we'll go through interior decoration ideas."
Harry gave a snort of amusement and said, "You may want to call on someone who has actual taste to
advise the team you're using, then. I somewhat shudder to think what you could come up with."
"Hey!" his godfather whined, before suddenly grappling him and giving him a 'noogie' by firmly rubbing his knuckles into Harry's scalp.
"Ow!" exclaimed Harry, wincing. "Padfoot!"
Releasing him again, Sirius said, "Now. You and I need to talk about a very important subject. Just you and me, Pup."
Curious, Harry said, "My room?"
Shaking his head with a smirk, Sirius replied, "No. We'll be using the office for this."
Warily, Harry said, "Alright."
Sirius then started to lead Harry to the office when Hermione approached.
"I'm sorry, my dear," he said. "This is just Harry and me. We won't be too long, I promise."
Disappointed, Hermione sighed and nodded. "I'll be in the dinette going through the remaining documents."
Harry smiled and gave her a nod. "Thank you, Love."
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
The 'won't be too long' proved to be a couple hours. At the end of it Harry practically ran back his room and almost slammed the door.
Sirius, smirking slightly, found Hermione still in the dinette.
Taking a chair, he sat. Dobby quickly had a cup of tea before him.
Hermione said, "If that's what you call 'not too long' I shudder to think what you'd think a long meeting would be."
"You'd be surprised," he smiled, stirring sugar into his tea.
"Where's Harry?" she asked.
"He's gone to think things over in his room," grinned her magical guardian.
She looked at him suspiciously and, mindful of her words now, asked, "May I know what you talked about?"
Sirius looked back for a little while before he gave an almost imperceptible shrug. "I gave him 'The Talk: Part Two'."
Shocked, it was a moment before she'd regathered
her thoughts and said, "I thought that was what that book you gave him was for."
"You know about that?" he asked, acting surprised.
"Accidentally," she said. "Harry shoved it in the stacks of documents he received from Ted. Then forgot he'd put it there when he had Dobby bring the stack down. As he was writing a letter to the twins I was going through the stack and found it."
Sirius smirked and said, "He told me."
Sighing she replied, "I had noticed he... didn't really seem to know much. You know what I mean?"
Sirius just nodded.
She explained, "He seems... seemed now, I guess... to know a little, but... well, not what I thought a fourteen year old should know. Definitely nowhere near what I knew from before I even started Hogwarts."
Sirius continued to stare at her for a long few moments more before he reached a decision.
"I'm only telling you this, because you are Harry's betrothed," he said. "It is not for the ears or knowledge of others. Am I clear?"
Hermione, knowing this was important, nodded.
With a single nod back, he explained, "Harry knew the... technicalities... of reproduction. He had an understanding of the basic... biology of the act.
"However, except for what he'd overheard from his housemates in Gryffindor... never a good source of accurate information... that's pretty much all he knew. He had no idea about the subject of, for instance, 'wooing a witch'. In that, his education was severely lacking."
"Is that what you talked about?" she asked. "Just
'dating'?"
"A lot more than that, Hermione," he replied. "We were gone, after all, for just over two hours. It's not for me to tell you any more than that.
"If Harry wants to tell you, it's up to him to do so. And you are not to pressure him to tell you anything he's not willing to tell you. Understood?"
"Yes, my Lord," she immediately replied. Then looked at him in shock. "Why'd I call you that?"
Sirius smiled and replied, "That's your magic recognising I, as your magical guardian, gave you an order. It's not, however, a magical command. That means you can still disobey, but you'll also know you did if you do."
A little afraid, she asked, "There's magic in the order that will harm me?"
"No," he replied. "I'd never cast such on a child. You'll know because you'll be forced to remember that I ordered you. That way, you can't use the excuse you forgot."
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After Sirius left, Hermione worked for a little while more before she decided to go and talk to her betrothed.
She thought, 'Just because Sirius has ordered me not to initiate a discussion with Harry about his talk with him, does not mean I cannot talk to him about anything else.'
Walking upstairs, she knocked on the door and waited.
Almost immediately, though, she heard Harry call
back, "Come in!"
Taking a deep breath and steadying herself, she affixed a smile to her face and opened the door.
Harry was sitting on his chair at the desk reading the book Sirius had given him.
Noticing it, she said, "You're reading that book. Good."
Quickly snapping it shut and blushing, he couldn't even look at her.
Knowing Harry would struggle to talk about it, she decided an immediate change of subject was necessary.
"I'm sitting downstairs working on the House of Potter documents," she said. "How about, now that Sirius's gone, you come down and join me."
Still not looking back, he mumbled, "Sirius's given me homework to do."
"So's Ted," she immediately returned. "Besides, it looks like you and I need to work on something together to get your mind off... whatever it is that you and Sirius talked about." Even though she knew damned well.
He thought about that for a few moments before he nodded and put the book away. Then he almost seemed to sigh in relief.
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Chapter 269
Over at Longbottom Hall, it had now been three days since Frank and Alice had presented themselves to
the Wizengamot and proved, beyond any doubt, they were truly Lord Franklin and Lady Alice Longbottom. Over that three days they had managed to get to know their own son; and the depth of the issues relating to and regarding Frank's mother, Dowager Lady Augusta Longbottom.
They had already heard that Algernon Rosier had been arrested before lunch that first day, as Bones had promised. And had been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a Heir Apparent of a Noble and Most Ancient House, Neville. However, after being told he would be charged with the crimes, he immediately offered to make his testimony under Veritaserum; which Bones immediately accepted.
From that testimony it was 'proven' it was not Rosier's intent to kill Neville, only frighten him enough to trigger a burst of accidental magic. However, he was still charged with endangerment of a minor, wilful negligence and wilful child neglect; two counts each. He immediately offered a plea of guilty to all charges.
As he fully co-operated in the investigations, he was released under his own cognisance and ordered to attend court as Defendant when the trial would be held immediately preceding the February sitting of the Wizengamot.
Augusta had also been interviewed and required to explain why she had not made formal complaint about the actions of her brother as they related to the Heir of her House. She was charged with covering up wilful child neglect, two counts, and would stand trial with her brother. However, she refused to plead guilty and would defend herself on the day.
After she was ordered to immediately return to Longbottom Hall, Frank had discussed matters with Bones before he also returned.
On his arrival he went to his office and immediately called his mother to join he and Alice in there.
When she walked in and was told to, yet again, sit on the chair before the desk, Frank stared at her for a few long moments before he said, "Mother, Alice and I have reached a decision regarding you."
That made the old woman sit up straighter. But, she kept her mouth firmly shut.
He said, "It is the decision of Alice and I that you are to move in to the Longbottom Sea Cottage in West Bay on the south coast. You will leave this room, immediately pack and be gone from Longbottom Hall within the hour.
"A house elf will accompany you - one of our choosing. You may not dismiss it and you will not attempt to give it clothes. You are also to keep the floo open so that Alice, Neville and I may enter the property as we see fit. However, the floo here will be blocked to you having direct access. You will only have temporary guest access and it will only be granted on a case-by-case basis.
"I have spoken to Madam Bones about this, concerning your 'house arrest', and she has agreed that the Sea Cottage will be that house. As such you may not leave. If you do, the house elf assigned to you will immediately inform me you have done so. And I will, in turn, immediately inform Madam Bones."
"Y-you can't do this to me!" she practically begged. "I am your mother and Longbottom Hall has been my home for almost forty years!"
"I can and I have," he firmly returned. "Your behaviour in failing to plead guilty to the charges you are clearly guilty of was the last straw. You are no longer welcome in Longbottom Hall unless you are specifically summoned here to attend me. And, even then, it will only be as a visitor.
"You are dismissed."
She was gone through the floo in less than the
allowed hour. As soon as she was, the entire Hall breathed a sigh of relief. Frank was quick to alter the wards to deny her immediate access.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
After working further on the House of Potter documents, especially the financials, Harry begged off so that he could make a start on dinner.
It was as he was happily working on whatever gastronomic delight he had planned for that night that Hermione decided to talk to him about sex, contrary to Sirius's order. She knew not to push him, as she was already well aware he would quickly close off when he was uncomfortable about something. And she knew sex was one of those subjects he was both uncomfortable with and clearly embarrassed about.
Walking into the kitchen, she asked, "Can I help?"
Harry looked back at her for a moment before he seemed to give a tiny shrug and asked, "How are you at peeling veggies?"
With a smile she replied, "That's about the only part of cooking I'm not that bad at."
He quickly assembled a pile of mixed vegetables, pulled out a cutting board and peeler, set aside a baking tray, gestured to it and said "You're welcome to have at it, if you would."
Quickly moving to do so, she had the vegetables washed and set aside. Then started peeling.
After the first couple of potatoes she, trying to be nonchalant, asked, "What chapter are you up to in that book Sirius gave you to read?"
Almost tripping over his own two feet as he suddenly moved, he stuttered, "Errrr... Ch-chapter eight, I
think."
Hermione stopped for a moment to try and remember what she remembered of the table of contents she saw within the book and asked, "That's the one on the importance of keeping yourself clean, right?" She knew it wasn't.
"Ummm... no," he quietly replied.
When he didn't seem to want to expand any further on his answer, she calmly asked, "If not on cleanliness, what's it on, then?"
It was a bit for her hesitantly replied, "The... ummm... parts of a woman's body."
"Any particular parts?" she asked.
"Ummm... the... ummm," he tried before he stopped. "Yes?" she asked. "Oh; is it on the woman's sexual
parts?"
"Yes?" he almost whined.
"You do not need to be embarrassed about this, Harry," she said, putting the sweet potato she was currently peeling and the peeler down on the cutting board before turning to look at him.
Harry was currently working adding diced onion into the water he was using to slow cook the beef roast he had in the over-sized baking tray within which the roast was simmering. Instead of using 'dripping' as Brits seemed to always use for a roast, he used a single litre of water that covered about a half inch deep in the pan and occasionally topped it up with boiling water. Into that he added the diced onions and would be almost poaching the diced vegetables Hermione was dealing with.
She softly called, "Harry, look at me."
When he finally turned to look her way, she could tell he was blushing again.
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Chapter 270
"I'm your betrothed and you are mine, Harry," she explained. "This is a subject you and I should be expected to talk about. Well, not just expected; we should talk about."
Glancing her way, he swallowed and nodded.
"Good," she firmly said, "Now, if you wouldn't mind, what did you learn about a woman's sex organs?"
As he tentatively began to discuss what he had read, all the while occupying himself with making the
dinner, he more and more relaxed and became more open. This was biology, rather than sex. That was precisely what Hermione wanted to happen.
_ ̳_ ―==(oIo)==― ˇ
At just before 8.00pm Dumbledore stood outside the gargoyle to the Headmistress's office and was forced to wait outside, fuming. He remembered it wasn't that long ago he could command people to attend him and make them wait, as he was now forced to do. It was doubly galling it was before the same gargoyle guardian to the same office that was once his.
Finally, as the time ticked over to 8.00pm, the gargoyle nimbly stepped aside.
Without a word he stepped through the now revealed opening and onto the stairs as they moved to ascend him up to the landing before the Headmas-
Headmistress's office.
Of course, he also had to knock on the door. Yet another pointed insult.
"Come in, Albus," he heard Marchbanks call from within.
As he strode in he gave his wand a gentle flick behind himself to banish the door shut.
Marchbanks didn't even seem to be paying any attention to his approach. 'Damned annoying woman!' he thought.
She sat there, wrapping up some parchment work she was working on, when her hearing told her Dumbledore had stopped.
Still not looking up and clear enough for the old man to hear, she muttered, "Take a seat, Albus. I'll be with you in a moment."
She gave it another fifteen seconds before she set aside what she was doing - reading yet another application for one of the vacant positions - and looked across her desk at the person she now knew she could get rid of at any time she wanted to.
She had already met with the School Board over his list of questionable activities since his trial and they all agreed he had breached the conditions of his tenure enough to fire him. The ward tap was the final straw, even for them. Now, she just kept him there so that young Lord Potter would not be so bothered by him. She'd be getting rid of him just before it was time for the students to return.
The application she was currently reading was a Transfiguration Master's application, one she had accepted and one she was reading over again. The man, John Biffingwater, would be arriving at the school on Saturday, the second of January, and be ready to begin on the Monday. Dumbledore would not
be told who he was until the Sunday.
"You wanted to speak with me, Albus?" she pleasantly asked.
"I wanted to speak with you first thing this morning after breakfast," he grouched. Going so far as to almost slouch on the hard wooden chair that sat before her desk, centred and back ten feet.
"And yet, as I informed you, I was too busy," she stated. "Does this mean you do not wish to speak with me now?"
"You need to revisit your decision to cancel the Tournament Yule Ball," he snapped. "There's―"
"No," she firmly stated right back over the top of him.
Her immediate and firm interruption threw the old man a bit. "I... pardon? I haven't had time―"
"I said, 'No', Albus," she repeated. "The Yule Ball is cancelled. It's done. Now, is there anything else you wanted to speak with me about?"
He tried, "Griselda, please see―"
Again, overriding him she barked, "Headmistress Marchbanks, Al-bie!"
He winced, "Errr... quite." Shaking off the effect of the berating, he said, "Headmistress Marchbanks, you need to be reasonable. The Tournament Yule Ball―"
"Albus!" she suddenly barked.
When he suddenly stopped in shock and winced, she glared at him and said, "When you said, 'You need to be reasonable', just then, you implied by your choice of words I wasn't being reasonable. That was an insult. I do not appreciate my staff insulting me, Albus. You will not do that again."
"Errr... My apologies, Gri... err... Headmistress Marchbanks. I misspoke."
When she just continued to stare at him not saying a word, he finally returned to what he was saying. "As I was saying, the Yule Ball is an important component of the Tournament. It is planned to use the dates of the four champions as the hostages for the champions to rescue in the Second Task.
"So, as―"
Suddenly smacking her palm onto the desk before her, Marchbanks stared in fury at the old man. "What do you mean... hostages?" she growled.
"The three champions," he replied. "Well, four with Mister Potter also―"
"Lord Potter!" she barked.
Again, Dumbledore winced. "Yes... quite... Lord Potter.
Well... as I was saying... with four champions now involved, four hostages will need to be selected for the four champions to rescue as part of the Second Task. It was decided, quite some time ago, that those hostages would be the dates the champions took as their partners to the Yule Ball.
"So, as you can see, the Ball―"
"Stop!" she snapped. "Shut up!"
Again, Dumbledore was brought to a sudden stop. He looked back in a combination of annoyance at being interrupted and confused as why she would need him to.
She glared at him for a few moments more before she quietly but firmly demanded, "And, just what plans did you have in place to seek permission from the legal guardians of those hostages in advance?"
Confused, Dumbledore asked, "What do you mean?"
Shocked at the stupidity of the man, she glared at him for a few long moments before she said, "Follow me here, Albus. You would need permission from the legal guardians of those you would choose as hostages. How did you plan on getting that permission?"
Clearly puzzled, Dumbledore replied, "I... don't know what you mean. Each student's Head of House, here at Hogwarts, acts in loco parentis for all students. Why would I need permission from the guardians? I only need it from the four Heads of House. Surely, you'd know that."
Stunned incredulous, Marchbanks could only stare at the man before her. Her mind could not grasp the fallacy - logically, legally, morally and ethically - that Dumbledore seemed to believe. Eventually, she just started to slowly and slightly shake her head from side.
Once she finally realised trying to put logic to the illogical was an exercise in futility, she sighed and said, "Albus, you've just proven to me... beyond any shadow of a doubt... that you are, as Lord Potter claims we all are, a daft moron."
Both surprised and clearly offended by the remark, Dumbledore gave a small start before he huffed, "Griselda! Really―"
She barked, "Headmistress Marchbanks, you daft old fool!"
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