HPF281-290

Chapter 280

The four ladies then set about writing down

the list of just over two dozen names, before

running through the rest of their wedding

plans.

Once the wedding planning was out of the

way, that was pushed aside.

Deece then delved straight into the next

topic.

She turned to both girls and asked, "You two

are still taking your contraceptive potions,

yes?"

"Yes, Mum," both replied, blushing a little.

"And you're also casting the contraceptive

charms?" she pressed.

"Yes, Mum," both replied again, blushing a

little more.

"But, I really don't understand why both,"

continued Hermione.

"As soul bonded your magic is so closely

linked that it practically thrums between

you," explained Deece. "Magic knows you're

compatible. On top of that, it's also clear

Harry is quite the magically powerful young

wizard. And that will carry across to his seed.

"Powerful seed, with magic recognising the

bonding, means magic will want you to

reproduce. It knows, from such a union, your

children will also be magically powerful.

"Taking the potion and casting the charm is a

fervent hope magic's desire for you to

conceive is not as strong as the potion and

charm combined to prevent it."

"We do that," said Daphne, a little confused.

"Good; but, what Cele and I want to talk to

you about, now, is muggle methods to

prevent conception."

"Oh, Gods," winced Hermione. "You want to

give us 'The Talk' again."

"Think of this as... The Talk, part two,"

smirked Cele.

When the girls were finally able to escape,

they disappeared into their room upstairs.

Both were madly blushing away.

With an embarrassed giggle, Daphne said, "I

don't believe Mum and Mum Granger felt

they needed to give us that talk."

"I know!" Hermione softly exclaimed. "It's

not as if we were thinking about having sex

for the first time. We've been doing that for a

few months now!"

"We can't take the muggle Pill, because it

could interfere with the potion; and may not

work on witches, anyway," said Daphne.

"And the Rhythm Method only allows for a

few days each month to have full sex. I don't

like the sounds of that. And, Harry's allergic

to the powder, or whatever it is, of those

com-com things."

"Condoms," Hermione unconsciously

corrected. "I also don't think it's wise for

either of us to be fitted with an IUD if we're

planning on convincing Sirius to teach and

help us become animaguses; and there's no

evidence it would work for a witch, anyway.

Finally, there's spermicide. However, it has

no evidence of success working on the seed

of a wizard; so is probably a similar moot

point to other muggle methods."

"So, we're stuck with continuing doing what

we've been doing and hope for the best,"

said Daphne. "Sorry, but, thank Merlin

for that! We'll just have to get Harry to also

remember to use the wizard's sterility charm

as a third anti-conception method and that's

going to be about all we can do."

Hermione nodded back, just as relieved.

After Sirius, Matthias and Deece left; Harry

called for Dobby, who fetched their trunks.

Then he and Winky unpacked them.

The three changed out of wizard casual wear

and into muggle casual wear in case Ant and

Cele had unexpected visitors; or they wanted

to do a quick run down to the shop.

Then they plonked themselves down in front

of the television for a while and watched a

video on the VCR. They didn't even notice

Winky dropped off popcorn and soft drinks

for them.

When Ant returned as the credits scrolled up

the screen, he asked, "So, no plans for the

summer?"

"No, Dad," the three said.

"But, we do hope you won't mind if we have

friends over, now and then, for a visit," said

Hermione.

"Of course not," said Ant. Turning to Harry,

he said, "Now, son; the ladies will be

spending a lot of their time occupied with

wedding planning. I, for one, am happy to

leave that up to the ladies and those angels

of yours.

"Instead, I wonder if and when you're not

doing anything else, you'd like to work with

me in building an elevated deck out the back

door."

Surprised, Harry said, "Yeah, that'd be nice.

But, I don't really know much about how to

operate electric tools. I only know how to

use ones like a hammer and stuff."

"That's quite alright," smiled Ant. We'll figure

it out together."

The next day Ant and Harry disappeared for a

while. They went to the local timber and

hardware supplies store to purchase up on

what they needed. Ant had with him a book

on home construction jobs and a sheet with

written measurements.

Taking a look at the notes and numbers,

Harry said, "You've had this planned for a

while."

"Guilty," smiled his father-in-law. "This has

been a major home improvement project for

a couple of years, now. It's only recently,

with your mother-in-law falling pregnant,

that I decided I should remove the ol' digit

from the rear and get on with it."

Harry thought about it for a few minutes

before he said, "The house faces north, so

the back deck will always be in the sun. You'll

need hardwearing timber for the deck, and

use a lacquer that's sun resistant."

Surprised, Ant grinned back and said, "The

entire structure will be made of hardwearing

timber, Harry. I'm also building it with an eye

to roofing it over later. So it has to be built

with enough strength to support a roof, as

well."

With the aid of a tradesman shop assistant

with a depth of experience in home

construction projects, Ant discussed what he

wanted to build and what he felt his needs

were. The shop assistant made a few

suggestions, and also referenced Ant's book

as they went.

Once they were finished choosing timber and

concrete for the footings and deck, Ant paid

for the lot and organised for it to be

delivered later that day. Then they headed

for the tool section.

Again referencing his book, Ant chose good

quality tools specific for the job. They

included a circular saw, an electric plane, an

electric drill with enough strength to power a

half-inch drillbit through four inch thick hard

wood, and an electric screwdriver with

power to drive two inch long 3/16th wood

screws through hard, pre-bored, timber. He

then added a selection of nuts, bolts, and

timber screws; a large tin of creosote and

two similar sized tins of outdoor wood

decking oil; and a long-handled post hole

digger.

"I already have the rest of the tools and drill

bits we need, so no need to buy them," Ant

explained to Harry.

A little concerned with the costs involved,

Harry took Ant aside and softly asked, "You

know us three can magic a deck up for you,

don't you?"

Ant grinned back and said, "Building it is part

of the joy of it, Harry. We get to work hard,

escape wedding planning and, at the end of

it, we can stand back and admire our

handiwork. Besides, it's also something I can

tell my friends and our non-magical family

about how it came to be. Its 'bragging rights',

son! I get to tell people my son-and-law and I

built it ourselves."

"As a bonding exercise?" asked Harry, better

understanding.

With an even bigger grin, Ant slapped him on

the back shoulder and said, "Exactly!"

Chapter 282

Over the next two weeks, Ant and Harry put

in the hard effort and converted the small

rear back verandah into a decent-sized

wooden deck that stretched the width of the

house, and projected out into the back yard a

dozen feet. Due to it's height off the ground

it was bordered by a railing, and a set of

stairs descended to the existing path directly

opposite the back door.

At regular intervals, the four inch square

wooden support beams continued up to a

height of nine feet above the height of the

deck surface. These would eventually form

the support structure for the roof. For now,

Ant would be using them to support a gazebo

style wooden slat roof with clear Alsynite

style sheeting to keep out rain.

While they worked on their 'summer project'

the girls, accompanied by Cele, went

browsing wedding catalogues and shops.

Hermione had chosen to wear a traditional

muggle bridal gown while Daphne would

wear a traditional witch's bridal robe.

At various times, friends also came visiting.

Blaise and Neville found themselves helping

out, at one point, in building the deck.

Neville loved it and asked plenty of questions;

even going so far as declaring it was a

concept he wanted to include at Longbottom

Hall. Though putting in an equal effort, Blaise

just appeared bemused by the whole thing

and couldn't understand why they couldn't

just build it with magic. It took Ant and Harry

about an hour to convince him of the

pleasure that came of doing it by hand.

Watching a pureblood like Blaise pushing the

drillbit of an electric drill through a four inch

square vertical wooden beam highly amused

the other teens, with the girls coming out to

watch. When he'd finally pushed it through,

he looked up to see the others grinning back.

They even applauded him for his effort;

leading him to grin back.

"That was actually fun!" he exclaimed to Ant.

"What can I make a hole in next?"

After laughing about the Italian-descended

Slytherin boy's expression and choice of

words for a few moments, Ant showed him

where he needed more holes drilled, before

leaving him to it.

But the two weeks weren't just about

building the deck. Harry and Neville also had

to accompany the ladies, when they were

required, to give their opinions about a few

things relating to the wedding. On most of

those occasions they were also accompanied

by Luna and Tracey in their roles as

bridesmaids.

Some of those visits were to muggle shops,

and some were to Diagon Alley and other

magical shopping areas that Daphne knew

about. The latter trips were by way of the

Knight Bus.

The completion of the deck led to Cele

buying a six-seater outdoor setting for it

while Ant bought a decent sized gas-powered

barbeque. And the next night, once the

decking oil had dried, they had a mini-party

out on the new deck to celebrate.

As summer deepened they had just entered

into August when the three teens were

walking through the local neighbourhood,

enjoying the warm day. Hermione was

showing them the local sites, including

where she attended school, when the

weather suddenly turned foul.

Unforecasted storm clouds rolled in, so the

three were making their way back to the

Granger residence when the air suddenly

turned very chilly and heavily laden with

moisture. They were taking a shortcut

through a pedestrian right-of-way when

Daphne suddenly cried out. "Dementors!"

Looking behind them and where she was

pointing, Harry saw three of the horrid

beasts heading straight for them. He

immediately popped his wand into his hand

and cast his patronus, with Hermione and

Daphne - who the two had taught during the

previous year - right behind him with their

own.

As Harry's patronus stag led the way, it was

joined by the patronus does of both his wives.

And all three patronuses charged straight at

the dementors. In only a few moments the

three dementors were driven off with the

patronuses chasing them back into the sky.

Not wanting muggles to see the magic, the

three debated whether to race for 'home' or

stay to make sure the beasts didn't return.

They waited a further couple of minutes

before they realised they were gone. And the

storm like conditions faded away again.

As they hurriedly walked, Harry pulled out

his mirror and contacted his godfather.

"Hiya pup!" answered Sirius, until he saw the

expression on Harry's face. "What

happened?" he asked, now quite concerned.

"We were just attacked by three dementors,"

Harry almost snarled back.

"Where are they and where are you, now?"

asked Sirius, almost snapping out the

question.

"They're gone. But, we're about half a mile

from the Granger's home and hurrying back

there now," he replied.

"We'll be there soon," said Sirius.

When the mirror went dead, Harry dropped

it back into his pocket and quickly scanned

the skies again, just as the girls were doing,

as the three quickly headed back to the

house.

When the three hurried into the yard of the

house Sirius and Remus were waiting for

them out front. They were concerned the

dementors had been there ahead of them.

Their worries were unfounded when they

found Ant and Cele hadn't even realised a

dangerous situation had occurred until Sirius

and Remus suddenly apparated directly into

their sitting room, startling them both, and

explaining what had happened.

"You're both alright?" asked Hermione,

hurrying over to check them over.

"Yes, we are," replied Cele, checking them

over right back. "We didn't even know there

was anything wrong."

"They didn't harm you, did they?" asked

Sirius of Harry. "Do you need chocolate?"

"We're fine," answered Harry. "I'm just

bloody glad the three of us know and can do

the patronus charm."

After the six of them began to settle down,

Sirius was about to leave to head directly for

the Ministry when a Ministry owl flew in and

dropped off an 'official' Ministry letter.

Remus grabbed it and quickly scanned it for

traps and the like before releasing the owl of

its load. He handed it to Sirius to read while

he took the owl to release it out the back.

Sirius ripped it open and quickly read

through it before handing it off to Harry. He

was fuming.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We have received intelligence that you

performed the Patronus Charm at

twenty-three minutes past six this evening in

a muggle-inhabited area within view of and

near the presence of muggles.

As you have already received an official

warning for a previous offense under section

13 of the International Confederation of

Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to

inform you that your presence is required at

a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of

Magic at 9 a.m. on the 5th August.

Hoping you are well,

Yours sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

IMPROPER USE OF MAGIC OFFICE

Ministry of Magic

"Don't worry, Harry," said Sirius. "I'll be

taking care of this."

"This is Umbridge," said Harry, as Remus

walked back into the sitting room. "This

happened in the old timeline but we didn't

expect it to happen this time. This time I'm

emancipated and not living at the Dursleys.

Chapter 283

"It was her attempt at an assassination. She

didn't expect me, or the girls, to know the

patronus charm as it's not taught until

seventh year. Hopkirk is acting on her orders.

"Go see Madam Bones. Hopkirk works in her

department," said Daphne as Harry offered

the letter back to Sirius. "Take the letter with

you. Ask her what is meant by 'intelligence'

and how the letter got here so fast. It was

obviously prepared in advance."

Hermione added, "Point out how neither

Daphne nor myself received a similar letter,

when we were there with Harry and casting

the same charm.

"Next," she said, "Demand she head directly

to Umbridge's office. I bet you'll find the

orders to the dementors still there. Though

the Pink Toad'll try to pass them off as rogues,

they weren't. All three were wearing control

medallions."

Nodding, Harry said, "Move fast and play it

right and we should be able to use this to get

Umbridge sent to Azkaban. And, hold onto

the letter. If this gets pushed, as the Minister

will want to do, I'll need a copy of it for

Stewart Ackerman."

Sirius took the letter and immediately made

a copy of it before giving the original back to

Harry.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, before

apparating away with a copy of the letter in

his hand.

As soon as Sirius left, Ant furiously asked,

"Someone tried to use those beasts

to murder you?"

Turning to look at him, Hermione said, "Yes.

Last time, though, Umbridge thought she

was on a win-win situation. She sent two

after Harry, then. She expected them to 'Kiss'

him; a horrible way to die. If he'd managed

to drive them off, which he of course did and

which can really only be done with the

patronus charm, then she had him for a

breach of the underage magic laws and, just

like this time, breaching the Statute of

Secrecy. That would have meant time in

Azkaban."

"Bitch!" Ant softly snarled.

"Hence our nickname for her - Umbitch,"

smiled Daphne, unconcerned by the

language. Even Hermione didn't scold her

father for it.

"Though the letter tells Harry the hearing is

at 9:00am on the 12th of August... a week

later than last time... at the last minute the

Minister moves the hearing to an hour

earlier," continued Hermione. "He tried to

hold the hearing before Harry even turned

up, using it to make it seem Harry had no

care about his actions or held the Ministry

and the wizarding world's laws in contempt.

"Luckily, Harry was there just after the

hearing started and well before the Minister

could wrap it up. And, that time,

Dumbledore swooped in and managed

Harry's defence. Personally, I think it might

have been a Dumbledore set up that way to

make him, yet again, appear to be a hero to

Harry."

"This time, if the hearing isn't cancelled by

Madam Bones by tonight, I'll be

there two hours ahead of time," said Harry.

"On top of that, as a member of the

Wizengamot now, I'm entitled to a lot more

than just a few minutes warning. If I don't

receive notice well in advance, it'll be

another black mark against Fudge. It may

finally be enough for Matthias to convince

Ogden to run for Minister."

"You'll be wearing your Wizengamot robes

when you go, Harry," Daphne firmly said.

"It'll be a poke in the eye to the Minister to

do so."

Harry nodded and said, "While we wait for

Sirius to return, I've got a letter to write to

Stewart."

"It might be moot within a couple of hours, if

that, love," said Daphne.

"Yes, but it also might not," he disagreed. "It

will not hurt to draft the letter up ready to

send if Sirius doesn't return with word the

hearing has been cancelled."

"And Stewart will be most wroth with you if

you leave him uniformed again," smiled

Hermione.

While they waited for Sirius to return, the

three sat at the kitchen table and wrote up

the letter to Stewart. As they were writing

Remus sat with the Grangers in the sitting

room and told them all about the charity

bursary fund he managed on behalf of Harry

and the Lily Potter Memorial Fund.

The three agreed to include the original of

the letter from Hopkirk as an attachment to

the letter to Stewart.

Once finished, they quietly returned to the

sitting room and waited. However, it wasn't

long before Harry was on his feet and pacing.

After putting up with it for only ten minutes,

Daphne frowned at him and firmly said,

"Harry, stop it. Sit down and meditate."

"I don't think I can meditate while Sirius is

away," he sighed, stopping.

Remus was about to comment when

Hermione beat him to it.

"Being able to meditate, even when it's a

highly stressful situation, is important,"

lectured Hermione. "Anyone can mediate

when it's quiet and they're calm. You should

be skilled enough at it now that you can

meditate while we wait."

"Hermione's right," the old wolf agreed.

"Now is a great time to meditate. Take a seat,

Cub."

Grumbling about traitorous wives and pushy

honourary uncles, Harry found a clear spot

on the floor in the corner, and sat and

crossed his legs in a semi-lotus position.

Focussing on his breathing he was soon

dropping down into his meditative state.

He didn't even notice when, about thirty

seconds later, Remus cast a charm on him.

Tilting his head slightly to the side while he

looked at his cub, Remus softly said, "That's

not bad. Considering the emotional state he

was in as he sat down he dropped into his

meditative state very quickly."

"He's eager to start finding his animagus

form," said Daphne. "All three of us are."

"Any ideas on your forms yet?" he asked the

girls.

Both grinned back and Daphne said, "Yes. All

three of us know the type and have some

idea of the... breed of each."

"And they are?" asked Remus, honestly

curious.

Chapter 284

"... Going to stay a secret until the potion,"

grinned Hermione. "You'll have to wait until

they're revealed."

With a snort of amusement, Remus returned,

"An answer worthy of a Marauder."

Though the three had explained to Ant and

Cele what an animagus was, they were both

very curious as to what the potion would do.

Remus was explaining its effects, and how it

rapidly progressed the learning stages

towards becoming an animagus and what

those stages were, when Sirius returned. This

time he apparated into the garage and came

in through the interconnecting door.

"I'm back," he called before he walked into

the sitting room.

Harry immediately popped out of his

meditative state and stood up. "What

happened?" he immediately asked.

"Lots!" grinned Sirius. He then explained

what happened from the time he left until he

returned.

"So, it was a murder attempt by Umbridge,

and my hearing is now being replaced with a

trial for her," said Harry. "What of Fudge's

part in this?"

"He's not being asked any questions, yet,"

replied Sirius. "He'll be suddenly required to

bear witness on the twelfth at Umbridge's

trial. They want to try and keep him in the

dark as much as possible. If they can keep

him thinking the trial is actually a hearing for

Harry, the less chance there is of

interference.

"In the mean time, Umbridge is being held in

the cells at the DMLE as a 'flight risk'. In

reality it's so she can't run to Fudge and get

him to try and get her out of it; or give him

time to come up with a valid defence.

"However, Amelia has her dead to rights. As

you 'suspected' it was her order that sent the

dementors after you. However, she sent

them here only on the off chance you would

be here. However, if you weren't, the

secondary order to the dementors was to

take out Ant and Cele and, possibly,

Hermione."

Cele gasped as Ant went white. Cele sat

there for a moment before she mumbled,

"Excuse me," and ran for the downstairs

toilet.

Ant quickly followed her.

Looking to Hermione, Sirius looked abashed

and apologised. "I'm sorry that sounded so

blunt; but, there was really no way to soften

that blow."

Hermione scowled back at him.

"It wasn't your finest moment," murmured

Remus.

As they waited for Cele to finish revisiting her

dinner, Hermione called Winky and asked her

to prepare a peppermint tea for her mother

and English breakfast tea for the rest of

them.

With a look of concern on her face, Winky

quietly said, "Yes, Mistress." And quickly set

the makings up on the stove in the kitchen.

"Peppermint?" asked Sirius.

"It's a good herbal remedy for settling the

stomach," explained Hermione. "Mum drank

a fair bit of it while she was suffering from

morning sickness. She'll want some when she

and Dad return."

As Cele returned to the table, she muttered,

"Sorry."

Winky immediately set before her a hot cup

of peppermint tea before then setting cups

of black tea before everyone else. The scent

of peppermint immediately began to

permeate the room.

Sirius immediately replied, "No, I'm the one

who should be and is sorry. I should have

found a better way to break that news to

you."

Cele just waved him off as she sipped from

her cup.

Ant said, "Sometimes, you can't be anything

but blunt."

With a nod back Sirius turned to the three

and said, "Though it's no longer a hearing for

Harry, the three of you will be called as

witnesses. You can expect Amelia to get in

touch with you some time tomorrow."

"With these three coming to visit my home

on the weekend for the next couple of weeks,

I'd like you to consider coming, as well.

There's more than enough room."

With his own nod, Ant said, "We'll consider

it."

"Good," said Sirius. "I know you have the

tunnel and the portkeys; but, I think

everyone will be happier if you're behind

wards for at least the next couple of weeks."

"What about the wards that are here?" asked

Cele.

"They're an alert ward and an intent-based

ward on the boundary of the property; and

anti-fire and similar wards on the house

itself," explained Sirius. "Mainly, they're

designed to slow them down enough for you

to be aware you're about to be attacked, and

allow you enough time to get into the tunnel.

"That's all we can put up on a muggle home

without breaking the law. Even then we're

skirting it. But Harry, Amelia and Augusta -

our three sitting Wizengamot members - are

trying to get laws through that'll allow us to

put stronger wards up. It's yet another thing

Fudge has been blocking; and another reason

we need to get rid of him."

Harry nodded in agreement.

Four days later, Harry and the girls were up

very early and dressed, ready to head to the

Wizengamot. While Harry was dressed in

Wizengamot robes, the girls dressed in their

finest non-formal robes. All three wore a

light cape with the disillusioned Potter crest

on the breast, and a hood that could easily

be hitched up and over their heads to help

mask their faces as they travelled.

Walking downstairs they entered the kitchen

where Winky had already prepared for them

a light breakfast of pastries and small mixed

fruit cooled compotes. None of them had the

stomach for the usual fare for an English

breakfast.

They learned Fudge had only remained

unaware of the trial until late morning the

day after the attack. He immediately headed

for Madam Bones's office and demanded

Umbridge's release. He was flatly denied.

However, the fact Fudge found out about it

so fast demonstrated to Madam Bones that

she had at least one 'tattletale' in among her

aurors. That was yet another untrustworthy

auror she needed to ferret out.

However, even though she denied Fudge the

release of Umbridge then and there, the

woman was still released that night after she

went home for the evening. The Minister

simply browbeat a lowly 'guard' auror to

release her.

The Granger household received an apology

letter from her the next morning, the

Wednesday. Only about thirty seven hours

after the attack.

Chapter 285

What none of them were aware of until later,

was that Umbridge simply walked back into

the Ministry, that morning, to return to work

as if she'd done nothing wrong. Two aurors

on guard duty in the lobby of the atrium

immediately recognised her, stunned her and

portkeyed her directly back to the cells,

before she could even open her mouth in

protest.

This time, Madam Bones made sure there

was a senior auror on guard duty that was

told if he released the woman, no matter

how much Fudge demanded it, he'd better

lock himself in the cell if he released her;

because that's where she, Madam Bones,

would stuff him as soon as she learned of it.

The three were still sitting at the kitchen

table when Ant and Cele joined them for

their own breakfasts.

After Winky laid a plate in front of him, Ant

looked at Harry and said, "Promise me you'll

be keeping these two safe today."

"I'll be doing my utmost to keep them

safe all the time, Dad," Harry firmly replied.

"You need not ask."

With a nod of acknowledgement Ant dug

into his breakfast, while Harry returned to

reading articles in the Prophet over

Hermione's shoulder.

About fifteen minutes later, Sirius, Remus

and Matthias entered from the garage and

bid everyone a good morning.

"Ready, you three?" asked Remus.

With verbal nods, the three stood and bid

the Granger adults a good day before walking

into the sitting room and being side-along

apparated to the Ministry apparition point.

From there they immediately headed to

Madam Bones's office for a quick meeting.

They were ushered directly in.

"Morning Amelia," greeted Sirius, first in the

door.

"Sirius," she nodded back. As everyone else

filed in and greetings were exchanged she

ushered everyone to chairs already in the

room for the purpose of their gathering.

Looking to Harry with a slight smirk on her

face she slid a document towards him and

said, "Mister Potter, it seems you forgot to

sign the demand for trial for Dolores Jane

Umbridge you had cause to be sent to me."

Cocking an eyebrow and smirking back, and

knowing he had never done such a thing, he

replied, "Did I? How careless of me."

While someone snorted in amusement from

his side of the desk, Harry leaned forward

over the desk and quickly scanned down

through the form. Once he'd read through it

he asked, "Would someone mind loaning me

a quill? I believe I can rectify this oversight

right now."

Almost with a flourish, Sirius quickly offered

him a self-inking one.

Harry quickly signed the form and slid it back

to Amelia.

"I trust this grievous error on my part will

remain between us, Madam?" he asked.

"I'd hate to be embarrassed by it, if anyone

should ever find out."

"Of course, Mister Potter," she returned with

a grin, dragging the form back to herself.

Once she had it back she quickly slipped it

into a folder near her left hand. Harry

immediately realised that it contained all the

documentation for the trial the woman

didn't want to be made public yet.

"Now that that small oversight has been

rectified, shall we go?" she asked, rising from

her seat beyond the desk and picking up the

folder as she stood.

As they were walking back through the

aurors' offices, Harry asked Remus, "Thanks

for joining us today, Remus. It's appreciated."

With a smirk back, he replied, "Think nothing

of it, Cub. My boss is a wonderful man, who

willingly allowed me the day off to attend."

"Did he just?" grinned Harry. "I'll have to

thank him for that, if I ever meet him."

With a chuckle, Remus said, "You do that."

On the way out of the office they met up

with Stewart Ackerman, who had insisted he

act as legal counsel for the three, even

though they weren't on trial but were,

instead, witnesses for the prosecution.

Taking two separate lifts, the group exited on

the ninth floor and walked down the steps to

the Wizengamot chamber. And, as they were

witnesses, the three were escorted direct

into the witness waiting room. They were

also joined by Sirius as a fourth witness.

"How long are we likely to wait, this time?"

asked Harry, once they were all ensconced on

comfortable chairs.

With a slight shrug, Stewart replied, "That

depends on how Madam Bones runs things. I

would expect chronologically to the best of

their ability.

"Are we the only witnesses?" asked

Hermione. "I would have thought they'd

have witnesses from when Umbridge

ordered the dementors after us to appear

first, then."

"There are," Steward replied with a nod and

a small smile. "However, they're being kept

in a different room."

Half an hour later, Daphne was called in to

give her version of what happened, and

Stewart accompanied her. Fifteen minutes

later, it was Hermione's turn, and five

minutes after that Harry was called in.

When he ascended the witness box there

was quite a bit of grumbling from the

assembled over his wearing his Wizengamot

robes.

Amelia, chairing the trial, banged her gavel

and sharply said, "Mister Potter is a peer. As

such, he is fully within his right to wear his

Wizengamot robes to this trial, as do you

all."

While waiting for the grumbling to die down,

Harry took a look around. Daphne and

Hermione were now sitting with Matthias

and Remus in the visitors' gallery; so they

were safe now.

In the middle of the floor, on the accused's

chair, sat Umbridge. She was deliberately not

even looking towards his direction. Instead,

she sat there as if butter wouldn't melt in her

mouth and as if she hadn't a care in the

world. However, Harry could see the slight

shaking of her hands as they rested on the

arms of the chair. And she did look a little

pale.

Looking in the other direction Harry saw

Dumbledore in his seat among the warlocks,

and Fudge sitting alongside Madam Bones

but slightly back. Both were scowling, which

Harry thought was a good sign.

Once the assembled had settled down again,

Harry's attention was drawn to Scrimgeour,

who was acting as the prosecutor for the

trial.

Scrimgeour's questions were simple and clear.

He asked Harry to relate the events that

happened in 'Muggle London' near

Hermione's registered place of residence, his

first sight of the dementors, recognising that

all three were wearing gold control

medallions at the time, driving them off with

patronuses, and rushing back to the Granger

residence to ensure they were alright.

Then it was the defence solicitor's turn.

Chapter 286

The only question of any significance the

slimy looking man asked was. "Mister Potter,

when you, in contravention of the Statute of

Secrecy, cast..."

"Objection!" both Stewart and Scrimgeour

shouted.

"Sustained!" Madam Bones barked. "Mister

Pennybaker! That is the third time you've

been called to accounts for that line of

questioning. Another such and you'll be

spending the next forty-eight hours in the

holding cells upstairs. Do I make myself

clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am," the man said, a little contritely.

But, it was clearly an act.

After that, the man asked only one other

question to do with how Harry was walking

through 'Muggle London' at that time of

night before the questions were wrapped up

and he was able to join his wives in the

visitors' gallery.

Of their group, last came Sirius. He spoke

quite eloquently about what had happened

from his point of view. Harry even heard a

few things Sirius hadn't mentioned when he

returned to the Granger residence on the

night of the attack.

Next was Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had

been one of two aurors sent to find the

control orders for the dementors. They

testified finding the other pairings of the

three dementor control medallions in

Umbridge's locked office, inside the drawer

of her locked desk. And their forensic charms

examination showed that they were put

there by Umbridge.

He was then asked about whom he

interviewed relating to the matter, but was

not required to speak on what they'd said.

From Remus, he found out that the people

Shacklebolt named and identified as having

valid information were required to testify

before Daphne was called in.

Unsurprisingly to the three bondmates, the

forensic examination also found three

unregistered blood quills. That had led to

further charges.

Lastly, when Madam Bones asked Scrimgeour

to call his next witness, Scrimgeour called out,

"The prosecution calls to the stand, Minister

Cornelius Oswald Fudge."

The shocked man gaped back in shock for a

few moments, while the hubbub of noise

from the tiers rose a bit, before he suddenly

surged to his feet and loudly exclaimed,

"What?!"

Madam Bones had to bang her gavel a few

times before she restored order.

Once she had it, she turned to Fudge and

said, "Minister Fudge, you have been called

to the stand. Please take yourself there,

now."

"I will not!" he roared.

"You will, sir," Madam Bones ground back

out forcefully. "Or, I will have you treated as

a hostile witness and have you forced!"

Fudge and Bones engaged in a staring contest,

for a long few moments, before Fudge gave a

huff and stormed down to the witness stand.

Pennybaker rose to his feet and firmly stated,

"I object to this witness being called. I have

not been notified of him being called and,

therefore, am not prepared to question him."

"Overruled," said Madam Bones.

"You were aware Minister Fudge was called.

His name appears on the list of those

required to attend, this day."

"I believed his name was only included on

the list as, as Minister, he sits on the

Wizengamot," tried Pennybaker.

"Then that is your error, Mister Pennybaker.

It is not for the court to ensure you haven't

made incorrect assumptions."

Pennybaker glared back for a moment before

his expression changed to a calm one and he

gently sat down again.

Once he was ready, Scrimgeour began his

questions.

From the questioning it was determined

Fudge did not know Umbridge was planning

on sending dementors to deal with Harry or

the Grangers or both, did not know she had

in her possession three unregistered blood

quills, or a couple of other matters.

"Minister," said Scrimgeour. "The woman

is supposed to be your Senior Undersecretary

- your most trusted confidante and advisor -

her behaviour reflects directly back on you -

how could you not know these things?"

Now Harry understood why Fudge was on

the stand. It had nothing to do with

providing further evidence against Umbridge;

and everything to do with making the man

look incompetent.

Fudge almost muttered an answer where he

said he could not be expected to know

everything that went on in the Ministry, as

he was a busy man and trusted in others to

do their work and keep an eye on things for

him.

"Such as Dolores Umbridge?" asked

Scrimgeour.

"Yes," glared Fudge.

"Then it appears you placed your trust in the

wrong person, is that not so?"

"Yes," the Minister gritted out.

"After your error of placing your faith in

Lucius Malfoy, who was only a few weeks ago

positively identified as a willing Death Eater,

why did you not take steps to ensure

everyone else you've placed your trust in was

worthy of it?"

Straightening up his posture, Fudge pretty

much declared, "I've known Dolores for more

than twenty years. In all that time I've not

had cause to lack faith in her."

"Do you not think that, if you did not have

blind trust in the woman, you would have

spotted her crimes earlier?"

"Errr... no," blustered Fudge.

When Pennybaker stood to question for the

defence he tried to get Fudge to admit that

he was responsible for ordering Umbridge to

take at least some of the actions she took.

And, from her expression, it was clear

Madam Bones anticipated this. She looked

almost eager.

On one such question Fudge managed to can

his Ministership, right then and there, with

an ill-thought answer.

"No, I did not want to know she was doing

something wrong..." Realising what he said,

he immediately snapped his mouth shut.

However, it was already too late.

Harry looked to Madam Bones and grinned.

Then, looking further into the tiers, he

spotted Ogden. The man was openly

scowling at Fudge. Checkmate.

Turning to his wives, Harry whispered.

"Fudge just sunk himself. He might hang on

to his post over the weekend, but he'll be

gone by Monday morning."

Both girls were happy to agree.

Chapter 287

When asked if she wanted to speak in her

own defence, Umbridge almost snootily

replied, "I am the Senior Undersecretary to

Minister Cornelius Fudge. I do not need to

explain myself to you; it's you who have to

explain yourselves to me.

"You may not understand the reason behind

some of the things I do, nor do I expect you

to. However, everything I have done is for

the betterment of the wizarding world in

general, and wizarding Britain in particular."

That 'rang bells' for Harry. Even more so

when Scrimgeour asked, "That sounds like

you're saying... 'Everything you do, you do

for the greater good'. Is that what you

mean?"

Harry gave a little shudder.

Knowing the question was fraught with

danger but not being able to avoid it, she

gave a little huff and replied, "I would not

use that term; but, yes."

When the Wizengamot returned from their

deliberations - less Harry, Umbridge and

Fudge - the verdict was quite significant

against the Pink Toad.

She was sentenced to life in Azkaban for the

attempted murder of a member of the

Wizengamot, five years for the attempted

murder of Hermione and Daphne, five years

each for each blood quill, five years for the

accepting of multiple bribes, and her

immediate termination as an employee of

the Ministry and forbidden from holding a

position within the Ministry ever again.

However, after the first sentence was read

out, life imprisonment, everything else was

moot. When the wizarding world said life

imprisonment they meant it. By their order,

Umbridge was never to be released until she

was dead. And, as the first sentence related

to a capital crime, Umbridge was going into

the maximum security section and would

now be dealing with dementors up close and

personal.

The three bondmates were quite relieved.

"No 'Professor Umbridge'," Hermione

happily grinned.

"No blood quill," agreed Harry with a grin of

his own.

When the six returned to the Granger

residence, the grins on everyone's faces

immediately told the Grangers the verdict.

"How long did she get?" asked Ant.

"Life, and then some," replied Sirius.

"If the kids are right and Riddle makes an

attempt on Azkaban to get his people out

soon after Christmas, we might be lucky and

she dies during the attempt," said Matthias.

"We can no longer rely on that previous

information, Dad," said Hermione. "In the

previous time, Riddle was able to both

operate in secret; and had a few more people

helping him.

"This time he could be slowed down due to

having less people; or sped up as he needs to

get his people out faster to rebuild his forces,

and he no longer needs to concern himself

with losing the element of the failed

acknowledgement of his return."

"I think it'll be later," said Harry. "He cannot

move on Azkaban without having enough

people to make the raid a success. And he

cannot have a failed attempt as he knows it

would push the Ministry to boost the auror

force on the island."

"And a failed attempt will make him appear

weak," added Daphne. "Which means even

less people flocking to him."

"Amelia's 'taking steps' there, anyway," said

Matthias. "I don't know what those steps are,

but she's confident they'll be enough."

Because of the result of the trial, and that

the actual address of the Granger residence

was protected information during said trial,

the Grangers were happy to remain in their

home and maintain their dental practice.

However, the attack gave Matthias and Sirius

enough evidence to have the wards on the

property strengthened. They saw to that

immediately.

The day after the trial Hermione called aside

Winky and Dobby and gave them quiet

instructions. She spent about twenty minutes

softly talking to the pair of them before she

dismissed them.

When she saw the expression on Harry's face

she explained what instructions she gave the

little elves. In case the Granger residence was

directly attacked, Winky was to immediately

summon Dobby. Then, the two of them

would make sure the Grangers were able to

get into the tunnel and would be safe.

Their next job was to pack up certain effects,

get them out of the house and into the

Potter vaults in safe storage. And, finally,

their own safety was primary after the

Grangers. If they weren't able to get

everything out before Death Eaters entered,

what ever remained to be packed away was

to be considered abandoned; and the elves

were to join the Grangers in the tunnel safe

room.

Two days after the trial and, as planned, the

three moved to the Black House.

They were immediately shown to their old

room, which both Sirius and Remus made

sure was reserved for them, and it was

suggested they change into something 'more

appropriate'. That is, into casual wizarding

wear.

Once they'd changed, Sirius showed them

the room next to their own and said, "This

one is now set aside for the Grangers. I know

you've done the same at Potter Retreat; but,

I believed such a room should also be set

aside here for them.

"From here they'll still be able to run their

practice. That's something they can't do from

Potter Retreat."

A very grateful Hermione quickly moved in to

hug Sirius and said, "That's very nice of you,

Sirius. Thank you very much."

"You're very welcome, my darling," he said,

enjoying the hug. Giving it a few moments,

he then pushed her out to arms length and

looked her in the eyes. "This is the sort of

thing families do for one another; and, you're

family."

Once they were ready, the three followed

Sirius back downstairs to the parlour. A

nervous Narcissa and Draco were waiting for

them. As the three walked in both

ex-Malfoys rose in greeting.

With a grin on his face, Harry walked over

and offered his hand to Draco. "Ferret," he

said.

As a matching smirk blossomed on Draco's

face, he accepted the handshake and said,

"Scarhead."

That little exchange had everyone else

relaxing from how tense they all were.

"Everything alright?" asked Harry.

"It is not Malfoy Manor; but, we are

comfortable. Thank you," said Draco.

With a nod back, Harry then moved to

Narcissa.

"Cousin Narcissa," he said, taking the lady's

left hand and very lightly kissing the back of

her knuckles. "You're looking well."

"Cousin Harry," she softly replied. "As do

you."

Chapter 288

Once the girls had stepped forward with

their own greetings - and neither ex-Malfoy

so much as sneered at Hermione for being a

muggleborn - everyone found seats.

"How was your time living in the muggle

world for a couple of weeks?" Draco asked

Daphne.

"Amazing, as usual," she replied with a wide

smile. "You really should try it some time,

Mal... err... Black. Draco."

Daphne's slip made Draco smirk back a little

and acknowledge the faux pas with only a

gentle nod.

He asked, "I've heard they have the most

wonderful toys."

Both Harry and Hermione were interested in

how Daphne viewed the muggle world, so

remained silent and just listened as the

conversation developed.

"Toys, yes," she acknowledged. "However,

they also have the most amazing devices to

make their lives easier and more

entertaining.

"For example, they have a device in almost

every home - and sometimes more than one

- called a television. It's a one-way

communication device with images and

sound. They... broadcast, they call it... a

signal from a central point; and all these

televisions pick it up and display the sound

and image in the person's home.

"It can be used to display recorded plays that

you can watch over and over again, if you

wish. Or, among other things, show news

events from far and wide. It's truly amazing.

"But, that's only one device of a great many.

My time with the Grangers has really opened

my eyes with how modern muggles really are.

We pay them a great disservice to think of

them as less than witches and wizards."

Draco was honestly quite curious. He said, "I

hope to have the opportunity to see this for

myself, at some time."

"That can be arranged," said Harry.

"We should make plans for a trip into muggle

London so Draco and Narcissa can experience

London, muggle-style," suggested Hermione.

"We can do that," nodded Sirius. "For now,

though, what are your plans for your time

here?"

"Nothing concrete," said Harry. "Other than

the wedding in two weeks, my Ancient Runes

exam, studying in advance for the coming

year, training and what we've already

discussed."

"That's a lot already," he smiled back. "In the

meantime, we have that project we've been

working on. Do you want to get the potion

side of it out of the way this evening when

Remus gets back?"

Harry looked to his wives and saw they

wanted to do it. Turning back to his godfather,

he said, "Yeah, alright. Let's do it."

With a nod of happiness, Sirius said, "Good.

In the meantime you need to meditate to

prepare your minds. Remus should be here

about 5:00pm. He's promised to be here

early, this evening. We'll do it as soon as he

arrives."

As the three teens nodded back Sirius smiled

again and said, "Excellent. Now, away with

you. Go meditate."

The three bowed their way out of the room

with Harry hamming it up. "Yes, oh great

memsahib; oh, great master of pranks; oh,

great and wonderful..."

Harry felt himself lucky he was able to catch,

out of the corner of his eye, Sirius quickly

drawing his wand and raising it in his

direction. He was able to leap out of the way

of a quick snapped stinging hex.

Laughing, he ran from the room and chased

after his wives.

Remus arrived a few minutes after 5:00pm,

as promised. The three, who had spent a

significant portion of the afternoon

meditating, eagerly awaited his arrival.

Once he arrived, and greetings and hugs

were exchanged, the five of them trooped to

the library, where the furniture had been

sent to the edges of the room to leave a large

clear area in the middle of the floor.

Sirius, almost ceremonially, carried up with

him the three bottled potion phials of 'Intra

Animalis' (Animal Within) potion in a

wooden phial rack.

For the first change, the three were dressed

in comfortable and loose muggle shorts and

t-shirts. And Remus carried three large

blankets. It was unknown, for the first

change, whether their clothes would survive

the change. When the wizard initiated the

change using their own magic, the clothes

went with them. However, the potion forced

the internal magic to make the change; and

clothes often didn't survive the experience.

When the Marauders sought out their

animagus forms they didn't know about the

potion. So, they did it the hard, and long,

way to initiate their first changes. Remus

estimated the potion bypassed almost

eighteen months of hard effort.

Once they were all inside, Sirius used his

Head of House authority and spelled the

door shut. They wouldn't be bothered until

he opened the door again.

"Alright," he said when he was sure they

were ready. "Who's first?"

"I am," said Harry.

He collected a phial off Sirius, yanked a hair

out of his own head, and dropped it into the

now uncorked phial. With a gentle swirl of

his hand, he waited until the potion changed

to the right golden colour before nodding

once in satisfaction and moving to the

middle of the room.

Turning back to face his family, he kneeled on

the floor, sat back on his haunches and

looked back in not a little fear at his family.

Seeing the looks of love coming from them,

and the trust he had in them, he took a deep

breath and downed the potion.

Not a little worried themselves, the other

four watched as Harry downed the potion

and closed his eyes. As Harry obviously and

quickly slipped into his meditative state he

started to glow with a minor golden aura

similar in colour to the final potion.

Only a few moments later his body began to

shift.

Very quickly his body morphed and flowed

from human teenager to dark furred wolf.

Standing on four legs where Harry kneeled

was a Eurasian wolf with what appeared to

be darker than normal fur colouring and

wearing Harry's t-shirt and shorts. He even

appeared to doggy-grin back at them as he

sat on his haunches.

A few moments later he reverted back to

Harry. Leaving a grinning Harry kneeling on

the floor and sitting on his haunches.

Thankfully, his clothes were only in a little

disarray, and he was able to move the

clothing about a bit to have it sit better on

his frame.

"It's a wolf," Sirius suddenly said, surprised.

Chapter 289

"Why surprised?" asked Harry. "My

godfather and honourary uncles are both

canines of a form. A dark furred Eurasian

wolf seems to be a great blend of the two."

"My galleon was on you being a bird

animagus, considering how much you like to

fly," said Sirius.

"I fly for the freedom of it," said Harry. "I

long more for family - pack."

Both adults nodded back in thought.

"I think I'll be next," said Daphne.

As she walked over to take her own phial she

snapped a hair out of her scalp and dropped

it in. Once it turned gold she walked to

where Harry now stood and got out of her

way.

As did Harry, she kneeled on the floor and sat

back on her haunches.

As soon as she was ready she barely

hesitated in chugging back the potion and

dropping into her meditative state, glowing a

little.

And, as with Harry, she quickly morphed into

her animagus form. Both adults were

stunned by the result.

While Harry's form took that of a Eurasian

wolf, her own took that of a Grey wolf with

blonde highlights.

"That's... highly unusual," said Remus.

"Two wolves?"

"I guess we should have expected it," said

Sirius.

As she was about to transform back, Harry

quickly grabbed a blanket off Remus, flicked

it out to open it right up and quickly stepped

forward to wrap it over Daphne's back and

around her shoulders.

When she transformed back, and while Harry

held the blanket around her, Daphne quickly

rearranged her clothes back into a

presentable fashion before standing up.

With a nod to Harry she stood up straighter

and removed the blanket from her shoulders,

before the two rejoined the others.

Hermione had already taken one of her own

hairs and dropped it into the remaining

potion while Daphne was getting sorted out.

As she passed Daphne and Harry she grinned

and winked at them as she sat where her two

bondmates had sat.

"Any bets on whether it's another wolf?"

asked Remus.

"No bet," Sirius immediately shot back.

Assuming the same pose on the floor,

Hermione shot back her own potion and

closed her eyes.

A few moments later she glowed and

transformed. Where once sat human

teenager Hermione, now sat a Timber wolf.

"Damn!" said Sirius. "All three of them. They

really are kindred souls."

"You doubted that?" asked Harry, a little

amused.

"I guess we shouldn't have," acknowledged

Remus.

When Hermione looked like she was about to

transform back, Harry hurried forward with

the blanket and covered her as the

transformation took effect. As with Daphne,

he held the blanket in place as Hermione

reassumed her human form and rearranged

her clothing under the blanket.

As she stood she took the blanket off her

shoulders, grinning the whole time.

"They're the same and different," said Remus,

once the teens were fully back to being

presentable. "All wolves but slightly different

species."

"Uh-huh," agreed Hermione. "Harry's a

Eurasian wolf, but with darker colouring to

more closely match his natural hair colour.

Daphne's a grey wolf with the similar effect

on her hair. And I'm a timber, or Eastern, wolf

with hair that's a touch frizzy... like

my own natural hair."

With Daphne and Deece's help in getting the

right hair potions, Hermione's hair was now

in long wavy locks.

"The Eurasian wolf, Canis Lupus Lupus, and

the timber wolf, Canis Lupus Lycaon, are both

subspecies of Canis Lupis, the Grey wolf;

which is Daphne's form. Canis Lupus

Familiaris, the domestic dog, includes Irish

wolfhounds... Sirius's form; so, the Irish

wolfhound is actually a subspecies, a few

removed, of the grey wolf, too."

"We're pack!" Sirius happily exclaimed. "This

means we're really going to be working hard

on getting you to change into your animagus

forms over the next couple of weeks. If

possible, I'd like to have you confidently

making full transformations before your

wedding.

"We're going to be able to have so much

fun!" he said, before he switched to his form

and bounded around the room, barking

happily.

The others all laughed at his antics.

"No wonder you three kept it a secret,"

grinned Remus.

"We thought it'd be a nice surprise," grinned

Daphne.

After an evening where the entire household

of seven sat down together for dinner, the

three retired to their room to discuss the

events of the day.

Speaking about the revealing of their forms,

Daphne said, "Sirius and Remus's expressions

seeing our forms were quite funny."

"It was hilarious," laughed Harry. "I'm glad

Hermione suggested we keep it secret until

the potion. Seeing the expressions on their

faces when we each changed, especially your

two, well made it worth it."

"What's next?" asked Hermione; as always,

eager to learn.

"Next we meditate, seek out the wolves

within each of us, and attempt to merge with

them," explained Harry, as if they hadn't

discussed this numerous times before.

"However, we shouldn't even think of doing

that without adult supervision with either or

both Sirius or Remus."

"I still don't really understand what they

mean by that," she grouched.

"I think it'll become obvious once we start,"

said Daphne. "I think I have a fair idea now;

but, I don't want to say anything in case I'm

wrong and set us back."

"When do we get our names?" asked

Hermione.

"By Marauder tradition, that's up to Sirius

and Remus," smiled Harry.

"It's not much of a tradition if Remus and

Sirius were part of the four who

supposedly started the tradition," she

grouched.

"All traditions start somewhere, love," said

Daphne. "Why not with the original

Marauders for the naming of animagus

forms?"

"I just..." she sighed. "I just... don't want

mine to be something I don't like."

"We'll make sure it's something you'll like,"

said Daphne. "I very much doubt that

'Prongs', 'Padfoot' and 'Wormtail' were first

choices, either."

"But, Moony might have been," said Harry.

"According to Sirius, your dad gave him that

nickname before they all became

animaguses," explained Daphne. "It was

discovering Moony was a werewolf that led

to them searching for a way to accompany

him while he was in his transformed state;

and that led to them studying up on and

becoming animaguses."

With a few nods back, Harry turned to

Hermione and asked, "I daresay, since you've

discovered your form, you've given thought

to a few nicknames. What sort of name

appeals to you?"

Hermione flipped open her trunk and pulled

out the journal she'd taken to keeping.

Opening it up to a specific page, she read,

"Stalker, Fleetfoot, Sprinter, Tracker..."

Harry and Daphne started to gently laugh.

"What?" asked Hermione; confused.

"We get it," said Daphne. "You want a name

that more closely resembles the nature of

your form, rather than just the

physical type of form. Each name you

mentioned relates to something the

form does, rather than is."

"For example," said Harry. "You could have

chosen names like Fang, Ruff, Woodsy, and

Frizz; but, they all refer to the form itself.

Understand, love?"

Hermione looked down at her journal,

gnawed a little on her bottom lip, and said,

"You're right. I've got nothing like that here."

"As the three of us are wolves, I think

Hermione's wish is likely to come true," said

Daphne. "It would be a bit difficult to assign

us names based on physical characteristics

when we're all pretty much the same."

"I'd already thought of names for the both of

you," grinned Harry. "But..." He held up a

finger before either could ask what it was.

"But... I'm not telling you what they are

until those two are ready to start assigning

them."

Both girls grumbled back.

Chapter 290

As expected, but still surprising nevertheless,

was the resignation of Fudge as Minister that

was announced in the Daily Prophet on the

Monday morning; and less than four days

after the revelations in the trial of Umbridge

sunk his Ministership. The man had called a

press conference on the sly the previous

evening to make his announcement

on his terms. In the article it even named the

person he wanted to have as his successor,

Elphias Doge, who had joined him at the

press conference.

Harry already knew that wasn't going to

happen, as Doge was a dyed-in-the-wool

Dumbledore supporter. However, it now left

the field open for Ogden to step forward as a

candidate, and immediately announce he did

so with the support of the Potter and Black

alliances.

The announcement was so big it led the front

page on the Tuesday morning. By lunchtime

Doge had withdrawn and, with no other

viable candidates, it was an assured win for

Ogden when the Wizengamot next sat. With

what else was going on, that was sooner

than most people thought.

"Now all he has to do is stay alive," said

Sirius bringing their joy back down to earth.

As well as the announcement from Ogden of

his intention to run for Minister, other - and

far more major - ructions were going on in

the Ministry.

Madam Bones and Unspeakable Croaker

seized the opportunity and had their aurors,

hit wizards and Unspeakables at the Ministry

well before the sun was up and were

arresting people left, right and centre on the

Tuesday morning.

They had set their place to make their arrests

immediately in front of the lifts on each floor

of the Ministry building except for the atrium.

With aurors and Unspeakables working

together off preprepared lists of names, they

arrested all marked Death Eaters; and had

them immediately transferred to

Unspeakable holding cells. Those named as

accepting bribes were immediately

transferred to holding cells in the DMLE.

Blood supremacists and others who

answered yes to the bigotry question were

allowed through... for now. No one was

allowed back into the lifts before the arrest

operation was completed. And all outgoing

mail, private Floo's and the like were blocked

for the duration.

With only a few names off their lists missing,

whether it was due to the owners of those

names being on either holidays or off sick,

the whole operation was completed before

10:00am.

Once they'd rounded up all they could in

their arrest net, aurors moved on to the

withheld outgoing mail. From that, a further

five were arrested for interfering with an

ongoing auror investigation. All five were

caught attempting to warn others as to what

they had to look forward to if they turned up

at the Ministry. All those they were trying to

warn were on their arrest lists.

Overseeing the entire operation, Madam

Bones was in direct communication from her

desk with Croaker down in the DoM.

For those of the four names on the list who

did not turn up for work that morning, teams

of three aurors each were sent to arrest them

in their homes. The only one to slip that

move was a brother-in-law of Beauregard

Nott; a previously undiscovered Death Eater

who worked in the Floo Regulation Authority.

An arrest-on-sight order was put out on him.

To stop another notifying someone who

could call for an emergency sitting of the

Wizengamot earlier than Madam Bones

wanted it, she called for the emergency

sitting and for it to take place the following

Saturday.

For the rest of the week the aurors, using

judicious doses of Veritaserum, built their

cases against those who accepted the bribes.

When it was discovered who was bribing

them, those names were also taken down

and arrest warrants prepared. Almost all

names were of senior members, if not the

Heads of, powerful Houses.

As the information flooded in from the

interviews Amelia Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour

and Gawain Robards collated the information

to build cases against those who did the

bribing. In the process they also developed

quite a substantial amount of claims against

both Umbridge and Fudge. Umbridge, of

course, was no longer a worry; but the

information was sufficient to arrest Fudge.

He'd be left until later with the other

perpetrators.

While they were working hard all three

finally admitted to one another they were

having the most fun they'd ever had.

The stay of the three at the Black House went

past pretty quick.

The first major hurdle after the

potion-induced transformations was Harry's

combined third and fourth year exam for

Ancient Runes on the following Friday. For it,

they had to go into the Ministry. Sirius was

happy enough to take him and seemed to

spend time wandering about and chatting to

the pretty witches in clerical jobs throughout

the building. Of which many had just recently

received significant promotions and were

happy to celebrate.

Harry was just happy to get out of there at

the end of the exam, not just because the

exam left him mentally wrecked, but from

the embarrassment his godfather was

causing him.

The next morning, Harry rose early to head

back to the Ministry. He was required for

duty attending to the many trials that were

taking place immediately following the early

full Wizengamot meeting.

Immediately after the new Minister, Ogden,

was 'elected' at the first order of business,

the meeting was closed with various

members heading for three court rooms for

the trials. A last minute attempt at a motion

to overturn certain of the arrests was

soundly defeated.

And, immediately after the gavel came down

for the close of business, three of the

members were immediately arrested on

bribery charges. One of whom moved the

motion to have certain arrests overturned.

Their cases were added to the current

dockets.

Harry was required to invigilate cases in one

of the courtrooms, to learn how to try a case

when it would eventually become his turn.

He watched as, almost on a production line,

defendants were brought in, questioned,

evidence was presented, and rulings were

made. For most, they were ordered to pay

the amount of the known bribes plus ten

percent directly to the Ministry as fines; and

forbidden to hold another position within

the Ministry ever again. Those who were

unable to pay, or pay the full amount, were

sentenced to six months per one hundred

galleons or part thereof in outstanding bribes

to the low security section of Azkaban, as per

already established conditions of sentencing.

There was much wailing and crying from

so-called upstanding members of society

who had received quite a lot of bribe money

and no hope of paying it back without

putting their families out on the street and

destitute. The brave souls among them opted

for longer prison terms so their families

wouldn't suffer.

Harry found the whole thing necessary, but

sad to watch.

At the end of the day, Harry tracked down

Madam Bones and asked her when they'd

see the trials for the marked Death Eaters.