Neither Here Nor There: Chapter Eleven
Mar. 5th, 2015 11:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
author_by_nightTitle: Neither Here Nor There
Fandom: Harry Potter
Chapter: Eleven
Rating: PG-13
Summary: It's been six months since the war, and everyone's ready to try moving on. Lyall Lupin and Andromeda Tonks are coming to terms with the death of their children, finding solace in one another - but how long can they stay close in the face of absence? Kingsley Shacklebolt is trying to lead a country that has been left bitter by war, so distrustful many even doubt him. And Hestia Jones is trying to harbor all she holds dear, which is hard when there's secrets she's never had the heart to reveal.
Note: This is a long chapter. Also, it includes some dialogue straight from canon, but I paraphrased here and there because everyone tends to perceive events differently.
April 1996
Saturday
"And then - and then he said he wasn't into ghosts!"
Megan heaved a sigh as Moaning Myrtle sobbed loudly at the opposite sink.
Where was Marietta?
Megan and Marietta weren't friends; Megan knew her from Dumbledore's Army, and because Marietta, like Cho, was quite popular. She also knew Marietta's mother worked with hers. But they'd barely spoken except at Dumbledore's Army meetings, and even then not often - so Megan had been surprised when Marietta whispered for her to meet her in Myrtle's bathroom.
"It's private," Marietta had explained.
Megan hoped this was as quick as it was private, because it was a Hogsmeade weekend, and she had no intention of missing the carriage ride.
After twenty minutes, the door opened and Marietta bustled in.
"Sorry," she said, "Cho was crying again. She's almost as bad as Myrtle these days."
At that, Myrtle wailed loudly and disappeared into a stall; there was a loud splashing noise.
"Is Cho okay?" Megan asked with a frown.
"Of course she's not okay. This is bad for her. It's bad for all of us. Megan... our mothers work together, right?"
"In the same Department, anyway. So does my sister."
"That's why I thought I'd talk to you. The head of the Department is very closely tied to Umbridge."
"We're not going to get caught, Marietta," Megan said. "You didn't tell your Mum, did you?"
"No," Marietta said quickly.
"Well, then, don't tell her and we'll be fine."
"For how long? Umbridge is going to find out, and we'll all be in trouble. As will they."
"Why would they get in trouble for something we did?"
"You know damn well why. Umbridge would wonder how much they knew. Their loyalties would be questioned. And if there's anyone in our families who are working with Dumbledore..."
Megan thought of Hestia... what if they learned about that group she was in?
"Obviously there's risks," Megan said, to herself as much as Marietta, "but what can we do? What's done is done."
She started brushing her hair in the mirror, eager to get a move on. After a minute, she decided to pull it back - it would be too windy to wear it out.
"Maybe we shouldn't be... doing anything. Maybe our parents are right, and Fudge knows what he's doing."
"If he knew what he was doing, he wouldn't let her be here!" Megan retorted. "Marietta, what are you trying to say?"
"I don't know," Marietta said. "I guess I believe Harry."
"You... guess?"
"Don't you wonder sometimes? Cedric was in your House, and your own Housemates-"
"-I can't explain their idiocy," Megan interrupted. "But you can't honestly tell me you haven't figured out Umbridge is a liar? That we're fighting something so much bigger than a few stupid rules?"
"I know all that," Marietta said. "I'm just not sure we're doing this the right way."
There was concern on Marietta's face, and Megan couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.
"Look," Megan said, a little more gently, "I know you're scared. I'm scared too. We're putting so much on the line here. But it has to be done, and if we all stick together and trust one another, we'll be fine."
After a minute, Marietta smiled. "You're right. I don't know what came over me..."
"I've had my moments too, s'all good."
Realizing how much time probably had passed, Megan checked her watch. "And if I don't dash, I'll miss the carriages to Hogsmeade."
"Of course."
Knowing her parents would reproach her for her rudeness, Megan added, "you should come with us. Cho too, if she's up to it."
"Actually, I need to meet Flitwick in his office," Marietta said. "So I ought to go, too. I just - I needed to hear from someone other than Cho that I'm doing the right thing."
That satisfied Megan, so she ran as fast as she could back up the stairs.
"Where were you?" Susan demanded when Megan practically jumped into the carriage headfirst.
"Flitwick's office," Megan panted.
She wasn't sure why she'd lied; after all, there was nothing to lie about, was there?
Monday Evening
"Do we have to go?"
"Yes, dear," Percy said as he fixed his hair. "Do you think I should wear my bowler hat?"
Penelope was sitting on the bed in her dress robes and not looking one bit pleased about it. "No. If you do that, you might as well magically plant your lips onto Fudge's arse."
"Penny."
"I saw your Dad today," Penelope continued. "He seemed much better."
Oh.
Percy didn't like to think about his parents; it was too uncomfortable. He missed them, but he couldn't abide by their defiance.
"I can't believe even after what happened, you haven't reached out to your parents. You didn't even visit your Dad in the-"
"-yes, I did. He was sleeping. I didn't have time after that."
Penelope's fingernails were scratching the bedspread. "If you say so."
"I have to keep my distance. You know that. If they're doing anything they shouldn't, then it's for their own good."
"And yours," Penelope added.
"Let's not do this tonight," Percy told her. He didn't want another argument. "Okay?"
He extended his arm; Penelope stood and hooked hers through it.
"You owe me," she told him.
"I know."
When they arrived, a House Elf let them in. They were led to a large parlour, where Concetta Fudge was playing the piano, being watched by her husband.
"Percival!" Cornelius strode over and shook Percy's hand. "Glad you could make it. Penelope," he added. "Always good to see you."
"Of course," Penelope said. She tried to smile, but instead stretched her lips so thin, there was no mistaking her immense displeasure.
Concetta was getting up and making her way over too.
"How are you, Penelope dear?" Concetta asked. She had short dark hair and an Italian accent.
"Chuffed," Penelope replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Pen," Percy whispered.
"Your piano playing was lovely," Penelope added more sincerely.
That was better.
"Oh, I'm hardly good," Concetta said loudly.
"No, you're not - you're excellent," Percy said. Concetta pretended to blush modestly; even he had to admit it was a little over the top.
"Can you play the piano?" Cornelius asked Penelope. "I know you're a muggleborn."
Penelope raised her eyebrows. "So?"
"I'm not sure whether they have pianos."
"We do, as a matter of fact. I can play several songs. If I hadn't been a witch, Mum always reckoned I'd be in an orchestra. Sometimes I think I still might join one someday."
"Dinner's ready!"
The House Elf who'd let them in had come back; they were led to a dining room with more food than Percy thought they could possibly eat between the four of them.
As Percy sat, he remembered his father's warning.
"You haven't been given this opportunity because of expertise and seniority, Percy. He's using you."
Percy looked at the expensive bottle of wine. Fine cuisine. That should have been reserved for another Minister of Magic, not an underling like himself...
"Is something the matter, Percival?" Cornelius asked.
"Yes - I mean, no." Percy cleared his throat. "Nothing is the matter. I'm just - touched."
Penelope rolled her eyes.
"Sit down," Concetta told him. "Or your food's going to get cold."
As they dug into their food, Fudge asked, "so how is Arthur doing? I haven't had much of a chance to speak with him."
"Me either," Percy admitted. "Although I did see him today. He seemed to be doing much better."
At the corner of his eye, he saw Penelope's hand freeze with chicken still on her fork. Percy felt a stab of guilt for technically stealing her story.
"Glad to hear it. And your Mum? What is she doing right now?"
"I believe she's currently working on baking for a fundraiser of some sort." Or had been almost a year ago, at least.
"Very good."
Percy was beginning to feel uneasy, so he asked, "how was the meeting with the Spanish Minister for Magic?"
Cornelius began to respond, but before he could, Umbridge's face appeared in the fire.
"Dolores!" Cornelius smiled. "What a-"
"-we have a problem, Minister."
"What?"
"We've discovered an infiltration at Hogwarts."
"Expecto Patronum..." Megan sighed with frustration as only fog seemed to leave her wand.
"Don't be frustrated, be happy," Susan advised her as a horse trotted out of her wand easily. "Think about the happiest you've ever been."
Megan thought carefully.
Certainly Dumbledore's Army was one of those things; while she hadn't attended the first meeting, it hadn't taken long for Susan to rope her in. Now, it was one of her favourite activities. It was her only activity, really, she was rubbish at Quidditch and Gobstones didn't interest her. She just wished more of her friends were in it - but then, she'd made new ones, hadn't she? They were her friends now. More importantly, they were all part of something good. Something right.
Megan knew Hestia's Patronus was a Border Collie... what could hers possibly be?
Megan smiled as she remembered Hestia telling her that she could reach her using a Patronus. The reasons weren't happy - but Megan couldn't help liking the fact that they now had a secret code. But she needed to be able to reciprocate...
A Llama made its way out of Megan's wand.
"Well, that's random," Megan said in surprise, high-fiving Susan nonetheless.
The door opened, and everyone stopped.
A House Elf Megan had seen a few times ran in. Harry began to talk to it, but the House Elf didn't seem to want to talk.
"Dobby," Harry finally said loudly, "who is she?"
After a minute, he said, "Umbridge?"
Dobby nodded, and Megan felt cold.
"Is she coming?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry Potter, yes!"
Susan was breathing heavily next to Megan.
Harry turned to the group. "What are you waiting for? RUN!"
Megan grabbed Susan's hand, and they ran with the Patil sisters and Lavender Brown. As soon as they found an empty classroom, they slammed the door shut.
Susan's face was pale. "My auntie... oh, she'll lose her job if..."
"No one's losing their jobs," Parvati said sharply. "If everyone's really fast, they won't find us."
"And if they find us here?"
"I already have a story worked out," Padma said. "Lavender, Megan, you two were about to get into a duel over a boy. Let's say - Terry Boot? Yeah, I could see either of you with him. Susan, Parvati, you were their seconds. I was putting a stop to it as a Prefect. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
"Good. Let's go."
They managed to avoid Umbridge, and when they got back to the Hufflepuff Common Room, they were relieved to find it empty.
"So what do you think happened?" Megan asked Susan as they collapsed on the couch.
"I don't know. Do you think someone told her?"
"Who would've-" Megan began.
Then she remembered the conversation she'd had with Marietta. How upset and uncertain Marietta had been... all the talk of it being a mistake...
"You didn't see Marietta Edgecombe tonight, did you?" Megan asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Now that you mention it..." Susan's eyes widened. "You don't think..." she stopped. "We shouldn't assume she'd do something so horrible. Maybe she was just sick."
"Maybe," Megan said. In that case, she hoped the horrible feeling in her stomach was a result of having caught Marietta's mystery ailment.
Kingsley yawned as he wrote his latest pseudo-report. He normally had a morbid amount of fun with them, although technically they were taking him away from actual Auror work. He was making up all kinds of crazy claims about Sirius, even alleging he'd joined a muggle rock group, having been inspired by the Quibbler's Stubby Boardman story. He wondered if anyone caught "not a Death Eater" hints from it.
"I give up."
Kingsley looked up; an equally tired-looking Tonks had walked over and was sitting on his desk. From a few feet away, Dawlish threw her a disapproving glare, then went back to work. Tonks's hair was in green pigtails tonight.
"I hate night shifts, except when I'm actually doing things," Tonks continued. "Aren't you the boss with Scrimegour out?"
"I'm flattered. But not quite."
"So you can't let me go home."
"I'm sorry, but no."
"Well, you're useless," Tonks grumbled, and she walked back to her own cubicle.
"In my day," Dawlish said loudly, "we never spoke to our superiors in such a manner."
Kingsley didn't have to look at Tonks to know she was rolling her eyes.
Just as Kingsley was beginning to consider letting them all leave after all, Percy strode into the Department.
"Shacklebot, Dawlish," he barked, "come with me."
"That's Mr. Shacklebolt," Kingsley corrected him.
"Excuse me?"
Kingsley knew exactly what buttons to push with the junior undersecretary, who rubbed him the wrong way for many reasons. "I'm older than you. So it's Mr. Shacklebot."
"I am not a schoolboy-!"
"Oh," Kingsley said. "I forgot. My mistake."
"This is no laughing matter," Percy snapped. His neck was bright red now. "There's been an incident at Hogwarts."
"Is one of Dolores Umbridge's cats missing?" Tonks piped up.
"No. We suspect several students have formed a resistance group."
Damn it.
Kingsley had feared this would happen, no matter how many times he'd assured Molly Weasley they'd be fine. He believed it was the absolute right thing to do - however, it was also very risky... at least the Order had Headquarters separate from the Ministry...
"You're right," Kingsley agreed, "this is no laughing matter. Should Nymphadora come as well...?"
"No need. Fudge is there with Dolores."
"Very well." Kingsley turned to Tonks. "Nymphadora, keep an eye on things while we're gone, but not a word to Padfoot about the forms unless he asks, at least not at this point. Heaven knows what ruckus he'll cause."
"Okay," Tonks replied with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and looked back at the parchment on her desk.
Kingsley would compliment on her acting skills later.
Percy eyed Harry when Dolores pulled him into Dumbledore's office.
He'd always considered the boy something of a friend, even if he didn't really understand him. Truthfully, no one did; Harry, Ron and Hermione were something of a mystery at their school. Percy wondered if Ron knew that. Happenings always seemed to involve them, somehow, and there were times even Percy himself had wondered... well, was it really a coincidence that Ron had been in the Hospital Wing the night Sirius Black evaded authorities? And how on earth had Harry just happened to be the fourth Champion? Ron had confided his suspicions to Percy in an owl last year, only to retract them later. What was the cause of that? What hold did Harry have on his brother, and by extension, his family? Was it the same hold Dumbledore had?
If Percy was to be honest, he was sorry that he felt this way towards a kid he'd once considered family. At the same time, he was sorrier that his family might be being roped into something horribly by Harry and Dumbledore.
"He was heading back to Gryffindor Tower," Umbridge was saying. "The Malfoy boy caught him."
"Did he?" Cornelius sounded as though Draco had slayed a dragon. "I must tell Lucius..."
Percy bit his lip, remembering what Lucius Malfoy had done to his sister... done to Penelope... Draco had found the whole ordeal funny... if there was one thing he could not forgive, it was Cornelius's blind spot towards the Malfoys. Once they sorted out this mess, Percy was certain he could find a way to persuade Cornelius to see the truth about them, too. Lucius was just another side of the same Knut.
"I expect you know why you are here?" Cornelius asked Harry.
Harry began to say something, stopped, and then said: "no."
"No?"
"No," Harry repeated.
"You don't know why you are here?"
This went on for a bit, much to Percy's annoyance. It would have been much wiser had someone just laid out the accusations; it was clear to Percy that they were both stalling.
"So it's news to you, then," Fudge said, "that an illegal school organization has been discovered within the school?"
"Yes, it is," Harry replied. Percy had to admit he did look surprised... but then, that could be an act...
"This is going to go on all night," Percy whispered to Umbridge. She nodded in agreement, and interrupted, "I think we might make better progress if I fetch our informant."
Cornelius nodded. "Yes, yes, do." As Umbridge left the room, he added, "there's nothing like a good witness, is there, Dumbledore?"
"Nothing at all, Cornelius," Dumbledore said gravely.
After a few minutes, Umbridge brought in a curly-haired girl, who was covering her face.
"Don't be scared, dear, don't be frightened," Umbridge said, "it's quite all right, now. You have done the right thing. The Minister is very pleased with you. He’ll be telling your mother what a good girl you’ve been. Marietta’s mother, Minister,” she added, looking up at Fudge, “is Madam Edgecombe from the Department of Magical Transportation. Floo Network office — she’s been helping us police the Hogwarts fires, you know."
"Jolly good, jolly good!" Cornelius said heartily. Well, come on, now, dear, look up, don’t be shy, let’s hear what you’ve got to — galloping gargoyles!”
Marietta had raised her head to reveal the word "SNEAK" written across her face. It had clearly been a hex... most likely the sanctimonious handiwork of Hermione Granger. Or the twins. Percy decided not to mention that... they were in enough trouble as it was, and he wasn't sure he could help them at this point...
"Never mind the spots now," Umbridge was saying. "just take your robes away from your mouth and tell the Minister-"
Marietta wailed again and shook her head frantically. This was getting pathetic.
Apparently deciding the same thing, Umbridge launched into the story herself. It seemed that this Marietta girl had approached her that evening, telling her that if she went into a certain room on the seventh floor, she would find a meeting of sorts. At that point, the word "SNEAK" had appeared on her face, and she wouldn't say anything else - even after prying.
"Haven't you got a counterjinx?" Cornelius asked. "So she can speak freely?"
"I have not yet managed to find one," Umbridge admitted. "But it doesn't matter if she won't speak, I can take up the story from here. You will remember, Minister, that I sent you a report back in October that Potter had met a number of fellow students in the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade —”
“And what is your evidence for that?” cut in Professor McGonagall.
“I have testimony from Willy Widdershins, Minerva, who happened to be in the bar at the time. He was heavily bandaged, it is true , but his hearing was quite unimpaired,” said Umbridge smugly. “He heard every word Potter said and hastened straight to the school to report to me —”
Percy closed his eyes. He remembered the testimony full well, and had no doubt his younger siblings had been in attendance. How could they have been so dumb?
He was so lost in his train of thought that he realized he'd missed some sort of tirade on Professor McGonagall's part; Dumbledore was telling a Portrait, "that will do." Percy quickly began taking notes again, hoping the omission would be permissible.
“The purpose of Potter’s meeting with these students,” continued Professor Umbridge, “was to persuade them to join an illegal society, whose aim was to learn spells and curses the Ministry has decided are inappropriate for school-age —”
“I think you’ll find you’re wrong there, Dolores,” said Dumbledore quietly, peering at her over the half-moon spectacles perched halfway down his crooked nose.
Percy looked back at Dumbledore with a sigh. What was he going to come up with now?
Fudge was bouncing on the balls of his feet again. "Yes, let's hear the latest cock-and-bull story designed to pull Potter out of trouble! Go on, then, Dumbledore, go on - Willy Widdershins was lying, was he? Or was it Potter's identical twin in the Hog's Head that day? Or is there the usual simple explanation involving a reversal of time, a dead man coming back to life, and a couple of invisible dementors?"
Percy couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, very good, Minister, very good!"
Harry's eyes were on Percy now; it was amazing how he could glare at you without actually glaring. He wondered where he'd learned that... well, his muggle aunt and uncle were miserable people, perhaps he'd had practice...
For a moment, Percy felt pity towards the boy. He'd clearly never been accepted until he'd come to Hogwarts and met Dumbledore; he must have been so easily swayed in the wrong direction... .
Dumbledore was smiling, for some peculiar reason. "Cornelius, I do not deny — and nor, I am sure, does Harry — that he was in the Hog’s Head that day, nor that he was trying to recruit students to a Defense Against the Dark Arts group. I am merely pointing out that Dolores is quite wrong to suggest that such a group was, at that time, illegal. If you remember, the Ministry decree banning all student societies was not put into effect until two days after Harry’s Hogsmeade meeting, so he was not breaking any rules in the Hog’s Head at all.”
Percy felt as though he'd been struck in the face. Even Cornelius was motionless with his mouth half-hanging. It wasn't very becoming of a Minister, Percy thought.
“That’s all very fine, Headmaster,” Umbridge said, "but we are now nearly six months on from the introduction of Educational Decree Number Twenty-four. If the first meeting was not illegal, all those that have happened since most certainly are.”
Good one. Percy shot her a nod of approval.
"Well," Dumbledore began, "they certainly would be, if they had continued after the Decree came into effect. Do you have any evidence that these meetings continued?"
"Evidence?" Umbridge sounded dismayed, though she was smiling. "Have you not been listening, Dumbledore? Why do you think Miss Edgecombe is here?"
“Oh, can she tell us about six months’ worth of meetings?” said Dumbledore, raising his eyebrows. “I was under the impression that she was merely reporting a meeting tonight."
“Miss Edgecombe,” said Umbridge at once, “tell us how long these meetings have been going on, dear. You can simply nod or shake your head, I’m sure that won’t make the spots worse. Have they been happening regularly over the last six months?"
Much to Percy's surprise, Marietta shook her head.
"I don’t think you understood the question , did you, dear? I’m asking whether you’ve been going to these meetings for the past six months? You have, haven’t you?"
Marietta shook her head again. Percy exchanged a puzzled look with Dawlish.
"What do you mean by shaking your head, dear?" Umbridge sounded testy now.
"“I would have thought her meaning was quite clear,” said Professor McGonagall harshly. “There have been no secret meetings for the past six month. . Is that correct, Miss Edgecombe?”
Marietta nodded.
“But there was a meeting tonight!” said Umbridge furiously. “There was a meeting, Miss Edgecombe, you told me about it, in the Room of Requirement! And Potter was the leader, was he not, Potter organized it - why are you shaking your head, girl?"
“Well, usually when a person shakes their head,” said McGonagall coldly, “they mean ‘no.’ So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans..."
Umbridge began to shake Marietta fiercely; even Kingsley started forward, and Percy was about to do the same when Umbridge quickly leapt back.
"I cannot allow you to manhandle my students, Dolores,” said Dumbledore.
"You want to calm yourself, Madam Umbridge ,” said Kingsley. "You don’t want to get yourself into trouble now."
For the first time all night, Percy was appreciative of the Auror; he wasn't sure what Umbridge would've done to her had they not intervened. Perhaps she, too, was one of Cornelius's blind spots...
“No,” said Umbridge breathlessly. “I - I forgot myself."
“Dolores,” said Cornelius,, “the meeting tonight — the one we know definitely happened —”
“Yes,” said Umbridge, "well... Miss Edgecombe tipped me off and I proceeded at once to the seventh floor, accompanied by certain trustworthy students, so as to catch those in the meeting red-handed. It appears that they were forewarned of my arrival, however, because when we reached the seventh floor they were running in every direction. It does not matter, however. I have all their names here, Miss Parkinson ran into the Room of Requirement for me to see if they had left anything behind. . . . We needed evidence and the room provided . . .”
Umbridge pulled out a list of names from her pocket and handed it to Cornelius.
“The moment I saw Potter’s name on the list, I knew what we were dealing with,” she said softly.
A smile was spreading across Cornelius's face, which Percy found quite odd. “Excellent, Dolores. And... by thunder..."
He looked at Dumbledore and handed him the list. "See what they've named themselves? Dumbledore's Army."
After a minute of gazing, Dumbledore smiled. "Well, the game is up now. “Would you like a written confession from me, Cornelius — or will a statement before these witnesses suffice?"
“Statement?” said Cornelius slowly . “What — I don’t — ?”
"Dumbledore’s Army, Cornelius," said Dumbledore , still smiling as he waved the list of names before Fudge’s face. "Not Potter’s Army. Dumbledore’s Army."
Percy's eyes widened in comprehension. He should've known from the start. It all made sense now...
"You organized this?" Cornelius demanded.
“I did,” said Dumbledore.
"You recruited these students for — for your army?"
“Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting,” said Dumbledore, nodding. “Merely to see whether they would be interested in joining me. I see now that it was a mistake to invite Miss Edgecombe, of course.” Marietta nodded.
Cornelius looked from her to Dumbledore, his chest swelling. “Then you have been plotting against me!” he yelled.
"That's right," Dumbledore said cheerfully. Why was he so cheerful? Had he lost all sense? Did he not realize how much trouble he would be in?
"No!" Harry shouted.
Some of his Mum must have rubbed off on Percy, because he suddenly had the urge to gently tell Harry that for once in his life, he didn't have to take the fall. But if he was so willing, would he listen?
"No - Professor Dumbledore!"
Of course he wouldn't listen. He was too stubborn for his own good. It was a shame, really...
“Be quiet, Harry, or I am afraid you will have to leave my office,” said Dumbledore calmly.
“Yes, shut up, Potter!” barked Cornelius, who was now studying Dumbledore with morbid fascination. “Well, well, well — I came here tonight expecting to expel Potter and instead-"
"-instead you get to arrest me. It's like losing a Knut and finding a Galleon, isn't it?"
"Weasley!" Cornelius cried. "Weasley, have you written it all down, everything he's said, his confession, have you got it?"
"Yes, sir, I think so, sir!" Percy said quickly.
“The bit about how he’s been trying to build up an army against the Ministry, how he’s been working to destabilize me?”
Percy scanned his notes, and beamed. "Yes, sir, I’ve got it, yes!" His first arrest report. His parents would be -
Proud? No. They'd be livid; his Mum would probably scream at him for hours. Or cry. Or both. But it was no matter; he was doing the right thing, and that was enough for him. They would be proud someday, Percy was sure of it.
“Very well, then,” said Cornelius. “Duplicate your notes, Weasley, and send a copy to the Daily Prophet at once. If we send a fast owl we should make the morning edition!”
Percy wasted no time in hurrying out of the room.
Penelope was waiting for him when he got home. More accurately, she was sprawled across the couch with a book.
"What happened?" She asked without looking up.
"For starters, Dumbledore's been sacked," he said.
That got Penelope's attention; her head snapped up, and she put down the book. "What?"
"I must admit, it was difficult. I always did like him before the fear-mongering. But it couldn't be helped. It turns out we were right."
"About what?"
"He was starting an organization to undermine the Ministry. We discovered a list of students he'd planned on recruiting. Including Ron, Ginny, and the twins. Can you believe him?"
"I see."
"I know!" Percy shook his head. "I warned Ron about that... the trouble they almost all got into, I don't know what I would've... the only downside is, Dumbledore escaped imprisonment."
Percy had learned the development while in the middle of relaying all he knew to The Daily Prophet; a harried Dawlish had hurried in and informed them that somehow, Dumbledore had stunned all of them and made a run for it.
Penny stood up quickly. "Imprisonment."
"Well, of course. Think of what he was doing."
"It's Dumbledore. How bad could this group have been?"
"It's for the good of the people."
Percy wasn't sure what he'd said, but it was bad, apparently, for Penny was staring at Percy with an expression he couldn't begin to read.
"What happened to you?" She asked. "What happened to the Percy I fell in love with?"
"I'm right here. Nothing's changed."
"Everything's changed. I don't know you anymore. You're - you're so blinded by your need to support Fudge, you can't even hear yourself right now. This is not you. A year ago, you would have never arrested Albus Dumbledore."
"A year ago, he wasn't a known threat to our society."
Penelope let out a cold, hard laugh.
"A threat to our society? Yes, that's right. Let's blame the man trying to save our necks while Fudge pretends nothing's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong."
"I used to think you were right," Penelope said softly. "But now, I'm not so sure."
After a minute, Penelope added, "so I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore. I'm going to have to leave."
Percy stared at her; his heart was pounding. "What?"
"I've been lying to myself every single day since July, just so I can still be with you. I can't do it anymore. I can't watch Fudge turn you into a man I don't love. I can't be a person I hate."
"Pen-"
"-Don't. It's over. I know you'll see the error of your ways someday, but that could be a very long time, and I'm not going to waste mine waiting."
An hour later, despite much pleading, Penelope was gone. Percy sank into the couch with his face buried in his hands.
How many more people would he have to sacrifice simply for doing the right thing?
Tuesday Morning
"Miss Jones!"
Megan ignored Madam Pomfrey as she headed towards Marietta's hospital bed, where she knew the rat was hiding. She didn't know what she was going to say. Or do.
"Miss Jones, I cannot allow you to agitate my-"
But Megan had already ripped the curtains open.
Marietta sat up, shocked, The word "SNEAK" was smeared across her face.
"I told you not to say a word," Megan snapped. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"I - I don't really remember. I didn't even remember we were in Dumbledore's Army until this morning... I think they modified my memory."
Megan snorted. "Modified your memory. You're a Ravenclaw, you can do better than that."
"I'm serious. I honestly thought last night that it was Dumbledore's idea from the start."
"Well, was your memory modified when you decided to tell on everyone?"
Marietta shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, I really am. I just - I panicked, okay? I thought of what would happen if we got caught, and I guess I thought if-"
"-if you got all of us in trouble, that would be better?"
"It wasn't supposed to be like that... it really wasn't. I was going to tell her..."
Marietta closed her eyes. "I never really wanted to join in the first place. I did it for Cho."
"And you thought she'd just get detention for joining a resistance group? They don't give you regular detentions for that sort of thing, especially not right now. She would've been expelled. At best. We all would've been expelled at best."
"I know I made a mistake, do you not see what's written on my face?"
"Yeah, I do. I about pissed myself with joy."
"I think you should go," Pomfrey said. "The Headmistress is going to want a word any minute."
There was a look of warning in her eyes.
"Fine."
"I really am sorry," Marietta whispered.
Megan shrugged coldly. "The damage has already been done. Anyway, I'd be more worried about apologizing to Cho. You're just about the only friend she's got left. Or you were."
The verbal punch did not do much in the way of making Megan feel any better, but at least she could be certain Marietta felt just as miserable.
Easter Sunday
Remus hadn't been sure about going to Dora's house for Easter.
"I don't want to be a burden for your parents," he'd told Dora.
Dora had given him a look. "Nonsense. Your Dad had me over for Christmas brunch, you're coming for Easter dinner."
"Won't Hestia's parents be there?"
"Of course, they're basically family."
"They don't know about us...'
"Look," Dora began, "Hestia, Mum, Dad and I have already kept so much from them. Things they'd... kill us for not telling. You're the one thing we don't have to keep from them."
"I've taught you too well," Remus said with a wry smile, referring to the guilt trip. Once his specialty, Dora was becoming somewhat talented at them herself.
Much to his relief, when he arrived at the Tonks's, he didn't feel too out of place. Dora had multicolored hair today, which she shaped into an Easter Egg at one point.
"So did you hear that Dumbledore's still on the run?" Glynn Jones asked Remus.
"I had," Remus said after a minute.
"I never thought he'd be wrapped up in something so... foul. Were there any signs while you were there?"
"We were a little distracted that year," Remus said fairly.
"Oh, of course, with Sirius Bl-"
Glynn stopped, glancing at Andromeda.
"You already started saying it, you can finish," Andromeda told him.
"I just know you don't like talking about him."
Megan was frowning at Remus.
"Megan? Are you okay?" Phyllis asked.
"Yeah," Megan said distractedly. "I was just - he was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"You only just remembered that?" Hestia joked.
"No, it's just-" Megan stopped. "I actually have a question for Lupin."
Remus, Tonks and Hestia all exchanged a look.
"Maybe now's not the best time," Hestia said.
"No, after dinner," Megan agreed.
But as soon as they were finished dinner, Megan all but yanked Remus into a small office, shutting the door behind them.
"Is everything okay, Megan?" Remus asked.
"I don't think I was your favourite student," Megan said. "I turned in an essay or two late, I could give a bit of cheek... but I always liked you. You seemed really smart and sort of brave, and... you told me once that I could accomplish anything if I put my mind to it, even if I made mistakes here and there."
"Yes, I remember that." He was sure it wasn't actually the first time a teacher had told her that...
"The thing is... I think I made a big one. If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially Hestia or Tonks. I know about the Order," Megan added.
"Okay..."
"I mean it, Hestia can't know."
Remus didn't like the sounds of it, but knew he had to promise. "You can tell me anything."
"You - you know about Marietta Edgecombe, right?"
"Right."
"Well... last Saturday, we were in the girl's room, and I think she was trying to tell me she was thinking about telling on us. She was all upset and wanted my advice. Except... I don't think I was really listening. I was running late to something and distracted and now everything's ruined. Dumbledore's Army was the best thing that happened to me since Cedric died, and I don't have that anymore."
"Oh. Megan..."
"And Dumbledore's gone, and - and they found the list, Professor. A list with all of our names, including mine. What if they'd questioned my parents? Or worse, Hestia? They - they could've found out she was in the Order, she could've gone to Azkaban, if Dumbledore's caught he will go to Azkaban, all because I'm a selfish bitch who cared more about a stupid Hogsmeade weekend!"
Megan was clearly fighting tears now; she kept scrunching her nose and curling her fists.
"What exactly did you say to her?" Remus asked. "I can't imagine you ignored her completely."
"I told her to calm down, that we had no choice other than to do this, that our parents weren't going to get in trouble and it would be okay. But... then I just left her. I should've stayed."
"Did you tell her she should tell Umbridge about Dumbledore's Army?"
"No."
"Then you did all you could," Remus said. "You couldn't have possibly known what she would do. And I do believe you said this happened on Saturday?"
"Yeah."
"Marietta didn't tell Umbridge until Monday night. That's a lot of time to deliberate. So unless you'd tied her up through Tuesday morning..."
Megan giggled despite herself, though there was definitely a sob or two mixed in with it.
"So tell me," Remus continued, "what happened the night you were caught."
"I barely remember..."
"You must remember something. Unless your memory was modified?"
Megan raised her eyebrows. "Marietta actually said something about-"
"-so back to that night," Remus interrupted quickly. She didn't need to know what Kingsley had done. Maybe some other time.
"Right. Okay. Well, a House Elf came in, and he told us Umbridge was coming. I grabbed my best friend's hand and we ran as fast as we could, into an empty classroom with some others."
"So let me get this straight," Remus began. "You grabbed the hand of your closest friend, and harbored some others?"
"Yes. Well, really, we were all harboring each-"
"It would've been safer to have pointed in their direction and let them take the fall, wouldn't it? Made you look better?"
Megan looked scandalized. "I would never-!"
"Some would. I know a man who did, and worse yet, he let another man take all the blame. This man was a friend of mine, and I trusted him. Perhaps, like you, I was also a little distracted."
"By a Hogsmeade trip?"
Remus laughed. "No. But maybe that's a better thing to be distracted by than the things that were distracting me."
"They were probably more important..."
"A good friend of mine would've told you there is nothing more important than a fun, carefree day with friends when things are at their worst."
"I guess."
"Listen, Megan," Remus said firmly, "none of this was your fault. Believe me, I've been where you are - and you'll be here again. I guarantee it."
"Are you trying to make me feel better?"
"My point is, you are a good person, regardless of what you disregard or misunderstand, what bad choices you make. Moreover, the decisions Marietta made were hers alone. you are only responsible for your choices, and no one else's. Do you understand me?"
"I think so," Megan said. "Thanks. I miss you, you know. I wish you'd been our Professor this year, instead of stupid Umbridge."
"I miss Hogwarts too," Remus told her. He was surprised to hear himself say it, having pushed those thoughts far out of mind and sight. 1993 seemed like a very long time ago.
"Maybe when someone finally pushes Umbridge from one of the towers, you can replace her!" Megan suggested.
She looked embarrassed. "I - I didn't mean-"
Remus smiled. "I know what you mean. Feeling better?"
Megan returned the smile. "Yes. Thanks again."
Remus walked back into the kitchen, where Hestia and Dora were talking.
"Is she okay?" Hestia asked at once.
"She'll be fine," Remus told her. "She just needed a little defense advice."
Kingsley had left his parents' early that night; he was in no mood for festivities.
Dumbledore was safe; they could be glad for that. But on the other hand, the Ministry now had an actual reason to believe he was against them, which in many ways had made things worse. And there was no way the Defense group at Hogwarts could meet again... who would teach Molly and Arthur's children now? Hestia's younger sister?
Then there was the fact that he'd been forced to modify the memory of a teenage girl. That hadn't left Kingsley with the best taste in his mouth. Yes, it was a necessary evil, but all the same... he hadn't thought twice about it, either. He'd just done it.
When Kingsley had become an Auror, he'd done so with a love and reverence for the Ministry. When Cornelius Fudge had become Minister, he'd duly sworn to protect him, just as he'd sworn to protect the previous Minister. Even now, he did not think Cornelius Fudge was a as much a bad man as he was a deluded fool. In some ways, that was far worse.
Kingsley realized the egg he'd been holding - he hadn't even remembered grabbing one - was cracking in his fist.
"Happy Easter, Fudge," Kingsley muttered bitterly as he cleaned off his yoke-soiled hand in the sink.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Chapter: Eleven
Rating: PG-13
Summary: It's been six months since the war, and everyone's ready to try moving on. Lyall Lupin and Andromeda Tonks are coming to terms with the death of their children, finding solace in one another - but how long can they stay close in the face of absence? Kingsley Shacklebolt is trying to lead a country that has been left bitter by war, so distrustful many even doubt him. And Hestia Jones is trying to harbor all she holds dear, which is hard when there's secrets she's never had the heart to reveal.
Note: This is a long chapter. Also, it includes some dialogue straight from canon, but I paraphrased here and there because everyone tends to perceive events differently.
April 1996
Saturday
"And then - and then he said he wasn't into ghosts!"
Megan heaved a sigh as Moaning Myrtle sobbed loudly at the opposite sink.
Where was Marietta?
Megan and Marietta weren't friends; Megan knew her from Dumbledore's Army, and because Marietta, like Cho, was quite popular. She also knew Marietta's mother worked with hers. But they'd barely spoken except at Dumbledore's Army meetings, and even then not often - so Megan had been surprised when Marietta whispered for her to meet her in Myrtle's bathroom.
"It's private," Marietta had explained.
Megan hoped this was as quick as it was private, because it was a Hogsmeade weekend, and she had no intention of missing the carriage ride.
After twenty minutes, the door opened and Marietta bustled in.
"Sorry," she said, "Cho was crying again. She's almost as bad as Myrtle these days."
At that, Myrtle wailed loudly and disappeared into a stall; there was a loud splashing noise.
"Is Cho okay?" Megan asked with a frown.
"Of course she's not okay. This is bad for her. It's bad for all of us. Megan... our mothers work together, right?"
"In the same Department, anyway. So does my sister."
"That's why I thought I'd talk to you. The head of the Department is very closely tied to Umbridge."
"We're not going to get caught, Marietta," Megan said. "You didn't tell your Mum, did you?"
"No," Marietta said quickly.
"Well, then, don't tell her and we'll be fine."
"For how long? Umbridge is going to find out, and we'll all be in trouble. As will they."
"Why would they get in trouble for something we did?"
"You know damn well why. Umbridge would wonder how much they knew. Their loyalties would be questioned. And if there's anyone in our families who are working with Dumbledore..."
Megan thought of Hestia... what if they learned about that group she was in?
"Obviously there's risks," Megan said, to herself as much as Marietta, "but what can we do? What's done is done."
She started brushing her hair in the mirror, eager to get a move on. After a minute, she decided to pull it back - it would be too windy to wear it out.
"Maybe we shouldn't be... doing anything. Maybe our parents are right, and Fudge knows what he's doing."
"If he knew what he was doing, he wouldn't let her be here!" Megan retorted. "Marietta, what are you trying to say?"
"I don't know," Marietta said. "I guess I believe Harry."
"You... guess?"
"Don't you wonder sometimes? Cedric was in your House, and your own Housemates-"
"-I can't explain their idiocy," Megan interrupted. "But you can't honestly tell me you haven't figured out Umbridge is a liar? That we're fighting something so much bigger than a few stupid rules?"
"I know all that," Marietta said. "I'm just not sure we're doing this the right way."
There was concern on Marietta's face, and Megan couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.
"Look," Megan said, a little more gently, "I know you're scared. I'm scared too. We're putting so much on the line here. But it has to be done, and if we all stick together and trust one another, we'll be fine."
After a minute, Marietta smiled. "You're right. I don't know what came over me..."
"I've had my moments too, s'all good."
Realizing how much time probably had passed, Megan checked her watch. "And if I don't dash, I'll miss the carriages to Hogsmeade."
"Of course."
Knowing her parents would reproach her for her rudeness, Megan added, "you should come with us. Cho too, if she's up to it."
"Actually, I need to meet Flitwick in his office," Marietta said. "So I ought to go, too. I just - I needed to hear from someone other than Cho that I'm doing the right thing."
That satisfied Megan, so she ran as fast as she could back up the stairs.
"Where were you?" Susan demanded when Megan practically jumped into the carriage headfirst.
"Flitwick's office," Megan panted.
She wasn't sure why she'd lied; after all, there was nothing to lie about, was there?
Monday Evening
"Do we have to go?"
"Yes, dear," Percy said as he fixed his hair. "Do you think I should wear my bowler hat?"
Penelope was sitting on the bed in her dress robes and not looking one bit pleased about it. "No. If you do that, you might as well magically plant your lips onto Fudge's arse."
"Penny."
"I saw your Dad today," Penelope continued. "He seemed much better."
Oh.
Percy didn't like to think about his parents; it was too uncomfortable. He missed them, but he couldn't abide by their defiance.
"I can't believe even after what happened, you haven't reached out to your parents. You didn't even visit your Dad in the-"
"-yes, I did. He was sleeping. I didn't have time after that."
Penelope's fingernails were scratching the bedspread. "If you say so."
"I have to keep my distance. You know that. If they're doing anything they shouldn't, then it's for their own good."
"And yours," Penelope added.
"Let's not do this tonight," Percy told her. He didn't want another argument. "Okay?"
He extended his arm; Penelope stood and hooked hers through it.
"You owe me," she told him.
"I know."
When they arrived, a House Elf let them in. They were led to a large parlour, where Concetta Fudge was playing the piano, being watched by her husband.
"Percival!" Cornelius strode over and shook Percy's hand. "Glad you could make it. Penelope," he added. "Always good to see you."
"Of course," Penelope said. She tried to smile, but instead stretched her lips so thin, there was no mistaking her immense displeasure.
Concetta was getting up and making her way over too.
"How are you, Penelope dear?" Concetta asked. She had short dark hair and an Italian accent.
"Chuffed," Penelope replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Pen," Percy whispered.
"Your piano playing was lovely," Penelope added more sincerely.
That was better.
"Oh, I'm hardly good," Concetta said loudly.
"No, you're not - you're excellent," Percy said. Concetta pretended to blush modestly; even he had to admit it was a little over the top.
"Can you play the piano?" Cornelius asked Penelope. "I know you're a muggleborn."
Penelope raised her eyebrows. "So?"
"I'm not sure whether they have pianos."
"We do, as a matter of fact. I can play several songs. If I hadn't been a witch, Mum always reckoned I'd be in an orchestra. Sometimes I think I still might join one someday."
"Dinner's ready!"
The House Elf who'd let them in had come back; they were led to a dining room with more food than Percy thought they could possibly eat between the four of them.
As Percy sat, he remembered his father's warning.
"You haven't been given this opportunity because of expertise and seniority, Percy. He's using you."
Percy looked at the expensive bottle of wine. Fine cuisine. That should have been reserved for another Minister of Magic, not an underling like himself...
"Is something the matter, Percival?" Cornelius asked.
"Yes - I mean, no." Percy cleared his throat. "Nothing is the matter. I'm just - touched."
Penelope rolled her eyes.
"Sit down," Concetta told him. "Or your food's going to get cold."
As they dug into their food, Fudge asked, "so how is Arthur doing? I haven't had much of a chance to speak with him."
"Me either," Percy admitted. "Although I did see him today. He seemed to be doing much better."
At the corner of his eye, he saw Penelope's hand freeze with chicken still on her fork. Percy felt a stab of guilt for technically stealing her story.
"Glad to hear it. And your Mum? What is she doing right now?"
"I believe she's currently working on baking for a fundraiser of some sort." Or had been almost a year ago, at least.
"Very good."
Percy was beginning to feel uneasy, so he asked, "how was the meeting with the Spanish Minister for Magic?"
Cornelius began to respond, but before he could, Umbridge's face appeared in the fire.
"Dolores!" Cornelius smiled. "What a-"
"-we have a problem, Minister."
"What?"
"We've discovered an infiltration at Hogwarts."
"Expecto Patronum..." Megan sighed with frustration as only fog seemed to leave her wand.
"Don't be frustrated, be happy," Susan advised her as a horse trotted out of her wand easily. "Think about the happiest you've ever been."
Megan thought carefully.
Certainly Dumbledore's Army was one of those things; while she hadn't attended the first meeting, it hadn't taken long for Susan to rope her in. Now, it was one of her favourite activities. It was her only activity, really, she was rubbish at Quidditch and Gobstones didn't interest her. She just wished more of her friends were in it - but then, she'd made new ones, hadn't she? They were her friends now. More importantly, they were all part of something good. Something right.
Megan knew Hestia's Patronus was a Border Collie... what could hers possibly be?
Megan smiled as she remembered Hestia telling her that she could reach her using a Patronus. The reasons weren't happy - but Megan couldn't help liking the fact that they now had a secret code. But she needed to be able to reciprocate...
A Llama made its way out of Megan's wand.
"Well, that's random," Megan said in surprise, high-fiving Susan nonetheless.
The door opened, and everyone stopped.
A House Elf Megan had seen a few times ran in. Harry began to talk to it, but the House Elf didn't seem to want to talk.
"Dobby," Harry finally said loudly, "who is she?"
After a minute, he said, "Umbridge?"
Dobby nodded, and Megan felt cold.
"Is she coming?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry Potter, yes!"
Susan was breathing heavily next to Megan.
Harry turned to the group. "What are you waiting for? RUN!"
Megan grabbed Susan's hand, and they ran with the Patil sisters and Lavender Brown. As soon as they found an empty classroom, they slammed the door shut.
Susan's face was pale. "My auntie... oh, she'll lose her job if..."
"No one's losing their jobs," Parvati said sharply. "If everyone's really fast, they won't find us."
"And if they find us here?"
"I already have a story worked out," Padma said. "Lavender, Megan, you two were about to get into a duel over a boy. Let's say - Terry Boot? Yeah, I could see either of you with him. Susan, Parvati, you were their seconds. I was putting a stop to it as a Prefect. Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
"Good. Let's go."
They managed to avoid Umbridge, and when they got back to the Hufflepuff Common Room, they were relieved to find it empty.
"So what do you think happened?" Megan asked Susan as they collapsed on the couch.
"I don't know. Do you think someone told her?"
"Who would've-" Megan began.
Then she remembered the conversation she'd had with Marietta. How upset and uncertain Marietta had been... all the talk of it being a mistake...
"You didn't see Marietta Edgecombe tonight, did you?" Megan asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Now that you mention it..." Susan's eyes widened. "You don't think..." she stopped. "We shouldn't assume she'd do something so horrible. Maybe she was just sick."
"Maybe," Megan said. In that case, she hoped the horrible feeling in her stomach was a result of having caught Marietta's mystery ailment.
Kingsley yawned as he wrote his latest pseudo-report. He normally had a morbid amount of fun with them, although technically they were taking him away from actual Auror work. He was making up all kinds of crazy claims about Sirius, even alleging he'd joined a muggle rock group, having been inspired by the Quibbler's Stubby Boardman story. He wondered if anyone caught "not a Death Eater" hints from it.
"I give up."
Kingsley looked up; an equally tired-looking Tonks had walked over and was sitting on his desk. From a few feet away, Dawlish threw her a disapproving glare, then went back to work. Tonks's hair was in green pigtails tonight.
"I hate night shifts, except when I'm actually doing things," Tonks continued. "Aren't you the boss with Scrimegour out?"
"I'm flattered. But not quite."
"So you can't let me go home."
"I'm sorry, but no."
"Well, you're useless," Tonks grumbled, and she walked back to her own cubicle.
"In my day," Dawlish said loudly, "we never spoke to our superiors in such a manner."
Kingsley didn't have to look at Tonks to know she was rolling her eyes.
Just as Kingsley was beginning to consider letting them all leave after all, Percy strode into the Department.
"Shacklebot, Dawlish," he barked, "come with me."
"That's Mr. Shacklebolt," Kingsley corrected him.
"Excuse me?"
Kingsley knew exactly what buttons to push with the junior undersecretary, who rubbed him the wrong way for many reasons. "I'm older than you. So it's Mr. Shacklebot."
"I am not a schoolboy-!"
"Oh," Kingsley said. "I forgot. My mistake."
"This is no laughing matter," Percy snapped. His neck was bright red now. "There's been an incident at Hogwarts."
"Is one of Dolores Umbridge's cats missing?" Tonks piped up.
"No. We suspect several students have formed a resistance group."
Damn it.
Kingsley had feared this would happen, no matter how many times he'd assured Molly Weasley they'd be fine. He believed it was the absolute right thing to do - however, it was also very risky... at least the Order had Headquarters separate from the Ministry...
"You're right," Kingsley agreed, "this is no laughing matter. Should Nymphadora come as well...?"
"No need. Fudge is there with Dolores."
"Very well." Kingsley turned to Tonks. "Nymphadora, keep an eye on things while we're gone, but not a word to Padfoot about the forms unless he asks, at least not at this point. Heaven knows what ruckus he'll cause."
"Okay," Tonks replied with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and looked back at the parchment on her desk.
Kingsley would compliment on her acting skills later.
Percy eyed Harry when Dolores pulled him into Dumbledore's office.
He'd always considered the boy something of a friend, even if he didn't really understand him. Truthfully, no one did; Harry, Ron and Hermione were something of a mystery at their school. Percy wondered if Ron knew that. Happenings always seemed to involve them, somehow, and there were times even Percy himself had wondered... well, was it really a coincidence that Ron had been in the Hospital Wing the night Sirius Black evaded authorities? And how on earth had Harry just happened to be the fourth Champion? Ron had confided his suspicions to Percy in an owl last year, only to retract them later. What was the cause of that? What hold did Harry have on his brother, and by extension, his family? Was it the same hold Dumbledore had?
If Percy was to be honest, he was sorry that he felt this way towards a kid he'd once considered family. At the same time, he was sorrier that his family might be being roped into something horribly by Harry and Dumbledore.
"He was heading back to Gryffindor Tower," Umbridge was saying. "The Malfoy boy caught him."
"Did he?" Cornelius sounded as though Draco had slayed a dragon. "I must tell Lucius..."
Percy bit his lip, remembering what Lucius Malfoy had done to his sister... done to Penelope... Draco had found the whole ordeal funny... if there was one thing he could not forgive, it was Cornelius's blind spot towards the Malfoys. Once they sorted out this mess, Percy was certain he could find a way to persuade Cornelius to see the truth about them, too. Lucius was just another side of the same Knut.
"I expect you know why you are here?" Cornelius asked Harry.
Harry began to say something, stopped, and then said: "no."
"No?"
"No," Harry repeated.
"You don't know why you are here?"
This went on for a bit, much to Percy's annoyance. It would have been much wiser had someone just laid out the accusations; it was clear to Percy that they were both stalling.
"So it's news to you, then," Fudge said, "that an illegal school organization has been discovered within the school?"
"Yes, it is," Harry replied. Percy had to admit he did look surprised... but then, that could be an act...
"This is going to go on all night," Percy whispered to Umbridge. She nodded in agreement, and interrupted, "I think we might make better progress if I fetch our informant."
Cornelius nodded. "Yes, yes, do." As Umbridge left the room, he added, "there's nothing like a good witness, is there, Dumbledore?"
"Nothing at all, Cornelius," Dumbledore said gravely.
After a few minutes, Umbridge brought in a curly-haired girl, who was covering her face.
"Don't be scared, dear, don't be frightened," Umbridge said, "it's quite all right, now. You have done the right thing. The Minister is very pleased with you. He’ll be telling your mother what a good girl you’ve been. Marietta’s mother, Minister,” she added, looking up at Fudge, “is Madam Edgecombe from the Department of Magical Transportation. Floo Network office — she’s been helping us police the Hogwarts fires, you know."
"Jolly good, jolly good!" Cornelius said heartily. Well, come on, now, dear, look up, don’t be shy, let’s hear what you’ve got to — galloping gargoyles!”
Marietta had raised her head to reveal the word "SNEAK" written across her face. It had clearly been a hex... most likely the sanctimonious handiwork of Hermione Granger. Or the twins. Percy decided not to mention that... they were in enough trouble as it was, and he wasn't sure he could help them at this point...
"Never mind the spots now," Umbridge was saying. "just take your robes away from your mouth and tell the Minister-"
Marietta wailed again and shook her head frantically. This was getting pathetic.
Apparently deciding the same thing, Umbridge launched into the story herself. It seemed that this Marietta girl had approached her that evening, telling her that if she went into a certain room on the seventh floor, she would find a meeting of sorts. At that point, the word "SNEAK" had appeared on her face, and she wouldn't say anything else - even after prying.
"Haven't you got a counterjinx?" Cornelius asked. "So she can speak freely?"
"I have not yet managed to find one," Umbridge admitted. "But it doesn't matter if she won't speak, I can take up the story from here. You will remember, Minister, that I sent you a report back in October that Potter had met a number of fellow students in the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade —”
“And what is your evidence for that?” cut in Professor McGonagall.
“I have testimony from Willy Widdershins, Minerva, who happened to be in the bar at the time. He was heavily bandaged, it is true , but his hearing was quite unimpaired,” said Umbridge smugly. “He heard every word Potter said and hastened straight to the school to report to me —”
Percy closed his eyes. He remembered the testimony full well, and had no doubt his younger siblings had been in attendance. How could they have been so dumb?
He was so lost in his train of thought that he realized he'd missed some sort of tirade on Professor McGonagall's part; Dumbledore was telling a Portrait, "that will do." Percy quickly began taking notes again, hoping the omission would be permissible.
“The purpose of Potter’s meeting with these students,” continued Professor Umbridge, “was to persuade them to join an illegal society, whose aim was to learn spells and curses the Ministry has decided are inappropriate for school-age —”
“I think you’ll find you’re wrong there, Dolores,” said Dumbledore quietly, peering at her over the half-moon spectacles perched halfway down his crooked nose.
Percy looked back at Dumbledore with a sigh. What was he going to come up with now?
Fudge was bouncing on the balls of his feet again. "Yes, let's hear the latest cock-and-bull story designed to pull Potter out of trouble! Go on, then, Dumbledore, go on - Willy Widdershins was lying, was he? Or was it Potter's identical twin in the Hog's Head that day? Or is there the usual simple explanation involving a reversal of time, a dead man coming back to life, and a couple of invisible dementors?"
Percy couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, very good, Minister, very good!"
Harry's eyes were on Percy now; it was amazing how he could glare at you without actually glaring. He wondered where he'd learned that... well, his muggle aunt and uncle were miserable people, perhaps he'd had practice...
For a moment, Percy felt pity towards the boy. He'd clearly never been accepted until he'd come to Hogwarts and met Dumbledore; he must have been so easily swayed in the wrong direction... .
Dumbledore was smiling, for some peculiar reason. "Cornelius, I do not deny — and nor, I am sure, does Harry — that he was in the Hog’s Head that day, nor that he was trying to recruit students to a Defense Against the Dark Arts group. I am merely pointing out that Dolores is quite wrong to suggest that such a group was, at that time, illegal. If you remember, the Ministry decree banning all student societies was not put into effect until two days after Harry’s Hogsmeade meeting, so he was not breaking any rules in the Hog’s Head at all.”
Percy felt as though he'd been struck in the face. Even Cornelius was motionless with his mouth half-hanging. It wasn't very becoming of a Minister, Percy thought.
“That’s all very fine, Headmaster,” Umbridge said, "but we are now nearly six months on from the introduction of Educational Decree Number Twenty-four. If the first meeting was not illegal, all those that have happened since most certainly are.”
Good one. Percy shot her a nod of approval.
"Well," Dumbledore began, "they certainly would be, if they had continued after the Decree came into effect. Do you have any evidence that these meetings continued?"
"Evidence?" Umbridge sounded dismayed, though she was smiling. "Have you not been listening, Dumbledore? Why do you think Miss Edgecombe is here?"
“Oh, can she tell us about six months’ worth of meetings?” said Dumbledore, raising his eyebrows. “I was under the impression that she was merely reporting a meeting tonight."
“Miss Edgecombe,” said Umbridge at once, “tell us how long these meetings have been going on, dear. You can simply nod or shake your head, I’m sure that won’t make the spots worse. Have they been happening regularly over the last six months?"
Much to Percy's surprise, Marietta shook her head.
"I don’t think you understood the question , did you, dear? I’m asking whether you’ve been going to these meetings for the past six months? You have, haven’t you?"
Marietta shook her head again. Percy exchanged a puzzled look with Dawlish.
"What do you mean by shaking your head, dear?" Umbridge sounded testy now.
"“I would have thought her meaning was quite clear,” said Professor McGonagall harshly. “There have been no secret meetings for the past six month. . Is that correct, Miss Edgecombe?”
Marietta nodded.
“But there was a meeting tonight!” said Umbridge furiously. “There was a meeting, Miss Edgecombe, you told me about it, in the Room of Requirement! And Potter was the leader, was he not, Potter organized it - why are you shaking your head, girl?"
“Well, usually when a person shakes their head,” said McGonagall coldly, “they mean ‘no.’ So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans..."
Umbridge began to shake Marietta fiercely; even Kingsley started forward, and Percy was about to do the same when Umbridge quickly leapt back.
"I cannot allow you to manhandle my students, Dolores,” said Dumbledore.
"You want to calm yourself, Madam Umbridge ,” said Kingsley. "You don’t want to get yourself into trouble now."
For the first time all night, Percy was appreciative of the Auror; he wasn't sure what Umbridge would've done to her had they not intervened. Perhaps she, too, was one of Cornelius's blind spots...
“No,” said Umbridge breathlessly. “I - I forgot myself."
“Dolores,” said Cornelius,, “the meeting tonight — the one we know definitely happened —”
“Yes,” said Umbridge, "well... Miss Edgecombe tipped me off and I proceeded at once to the seventh floor, accompanied by certain trustworthy students, so as to catch those in the meeting red-handed. It appears that they were forewarned of my arrival, however, because when we reached the seventh floor they were running in every direction. It does not matter, however. I have all their names here, Miss Parkinson ran into the Room of Requirement for me to see if they had left anything behind. . . . We needed evidence and the room provided . . .”
Umbridge pulled out a list of names from her pocket and handed it to Cornelius.
“The moment I saw Potter’s name on the list, I knew what we were dealing with,” she said softly.
A smile was spreading across Cornelius's face, which Percy found quite odd. “Excellent, Dolores. And... by thunder..."
He looked at Dumbledore and handed him the list. "See what they've named themselves? Dumbledore's Army."
After a minute of gazing, Dumbledore smiled. "Well, the game is up now. “Would you like a written confession from me, Cornelius — or will a statement before these witnesses suffice?"
“Statement?” said Cornelius slowly . “What — I don’t — ?”
"Dumbledore’s Army, Cornelius," said Dumbledore , still smiling as he waved the list of names before Fudge’s face. "Not Potter’s Army. Dumbledore’s Army."
Percy's eyes widened in comprehension. He should've known from the start. It all made sense now...
"You organized this?" Cornelius demanded.
“I did,” said Dumbledore.
"You recruited these students for — for your army?"
“Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting,” said Dumbledore, nodding. “Merely to see whether they would be interested in joining me. I see now that it was a mistake to invite Miss Edgecombe, of course.” Marietta nodded.
Cornelius looked from her to Dumbledore, his chest swelling. “Then you have been plotting against me!” he yelled.
"That's right," Dumbledore said cheerfully. Why was he so cheerful? Had he lost all sense? Did he not realize how much trouble he would be in?
"No!" Harry shouted.
Some of his Mum must have rubbed off on Percy, because he suddenly had the urge to gently tell Harry that for once in his life, he didn't have to take the fall. But if he was so willing, would he listen?
"No - Professor Dumbledore!"
Of course he wouldn't listen. He was too stubborn for his own good. It was a shame, really...
“Be quiet, Harry, or I am afraid you will have to leave my office,” said Dumbledore calmly.
“Yes, shut up, Potter!” barked Cornelius, who was now studying Dumbledore with morbid fascination. “Well, well, well — I came here tonight expecting to expel Potter and instead-"
"-instead you get to arrest me. It's like losing a Knut and finding a Galleon, isn't it?"
"Weasley!" Cornelius cried. "Weasley, have you written it all down, everything he's said, his confession, have you got it?"
"Yes, sir, I think so, sir!" Percy said quickly.
“The bit about how he’s been trying to build up an army against the Ministry, how he’s been working to destabilize me?”
Percy scanned his notes, and beamed. "Yes, sir, I’ve got it, yes!" His first arrest report. His parents would be -
Proud? No. They'd be livid; his Mum would probably scream at him for hours. Or cry. Or both. But it was no matter; he was doing the right thing, and that was enough for him. They would be proud someday, Percy was sure of it.
“Very well, then,” said Cornelius. “Duplicate your notes, Weasley, and send a copy to the Daily Prophet at once. If we send a fast owl we should make the morning edition!”
Percy wasted no time in hurrying out of the room.
Penelope was waiting for him when he got home. More accurately, she was sprawled across the couch with a book.
"What happened?" She asked without looking up.
"For starters, Dumbledore's been sacked," he said.
That got Penelope's attention; her head snapped up, and she put down the book. "What?"
"I must admit, it was difficult. I always did like him before the fear-mongering. But it couldn't be helped. It turns out we were right."
"About what?"
"He was starting an organization to undermine the Ministry. We discovered a list of students he'd planned on recruiting. Including Ron, Ginny, and the twins. Can you believe him?"
"I see."
"I know!" Percy shook his head. "I warned Ron about that... the trouble they almost all got into, I don't know what I would've... the only downside is, Dumbledore escaped imprisonment."
Percy had learned the development while in the middle of relaying all he knew to The Daily Prophet; a harried Dawlish had hurried in and informed them that somehow, Dumbledore had stunned all of them and made a run for it.
Penny stood up quickly. "Imprisonment."
"Well, of course. Think of what he was doing."
"It's Dumbledore. How bad could this group have been?"
"It's for the good of the people."
Percy wasn't sure what he'd said, but it was bad, apparently, for Penny was staring at Percy with an expression he couldn't begin to read.
"What happened to you?" She asked. "What happened to the Percy I fell in love with?"
"I'm right here. Nothing's changed."
"Everything's changed. I don't know you anymore. You're - you're so blinded by your need to support Fudge, you can't even hear yourself right now. This is not you. A year ago, you would have never arrested Albus Dumbledore."
"A year ago, he wasn't a known threat to our society."
Penelope let out a cold, hard laugh.
"A threat to our society? Yes, that's right. Let's blame the man trying to save our necks while Fudge pretends nothing's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong."
"I used to think you were right," Penelope said softly. "But now, I'm not so sure."
After a minute, Penelope added, "so I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore. I'm going to have to leave."
Percy stared at her; his heart was pounding. "What?"
"I've been lying to myself every single day since July, just so I can still be with you. I can't do it anymore. I can't watch Fudge turn you into a man I don't love. I can't be a person I hate."
"Pen-"
"-Don't. It's over. I know you'll see the error of your ways someday, but that could be a very long time, and I'm not going to waste mine waiting."
An hour later, despite much pleading, Penelope was gone. Percy sank into the couch with his face buried in his hands.
How many more people would he have to sacrifice simply for doing the right thing?
Tuesday Morning
"Miss Jones!"
Megan ignored Madam Pomfrey as she headed towards Marietta's hospital bed, where she knew the rat was hiding. She didn't know what she was going to say. Or do.
"Miss Jones, I cannot allow you to agitate my-"
But Megan had already ripped the curtains open.
Marietta sat up, shocked, The word "SNEAK" was smeared across her face.
"I told you not to say a word," Megan snapped. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"I - I don't really remember. I didn't even remember we were in Dumbledore's Army until this morning... I think they modified my memory."
Megan snorted. "Modified your memory. You're a Ravenclaw, you can do better than that."
"I'm serious. I honestly thought last night that it was Dumbledore's idea from the start."
"Well, was your memory modified when you decided to tell on everyone?"
Marietta shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, I really am. I just - I panicked, okay? I thought of what would happen if we got caught, and I guess I thought if-"
"-if you got all of us in trouble, that would be better?"
"It wasn't supposed to be like that... it really wasn't. I was going to tell her..."
Marietta closed her eyes. "I never really wanted to join in the first place. I did it for Cho."
"And you thought she'd just get detention for joining a resistance group? They don't give you regular detentions for that sort of thing, especially not right now. She would've been expelled. At best. We all would've been expelled at best."
"I know I made a mistake, do you not see what's written on my face?"
"Yeah, I do. I about pissed myself with joy."
"I think you should go," Pomfrey said. "The Headmistress is going to want a word any minute."
There was a look of warning in her eyes.
"Fine."
"I really am sorry," Marietta whispered.
Megan shrugged coldly. "The damage has already been done. Anyway, I'd be more worried about apologizing to Cho. You're just about the only friend she's got left. Or you were."
The verbal punch did not do much in the way of making Megan feel any better, but at least she could be certain Marietta felt just as miserable.
Easter Sunday
Remus hadn't been sure about going to Dora's house for Easter.
"I don't want to be a burden for your parents," he'd told Dora.
Dora had given him a look. "Nonsense. Your Dad had me over for Christmas brunch, you're coming for Easter dinner."
"Won't Hestia's parents be there?"
"Of course, they're basically family."
"They don't know about us...'
"Look," Dora began, "Hestia, Mum, Dad and I have already kept so much from them. Things they'd... kill us for not telling. You're the one thing we don't have to keep from them."
"I've taught you too well," Remus said with a wry smile, referring to the guilt trip. Once his specialty, Dora was becoming somewhat talented at them herself.
Much to his relief, when he arrived at the Tonks's, he didn't feel too out of place. Dora had multicolored hair today, which she shaped into an Easter Egg at one point.
"So did you hear that Dumbledore's still on the run?" Glynn Jones asked Remus.
"I had," Remus said after a minute.
"I never thought he'd be wrapped up in something so... foul. Were there any signs while you were there?"
"We were a little distracted that year," Remus said fairly.
"Oh, of course, with Sirius Bl-"
Glynn stopped, glancing at Andromeda.
"You already started saying it, you can finish," Andromeda told him.
"I just know you don't like talking about him."
Megan was frowning at Remus.
"Megan? Are you okay?" Phyllis asked.
"Yeah," Megan said distractedly. "I was just - he was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"You only just remembered that?" Hestia joked.
"No, it's just-" Megan stopped. "I actually have a question for Lupin."
Remus, Tonks and Hestia all exchanged a look.
"Maybe now's not the best time," Hestia said.
"No, after dinner," Megan agreed.
But as soon as they were finished dinner, Megan all but yanked Remus into a small office, shutting the door behind them.
"Is everything okay, Megan?" Remus asked.
"I don't think I was your favourite student," Megan said. "I turned in an essay or two late, I could give a bit of cheek... but I always liked you. You seemed really smart and sort of brave, and... you told me once that I could accomplish anything if I put my mind to it, even if I made mistakes here and there."
"Yes, I remember that." He was sure it wasn't actually the first time a teacher had told her that...
"The thing is... I think I made a big one. If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially Hestia or Tonks. I know about the Order," Megan added.
"Okay..."
"I mean it, Hestia can't know."
Remus didn't like the sounds of it, but knew he had to promise. "You can tell me anything."
"You - you know about Marietta Edgecombe, right?"
"Right."
"Well... last Saturday, we were in the girl's room, and I think she was trying to tell me she was thinking about telling on us. She was all upset and wanted my advice. Except... I don't think I was really listening. I was running late to something and distracted and now everything's ruined. Dumbledore's Army was the best thing that happened to me since Cedric died, and I don't have that anymore."
"Oh. Megan..."
"And Dumbledore's gone, and - and they found the list, Professor. A list with all of our names, including mine. What if they'd questioned my parents? Or worse, Hestia? They - they could've found out she was in the Order, she could've gone to Azkaban, if Dumbledore's caught he will go to Azkaban, all because I'm a selfish bitch who cared more about a stupid Hogsmeade weekend!"
Megan was clearly fighting tears now; she kept scrunching her nose and curling her fists.
"What exactly did you say to her?" Remus asked. "I can't imagine you ignored her completely."
"I told her to calm down, that we had no choice other than to do this, that our parents weren't going to get in trouble and it would be okay. But... then I just left her. I should've stayed."
"Did you tell her she should tell Umbridge about Dumbledore's Army?"
"No."
"Then you did all you could," Remus said. "You couldn't have possibly known what she would do. And I do believe you said this happened on Saturday?"
"Yeah."
"Marietta didn't tell Umbridge until Monday night. That's a lot of time to deliberate. So unless you'd tied her up through Tuesday morning..."
Megan giggled despite herself, though there was definitely a sob or two mixed in with it.
"So tell me," Remus continued, "what happened the night you were caught."
"I barely remember..."
"You must remember something. Unless your memory was modified?"
Megan raised her eyebrows. "Marietta actually said something about-"
"-so back to that night," Remus interrupted quickly. She didn't need to know what Kingsley had done. Maybe some other time.
"Right. Okay. Well, a House Elf came in, and he told us Umbridge was coming. I grabbed my best friend's hand and we ran as fast as we could, into an empty classroom with some others."
"So let me get this straight," Remus began. "You grabbed the hand of your closest friend, and harbored some others?"
"Yes. Well, really, we were all harboring each-"
"It would've been safer to have pointed in their direction and let them take the fall, wouldn't it? Made you look better?"
Megan looked scandalized. "I would never-!"
"Some would. I know a man who did, and worse yet, he let another man take all the blame. This man was a friend of mine, and I trusted him. Perhaps, like you, I was also a little distracted."
"By a Hogsmeade trip?"
Remus laughed. "No. But maybe that's a better thing to be distracted by than the things that were distracting me."
"They were probably more important..."
"A good friend of mine would've told you there is nothing more important than a fun, carefree day with friends when things are at their worst."
"I guess."
"Listen, Megan," Remus said firmly, "none of this was your fault. Believe me, I've been where you are - and you'll be here again. I guarantee it."
"Are you trying to make me feel better?"
"My point is, you are a good person, regardless of what you disregard or misunderstand, what bad choices you make. Moreover, the decisions Marietta made were hers alone. you are only responsible for your choices, and no one else's. Do you understand me?"
"I think so," Megan said. "Thanks. I miss you, you know. I wish you'd been our Professor this year, instead of stupid Umbridge."
"I miss Hogwarts too," Remus told her. He was surprised to hear himself say it, having pushed those thoughts far out of mind and sight. 1993 seemed like a very long time ago.
"Maybe when someone finally pushes Umbridge from one of the towers, you can replace her!" Megan suggested.
She looked embarrassed. "I - I didn't mean-"
Remus smiled. "I know what you mean. Feeling better?"
Megan returned the smile. "Yes. Thanks again."
Remus walked back into the kitchen, where Hestia and Dora were talking.
"Is she okay?" Hestia asked at once.
"She'll be fine," Remus told her. "She just needed a little defense advice."
Kingsley had left his parents' early that night; he was in no mood for festivities.
Dumbledore was safe; they could be glad for that. But on the other hand, the Ministry now had an actual reason to believe he was against them, which in many ways had made things worse. And there was no way the Defense group at Hogwarts could meet again... who would teach Molly and Arthur's children now? Hestia's younger sister?
Then there was the fact that he'd been forced to modify the memory of a teenage girl. That hadn't left Kingsley with the best taste in his mouth. Yes, it was a necessary evil, but all the same... he hadn't thought twice about it, either. He'd just done it.
When Kingsley had become an Auror, he'd done so with a love and reverence for the Ministry. When Cornelius Fudge had become Minister, he'd duly sworn to protect him, just as he'd sworn to protect the previous Minister. Even now, he did not think Cornelius Fudge was a as much a bad man as he was a deluded fool. In some ways, that was far worse.
Kingsley realized the egg he'd been holding - he hadn't even remembered grabbing one - was cracking in his fist.
"Happy Easter, Fudge," Kingsley muttered bitterly as he cleaned off his yoke-soiled hand in the sink.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2015-03-05 06:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-03-05 07:29 pm (UTC)Your Penny is also brilliant. I loved her comment about Percy's bowler hat and the in depth backstory you have given them.
Of course, I love Tonks. ;) And Kingsley. His internal monologue about Dumbledore was very insightful.
Excellent chapter! :)
no subject
Date: 2015-03-05 08:29 pm (UTC)