FicWad

Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour thanked Rita Skeeter and frowned as she departed the Headmaster’s Office. It was worse than he could have imagined. He had long suspected that the Minister had at one time been a staffer in the Department of Mysteries, but to learn that Minister Umbridge was actually the current Head of that Department--and that she had been for some time--was a shock.

That meant that Dolores Umbridge was the head of the two most powerful departments in the Ministry, as well as being Minister. And the Minister very nearly had the Wizengamot in her pocket; she would be able to operate with total impunity. Such a situation was untenable--a political disaster in the making.

“Well, Albus, it would appear that I owe you an apology,” Scrimgeour sighed. “I am confident that you have determined the veracity of Ms Skeeter’s story.”

“Indeed,” Dumbledore nodded. “Once Ms Skeeter understood her situation, she was most forthcoming, and allowed me to take copies of her memories to verify her tale. I just wish she had something more to give us.”

“At least we have some evidence that the Minister has been manipulating the Daily Prophet’s content,” Scrimgeour responded. “Ms Skeeter has confirmed my private suspicions in that regard. That is a start at least. But I am deeply troubled...” Scrimgeour paused with an abashed look on his face.

“Albus, I feel I must warn you...” the Head Auror continued, “The Minister directed me to turn over Nott Sr to the Unspeakables for ‘further interrogations.’ Who knows how far she might go to advance her agenda?” Rufus eyed the Headmaster pointedly.

“That is grave news indeed,” Dumbledore stroked his long white beard thoughtfully. “However, not unexpected. I am also concerned regarding some other disturbing news--are the reports of Inferi with a contagious curse true?”

“Yes,” sighed Scrimgeour, “There were numerous attacks scattered around Britain last night--clean up operations are ongoing. It is not known how many Inferi have evaded us so far and passed on their curse. We are using everything we have to track their movements and eradicate them. And, needless to say, my Department is currently stretched quite thin...”

~o0o~

It was late afternoon when Harry woke up with Hermione snuggled under his arm. She slowly stirred as well and gazed into his green eyes.

“He’s dead Harry,” Hermione murmured. “Wormtail I mean...” A brief flicker of pain crossed Hermione’s features; Harry peered at her in concern.

“Are you alright Hermione?” Harry asked.

Hermione’s furry ears twitched apprehensively and she suddenly cast her eyes down.

“I... I’m not sure Harry,” Hermione replied. “I... I killed someone... I watched him die, and I knew that I had caused his death--intentionally. A....and, the worst part is that I didn’t feel bad about it. I felt happy...” Hermione gasped and tears filled her eyes.

“Harry--I know Wormtail deserved to die--a...and I wanted him to. B... but I shouldn’t feel happy that someone is dead--should I?” sobbed Hermione.

“Sssh Hermione,” Harry whispered earnestly, stroking her furry ears, “It’s alright. I’m happy that Wormtail is dead too; he had it coming...”

“B.... but I’m the one that did it,” Hermione sobbed again. “Doesn’t that make me evil, to... to kill someone... and en...enjoy it?”

Harry was about to respond with a vehement “no,” but someone else replied first.

“If it does, then I’d ‘ave to count myself as evil too then,” Dora had woken, after having fallen asleep in the chair between the Potters’ bed and Jennifer’s.

Dora had heard the whole conversation. Unease had grown as she listened; the truth was that Dora was feeling as guilty as Hermione, but suddenly a feeling of conviction had surged, and she knew just what to say.

“If you were really evil, you wouldn’t even be questioning it Hermione. Look--you did what you ‘ad to do. If you hadn’t, ‘e woulda killed you and Jennifer--you did the right thing! But beyond that, you finished someone ‘oo really deserved it. And it was personal Hermione... Wormtail made it personal--just like that piece of shite Lock’art and that vermin Greyback did,”

A flush of anger swept through Hermione as she thought of Lockhart, followed by a feeling of satisfaction that he was gone too.

“They all took a piece of people we care about,” Dora continued, “Their evil touched all of our lives--they’re responsible for so much torment and death. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with bein’ ‘appy that those bastards are all dead--alright!”

“I couldn’t agree more,” murmured Jennifer, who had just woken up to hear Dora responding to Hermione. “I’m thrilled that Ratface will never be able to hurt anyone ever again.”

“See Hermione,” Harry said quietly. “We all feel the same way. You’re not evil, nor is Dora! You ended Evil--both of you did. It’s alright for you both to feel pleased that Wormtail and Lockhart are dead. I couldn't be happier knowing that they’re gone--and that Voldemort’s gone too...”

Hermione peered at Dora and Jennifer gratefully, then looked back to return her husband’s gaze.

“Thank you Hermione!” Harry’s own eyes had grown watery, and his breath caught as his heart lurched. “And... th...thanks for staying alive. I... I couldn’t bear to be without you Hermione... I love you so much!”

“Oh Harry,” Hermione softly returned before drawing closer and kissing him deeply as her fluffy tail curled around him under the blanket. After a few moments their lips parted. “Thank you... I wouldn’t even be here without you. I love you too Harry.”

Hermione felt an overwhelming swell of emotion surge. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she faced Dora and Jennifer again, “I love you both too. I’m so glad we’re all here, together... all of us--Luna and Parvati, and Daphne and Fleur--we all survived...”

Madam Pomfrey shooed the Coven out of the Hospital Wing with potions and instructions when she discovered them all wide awake and appearing quite animated. Feeling hungry, they made their way to get ready for dinner.

~o0o~

Harry stiffened when he saw Theodore Nott enter the Great Hall. Harry finished chewing his piece of pork chop and swallowed carefully.

“What’s he doing here?” Harry growled.

“Nott saved my life Harry,” Luna replied firmly, flicking her fluffy white tail. “He’s very sorry for what he did now...”

“But...”

“It’s true Harry,” interjected Parvati, who still looked unsettled; her sleek black tail wagged back and forth uncertainly. “Theodore turned himself in to Dumbledore... promised to go back to prison if he had to.”

“He what...? ” Harry gasped. He couldn’t believe it--Nott, of all people, turning over a new leaf.

“And Dumbledore said that promising to go back to prison showed character,” Parvati responded. “He’s considering allowing Theodore to come back to Hogwarts instead... if we--us, the Coven--agree he should get another chance. Dumbledore’s giving us the final say...”

“Wow... that’s... er... good!? ” Harry glanced at Hermione in perplex.

Hermione understood what Harry needed. And Nott was near enough that Hermione was able to give Harry an answer. Her bushy ginger tail and furry ears quivered as she reached out with her senses.

“I... I think Nott is sincere Harry,” said Hermione after a few moments passed. “All I can feel in him is a deep sadness and remorse at the moment.”

Harry looked at Luna who peered back hopefully. He glanced at Parvati who started to shrug; then she sighed and nodded affirmatively.

“Yeah Harry--he deserves another chance,” Parvati stated.

Harry next gazed questioningly into Daphne’s eyes.

“I think Nott should get a second chance Harry,” Daphne said insistently, “He saved Luna’s life--I think he means it.”

“Are you certain Chérie?” Fleur asked concernedly. “ ‘e ‘elped zat Malfoy boy...”

Daphne nodded and gave Fleur a kiss, “Yes, I’m sure... Nott could have just made a run for it, but he didn’t. He came back to take responsibility.”

Jennifer and Dora both nodded and said yes too when Harry looked at them.

“Well,” Harry sighed, “If you’re all agreed that Nott deserves another shot, then I suppose he can come back to Hogwarts. I'll tell Dumbledore what we've decided after dinner.”

~o0o~

“Very well then,” said the Headmaster as he peered proudly at Harry and Hermione in his Office when dinner was finished, “I shall inform Mr Theodore Nott that he will be reinstated at Hogwarts on a probationary status at the beginning of term.”

“Now,” Dumbledore continued, his eyes gleaming slightly, “I have something else to discuss--finishing Tom Riddle forever. I have the location of the last Horcrux...”

“And you need me to help retrieve it?” Hermione interjected excitedly.

The Headmaster’s eyes twinkled.

“Well, in this instance,” Dumbledore looked at Harry again and went on, “I believe Mister Potter’s talents will come in quite handy... you see, the item in question is Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup, and it resides in Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault at Gringotts. And if I am not mistaken, Harry’s metamorphmagus talents are advanced enough that he should be able to convincingly take Bellatrix’s place...”

Harry’s jaw dropped and Hermione’s furry tail flicked in surprise.

“I... I’ve never really seen her,” Harry muttered, “I mean I have, in pictures... but I’d really need a good look at her in person to pull it off.”

“Indeed Harry!” Dumbledore nodded. “That is why I have Mr Longbottom’s memory of his recent encounter with her for you to study in the pensieve at length. And actually, I do recommend that Mrs Potter go on this mission as well, under your Invisibility Cloak, to make short work of locating the Horcrux in the vault.”

“Professor,” Hermione twitched her furry ears, a troubled expression on her face, “are we stealing it from Gringotts then?”

“Technically, we will be stealing only from Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault,” Dumbledore replied. “I have spoken with Ragnok, and he has consulted with the Chairman of Gringotts. They have no more desire to see Tom Riddle return than we do--nor do they wish Gringotts to be associated with harbouring a Wizard Artifact of such a Dark Nature,”

“They were reticent at first, as they do not wish to undo Gringotts sterling reputation for protecting the property and the rights of their clients. But they eventually agreed with my request. Though, for the sake of avoiding the appearance of impropriety, they have agreed to allow a member of the Order to enter the Lestrange vault only if disguised as Bellatrix herself,”

“We have Bellatrix’s wand which you will need to present. And Bellatrix, being gravely injured and a fugitive, will have gone to ground... she will not be able to complicate things if we move quickly--within the next few days.”

Harry and Hermione glanced at each other in surprise.

“Right then,” said Harry resolutely, “Let’s do this Sir... When do we go?”

“As soon as you have perfected your disguise Harry,” Dumbledore replied. “You may begin practice tomorrow morning when I take you inside Neville Longbottom’s memory to view Bellatrix Lestrange.”

~o0o~

Minister Dolores Umbridge scowled as she sipped a nightcap alone. Lord Voldemort’s sudden demise at Dumbledore's hands was problematic. Dolores had got quite far capitalising on the Wizard World’s fear of the Dark Lord’s mad excesses. He had been convenient as a scapegoat, and for keeping the Headmaster of Hogwarts on his toes.

The Minister was also perturbed that Rufus Scrimgeour had retained custody of Crabbe and Goyle, having claimed their usefulness to ongoing investigations of escaped Death Eaters who possibly remained at large.

She sighed and drained the rest of her snifter, plunking it on the table. It only made sense the Minister supposed. It would not do to allow any Death Eaters still loyal to a martyred Voldemort to continue running loose... unless they swore their fealty to Dolores.

The Minister still had Nott Sr, and the Snatchers. They would be enough to complete her plans. With their “cooperation”--willing or not--in telling the story which Dolores wanted told to the Wizengamot, both the Wizengamot and Hogwarts could be hers in a matter of weeks.

Then Dolores could finally begin implementing the next phase of her programme, and she could pardon Lucius and his son, giving them an opportunity to regain their previous status in the Wizard World. Adjusting herself to the situation, Dolores poured herself another brandy.

~o0o~

Harry kissed his wife humidly when they settled down for the night in their own bed. It was well after one AM, long past the time that Madam Pomfrey had instructed her patients to take their potions and get a proper night's sleep. Harry reluctantly swallowed his sleeping draught after Hermione reminded him that they both ought to. But he was still keyed up with anticipation.

“We’ll be able to spend a night or two at home and see your Mum again in a couple of days Hermione.”

“I can’t wait Harry,” Hermione beamed. “I know we still have the Minister to deal with. But we’re finally going to be completely free of that horrid Tom Riddle. You won’t have to stay in the same home as your Aunt when Voldemort is completely gone...”

“Oh... yeah!” Harry nodded. He had forgotten about that. “Well, Aunt Petunia and Dudley are probably still safer being where the Minister can’t find them--but I bet they’re both going stir-crazy shut up in that house. Maybe I should send them on holiday somewhere safe... out of the country for a bit.”

“That’s a very sweet idea Harry,” Hermione agreed, burrowing into Harry’s shoulder as he stroked her bushy hair and fuzzy ears. “Maybe we could send Mum and Auntie Joanne somewhere abroad too? They might like a change of scenery. Then they wouldn’t need Abby Brixton or Mr Moody to look after them either...”

“Brilliant... We could have the whole house to ourselves again Hermione,” said Harry excitedly. “Madam Bones and Susan don’t have to worry about Voldemort anymore either--it should be safe enough for them to go back to their own homes. We’ll be able to invite the others to visit if they want to...”

“Mmmhmm,” Hermione responded sleepily, curling her bushy tail around Harry.

Harry and Hermione drifted off in each other's arms as the sleeping draughts kicked in, both dreaming happily of being at home in bed with the rest of the Coven.