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Time for Action
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-05-20 13:52
"I think we need to pursue prosecution against the criminals released by Reed Wycombe and others," Hermione said, dropping a rather thorough packet on Kingsley's desk. It consisted of known Death Eaters, dark wizards involved with Project 25, and other Voldemort Loyalists released from Azkaban or cleared of any and all charges over the last few years. Hermione had worked on it in between her work for Kingsley and the Muggle Prime Minister as well as her homelife.
"I see you've been meticulous as ever," Kingsley replied, flipping open the packet and thumbing through the first few pages. Each parchment focused on a different individual, included a moving photograph if available, and a complete write-up on crimes committed or alleged with an easy-to-read timeline, in addition to how or why charges were dropped.
"And bold!" Kingsley exclaimed, meeting Hermione's gaze. "Lucius Malfoy!"
She sat down in the chair opposite his desk and rested her arms on the armrests. "You know as well as I that he used his influence to clear every last charge against him. I wouldn't even be surprised if he paid somebody off. He's certainly rich enough.
"Shouldn't he be considered? He was a bloody warden at a Community for Nons, among other things…"
"I don't disagree with you," Kingsley replied. "Wycombe and like-minded associates released more criminals than we have the resources to track, but there are some we are watching very closely. Since we still don't have any leads on where the Death Eaters are currently headquartered, tailing certain 'former' dark wizards is our best hope at the moment. Malfoy's not one we're currently pursuing, though.
"What's brought this on?" he asked.
"These individuals should have never been released or cleared of any charges," Hermione answered, "but I'm also concerned that with the Death Eaters active and actively recruiting, these known Death Eaters and loyalists are probably engaged in related activity. I see how following some might be helpful in tracking where they might be headquartered, or at least identifying heretofore unknown members, but surely not all are needed? Surely it's better to get some off the streets?"
"It might be difficult," Kingsley warned, "charging someone with a crime for which they've already been acquitted."
"I don't doubt it, but surely it can be done. If they got off after committing egregious crimes, like murder, than I think we can put them behind bars again," Hermione argued.
She sighed. "The PM's cabinet is starting to think we're incompetent. All talk but no action."
"And the PM himself?"
"He's a bit more open-minded. I just wish we had results, not just to share with him, but for our own sakes." Hermione frowned. "It seems as if all we've been doing is circling the same situation instead of moving forward."
Kingsley nodded. "It's hard being patient when there are so many unknowns and little has changed in our favor. Here's a nugget of information, for what good it will do."
Hermione leaned forward, all ears.
"Asher Kent was able to disclose that he was one of four recruits selected for testing around the time he was arrested. We can surmise that Malden McGonagall is another, but who are the other two?"
"Testing?" Hermione repeated, feeling repulsed. She could well-imagine what sorts of things that entailed. She thought a moment and said, "I suppose we can't assume that the other two are also Hogwarts graduates, and that's of course assuming that McGonagall is one of the four. He might have been present and not yet 'chosen'."
"Or if what Arielle Kent described is true, then his test was to kill her."
Hermione felt sick at the thought of children murdering other children. "When did you find this out?"
"Yesterday. Kent had to go to the infirmary at Azkaban afterwards, but he said he wanted to try again later. I'm glad he's being so cooperative."
"Me too," Hermione said. "Will it put him in jeopardy, though? With the Death Eaters, I mean."
"If they find out he's helping, yes," Kingsley said. "He's willing to take the risk."
Hermione said. "He's brave. Shame he didn't see the error of his ways sooner, though."
"Could have certainly been worse."
"Yes." Hermione asked, "What's been done since the revelation?"
"I have a meeting with Minerva later. We're going to review rosters and probably conduct some surveillance, but unless there's reasonable doubt, there's not much else we can do."
"I suppose it's entirely possible the other examinees weren't part of the Hogwarts recruit program at all."
Kingsley nodded. "Kent couldn't get that specific."
"Well, this is something. I hope your meeting with Professor McGonagal pans out." Hermione got up and pointed her finger on the thick packet she'd put on Kingsley's desk.
He grinned and said, "I'll have someone review it."
Hermione nodded and said, "See you." With that, she left the Minister of Magic's office for her own office at Parliament.
(Oliver) Choices
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-05-20 16:50
Ever since learning that Grace would be going to the Sweethearts Dance with Gerry and that Rand, if he followed through, would ask Maud to be his date, Oliver debated who to ask to the dance. The thing was, he didn't have a crush on anybody. Sure, there were girls he thought were kind of pretty, but he didn't have 'the one'.
True, he could go to the dance by himself or as the fifth wheel, but he'd rather bring someone. Of the girls in his year, many were taken already. Kaycee was with Chip. Edwina with Bertie. Belinda, who Oliver found somewhat intimidating, was with Conrad.
Oliver could try older or younger, but aside from those he knew through Quidditch, he wasn't sure he felt comfortable asking someone he didn't know well to the dance. He thought about his options all through Charms with the Ravenclaws and Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, to the point that he didn't even remember what had been covered in class. Not good in an OWL year!
Fortunately, neither Professor Knight nor Professor Ravenscroft asked him any questions or noticed that he wasn't truly paying attention.
The boys cut across the grounds after Herbology ended. It was so sunny Oliver wished he had sunglasses. How could it be so bright and so cold at the same time?
He heaved a big sigh and said, "If you didn't have Maud, who would you prefer? Jaclyn or Libby?"
"Wow. Those two girls are incredibly different." Rand gave Oliver an appraising glance. "Is it between those two, then?"
Oliver smiled sheepishly. "It's not that I like like either one, so don't get any ideas. They are just the two I've considered the most for this dance thing since we talked about it last night."
Rand scratched his chin. "I think Jaclyn is the safe option, but the fact that Libby is one of your choices is interesting."
"Slytherin she may be, but she's tame compared to most. Anyway, her best friends are Hufflepuffs."
"Okay, so how about you ask the one you see first."
"Deal," Oliver said, deciding he better follow through rather than vacillate further. After all, he was a Gryffindor and was supposed to be brave.
The boys reached the castle, entered the Entrance Hall, and crossed over to the Great Hall. From the doorway, Oliver spotted Libby sitting alone at the Slytherin table. Edwina and Bertie had been in class with him and Rand just now and hadn't made it to the Great Hall yet.
Rand gave Oliver a friendly slap on the back and went over to the Gryffindor table, while Oliver headed over to where Libby sat, reading what looked like a magazine about cats.
"Hey, Libby," Oliver said.
She looked up at him with a 'what-do-you-want' expression on her face.
That took Oliver aback, but he pressed on quickly, "Erm, I was wondering if you would be my date to the Sweethearts Dance?"
Meeting with Kingsley
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 01-06-20 18:58
Minerva and Kingsley sat at a side table in her office and reviewed the student rosters from the previous school year over dinner, which consisted of plump sausages, roasted potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Although it might seem as if the likely candidates to be student Death Eaters were all Slytherins, both knew that this wasn't necessarily true. After all, there were dark wizards past and present who came from all three of the other Hogwarts houses.
Kingsley had a running list of potential groups, which included Slytherins, those who were known to have been close to Asher and Malden, or those whom they might have associated with in clubs or other organizations. Some individuals overlapped from one group to the next, but even then, Minerva didn't feel confident that any had joined the Death Eaters. Then again, she'd never guessed that Asher and Malden would have been recruited.
"Oh, who am I fooling?" Minerva suddenly exclaimed with a shake of her head. "Of course I should have realized he might be at risk."
Kingsley, knowing whom she meant, gave Minerva a kindly pat on the hand and said, "You can't blame yourself for what your brother has done."
"And yet, I should have looked out for Malden more. He is so like Menelaus, you know."
"If it was Menelaus who led the charge, then he may have used Malden to get to others," Kingsley pondered aloud. "Would he have done so a person at a time or gathered a group, who met in secret once or several times…?"
"It can be done," Minerva began, "but holding regular or semi-regular meetings and keeping them completely secret at Hogwarts would be difficult to maintain."
"Unless the meetings were made under the guise of something legitimate. Have any new clubs been started in the last… oh, two years or so?"
Minerva said, "I'll check the list of official clubs, but there's also unofficial group gatherings to consider. I'll look into that as well." A dawning realization crept to mind but was harshly interrupted when Eunice Smirt barged into the office unannounced.
"Excuse me!" Minerva exclaimed, rising to her feet. "It's polite to knock!"
"It's also polite to prevent school children from becoming dark wizards, but here we are. What's this, then?" she asked, looking over the side table where Minerva and Kingsley were working and taking their meal.
"Private business!" Minerva snapped, whereas Kingsley rose and extended his hand. "I don't believe we've met."
"You're correct. We haven't," Eunice said. She glanced over the notes on the table and then walked over to Minerva's desk.
Minerva followed her and asked, "What is it you're looking for, Eunice?"
"I looked for you at supper, but you weren't in the Great Hall. I was right to look for you here, and yet I didn't expect to find you in the company of our esteemed Minister of Magic. What's this?" she asked, her eyes zeroing in on a letter on Minerva's desk.
"Private correspondence!" Minerva barked.
"With a Death Eater no less." Eunice took the letter in hand to keep as evidence.
"That is not yours to take," Minerva said, and to her surprise the letter flew from Eunice's hands and landed neatly in Kingsley's. He held his wand in his other hand.
"Madam, I would be glad if you could make an appointment to meet me at the Ministry some time in the near future. In the meantime, Minerva and I have important business to attend to and kindly request you leave us."
Eunice regarded Kingsley with an unreadable expression on her face and then retreated from the room. Minerva flicked her wand angrily at the door, engaging all the locks.
Kingsley, meanwhile, looked at the letter. "Forgive me for reading it, but I must say I'm pleased it's not as bad as she made it sound. He seems genuinely sorry."
Asher had written before Christmas and apologized for bringing trouble to Hogwarts. Minerva hadn't written him back and instead had sent a message along with Jolyon on one of his visits to Azkaban.
"I'm glad he's changed. I'm just sorry it's come to this," Minerva said. She rejoined Kingsley at the table and said, "Now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"
Love Potion [Libby]
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 01-06-20 19:44
Libby looks up from the Charms assignment she's trying to finish for tomorrow. Directly across from her Edwina has taken one seat and Julia Vernon another. Both are watching her intently. She stares back. When all that happens is the two of them blinking at her she asks with a sigh, "Yes?"
"You've said nothing. NOTHING!" Edwina realizes she's gotten a little loud so quickly lowers her voice to emphatically punctuate, "Nuuuuthiiiing."
Head nodding up and down like one of those bobble headed dolls Libby's father discovered over the holidays, Julia repeats, "Nothing."
"Maybe that means there's nothing to tell but as I don't even know what I've said nothing about I don't know if there's nothing or something, now do I?"
Julia's mouth gapes in surprise. Edwina gives Libby a pointed look. She speaks with exaggerated slowness. "Oliver... Towneley... asked... you... to... the... Sweet... hearts... Dance."
Libby's mouth purses as if conveying a shrug with her lips. "He did."
"You've never gone out before!" Julia exclaims loudly enough that students at another library table look over to see what the fuss is.
"Have to have a first one sometime."
"But Valentine's? It seems significant." Julia is again bobbling in agreement with Edwina.
"It's a dance that happens to be on Valentine's. That's all for now. It might be significant but we won't know that until then."
Edwina reaches across the table to clutch Libby's hand and wrist. "That means you told Oliver yes, doesn't it?"
Small smile on her face Libby thinks back to earlier in the day. She'd been looking through a magazine while trying to decide what of today's food choices she wanted to eat for lunch. Upon hearing, "Hey, Libby," she thought with annoyance that Walter was once again going to ask to see what she's written so far for a Potions essay due Friday. If not Walter then Reginald.
Libby was not expecting to see Oliver Towneley standing there. Her expression froze in place as she fleetingly wondered why Oliver would be asking her for coursework help instead of his Ravenclaw bestie Grace Valentine or maybe he's looking for someone to fill out a team for a game of some sort.
Libby was absolutely gobsmacked at Oliver's, "Erm, I was wondering if you would be my date to the Sweethearts Dance?" She was so gobsmacked that it took her a few seconds of Oliver's earnest, expectant expression to unfreeze her own expression from irritated to pleased and friendly. She'd flashed him her most winning, charming smile - the one the Cheeky Monkey has sometimes referred to as, "Uh oh. Evil's afoot," but that Edwina has said is a pretty smile. "Go to the dance with you, Oliver? Yes, thanks, I'd love to."
After promising to get with Libby closer to the dance to find out what color corsage he should get her, and Libby saying the same about a boutonniere for him, he'd sort of awkwardly walked backwards a few steps then turned and walked somewhat nonchalantly to the Gryffindor table to join his friend Rand Prinsloo.
Libby starts to relate all this to Edwina and Julia only to turn the small smile into a sly one. "I told him it was about time the love potion started working and that for Valentine's he's to get me five dozen rose a mix of red, white, pink, and champagne and chocolates weighing exactly two stone."
At their expressions Libby, who'd been packing up her materials, grabs her bag and, laughing, stands up. "Dinner. I'm famished." She's still sniggering when they catch up with her outside of the library, headed for the Great Hall.
Opinions and Eels
Author: Marzipan
Date: 01-08-20 18:56
Marzi ushered Carter and Vallon into the Great Hall and put them in the two empty seats next to Professor Snape. She sat down on their other side, with Illyria seated alone to her right.
"Where's the family?" Marzi asked, while she made sure the boys included vegetables with their dinners.
"Nathan took them to his parents' house for dinner. I would have gone, but I thought it better to eat in since I have classes tonight. Did you see the news?"
"That ridiculous op-ed by Dolores Umbridge?"
Illyria nodded. "Yes. She's a bit touched, isn't she?"
"What was it she wrote? 'The Community for Nons are an important part of British wizarding history and culture and should be preserved and highly regarded.' I don't disagree that we should forget the past, but honoring the darkest parts of it is pure insanity," Marzi replied.
Illyria sighed. "Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who agree with her."
A trill of laughter drew Marzi's attention to her boys. They had their heads bent over their school's copy of 'Diary of a Wimpy Wizard', which they've read multiple times and still found hilarious.
Marzi hadn't seen them carry in the book, nor did she realize that they'd also filled their pockets with a few leftover gummy eels from the gift Professor Snape had given them for Christmas.
"No eels until you eat what's on your plate,"Marzi said.
Vallon broke out into peals of laughter. He'd already slipped an eel onto his plate. It was mixed in with his carrots.
Marzi shook her head and said, "Okay, you. Return the rest to your pockets and put away the book while you're eating."
The book snapped shut and was stashed wherever it had been when it came in with the boys. The eels were also stowed away, though one was surreptitiously passed to Professor Snape in case he wanted something gummy and good instead of leafy and green.
(Malden) Damaged Goods
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 01-10-20 08:20
Malden had severe doubts about stepping outside of Maurice's grandfather's house without using polyjuice potion, but he knew he didn't have any choice if he wanted to stay in the good graces of the Death Eaters. After over a month of wondering what difficult task he would be asked to do next, Malden got his answer when one of the younger Death Eaters, Herman Bonneville, pulled him aside and informed him that they had business to attend to together.
Bonneville had a British mother and a French/German father. He grew up in France, attended Beauxbatons, and was a junior Death Eater when Voldemort fell in Hogsmeade fourteen years ago. He returned to France afterwards and led a rather normal life, only returning to Britain when he caught wind that the Death Eaters had reformed under Adriana Fairchild. He had been with them ever since and though not in Voldemort's inner circle, Bonneville was considered a full-fledged, experienced Death Eater.
And now he was Malden's apparent mentor.
"If you keep fiddling with your disguise, then you'll draw attention to yourself," Bonneville advised.
He and Malden were standing just outside St. Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards. Malden had changed his hair color to white blond for this excursion. He had grown it out while in hiding, so it was long enough to wear in a short ponytail. He had a tweed beanie cap on his head, wore rectangular black-rimmed glasses, and had a bit of stubble on his face. Malden thought anyone would still be able to easily recognize him but tried to feel reassured that if he attempted to blend in, then no one would identify him as the wanted wizard whose face was still plastered on posters in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Before setting out, Bonneville explained to Malden that even though he was wanted by authorities, he was expected to be useful. That meant he had to do more than work in the kitchens like a common servant.
Malden knew he was damaged goods. It wouldn't be easy for him to move about freely to do Voldemort's bidding, but he wanted to show his worth, even if it meant jeopardizing his freedom by going out in public in a limited disguise. More than anything, he wanted to earn his Dark Mark.
"What are we doing here?" Malden asked.
"Older wizards tend to have a longing for days gone by," Bonneville said. "Some of them bemoan the fact that the wizarding world has changed. They support the old ways of doing things. That's not to say that they necessarily follow our ideals, but some of their viewpoints do align with ours when you get down to it."
"Okay, but what's that got to do with us?" Malden asked.
"We're here to create dialogue. We get them talking, and before they know it, they are yearning for a time when the wizarding world wasn't so heavily influenced by Muggle inventions and ideals. They talk to their families, their friends, maybe their political leaders. Eventually, the desire for a return to the past grows public."
"So this is a stepping stone. We get them and I'm assuming other easily influenced groups riled up. The longing for change starts to go mainstream and perhaps eventually impacts our government and other major institutions," Malden said.
Bonneville nodded. "You hit the nail on the head, but the trick is how we present ourselves."
"I think I see where you're going with this."
"Let me do all the talking this time, and next time, I'll give you the chance to participate."
Malden nodded. "All right."
With their plan in place, they went in and checked-in at reception. They were eventually shown to a meeting room where a dozen or so of the residents had gathered to attend what was advertised as a St. Emrys University student project on the state of affairs in the wizard world. Bonneville set up the dialogue with smooth expertise, while Malden pretended to take copious notes for the fake class assignment. He wasn't sure Bonneville's plan would be all that helpful to the cause, but who was he to question it?
Newlyweds
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-10-20 19:35
Hearing the front door open Mason half steps out of the kitchen just as Flora calls, "Honey, I'm home!"
She steps from the small entry hall into the sitting room, grinning at Mason as he steps fully out of the kitchen to meet her halfway. "I love saying that."
"I love hearing that." He kisses her hello. "How was your day?"
"Maddening. Who schedules a seminar for late Fridays? How has your day gone?"
"Not too bad. Both classes this morning seemed to go fast and then I work went by in a blur because the research I'm doing - for that case I was telling you about yesterday - is really interesting. Sucked me in and I lost track of time."
Flora takes a single step back and looks over Mason's shoulder towards the kitchen. "Something smells heavenly."
"I wish I could take exclusive credit but as I'm not much of a cook and as beans on toast did not seem like much of a Friday night date dinner with my wife, I got takeaway from that Thai place around the corner."
Flora laughs, "Beans on toast would have been great but I won't say no to Thai."
Flora fixes drinks for them both while Mason finishes plating the takeaway. He switches the telly off so that it's not a distraction while they eat and talk. Their small terrace house belongs to Flora's maternal grandparents. They own several on the block and other houses and flats in and around Stratford-Upon-Avon, giving them a comfortable income in their retirement. The newlyweds have the use of the house rent free for as long as they're need or want, though they do have to pay the utilities. Mason still can't believe how lucky they are that his grandparents-in-law have property convenient for Flora's and his jobs and university. Of course, for Flora and he, if the house, or a flat, had been somewhere else, they could just apparate or get a special dispensation to have their place on the Floo Network but this way they don't have to worry with where to apparate to or disapparate from or worry that a Muggle neighbor or friend would witness someone stepping out of a fireplace.
Mason also still can't believe he's been married just over a month now. He'd proposed to Flora at the London Eye shortly after getting the idea to pop the question there. A few days later she decided she'd love to do one of the wedding packages the Eye offers. Rather than waiting months or even years they were able to book a capsule for a ceremony for Friday, December 20th, in the afternoon at a time when the sun would start setting as they made the two rotations on the London Eye that the wedding package included.
With the bride and groom were the registrar secured from the Lambeth Council, their parents, Flora's two sisters and brother, Pyrrhus, Isolde, and Gio, Mason's maternal grandparents, Flora's maternal grandparents and paternal grandmother, Boris who was best man and his wife Mamie. Since Majandra has been like a sister to Mason she, George, Miranda, and Georgie.* Mamie's mother babysat her and Boris's daughter and Alexis. The following day they did get to attend a large afternoon reception held for all those friends and family who couldn't be included in the capsule. With both of Flora's parents being Muggleborn and Mason's mother a Muggle, the reception was at a Muggle venue, which allowed for a showing of the wedding video.
Mason's thoughts are interrupted by the question, "What's with the goofy smile?"
"Didn't realize I had one. Must be because I'm silly in love with you and still sometimes think I'm dreaming that you said yes much less actually married me."
"I sometimes feel like it's all a dream too but look at us. We're like an old married couple already. It's Friday night and we're happy to be eating in with no plans to go out later."
Mason waggles his eyebrows causing Flora to laugh again. "No plans to go out but definitely plans for later."
"Well, we are still newlyweds. We have a standard to uphold," Flora responds with mock gravity before waggling her eyebrows back at him.
*The various Eye of London packages for parties and weddings tend to be for 3 to 15 people so I did fudge that a little. The number of guests plus bride and groom are more in line with how many people each capsule can hold if at capacity.