Akira's true parentage (Rewrite)

Potter Manor, October 2nd, 2002

Another order meeting was taking place in Potter Manor. Charlus and Dorea were really getting tired of listening to the old fool’s nattering. If they were alive, they swore, they would get a headache from even his voice. Seriously, James would have done well, if he was homeschooled, but traditions stopped them. From Phineas, they found out that James would have been sorted into Slytherin, but their son begged the hat to put him into Gryffindor. They really wished that the hat put James into Slytherin back then, where he would have been straightened out and learned that the world wasn’t black and white. They cursed Sirius and his views regarding his family. Dorea had made sure to chastise her relatives about Sirius’ treatment especially those from the main line.

Albus announced to close down the British Veela Academy, so that the veelas are not corrupting their society with their magic. The academy was opened after the treaty was signed, in order to teach the veelas, how to respect their heritage and how to control their allure. Charlus really wanted to groan at the stupidity of this man. Closing down the Veela Academy would lead to many problems. First, uneducated veelas wouldn’t be able to control their allure, which would be problematic for the veelas to go in public. Secondly, their fire magic would be uncontrollable, which would cause many problems and even deaths. Finally, the closure would break the treaty completely and there would be another war against the veelas. The wizarding world would be decimated, if the treaty is broken.

James had noticed the disappointed and exasperated looks from his parents and fumed. His parents are still mistrusting the headmaster. He didn’t understand it. Albus wants to save their world from the evil, dark magic. He understood that his mother is a Black, but unlike the rest of her family, she was a grey witch and had never agreed with the blood supremacists in her family. Sadly, his mother didn’t even trust the headmaster. He had thought that his father would support Dumbledore as another light wizard. Unfortunately, he found out that his father agreed with his mother and James is sure that his mother was the reason why he had been removed from the line of succession. James had been still moping that he had been skipped as Lord Potter. It was an embarrassment that he is only a regent and not the lord and head of the family.

Thankfully, everything would be under control and Harry would learn how to be a proper and light wizard and lord.

After the nomination was discussed, Albus turned the order’s attention about the murder of the undercover auror. “My dears, I have grave news regarding the case of the murdered auror. I suspect that the killer is none other than Isabella Jugson.” There was chattering amongst the order. Some agreed and had the same suspicions, the others were shocked by this turn of event and a small number of people were angry.

James demanded: “Then, we need to bring her to justice. She killed an auror.”

“Not so fast, laddie”, Moody grumbled. He wasn’t present during the last order meeting since he wasn’t interested in the school, but the Wizengamot meetings, where laws are passed, are for him important since he is an auror. “Without any evidence, we are stuck. We can’t do anything until we have some evidence against the woman and to make matters worse, the case was classified by Crouch. We don’t even know, who the investigating aurors are.”

Hestia argued: “I know that Amelia is involved in this case. She must be one of the investigating aurors.”

“Is she really? Because you said that she is involved in this case, doesn’t mean, she is leading the investigation.” Moody examined the woman with his magical eye closely.

Albus quickly broke the argument up before things evolved into a fight. “Please, my dears, there are some other information that I had gathered about the auror.” Everyone was quiet, but the tension was still there. “It seems like that the victim was the undercover auror that had brought down Aurelius Yaxley.”

“Which is hardening the suspicion that Isabella Jugson is the one, who killed the auror, because during the trial of Aurelius Yaxley, Bartemius questioned the man about the female accomplice, but he couldn’t bring forth any answers about the woman since his memories were removed. It must really be her”, Dedalus said in a calm, but firm voice.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Albus continued for Dedalus: “That is true, but Isabella didn’t act alone. The files about the undercover aurors are restricted to their assigned head aurors and the head of the DMLE.” The old headmaster looked at Alastor, who nodded in agreement. “She must have had a contact in the DMLE, so that she can get the information about the undercover auror, and the only way would be through one of the aurors in the office.“

“It must be Yaxley. He is her contact. I was right that he was only a pretender.” James was gleeful that there was something useful to arrest Corban Yaxley and remove him from the DMLE permanently.

Many shook their heads. What the hell is wrong with James? Corban has three children with Clara and declared his oldest son to be his heir. Why would he announce a halfblood to be the heir of a dark, but noble house. Some of the younger and more radical followers like James agreed, but they had their doubts.

“Laddie, I have had it with these childish rants. It can’t be Corban Yaxley since he didn’t have any contact with the Jugsons since he froze the alliance with the blood purists.” Moody really questioned himself, what was wrong with his former trainee. The man behaved like a child that is throwing a fit, if things do not go his way.

James was ready to scream. It must be him. Yaxley is evil. They needed to remove him from his position as head auror before things went out of control. Currently, the head of the auror office is Rufus Scrimgeour, who is working as head auror too, but that can change since Crouch is looking for many ways to remove Scrimgeour from his position after the incident with Greengrass Family. And Yaxley had a clear spot to become head of the auror office too and that can’t be allowed. He can’t end up working for that man at the end since he wouldn’t be able to do, whatever he wanted. It is already hard since Amelia is deputy-head of the auror office and she is not listening to Dumbledore properly.

Albus sighed, when another argument broke out. “Enough”, Albus said raising his hand to quiet down his followers. “Like Alastor had said. It isn’t Corban Yaxley, who is her contact, but it is her younger brother, Eric Jugson. He must have been the arrest that you had mentioned, Hestia.” Many were surprised by this revelation. They completely forgot that Lord Jugson had four children. His eldest is a convicted death eater. Isabella is his oldest daughter. Eric is currently the heir of the House Jugson and his youngest daughter is still attending school.

Hestia asked: “Do you think that Eric Jugson was involved with the auror’s death?”

“I believe not. Eric Jugson is many things, but unlike his older brother, he doesn’t have the guts to have someone killed, let alone to kill someone. He would have just obliviated the auror and be done with it”, Moody said in a gruff voice. “But he still would be accountable for the leak of classified information and for the involuntary manslaughter.”

There was another round of chattering. Charlus and Dorea were ashamed of their son’s behaviour and the reason for this behaviour is Dumbledore. He is to blame that their son is so biased and bigoted. One day, he will end up in a lot of trouble, if James doesn’t smarten up.

Malfoy Manor, October 5th, 2002

There was a meeting with the Grey Alliance, but before it could start, Corban and Amelia were discussing, how to proceed in their investigation since they were stuck. Eric Jugson is still in the holding cell and his attorney is trying everything to get him to testify against his sister, but to no avail. Amelia and Corban do not want an innocent man to end up in jail even though Eric was a blood purist, but if he continues on to take the blame to himself, then, it is more likely that he would end up in prison. Corban came to the conclusion that Eric will not help them. So, they had to find a way around this. “Amelia, the only thing, I can think of is to put up a trap against Isabella and I know, how.”

“I am listening.” Amelia was curious, what plan Corban has cooked up.

Corban began: “We relocate Christina from the hospital to the healing ward in Gringotts and let it slip to one of Dumbledore’s fools that the undercover auror didn’t die, but survived the attack, and is still recovering in St. Mungos Emergency Ward. We also reveal the room number. It would get back to the old fool and it would send Dumbledore in a panic since he is afraid that Christina could destroy his reputation with the incriminating evidence against him and Fletcher.” Amelia nodded. The plan doesn’t seem to be bad. Corban continued, when he noticed that Amelia liked the plan. “Then, I am sure that Albus would do everything in his power to get rid of Christina and he would send a message to Isabella that she didn’t kill Christina and reveal her location in St. Mungos. It would encourage that bitch to go after Christina again to finish her off, but instead of our colleague, she would kill a golem. Then, we can arrest her since we caught her in the act and witnessed her culpability and we would have more evidence against Dumbledore.” Amelia nodded. It would be a win-win-situation for them. They should present the plan to Bartemius, but they were sure that he would have nothing against the plan.

They returned back to the formal meeting room and Narcissa asked: “What kind of evil plan did you two cook up?”

“Sadly, Cissy, everything is classified. You will find out during the November trials.” Corban said with a grin.

Narcissa just huffed, but brushed it off since Amelia and Corban were tight-lipped about the current investigation regarding the murder of an auror. Her gut-feeling told her that there was more, but things seemed to be good.

They moved over to the meeting and were discussing the nomination that Dumbledore wants to pass. Lucius shook his head. “Closing down the British Veela Academy is suicide. It breaks one of the clauses in the treaty between the Wizengamot and the Veela Nation and additionally, there would be another war.”

“That man is nothing, but trouble. We need a distraction”, Corban grumbled. He really was getting tired of Dumbledore’s motions.

Arthur raised his hand a bit. “Uhm, I have one that could work. I have worked on a new invention that I have acquired during my visits in the muggle world and I think that departments like the tax department, budgeting department and the other departments, where math and arithmancy are required, would love the idea.”

“Are you talking about the calculators that were developed in the muggle world and made the calculating less complex in their world? If those departments that you have mentioned are not using them, then, your community is really backward, because the other communities are already using them. Please tell me not that you never heard about the calculators?” Adriana questioned the other participants. When Arthur gave her a nod and the other participants were grimacing giving her the answer, the woman was stunned. “You are kidding, right?” Everyone shook their heads. “You really need to do something about Dumbledore and his fools, but Arthur, what do you mean about ‘I have worked on a new invention’? I mean, the calculators were already developed in 1967. What did you do?”

Everyone was curious about this aspect and Arthur explained: “Well, Adriana, I changed some things on the calculator. The first thing that I have changed is that instead of running through solar energy, the calculators are run by magic. Secondly, I also made sure that the calculators’ batteries are not running out and are refilled with the help of magic. It was a lot of work to manage that since the acid in the batteries was a bit dangerous. Finally, the calculators are able to create copies of the calculations that had been done, because I put a pensive-like device in them.” Adriana was impressed. Well, it is a new invention in her opinion. In Italy, the calculators weren’t changed at all, but it seems like that Arthur was creative.

“This idea doesn’t sound to be bad.” Narcissa was in her planning mode. This would be a great distraction. “Then, we can nominate to put the current restrictions on the British Veela Academy into question. Many veelas from destitute families are still denied education.” Everyone nodded in agreement. Dumbledore and his followers are going to regret, what they are trying to do to their world.

Wizengamot, October 7th, 2002

The Wizengamot meeting had started and one of the members of the Anti-Creature Party nominated to close down the British Veela Academy. The nominee also went on in detail that the veelas were learning dangerous magics that are allowing them to wield their veela allure as weapons. Narcissa really wanted to know, where the man got his sources from, because no books are mentioning that. Seriously, the Wizengamot had also allowed idiots and fools to enter the courts.

When the fool was finished, Dumbledore asked, if there was another nomination. Narcissa gave Arthur a glance and the man rose his wand. Albus was unsure, but turned the Wizengamot’s attention to the Weasley patriarch. “Arthur, my boy.”

Arthur stood up and had his genuine smile. “Lords, Ladies of the Wizengamot, I had been working on a new invention. It had been already developed in the muggle world at the end of the 60s, but I have managed to make some adjustments to it.” Arthur presented the calculator in front of the Wizengamot and explained, how it does work in the muggle world. Many department heads were pleased that Arthur was presenting something useful for them. The calculator was ingenious. Then, Arthur explained the changes, he had made and many were glad that the calculator had been changed to be useful. Arthur finished with his nomination. “For that reason, I am nominating that this esteemed body allows these calculators to be sold in our world, in order to make our lives easier. I have also here my research, how to make these adjustments, but I would suggest that someone experienced like a spell crafter and weaver do these adjustments. Even I had difficulties, because of the acid in the batteries.” Many members nodded. The calculators do sound a decent idea and it could make their lives easier. Even the darker purebloods were not displeased by this invention from the muggles.

But Arthur’s nomination caused an argument in the light section. The elder generation was against it, but those, who were younger found the idea good. Albus looked up at the ceiling sighing. His followers are making an elephant out of a mosquito. Nothing could go simply.

Narcissa saw that Albus was busy and glanced at Tarquinius Nott, who knew that it was time to make the protest regarding the closing down of the British Veela Academy. When Aurelia took over and asked, if there were any other nominations, Tarquinius rose his wand. “Lord Nott?”

The man stood up and received some hostile glare from the death eaters. “I have a protest to make regarding the nomination that was made to close down the British Veela Academy, Chief Witch Acton. At the July session, we all have heard about the treaty from 1617 between this esteemed body and the Veela Nations. The treaty was not only made, in order to make sure that we have a peaceful co-existence with the veelas, but it was also made to open up the British Veela Academy. One of the clauses is mentioning that the academy should remain open. If we close down this school, then, we are violating this clause and that could cost us everything.” Tarquinius handed everyone the treaty again and showed them the marked paragraph. Everyone was stunned that they had nearly violated the treaty again.

Everyone was chattering and discussing the protest, but Narcissa noticed that they were all planning to vote against the first nomination. That was good. Looking around, she gave Michael Davis a subtle glance, who knew that it was time to make the counter-nomination.

“Order, please, order! We need to continue with this session.” When everyone was silent, Aurelia questioned: “Are there any other nominations or protests?” Michael Davis rose his wand. “Lord Davis?”

The head of the Davis Family stood up and nominated: “I propose due to these revelations to put the current restrictions against the British Veela Academy under question. We really can’t risk these restrictions to remain since it could violate the treaty.” Many nodded in understanding and were discussing Davis’ nomination. The Grey Alliance was pleased that the majority is for the counter-nomination.

When Dumbledore was finished discussing with his sheep, the man retook his seat at the podium. He asked Aurelia: “Were there any other nominations?”

The woman smiled and answered: “Yes, Lord Davis nominated to put the current restrictions against the British Veela Academy into question.”

Albus took a deep breath. He was angry, but he was confident that the nomination from Davis would fail. Narcissa hid a smirk, when Dumbledore moved on to the voting. He really is full of himself. The first nomination regarding the closure of the British Veela Academy failed. Dumbledore seethed in rage. What the hell is going on? The next nomination regarding the calculators passed with a great majority vote. The last nomination from Michael Davis passed with a majority vote, which enraged Dumbledore and his followers. There were many furious looks from the Anti-Creature Party. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

The session came to an end after the last vote.

Hogwarts

Minerva was worried, when she noticed that Albus was absent during dinner. She had a bad feeling that today’s Wizengamot meeting must have gone bad. She didn’t understand, why the members are so contrary to the headmaster. He knew, what was best for their world, but it seems like that some fools think that they knew better than the headmaster. She will check up on Albus after dinner. Maybe then, she can get some answers.

Albus was vibrating in fury. The Wizengamot meeting had ended up badly. How could the nomination fail so badly? How dare the members vote for Davis’ nomination? He should have looked for some dirt on the man to get him back in line, but sadly, he had a strong reputation even though he is a Slytherin. The Davis Family like the Greengrass Family was neutral during the war and were not interested to join either side, which was infuriating. He needed to get some control over those from the neutral section in the Wizengamot. They are causing too much damage to his world. He never thought that he would have to fight against the neutral fraction, but they are harder to beat than the dark section since they have pristine reputations and cannot be bribed.

Albus took another lemon drop, in order to sooth himself down. He needed to find a way to fix this mess, but how? Albus was lost in his thoughts.

He was startled, when he heard a knock on his office door. “Come in.”

Minerva came in and saw Albus sitting behind his desk. “Albus, is everything alright? You didn’t attend dinner.”

“Everything is alright, my dear.” Albus knew that his behaviour was worrisome, but Minerva didn’t need to worry about anything.

Taking a seat in front of the headmaster, Minerva asked: “How was the Wizengamot meeting today, Albus?”

“It was not good, Minerva.” Albus had his full attention on the woman. Minerva would always be his most trusted, when it is about their plans for their world. “Today, the Wizengamot voted against the motion to close down the British Veela Academy.”

“WHAT?! How could they? No one knows, what these creatures are taught in that dratted academy. It must be closed down, in order to stop the continued corruption of our society. How dare they do this?” Minerva was furious that the members had no care for their world.

Albus smiled. He agreed with Minerva, but the next news was going to anger Minerva even more. “Furthermore, Michael Davis nominated to put the current restrictions on the British Veela Academy under question and unfortunately, it passed with a majority vote.”

Minerva hissed like the cat she was in her animagus form. This can get only worse and worse. “Albus, this is bad. Whatever is going on in the Wizengamot, it can’t be good.”

“I understand, Minerva, but we can’t go against members of the neutral fraction or members of the dark fraction like Yaxley and Nott. It is a political suicide since they are allied with many members of the neutral fraction and that can destroy us.” Minerva nodded in understanding after Albus was finished with his explanation. Those members were tough nuts to crack and were hard to get them open.

Both were discussing, what to do next and Albus would have had to prepare for the school board meeting in three weeks. So, there was enough time to plan a nomination.

DMLE, October 9th, 2002

Bartemius Crouch Sr. was sitting behind his desk listening to Corban’s plan, how to set up a trap against Isabella Jugson. He found the idea not bad, but there were many risks regarding O’Neill’s life. But when he mentioned in his plans to create a golem, Barty had to admit that things from there wouldn’t be dangerous. But another problem had come. Only goblins and the spell crafters were able to create golems and the goblins are demanding a very good reason for the creation. Spell crafters are hard to find here in Britain and they demand a very high price for a golem. Gringotts is a lot cheaper and the goblins are more reliable. He could ask Amelia since she is in the best terms with the goblins than the other members of the DMLE. “The plan sounds to be good, but we need to ask the goblins for a bed in the Gringotts Healing Ward and we also need to have a very good reason for creating a golem, which shouldn’t be too difficult to provide.”

Corban nodded and said: “It could easily be done. Amelia is already aware of the plan and she is now in Gringotts discussing it with the director of the bank and the chieftain. Under John’s and my allowance, she took the case file to the chieftain and the director. Furthermore, the secrecy wards were adjusted that she could relay some information to them without giving them any specifics.” The secrecy ward was placed on the case file by Crouch since he transferred the responsibility of the case to Corban and John Proudfoot, so that no one can give anyone else the information apart from the investigating aurors. Amelia isn’t maybe the investigating auror, but since she is involved in this case due to the fact that Christina is an undercover auror under her command, she is made aware of the contents of the investigation. Only under Corban’s and John’s approval, the content can be relayed.

“W-what?” Bartemius must have misheard the man. Amelia knew about Corban’s plan and is already executing it without his authorisation, but he also was reminded that Amelia isn’t directly involved with this case and that Corban and John were responsible with the contents of the case file. Normally, Barty would try everything to stop her, but in this case, he will let her execute Corban’s plan since both aurors approved of the relaying of classified information regarding the case. It would help them in their investigation. Bartemius let out a huff. “Alright, but next time, you will inform me before Amelia does something.” Corban nodded and smiled. Bartemius just gave him a slight glare, but there was a smile on his face.

Gringotts

Whereas Bartemius was talking with Corban, Amelia was waiting for the chieftain and the director to arrive, in order to discuss with them her request. She can tell that Corban’s plan could work, but for that, she needed the goblins’ help in this matter. Her request entails to transfer Christina in the goblin healing ward, so that she can recover from the attack and to place a golem of her former undercover auror in St. Mungos instead, in order to trap Isabella Jugson. Christina is still in coma and the healers said that it would take her to wake up until the end of November.

When the chieftain and the director finally arrived, Amelia greeted both goblins politely. She was not a fool to anger those, who were managing her money. Ragnock and Steelfang were pleased with the woman’s polite greeting and greeted her back with the same politeness. If the request is important, they would do everything to help her. “Lady Bones, you have come here to make a request. I hope you have a good one”, the director started. The chieftain was observing the conversation.

“Yes, but this needs to be discussed under secrecy and silencing wards since the case is classified for now.” Both goblins nodded and knew that this request must be really important. The said wards were quickly erected and their attention was on Amelia. The woman began confidently and gave the director and chieftain the case file of their investigation: “Chieftain Ragnock, Director Steelfang, on September 12th, 2002, one of my undercover aurors was attacked and heavily injured in Knockturn Alley. Before the perpetrator could kill her, the auror regardless of her injuries managed to portkey herself away to St. Mungos. The assault was reported by the healers and Lord Bartemius Crouch classified the case since the assault was seen as a leak of classified information from the DMLE. Furthermore, her death was faked since she would have been in constant danger, if her survival had been announced. Currently, we have arrested the culprit behind the leak, but the perpetrator of the attack is still running free since the mole pleaded guilty and refused to give us any information about the attacker. For that reason, Chief Ragnock, Director Steelfang, I am asking from you that you approve my requests for the transfer of my former undercover auror to the healing ward here in Gringotts and to create a golem in the form of the said auror. The reason for the requests is that one of the investigating aurors suggested to me to set up a trap, where we would let it slip that the auror had survived, in order to send the assailant into a panic. We also would reveal the location of the golem that should take the auror’s place in St. Mungos.” Amelia was finished with her requests and waited.

Steelfang and Ragnock discussed the requests in gobbledygook and both found the plan to be good. Normally, they would dismiss the requests of the majority of the wizarding world especially those from Dumbledore, his sycophants, the death eaters and the creature haters like Deloris Umbridge since they had shown no respect towards them in the past, but Amelia Bones was one of their favourites and hadn’t had a problem with her plan.

After a lengthy discussion, both goblins approved her request. The director went immediately to the medical wing of Gringotts to prepare a bed for the witch. When a reason was demanded from the goblin healers, Steelfang answered that there was a classified investigation going on in the wizarding world and that the affected person is in danger. With that, the goblin healers agreed and prepared a bed for the witch since it seemed to be important. It was an automatic thing afterwards since the healers of St. Mungos agreed with the transfer, when it was explained by Amelia through the floo that it was a part of the investigation.

When Amelia sat down behind the chieftain’s desk, Ragnock explained: “The golem would be ready in two days and the bank is willing to cover a part of the costs for it.” Amelia thanked him and discussed the finer details of the plan. Politely, she said goodbye to the chieftain and made her way out.

Amelia left the bank with a good feeling. In two days, their plan can start.

DMLE, October 11th, 2002

Corban and John were prepared. It was time to let some information slip to one of Dumbledore’s fools. Both had ‘arranged’ a meeting with Amelia at the canteen. Normally, the woman would never eat her food here since she despised the lack of quality and hygiene of the canteen. Amelia sighed deeply, when she arrived at the meeting place and sat down. She swore that Corban will pay for the choice of the meeting place, but she will put it aside for later. She had seen Hestia Jones sitting in the nearby and was hiding her smirk. It’s time to rattle the headmaster a little bit. Jones had her back turned to them, but Amelia was sure that the woman had noticed them and that she was eavesdropping on their conversation.

John and Corban started to talk about the investigation, when Amelia sat down and wanted to know about the state of the case. When the name, Christina O’Neill, fell, Corban noticed at the corner of his eye that the woman had tensed up a little.

Amelia made sure to keep a close watch on Hestia and said with a warm voice that became cold at the end: “I am glad that Christina had survived the attack, but it is strange that it had happened, when she wanted to report to me on Mundungus Fletcher’s activities in the black market. There was something incriminating that would have involved the Order of Phoenix. She also had found something that is also involving our dear headmaster in this kind of field.” Hestia flinched at this statement. This was bad. This was beyond bad. Amelia hid a smirk, when she saw the flinch. “But when she wakes up, maybe she could tell me, what she had found out about Fletcher, the order and the headmaster. It would be really bad for the order’s and the school’s reputation, if I had to arrest the headmaster in front of the other students and the staff and his ‘friend’, Mundungus Fletcher.” Hestia was terrified. If that happened, then, the order and Headmaster Dumbledore would be in danger. What will they do without the headmaster? Who would help them against the forces of the dark? Hestia would have said that it was bluff, but Amelia Bones is never bluffing, when it is about an arrest of a criminal. The woman has a pristine and strong reputation of being fair and just and she is light-leaning neutral. She can’t be brushed away as dark. She needed to warn the headmaster. The order would be warned at the next order meeting, but the headmaster had her priority.

Corban, John and Amelia were amused, when they had seen Hestia rush to the next floo. The woman looked pale and fearful, which was good that she had taken their bait. All three were sure that the headmaster would get the information and in order to protect himself and the order, Dumbledore would do anything to get rid of the threat.

Hogwarts, Headmaster’s office

Albus was sitting behind his desk doing some paperwork, when he heard the floo flare. Quickly looking up, he saw Hestia rushing to his desk and taking the seat in front of him. Albus was concerned, when he had seen the state of the woman. Her face was flushed and she was out breath like she had run a mile. “Hestia, my dear, is everything alright? You seem to be unwell. Lemon drop?”

“No, thank you, headmaster. I am here to warn you.” Hestia was at the brink of a panic attack.

Albus was confused. “Warn me about what? Had something happened in the ministry?”

Hestia nodded and said: “The undercover auror that was attacked in Knockturn Alley. She isn’t dead. She is still alive and recovering from her injuries. Amelia had mentioned that she only needed to wake up.”

“WHAT?! How?!” Albus needed to know, what was going on. The undercover auror is still alive. That can’t be. The Daily Prophet reported that she hadn’t survived the attack. How could she be still alive? Albus suddenly stopped thinking and realised that the only way, how the woman could have survived, would be, if Crouch had faked her death like he had done it during the last war to Voldemort’s and his followers’ targets, in order to save them from being killed. That must be how the woman is still alive. He needed to find a way to get rid of that woman since she is a threat to his and Dung’s deals in the black markets.

“Headmaster, there is something else.” Albus was interrupted in his thoughts, when the woman spoke up. He asked: “What is it, Hestia?”

Hestia bit her lip and said: “Amelia furthermore explained that the attack happened on an inopportune time, when she wanted to submit a report regarding Dung’s activities in the black market, which would have incriminated the order and would have also involved you in Dung’s dealings. I told you Albus that Dung is only trouble. If that man is going to be arrested and is going to involve the order in his mess, then, the order’s reputation would be destroyed. Amelia is waiting until O’Neill wakes up and tells her, what she had found out about Dung.”

Albus was trying to hide his panic. He will curse Dung for this mess to the next oblivion. He had told the man to be careful, but no, the man had been negligent and now, he is in a mess. He knew that Amelia is not bluffing, when it is about an investigation and if that blasted undercover auror recovers from the attack, then, he would be screwed. He is also cursing Isabella Jugson for not doing a job appropriately, but Albus had a plan, how to kill two birds with one stone. He will give the woman an anonymous message to warn her that the undercover auror is alive, but in a coma and that she knows, who had attacked her. He is sure that the Jugson woman would go after the undercover auror a second time and this time, she can get rid of that meddling auror for once and for all. Albus will also make sure that she is caught and thrown into Azkaban, before she is questioned. Yes, this plan sounds to be good.

Returning back from his thoughts, Albus said: “Don’t panic, Hestia, my dear. I will deal with that issue. I will also talk with Dung and remind him that his foolishness in the black markets could endanger the order.”

“Alright, headmaster.” Hestia was relieved that Albus knows, what needs to be done.

Albus was pacing his office. He was waiting for Dung, because there were some things that he needed to discuss with him. Hestia’s warning is concerning, but he is sure that he could deal with it. The problem with his current plan is, how to send the message to the Jugson bint. The only way to send the message would be through her younger sister, Evelyn Jugson, who is still attending school. The girl could be a good messenger, but he needs to make sure that he is believable. Voldemort’s followers do not trust him, but with some tweaks, he would be able to convince the girl. But first, he needed to talk with Dung.

Albus returned back to his desk and sat down behind it on his throne-like chair, when he heard the floo flare. Fawkes was thrilling sadly on his bird stand since he was bound to an evil man and can’t get out. The only one, who could free him, was one of the founder’s heirs, who is either working here in Hogwarts or attending this school as a student. Unfortunately for the bird, neither is the case. He had felt during Dumbledore’s time as headmaster all the founders’ heirs through the magics in Hogwarts, but none of them claimed the heirship and later at 16 the lordship, in order to free him from the bond. The Gryffindor heir, James Potter, became unworthy during his seven years in Hogwarts due to his bullying and assaulting the other students especially the Slytherins. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff heiresses didn’t know that they were the founders’ heirs during their time in Hogwarts and didn’t wear the heirship and lordship rings. The Slytherin heir was dangerous to bond with since his soul was torn and scattered into pieces and Fawkes had known that he had created horcruxes, which made him unworthy of being Heir and Lord Slytherin since he broke one of Lady Magic’s laws by creating those abominations. Now, Fawkes was stuck with this bond and it seems inescapable. Returning from his thoughts, Fawkes saw Mundungus Fletcher coming out from the floo.

Mundungus went calmly to the seat in front of the desk and sat down. “Albus, what can I do for you?”

Albus took a deep breath, which was a bit difficult since Dung smelled like his name. He will have to open a window after this meeting. “Dung, we have a problem. The undercover auror that had brought down Aurelius Yaxley is still alive, but comatose due to her injuries, and she is posing a problem to our deals in the black market. Amelia had gotten intel that the woman had found some incriminating information of your activities in the black market, which could lead back to the order and me and could damage us and our cause.”

“WHAT?! But how? I always kept a close watch on the bint.” Mundungus was furious and terrified. If people like Amelia Bones or worse Bartemius Crouch Sr. get wind about his work in the black markets, then, his life would be over. He could spend decades in prison for what he had done and to make matters worse, he would drag the order and Albus down with him.

Albus popped another lemon drop, in order to calm himself down. “It doesn’t matter, but I am giving you a warning that from now on, you need to be more careful. The last thing, we need is Amelia or Barty paying close attention to your activities in the black market.” The man nodded in understanding. “Furthermore, I will deal with the issue. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine.” Albus’ eyes were twinkling and Mundungus nodded and left the office quickly.

Now, Albus needed to speak with the youngest child of Lord Jugson and the puzzles are put together perfectly.

Phineas just shook his head, but he had a devious smile. If he could use his nose, he would be able to smell a trap that was set up against Isabella Jugson. Phineas never liked the Jugsons and their belief about blood purity, but he can tell that things would get interesting.

Hogwarts, October 14th, 2002

Evelyn was confused, when she was summoned to the headmaster’s office. One of her heads of house, Aurora Sinistra, told her that the headmaster had wanted to speak with her. If the man thinks that she would give up some information regarding her family, then, the man has become senile since she will not tell him anything. She like many other Slytherins didn’t trust the old fool and were distant towards him due to his prejudice against the Slytherins and the members of the dark fraction.

She would have had no problem selling her sister out to the old fool for all the mess, she had caused for her brother and father, but her father told her that under no circumstances she is allowed to speak about her brother’s arrest and Isabella’s involvement in front of anyone. Evelyn was not happy, but she obliged the command of her father.

Arriving in front of the entrance of the office, Sinistra gave the password to the gargoyle, which opened the staircase and they went up. Going in, both were greeted by the headmaster, who guided them to his desk. She and Professor Sinistra took their seat in front of the desk, whereas the old fool sat behind his desk. “Thank you, Aurora, for bringing Ms. Jugson to my office. There were some things that I would like to discuss with her alone. You can go.” But her head of house refused, which was funny.

“Albus, any meeting between a student and the headmaster is requiring the head of house to be present, no matter what”, Auror said not trusting the headmaster with one of her charges.

Albus’ eyes were not twinkling, but he continued regardless. “Alright. Lemon drops?” Both females refused and were curious about the meeting. Albus had put his concerned grandfather persona and began: “Well, Ms. Jugson, I have received some concerning news regarding your family and I wanted to see, if everything is alright, and address some issues.” Evelyn raised her eyebrow at the old man in front of her. She knew that the man is lying, because if he was so concerned, then, he could have helped all those that were living in an abusive household, but he does nothing, which is sickening. Evelyn suspected that the old bastard is talking about the arrest of her brother, Eric. She is sure that he already knows due to the old man’s connections in the ministry. He wasn’t concerned, when her elder brother, Ulrich, was arrested and sentenced to the goblin mines, but why is he paying attention to her now? There must be a reason behind this meeting.

Aurora was thinking along the same line. The man must have a motivation for calling Evelyn Jugson to his office. If the man had any concerns regarding the students, then, he wouldn’t have sent countless, abused children back to their abusers. She is still disgusted about the man’s view of child abuse.

Evelyn wanted to snap, but remained calm and had put a mask of disinterest. “You don’t have to worry yourself about those ‘concerning news’ regarding my family, headmaster. I am fine.” The girl smiled, but inside, she was furious. Evelyn knew that Dumbledore has only called her up, in order to get some information regarding Eric’s arrest. She wanted to curse Isabella for all this mess.

“Ah, well, then, if everything is alright, then, here take this note for your next class, so that Professor Flitwick is informed that you are late, because of this meeting.” Albus had hidden two notes in one note. One note is the normal apology for the girl’s lateness and the other is a falsified message to Isabella from the undercover auror that she is alive and well and that she knew that it was her that had tried to kill her and is ready to bring her down after her release from the hospital. He also included a picture of the woman that was made by one of his pawns in the hospital, where she is lying in a hospital bed awake and recovered. This would send Isabella Jugson into a panic.

Evelyn took the note and left the office with her head of house.

On her way to the charms classroom, Evelyn noticed that there were two notes and a picture. When she had read the message from the undercover auror to her older sister, Evelyn was thinking that it must have been a joke, but when she had seen the picture, the girl was confused since she didn’t know the woman. Is that the undercover auror that was killed by her sister? And if yes, why would there be a picture of her showing that she is alive and well? Evelyn turned the picture around and saw a certification mark on the photo, which is proving that the picture isn’t fraudulent. Evelyn had a bad feeling about this and used an identifying charm on the picture. It came back that the woman was Christina O’Neill. She knew that name from her brother and the files, he had brought home with him to find out the undercover auror. They had been burnt at the end of the summer holidays, in order to erase any evidence. Evelyn’s breath started to hitch. Damn it, this is the woman that had brought down Aurelius Yaxley and she is also the one that was attacked by her sister. This was bad, if she is still alive, because her sister can end up in Azkaban.

This also explains the headmaster’s odd behaviour. The old bastard must have known, what was going on in her family. Evelyn wanted to make the old man pay for sticking his nose, where it doesn’t belong, but she had other, more important matters to worry. She needed to send a message to her father after the classes.

Evelyn quickly hid the message and went into the charms classroom.

After class, Evelyn quickly went to the owlery to get her owl, Claw. She quickly wrote a letter to her father explaining him the meeting with the headmaster and the message from the undercover auror. Additionally, she also put the picture of the woman in the envelope. Putting the letter and the message in the envelope, Evelyn sent her owl away and went to the great hall for dinner hoping her father gets the letter before her sister.

Jugson Manor

Unfortunately for Evelyn, her father was not home and her sister opened the letter. Isabella read the letter and was grounding her teeth. She really hoped that the little gremlin didn’t say a word about her actions, but since she wrote the letter to her father, Isabella knew that Evelyn would never lie to their father. Looking at the message, Isabella let out a shriek not believing that the woman is still alive. She had killed her. That bitch can’t be alive, but when she saw the picture, Isabella examined the photo and let out a scream of fury, when it was revealed that the picture was authentical.

Isabella was furiously pacing the living room. She needed to find a way to get rid of that woman. Screw her father’s order. Her reputation and image were more important than anything else. She will deal with the woman appropriately and make sure that she doesn’t talk. In three days, the woman will face her demise. Isabella knows, how to sneak inside St. Mungos and examining the letter closer, she saw, where O’Neill was.

St. Mungos, October 17th, 2002

It was the middle of the night, when Isabella entered the basically empty hospital. She had given her father a simple sleeping draught, in order to make sure that he doesn’t notice her absence in the manor. When her father was fast asleep due to the effects of the potion, she snuck out of the estate and apparated in front of St. Mungos. Since she had received the letters from her sister, Isabella had been working hard to find a way in, in order to silence the woman for once and for all. She also hid the contents of Evelyn’s envelope from her father since she knew that he would hinder her from doing, what needs to be done.

Going inside, she went through the empty main entrance and the waiting room. Before she went in, she put a disillusionment charm and many notice-me-nots on herself. She quickly took out her wand and stunned the guard and the nightshift healer. No one would stop her now. Her goal was the Emergency Ward. Isabella wasn’t surprised that no one was there, because it is the middle of the night and during that time period, the hospital doesn’t have many people apart from the nightshift healer and the guards. She continued to walk down to the Emergency Ward without issue. Unknown to her, she tripped over an alarm spell, where an alarm went off on Corban’s wand. Corban and John quickly flooed directly to the Emergency Ward and under many notice-me-not charms, both hid in the hospital room, where the golem is lying.

Arriving at the Emergency Ward, Isabella noticed that this ward was basically empty even though two aurors were occupying the room, where the golem was lying. Isabella noticed that no bed apart from one was occupied. Spying inside the room, she saw that the bitch was sleeping peacefully and alone without any protections. Isabella entered the hospital room quickly and had a smirk on her face. She said: “It’s time to die, you bitch. You managed to escape me once, but this time, you will die.” Corban was thankful that they had put some recording charms in the room. The woman already confessed that she had tried to kill her once.

Isabella took out her wand and pointed it at the golem. “Avada Kedavra.” A green lightning shot out from Isabella’s wand and hit the golem in the chest.

Isabella smirked, when she saw the motionless body, but her smirk vanished, when she noticed that the woman disintegrated. ‘What was going on?’ Isabella just shook her head and was in the process to leave, but the silence was interrupted by Corban: “Hey, Isabella. Expelliarmus.” Isabella was too shocked to move and was hit with the disarming spell. Her wand was gone. She tried to run out, but Proudfoot casted a blasting hex at her and the woman was sent flying towards the wall. She hit the floor, but tried to stand up and escape. “Petrificus Totalus.” The full-body bind came from Corban and bound the woman. Isabella hit the floor again and wasn’t able to move.

Corban was standing above her and mocked her: “Well, well, well, if that isn’t Isabella Jugson. What are you doing here in the middle of the night in the Emergency Ward here in St. Mungos? Don’t answer. In two days, you will answer all our questions that we have for you. For now, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Christina O’Neill and the assault on Michael Ward and Julia O’Malley.” With that, they handcuffed the woman and dispelled the body bind. Isabella started to scream, when both men started to drag her away to the floo, in order to lock her up in one of the holding cells: “You can’t do this to me. Do you know, who my father is? He is going to make sure that you are both fired for treating a member of a noble house like this.”

“Do shut up, Isabella, you were caught in the act. Your dear daddy wouldn’t be able to do anything. Now, let’s move.” Corban sneered.

Isabella was furious. “You will pay for this, Corban Yaxley. The day, you decided to humiliate me by choosing that mudblood bitch over me, should be the day, you should have rued. I will make you regret for this insult.” Corban casted a Silencio and both men dragged the woman out of the hospital to the ministry. There were going to be some charges against her. Now, they can announce that the perpetrator had been caught.

Eric heard footsteps and saw Yaxley and Proudfoot with his elder sister, Isabella. The woman was in handcuffs and was screaming, but she didn’t make a sound. Eric hanged his head. His sister had gotten caught. His father is not going to be happy about this. Thankfully, he would not blame him for this mess. Both aurors threw Isabella violently into the cell and locked the cell door up. His sister was banging on the bars of the cell and if he could read lips, he is sure that the woman wanted to be released.

Corban turned his attention to the other occupant. Eric just looked down on the floor. Corban looked down on him. “Eric, you will also have a lot to answer for and this time, you will tell us everything. Maybe you can avoid a prison sentence. Take that as an advice from me. It is not late.” With that, Corban left. Eric had registered, what he had said, and thought things through. The best option is to talk now. It would get worse for his elder sister, but maybe he could avoid a scandal and a long prison sentence. He needs to talk with his father and their family lawyer.

Isabella was furious. She will make Corban and his partner pay for arresting her. She did nothing wrong. She had done the right thing. Her reputation was in danger and she needed to save it before it was destroyed by that bitch. What didn’t those fools understand? Isabella will get out and make the DMLE pay for falsely arresting her. Eric sighed at the stubborn look on his sister’s face. He knows that she will fight the charges against her until the bitter end. Eric shook his head. Isabella would realise too late, how fruitless her fight would be.

Corban sent a message to Bartemius and Amelia that Isabella was caught and had been arrested for the attempted murders of Christina O’Neill and the assaults. Both received the message. Amelia was glad that everything is over and went to bed, in order to get a good night’s rest. She hadn’t slept well these past few days. Bartemius told both aurors to go home and told them that they had tomorrow, the whole day off since they had done two shifts at once again.

Both sighed happily and left the ministry to go home to their families.

Great Britain, October 18th, 2002

Amelia and Bartemius were in Barty’s office discussing Isabella’s arrest and there was the question, how to announce the arrests of Eric and Isabella. Amelia suggested Rita Skeeter. At first, Bartemius was sceptical since he knew that Rita was known for her exaggeration in her articles, but Amelia pointed out that Rita is maybe writing dramatical articles, but she remains within the facts and doesn’t make things up. She showed him the articles about Aurelius Yaxley and Bartemius noticed that even though Rita is dramatic in her articles, she remained within the facts and asked good questions, which is making the reader curious. At the end, they decided that Rita should be the one to write the article about Isabella’s and Eric’s arrest, but some specifics like the name of the intended victim will be left out.

Amelia left the DMLE with the file that she and Bartemius wanted to make public and went to the Daily Prophet.

Rita was enjoying a cup of coffee and was thinking, what to write for the evening edition until Amelia Bones entered her office.

“Lady Bones, what can I do? Please take a seat.” The woman had a smile, but Amelia could see in her eyes that they had no gleam, which means that the woman is serious. Amelia was a bit envious, how Rita could remain optimistic in serious situations.

Amelia sat down and said with a stoic expression on her face: “Here is something for the evening edition. Make sure that it remains within the facts and truthful and some specifics are left out since they are classified. The rest of the file will be given a little bit later.” Rita nodded and looked over the file and had lot of fodder for the evening edition. It was perfect to bring some dirt against another family from Voldemort’s circle.

“Very well. Prepare yourself for an outcry.” Rita grinned dangerously and started to go over the revised files on her desk.

Amelia left the Daily Prophet and smirked. Barty and her decided to make also their plans public, so that there was nothing questioned, but they edited it a bit.

When the evening edition came out, there was a heated discussion in the wizarding world and many rumours were made. Thereby, many fingers were pointing to Manfred and Evelyn Jugson. The reputation of House Jugson had taken a hit.

Manfred had let out a roar of rage, when he was finished reading the article. The man’s magic lashed out and destroyed his home office. That stupid girl. How dare she. He gave her a simple order to remain home and not to go out, but no, she had to potion him with a sleeping draught, sneak out again and get caught trying to kill the undercover auror again. He was stunned that the DMLE set up a trap with the help of a golem, but it doesn’t matter now. He needed to find a way to salvage this critical situation. Manfred was furthermore livid, when he found the letter, the message and the picture of the woman that was sent by his youngest child. Evelyn tried to warn him, but it seems like that Isabella had intercepted the warning and hid it from him. Now he understood the reason, why she went there on her own. He didn’t blame Evelyn for this mess since she tried to warn him, but Isabella is the one to blame for all this. If the girl had come to him, he would have found a solution for this problem. He needed to talk to his family lawyer. There must be something that can be done.

Isabella let out a scream of fury, tore the article into pieces much to the guards’ annoyance and banged on the bars of her cell to be let out. Eric looked defeated and shook his head, when he saw the headline. This time, there is no escape for his older sister.

Evelyn was ready to kill her sister, when the evening edition came out. The other students including the members of her own house were already giving her odd looks regarding her family’s scandal. She will make her sister pay, for what she had done. Evelyn left the great hall since she had lost her appetite. She hoped that at least Eric doesn’t end up in jail. He doesn’t deserve this. Isabella is to blame for this mess. She is sure that her sister had intercepted her letter to her father and read the message and saw the picture. Evelyn doesn’t have any remorse that she had unintentionally caused her sister’s arrest since Isabella had no right to intercept her mail.

Albus was absolutely furious. All his worry was for nothing. He couldn’t believe that he was tricked like that, but he had to admit that the plan was cunning. When the evening edition came out, he was stunned that it was a trap set up by the aurors, who had investigated the case, and that it was a golem. He was also surprised that Amelia wasn’t involved in this case. But the rest of the article is showing him that Isabella confessed her crime. He quickly sent a message to Dung to inform him that everything had settled at least.

The members of the Grey Alliance were a little bit dubious about the secrecy from Amelia and Corban, but also happy that House Jugson was taken a peg down.

The blood purists did their best to hide their disdain. Many friends from Isabella were not happy about the arrest since they had known the woman, when they were children, but the heads of their family ordered them to cut all ties with Isabella, in order to avoid their reputations to be dragged down in this mess. They did it as they were ordered, but they didn’t like it one bit.

The followers of Dumbledore were celebrating another arrest of one of Voldemort’s followers. These were good news, but some were annoyed that Corban Yaxley was the one, who led the investigation and arrested Isabella Jugson. What angered them more especially James was that he was also getting the praise from the public, but there was nothing that can be done.

DMLE, October 19th, 2002

Corban and John were sitting in the interrogation room with Isabella und Eric Jugson. He was glad that the bitch has finally been caught. Before the interrogation started, their family lawyer was called to the meeting. Ignatus Vaisley finally arrived and the man had a bad day since he now had to defend both children from Manfred Jugson. Yesterday, Lord Jugson ordered to represent Eric and Isabella. The man wanted from him to negotiate a sentence, so that Eric doesn’t end up in Azkaban, because of his sister. Isabella, on the other hand, would be a hopeless case to win, but he was told that the girl should not end up in Azkaban for life and that he should avoid the execution at all cost.

“Attorney Vaisley, thank you for coming. We have a lot of things to discuss. But first, I need your approval of a secrecy ward since there are some information that cannot be made public and are not allowed to get out. Do you agree with it?”, Corban asked the attorney.

The attorney answered: “As long as it doesn’t put my clients in a disadvantage.”

Corban and John shook their heads. “No, they will get a little advantage, if they are under the secrecy ward.”

The attorney nodded, when the words sank in.

Both aurors casted the secrecy wards around the interrogation room. Nothing will be getting out. Corban and John sat down and Corban had the lead. “Attorney Vaisley, the charges are going to be changed a little bit since there is a little deception that we did, in order to protect the victim in this case.” The man was ready to protest, but remained silent, when it was revealed that it was about the victim, and allowed him to continue. “Auror Christina O’Neill is still alive. She didn’t die on September 12th, 2002, but she is going to have lasting injuries like the Cruciatius exposure that are going to restrict her movements in her arms. From the golem we have retracted the magical signature of the killing curse that your client, Isabella Jugson, had casted, and compared the match with the magical signature on the asphalt and from the injured auror in Knockturn Alley. There was a match. She will be facing attempted murder charges and assault charges on the nightshift healer and the guard. Furthermore, there is also the charge of getting unlawfully classified information. Eric Jugson, on the other hand, will be charged with leaking out classified information and criminal negligence.”

The attorney requested a silencing ward around both siblings since he wanted to discuss a plea deal with both Jugsons. He had seen a light in the tunnel. Corban and John nodded and gave him some time. Both left, in order to get some coffee. They needed some energy. “Eric, Isabella, this case is hopeless to win. I would really suggest that both of you plead guilty on the charges, in order to get a reduced sentence.”

“WHAT?! Never! I will not end up in Azkaban for protecting my reputation and image. I did nothing wrong.” Isabella thundered in rage.

Ignatus sighed deeply. He knew that the woman was going to be troublesome. “Isabella, there is no hope in winning this case. They have enough evidence to convict you. If you don’t plead guilty, you could get a life sentence or worse an execution. Apart from that, the reputation of House Jugson had already taken a hit, because of your arrest. And don’t think that your friends will help you. After they heard about your arrest, they cut all ties with you.” Unfortunately, the woman still refused much to the solicitor’s annoyance and looked angry that her friends abandoned her. That will not happen. She and her friends had left a mark in Hogwarts and she will not tolerate it, if her friends turned their backs on her. “Very well, but don’t complain about your hospitality in Azkaban. Eric?”

Eric looked defeated. “I will plead guilty. At least, it can’t get worse.”

“What?! Don’t you dare, Eric. You are going to destroy everything”, Isabella hissed.

Eric had enough of his sister’s tantrum. “Enough, Isabella! This is all your fault. I did all this, in order to protect you. If you and Aurelius had left Corban alone, nothing like this would have happened, but no, the proud Isabella Jugson couldn’t handle an insult and needed to go after Corban. And to make matters worse, your and Aurelius’ plan failed. Aurelius is now in Azkaban, because of you. I will not end up in jail due to your pride and ego.” Eric gave his lawyer a determined look. “I will plead guilty. There is no way out.” Isabella was shocked and furious at her brother for how he had talked to her.

Before she could rant and rave, Ignatus quickly interrupted the fight. “Alright.”

The silencing ward was dispelled, which alerted the aurors that the discussion was over and Corban and John entered the interrogation room with some coffee. Corban threw the attorney an expectant look. “Well?”

“My client, Eric Jugson, is pleading guilty on the charges against him, but my client, Isabella Jugson, is pleading innocent.” The attorney’s tone turned sour at the end. Corban knew that tone of voice since Vaisley had to defend a clearly guilty woman. He knew that Isabella was stubborn and refused to listen properly.

“Very well”, Corban answered before John could reprimand Vaisley about the evidence. John glared at Corban, but the man smirked. Corban ordered four aurors to send both siblings back to their holding cells. When everyone left, John confronted Corban: “Corban, what in Merlin’s name, were you thinking. You know that Isabella is guilty and yet, you allow her to plead innocent. She needed to be reprimanded that the evidence is solid.”

Corban sighed, but grinned. “I know, but I also know Isabella. You can reprimand her however you want, but she will not listen to anyone, not even her own family. You have seen, how she had behaved.” John begrudgingly agreed and had to admit that the woman wouldn’t have listened to anyone.

At the end, Proudfoot shrugged it off and thought that it was Isabella’s decision to plead innocent. Her fate would be sealed.

Hogwarts, October 21nd, 2002

There was another order meeting regarding the school board meeting on the last Monday in this month. Many were chattering about the arrest of Isabella Jugson for murder and assault. It was a party-like atmosphere. Albus was taking a look at his followers and was pleased. He wished that his followers in the auror department did get credit for the arrest of Isabella and Eric Jugson, but unfortunately, they were left out. Hestia is just an auror. Alastor is a head auror, but he is going to retire in less than a decade. Rufus is still under probation due to the scandal with the Greengrass Family and Albert may be working as an auror, but he had been demoted, because of James, and is still under probation. And James is still a junior auror, who hadn’t managed to get a promotion. He was disappointed about his connections in the DMLE, but at least Hestia and Alastor can move around without any scrutiny unlike Rufus and Albert.

Things now needed to go his way and this time, he had plans to change the material regarding the Global Wizarding War. He can’t have people question him about the duel with Gellert since it would lead to too many questions, how the man was defeated, what had happened to him, how did the duel proceed etc. In reality, there was no duel, but a strategic meeting, where he and Gellert have agreed to end this war for now and move on with their plans with Tom. They gave up since the other communities in the wizarding world were hard to beat, because of the schooling systems. Even the Hogwarts graduates were strong like the rest of the world since Phineas Black ruined the school with his changes and taught the students dangerous information that made the children dangerous and uncontrollable as adults. Charlus Potter, Arcturus Black, Dorea Black later Potter, Cassiopeia Black, Muriel Prewett and so many of his generation had become to be the most feared and powerful witches and wizards in the wizarding society, because of the educational standards back then. When Black died, Dippet continued with Black’s educational standards and Albus always faced a losing battle with Dippet and the board of governors back then to lower those standards since many wanted the status quo to remain, which annoyed him to no end. So, the plan was to fake a duel and through Gellert’s ‘defeat’ get fame, in order to take control over the wizarding world. He was given everything, after they had successfully staged their duel and he took the Elder Wand in the process. Afterwards, he became Headmaster of Hogwarts, Grand Sorcerer and Supreme Mugwump. Additionally, he got the Order of Merlin First Class and made the Dumbledore name famous even though there were many sacrifices needed.

He had managed to form Hogwarts into his image, when he became headmaster, by removing those standards from Phineas and cancel some ‘dark’ and ‘dangerous’ classes, in order to dumb down the students. Without the Magical Theory class, he was able to spread his fear towards the students that dark is evil and light is good. The cancellation of the Wizard Study class and Religion helped him to gain control over the muggleborns and the muggle-raised halfbloods by subtly telling them that due to their heritage, they were not really welcome in the magical world, which helped him to gain followers. It had also helped him to create a division between the Slytherins and the Gryffindors, when the blood purists helped him unknowingly in this matter. Albus was able to show them that the dark purebloods were against their inclusion in the magical world. He also removed the other classes like Government and Politics, Magical Law, Alchemy, Warding and Spell Crafting and Weaving, in order to make the muggle-raised students and the children of his closest followers dependant on him and that the status quo remains.

As Supreme Mugwump, he faced many difficulties even today since the majority of the magical community around the world was not trusting him and he faced more opposition than in Britain. The ICW was the magical version of the UN in the muggle world, but there were many other independent sub-organisations like the EMU, the European Magical Union, the PACM, the Pan-Asian Community of Magic, the MAC, the Magical African Communities, etc. His focus was on the ICW, but he had a hard time to gain control over the members of the ICW and those sub-organisations, but with hard work, he would be able to handle them. He was distracted with his work on the school before.

Then, Tom and his followers started the war in the 90s and did a lot of damage to the reputation of the dark pureblood families, which helped him to present laws that he wanted to pass against the dark fraction in the Wizengamot and the creatures by brushing them off as dark creatures. Albus was able to place himself on the Chief Warlock position, when the light section managed to get the majority of the seats, and managed to pass laws that he wanted.

He was still not finished with his work in the Wizengamot, but unfortunately, the ties have turned against him and he didn’t like it one bit. Even during the school board meetings, things were not going his way. The changes in the potion and the history classes became thorns on his side and he isn’t able to fix them since everything is going in the wrong way. Something is going on, but he doesn’t know what.

When the meeting officially started, Albus discussed with his followers to change the current material regarding the Global Wizarding War. His followers didn’t like it one bit that the ‘great’ Albus Dumbledore was questioned like this and wanted it changed.

After they were finished with the nomination for the school board meeting, Albus turned his attention towards the arrests of Isabella and Eric Jugson. “Are there any information regarding the arrests of Isabella and Eric Jugson?”

The aurors apart from Alastor in the office shook their heads, which annoyed Albus. What was going on? Why doesn’t he have any access to classified cases? It was easy during the war, but now, he was facing challenges. He wished one of his followers had been leading the investigation, but no, Bartemius is trusting Yaxley and Amelia. That was the reason why, he wanted Aurelius to kill Clara, in order to gain control over Corban Yaxley, but it failed horribly and the man is out of his control.

“Very well, keep your eyes and ears open regarding the case.” The aurors nodded feeling indebted to the headmaster that they were unable to get information for him about the case.

With that the order meeting came to an end.

Greengrass Manor, October, 25th, 2002

The meeting in Greengrass Manor was proceeding without any difficulties, but there was a tension. The arrests of Isabella and Eric Jugson are causing a lot of curiosity among the members of the Grey Alliance. Narcissa and the others really wanted to know, what was going on, but they had to withhold their curiosity since the case is classified. Everyone knew that the case is about the murder of an auror, but why was the auror killed and who was the victim? That were questions that the members of the alliance really wanted to know, but they had to be patient. Maybe their curiosity can destroy the case and Isabella and Eric could use that to get away with their crimes.

Arthur explained Dumbledore’s nomination and Callidora huffed: “That man is hiding something. I have heard a rumour that Grindelwald and our dear headmaster were in a relationship, when they were young, but there was no proof in that endeavour. I believe that the old fool doesn’t want anyone to question him about his duel with Grindelwald since the duel had strangely no witnesses and Dumbledore refused to answer any questions, how the duel had proceeded and where Grindelwald was after his defeat. I don’t know, what had happened to Grindelwald after the duel and there are still many speculations about this aspect that the old fool is trying to keep it hidden.” Augustinus agreed with Callidora. He is also clueless, what had happened to Grindelwald after the duel with Dumbledore, but both had a dark feeling that there was something sinister going on.

Narcissa should have asked Lady Magic about this, but her focus was the safety of Akira and she forgot to ask Lady Magic regarding the legendary duel between Gellert Grindelwald and Dumbledore in 1945, but she is sure that they will find out more about Dumbledore’s life. But now, they needed to find a way to distract Dumbledore and his fools and she had the perfect idea. Lucius noticed the gleam that was known in the Black Family in his wife’s eyes. “Cissy, you seem to have a plan, in order to distract Albus and his fools.”

Everyone turned to Narcissa and saw the woman smiling. They were curious, what plan Narcissa had cooked up this time to distract the old fool and his chickens. Narcissa sighed knowing that her husband would know immediately that she had planned something big. “I have the idea that one of us propose the motion to shorten the class time in Hogwarts to the British schooling standards. Since the practical classes have one additional hour for the theory, the students would be able to start practising during the two-hour-units immediately. I have thought that one unit should be 45 minutes long and the two-hour sessions should be 90 minutes. There would be enough time to prepare before the beginning of the classes and clean-up after the classes.” Many liked the idea especially the Clearwaters and Severus.

Jeremy and Claire decided to send their little girl to one of the magical primary schools in France, where she is properly taught everything. Arthur Weasley had convinced them and Augustinus and all three liked the idea that Penelope should be properly taught about the magical world. Percy was happy that Penelope was there and both spent a lot of time playing with each other. The bond between Percy and Penelope is strong and both loved to talk about books and about the classes.

Severus would have enough time to prepare the classroom and clean-up any messes that the dunderheads leave behind after class. It would give him enough time.

When everyone had agreed on this, Narcissa moved them to the ICW primary school curriculum and this time, they are going to have a hard time to have this class in the primary school. Their plan is to have the core classes first and then, they would move on to the electives. Normally, a magical school has ten core classes and not the usual seven in Hogwarts. This includes also Magical Theory, Etiquette and Wizard/Muggle Studies.

Narcissa thinks that Magical Theory would be less troublesome, but she was sure that she would meet resistance from Dumbledore and his followers. They need to give the school board a good reason and there were plenty of reasons why Magical Theory should be taught, because everyone should learn the concept of magic and how magic works. If no one learns that, then, it would lead to problems like bigotry and bias.

It’s time to get harder on Dumbledore and his followers.

Many were not so sure and confident, if the Magical Theory class would pass during the next meeting, but they had to try. The education of their children and the next generation is very important. Maybe they could sneak the class in, when Dumbledore is distracted. That could help them.

School board, October 28th, 2002

Another board meeting was taking place and this time, Elphias Doge nominated to change the material regarding the Global Wizarding War that raged from 1925 until the defeat of the Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald in 1945. The man wants the students to learn this part of their history biased that it was a war between the dark and the light. Another aspect is that he proposed to leave out some ‘dangerous’ information. The members of the Grey Alliance wanted to shake their heads, because Grindelwald’s followers consisted also light witches and wizards like Marie Delacour and his opponents were also from the darker families like Leita Lestrange. Clara and the other members of the Grey Alliance were trying everything in their power not to fall asleep since the man was droning on for nearly half an hour. How does Arthur fare with these idiots without losing his mind? Clara was already counting the days until her husband is going to take over her seats as proxy since she hated the Wizengamot and the school board meetings. She had only two Wizengamot and two school board meetings to attend and then, her husband will take over. Corban told her that during the Yule meeting, he will leave the blood purists a nasty surprise, where even Dumbledore would be annoyed. Clara can’t wait, but now, she had to survive this meeting and the next ones in these coming months.

When Elphias was finished, many let out a silent breath of relief that he was done. When Dumbledore asked, if there was another nomination, the members of the Grey Alliance saw this as an opportunity to strike. Amelia Bones rose her wand. “Amelia?” Albus really hoped that this nomination was not going to be difficult.

Amelia stood up and started: “Esteemed members of this board, I am proposing that we shorten the class time in Hogwarts to the British standards. One class unit should be 45 minutes long and a double session should be 90 minutes. In between the two 45-minutes-units, there should be a five-minutes break, whereas in between two double sessions or in between a double session and a 45-minutes-unit, there should be a ten-minute break. It would shorten the workload of the teachers and the same can be done during the tutoring sessions.”

Many liked the idea even the blood purists. This change wouldn’t hurt anyone, but the light section had a massive argument. The younger generation liked the motion, but the older generation wanted the status quo to remain. Albus was ready to throw a killing curse at his followers. He found the idea genuine, but he forgot that his older followers were very insistent on remaining at the status quo, which can be annoying sometimes.

Requesting a privacy and silencing ward, Albus was distracted with his followers that were again making things needlessly hard. Aurelia took over as Head Governor and looked around with a smile. “Are there any other nominations?”

Muriel Prewett rose her wand. “Lady Prewett?” Aurelia turned the attention of the board to the formidable Prewett matriarch. Muriel stood up and began: “I have a protest to make regarding Lord Doge’s nomination about the material of the Global Wizarding War in the history class. The motion to leave out some ‘dangerous’ information doesn’t make any sense in my opinion since it is important that the students learn very well from our mistakes of the past and that we do not repeat this mess nearly more than 50 years ago again. This war also involved the muggle world and the causalities were in both worlds high. Does anyone want to repeat this monstrosity again, because the students were not properly taught? Even the muggles learned a hard lesson and are making sure that the future generation is learning detailly, what World War II had caused to their world, and they are making sure that this war doesn’t repeat itself through the education of the next generation.” Everyone shook their heads and agreed with Muriel. “Furthermore, I know that this war was not a war caused by the bias between the dark and the light since Grindelwald had light witches and wizards in his circle like Marie Delacour and I remember that Leita Lestrange, a well-known dark witch, was Grindelwald’s fiercest opponent. We can’t just label the Global Wizarding War as a war between the light and the dark without checking some facts up.” Many agreed and many witches and wizards from the dark fraction were not happy about this bias.

Muriel quickly finished up by making her stand clear regarding Doge’s nomination and Aurelia continued: “Are there any other nominations or protests?” Callidora rose her wand and Aurelia turned her attention of the board towards the woman. “Lady Longbottom?”

Callidora stood up and nominated: “I am nominating to continue with the primary school and I am proposing the ICW primary school curriculum for Magical Theory.” A chatter broke out why that class should be taught, but Aurelia managed to silence the chattering. “Proceed, Lady Longbottom.” Callidora nodded and continued: “Magical Theory is internationally a core class during the first two years until it becomes an elective during the students’ third year of education. The children need to learn why witches and wizards have different types of cores and why it can’t be controlled. You should all know that your environment and your surrounding is deciding if we have a dark, a light or a grey core.” Many were surprised by that information. Having a dark, light or grey core can’t be controlled like Dumbledore had said. “Finally, the students should also understand, how magic works. In that aspect, the students should understand the true concept of magic and the real purpose for Dark and Light Lords in our society. Additionally magic has its own cycle and they should know, how it does work.” Many were shocked about this motion, but when everyone received the curriculum and read the contents of it, a majority nodded in agreement and Narcissa was sure that they had managed to convinced most of the members during this meeting.

When Callidora sat down, Dumbledore was finished with his discussion and retook his seat on his podium, he asked: “Aurelia, my dear, were there any other nominations?”

“Yes, Lady Callidora Longbottom nominated the ICW primary school curriculum of Magical Theory”, Aurelia said with a neutral expression.

Albus was alerted by this. No, he will not allow that dark class to be taught in the primary school and corrupt the children by its content. He was furious that a member of the light section was proposing something like this since it would be hard to dismiss the person as dark and this also shows that the light fraction is not as united as he had bragged about. He didn’t like Callidora Longbottom since the woman was neutral during the war, but now, he was starting to hate her since the woman was causing a lot of damage to his ideal, light world. In the light section, there were many glares and betrayed looks from Dumbledore’s followers towards the woman and many made their protests regarding the nomination. Dumbledore tried to calm his followers down, when they started to insult Callidora and claim that she is one of Voldemort’s followers and a blood purist like her paternal family, but it was fruitless and the man noticed that the other members from the neutral and dark sections looked at his followers with disdain and disgust. Even those, who were light-leaning neutral, were hiding their sneers of contempt at the behaviour of his followers.

The woman’s eyes flashed in fury, when she heard the accusations against her and all those allied with the woman were disgusted by this outburst. There were even a minority like James Potter that have demanded that she should stay away from Neville and that Neville should be taken away from Augusta and Callidora and given to the Potters due to Lily’s and James’ position as Neville’s godparents, so that he could become an appropriate, light wizard and doesn’t become corrupted by his grandmother and great-grandmother. The board was in chaos.

Narcissa was hiding a grin and whispered to her husband: “Well, it seems like that Dumbledore’s followers have managed to alienate Callidora and her allies. The old fool is not going to be happy about the outcome of this meeting.” Lucius agreed and watched the chaos with his wife in an amused expression.

When Dumbledore’s sheep had calmed down after their rant, Dumbledore tried to apologize for his followers’ behaviour, but the damage was already done. He tried to warn the board that Magical Theory is a dangerous class and that gullible children could become corrupted by the content. It went on for an hour about, how the class is excusing dark wizards and witches and the purpose of dark lords and ladies in their society, but the majority was still disgusted by the behaviour of his followers and were distrustful towards Dumbledore’s words.

When the vote finally came, the first nomination failed epically. Albus was completely furious. That can’t be happening.

The second nomination had a unanimous vote. Everyone liked the idea of shortening the class time. The students would also be able to take all of the current electives at once.

The third nomination had a majority vote, which infuriated Albus and his followers to no end. Albus blamed this failure on his followers’ behaviour and made sure to show them his disappointment. He will have a long discussion with his closest allies. With the third nomination finished, the meeting came to an end.

Albus practically stormed away from the Wizengamot chambers with his followers. Narcissa smirked. Their plan had worked and she was sure that today, Albus will discuss with his followers about the Wizengamot meeting in a week. Phineas would keep her up to date, what Dumbledore’s plan is going to be.

Hogwarts

Albus arrived back at his office in an absolute fury. This meeting ended really bad and now, there is a dark class in the primary school that he can’t remove. His followers were to blame for this mess. If those idiots didn’t start their ranting and raving against Callidora Longbottom, then, the motion could have failed, but no, James and the other, younger followers had thrown a fit, which alienated the other board members from him. With that, his plans for Neville were falling through and he can’t have that right now. It was already bad enough that Neville is raised by two former Slytherins, but the ruckus that his followers have created during the board meeting takes the cake.

His followers scattered around his office and he began in a calm voice. “Would you like to explain to me, what that was for?”

James and his younger followers were looking down on the ground in shame. They really screwed things up and now a dark class will be taught in the primary school. Albus continued seeing that no one is answering his question: “Do you know that your behaviour has caused many problems? You have alienated the other board members by your temper tantrum especially Lady Longbottom and her allies? How could you accuse Callidora Longbottom of all people as a blood purist and Voldemort’s follower? Do I have to remind you all that Callidora was neutral during the war and that she has built up a strong reputation. Attacking her is political suicide and you have seen, what had happened with her nomination during the voting. It passed and a majority voted for it. I don’t want any of you to repeat this in the future board meetings. Is that clear?” Everyone nodded. They were furious and shamed at the same time. Albus added: “You have made the same mistake during the Ostara meeting and I thought that I can trust you that you are not going to repeat this mess again, but I was wrong. This is my last warning or the consequences are dire.” Albus’ eyes were not twinkling during his speech.

It was silent for the time being and Albus moved his followers quietly to another topic. The November Wizengamot meeting would take place on November 4th. He would need a new approach against the veelas and he had an idea that could work.

Pensively, he discussed with his followers to ban the veelas from having medical treatment in St. Mungos. There are still many restrictions, but now, he doesn’t want them to have any medical treatment from the hospital.

Phineas had never thought that the office could be so quiet during an order meeting, but the lost vote during the school board meeting has really its effect. Albus said before he dismissed the meeting: “And I hope that none of you is going to throw a fit or a tantrum during the meeting. We can’t afford any failures now.” Everyone nodded and Albus dismissed his followers wanting to be alone for the time being.

Department of Mysteries, October 30th, 2002

Silvia Hecat was making her way to her superior’s office. She had a meeting with Saul Croaker and there were many important things to discuss with the man. Silvia was lost in thoughts until she heard someone calling her name. “Unspeakable Hecat, can I have a word with you. It will be short.”

Silvia saw Unspeakable Rookwood making his way towards her. “Unspeakable Rookwood, what can I do for you?” She looked at her watch and said: “You have 15 minutes.”

Augustus didn’t waste any time and asked: “Unspeakable Hecat, are you interested in teaching?”

“Teaching? Like my great-great-grandmother, Dinah Hecat, who taught DADA back then. I have a Transfiguration Mastery and Hogwarts already has a Transfiguration professor. How should I teach there?” The woman said distastefully since she didn’t like neither McGonagall nor Dumbledore.

Augustus smirked and said: “But Hogwarts doesn’t have a Transfiguration tutor, who is responsible for the tutoring sessions, since McGonagall is busy with her duties as Head of House and Deputy-Headmistress. Additionally, you can use the ICW curriculum in Transfiguration, in order to bring the students up to par with the rest of the world. What do you think now?”

Silvia narrowed her eyes and had a thoughtful expression. “This idea sounds to be interesting and the students of Hogwarts would learn the subject properly. What about the other subjects?”

“The other subjects are taken care of by the other teachers including DADA. The other staff members are not blind fools and know, what the students should learn, in order to be up to par with the wizarding world. The DADA tutoring sessions are going to be taken over by Severus Snape and do not fear that post is not affected by the curse unlike the DADA position.” Augustus knew that he had her hooked.

Silvia smiled at Augustus. She knew, what the man’s next move would be, and said: “I will make a request to Unspeakable Croaker to allow me to work at Hogwarts as Transfiguration tutor, but you will have to wait until November for that decision.”

“Thank you, Unspeakable Hecat. The students deserve the best education that we can offer. After the Yule holidays, I am sure that you will be able to officially start tutoring the students in Transfiguration.” Augustus smirked before he went back to work. Silvia waited for a few minutes before the meeting would start. Rookwood made an interesting point. The students needed someone competent to teach them Transfiguration and maybe she would be able to help the students in receiving a good education. But for that, she needed the board’s approval, which wouldn’t be hard, if it is pointed that there are no tutoring sessions in Transfiguration due to McGonagall’s workload. She will have to see, what will happen.

Saul Croaker was sitting behind his desk reading an ancient-looking scroll. He overheard the conversation between the Unspeakables Rookwood and Hecat. He found the idea good that Silvia should at least tutor the students in Transfiguration, in order to bring them up to par with the rest of the world. The woman can make the request here and now. But first, the meeting needed to start. “Unspeakable Hecat, come in.”

Silvia entered the office of her boss and sat down on the seat that was summoned for her. She looked at her superior in the eye and waited. Saul gave her a rare smile and said: “Unspeakable Hecat, before this meeting starts regarding your assignment, I want to talk to you about the conversation that you had with Unspeakable Rookwood. I may have overheard bits and pieces, but I know, what this was about.”

Silva smirked slightly and thought that it was the right time to make the request. “Well, since you are aware of the content of my and Unspeakable Rookwood’s conversation, Head Unspeakable Croaker, I request from you, if I am allowed to tutor the Hogwarts students in Transfiguration since I have a mastery in the subject.”

Saul was hiding his smirk and said: “I will think about it. You will get the results of this request next month. But now, let’s move on with your assignment.”

Silvia nodded. She suspected that after the Yule holidays, she will be tutoring Transfiguration.

Ministry of Magic, October 31st, 2002

Lucius and Narcissa were attending the ministry ball and had mixed feelings regarding the event. This ball was arranged by the Potters and Dumbledore for the first anniversary of the defeat of Voldemort and the end of the war. Both had mixed reactions. At one point, they were glad that Voldemort was gone since the man had nearly ruined their lives. At the other point, they were angry, what the Potters, Lupin and Dumbledore had done to Akira. Narcissa was silently seething in rage, when she watched the Potters bragging and boasting about, how their son, John, had defeated Voldemort and is the so-called ‘Chosen One’. Many other names were mentioned like the ‘Saviour of Wizarding World’, the ‘Beacon of the Light’, the ‘Boy-Who-Lived’ etc. Narcissa really wanted to reveal the Potters’ and Lupin’s action against Akira, who is the true ‘Boy-Who-Lived’, but she had to wait patiently.

Narcissa was also pleased, when she had seen Sirius’ face, when the man had seen her. He had a scared expression and that brought her pleasure.

“Lucius, Narcissa.” Turning around they were greeted by Amelia and the Abbotts.

“Zachery, Amelie, Amelia, what a surprise to meet you here. I thought that you would not be attending this event. Especially, you Amelia.” Narcissa was hiding her grin.

Amelia wanted to groan and answered: “Normally not, but for appearance’s sake, I forced myself to come here even though, I am ready to curse those idiots for what they had done to my godson.” Zachary and Amelie said that they did the same like Amelia.

“I understand. I would have liked to scream at the ball and expose the Potters for what they had done to Akira, but the time is not right. We have to wait and I don’t like it one bit. But at least, I am able to scare Sirius to no end. He is aware, what had happened to Akira, but he can’t say anything due to the secrecy ward on him. He can’t tell the Potters anything that Akira isn’t with his magic-hating relatives and that he is living outside Europe. The man is keeping an eye on me and he is terrified that I would jump the gun and tell everyone here the truth about Akira.” Narcissa and the others saw Sirius watching her and smirked.

Amelia had an evil smile. “How about, if we spread a rumour that John has a twin. It will bring really uncomfortable questions that the Potters are not willing to answer.”

“Merlin, Amelia Bones has an evil plan. Am I dreaming?” Amelie acted shocked and terrified. Everyone had a good laugh, but the idea sounded good and they began to spread the rumour about John’s twin brother, in order to mess with those fools.

The other members of the Grey Alliance smirked, when the rumour started to spread that John has a twin brother. Whoever it was, was ingenious. The Potters looked like they had swallowed an entire lemon. They had to answer really uncomfortable questions regarding Harry and sometimes Dumbledore had to jump in, when things got really tough. They were miffed that someone started this rumour. They wanted to keep Harry’s existence secret, but now, it was out. They will make the person pay for this rumour since they endangered their son. Sirius looked terrified. He had a suspicion, who had spread the rumour. It must be Narcissa. He had started to breath hard, when the attendees started to chatter about Harry and what had happened to him. He was relieved that no one mentioned anything incriminating against him and his friends. Sirius knew that Narcissa is capable of everything and that she had the upper hand against him and his friends.

At the end of the ball, James and Lily were less than pleased, when someone spread the rumour about Harry. The evening was uncomfortable and they had felt fear that someone would find out, what they had done to Harry and expose them. This would have destroyed their reputation and they could have ended up in jail with a tarnished image. Both didn’t need that right now. They were glad that Albus was there to help them out, but their plan to keep Harry’s existence secret was destroyed. They are sure that things got more complicated for them and that Harry is potentially in danger.

Albus huffed. Another plan was destroyed. Someone spread a rumour about Harry and now, the plan to keep Harry’s existence a secret is dashed. It is frustrating, but it will not endanger his other plans for the boy.

Sirius was glad that the rumour about Harry didn’t escalate, but he was sure that this was a slow start from Narcissa to go against his friends. He needed to find a way to stop this and fix this mess before it becomes a mess.

Narcissa was happy, when the ministry ball came to an end. The rumour caused some ruffled feathers within the Potters, but that was just the start. She is sure that next year, there would be another ball for the anniversary and Narcissa was going to spread another rumour that would cause some problems for James, Lily, Sirius and Remus. This was going to be funny.