Payback Time

It had been a week since Harry cured the Longbottoms and Sirius decided that it was time to go and see if they were adapting well to being awake. He had flooed them the day before and confirmed they were up for visitors. They were more than happy to receive them.

“Why do we have to go?” Harry asked, not sure if it was a good idea. He didn’t want to be linked in any way to their recovery. Maybe it would be alright. It had been a week.

“They were very good friends of ours. It wouldn’t look right if we were just to ignore them,” Sirius said, adjusting his shirt to sit right on his shoulders. He had been putting some weight back on, so his clothes weren’t fitting right. He and Remus both were going to need to get their clothes adjusted soon. Harry seemed to be able to magic his to fit.

“Oh, were they close to my parents?” the teen asked, waving his hand, and making Sirius’s shirt fit right. “I can do your whole wardrobe when we get back,” he offered. They were in Sirius’s bedroom, since the man took longer to get dressed than Harry.

“Thanks, and yes. You and Neville used to play together when you were toddlers,” the dark-haired man said, putting on a black robe, finally ready to go. “Come on, Remus. What’s taking you so long?” he yelled out of his bedroom door. Remus never took this long to get ready.

“I just needed to find a shirt that fit,” the man said, coming into the room, throwing on a brown robe that didn’t look that shabby. Harry had mended all his robes, instead of them buying him all new ones. He was always frugal like that. Even though he now had money, thanks to the Potters’ will being read, he still wanted to keep his knuts in the bank.

“Well, let’s get this over with,” Harry said, not liking that he was going to meet new people, but happy that he was going to see his friend. He just hoped that Neville was doing good now that his parents were better.

They flooed to the Longbottom manor and were escorted to the receiving parlor where they waited for the revived Longbottoms. It was a well-appointed room, without being too lavish. There was a sofa, two chairs, and a loveseat. With small tables disbursed throughout the room.

Alice came in first and was excited to see Sirius and Remus. “Sirius, Remus, it is so good to see you,” she said as she all but flew into their arms. “I can’t believe all that has happened.” Then she sobered as she spotted Harry. “Oh, Harry, I am so sorry about your parents. We were such good friends,” she said as she knelt down and hugged the boy.

Neville came in about that time and saw his mum make Harry uncomfortable. “Mum?” he questioned, not sure what was happening.

“I was just giving Harry my condolences over his parents, Neville,” she said, wiping a tear from her eyes. “Come, say hello to your friend,” she said, waving him over.

“Oh,” the boy said, coming up to his friend. He was still very unused to an adult answering him in such a friendly way. “Hello, Harry. It’s good to see you,” he said, coming to stand by his mum.

“Hey, Neville, how cool is it that you’ve got your parents back?” Harry asked, hoping to break the sad atmosphere.

“It’s brilliant,” the shy boy professed. “My mum is the best. You should have seen what she did to Uncle Algie,” he said excitedly, then cowered a bit like he was going to be yelled at for saying such a thing.

Alice puffed up with pride at that and put her arm over her son’s shoulder. Neville beamed up at her with delight.

“That man is a grease stain on our family,” Frank said as he came into the room. “After what he did to Neville, I kicked him out of the family, and mum is lucky I didn’t do the same to her,” he stated, thumping down in a chair. “Sirius, Remus,” he greeted with a nod. “Harry,” he said a bit softer.

“Frank,” was Sirius’s greeting. “What did Augusta do?” he asked, taking a seat on the sofa where Harry and Remus joined him, while Neville and Alice took a loveseat.

“Wait, I want to hear what Alice did to Algie first,” Remus said, having always hated that man. Algie was one of those that looked down on Remus for being a werewolf. Frank, like the other boys, never cared. Augusta did but for Frank she endured.

“Once I got my wand, I tossed that tosser into the middle of Black Lake with rocks in his pockets, to see if his magic would save him from drowning. Then I tossed him out a five-story window to see if he’d bounce. Lucky for him, he did,” she sniffed, like it was a great shame that magic had saved the man. “I then proceeded to let him know that I was a better magic user than him, by beating the stuffing out of him in a duel.” She puffed up in pride again.

“That didn’t stop me from disowning him,” Frank said, giving her such an adoring look, which made Neville squirm. His parents were so lovey-dovey. They hadn’t stopped being sickening sweet since they’d been home. He wouldn’t be surprised if he had a sibling before long.

“You didn’t have to,” the boy said in a low voice. He had never had anyone stick up for him before. It was too new for him. It made him feel uncomfortable.

“Oh, yes I did,” she said with conviction. “No one, and I mean no one, hurts my baby,” she added, giving him a one-armed hug. “I love you, sweetie, and I always will.” She kissed his brow, making him blush.

“Mum,” he whined, though Harry could tell he was pleased.

“Where is this Uncle Algie?” Harry asked, wanting to get some revenge of his own. He’d show him grease stain.

“Gone,” was the only answer he got, which denied him any vengeance.

Just then Augusta walked in and took the only other chair. She was dressed far more formally than anyone in the room, like she would be receiving the Queen, and not just friends of the family.

“Mother,” was the only greeting she received from her son, and it was a chilled one. Everyone else, bar the children, just nodded.

“Why must you treat me so, and in front of guests?” she inquired, sniffing like a mistreated child.

“You gave my son,my wand and expected him to flourish,” Frank stated as if speaking to someone simple.

“He should have done well with it,” she defended herself, patting an eye with a kerchief, like she had been crying.

“He is not me. Any magical worth their salt knows a wizard needs his own wand,” the man said in a harsh voice, like they had been having this argument for a week now.

“Neville, you were using the wrong wand?” Harry asked, looking at his friend, seeing him in a new light.

The boy just nodded, not looking up from his lap. He didn’t seem to realize that he had been working at a great pace for using an ill-fitting wand.

Harry got mad, even he knew that was wrong. He moved his fingers at the old woman, so quickly that not even Sirius caught him. This old bat would never get a good use of any wand ever again. She would struggle to get any magic out of her own wand, let alone another.

“You must be a great wizard then,” he said aloud, making his friend look up in surprise.

“Why do you say that, Harry?” Sirius said with a smile. He was just glad that Harry got to stick up for his friend, when he knew that the boy wanted to make Algie the grease stain Frank called him. He knew he did something to the old woman, but he didn’t care. He hated that old battle-axe anyway. She had always harped on Frank as a kid, and it looked like she treated Neville worse.

“With all he’s accomplished with a wonky wand, he must be great,” the teen reiterated, giving his friend an encouraging smile. “You were doing okay with one that didn’t fit. Just think of what you’ll do with one that will,” he said, all but jumping in his seat. He waved his hands about, unobtrusively casting a confidence spell on his friend. He wouldn’t be a braggart, like Malfoy, but he wouldn’t jump at his own shadow anymore.

Neville beamed at those words. Alice and Frank were just as happy that someone backed what they had been saying all week. Augusta was mortified that her argument was derailed by another child.  

They had a good afternoon visit after that. Neville took great pride in showing everyone, including his parents, his greenhouse. Harry made sure to expound on the fact that Neville was the top of his class in Herbology.

“I’m going to meet up with Ron and Hermione at the end of the month, do you want to come?” Harry asked not seeing any reason not to have another friend along.

“Mum, Dad?” Neville turned to his parents. He’d never been invited anywhere before. He only had to go where his gran had instructed him to before.

“I don’t see why not. We’ll come too, and keep Sirius and Remus company,” Alice said, not wanting to crowd the children.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll let you know the exact date closer to the time,” Sirius said, escorting his party to the floo. When they got back home, they were met with news of visitors.

“There is being peoples in the receiving parlor for yous,” Dobby said when they exited the floo.

“Why did you let them in?” Sirius asked, not sure why they were allowed in the house.

“They is being from the ministry,” the elf said, like it was important. “Dobby was told by my old master that the Minster was always allowed to enter the house. Is this wrong?” he asked, pulling on his ears.

“Well, it might have been correct in the Malfoy house, but it is not correct here. However, you didn’t know that, so you are forgiven this once,” Sirius said, giving the poor elf a break. He gently stopped the punishing hands from abusing the ears. “Go tell them we’ll be there in a minute,” he ordered, to get the elf to stop feeling bad.

“Yes, Master Padfoots,” Dobby said, popping away.

“Damn, I hate Fudge and I’m sure I won’t like whatever lackey he’s brought,” Sirius said, taking off his robe and throwing it over a chair. Harry and Remus followed suit.

“Fudge? Do you want me to whammy him?” Harry asked, not sure if he should do it right now, but a delayed one would work.

“Yeah, but to what I wonder,” Sirius said, thinking hard on that.

“Maybe make him a good politician,” Remus suggested, wondering if that would work.

“But that might just make him a good, crooked politician,” Sirius pointed out. “But that does have merit,” he said, as he started pacing. “Can you make him a good, good politician?”

“I can try, but what does a good, good politician do?” Harry wanted to know.

“Mostly thinks of the good of the people. Thinks of the bigger picture. Like what is the best for the majority, without suppressing the minority. So, they would still lookout for the pureblood, but wouldn’t be prejudice against the muggleborn. Makes sure budgets are balanced correctly and that the correct people are in the correct jobs. Even pay for even work. Equality for all. Things like that,” Sirius said, trying to think of ways a good politician would think.

“I can do that,” Harry said, squaring his shoulders and walking out of the room. Sirius and Remus followed.

Sirius took the lead and led them to the receiving room. In the room were two people. A portly man in a lime green, pinstriped suit with open robes. And a woman wearing far too much pink. She was a toad like woman with chins to match. Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge. The two most hated people in the ministry.

“Fudge, what do you want? You know you’re not supposed to be here,” Sirius said, taking a seat and waving the man and his toad to sit.

Fudge and the pink monstrosity sat.

“Hem, hem,” Umbridge said, straightening her skirt as she sat. “I know you did not just speak to the Minister that way,” she said with a saccharine sweet voice.

“Shut it, toady, no one was talking to you,” Sirius said without a hint of apology.

Harry waved his hand and whammied the both of them. Fudge’s was instantaneous. The pink woman’s curse would activate later tonight.

“How dare you,” she shrieked, standing, and pointing her finger at him.

“Sit down, Dolores,” Fudge said in a firm tone. “Sirius, may I call you Sirius?” he asked, and waited for the nod, which didn’t come. “Mr. Black, do you really think that suing the ministry is such a good idea?” he started, then wavered as if realizing that he should not be here.

“Take it up with my lawyer. I have nothing to say,” Sirius said, as he was meant to.

“Now see here,” was as far as Dolores got when Cornelius got up and put his hat on.

“Very well,” was all he said as he took her arm and left the room.

“What did you do to her?” Sirius asked after they left.

“She looks like a toad, so I made her a toad. She’ll wake up tomorrow croaking,” Harry said with a giggle.

“I’m not sure whether to hug you or scold you,” Remus admitted, hugging him anyway. “She is behind almost all the bias laws in the last ten years. Especially the werewolf laws. I hate that woman with a passion.”

“I should have just made her disappear,” Harry said, hugging the man tight.

“No, this is better,” Remus disagreed.

“Well, I’m glad you like it,” the teen said, letting him go. “I’m going to finish off my potion’s homework. Then I’m done for the summer,” he said, and left the room.

“Does it scare you?” Sirius asked, still seated.

“Sometimes,” the ex-werewolf admitted.

“Me too,” the man said, looking after where the teen left.

Hphphp

Fawkes flamed him and his dying companion to the dungeons, right to the potions master’s room. “Severus,” Dumbledore called, holding on to his withering hand, which adorned a ring that it hadn’t before.

“What have you done to yourself?” the dour man asked when he saw the shriveled hand. “And why hasn’t Fawkes cured you?” he wondered out loud.

“Alas, it was my own folly that landed me in my predicament, and made Fawkes reluctant to save me,” Albus stated, looking at his longtime avian friend. His sign read that it was mostly true.

“And what else was there that made Fawkes not heal you?” Snape ask as he ran his wand over the injury. He started calling some potions to him.

“He said, it was my own hubris and that it was my time,” the old man admitted, shame in his voice.

“What hubris?” the other man asked as he shoved a potion in the man’s mouth.

When Albus swallowed, he said, “I just wanted to see her one more time.”

“See who?”

“I will not tell you. Let a dying man have his secrets,” Albus said, and his sign said that he was telling the truth the whole time.

“Very well,” Snape said, doing his best to prolong the man’s life.