Attempts at Atonement
Gryffindor Common Room, Monday, June 26, 4:30 PM
”I’m glad our History of Magic Final is over!” Ron Weasley stated—to unanimous murmurs of agreement from his fellow Fourth-Year Gryffindors—as he, Hermione and Harry led the “Lion Pride” (as Harry had once heard Minerva McGonagall say, from under his Invisibility Cloak) into the Common Room, at the end of their first day of Finals. Suddenly, he stopped short. ”Hermes?!” the shocked redhead exclaimed, as the screech owl flew over to him. The owl had apparently been waiting for a few minutes.
”Wait a minute! Isn’t that What’s-his-name’s owl?” Harry asked Ron, his nose wrinkled in distaste. Upon entering Hogwarts, Harry Potter had, at first, respected Percy Weasley (or, at least, his position of authority as a Prefect, and, later, Head Boy…although to a lesser extent by that time); however, those feelings had cooled each time that Harry and those around him—usually, but not always, Ron and Hermione—managed to survive bending the rules…or outright breaking them.
Harry’s attitude toward Percy had taken several severe blows in just the last few months. It had all started when Percy had graduated, then had landed under the tutelage of Ministry officials Ludo Bagman and the late Barty Crouch, Sr. (although Fudge had “swiped” the redhead from them just after the Yule Ball). Somehow, Percy had gotten wind of Harry’s dream that foreshadowed the return of Voldemort. Instead of supporting Harry, though, Percy had “urged” the younger Wizard not to share the dreams with Dumbledore, Hermione, or the four youngest Weasleys. (To Harry, the missive had felt more like a threat, that would bring unfortunate consequences.)
After being relieved of a very large envelope—Hermione’s remark was “I suppose those oversized envelopes keep his oversized ego inflated!”—and being given an owl treat by Neville, Hermes flew off. As soon as Ron (not noticing the name of the addressee) opened the large envelope, several smaller envelopes—thankfully, none of them red—fell out.
”What on Earth?!” Harry exclaimed, as he bent over to hand Ron the handful of mail, noting there was one addressed to him, but polite enough to let his friend distribute it all, since the delivery hadn’t been made by a school owl, or by Hedwig.
”What’s wrong, Ron?” Hermione asked, noticing a look of consternation on her (not as secret as she wanted to believe…especially to a certain Third Year redhead!) boyfriend’s face.
”I’m confused,” Ron confessed, passing back Harry’s note to him…as well as one to a surprised Hermione, and three more to Ginny, Fred and George, who’d all also heard the ruckus—and then recognized the owl—before they’d all ambled over. “You’re right, Harry: Hermes is Perce’s owl…but that’s our Dad’s handwriting.” His siblings’ ears all perked up at that bit of information.
”Well, Harry…,” began George, as he spotted what Ron had missed….
”…the outside envelope’s addressed to you…,” Fred jumped on his twin’s train of thought….
”…so…after you…,” they chorused in conclusion, as Ginny nodded in agreement. Before tearing into their respective messages, they all watched Harry, open his envelope….
~~~~~
Harry just happened to open Mr. Weasley’s letter first. It read:
”Dear Harry:
”I hope your Finals have gotten off to a good start, and they rush to a rosy rousing finish!
”It’s been an eventful day here at the Ministry, as you’ll soon see.
”I know you’ll not believe this—especially since it was delivered by my son Percy’s owl—but Minister Fudge and I were able (without too much difficulty…plus Cornelius’s Pensieve, and a little bit of Veritaserum) to convince him that you were telling the truth Saturday night, after the Third Task.
”I was so concerned about about my four youngest kids—not to mention you…and Amos Diggory, of course—that I’d neglected to check on Percy, who was actually sitting on the other side of the Minister. Cornelius and I had owled each other yesterday, and he confessed then that he and my son both voiced the opinion that you were lying. I apologize deeply for my son’s mistrust of your experience. Please rest assured that his views have done a complete reversal.
”You may also be interested to know, Harry, that the ‘woman’ who was trying to become your next DADA ‘teacher’ (if you could call her that; my description is not meant for young ears or eyes!), the Minister’s (former) Senior Undersecretary, is currently under arrest, in a Ministry Anti-Animagus Holding Cell…as a Marked Death Eater. As soon as she can face the Wizengamot—which, by necessity won’t be until after the members can be questioned (and any necessary replacements made)—she’ll likely be backed headed to Azkaban.
”Speaking of Animagi, Percy and Bill took Ms. Skeeter down to the Animagus Registration Department—after we got Percy straightened out—and got her registered in rocked record time. Minister Fudge put her on notice, so she’ll only be printing pre-approved material for some time to come. In fact, she and Percy are co-authoring a special article that should be out this Thursday. At least, I hope so, since I’m taking him home for lunch on Friday…although I’m not telling my children that last part. Molly will be hard enough to handle! Wish me luck!
”See you soon,
”Arthur Weasley”
~~~~~
After a brief chuckle at Mr. Weasley’s last statement, Harry found and opened a second letter…this one from Rita Skeeter. Her letter repeated much of Arthur’s, but also had a preview of the article she and Percy hoped to have printed in Thursday’s “We’ll see about that on Thursday!” Harry thought to himself, as he then found a third letter, this one from Minister Fudge…which he tucked into his robes; he’d read it privately.
Judging by the number of snorts of derision by the Weasleys—and Hermione’s growl (there was no other word for it)—Harry deduced that she and the others had finished reading their letters.
After the bad taste left in his mouth by Skeeter’s letter, Harry took another look at the end of Arthur Weasley’s letter; he felt better immediately.
”What’s so funny, Harry?” Ginny asked.
As Hermione was dragging him and Ron into another impromptu study session, Harry said, “You’ll know when the time comes!” His tone of voice made all of the four youngest Weasleys cringe….