Disclaimer: I know I say it each chapter but it's true, If you recognise anything from the HP novels it belongs to JKR, anything else is mine (such as it is).
Chapter 28
Revelations and Deception.
Hidden behind a large tree, he watched as the two figures were walking arm in arm down the lane, oblivious to the threat waiting them in the forest. The team leader could see his comrades hiding behind other trees, in bushes and amongst the undergrowth, wands at the ready. He pointed his wand at the walking figures and waited until they drew level “Avada kadavra” he shouted and the curse flew from his wand.
Curses from nineteen other wands joined his, flying towards the couple. The spells exploded on the spot where the figures had been, the light of the combined curses intensifying as they met. He watched as the brightness faded and the dust thrown up by the power of them settled. His eyes widened as the two figures emerged from the cloud of particles, still walking. They had missed the targets, who arrogantly had not even bothered to take cover, it was as if they had not even noticed the plethora of spells that had converged next to them. “What the hell is going on?” he thought.
They shot more curses towards the target figures, firing at will this time rather than in a combined attack, surely at least one of them must hit the couple. The number of curses diminished slowly as one by one his comrades stopped firing and he felt a wand tip at his throat.
“If I were you I would hand me your wand.” a deep voice growled in his ear.
He glanced down the lane, the figures were still walking still seemingly unaware of the curses that must have missed by inches, as they passed them by. His wand was taken from his hand roughly, whilst he continued to watch the couple calmly walk away. He felt himself being bound and dragged towards a large boulder, his eyes fixed on the couple, in disbelief, as they calmly continued towards the village, then suddenly the figures simply vanished before his eyes mid stride. He finally realised it had been a trap, their targets had never actually been there at all. It was some kind of spell, one he had never seen before, regardless of that, one thing was obvious, they had been betrayed. His one consolation was that whoever had caught them didn't know the signal, the twins would know of the failure if they had not double crossed them and laid the trap in the first place. No, that was a ridiculous notion, the twins loyalty to their Aunt was unquestioning, How the woman had encouraged such loyalty he didn't know, he suspected it was through fear like himself. The traitor had to be someone else, at least without the signal the twins would know of the failure and be able to take action, warn the rest of the army perhaps, that meant they weren't defeated yet, perhaps they would yet succeed. The next stage had to go ahead as planned, their capture would not last long, they would be liberated along with her within days, she had to be being moved to the ministry ready for her trial, due to start the next week. He chuckled to himself secure in the knowledge that whilst this battle may be lost, their war was not over, they would still win against these fools.
He heard a voice nearby, it seemed to come from thin air. “Kingsley a single shot of pink sparks, that’s the signal for success. I heard the one you have telling the others, before the attack” he heard the disembodied voice tell his captor, damn, all was lost.
“Well done, good work. Send it now, let them think they have achieved their aim.” said the man holding him.
A hand appeared in mid air and to the warriors dismay, pink sparks erupted from the tip of the wand it held, thinking they had succeeded the twins would proceed as planned, unaware of their failure. Unless it really had been they who had betrayed them after all, further punishment for past failures, in which case they had been abandoned to suffer at the hands of these filthy muggle lovers The doubt grew in him as he was dragged away towards his fellow warriors and roughly shoved to sit on the ground with his disarmed, bound men.
Whilst the Vengeance soldiers were being apparated away, Kingsley went to the spot the hand had appeared from. “Ok Harry”
“Fine “ said Harry as he took off his invisibility cloak.
The warriors leader saw him just before he was apparated away, wide eyed with shock, the bloody Skeeter woman had got it wrong. “Bloody hell, what else could go wrong for them” he thought then felt himself whisked away through the tight tube of Apparition.
Harry watched as the man disappeared, and smiled to Kingsley, “Thanks Kingsley, it's good to be back in action.” He grinned
“It's good to have you back my friend, even if we can't get you in the thick of it to much. You did well though, it's not easy spying in this kind of location, especially when some twit stands on a stick.” Kingsley grinned. “Anyway I promised Poppy we'd get you home quickly, where's Ginny?”
“Right next to you” Ginny's voice sounded, putting a hand on Harry’s shoulder. He removed the disillusionment charm and she appeared, holding her Firebolt in her hand. “I landed after I saw the pink sparks.”
“Lets get you two home “grinned Kingsley. “Brilliant charm that Ginny, projecting the figures from the air, it had them fooled, well done.”
They apparated away.
Ron and Hermione were waiting in the sitting room when Harry, Ginny and Kingsley walked in from the square, Harry went to sit down.
“Success” said Kingsley clearly pleased, “Their army is twenty fewer now and we sent the signal to tell them that they had succeeded. I hope that the twins will believe that. Ron, Hermione, Minerva needs you two back at Hogwarts, apparently you have some paperwork to catch up on for your NEWTs, you are going to be in hiding so keep your heads down. We don’t want you seen by any students, the twins have to believe their plan worked. We can't get you directly into the location in the castle so you will be disillusioned in her office to get there. If we need to keep you there any longer than a couple of days we’ll move you back out of the school. We expect them to move quickly on the next stage of the plan though. I’ll be in touch soon ”
“A couple of day’s locked up with Hermione in the room of requirement, where no one can disturb us, brilliant.” grinned Ron.
“Behave Ron, I hope the bed it provides is comfortable though.” giggled Hermione.
“Don’t forget a good sized bath.“ winked Harry.
“Or to forget to check his bum Hermione.” added Ginny with a cheeky grin as her brother went bright red.
“If you two have finished arranging their love life now, can they go?” laughed Kingsley.
Ron and Hermione hugged Harry and Ginny then stepped into the fire and flooed to Minerva’s office where they were disillusioned for the walk to Neville, who was waiting for them in the room of requirement.
At Grimmauld Place, Kreacher appeared in the sitting room with drinks, Kingsley drank his quickly “Right, thanks for the drink, but I’m off back to the office now, won’t be long before I should get the first reports from the interrogations. You two rest, or I will be in big trouble with Poppy. Oh Harry, before I forget, can I borrow one of your memories of the Wolfe twins, I am sure I know them from somewhere, not the school though, I want to see if it will help jog my own memory.”
“Sure, I know we have bottled at least one, shan't be a minute” said Harry and went to get it, he and Ginny had started to bottle and catalogue his memories from the pensieve, they had bought a special cupboard to keep them all in. He returned after a moment with a small crystal bottle with a silvery fluid in it. He handed it to Kingsley.
“Thanks Harry, I’ll keep you in touch with any progress, see you soon.” The Minister said, then left by Floo to his office.
Harry, flopped onto one of the sofa's, kicked off his shoes and lay down. He shuffled back to make room for Ginny to lay in front of him she smiled and joined him facing the room, “You're still getting tired easily love.” said Ginny as he draped his arm over her.
“I know, it comes over me so suddenly. One minute I am fine, the next I'm so tired. Poppy said she thinks it will pass given time though, she’ll be here later anyway won’t she?”
“Yes, she is coming at eleven. You can rest until then.” Ginny was comfortable laid in front of him there, it was reassuring to lay in front of him after months when he could not cuddle her.
They were silent for a few moments then Ginny said “A bit odd, Pink sparks don’t you think?”
“Hmm” was the only response she got, Harry was almost asleep.
“Ok sleepy head, I’ll shut up” Ginny giggled and pointed her wand at the radio which came on, she adjusted the volume and listened while he slept. It was an interview about proper Owl care with the proprietor of Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Fifteen minutes later Mrs Weasley, came in and found them, Harry asleep Ginny laid relaxing in front of him, watching the fire.
“Is he all right Ginny.” she asked gently.
Ginny nodded. “Yes, just tired mum.”
“Too much excitement for one day I expect, he’s not ready to go back yet.” Molly said as she sat down on the other sofa.
“I know mum, but he feels he’s letting the students and Minerva down”
“Yes love, that's our Harry,” the older witch said fondly. “he may be back, but he hasn’t recovered yet, he needs to give himself time.”
“He will mum, I’ll make sure he does.” Ginny smiled. “He won’t rest properly until all this is over though, mum. I can understand him wanting to help finish Vengeance and get to the bottom of it all, I feel the same.”
“I know dear, we all feel like that, but Harry must for once put himself first or he will never be healthy. I know you can afford not to have to work, but I don't think either of you would be happy unless you were useful. Just don't over do it Ginny, and don't let Harry either.”
“Ok Mum.”
The two women chatted whilst Harry slept, and the voices from the radio droned on.
“We have more clues, Kingsley.” Professor McGonagall spoke from the fire in the minister’s office. “Our source tells me the twins were watching proceedings in the lane, from the astronomy tower. They won‘t have had a clear view of everything, but will have seen the light of the spells. They let slip their Aunts favourite colour is Pink. They were also convinced that they had succeeded and confirmed that the next target is the ministry, it sounds like they plan to take it by force, they talked of their army. They plan to dispose of the death eaters once they have control of the ministry and their aunt is installed as ruler in their own words. The attack is planned for Monday evening from what they said.”
“Well, that explains the odd colour for the signal” mused Kingsley, “Harry has loaned me the memory, I am convinced I have seen the twins before, it wasn‘t at the school I have checked my own memory of my visits, they aren‘t in them. I hope looking at Harry‘s will remind me. Hopefully it will give us an indication about who their Aunt is. I have some ideas of course, but we need evidence of the link between them. I can't just arrest everyone who likes Pink, besides the most natural subject is already in Azkaban awaiting trial, has been for nearly a year while we gather all the evidence against her, there are so many people who she victimised. I am sure that the twins file has been tampered with, all it tells us is that their mother died when they were four and their father is a healer at St Mungo's, his file has been tampered with too. There's no mention of their mother's or their Aunts identity, still he is being watched although he was not overtly a Riddle supporter in the war, by all accounts he is a quiet reliable healer. I daren't risk bringing him in yet, in case it alerts this Aunt of theirs we are on to them, I want to be a bit clearer about what we know, rather than just suspect, before that.”
Minerva nodded, “I know what you mean, the more information we get the better and quickly. The Ghosts and Portraits are still keeping an eye on the twins, we might get more clues or evidence, I'll let you know if we do. How was Harry, Kingsley? Poppy is still worried and so am I. I plan to visit him later, reassure him he is not letting us down, I know him well enough to know he’ll be thinking he is. Molly knows I am going, but Harry and Ginny don’t”
“He was tired, but fine when I left him. The good news is that this mornings party counted as the final element in his concealment course, he had passed the rest before the attack and was told before Christmas. The examiner was on our team today, he has passed him based on it, Harry worked some great concealment charms including on Ginny. He successfully spied on the targets while they were briefing in the woods, even avoided their wand lights when someone else stood on a stick. He is now a qualified auror just the medical to go before he can join the team and start his probationary period, once that's done I can put him in the post I need him in.”
“That’s good news, for him, do you want me to tell him when I go later?”
“No Minerva, I will take his scroll tomorrow when we have some progress to report on the interrogations of the twenty we caught this morning.”
“Ron and Hermione told me it was a success, they are well hidden by the way, Neville has some skill at getting the room of requirement to provide exactly what we need. The ghosts and a couple of disillusioned aurors are guarding them. This morning was a secret so rumours have already started in the school about an attack on them, meaning everything at Hogwarts is as normal.”
“Good, well thanks for the information Minerva, thank the source as well. I will let you know when we can reveal Ron and Hermione, it shouldn’t be too long though. I will see you soon I hope.”
Minerva smiled, coyly “of course you will Kingsley.”
“Harry, darling, Poppy’s here love” Ginny gently shook Harry to wake him.
“What time is it?” he asked bleary eyed.
“Just after eleven my love you have been asleep for two hours. Poppy’s just arrived.” Ginny smiled.
He sat up “Hi Poppy how’s everything at Hogwarts.”
Madam Pomfrey smiled, “Fine Harry, I’m more worried about you and how tired you still are. Tell me how often did you drop off yesterday?”
“Three or four times.”
“And what time did you go to bed?”
“Oh about ten thirty.”
“How quickly was he asleep Ginny?”
“Ten minutes or so.”
“Up at seven as usual?”
Ginny nodded “Yes then bath, breakfast, out by eight, but you know about that. Back here about ten to nine, and he was asleep again by nine. What s wrong with him Poppy?”
“Oi, I am here you know” said Harry laughing “You two medic’s get together and I’ve had it.”
“Sorry Darling” grinned Ginny “but you know I’m worried.”
“I know love.” he said as Madam Pomfrey started to check him over.
“I had hoped you just needed rest, but you shouldn’t be still needing this much sleep. I am getting a bit worried. I want you to rest for the next day or so, monitor how much you sleep. Yes?” The healer looked at him firmly as if daring him to disagree.
“Yes Poppy.” he groaned “Do you want a drink by the way?”
She laughed, “Trying to put me off Harry?”
“As if I would,” He grinned back trying to replicate Ginny’s famous innocent look.
“Yes, of course you would.” Poppy smiled as though she had expected the tactic, which of course she had. “especially when I’m telling you something you have no intention of doing. I know you well Mr. Potter, nothing changes .Yes I will have a drink thanks, but I am serious Harry, you need to rest more. I know you will probably be needed for catching the rest of this Vengeance group, but please don‘t take on too much Harry, do what you have to, no more, then lots of rest.”
“Ok Poppy, I'll be good, I know I aren’t fully well again yet, besides I have Ginny to think of too, she won’t let me over do it.” he said.
Ginny sat down next to Harry, as Kreacher brought the drinks in. “Too right I won’t Harry, I want you fit and well for the wedding.” she smiled, “Poppy I know you well too though, there is something wrong with him isn’t there. Something you are not telling us.” It was not a question.
“Yes Ginny,” Poppy sighed “I am not sure precisely what it is, that's wrong with you Harry, that‘s what worries me most. Tell me, Ginny, have you shown any similar symptoms?”
“No, Poppy. I'm sleeping normally.”
“Good that rules out napping virus. You would have shown symptoms by now if it was that, so would everyone else who has been here.” Poppy was relieved, to some extent, she had ruled out another possible cause for Harry's condition.
Harry noticed that though the Healer showed relief, worry was still there. “Hang on,” he said, “You mean what ever is causing this, it could be contagious, what about Teddy and Victoire.”
“No Harry,it’s all right it can’t be contagious or Ginny would have already shown some symptom's. The trouble is we have no records of anyone going through what you did for such a long period of time. We can only find very old records which are not very clear anyway, none mention this problem. However we have found two cases which could be similar, they happened a long time ago and talk of the patients sinking into Erebus influence. How accurate they are, we are not sure, and neither describes the recovery or this problem, they could have been simply black outs, neither lasted long, they may not be what you experienced at all. The truth, Harry, is until you came back we hadn’t a real clue about what was wrong with you or how to treat you and we still have no confirmed record of it. It was only when you came back that what you told us, confirmed something Dumbledore had said to Minerva, but other than his suspicions we had nothing to go on.. We have no idea about normal recovery for you really. So in the absence of anything else, I really do need you to rest for a couple of days as much as you can, so I can see if it helps. If there is no improvement after that, then we shall look at possibilities for a potion for you to take, at least to help you stay awake long enough to function properly anyway. Even if we go down that path, it will only treat the symptom, not the cause”
The door opened a little “Ready for visitors yet?” Andromeda called peering round the door.
“Come in Andromeda, it’s fine.” called Ginny.
Teddy toddled in “Harry, Ginny” he called and climbed up between them.
Madam Pomfrey laughed “He knows where he wants to be doesn’t he, he is growing fast though.”
“To fast” smiled Andromeda, “he’s going to be a heart breaker when he grows up, just like his god father.”
“Is he all right health wise, any problems?” Poppy asked, they all knew what she meant.
The little boy had, so far shown he had inherited his mothers abilities, But the worry was he would also inherit Remus problem. No one knew whether the child of a werewolf would be one as well, it was rare for Lycanthrops them to breed at all, from what was known of them, meaning there were no records relating to children of werewolves at all.
Andromeda shook her head “No, he doesn't seem to even notice the full moon, thank goodness. Poor Remus was worried sick about that, he knew what he'd been through after he was bitten. He didn't want that for his child, thankfully, so far, there's been no problem.”
“Good,” Poppy smiled. “Right well I had better be off, you all know where I am if you need me. I'll be back on Monday anyway, see you then Harry.”
“Thanks Poppy, have a good weekend.” Harry called as the healer stepped into the green flames.
Kingsley was staring at the two figures revolving above the pensieve on the desk. “ Where have I seen you two before?” He muttered to himself.
It had been some hours since he had first put the memory into a pensieve, but although he had frequently broken off from his paperwork to look, he was in fact no nearer identifying where he had seen the twins before. He was getting frustrated with himself, he was convinced that if he could just remember, then they would have the evidence to link the twins to their unnamed Aunt, who was really in control of the group. He had no idea who could be so callous as to train children to do an adults dirty work, it was beyond his comprehension. There was a knock at his office door, he tapped the pensieve with his wand and the figures sank into the silver mass. ”Come in.” he called.
The door opened and one of the auror’s walked in. “Reports on the interviews with the first five new detainees Minister.”
Kingsley took them, he began to read as the auror left and closed the door.
Harry was in the drawing room after lunch, setting up the intricate instruments from the Potter family closet on the table. Most of them, he had, had to set up referring to only the pictures on the boxes, as he had no idea what they did or what they should look like when set up otherwise. Others were complete in the box, or had assembly instructions. Ginny came in “Dad’s in the workshop again, I am sure he’s up to something.”
“At least until your mum finds out what it is.” he smiled. “He’s trying to get the car going love, I think he’s succeeding too, but don’t tell your mum, it will only start an argument.”
“That explains what he's up to, you're right though Mum would go up the wall., At least Kingsley’s involved too, apparently he has been in there a lot as well.” she said. Ginny looked at the delicate instruments arrayed around the table, “What do they all do?”
“No idea, that’s why I’m setting them all up, trying to find out, hopefully Dumbledore's portrait will be able to help me figure them out. I saw some of these in his office, even saw him use one like this one once,” He pointed to one of the devices he had already set up, “but even he didn't seem to have all of them from what I remember. I thought, some of them might help us figure out what’s going on, with a bit of luck.”
She watched as he set up the last one.
“That’s them set up” he said “lets go for a drink, then get the picture. See if he can help.”
“He’s gone off somewhere love.” said Ginny offering him her hand “Come on, Teddy’s wondering where you have gone now he’s finished his lunch.”
He took her hand and allowed her to lead him into the sitting room where Mrs. Weasley and Andromeda were chatting as they watched Teddy, Lees voice was coming from the radio interviewing a Quiditch player ahead of the afternoons match. Harry sat at one end of the sofa as Ginny kicked of her shoes then laid with her head on his lap and her legs curled behind her, Teddy climbed up to join them happily. Within a few minutes Harry was asleep again.
“Harry wake up you have a visitor” Mrs Weasleys voice woke him an hour later. He opened his eyes.
“Minerva what are you doing here?” he said suddenly wide awake, his movement making Teddy look up.
“I’ve come to see you of course, seemed a shame to disturb you though when I arrived Professor.” she smiled.
“I’m glad to see you, though I feel a bit of a fraud being called professor, I haven’t been around much lately have I.” He said
“No well, we’ve managed Harry there’s no rush. I just want you well enough to come back when you are ready, Poppy told me her concern when she got back.”
“I’m letting the students and you down though, I just want to get back I miss everyone especially my house.”
“Don’t worry about that Harry, I won’t deny we miss you and you absence has caused some difficulties, but the important thing is your health. Especially with all that’s going on and don't worry about if you are letting the school down, I promise that you aren't.” She assured him.
An idea formed in Harry’s head. “Professor I wonder if you would help me with something after dinner, if you would like to join us of course.”
“That would be lovely Harry, and of course I will help, if I can.”
Ginny spoke up “Oh and there was something else Minerva, Dumbledore’s portrait suggested we asked for your help with some special training.”
“How intriguing, he did mention you might ask some time ago in fact.” the headmistress smiled, “Of course I will if I can, tell me about it.”
Ginny explained about hearing Harry, whilst he was on his quest and what they had discovered about it since, Minerva understood immediately.
“Yes I know why Dumbledore suggested I train you, I was the last person he knew had been shown how to train people to develop that ability and he is right, it is a very rare gift. Yes, I will train you, once all this is over, but truth to tell there is not much to teach, it just takes time for it to naturally develop. All I can show you is how to control it so you don’t end up hearing every thought of the other all the time, unless, of course, you want to. Then we shall see what other abilities the two of you develop, as well as the ones that you already have that become stronger. “
The couple thanked her for agreeing, then they spent the afternoon talking about Hogwarts and a new memorial that was to be unveiled in the grounds of the school on the first anniversary of the battle. They showed her round the house, Minerva was amazed by the library especially when Ginny showed her the book of forgotten magic Ginny had found the projection charm in. They spent a good deal of time in there as Minerva asked for book after book. Ginny had tried to find more information about Harry's condition, but so far to no avail. After dinner Harry and Ginny took Minerva into the Drawing room and she spent over an hour telling them how to work the instruments and describing what they did. By the time they were finished it was getting late, Minerva left and soon afterwards Harry and Ginny went to bed.
Next morning Harry and Ginny were in the drawing room early, Ginny was operating one of the instruments while Harry would operate another. These two they had learned from the professor would be the most useful for what they needed to discover. Ginny tapped her machine with her wand and it started to whir and emit sparks from a spinning fan. Harry added a memory of the twins to a receptacle on the base of his then also tapped it with his wand and smoke emitted from two vibrating prongs at the top. Ginny stared at the fan as the sparks formed themselves into symbols. “They have thirty soldiers left plus the twins and their Aunt though it looks like the Aunt is not free to fight at the moment. Their father is presented as a healer, he has some support as a popular colleague at St Mungo‘s, but very few are actually part of Vengeance, even so it looks like he is subservient to his late wife’s sister” she paused then added in shocked tones “ Harry, oh Merlin this is horrible, how could she?”
Harry looked at her, worried. “What's wrong Gin?”
“She tortured those twins, there's no other word for it. She tortured them into submission, so they would fear disobeying her. That's how she got their loyalty, since their mother died they have had no childhood, they have known no love, only pain. She controls them through terror.”
Harry was wide eyed in horror, yes his own childhood had not been good, abusive at times, but never as bad as that. Certainly the Dursleys had beaten him, but not tortured him to that extent, “Right lets see who is behind it all, then we can help the twins. Lets hope this thing works.” his determination evident in his voice as he turned to watch the smoke above the fine prongs atop his device.
He watched as the columns of smoke formed themselves into two figures, the twins. He tapped the apparatus again and the two figures merged. Ginny’s machine stopped and she watched the smoke across the table, as it reformed into a single figure that rotated above the prongs and solidified. Harry looked wide eyed at Ginny who was just as shocked. The figure dissipated as the instrument stopped.
“We must tell Kingsley, now” said Harry urgently and they rushed from the room.
Kingsley had arrived early at his office determined to identify where he had seen the twins before and was again staring at the figures slowly revolving above the pensieve. He still could not place them. He stood and walked round the room racking his brains. Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in” he called absent mindedly.
The assistant came in. “The final interrogation reports minister, looks like the plan is definitely set to happen tomorrow night after the ministry closes, but no more clues as to who is controlling the twins. We have discovered that these were twenty of a remaining fifty foot soldiers. They call themselves Vengeance Warriors or Vengeance Soldiers depending how high up they are in the organisation, all were followers of Voldemort. Now they have only thirty left, all of them are terrified of the twins and who ever controls them. Whoever it is, must have some real hold on them, to induce the amount of fear this lot feel.”
“Thanks.” said Kingsley sadly “we had better start our plans for the defence of the ministry.”
The assistant nodded and turned to summon those needed. As she turned she caught sight of the figures above the pensieve.
“Oh I didn’t know you knew old Toady’s niece and nephew sir.”
“What?” he turned to her.
“The twins. There in your Pensieve, they are Umbridge’s niece and nephew, I didn‘t know you knew them.” the assistant indicated the stone bowl on his desk.
Kingsley realised he had left Harry’s memory open; he closed it then removed the memory with his wand and bottled it. “Oh Merlin, I shouldn’t have left that open, it’s not mine. How do you know them?”
“Oh I never met them sir, but I had to work in that cow’s office for a while last year, she had a picture of them in her office, I asked her if they were her children. She told me they were here niece and nephew, she has brought them up since they were four and their mother, her sister, died. Their father works at St Mungo’s on shifts, so she is the main carer though not their legal guardian, she said they were loyal kids. You must have seen the picture in her office last year sir, after the break in, remember?”
Kingsley's memory suddenly fell into place, yes this was the answer. He had seen the picture shortly after Mad Eyes false eye had been taken. His face lit up as he looked from the Pensieve to his assistant. “Well done, I knew I had seen them before, but I couldn't place where. I had too investigate that break in before going into hiding, this is the final piece in the puzzle. She wanted revenge on Harry because of what happened at Hogwarts, she was made to look publicly foolish by the trio. Lost all control of the school because of the DA. And they made her look foolish taking the locket from round her neck during the war. We know she is greedy for power, but always wanted to be the power behind the throne, until now, it all makes sense. Damn she’s in the cells downstairs her trial is due to start tomorrow, she’s been brought from Azkaban ready. Right I have to go out, tell all the heads of department I am holding an emergency cabinet in twenty minutes by floo.”
“Yes Minister, oh yes, the other thing in the reports, the team leader knows that the twins Aunt would be in the ministry cells this week, so we assume they all know. Where shall I contact you when I have the cabinet connected?” the assistant called as he turned and disappeared. She shrugged and got to work contacting the heads of department, none of whom would be pleased to have their Sunday disturbed.
Harry and Ginny rushed into the sitting room just as, with a pop, Kingsley appeared, much to Mr and Mrs Weasleys amusement. George, who had come round for breakfast, just stared at them in surprise.
Kingsley and the young couple looked at each other “It’s Umbridge.” they said together “How did you know?” They said, again in unison then burst into laughter. George was rolling round in mirth.
“Is this your new act you three or, are we meant to know what’s going on?” George said through his laughter.
“Harry I am sorry to apparate in, I will strengthen the wards so only you can do that again, but it was quicker than the floo. I also need to apologise that one of my assistants accidentally saw your memory, but she knew who the twins are.” Kingsley said.
“It’s ok Kingsley, it helped by the sound of it.” Harry said as Kingsley handed him the bottle.
They quickly told Kingsley what they had found out, including the torture of the twins.
Kingsley looked at them sadly, “So that's how she trained them, the bitch. Those two are as much victims as you are then.” he told them what the interrogations had discovered. “So we have a cabinet in a few minutes I hope you don’t mind us all using your floo.” he finished.
“Not at all Kingsley, it makes sense, there are a few of us here already after all, we may as well. You had better set it up for the conference though.”
Kingsley knelt before the fire and linked it to the ministry conference system securely then answered the calls as they arrived, Harry and Mr. Weasley joined him in front of the fire once all the cabinet wire visible in it and discussion was begun.
Hope you enjoyed it, just managed to get it edited for you.
Managed two chapters before christmas (there you are HarryLover90 I managed it ;-)).
I will post the next ASAP however I want to catch up on the editing I need to do first, (all the stuff I have had on hold for the last couple of weeks too). So I am not sure if I will be able to post again before christmas but hopefully very soon after at the latest.
My thanks to all reviewers, I truly value all your comments.
There are nearly 17000 reads of this story so far, My thanks to all who have read this so far.
There are still a number of chapters to go with this story and I am preparing to post the start of a new one in the new year (which will also mark the aniversary of when I first had the idea for this one and put pen to paper.)
Please leave a review to let me know what you think so far.
Finally I wish you all A Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year (or if you do not celebrate those festivals, have a good holiday and enjoy whatever festivities you may be celebrating).
til next time.
Tgfoy.
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