Atrum Viridis

AN: ^^ Thank you all for your reviews! I ‘m sorry that it’s taking so long but school is murder… >> ^^ thank you so much Vittani for the idea!!! I can’t wait to use it! I hadn’t even thought of that XD.


Chapter seven: Smoke



By the time dinner with the Weasleys was over Harry was sure he wouldn’t have to eat again for another year. Molly had practically shoveled the food down his throat to the point he was almost nauseous – insisting that he had lost far too much weight and his skin almost had no color. He had been too focused on thinking about the sudden events with the ministry to really object and to be honest he doubted it would have made a difference. When the woman decided that someone needed to be looked after, they were going to be looked after…even if it killed them. This left his belly fuller than it had been in months and his eyes drooping from both physical and emotional exhaustion. It was almost midnight when Mrs. Weasley tried to shoo them upstairs to sleep but Harry firmly declined – not wanting them to have to witness his now nightly attack of nightmares. A few minutes of persuasion and suppressed tears from the woman finally managed to gain Harry’s freedom as he headed towards the fireplace.

“Bye Harry, we hope to see you again soon!” Mr. Weasley smiled, waving at him as he moved to head up stairs after his clearly upset wife.

Percy offered a weak smile, making Harry believe that he was still a bit embarrassed to be around him after he had so publicly denounced his sanity and had worked for the ministry anyway. Harry didn’t really care anymore. Too many people were lost to really be worrying about things like that – so he offered back a tired smile of his own and a nod before turning into the living room, Ron and Hermione following behind him.

“Thanks for coming with me.” He finally said after a silent moment, offering a small smile – though it came out more as a grimace.

Hermione’s eyes softened and she pulled him into a tight hug.

“Oh Harry…we’re always here for you…always.” She whispered furiously.

Ron nodded seriously, his eyes narrowed.

“She’s right Harry, if anything happens or if anyone bothers you…we’ll…you know, help. Just tell us.” He said, obviously feeling a bit awkward in doing so but meaning it all the same.

The red headed boy still held a large cloud of shame over having left them during something so important but now he was determined to show that he was a loyal friend; that no matter what happened he wouldn’t falter again. Harry couldn’t even form words to show how grateful he was to have them…how thankful they hadn’t been torn away from him as well. He hugged Hermione back tightly before gently easing her over towards Ron and offering a shadowed, but honest smile.

“I will…right now I think I just want to try and get used to not being hunted again.” He admitted with a weak chuckle. “But thanks...”

Hermione nodded, brushing away the tears she was trying to hide as Ron wrapped his arm comfortingly around her waist. It looked right…and for Harry seeing them together and knowing that they would be able to have a happy life not threatened by Voldemort – even if he would never be able to – made it more than worth it.

“Bye Harry…” she whispered softly before blinking. “Oh, one moment.” She said quickly before hurrying out of the room.

They could hear her quickly jogging up the stairs then the sound of Ron’s door being thrown open. Harry glanced at Ron but the boy shrugged, showing he didn’t know what his girlfriend was doing either. A few moments later she was hurrying back down with a stack of papers rolled up under her arm.

“Here, I didn’t know if you had gotten them but I thought you might want to know what’s been going on while you were at the house so I saved them.” She said sheepishly, handing them over.

Harry nodded as he took the slightly wrinkled “Prophets” from her grasp and glancing at the cover. A large picture of a man that looked vaguely familiar was waving back at him professionally. The thought of looking through them now though almost made his head start throbbing so he shook his head faintly and rolled them back up.

“Thanks Hermione…I’ll read them tomorrow.” He said, actually glad he could do it this way and so he wouldn’t have to go out to get the paper and see what they had been saying was happening.

The bushy haired girl nodded. “Don’t worry, we had them checked over for curses and jinxes…we’ll make sure to save one for you every day.” She smiled. “It’ll probably be safer like that for a while… at least until everything calms down a bit.”

He nodded again in understanding before moving to the floo powder.

“Thanks again…I’ll see you again soon…I’d like to visit Fred in the hospital again tomorrow if that is alright…and I’d like to know where…where Remus is so I can…visit.” He said, forcing back the pain in his chest at the thought.

The two seemed to understand and agreed.

“We’ll come after breakfast, mum won’t let anyone out of the house without stuffing them…but it’ll probably be just us. Bill’ll be busy still and Charlie might be too tired.” Ron admitted.

“That’s fine.” He agreed before throwing the powder into the flame. “Tomorrow at nine then.”

He stepped into the emerald flames, feeling the tingling feeling wash over his skin before giving his two best friends one last look then calling out “Number 12, Grimmauld Place.” The next moment the flames erupted around him and sucked him down until he stumbled out into his living room. Coughing faintly at the rough landing he straightened himself and tried to brush off some of the soot from his clothes but gave up as he saw that it just spread the smudging. If he hadn’t started to get used to Kreacher’s abrupt appearances and disappearances he would have jumped when the elderly house elf suddenly appeared at his elbow.

“Welcome home, Master Harry.” He said, instantly magicking away the sooty footprints and grime from the floor that he had tracked in.

Harry paused, blinking down at the house elf a bit startled. That was the first time anyone had said that to him… His heart whirred with confused emotions before they settled on a warm, almost safe feeling in his chest.

“Thanks Kreacher…sorry for the mess. Could you take these papers and put them on the table for tomorrow? I’d like to read them later.” He said, almost instantly the newspapers being whisked away.

“Of course Master Harry! Master should go take a hot bath! Master looks like he tromped all around the country in the rain!” he said, clearly distressed at the boy’s disheveled appearance even though Hermione’s spells had gotten rid of most of it.

Harry chuckled and nodded, giving in as he began heading up the stairs.

“I will Kreacher, oh and don’t worry about my dinner, I ate at the Weasley’s. I will be getting up tomorrow to go to see Fred again so I will most likely won’t be here for lunch, so don’t bother making more than enough for yourself…” he said as he started to head up the stairs.

He paused at the top before turning back to the smaller house elf.

“Why don’t you take the day off tomorrow, Kreacher?” he suggested with a faint smile. “You’ve been such a big help to me just relax or something. I’ll be able to look out for myself for the day at least.”

Kreacher instantly fell into a whir of disagreement, arguing that he couldn’t POSSIBLY do such a thing but his words went ignored as Harry just chuckled and stepped into his room. A nice hot bath sounded perfect before sleep…

Stripping off his robes he tossed them into the basket nearby then twisted on the tap, letting the scented waters steam into the tub, filling it with soothing bubbles. One of the taps that he had figured out held some more soap that seemed to make him relax easier was turned as well, adding the pale pink water to the mixture. Once it was full and the warmth seeped through the room he lowered himself and began scrubbing away the grime and dirt.

He still hurt from seeing her there…seeing Ginny’s grave and knowing that he would never get her back…but at the same time there was also a huge weight that had slowly dissolved from his shoulders because of the fact that even though bad things had happened…that he had lost people…it was still over. Good or ill…he no longer had to fight. Now all he had to do focus on was himself. He could mourn and grieve and do nothing but worry about what his life was going to be like now…instead of whether or not he was going to SEE his future. The realization that his death had been planned by Dumbledore himself was a big enough blow that now after all the sacrifice and pain he had put into the struggle against Lord Voldemort…now he was free. He owed no one anything and hopefully he could move on having to think of no one but himself and not whether or not everyone he knows will be killed because he ran. Perhaps it was the potion he had taken before or maybe it was just because he was so tired…but whatever it was, the world didn’t seem as horrible…

Soon he was out and dry and pulling on nice warm pajamas that were left for him by Kreacher. He brushed his teeth and checked to make sure that the room’s soundproof spells were up before stumbling into bed and passing out. His sleep was once again going to be destroyed near sunrise but for the moment he was able to rest peacefully.


The next morning Harry found himself falling out of bed with a scream. Another nightmare causing his heart to hammer violently in his chest, but thankfully the convulsions in his stomach were not as severe as the day before and he was able to hold off the urge to throw up again. It took a few minutes while his whole body shook with a cold sweat but he was finally able to gather himself again and regain control of himself. Slowly he stood again and made his way towards the bathroom, flipping on the light so he could navigate towards the sink. He quickly turned on the cold water and splashed his face with the liquid, letting the freezing temperature shock himself out of the hung over panic.

This time Remus had been there too…his soft sad eyes turned regretful, begging him for a reason that he let him go…that he hadn’t been there to help him like his father would have been. His heart had rejected the pain, struggling to gather an explanation – some way to let the man know that he hadn’t wanted this to happen. Thoughts of his and Tonk’s son parentless like he himself had been because of Voldemort had made the anguish return. More guilt…more responsibility.

Finally managing to see straight he pulled back and patted his face dry with a towel before turning towards his potion’s lab. Maybe he could read…do something to pass the time before he had to go to the hospital later with Hermione and Ron. The thought made him remember the Prophets and he turned to head down the stairs and towards the kitchen. He quietly slipped in, not wanting to wake Kreacher incase the house elf tried to feed him again, and took the papers from the table. He headed back up towards his room but passed it again to go a couple of doors down to the working room. He knew that if he started reading in bed that he would fall asleep again and that was the last thing he wanted to do right then. At least in the potion’s room he could use one of the less comfortable chairs and most likely stay awake.

Once inside he closed the door behind him and made a b-line for the corner, where he had set a few of the chairs for resting while he would wait for potions to simmer and still keep an eye on them. He dropped the papers onto one of the chairs before flopping exhausted down into the other, letting the semi-worn leather cushion his body.

“Alright, so what else is screwed up in the wizarding world today?” he mumbled to himself before pulling the bottom paper out so he could go oldest to newest and hopefully get at least a little bit of an understanding as to what had been going on.

The first paper was nothing surprising. Large bold letters streamed across the top with “DARK LORD’S FALL!” and “HARRY POTTER AND HIS BATTLE AGAINST LORD VOLDEMORT!” Underneath it was a picture of Hogwarts, the rubble and debris still sprayed out across the grounds while small figures rushed around trying to do repairs. He thought he could see one of them was Professor McGonagall, barking orders to the other wizards but he wasn’t sure. There was also a slightly smaller picture beside it of him – well him as a lot younger. It was a picture taken during his…third year? He looked too innocent, carefree as he waved sheepishly back at him, his Gryffindor robes a bit speckled with mud from the Quidditch match he had obviously just participated in. Strange…he didn’t remember posing for it. Well at least it wasn’t as horrible as he had expected…it didn’t have pictures of the dead even though it mentioned in parenthesis at the bottom that there was a list of the fallen on the back page. He didn’t plan on reading it.

Letting his eyes roam down from the pictures to the actual article he began to see what exactly the Prophet had to say about the battle. He wasn’t surprised to see many inconsistencies. Something about there being a ghost of Dumbledore watching over them and the students not doing as much fighting. It riled him how once again the story was spun in a more positive light for the ministry – trying to deny that it had been infiltrated at all – and he felt a burst of outrage. The minister hadn’t been there to help them fight. The Auror’s hadn’t shown up to battle the Death Eaters. It had been children and friends who had stood against the darkest evil of the world and it had been their courage that had stopped Voldemort from taking over. What was even more appalling was how they portrayed him. Hermione and Ron weren’t even mentioned for their help in finding the Horcruxes. Neville wasn’t commended for his slaying of Nagini. No, it was all his strength and cunning that had killed the Death Eaters. Hell it almost seemed like he killed them all on his own. It made him into some sort of ancient super human hero that had known what he was doing all along and had been planning this since he came to Hogwarts in his first year.

Anger bubbled in Harry’s chest while his fingers crinkled the edges as they clenched around the paper. This hadn’t happened! He had been scared and lost and desperate to not have to do it alone. He had been terrified that he would loose his friends. He had sacrificed nothing that others hadn’t sacrificed as well or at least been willing to. Because of this he was never going to be able to go ANYWHERE without being followed! He was never going to be able to have a normal life!

Growling in frustration he threw the paper onto the floor and glared at it, his chest heaving with suppressed fury. No, he would have to read them later…he’d work on something else. He was afraid that if he didn’t that he would end up destroying something. Pushing himself off of the chair he stormed over to the potions books and yanked one open. He wanted something that would be so complicated he wouldn’t have a chance to think about the damned paper and what it had done to his future. Stopping on the page where “Brew Glory” was at the top he snorted and turned to the next potion.

“Like that’s something I need more of.” He grumbled irritably before finally managing to find a potion that would work – he didn’t really care what it did.

That was how Hermione and Ron found him when they came, working almost obsessively on a number of potions, his apron around his waist and a string tied around his head to keep his growing bangs and hair out of his way. Hermione knocked softly on the door as she opened it and smiled.

“Good morning Harry.” She said relieved, almost afraid that he would have disappeared the night before.

Harry jolted, not having noticed them come in.

“Gah!” he gasped as part of the ground up bat wing fell from the large spoon he was holding and down into the potion.

Smoke exploded out at him, sending him stumbling back and into the bookshelf and coughing haggardly to try and breath. Hermione and Ron gasped, rushing to his side.

“Oh Harry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you!” she said worried as she grabbed a small towel and began trying to wipe some of the black soot from their friend’s face.

“Oi, what are you doing? It’s after breakfast! Why are you working on some stinking potion?” Ron asked, scrunching up his nose.

Harry coughed faintly, looking up from behind his skewed glasses before sighing and pulling them off to wipe his face properly.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in, it’s my fault. I was just trying to work on something to keep busy…I think I messed it up before anyway…” he said sheepishly with a faint smile as the two helped him to his feet. “It wouldn’t have exploded on me if it hadn’t.” he admitted.

Hermione giggled softly, taking out her wand and “Scurifying” his glasses for him before setting them back on his face.

“Well if your other potions are alright we can go to St. Mungo’s now.” She suggested.

Harry nodded, yawning faintly before heading over to the books and glancing at the instructions one more time.

“Almost done, just need to add a bit of nightshade and lavender to this one and then it can simmer for awhile while we’re gone.” He said, carefully starting to crush up the lavender leaves and add it to the nightshade to ground into a powder.

Once the ingredients were added he stirred it twice clockwise then let it set.

“Alright, all done.” He agreed, clearing away the mess of the other cauldron with a flick of is wand. “I’ll change into my robes real fast and then we can go.”

Hermione and Ron nodded, the two following him out of the potions room and down towards the living room where they could wait.

“I didn’t realize that you were so interested in potions Harry.” Hermione beamed proudly as he joined them a few minutes later.

Ron scrunched up his nose again. “Why would he want to? Potions was the worst class ever!”

“Ron! Don’t say that! Professor Snape was a…he was a good teacher. He almost died following Dumbledore’s orders so be nice!” she insisted, causing the red head to roll his eyes and look away.

Harry chuckled; knowing there was no way Ron was ever going to change his opinion about their old professor.

“It’s not that bad actually Ron. I’m still making a lot of stupid mistakes but its way easier without Snape breathing down our necks and docking points.” He chuckled. “I just need something to do to keep me busy and reading so much puts me to sleep.”

“Well I think it’s a wonderful idea to keep practicing and making potions. It will be wonderful once we go back for our last year and really be ready for it.” She beamed, causing the two boys to roll their eyes and affectionately push her towards the fireplace.

“Yeah yeah ‘Mione, we get the message, now come on before Fred and George think we’ve been kidnapped or something.” Ron smirked, watching his girlfriend huff and then quickly throw in floo powder and step in.

A few moments later they were all dusting themselves off and heading back through the white halls of St. Mungo’s. Harry hesitated before offering a smile.

“Oh, I…uh…forgot Fred’s present…I’ll go back and grab it real fast.” He said sheepishly.

“Do you want us to wait for you?” Hermione asked, her hand on the door that lead to the stairs.

“No, don’t worry, I’ll be right back.” He insisted before turning to head back the way he came.

“Alright, if you’re sure.” She said with a nod.

“We’ll tell them that you’re coming.” Ron agreed.

Harry nodded, waiting until he was sure that they were going up the stairs before turning down towards the hall where Snape had been. He dodged a few nurses and visitors, trying to keep his head down so that no one would recognize him…or at least stop him. When he finally reached the Dai Llewellyn Ward he peaked in cautiously. There was the same woman there but the boy had disappeared. He could also see a nurse changing a bed in the other corner. Well…he really couldn’t get into trouble for being there right? He just wanted to visit…well not a friend really but just someone he wanted to check up on. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped in.

The creak made the woman look up and she instantly beamed a smile.

“Why hello there! Can I help you? Are you looking for someone?” she beamed.

Harry shifted faintly. “Er…no, I was just-” but he blinked widely when he looked over to Snape’s bed…only to find it empty.

“Where did Snape go!? What happened!?” he gasped, instantly fearing the worse.

He knew the man was in horrible condition…but dead? He couldn’t die! The bastard was more stubborn than Dumbledore! He wouldn’t give the students any mercy and just leave them! He still had to torture him for his last year!

The woman blinked confused before realization hit and she smiled.

“Oh don’t worry deary! Mr. Snape was just moved to an operation room.” She assured him.

“Operation room?” he blinked, calming a little at that. At least he wasn’t dead yet… “But…why does he need to be in an operation room?”

The woman sighed faintly, shaking her head.

“Oh my, I really shouldn’t be telling you this, dear…but to be honest I’m just so relieved! That poor man has been here since…since well You-know-who was killed and no one has come to visit! The poor poor man…” she said sadly before offering a smile. “But since you’re here now I don’t suppose it will do much harm in letting you know what’s happening.” She beamed.

Harry blushed faintly at the idea that he was some how on good terms with Snape – not sure why really – and nodded.

“I would really appreciate it.” He admitted.

The woman beamed and nodded.

“Well, deary, the ministry finally handed over the body of You-know-who’s snake…the one that bit him? Well since we didn’t have it before the doctor’s couldn’t find an antidote since it’s so unique, but now that we have it they’re working on one and he should be healing much better from now on!” she said happily.

Harry released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding before offering a weak nod.

“Thank you…um, well that’s good.” He fumbled, a bit taken back by the relief that had washed over his body at hearing that the greasy git would be alright.

He just didn’t want to watch someone else die…that was all…

“Well…I’ll just…leave this then.” He said with a darker blush as he stepped over to Snape’s bed again.

He pulled out a vile from his robes that was filled with a pale green liquid that he had made early early that morning before his friends came. Uncorking it he tipped the contents into the small potted plant that had been dying. Instantly the dead leaves and stem sprung to life and vibrant, healthy flowers bloomed and filled the pot. They were violets, dark purple, simply for the fact that he doubted the man would appreciate waking up beside a pot of bright yellow daisies. At least now it wouldn’t be too much of an eyesore.

With that done he corked the vile again and stuffed it back into his pocket with a heavy blush before turning.

“Thanks…well…good bye.” He said awkwardly before shuffling out, the woman’s smiling face watching him go.

Once he was safe in the stairwell he let out a sigh before starting up the stairs. Well he hoped that whatever it was the doctors were doing for Snape…that it worked.

The greetings of beaming faces and laughter dispelled most of his worry as he entered the large room where Fred was still laying in the bed. He looked better than before – or at least Harry thought so – as he sat laughing there with his brothers and Hermione.

“Oi! It’s about time!” he laughed, beaming happily to him. “They said you were getting my presents!”

“Wonderful! Hand them over!” George popped in, making Harry chuckle.

“Wow…and here I was thinking you actually wanted to see me.” He smirked playfully before going over to the bed.

He pulled out another vile from his pocket and handed it over.

Fred instantly snatched it away and swished the silver liquid around inside experimentally.

“What is it?” George asked blankly.

Harry chuckled. “It’s just a nausea potion, so you won’t puke out your guts.” He teased.

The twins blinked and Fred raised an eyebrow.

“I’m achy and feel like I was run over by Hagrid’s brother…not ready to blow chunks.” He said with a faintly amused look.

Harry shrugged. “I know that…but when you go to Gringotts you’ll get sick again…you see I plan on helping with the production of Weasley Wheezes so a little donation sounded in order.” He chuckled.

“Whoo hoo!” George cried, throwing himself across the bed and his brother’s legs to tackle Harry onto the blanket.

“Bloody well thoughtful Harry! What a wonderful surprise!” Fred laughed, patting his brother’s back as George sat up again and the two proceeded into chorus.

“We’ve got Potter! We’ve got Potter!”

Harry laughed while Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled and Ron gave an exaggerating pout.

“How come you’re never giving us money, Harry? We were with you when we were looking for the Horcruxes.” He said playfully, causing Harry to smirk and nudge him in the arm.

“I’m waiting to give your presents at your wedding.” He teased, the twins snickering gleefully as Hermione and Ron’s faces but flamed red together.

“Oh Harry you know you don’t have to get us something!” Hermione said embarrassed.

“Yeah! And who says we’re getting marrie-ow!!! Hermione!? What’d you do that for?” Ron pouted as he rubbed the back of his head.

Hermione snorted, sending a faint glare at her boyfriend before shaking her head.

“Honestly Ron! You have no tact!” she said before looking back at Harry. “And who said I wanted to marry him?”

Harry rolled his eyes and chuckled while he watched Ron instantly protest and the two began bickering between themselves, causing the twins’ Cheshire grins to grow. Fred pulled him closer, wrapping his arm around his shoulders and cupped his hand to Harry’s ear.

“Don’t worry! Mum’s already planning things out and those two haven’t been separated for more than a few minutes from what Bill says!” he whispered.

“Yeah, and we’ve already got plans on their presents!” George smirked widely.

Harry almost felt sorry for his friends. He pushed it aside though and laughed softly before nodding a little and pulling back.

“You’ll have to help me pick something out for their wedding though…” he smiled sheepishly. “I can’t decide if I want to buy them a house or just give them money to pick their own. I wanna get rid of some of my gold…I’ll never be able to spend it all.”

“Oh really?” Fred smirked.

“Well, brother mine, we would always like to take some-”

“Off your hands if you wanted.”

“Besides…someone already seems to have made a donation to our family already.”

“Yeah, mum almost had a heart attack when they found out.”

“Couldn’t figure out who had done it.”

“You wouldn’t have any idea who slipped in a few hundred thousand galleons into our family account.”

“Now would you?”

Harry looked away quickly, trying to hide his faint blush.

“I have no idea.” He said seriously but he could see the smirks on the twins’ faces.

“Aww, don’t worry Harry! We won’t tell!” George beamed, ruffling his hair.

“That’s just how you are, all caring and fluffy.”

“Oi!” He objected but the twins just laughed again.

They stayed with Fred and George until well after lunch when their stomachs began to growl loudly. They finally had to say their good byes – Charlie popping in once to check on them before going again – and turned to leave.

“Do you wanna eat at my place?” Harry asked, not sure if they wanted to go back to Ron’s mother so soon and knowing that he didn’t want to be fussed over again for a while.

Hermione smiled and nodded.

“Alright, that sounds wonderful.” She agreed. “And maybe we can go shopping for some books! I’ve read all of mine and I’m getting so bored while Ron here flies on his broom outside.”

“Hey, I said I would teach you how to fly if you wanted.” Ron protested.

“I know that Ron but I just don’t LIKE flying. It’s too high and who knows what could happen, no I just want some books to keep me busy while you practice.” She said, making Harry chuckle and nod.

“I don’t suppose it would be a problem. Maybe if I take my invisibility cloak no one will find me…” he said hopefully.

“Oh that actually sounds like a good idea Harry! And this way we can help you buy some of the things you want without you having to be mobbed.” She beamed.

“Alright, after lunch then.” He smiled before stepping into the fireplace to head back to his new home.

Kreacher was waiting and lunch with his friends was better than he had hoped. In some ways it almost seemed like they were just back at Hogwarts, chatting during dinner about classes and homework. They made sure to avoid any serious or depressing topics and Harry was glad for it. It felt good just to be like this with them.

“Oh! And we heard from Neville this morning!” Hermione beamed. “He’s doing well, his arm is completely healed and he says his grandmother is even building him a nice greenhouse for him to work in. He’s gotten loads of offers from stores to grow ingredients for them and he’s even thinking about asking Professor Sprout for an internship at Hogwarts.”

“What’s an internship?” Ron asked confused as he stuffed more potatoes into his mouth.

“Oh, well, it’s more like an apprenticeship I suppose.” She corrected herself, but knew that Harry understood.

The raven haired boy beamed and nodded.

“That’s wonderful! I bet he’d make a great teacher! He was the best in our year at Herbology.” He agreed.

“Yeah, but we have to wait for Hogwarts to be rebuilt. Once it is though Professor McGonagall is going to be the Headmistress again and I think she said that we can all come back and start our last year over again without any penalty. Isn’t that so wonderful! Oh I was so worried that it would be a black mark on our records for not showing up – oh but I know that this was more important! Stop looking at me like that Ronald Weasley!” she demanded as Ron was giving her a look saying she was clearly insane.

“Oh come on Hermione! They can’t give us a bad grade when we risked our lives to stop You-kno…Voldemort.” He said, still struggling over the name a little.

Harry chuckled faintly and nodded.

“I don’t think McGonagall would let them.” He said amused.

“Of course not, she even put her foot down when the Ministry wanted to start interfering again with the school and know what its defenses were.”

“Oh yeah! She told them to bugger off! Dad said it was the best thing he had ever seen!” Ron laughed. “She’s been arguing with them since the fight making sure that they don’t screw anything up or get in the way.”

“Are they doing something again?” Harry asked, his brow furrowing in thought.

“Naw, nothing too serious, mate, it’s just things like trying to put as many Death Eaters as possible away and not giving them a trial even though I don’t think it’s bad.”

“Of course it’s bad Ron! What if they got someone who wasn’t a Death Eater! They’d be put away for something they didn’t do!”

“Come on, Hermione, we know that they’re all Death Eaters and I don’t believe for a moment as many of them were Imperius’ed as they say they were.”

“But we can’t know-“

“Alright, guys, stop.” Harry intervened, wanting to prevent another fight. “Is there anyone that we know wasn’t a Death Eater that has been thrown into jail?”

Hermione thought for a moment.

“Well the sad thing is Harry…we’re not sure. It’s hard to tell…I mean there were a couple of Auror’s that were Death Eaters…they found the mark on their arms…it’s just so hard to tell.” She sighed.

Harry nodded, giving in slightly before shaking his head.

“It’s not our problem. We just need to focus on Hogwarts right now and getting you new books…let the wizarding world run itself for a while.” He said shaking his head. “I’m tired of playing the whole searcher of truth and justice thing.”

Ron’s eyes widened faintly.

“Wow, mate, I never thought I’d hear you say that…I mean the ministry never seems to get anything right! Shouldn’t we don something?”

“No, Ron…Harry’s correct…it isn’t our place to try and fix everything all the time…it’s not our responsibility.” Hermione said firmly, nodding at Harry to let him know she understood. “The wizarding community will just have to decide if they want to take control of their ministry or if they’re going to let things keep happening…I’d say we’ve done more than our share of fixing problems in the world.” She said with a wry smile.

Harry smirked a bit darkly and nodded.

“That’s definitely something I’d agree on…so…what about those books?”

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