The Potter Manor Chronicles

Chapter Eight

Fudge Gets it in the Arse!!!!!!!

Harry opted to open Hagrid's letter first.

Harry,

Thanks for saying all them nice things about me to Lucy. Been getting lots of letters of support. I think this will really help in our fight against You-know-who. Keep your chin up.

Hagrid

Harry smiled, glad that Hagrid was benefiting from the article.

"What did he say, Harry?" asked Hermione.

Harry handed her the letter.

"Looks like Hagrid's having a good day," he said. Hermione read the letter and grinned.

"I think the article is already starting to do some good. We'll just have to see where things stand at the end of the day."

"Yeah," said Ron glumly. "Fudge could try anything to save face."

"If people react the way we think they will to this article, there may be nothing Fudge can do," said Ginny. She eyed Cho's letter. "Are you going to open that or should I?" she asked Harry. Harry smiled and opened the letter.

Harry,

My parents finally agreed to let me come. I should be over later today. That's good because I can't take much more of people telling me to move on.

Cho.

"Poor Cho. Some people really aren't comfortable with pain," said Ginny.

"They certainly don't like listening to problems," Harry agreed as he folded Cho's letter and pocketed it.

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"Hey, Moony!" said Sirius tapping Remus hard on his shoulder. "You awake?" Remus groaned and pulled the covers over his head. Sirius couldn't help grinning. He jerked Remus' covers off. "Moony, it is of the utmost importance that you read the most brilliant article ever to grace the pages of The Daily Prophet." Remus let out a loud snort and began shaking with laughter. As long as the two had been friends, Sirius had always been able to make Remus laugh when he spoke dramatically.

"Alright," said Remus sitting up. "I surrender. Let's see it." Remus' hair stood up in several directions, putting the untidiness of Harry's hair to shame. Although Sirius had seen Remus' bed hair too many times to count, he still found the state of his abnormally composed friend's head amusing. Between the demonstration of Weasley's Wizard Weezes and Lucy's article, Sirius was in a better mood than he had been in a long time.

Remus looked extremely focused as he read the article. The expression on his face clashed horribly with the state of his hair. It was all the more amusing to Sirius.

"Seems she left a few tiny details out about the night you escaped," said Remus with a smirk as he finished reading.

"At least she didn't fill in the gaps with crack-pot theories," said Sirius. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Remus called. Annie opened the door. She was followed by Tabitha and Madam Pomfrey.

"You're looking better, Remus," said Madam Pomfrey briskly as she approached the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Remus answered. "A little bored, but I feel fine physically."

"I'd better go prepare for the meeting," said Sirius, knowing how self-conscious Remus was about being examined in front of others. He briefly considered trying to pull Tabitha away, but knew it would be a futile effort.

"I'd better make sure the Sneakoscopes and Foe Glasses are still working properly," said Annie. "We can't be too careful." She followed Sirius out through the door.

"Think Lucy's article will help our side?" Sirius asked.

"It's too early to tell," said Annie. "But I'm quite certain Fudge'll be pissed."

"Yeah, nothing pisses old Cornelius like forcing him to actually do his job," said Sirius with a grin.

"Mmmm," said Annie staring blankly ahead.

"What's wrong?" asked Sirius.

"Nothing."

"C'mon, Annie, we've known each other for as long as we remember. You can't pretend with me."

"You're one to talk, Sirius."

"I know, but to try to change the subject. Are you worried about Remus? I'm sure he's getting better."

"I know Remus is fine," said Annie. "It isn't that."

"What then?" Annie glared warningly at him, but Sirius was unruffled. "You know I won't let it go until you tell me, so why don't you save both of us a lot of trouble and spill it." Annie sighed.

"It's Harry," she began. "He knows about Rose's family. He heard me arguing with Petunia last night. It isn't exactly the way I wanted him to find out."

"Why were you arguing with Petunia about that?"

"Rose left a box meant for Harry in my care before she died," Annie explained. "It has some sort of heirloom in it. I don't know exactly what it is, I didn't ask. Anyway, Petunia recognized her mother's handwriting and started asking questions; rather rudely I might add."

"And that's where Harry walked in?" asked Sirius. Annie nodded. "How did he react?"

"He was mostly angry about the things Petunia said about Lily. Petunia may pester him and that's what really worries me. Harry needs to open that box when he's ready, not because he's surrendered to Petunia's demands."

"So Petunia knows she's a squib now," said Sirius thoughtfully. "That must have been a slap in the face for her."

"You have no idea," said Annie.

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"You alright, Neville?" asked Harry. Neville looked unusually pale. He seemed deep in thought.

"I'm, fine," Neville answered, still staring at the table. "Just a little tired. I think I'll go lie down for a while." Harry understood what Neville was going through all too well. He knew it would be a futile effort to try to get Neville to talk about what was bothering him.

Hermione bit her lip as she watched Neville leave the study. "I just can't believe there's nothing the people at St. Mungo's can do for his parents," she said sadly.

"It wouldn't have happened if the ministry hadn't let so many Death Eaters weasel their way out of Azkaban in the first place," said Ron. "Imperious Curse, indeed!"

At that moment, Hedwig flew in the window and perched on the arm of Harry's chair. She held out her leg and Harry untied four letters, each bearing the Hogwarts Crest. The letters were addressed to each of the four people in the room. Hedwig gave Harry's finger an affectionate nip as he handed the letters to his three friends.

"It's a bit early for the supply lists," said Hermione as she opened her letter. Harry was thinking the same thing as he opened his own letter.

To All Prefects,

In light of recent events we feel that it is too dangerous for even prefects to patrol the halls alone. We therefore feel that it is necessary to increase the number of prefects representing each house and year from two to four. Below is a list of new prefects--

Harry began to scan the list. At the top were the upcoming fifth year prefects. Ginny was among them. Harry looked up at her, smiled, and gave her hand a squeeze. Ginny smiled back as a blush crawled up her neck. Harry was about to look at the rest of the list when Hermione squealed with delight.

"Oh, Ron, this is wonderful!" she said throwing her arms around Ron's neck.

"Yeah," said Ron is a very faint, cracked voice. His face was very pale, but his ears were pink. Harry's eyes dropped to the section where the new sixth year prefects were listed and read "Parvarti Patil" and "Ron Weasley"

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"You're healing quite nicely," said Madam Pomfrey as she finished examining Remus.

"Does that mean I can actually leave this bed?" he asked. Madame Pomfrey nodded.

"But I want you to take it easy, Remus. You are doing well, but you still need plenty of rest. I don't want you to go outside of the protective wards on this manor yet. It's still too risky in your condition."

"He will make a full recovery, won't he?" asked Tabitha anxiously.

"As long as he takes it easy for awhile, he will," said Madam Pomfrey. Tabitha put her arms around her son and started sobbing into his shoulder. Remus patted his mother awkwardly on her back.

"It's alright, Mum. I'll be fine." Tabitha pulled away and looked at him with a mixture of sternness and affection.

"Remus Lupin," she said. "You've had too many close calls for my liking. I'll have you know I'm perfectly within my rights to get a little emotional."

Remus threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, Mum, you are perfectly within your rights." Remus looked under the covers at the pajama bottoms he'd been wearing for the last few days and wrinkled his nose. He leaned over, kissed his mother on the cheek, got out of bed and threw on his bathrobe.

"What do you think you're doing?" asked Tabitha.

"Taking a shower," Remus replied lightly. "I haven't been properly clean for days. I'll have you know, I'm perfectly within my rights to be clean. Taking a shower doesn't qualify as over-exerting myself, does it Poppy?" he asked Madam Pomfrey casually over his mother's shoulder. She merely made a humph! noise in reply.

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"How is he?" Stephen Lupin asked Annie after she closed the veil behind her quests.

"He's doing much better," said Annie. "Madam Pomfrey should be finished examining him soon.

"I should have been out here to see him sooner," said Stephen with a hint of self-disgust.

"Dad, you've been swamped," said Derek. "Trying to protect the world from Voldemort isn't an easy task, Remus understands."

"He shouldn't have to, no one should. If Fudge weren't such a bloody idiot, he would've seen that Lucius Malfoy was working for Voldemort." Stephen sighed. "At least Remus is getting better. Tabitha was having trouble sleeping...so was I."

"We've all been having trouble sleeping," said Agatha putting her hand on Stephen's shoulder. "Hopefully we'll figure out how to do something about it today." Stephen smiled at her.

"C'mon, Stephen," said Annie taking his arm. "I'm sure Remus is eager to see you. He's been really worried about the work you're doing--"

"Isn't that Cho and her parents?" asked Jerod pointing to three people who had just arrived (most likely by port key) outside of the veil. Annie pulled out her Sneakoscope and Foe glass. Neither object reacted so she pulled out her wand and lifted the veil.

"Cho, Sandra, Ang," said Annie. "Good to see you." Cho smiled sadly. Ang and Sandra cast worried looks at their daughter. She looks almost as bad as Harry or Sirius, Annie thought.

"How is Professor Lupin doing?" asked Cho.

"Better," said Annie. "Why don't you all come in. We were about to have lunch. Here, let me take your bags, Cho."

"That's alright, Miss Spinnet," said Cho. With that she started off for the house.

"She's been like that ever since last year," Ang whispered to Annie.

"We'll do everything we can to help her, Ang. Maybe she just needs a break from everything."

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"Are you feeling better, Neville?" asked Hermione as he entered the study. Neville shrugged.

"I just needed to lie down for a bit after, you know, everything."

"Want to join us in a game of Exploding Snap?" asked Ron. Neville shrugged again and nodded. He took the seat between Harry and Ron. As Ron started to deal the cards, Dobby entered the study.

"Harry Potter, sir," he squeaked. "Miss Chang is here, sir. She is not looking very happy" Harry and the others stood up.

"We'd better go greet her," said Harry.

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Ginny immediately felt pity for Cho as she entered the front hall where Annie, the Lupins, the Blacks, and the Changs had just entered through the front door.

"Hi, Cho," said Harry awkwardly as though he was trying to choose his words carefully.

"Hello, Harry," she said. "Thanks for inviting me." Harry nodded. "If you don't mind, I really need to lie down right now."

"Are you ill, Darling?" asked Sandra. Cho shook her head.

"I'm just tired, mother," she said then turned to Ginny. "Can you show me where I'm sleeping, Ginny?" Ginny nodded and helped Cho carry her trunk up the stairs.

"I really need to see Remus," said Stephen.

"That'll have to wait a few minutes," said Tabitha, who was walking down the stairs with Madam Pomfrey. "Our son has decided that he is perfectly within his rights to take a shower."

Despite the tension in the room, everyone snorted with laughter. "That's Remus for you," said Sirius as he entered the room followed by Fred, George, Angelina, and Alicia. Agatha went up to her son and threw her arms around his neck. Harry could've sworn he saw Sirius start to blush as the others watched his mother's abundance of affection. She still felt the need to make up for nearly thirteen lost years. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Linus Black smiling at him.

"We have a lot to do before the others arrive," said Linus. "Why don't we get started?"

"Can you watch the veil, Sirius?" asked Annie as she handed Sirius her Sneakoscope and Foe Glass. "With all the people coming today, I need to make sure the extra Sneakoscopes are working properly." Sirius nodded.

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Ginny and Cho walked down the hall in silence. Ginny knew there was something Cho wanted to tell her, but was sure how she should go about asking what it was. Fortunately, Cho broke the silence. She stopped and set down her end of the trunk. Ginny did the same.

"Do you appreciate Harry?" she asked. Ginny stared. Cho waited for and answer with a stoic expression on her face.

"What? Of course I do," said Ginny, almost defensively. Cho sat down on her trunk and rested her chin on her palms.

"Good," she said. "That's good. I don't think I appreciated Cedric as much as I should have." Ginny took a seat next to Cho. She tried desperately to think of something to say, but her mind was completely blank. Cho looked her in the eye. "There's something I need to tell you," said Cho. "I just need to say it."

"What is it?" asked Ginny. Cho took a deep breath.

"You remember when Harry asked me to the Yule Ball?"

"Yes," said Ginny slowly. She certainly remembered feeling miserable about it.

"If Harry had asked me first, I would have said 'yes.'" Ginny felt her self stiffen. Why was Cho telling her this? Part of Ginny wanted to reach out and wring Cho's neck. Fortunately, the more sensible part of Ginny wanted to listen to what Cho had to say. "I mean, I did like Harry, at least I thought I did, the same way he thought he liked me."

Ginny continued to listen, figuring that she was helping Cho by doing so.

"I would have gone with him and we would have discovered a lot sooner that we only liked each other as friends."

Ginny felt her self relax.

"It's just that...I don't know. I'm not sure whether I'm glad that I went with Cedric or not."

"What do you mean?" Ginny prompted. A single tear formed in the corner of Cho's eye, fell down her cheek and splattered on the floor. Ginny put her arm around Cho. It was a gesture Hermione had done many times for her.

"I fell in love with him. It felt wonderful to be in love. Then he was murdered by Voldemort and it hurts. Everyday it hurts so much I can't stand it. Sometimes I find myself wishing that Harry had asked me first because then I never would've loved Cedric and I wouldn't be hurting so much now. On the other hand, I am glad that I had Cedric. I'm glad that I knew him. It's just so frustrating. I don't want to feel this way anymore, but I don't want to forget Cedric, I can't."

Ginny knew that she'd be going through the same pain if the Death Eaters had succeeded in killing Harry a few days earlier. She had come extremely close to being in Cho's shoes. Ginny squeezed Cho's hand. Cho looked at her again.

"Thanks," said Cho with a slight smile. "I haven't been able to say that to anyone else. They always interrupt me."

"I know what you mean," said Ginny. They both stood up, each taking one end of the trunk.

"Are you going to be alright?" asked Ginny as Cho sat down on her bed.

"I'll be fine after I get some sleep," said Cho. "Thanks again for listening."

"Any time," said Ginny. She felt the scar on her arm after she closed the door behind her. She had a sudden urge to talk to Harry.

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Remus stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fresh towel around his waist. At that moment in time he thought that a shower was the most wonderful sensation in the world. He always felt that way when he was finally allowed to shower after being ill (a common occurrence before the discovery of Wolfsbane Potion).

The bedroom door opened.

"Shit, Annie! Don't you ever knock?"

"Ooops!" said Annie wearing a smirk that suggested she had not walked in on him by accident. "Sorry." Remus clutched the towel around his waist.

"I bet you are," he muttered.

"I just can't hide anything from you, can I," said Annie with a mock-sigh. "And there's no reason to be embarrassed. It's not like I haven't seen you with less than a towel on--too many times to count!" Remus sighed.

"I can't recall my parents being in the same house with us any of those times."

Annie let out a snort of laughter. "Oh, now I see..."

"Is there something you need?"

"Yes, there is as a matter of fact. As you know, we have a lot of people coming this afternoon."

"Yes," said Remus slowly. Annie held up a Foe Glass.

"I'm checking the extra dark detectors to make sure they're working properly. We can't be too careful. Anyway, it's a lot of work and I figure the task will be done more thoroughly with two of us having a go at it."

"I think I can handle that," said Remus. "But I'd like to be dressed while I'm doing it, if you don't mind."

"Well, I suppose I can handle it given the circumstances--your parents being in this house, I mean."

"Very generous of you," said Remus with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Remus?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you're feeling better. I mean for a while there we were all really scared and...shit, I never was all that good at this--" Annie walked up to Remus, placed her hands lightly and awkwardly on each of his shoulders, and kissed him on the cheek. "We must be the two biggest idiots on this planet, you and I," she whispered in his ear.

"You're probably right," Remus whispered back and lightly brushed his lips just in front of her ear. Annie started for the door, but stopped briefly.

"See you in a few minutes," she said and tossed the Foe Glass to him. Remus nearly dropped his towel as he caught the glass--nearly, but not quite. "Damn it!" said Annie with a sly grin. "Foiled again."

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"What is it?" asked Harry as Ginny closed the door behind them. "Is Cho alright?"

"I think she's as good as she can be under the circumstances," said Ginny sitting on the bed. "But that isn't what I wanted to talk to you about, not exactly."

"Alright," said Harry slowly as sat down next to her. "What is it?" Ginny took his hand.

"Cho said some things that made me really think." Ginny bit her lip. "I came so close to losing you when Wormtail and the others kidnapped you. When I found you almost dead..." Ginny's voice died in her throat. Harry put his arms around her and pulled her close. He wanted to tell her that everything would be alright, but he couldn't do it when he didn't believe it himself. The truth was, the Death Eaters could very easily have succeeded in delivering Harry to Voldemort and Harry couldn't be certain that they never would succeed.

"It's like you said, Ginny, we'll just have to deal with things as best as we can when they happen." said Harry as he caressed Ginny's hair. Ginny pulled back and looked up at him. She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. Harry grabbed her hand and softly kissed her fingers.

"I don't want us to have any secrets, Harry," Ginny whispered. "Life is too short for that." Harry's brow furrowed.

"Is something wrong?" he asked. Ginny shook her head.

"Not really. There's just something I've been keeping from you for a long time." Ginny hesitated for a moment and rolled up her sleeve to reveal the lightening bolt scar on her upper arm. Harry's eyes widened.

"Ginny!" he gasped as if in an involuntary reflex. Ginny closed her eyes as Harry's trembling fingers reached over and touched the scar. "D-did Riddle do this to you?" Ginny nodded, keeping her eyes shut. "Does anyone else know?"

"No," Ginny answered in a barely audible voice.

"Why haven't you told anyone? Were you afraid of what they might say?" asked Harry caressing her cheek.

"Who knows?" said Ginny finally opening her eyes.

"Yeah, who knows?" Harry whispered. With that, he stood up and walked over to his trunk. Ginny watched him curiously as he opened it and pulled out an old piece of parchment. Harry pulled his wand out of his belt and tapped the parchment with it. "I Solemnly Swear I Am Up To No Good."

Ginny froze. She'd heard those words before. A map of Hogwarts formed on the parchment and writing appeared at the top.

Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief Makers

Are proud to present

The Marauder's Map

"Harry!" gasped Ginny. "I thought that was destroyed."

"So does everyone else," said Harry. "But I couldn't let that happen. My dad made this map. So I swapped another piece of parchment for it just before Dumbledore was going to burn it."

"But, what if it falls into the wrong hands? It already has once, and you almost died because of that." Ginny bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Harry sat back down and put his arm around her.

"I'm not going to be as stupid this time," he said. "Besides, I don't use this map to sneak around school anymore." Ginny looked up at him, eyebrows raised.

"I use it to talk to my dad. He and the others put themselves into it, you know."

"Just like Riddle," Ginny whispered. Harry pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry, Gin," he said kissing her on the forehead. "I didn't think--"

"Don't be sorry. I know that your father and his friends--Sirius and Remus at least--are nothing like Voldemort. They didn't make this map with the intention of-of--"

"No," said Harry. "They didn't." Ginny looked up at him again and tenderly pressed her lips to his.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me this," she said without breaking contact.

"It's like you said. Life's too short for secrets," Harry replied without breaking the mouth-to-mouth contact either.

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"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention; Prefects caught breaking the rules have to eat raw frog spleens while standing on hot needles to prove they are still worthy to wear the badge," said Hermione as she noticed Ron staring off into space yet again.

"Huh?" asked Ron.

"You haven't heard I word I've said," said Hermione sounding more worried than irritated. "Are you worried about Harry and Ginny?" Ron shook his head. "Do you think Fred and George'll do something to Neville?" Ron let out a small laugh.

"They wouldn't try anything with Angelina and Alicia around. Besides, I think Dudley is their current victim."

"What then?"

"Remus."

"Remus? Madam Pomfrey said he'll be fine."

"I know. It's just, well, I've been thinking about that night in the Shrieking Shack a lot the last few days." Ron's ears turned pink. Hermione raised her eyebrows curiously.

"What about it?" she asked slowly.

Ron closed his eyes as he heard his own voice in his head, repeating the same phrase: Get away from me, werewolf...Get away from me, werewolf...Get away--

"Ron!" Ron's eyes snapped open.

"I can really be a stupid prat sometimes," he said.

"You certainly can," said Hermione without hesitating. "You and every other man in this world." Ron looked up and took her hand in both of his.

"I sorry," he said. "For every time I've been a stupid prat to you--and Harry and everyone else."

"How many times do I need to tell you, there's no need to apologize?"

"You're as bad as Harry."

"And you aren't?" Ron grinned, leaned forward and kissed Hermione.

"Okay, we're both as bad as Harry. He's corrupted us." Ron paused and sighed. "That doesn't change the fact that I can be a real prat sometimes."

"Ron, you're not perfect and nobody's asking you to be perfect."

"That's no excuse for hurting my friends. I've said and done terrible things to you. Why? Stupid pride."

"At least you're making an effort to change that, which is more than I can say for most people. Ron, please stop tormenting yourself over the past, just try to learn from it."

"Alright," said Ron as he stood up. "I need to go talk to Remus." He started to leave the room, but turned around and walked back over to Hermione. He pulled her to her feet and into a tight embrace. "Thanks," he whispered in her ear. "You really are wonderful, you know." He then kissed her warmly and firmly on the lips. When he pulled away, Hermione was grinning mischievously.

"I think I should listen to you all the time," she said without the slightest hint of a blush. Ron laughed.

"Fine by me," he replied. Hermione held onto his hand and slowly let it go as he walked away. She sat back down feeling very satisfied with herself.

As Ron made his way up the stairs, he made a mental list of everyone he needed to apologize to. Let's see...There's Harry for not believing him when he said he hadn't entered the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He keep's saying he doesn't need to hear it, but Mr. I-don't-need-to-hear-any-apologies-even-though-I'm-constantly-apologizing-for-things-that-aren't-my-fault is going to hear me out this time.

Ginny. Shit, I was such an arse about her crush on Harry. Why? Did I think it was my brotherly right to tease her about it right in from of him. I'll make Fred and George apologize for that one too.

Ron, It's time to make some serious changes in your life.

Let's see, who else?

Ron's thoughts were interrupted as he reached Remus' door. He took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in," Remus called.

Ron opened the door and saw Remus sitting on his bed pulling on an old pair of boots. He looked up at Ron and smiled pleasantly.

Why did I ever think this man was evil? Ron thought.

"Ron," said Remus. "What can I do for you."

"I really owe you an apology," said Ron. Remus' brow furrowed.

"Apology? For what?"

"For that night in the Shrieking Shack, when I told you to get away from me. I mean, you were just trying to help me and I treated you like shit, all because of my own petty prejudices. You were the best teacher we ever had, you helped Harry with his Patronus, you never showed anything but concern for his safety, and I was suddenly ready to believe that you were dark because I found out you were a werewolf."

"Oh that," said Remus. "Ron, as I understand it, you thought that Sirius was trying to kill Harry. You saw me hug the man who supposedly had murdered thirteen people and wanted your best friend dead. Your reaction was more out of a desire to protect Harry rather than a petty prejudice."

"But still," Ron began, but Remus waved his hand impatiently.

"But nothing. I'd react the same way if I thought someone was trying to harm one of my friends. For what it's worth, Ron, I'm grateful to you for being such a good friend to my friends' son. Yes, Ron, you are a good friend. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."

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"Sirius," said Annie as she entered the study (wearing an amused expression) where Sirius sat with his parents, the Lupins, and the Changs. "We have a-er-visitor." Cornelius Fudge pushed past her. He looked rather dishevelled with burn marks all over his robes. Sirius stood up.

"Yes, Minister? What can we do for you today?" he asked. Fudge clenched his fists at his side and glared daggers at Sirius who smiled with mock congeniality in return.

"What the hell was the Figg girl playing at with Harry Potter and his friends?" asked Fudge in an outraged voice. "I must've received a hundred howlers today. Half of them had exploded on my desk by the time I got to the office."

"Harry and the other's weren't playing at anything," said Sirius. "They were merely correcting a few lies that have been told to the Wizarding community."

"Correcting a few lies?" Fudge paused for a moment. His face grew redder with each passing second. "MY OFFICE IS IN CHAOS BECAUSE OF THAT BLOODY ARTICLE! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS?"

Sirius glanced at Annie over Fudge's shoulder. He noticed that she was biting down particularly hard on her cheek. Sirius was finding it difficult to keep his own face straight. The memories of all the damage caused by Fudge's neglect of his duties caused some anger to boil inside of Sirius. He managed to take a page out of Remus' book and remain calm as he responded to the Minister.

"Well, my Godson was almost kissed by a Dementor, Cedric Diggory was murdered by Voldemort, several people wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban received Dementors' kisses, Remus was attacked by your good friend Lucius, and Voldemort is in power again because of your desire to keep order; so why don't we just call it even," said Sirius.

"How dare you, Black--" Fudge began.

"No, how dare you, Minister," roared Linus jumping to his feet. "Ever since you became Minister, your sole concern has been keeping your power. You criticized people like Dumbledore for employing Remus and Hagrid, yet you employed Death Eaters and Dementors. You're a bloody idiot, Fudge. It's time you accepted responsibility for your actions. The Wizarding community knows the truth now and if you want to keep your job, you'll actually have to do it from now on."

"Mind your tongue, Linus," said Fudge. "You and your son are treading on very dangerous ground."

"Don't you threaten my husband and son," said Agatha jumping to her feet and walking right up to Fudge. She was a rather small and fragile-looking next to the portly Minister, but remained unintimidated. Sirius put his hand on his mother's arm.

"If you will excuse us, Minister, we are expecting quite a few people this afternoon. There is a lot of work to be done, which I'm quite certain, you don't want to interfere with. Now would you be so kind as to do us all a favour and PISS OFF!" Annie couldn't contain her laughter at Sirius' last words. Fudge's face reddened even more if such a thing were possible. He glared at Sirius and swept out of the room.

"You really do have a way with words, Sirius," said Annie.

"I do, don't I?" said Sirius with a grin. "I've fantasized about telling Fudge to piss off for years."