The End

Epilogue 1: Scheming Demons Dressed in Kingly Guise

"I'd like to thank you for a job well done," Minister Randall said, pacing behind his desk in the Ministry of Magic and only looking at the assembled group as often as was necessary to maintain the impression that he was actually talking to them. "You brought those Death Eaters to justice far faster than anyone could have hoped."

Ron, Hermione, Sydney, and Michael shot exacerbated looks at each other as they waited for him to get to the point.

"Well you don't seem very happy about it," Randall said, sounding indignant as he finally stopped to stare at them.

"My brother died, or didn't you hear," Ron snapped.

"Oh, yes, that was unfortunate," Randall replied, resuming his pacing.

"Sure was," Hermione said coolly as she and Michael grabbed Ron's arms to prevent him from attacking the Minister.

"Mr. Potter is nearly fifteen minutes late," Randall muttered, glancing at his watch.

Even Ron paused at the mention of Harry.

"I don't think he's coming," Hermione said quietly.

"I'm not sure I blame him," Sydney added. "What exactly are we doing here?"

"Yes, well," Randall stammered, twiddling his wand. "I wanted to assure you that we have tightened security in Azkaban. The remaining Death Eaters will not be able to escape."

"I hope so," Ron spat.

"You might find that we won't be so willing to do your work for you if there is a next time," Hermione added.

Randall began twirling his wand even faster. Apparently, he had no doubt in the sincerity of Hermione's ultimatum.

"I suppose there is only one thing left to do, then," Randall said. "Miss Bristow, Mr. Vaughn, you have been instrumental to the success of this endeavor even though the affairs of the magical world were of no concern to you."

"It's our job to put an end to the bad people in the world," Sydney replied.

"I understand you will be taking a...a," Randall trailed off uncertainly.

"Plane?" Michael offered.

"Yes! You'll be taking a plane back to America tonight," Randall finished.

"That's correct," Sydney said.

"You have seen much of the magical world during your time here." Randall started slowly, but gained momentum. "I'm afraid I cannot risk allowing you to go back to the Muggle world with such knowledge."

His hand tightened around his wand, an action that was echoed a bit more stealthily by Ron and Hermione.

"Therefore," Randall continued, "I'm afraid neither of you will be leaving this room until you've had your memories of your time here completely erased. Obliviate!"

Randall, however, seemed to have forgotten who he was dealing with. He hadn't even finished saying the spell before Ron and Hermione jumped in front of the pair of Muggles and cast shield charms over all of them.

As soon as the spells had dissipated, Hermione lunged forward, yelling, "Is this your way of thanking them for saving your sorry self from the Death Eaters? By taking away their memories? They've already had their anti-Muggle repelling charms removed, there's no way they can get back into the Wizarding world."

"The Statue of Magical Secrecy clearly states..." Randall said, trembling under the onslaught.

"Damn the bloody statue!" Hermione screamed. "You think just because they're Muggles they can't keep a secret? That's part of their job too, you know."

"It's simply too much of a risk!"

"And what happens when they realize they can't remember anything that's happened over the past month and a half?" Hermione demanded. "Do you have any idea what it's like to have blanks in your memory?"

"I suppose I don't," Randall admitted.

"Then maybe you're the one who should have his memory modified, so you'll know what you'd be subjecting them to," Hermione suggested. "If you're going to erase their memory you'll have to fight me first."

"And me," Ron piped in.

"We can put up a fight ourselves," Sydney added.

"Then I'm afraid you will have quite the fight on your hands," Randall replied, his fearful expression evaporating to be replaced by a smug one. "I meant what I said about the Muggles not leaving this room with their memories intact. The entire Auror force is waiting outside. They will not let you leave."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Hermione said.

Randall's face melted back into fear. A second later an invisible hand knocked his wand out of his grasp.

"Think about what you're doing, Miss Granger!" Randall yelped as Hermione shoved him to the door, her wand pointed at the base of his skull. "Threatening the Minister of Magic is worth a life sentence in Azkaban."

"We'll see," Hermione shot back. Randall might have been larger than her, but she was more than his match in ferocity. "You are going to walk out of here, acting as though nothing is wrong. You will take us to the telephone booth, then up to the surface. Any slip ups and you won't see the outside of Saint Mungo's any time soon."

"What happens when we get to the surface?" Randall pleaded.

"You'll just have to find out when we get there," Hermione replied smugly. "Go."

Randall pasted a misshapen smile on his face and pulled open the door, Hermione just behind him with her wand still trained on its target but concealed up her sleeve. Ron, Sydney, and Michael followed, the Muggles sporting blank expressions at Ron's suggestion.

Several Aurors were waiting in the hall, but Randall waved his hand and they made no move, although some still looked suspicious. The group had a close call with an Auror in the elevator who seemed convinced that something was amiss. Hermione had to poke Randall into ordering the man to stand down. The atrium, however, had a pleasant surprise in store: Sturgis Podmore was standing guard near the restored Fountain of Magical Brethren and gave the group a stealthy wink, then set about pulling the rest of the Aurors off their guard.

When they piled out of the elevator into Muggle London a few minutes later, Randall's frightened demeanor had returned.

"So what happens now?" he stammered.

"I tell you that if you make any attempt to punish Ron or me for my actions, I'll tell the Daily Prophet what you told Harry about modifying the memories of the patients in Saint Mungo's so they couldn't tell the world that the Death Eaters were back," Hermione replied. "Then we let you go. Do we have an agreement?"

The pair shook hands, but when they let go it was all Randall could do to keep from laughing.

"You silly girl, you realize you've accomplished nothing? There was no provision in our agreement about the memories of your Muggle friends."

"They can take care of themselves," Hermione said with a shrug.

Randall finally burst out laughing as he turned to look at his victims. "Against a group of Aur..."

He trailed off, the mirth slowly draining from his face. Sydney and Michael had disappeared.

"Sneaky blighters, them," Ron pointed out happily.

Randall couldn't seem to form the words to express his surprise and frustration and just stood there with his mouth gaping.

"Good luck finding them," Hermione added. "By the way, they're outside the jurisdiction of the Muggle Prime Minister, so I wouldn't bother trying it if I were you."

Valiantly struggling to contain their glee, Ron and Hermione watched the shaken Randall make his way back down to the Ministry through the telephone booth.

"They said goodbye," Ron said quietly.

"They'll be alright," Hermione replied.