Chapter 13

Harry was reading aloud to his friends. It was a letter from Ron Weasley. They were still on very good terms, but only shared letters, not visits.

With his elf out of the hospital, and Gabrielle reunited with her family, it was nice to concentrate on something happy like quidditch.

"Fred and George are going to bet that Ireland wins, but that this Victor Krum fellow catches the snitch."

They all laughed at that. The Romanian team was on fire. Everyone there thought for sure that they would win.

Monseigneur Brown came over with a letter, and he wanted to talk to the apprentices that had attended Hogwarts.

"Can you believe this? Yesterday, the ICW voted and approved the Tri-Wizard Championship! Hogwarts will be hosting it!"

Hermione paled, Luna burst into tears, and Neville and Millicent looked pensieve, Joseph looked very angry.

"I don't remember hearing about this event, sir. It's not the World cup." Harry didn't like feeling so stupid and ignorant, it happened less often but enough.

"Magical animals are killed or severely injured in it all of the time! Nesting Griffons fighting to save their eggs! It's horrible!" Luna cried.

"Hard on the participants and audience too. Last time it was held a couple hundred years ago all three entrants died as did some two hundred students in the audience when the cockatrice got loose." Hermione informed them.

"And they killed the poor thing! It was scared! It would have never been there of its own accord! It's too smart for that." Luna declared.

"And they don't take into consideration heritage at all! Veela have drowned in water events and been banned from ones with fire. The prejudice of two of the schools is criminal!" Joseph opined.

"What's worse is the way that participants are chosen. Anyone putting their name in the Goblet of Fire has a magical contract to compete." Millicent stated.

"Wait! What? This cannot be a coincidence that Albus Dumbledore chooses the year that I'm fourteen to do this! He's planning on entering me, isn't he? He couldn't do it next year as magic would never allow anything to interfere with my oaths!"

Sir Hector stiffened and rose to his feet in respect. The others followed suit and turned around.

"We know." The High Commander was not alone. The entire High Council was there. Their power, their goodness, their might! It could be felt.

"Sir Hector, we feel that your squire is ready to face the trials."

"Squire Potter is ready, and is on the Path to knighthood. He is young, immature, reckless. But he is true, thoughtful, humble, and kind."

"All worldly goods will be left behind. We will allow you to keep the cloak of your ancestors, the pensieves that we have used several times, and one home plus your homeland that you now own. The rest will become part of the resources of the Order as safe houses. Your gold and currency will feed you and your brothers."

Harry's eyes filled with tears unexpectedly. Embarrassed, he quickly wiped them away. "My family photo album that Hagrid made for me, sirs?"

"You may keep a few sentimental things like that in storage. They are not allowed in the field."

Harry nodded, and the knights clearly were impressed. The boy had millions of galleons in his control or in his future control. Signing over rights to vaults now meant he promised to give everything to the Order as he could.

"I will face the trials, but before I do, I would ask for a day to prepare." Harry intoned the expected response.

"You have a day to prepare, Squire Potter."

This was a ritualistic response. The real trials for the cohort above them were coming up in a few weeks. Harry would have time to ask any special mentors and friends to attend. Most potential knights didn't have a lot of family. The Order WAS their family.

"The vows of chastity and charity can be difficult at your age. You can be released from your vows in future, if you are tempted beyond what you can handle, but then you cannot take them up again. Do not, however, break them. Or you will suffer the consequences." Sir Romano advised.

"Yes, my lord."

"Your friends may wish to attempt the trials as well, I'm sure you want to serve together. But don't be embarrassed if you fail the first time, especially so young. This is not a requirement, only permission to try if you wish."

The council members turned to leave, but the High Commander stayed behind and spoke softly to the boy.

"Don't do it, Harry. Don't be tempted to a one-night-stand with some easy girl. It's not worth it."

Harry blushed, looked at Hermione, and blushed deeper. "I would never cheat on my betrothed, and she and I will wait until marriage for anything. I hold myself, my body to be a place where good can dwell. Remember when I was helped at Hogwarts? I had no intentions of doing that this year at all, no sir!"

"Neville?"

"I would be honored to continue the path to knighthood. I will not act disrespectfully with my betrothed."

"Daphne Greengrass is staying at Hogwarts?" The commander asked. "Draco has not attacked further? That's good news."

"Yes, my lord. Our betrothal is not yet public. She is heiress to her clan. With being Slytherin, she feels safe there. For now."

Neville continued: "I agree with Harry about waiting for marriage. All of my worldly belongings, other than a small home for my grandmother, and a small vault for her stipend, I will gladly turn over to the Order. My needs are simple."

Hermione tried not to smirk at the thought of the former Lady Longbottom living in the slave quarter house that she had intended to put Hermione in. Her allowance was exactly the same, 10 galleons a month. No house-elves, a place for a small vegetable garden.

She would lose everything.

"Yes, Rock mentioned to me some of your ideas for your family manor, using it as an orphanage in England. Very kind, squire, and we've been looking for a legal way to get a foothold there. Most kind."

Luna was not on the path, but the Order was already using her talents. She could fight if she had to, but her style was so unorthodox that the Knight Commander didn't even offer her formal squirehood.

"Millicent and Hermione?"

"I have nothing to give the Order but my honor, loyalty, and willingness to serve." Millicent said.

Hermione said something similar. Her dower was the only house she was keeping and would one day occupy Harry's only land holding. He had inherited a cottage with the death of an elderly Black aunt who didn't give it to Draco. That he was keeping as a safe house for the Order, but they knew about it.

"I want you to keep your personal library, Miss Granger. Your knight commends you for bravery, but it is your research skills, and problem-solving abilities that will aid the Order more than your combat abilities. This is no slight, and you may still stand the trials."

"Squire Joseph, your brother is your legal guardian and asks that we wait for your maturity before allowing you to face the trials. Like Miss Granger, this is not meant as any kind of personal slight. You are an absolute genius with runes, and I am sure that one day, you will bring honor to the Order."

"Thank you, my lord. I do not feel ready to face the trials. Hermione is not the weakest of our cohort, I am. But I am Veela, and will one day grow." The 'I hope' was muttered under his breath, but the boy received a gentle pat on the shoulder from the Knight Commander.

**OO**

The Triwizard Tournament! It was the perfect opportunity.

"Dolores." The sibilant voice hissed.

"Yes, my lord."

"I hear that Dumbledore is having a problem finding a DADA professor. I want you to get Fudge to put you there by appointment. It will be the start of hobbling him, and let you be there for the Triwizard tournament. You will enter Harry Potter into the competition, I will kill him and Dumbledore."

Red eyes flashed grey a moment, "No. NO!"

"Are you alright, my lord."

"Just my host acting improperly. I think that he wants to kill Potter on his own. Very well. It will all work out in the end."

Dolores could swear that she heard the Dark Lord weeping in the night, but it must have been some servant seeing to his needs that was doing so.

**OO**

Queen Ifeoma was extraordinary beautiful, and gifted in many of the gentle arts. She was reading the letter from her grandson, and enjoying the story of a recent prank the boy had helped plan.

It had been in innocent fun, no one had been hurt, and children made to laugh.

It delighted her heart that he had so much joy! And such good friends.

"Mother, you sent for me?

"The next ICW meeting will be addressing the daughters going missing around Europe. How is Gabrielle, my dear child. Have the knights found out what happened to her?

"My daughter was kidnapped on a school trip! I thought she was going to be held ransom against her father acting when I first heard she was taken. Her injuries are minor. The house-elf jumped in front of Gabrielle to protect her. How they managed to get to Notre Dame safely, I do not know. From there, the two were sent to St. Michael's. Gabrielle saw a mind-healer, but being so young, it was recommended that she pursue a course of treatment."

"And the culprit?"

"After the elf was healed, she was able to get the authorities to the house in question. You are not going to like this news mother. It belonged to a witch named Calledora Black, who was dead when they got there."

"Please tell me, no. They didn't kill an old woman?" The queen's hand was to her mouth.

"I'm sorry, mother. They did. She had only recently died when they arrived. Alain is most distraught over it. He can recommend legislation over private floos, and request extradition for the witch suspected in the death, but we both know it won't go anywhere."

"The aurors will have proof, won't they?"

"Yes, they will. And then due to the long feud between those evil, vile people and the royal house, the charges and evidence will get it dismissed. Even though it is being handled most cautiously."

"Malfoys!" the queen spat, and her daughter paled.

"What happened to you was not your fault!" Ifeoma stated firmly, pulling her precious daughter into her arms. "I'm so sorry it took so long to rescue you!"

"Sir Roderic, I will never forget him. He died a few years back in an explosion in South America. A great loss to the world. And brave Sir Hector. I was most pleased to hear that it was he chosen to mentor Harry Potter. They will change the world, those two." She said, pulling away from the hug.

"Indeed."

"You communicate with the boys?" Apolline didn't say 'my children' or anything, but she had complicated feelings for them.

"Let them know that I am proud that they are knights, well, knight and squire. Very proud. If I give you gold, will you have someone get something appropriate for them?

"I will."

"I'm glad that the elf did not die."

"Yes indeed. I paid for her healing. St. Michael's is very good, especially with weapon damage. Thank goodness it was a ritual dagger, and not poisoned. Or cursed."

Apolline subconsciously rubbed her upper leg under her elegant robes that hid such a scar. The princess shook her head. "If Abraxas couldn't have me, then he would make sure no one else could."

The queen paced, her face not hiding her pain of the past, her concern for the future.

"I think it wise to restrict Gabrielle, and Fleur too, to the wards of the school for now."

Madam Delacour, Princess Apolline, nodded in agreement with that wisdom.

"Yes, and what should we do for the brave house-elf who helped? She's a free elf, and deserves an Order of Merlin herself." The queen asked.

"She does, and it will never be offered. If we are barely treated as people, can you imagine how the pureblood morons would react to that?"

"Why not ask one of our own elves what to do?" Apolline offered. "There has to be something!"

The women did just that, and a catalog of magical berries and gift certificate were soon winging their way to the elf in question. It wasn't enough, but how does one thank another for saving their daughter/granddaughter?

**OO**

"Are you insane? You want me to do what?" Alastor Moody was not the first of Dumbledore's old friends that he had tried to lean on to get him to help.

"You know what school has been like! I've finally gotten a decent transfiguration teacher, and now I need a good DADA instructor. It's only for a year!"

"You let not one but two Death Eaters teach in this school. No. I don't know what's going on in your head Albus. I will kill them. KILL. THEM. You and your second chances! We are no longer friends. And I hear that the High Council of the Order is thinking of convening about you. If they do, you had better go!"

"They just misunderstand my methods, Alastor, as do you. Everyone deserves a chance to repent. I thought you believed that."

"I do believe that. And if they refuse to repent on this side, and keep killin' then I give 'em a chance to repent on the other. Simple."

"Killing is wrong!"

"Tell that to your empty Wizengamot. You do know that once Harry is a knight, that every other country in the world will offer him a seat on their version of the Wizengamot. It's how you got yours."

"I was not a sworn knight, and neither is Harry." Albus said. "Not yet."

"Not yet? I don't like your tone. I don't know what you have planned for the boy. Do I need to remind you of the disaster of two months that he was here? An innocent boy died! Neville Longbottom went on trial for murder! And you said nothing! Didn't lift a finger to help him. Neville was nearly killed by that troll, would have died if he had stayed here for treatment. It was only luck that it wasn't the other way around!

"And. You. Did. Nothing!"

"My plans are my own." Dumbledore intoned. "The boy is fine. Everything turned out.

"I'm moving house again. You found me. Congratulations. Maybe next time, I'll be harder for you to catch. Good day, Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Call me Albus, Alastor."

"No! Never again! We are no longer friends! You are scheming against a brave, humble and honest boy. A boy that you caused to be stolen from twice! You did squat all to help him then, and you are planning something now. Leave me out of it. Every knight I have ever met admires you, studies your methods. But I've seen you change over the last few years, and I don't like it at all!"

"I'll have to talk to you again when you calm down, my boy."

"No. No. NO! I will not teach. I just retired. I'm moving. Don't send Arthur after me, either. I'll shoot spells at him if he gets through the wards. Leave me alone. We're done!"

"But Voldemort is not dead." Dumbledore reminded him. "I will restart the Order when he returns."

"Did you ever find the ring? That's the only thing left of that gruesome treasure hunt."

"I know of it. I think I know a few places to look." The great wizard admitted.

"Potter will never come out with you! Get that idea out of your head! Hire a curse-breaker, or get your new DADA professor to help you. But I won't go out in the field with you."

"Why ever not?"

Alastor just shook his head, and slammed the door, and engaged in several muggle and magical locks.

"Soda! I have a message for your master, and I need to find a new place to stay."

A little elf popped in with a piece of paper.

"Thank you. Are you sure?"

"He is saving it. Master Harry inherited it. It's a nice cottage by the sea called Shell Cottage. I think it was a Black family resort. But Master wants it for a safe house for himself, and there is a fidelius on it."

"You're the secret keeper?"

"I cannot tell you that, Master Magic-eye, only know that no one else suspects." Soda grinned at him.

The man laughed. "Let's get packed and out of here before he comes back. And I'll tell you all about my visit with Dumbledore so you can warn Harry.

"Soda was going to come and invite you to his trials. Council concerned about Dumbles wizard. He is good, but making odd choices they say.

"That he is lass, that he is."

**OO**

"Lucius, thank you for making the time to see me."

After talking about the situation with 'Draco', it was decided it was best to comply with the request for a meeting with Dumbledore. Malfoy tried to change the location to the Minister's office, and have Fudge there.

Dumbledore declined, busy with the next year's school preparations, don't you know.

As though that man did any of his own work!

Severus had wisely declined the deputy post until the Headmaster finally gave in and gave him the salary boost that went with it.

It hadn't hurt that Snape could get into Gringotts to do business while Albus was turned away at the door. Again.

Severus offered to come along as support, but the Dark Lord did not want Dumbledore to start suspecting his spy.

If only Voldemort knew the truth about their loyalties.

Dumbledore said nothing as the blond wizard came in.

"Would you please cast 'lumos' for me?" Dumbledore asked.

Confused, the wizard complied, seeing nothing gained from arguing.

"Have you seen this morning's "Monde de Jour"". It was the French magical press.

"The Prophet is a much better source of real news." Lucius sneered.

Dumbledore turned to the page. "I hadn't heard that Calledora was ill. I must send my sympathies to Mr. Potter."

"Harry Potter is not Lord Black! My son is!"

"Lucius Malfoy. No more. Am I very clear? I don't care where. You don't dare move house to a foreign country."

Lucius drew his wand. "I swear on my magic I did not kill or injure Calledora Black."

Dumbledore blinked. "That's nice."

The wise wizard paced his office. "Swear you knew of nothing regarding the girl's kidnapping, and I'll say nothing more."

Lucius scowled. "The girl was veela! You know that they have a vendetta against House Malfoy! Of course, I had nothing to do with it!"

That wasn't what the man asked, and saw that the wizard said nothing more.

Dumbledore sighed heavily. "I had such high, high hopes for you, Lucius. You were so bright. Certainly not as powerful as some of your peers. Look at Severus. His was a disadvantaged youth compared to yours. He repented of his dark path, and came back to the light. You told me once that you had as well."

Lucius swallowed. He did not want to lose this man's protection in the Wizengamot.

"I would be happy to use my resources to see if I can find out who is behind these kidnappings. I don't have a daughter myself. Everyone must be in fear."

"Excellent. Surely by the World Cup you'll know more?" Albus suggested.

"Yes, I'm sure by then I'll have an idea."

"Good. Alive is best, Lucius. Alive and in Azkaban where they can reflect and be truly sorry." Dumbledore intoned.

The message was loud and clear. Bring me the kidnappers by then or you'll be in Azkaban yourself.

Lucius bowed, and had left the office before chiding himself on such a show of obsequiousness. What had he been thinking?

Snape quickly descended the hidden passage, and walked his 'friend' to the front doors.

"That man is terrifying without casting a single spell."

Snape arched a brow at him. "Truly?"

Malfoy coughed. "Yes, I suppose you have to live with it day in, day out."

"I wanted to pass on a rumor I heard. Callidora may have left everything personal to Potter. Lucius, keep a tight rein on your lady. Dumbledore is dangerous. If she fights the will, Dumbledore could use his power to remove your son as Lord Black."

Lucius nodded. Why had his wife killed her aunt? It made no sense!

"Thank you, my friend. Other than a small personal vault, and the Paris townhouse which is sadly in need of updating, I don't think she would have anything of note. I, at times, regret not fighting marrying a Black witch."

Severus nodded, gaining far more from the conversation that Lucius meant to reveal.

If the house went peacefully to Potter, all was well. If it suffered a sudden catastrophe, everyone would know.

And while magical forensics in Britain might be in the Dark Ages, France had cutting edge teams.

Lucius had been handed chance after chance, but even Dumbledore ran out of chances.

And Malfoy was in a no-win situation.

**OO**

"Headmaster! Goodness! What happened?"

The Headmaster's left hand had blackened fingers. Poppy could see the rate of change was beyond her.

"Bims. Get Severus up here, immediately. Pop him here, despite complaints!

Severus was standing as though brewing and started to swear. "If I lose that batch of…"

But the matron pointed to the injured man's hand.

"We have two choices. Healer Flint." Severus paused. "Or St. Michael's."

"St. Michaels is too expensive!" Poppy said, then put a hand over her mouth. They were without doubt the best, but the treatments there were not free.

"I dare not take a trip anywhere lest it spread. Bring your friend here. Tell him I will ask no questions of his past."

The potions master called for his personal elf to pass the message.

It was best not to do light magic around other Death Eaters if possible, so he never sent any of those associates a message Patronus.

There had been someone in the early days responsible for the nightmare dementors. One woman with a dreadful taste in robes was absolutely immune of their effect. If anything, they seemed afraid of her.

The Dark Lord used her to place dementors several times. But she was never marked. She had researched the spell, watched it used on someone else, and likely knew about some of the drawbacks of the slave tattoo. Clever, ugly little toad. Slytherin to the core.

Severus put a stasis spell on the man's hand. He knew that would do no harm, and might prevent the spread.

The healer arrived, and bowed to the patient.

"Albus Dumbledore!"

"Will you honor your oath? Try and help me?"

"Let me see what we are dealing with before I say anything." Flint said, scanning and smiling to himself. The Dark Lord would be so pleased! The man had killed himself. Untreated, he would die in pain, in a day. With treatment he could live up to a year.

In absolute, utter agony.

"I can and will treat you. You see the healer sigil, and know what oaths that means."

"Then do so."

"I must tell you before I begin, this is only a delaying action. I've seen this curse before. I know of no counter. Where did you encounter it, if I may ask?"

"An old student of mine left his House Ring somewhere unattended. I picked it up, not knowing it had been cursed."

"I see. And the ring?"

"Destroyed. Phoenix fire. Alas, my familiar could take care of a ring, but he cannot save me."

"Pity. I would like to have studied this curse. So intricate, beautiful! Sorry, let's get the process started, shall we?"

**OO**

Minerva McGonagall loved her job. Transfiguration Specialist and Deputy Headmistress now. And she was paid for both.

Oh! The absolute joy of battle magic! She hadn't had so much fun in years.

Her animagus eyes caught the niffler bouncing down the corridor before she even reached the room in question. A quick stun and summon, without a pause in her pace.

She caged the beast and left him on the Headmaster's secretary's desk with a note that Newt Scamander was a menace, shouldn't be allowed near any students, and have the niffler sent back to him just as soon as possible.

**OO**

Hermione put the last touches on the potion. In the field, the knights had to be prepared for anything. This would be a way to quickly escape if apparition or portkey wards went up.

The witch in charge of the lab looked at the new creation. Well, a modification of a well-known recipe.

"How do you know this won't poison anyone?" The potions-mistress asked. It's what she always asked, but without sneer, condescension or bullying. She wanted to see each student's reasoning and arithmancy.

Hermione went to the white board, and sketched out the magical interactions as she had been taught. Took a sample, and cast the toxicity spell. And the piece-de-resistance, proved it worked by taking (with permission) a hair from the instructor and adding it to the small test vial. The result would only last a minute or two.

After the potion was taken, now there were two potion mistresses standing there.

"Very good, Squire Hermione. Full marks. I'll send your formula to my apprentices for testing. If approved for field use, you will receive credit. A shelf-stable version of polyjuice that can be carried in a small water bottle could save lives in an emergency extraction."

"I thought Potter was going to be finishing his project today? He wanted to before the trials."

"Yes, ma'am. I thought he would be here. I tried to reach him before class." Hermione was trying not to be worried about accident or injury of her best friend.

"He'd better have a good excuse, or I got lots of work that my apprentices would like help with. Dismissed, and I'll see you next week."

Hermione left the classroom, wondering where Harry was.

**OO**

Harry Potter was missing. Hermione couldn't raise him on a mirror, and Sir Hector couldn't find him on the grounds using the map that Remus Lupin had made for the school with the Monseigneur's help.

"Was he planning on helping with the children at the magical menagerie?" Neville asked. The younger cohorts had taken a portkey to Greece earlier in the day.

"No, he offered, but the Granger's had volunteered. He was supposed to be practicing for the trials!"

Finally, Hermione's mirror chimed. Harry Potter was alive! He was clearly in Paris; she would recognize Rue Magique anywhere.

The worried squire soon had tapped Charles into the call when he was available.

"Hermione. I need emergency transport please. I can't raise Sir Hector. It's a long story. Newt Scamander. Yes, I had an adventure with him. He and his wife are very nice. Luna is going to be so jealous, now that I've been to his house and all."

"Squire! Report!" Sir Hector yelled, but was interrupted by Rock Chatham talking on Harry's mirror.

"I've got this. Found your errant squire."

"I am so dead." Harry stated, hiding his face in his hands.

"Nooo, squire. Not dead. Dead squires can't clean out the stables, now can they?" Rock stated. Into the mirror he spoke: "On our way back to base, unless anyone needs anything in Paris?"

"Hobbles, Sir Knight. Hobbles. Thank you." Charles stated dryly.

Chuckling, they signed off, Hermione worried, relieved and mortified.

**OO**

"MUM!" Fred and George said together. "PLEASE!"

"You boys wasted your gold on very good seats at the World Cup. No, you may not skive off to Rome during the camping part. It's impossible to get a portkey any sooner than two weeks before the match."

Ron looked very glum. He had invited Harry to go with them, despite knowing he had school year-round. Harry was thrilled to be invited, Neville said no thanks, he disliked heights intensely with reason. Hermione would have loved the book stalls, but the answer was a firm no.

Now, Harry had invited the whole family to Rome to visit the school, see some historic sites, and all that.

Their letters to each other must have left about the same time, as clearly Harry didn't know about the World Cup. His World Cup invitation had been sent two weeks ago, but his answer had arrived today. Harry's letter was also pleading with them to come, but due to security, couldn't say why.

"Mum! I never got to meet him!" Ginny said. "I would really like to. Imagine a real knight, riding a dangerous beast to rescue the lovely maidens in distress."

"Are you sure it wasn't Harry riding a lovely animal to rescue a beastly girl?" Fred teased, but George hit him lightly on the arm.

"Don't let Harry hear you say that. They are friends, and she's been going to that school, even if she is years behind."

Ginny pouted and stamped her foot. "Besides, I'm going to marry him, and be rich, and live in a castle."

Ron pointed out the obvious. "Ginny, he's already betrothed. I saw it. Gryffindor ring, really beautiful. Last worn by Helga Hufflepuff. Hermione's wearing it. He's set there."

"Well, he still needs a Potter wife! He's wealthy enough to support two and their children."

Ooops. There were things that Fred and George should have told their siblings.

"Gin-Gin, um. Please don't bat-bogey-hex me. But read this. Harry said in his last letter that he didn't have to pass his NEWTs to become a knight. Just his OWLs."

"Yes, but then he set a record for his NEWTs too! So smart! Brave! Handsome!"

"And poor. Poor as us. Second-hand clothes and such. Malfoy still brags how he got everything of Potter's and is going to kill him someday." Ron explained. "He had to give up his vaults all in like the first week of school when I was a firstie. It was awful."

Ginny took the school brochure, and read the part about the knight's oath.

"But. But. His manor? His vaults?"

"All gone, Ginny. I don't want to hurt your feelings. He's a great guy."

Ginny hung her head. Nothing had turned out for her. No Harry Potter at school, no one to take her to Hogsmeade and buy her a puffskein.

"Well, maybe he won't join! I'm going to write him a letter. He could fight Malfoy and get his gold back."

"Gin, don't. All letters to him go to a service unless you are on a very short list. It would go to some elf secretary who wouldn't even send you a response likely. He has stayed friends with all of us, and keeps inviting us to short holidays. But mum believes Rita Skeeter, and thinks that Harry tried to kill people."

"He would never!"

"No, he wouldn't. But no one is standing up for him in Britain. Look, he said flat out that he isn't going to be getting married until he's at least twenty-five, and…"

"WHAT! BUT THAT'S AWFUL! WHY SO OLD?"

Arthur came in at the shouting, and gave a look to his boys. They put the newest invitation to Rome in his hands.

"Yes boys, you can go. You'll make it back in time for the World Cup just fine. Harry has connections there. If he wants to come just for the match, he could, and if not, you boys can go. I know the perfect person to send with you too."

Arthur sent a Patronus message asking Mad-eye to come by.

Fred and George started talking about what to bring, Ron was just excited about going somewhere new. Ginny ran to her room crying as unmarried girls wouldn't be allowed without their own escort, and she knew her mother would never come.

Her mother didn't approve of Harry Potter as a suitable match the minute that Malfoy stole his money, despite the fact that the same thing happened to Septimus Weasley. But she hadn't said why she disapproved of the boy.

It wasn't personal, but she didn't want her daughter to have the stress that she had. She wanted Ginny to have a better life. Harry Potter wasn't a safe person to be around. The boys should be alright for a short visit though.

"Thank you, Father! Rome! So much History!" Percy intoned. "I'm still looking for a job, so I don't have to worry about schedules."

"I am trying son." Arthur said sadly.

"You could always teach DADA." Alastor said, whipping off the invisibility cloak. "I apologize for not knocking, Arthur, but Dumbledore has been stalking me."

"Do you think that the Headmaster would hire me?" Percy asked.

"You're breathing. Of course, there's Binns, so maybe that isn't a requirement."

Percy nodded and looked at the dates again.

"I'll contact Dumbledore right now! There's plenty of time to go to Rome, and still report back to the school.

"You'd have to teach next to the Death Eaters." Moody reminded him.

"Better than being in their classes! At least I had taken my OWLs already! Goodness, that man is an imbecile!" Percy declared.

Arthur chuckled.

"You got the invite too. Yes, I'm going, and I would be happy to take your lot. Well, not the girl. The rules. If my missus were still with us…"

"Ginny doesn't even know Harry, so it's all for the best." Arthur said sadly.

"Right. See you back here an hour before the portkey." Moody nodded at the boys. "You might want to ask your brother Bill to check on the curse before you take the job. Word to the wise."