Closing the door behind them while Harry paused a moment, she said, "It'll upset Hedwig."
"I'll figure something out," he said.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
MacNair almost had to call in sick, that morning; but, he couldn't. The Dark Lord had given him a new task to do relating to work in the Ministry and he had to get it done that day.
The previous evening, the Dark Lord had been very generous with the Cruciatus upon him. He was not happy to learn that MacNair had found where he believed Potter to be staying, but did not think he had sufficient evidence to take back to his master.
After much yelling and a few Cruciatus curses, the Dark Lord then attacked his mind with brutal force Legilimency. Again, the pain was almost excruciating, but of a different form.
When the Dark Lord withdrew it was so sudden MacNair collapsed to the ground, panting in agony.
"You've been obliviated, MacNair!" the Dark Lord sneered. "Multiple times. And also had Compulsion charms laid on you.
"Believe yourself lucky I discovered that or Nagini would now be enjoying her dinner of you!"
"Y-y-yes, M-master!" gasped MacNair, wishing he could just curl up and die.
"Since you were a failure at this simple task, I have another for you," sneered Riddle. "Consider this one a test. Fail at it and your life is forfeit."
"Y-yes, M-master!" he gasped.
"You are to go to the Ministry and discover just what wards have been placed upon the residence you've been monitoring for the past few weeks," explained Riddle. "You are also to discover how many, and which, aurors have been assigned to watch over the property now that the Potter boy is back at Hogwarts.
"Once you have that, you are to ensure the information reaches me with all due speed. I will be unhappy if it is delayed even a single hour.
"Y-yes, Master."
"Succeed at that and I will have more work for you to do. Now, begone!"
"Y-yes, Master!" he gasped yet again, as he tried to stand. He couldn't properly and was forced to almost crawl out of the room. He was thankful that, as soon as he was out of the Dark Lord's sight, Pettigrew half-carried him out.
He thought the man was showing a rare moment of kindness, but he was not. Pettigrew just wanted him gone, lest the Dark Lord's ire again rise and be directed at him.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After breakfast for the students of the castle it was the morning classes, then morning tea and then on to Potions.
History of Magic was another new Professor for Harry and Hermione. At breakfast Neville had told them the new History of Magic Professor was also the new Deputy Headmaster.
"We were a little wary of him, at first, but he's actually alright," explained the boy. "He also makes the subject interesting now. But, that might have more to do with how he refused to focus on goblin wars.
"He said we've more than adequately studied those and it was beyond time for us to spend time on other historical events."
"What did he focus on last Monday?" asked Hermione.
"The foundation of the Ministry of Magic and the Wizengamot," replied Neville.
"Awww, damn," said Harry. "And I missed it?"
This time the professor focussed on the formation of the ICW and which member nations were the charter members of the then fledgling organisation.
Their new Deputy Headmaster and Professor of History of Magic was both staid and excited about his subject. It was like watching a rocket on the pad as the jets fire up, but the rocket doesn't move. He spoke clearly and concisely with almost a drawl, but at the same time spoke with enthusiasm. He was a vocal contradiction.
Harry loved it.
When they left to head for Charms, Hermione was clearly just as excited about the class. "That was wun-derful!" she exclaimed. "He clearly really knows what he's talking about. I'll have to see Susan and Hannah and see if I can get a copy of their notes for the first class they had with him on Monday."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Dumbledore was entering his fourth day under the dubious care of the medi-witches and Healers of the DMLE secure ward at Saint Mungo's and had yet to figure out how he was going to get out of having to answer the Bones woman's questions under Veritaserum, let alone get out of her clutches completely. And he knew he was getting well enough he'd soon be moved back into a holding cell in the DMLE at the Ministry.
In his mind he'd already run through many ideas and calculations. After all, what else could he do? He wasn't even allowed a copy of the Daily Prophet to read.
All he was allowed was a quill, ink and a few sheets of parchment. And he knew those were only given to him on the off chance he would write something that would aid Bones in her interrogations.
Each time a medi-witch or -wizard came in, he'd ask her or him questions to try to find out what was going on out in the wider wizarding community. Each time, they would respond with bland answers that provided no information, at all.
The one time he flat-out asked if anyone had asked about him, he was told simply, "No one, but Madam Bones."
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