Amelia entered the greathall as the students were at breakfast and the audible sigh of relief from someof the older students was not for her presence but rather for the people she'dbrought with her.The minister of magicmade her way up to the podium and addressed the hall, "good morningHogwarts, as of today the school comes under ministerial control. The olderstudents amongst you will of course recognise the people with me, MadamGriselda Marchbanks is head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority and hasagreed to take over the role of headmistress until a suitable replacement canbe found. Professor Tofty is a senior examiner but has consented to teachpotions and be the new head of Slytherin while the defence course will betaught by a rotating pool of aurors."Cheers and applausegreeted the announcement as these appointments definitely met with thestudent's approval, comments like 'at last, people who know what they're doing'came from every house table. Amelia might be quitting her job and even thiscountry at Christmas but that didn't mean she wasn't going to do her best untilthen to ensure whoever took over from her found a much better situation thanshe had inherited.Her next announcementwent down even better, "this Friday, dinner will be a slightly more formaloccasion as the ministry expresses its thanks one of your own. For exceptionalbravery and courage under fire Miss Millicent Bulstrode is being awarded theOrder of Merlin, First Class."The noise was thunderous,even Slytherins lost their usual reserved manners at the news that a member oftheir house was receiving this most prestigious award. Ron was actually sittingwith his betrothed at the Slytherin table as they now ate all their mealstogether at one of their house tables and no-one was going to object,especially now.He was kissing Milliecongratulations when she suddenly shot out of his arms and ran away, he wasconfused until the reason became apparent as she returned with her arms aroundher parents."Lord Potter wroteto us and explained what happened before we read about it in the Prophet, we'reso proud of you," said her mother."As are we,"said Amelia who had came up behind them, "there will be an award ceremonyhere on Friday night where you four will be the guests of honour."A delighted Millicentlost her smile as a thought that proved she was all woman crossed her mind,"what am I going to wear?"Amelia was laughingbefore pulling out a note, "this is permission to leave the school onThursday, and a certain elf will collect both Bulstrode women for a day'sshopping with Emma, Hermione and Joan in Naples."The head of the Bulstrodefamily hadn't said a word since entering the hall, every father thinks theirdaughter is beautiful but the change in Millicent since the first of Septemberhad shocked him into silence. She was currently entangled with her betrothed,whirling the red head around in her joy that had her giggling loudly and halfthe hall was laughing with her instead of at her. The medal would bring greathonour to their family but the change in his daughter's behaviour andappearance was a greater reward to the very proud father.....The sound of sobbing fromthe ministry holding cell wasn't heard by another living soul due to the heavysilencing charms in place, distraught didn't even begin to describe how MollyWeasley felt.She had been informedthat the trial of Albus Dumbledore would be held on Friday and she would becalled as a witness, this news extinguished the last faint glimmer of hope shehad managed to keep burning. Molly was sat on her bed, which, apart from the commodewas the only thing in the cell taking stock of her situation.She was wearing a greythreadbare robe that by no stretch of the imagination could be calledflattering, combined with the fact that her hair was refusing to grow back andthe bald witch didn't have a lot going for her.It was bad enough thateveryone was going to hear what she had attempted but to go to court lookinglike this was just too much for Molly Weasley. She was aware that she had sheda few pounds since her incarceration but it would have to be stones before shelooked any better in these robes.Molly had resignedherself to the fact that Azkaban beckoned and her only goals in life now were ahot bath and a clean robe before having to face everyone in court. She realisedthat this was a trivial matter compared to the charges she was facing but itwas all she had left, to accept her punishment with whatever dignity she couldmuster.
She was sure Harry wouldbe under the thumb of that bossy mudblood bitch and wouldn't lift a finger tohelp, Molly's only consolation was that her daughter was safe and not beingpawed over by some old man after Arthur's incredible stupidity.
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