Thanks To A Snake

Chapter 5

Xavier, Evelyn, Daphne, and Harry reappeared in the entrance hall of the Greengrass home. As soon as Daphne and Harry appeared, they were attacked by small blonde missile.

"You're back!" The blonde missile better known as Astoria screamed as she attached herself to Daphne's legs and then jumped on Harry. The rest of the Greengrasses looked on waiting for the flinch, but it never came. Harry just flipped Astoria on to his back and laughed with her. Daphne smiled at them while her parents hid their surprise.

"Hey Tori, what have you been up to?" Harry asked laughing.

"Nothin'." She drawled out, adopting an innocent face.

Evelyn walked over to where her youngest was perched on Harry's back. "Yes, nothing except for stealing her mother's wand and turning the elves a stunning shade of orange."

Harry laughed. "Orange?"

Tori just shrugged. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. But Toby and Diby didn't care for it."

"So Harry, are you staying for dinner? afterwards we can talk about what we discussed with Fudge?" Xavier asked.

"Um, sure, thank you." Harry replied letting Tori down. "I'm just going to floo home and drop my stuff off. And Mips and Nips will probably want to know how the rest of school was."

When Harry arrived back at the Greengrass home, he was greeted by Daphne with a hug. They walked to the dining area in comfortable silence. Once there, the meal began with little fanfare.

"So how did school finish out, aside from the obvious?" Evelyn asked the two students.

"It was good, I finished 4th overall for the first years." Daphne answered, glowing when her parents looked at her with proud expressions.

"So Harry how did you do your first year back in the wizarding world?" Xavier asked smiling encouragingly at Harry, who looked confused at having someone in a parental position ask him how he did.

"I finished 8th overall, but 1st in potions. We also won the Quidditch cup." Harry answered with a small smile.

"I bet Severus was pleased with those results." Evelyn commented and Harry nodded his head in confirmation.

"We meant to get out and see one of the matches, however a schedules didn't match up for the Slytherin games this year. Hopefully we'll get to see you play next year." Xavier spoke in an apologetic tone, while Tori looked incredibly happy at the idea. "Did Daphne tell you about our box at the HolyHead Harpies stadium? Knowing my daughters and wife, you'll be a Harpies fan before the end of the summer, how's that sound to you?"

"Great, I can't wait to see my first professional match!" Harry spoke, taking a break from his dessert.

After they finished dinner, Xavier led Daphne and Harry to his study to discuss the meeting with the Minister. After Harry and Daphne took a seat, and they had some tea, Xavier started.

"Minister Fudge showed up about fifteen minutes after you left." Xavier adopted a frustrated look. "At first he was quite insistent that Sirius Black could not be innocent, but after presenting him with the evidence I believe he would have still intended to do little with it had it not been for Madam Bones's presence." Xavier held up a hand to stop their protests. "He's a politician, and even more spineless then most; He's worried about what it might do to his ratings." Xavier spoke with contempt for the man leaking through his tone. "Together with Madam Bones, Evelyn, myself, and Ragnok came up with a suitable story to cover Fudge's arse. Basically he's going to be seen as righting an eleven year mistake, so he'll come out smelling like a rose.