Shadow Council 128A

Chapter 128

Harry was exhausted when he stumbled back along the drive to the Dursely’s home, as well as deeply confused by the events of the day. The political situation was such that he wasn’t certain that he ever would… or ever wanted to… fully understand any of it.

“Harry!”

He looked back to see Hermione and Xander arriving on the motorcycle and waved wearily as they pulled to a stop and Hermione quickly hopped off.

“How did it go?” She asked in a rush, taking in a breath to start asking what would no doubt be a machine gun burst of questions before he stopped her with a hand.

“confusingly,” He admitted simply, “but my wand wasn’t snapped. Most of it wasn’t even about me.”

“It wasn’t?” Xander frowned, “What was it about?”

“Hogwarts.” Harry shook his head, still piecing that all together. “Andromeda said that she thought the whole attack on me was probably just a distraction, the real intent was to get people together to setup a plot at Hogwarts.”

“Well that’s not worrying at all,” Xander replied dryly.

“A plot? What kind of plot? Did you stop it?” Hermione asked quickly, “What was their reaction when you revealed your regency?”

“Yes, they wanted to slip a spy into the school, and no I didn’t stop it,” Harry answered in order. “Shock pretty much covers their reactions, I’d say.”

“What do you mean you didn’t stop it?” Hermione’s eyes widened as she drew in a deep breath.

“It’s complicated,” Harry said, shaking his head. “We voted against it, but it passed anyway with Dumbledore’s support.”

Harry took some minor amusement in the look on the pair’s faces when he dropped that bomb.

“The Headmaster voted to put a spy in Hogwarts?” Hermione tilted her head, her face screwing up in puzzlement. “So it was his plan? Why did you vote against it then?”

“It was malfoy’s plan,” Harry corrected. “And it’s complicated. I’m not even sure I get it, really. We’re going to have to deal with another bad Defense against the Dark Arts teacher though. Pretty sure she doesn’t like me… and if she did, threatening to challenge her to an honor duel probably won’t exactly work in my favor.”

Xander grinned, “You did?”

“You didn’t!” Hermione blurted, shocked and horrified.

“She all but called me a liar in front of the entire Wizengamot,” Harry said, getting a wince from Hermione. “After I revealed my regency.”

“Damn,” Xander shook his head. “I’m surprised you got away with only threatening to challenge her then. That’s a serious no-no, if I’m recalling correctly.”

“You are,” Hermione said grimly. “I don’t like it, but you probably did the right thing. What’s her name?”

“Umbridge,” Harry said. “She’s an Under-secretary to the Minister, whatever that means.”

Hermione nodded, pulling a notebook out of somewhere as she started scrawling in it, “I’ll find out what I can.”

“Andromeda has promised me a full brief on her before school starts,” Harry said.

“Good,” Hermione said, “we’ll be able to cross compare our information then.”

Harry just stared before he finally sighed and shook his head, “Guys, not to be a bad host or the like, but I’m beat. It’s been a long day.”

“Say no more,” Xander nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. “We’ll be in contact.”

“The Headmaster pulled me aside after the session,” Harry said with a snap of his fingers, “Offered me some time at the Weasleys for the rest of the summer.”

“Taking them up on it?”

“With some negotiations, yeah,” Harry said. “I’ll be free to come and go, part of being a Regent and all, but the Burrow is… relaxing.”

“Good enough,” Xander said, looking past him to the suburban prefab home the Dursely’s lived in, “Better than here, I’d guess.”

“You have no idea.”

“We’ll see you at the Burrow then,” Hermione promised. “Get some rest.”

“Thanks, for everything you too.”

Hermione hugged him, not quite tearfully but close enough, while Xander just threw him a sloppy salute or wave.

“Of course, Harry,” Hermione said after they separated. “What are friends for?”

“What she said,” Xander said as he casually straddled the bike. “See you at the Burrow, bud.”

Harry nodded and waved goodbye again before he turned and trudged up to the house.

One more night.

He could handle one more night.

*****

Zero Zero One Cemetery Lane

Wednesday Addams looked over her packed clothes and sundries with satisfaction. This year would prove to be a pivotal one for her, she had no doubts, and the thrill of it was a pleasant tingle of energy moving through her veins.

“Wednesday, love?”

“Mother,” She tipped her head without looking around.

Morticia stepped easily into the room, smoothly gliding across the floor with near to no sign of the steps she had to have taken.

“Ready to leave us so soon?” Morticia asked calmly, though there was a hint of sadness there… as well as a hint of worry.

“Only for school, mother,” Wednesday said simply.

“There is some time before classes start…”

“Things are… afoot,” She said, a slight hint of concern entering her voice. “I have a feeling.”

Morticia straightened slightly, “A bad omen?”

“Possible,” Wednesday admitted. “I cannot see what is coming, but I can feel its presence moving ahead of its arrival.”

“Ah,” Morticia breathed out the syllable slowly, “I understand. Alexander?”

Wednesday hesitated.

“Not… directly?” She said finally, sounding uncharacteristically uncertain. “But connected to him.”

“Then I suppose you must go. Will it happen this summer?”

“I do not know. It is close, but…” Wednesday growled in frustration, shaking her head.

“Do not try to force it,” Morticia advised her. “You will push the vision away.”

“I know, mother, but it is… difficult.”

Morticia was quiet for a time, looking more and more uncomfortable.

“is it, perhaps, tied to your plan?”

Wednesday stiffened, her instant response being to almost snap back at her mother’s implied criticism. Unfortunately, her own self honesty would not allow her to refute the suggestion out of hand. What she had planned for herself and Alexander could certainly go very, very, badly indeed… and it was one of very few new variables she knew of in play.

Morticia caught her uncertainty, of course.

“If you are feeling uncertain, daughter, then you should not trust Alexander. He is a young man, and temptations…”

Wednesday calmed, holding up a hand, “I cannot say that the omen I feel is not what you suggest, not with any evidence to support the statement… but I am completely confident in my judgement and Alexander’s character, mother.”

Morticia stared challengingly at her, and Wednesday just met the gaze without flinching.

Finally, it was the elder who backed down with a simple nod.

“If your faith is that strong, then you have my support.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Morticia nodded again before looking over the gear spread across the old bed.

“Let us get you full packed, then, shall we?”

*****