"As I have repeatedly said over the past several months: yes," Amelia said, her voice strained. Tonks was surprised the woman wasn't hitting someone at this point. Hell, if she hadn't been so drained, Tonks would probably have been hitting someone – or at least standing up with Harry and his group.
"Hmm, well it appears that the Ministry of Magic owes you an apology then, Lord Black. An official pardon – "
"Dropping of charges," Daphne cut in.
"Excuse me?" Fudge asked looking affronted.
"He was never convicted so there is no need for a pardon. You officially drop all charges, Minister."
Fudge scowled at the correction but nodded. "The Ministry officially drops all charges by my order. The paperwork will be filed post haste. I will contact you with the date for the apology ceremony," Fudge said nodding to Sirius.
Sirius just raised his eyebrows. "Thanks, Minister. I look forward to your owl. I'd appreciate the Dementors being called off too. And, you know, an article in the Prophet first thing so that people don't keep trying to kill me or turn me in for a reward."
"Actually," Shiva said speaking up, "shouldn't Harry and his friends get that reward anyway for finding you?"
"Of course, of course. I'll have the galleons deposited in Mr. Potter's vaults," Fudge said waving the issue away. "If there is nothing else pressing I must leave and begin this work."
"The Dementors, Minister," Amelia said glaring at him. "Remove those abominable things first. I don't appreciate them attempting to eat the souls of those under my protection and care."
With an annoyed nod, Fudge turned and practically ran from the room, Dawlish hurrying to keep up. Scrimgeour turned to Tonks before following. "Auror Tonks, come with me. We have…much to discuss."
Tonks closed her eyes, trying to get her brain in gear enough to think. Was it worth it? Was there really any point anymore? She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Harry's green eyes staring down at her in concern. Tonks smirked at him and switched her hair to pink. "Nah, I don't think so."
"That was not a request, Auror," Scrimgeour glared at her. Tonks considered flipping him off but figured it was too much effort.
"Consider this my resignation, boss," Tonks said firmly.
"Auro – Tonks," Amelia said turning to look at her. "Are you certain about this?"
"Been thinking about it for a while, ma'am," Tonks patted Harry's hand and smiled at her mentor. "Being an Auror is not what I thought it would be and the others only seem to care about my abilities not me or my skills or my brain or my opinions. I think I can do more good elsewhere."
"I understand. It's a shame to see you go, but I understand." Bonesy looked genuinely sad, which was nice. Mad-Eye was going to kill her. Or buy her a firewhiskey and salute her bravery. She never could tell with that crazy old guy.
"Your badge, then," Scrimgeour said, his scowl firmly set. She tossed it to him. "Good evening to you all." And just like that, he turned and walked out.
Tonks slumped in her seat. "Well I don't know about you all, but this metamorphmagus is utterly knackered and seeing as I'm now jobless I need to take a nap or something and find a new prospect in the morning."
"Well cousin, I've been out of the game for a decade or so. If you're interested, I could use someone to help me clean up the old house from whatever horrible little beasties and curses Mother left behind. I can make the pay pretty good if you're willing to bring me up to speed," Sirius said.
"You want to hire me as a maid?" Tonks asked completely deadpan.
"Yup!" Sirius' smile stretched from ear to ear. "Only the best for my cousin! I'll even throw in being welcomed back into the Black fold for you and Andi! Since I'm apparently the Lord Black now and all."
"Can we just throw him back in prison?" Tonks whined. Everyone but Dumbledore started laughing. The old man just scowled, staring daggers at Sirius.
The next day, Harry was meeting up with his friends again in the seventh floor room. It seemed comfier than normal. The customary table was surrounded by armchairs and couches this time rather than the stiff backed chairs. Harry frowned as he walked in. "This definitely wasn't here last time. Hermione, we're going to have to experiment with this room I think."
"I agree, it is most unusual," his girlfriend nodded.
"Do you think it can provide us with the vista of a snorkack's natural habitat?" Luna asked.
"Somehow I doubt it works that way, Luna. But sure if you want to try for a snorkack habitat, feel free next time. Just please have one of us with you just in case it actually works, okay?" Harry said chuckling at his friend.
"I promise, Harry. Hello, Tracey. How are you today?"
"Better than last night," Tracey said shrugging. "You feel better, Luna? Neither of us managed to get back at those arseholes like the others did."
"True, but I am satisfied to still have my soul and not having to remember that day with mum," Luna said losing a bit of her levity. She perked back up almost immediately. "It was quite entertaining to see the Dementors splattered, mauled and beaten. Daphne, your hedgehog had very impressive aim and was quite adorable as it went bowling for Dementors."
Daphne blushed, "Err, thanks, Luna. I'm not sure whether to be embarrassed by the hedgehog thing or not."
"I think it's perfect for you," Tracey said grinning and kissing her on the cheek. "Prickly on the outside, soft and cuddly on the inside."
"Technically it's soft and cuddly on the bottom," Hermione commented.
"She's soft down there too I imagine." Gasps sounded at Tracey's comment followed quickly by laughter though it had at last successfully succeeded in driving Daphne speechless for the first time that Harry could remember.
"So, Harry," Neville said as they settled into the circle. "Have you figured out how the Sword was able to kill the Dementors?"
"Remus said that it was probably something involving the basilisk venom, the goblin steel, and whatever else the Sword has imbibed over the centuries. We'll probably never know for sure. And now the thing can probably suck souls too so there's that. That's one scary sword. Hell, I'm almost afraid to touch the darn thing now!"
"Being able to summon it whenever you want is useful though."
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