Since the end of the tournament, the situation at the Ministry had been somewhat turbulent. Nymphadora Tonks had delivered a report both to her immediate superiors and to the Minister's own cabinet, at the latter's request. To say that the Minister's cabinet was upset was an understatement. Young Cedric Diggory had described a very dark magical ritual that even they were unaware of, and Harry Potter had been very clever in communicating to the Headmaster what he wanted to hear, using language that didn't explicitly state that Voldemort was back.
Following that meeting, the Daily Prophet had begun a smear campaign against Dumbledore, and the fact that he was constantly making insinuations about Voldemort's return was not flattering. The press had also targeted young Cedric Diggory, though with less aggression. They simply mentioned that his statements could be due to stress from the tournament itself—enough to make people doubt, especially since they kept publishing photos of the boy leaving St Mungo's. From what Helga had found out, Mr. Diggory wanted his son to have psychological therapy to help him cope with what had happened, after a couple of weeks of constant nightmares.
Helga looked up from a copy of the Prophet she was reading when she noticed a chair scrape across the floor and a wizard sit down in front of her.
"We need to book a restaurant."
"Kingsley, I think Madame Bones would appreciate it more than I would if you asked her on a date."
"It's not a date, Tonks. I'm going to make dinner for her. The thing I want to talk to you about, consider it spending time with my partner outside of work."
"Next time, just ask," Helga said. "I might have had plans."
"Alright."
"I'll have the paperwork for the dragon egg smugglers' arrest finished by then," she replied.
"Hurry up."
She focused on the task at hand. Of course, she didn't have any report to finish, but knowing what was going on in the Ministry, they couldn't talk without taking another route. If people realised they were friends, they would be separated. Scrimgeour didn't tolerate Auror partners getting too close to each other. He was one of those who believed that emotional involvement or friendships could negatively influence a team and stop their work from going well. It was pretty stupid. Good communication and a smooth working relationship were important for the proper functioning and coordination of a partnership.
She spent another two hours working in her cubicle, reviewing evidence from different cases and trying to find a thread they could pull on. As lunchtime approached, she rose from her cubicle and headed for the exit. She stopped on the stairs, in the shadows, when she heard two familiar voices talking about Harry.
"I assure you, Mafalda, that little brat is the greatest of Dumbledore's followers. He will help him take over the Ministry."
"I don't know, Dolores. The boy hasn't spoken out, not like the Diggory boy. Potter hasn't said anything about he-who-you-know. I've read the reports and seen the memories."
"It's possible that Dumbledore trained them both to say those things. But that boy seems to be involved in everything strange that happens at Hogwarts. And I'm sure Dumbledore uses that to climb the ranks. But unfortunately, Fudge is blind to Potter. We have to open his eyes."
"Dumbledore is being discredited. Diggory, too. Unless we find a way to show everyone Potter's deplorable behaviour, Fudge won't believe he's part of Dumbledore's conspiracy."
"Potter already had a warning three years ago for doing a Levitation Charm in his Muggle home. You know I take care of those things." Her voice sounded annoyed.
"Excellent. Potter will relapse into using magic outside of school, or we'll just get rid of him forever."
"What are you planning, Dolores?"
"I'm not going to spoil the surprise, Mafalda. You have an Auror at your disposal to arrest him before he can think of a way to get off scot-free."
"I'll tell Savage. He never asks questions. I would mention Dawlish, but he does nothing without Fudge's approval."
"And it is precisely Fudge whose blindfold we want to remove. We have to coordinate. I'll let you know when I'm ready."
"Dolores... What if the boy doesn't use magic?"
"The boy is a problem, after all. One way or another, he will be out of the picture."
Helga moved away before she was detected. She was upset, frightened, and somewhat angry by what she had heard. Everyone knew that Dolores Umbridge was a bitter sadist. She wanted to run to where Salazar was and tell him everything, to put him on notice, but she also wanted to protect people from people like those two, to expose their corruption. Unfortunately, a hallway conversation wasn't enough evidence to unmask them. She took a deep breath. She knew her hair must have changed colour to something that showed her fury, just as had happened with Crouch's son on the Hogwarts grounds. Anything that posed a danger to Salazar bothered her greatly. She needed advice.
When she calmed down, she went to meet Kingsley. She knew he could help her. At the very least, he would give her good advice, and from the conversation she had overheard, it wasn't something they were going to act on straight away. She didn't know what they were going to plan, but it would surely be designed to expose Harry to the law in some way. And since Mafalda was working on tracking magic in minors, she imagined it would be something along those lines. Salazar had removed the trace from his person. In that aspect, she was calm, but it could raise many questions. If someone saw him do magic... she needed to tell Kingsley.
Helga hurried to the place where her partner had summoned her for dinner. By this time, she had become composed enough to remain so. She wanted to go back and expose their corruption, but she knew it wasn't possible. It was rumoured that the Ministry was a nest of corruption, intrigue, and conspiracies, thanks to those who had helped them get to the positions they held.
"You look a little upset."
"I am, Kingsley, I am. Although not as much as a few minutes ago."
"Tell me."
"Kingsley, Umbridge and Hopkirk are plotting something against Harry. You know that the Minister considers him a victim of Dumbledore's 'gossip'; they think they have deceived the Minister and want to get the boy out of the way, one way or another." Having said those words, she proceeded to relate everything she had heard.
"That's bad," her friend said. "The only way to protect him is to be around when it happens, and that can be suspicious depending on when and where they intend to force him to do magic. It's a well-plotted trap."
"I know, and it's driving me mad. I'll have to let him know."
"If you can do it without them noticing. I wouldn't be surprised if they're keeping an eye on him."
"What do you recommend then, let him fall into the trap?"
"Yes, and for someone to be around to support him."
"I don't like that."
"I know, and I know the boy is a survivor and very competent with both magic and words. He is not as easy a target as they think. I will help you with this, as much as possible."
"Thank you, Kingsley. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Until now, since she had sat down in the restaurant, they had only talked about her and the problem she had just heard about. He was a friend who had seen she was troubled and had asked her about it. Even when she was calm, her partner could tell that something was wrong with her. This was the result of their good working relationship. They were a good team, after all. Helga was aware that if Kingsley had wanted to eat away from the Ministry, it was for something important. They had done that on other occasions, when they wanted to talk about a case that they felt affected the Ministry in some way.
"Dumbledore came to talk to me. He was talking about Voldemort's return and how important it is to start facing him now, even if he hasn't shown his face yet."
"You've been making statements for weeks in the press, the Wizengamot, and the International Confederation of Wizards. I wouldn't be surprised if he went to say that to the Heads of Departments... but you... unless he is recruiting people, as the Minister believes, only not to attack the Ministry."
"It's exactly that. He's reviving the secret society he ran during the first war: the Order of the Phoenix."
"I hate that he gave his order that name," Helga murmured. She was sure it was because of Fawkes; apparently, the old man thought the Phoenix belonged to him. "He wanted to recruit you, didn't he?"
"Exactly. He wants to do it. And I suspect he'll want to recruit others through me or on my recommendation. I haven't given him an answer. I wanted to tell you and Amelia as well."
"I hope you didn't think of that in his presence."
"Why do you say that?"
"When Black escaped from prison and we were in his office at the beginning of that school year, Dumbledore used Legilimency."
"That explains the subtle pressure I felt. I didn't think he would be capable of something like that." Kingsley frowned. Helga wondered how much information he had obtained and how much he had managed to get out of other people. That made it clear to her that her friend had to improve his Occlumency. "Then he knows that I'm going to tell you, that I'm going to tell Amelia."
"I imagine he does. Will you join their club?"
"I don't think so. In any case, I have to consider it carefully. I'll tell Amelia both this and what you just told me. I don't like that way of proceeding."
"Neither do I. It definitely seems that we are surrounded by conspiracies."
"That's right, Tonks. You're right."
The world was getting more complicated and its stability was at a critical point. There were conspiracies and dangers everywhere. Helga knew that, now more than ever, everyone had to carefully measure the steps they were taking. The main threat was Voldemort, but other threats seemed to be emerging; some with the clear intention of harming someone in particular; others were trying not to see reality; and others were apparently trying to do good. It was going to be a very complicated fight.
The Longbottom Manor
Godric had just finished one of the many essays he had for homework when he was called by his grandmother to attend a meeting in the Longbottom Manor's drawing room. He didn't know what it was about until he went downstairs, but his grandmother had been involving him more and more in his duties as heir of the Longbottom house; she was training him to become Lord of the house. This was something he hadn't had to worry about in the past, but now he had that kind of responsibility. He settled down next to his grandmother, facing the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. Godric wondered what the man had come there to do; asking directly wasn't something he should do with his grandmother present.
"You have the floor, Dumbledore," said Madame Longbottom.
"I think it would be wise to keep this conversation private. Young Neville is too young to be involved in all this."
"Nonsense. My grandson is nearly old enough to wear his heir's ring; it is time for him to begin participating in the meetings and affairs of the Longbottom house."
"I don't think that—"
"Headmaster Dumbledore. Are you telling me how I should raise my grandson?"
"No, of course not, but..."
"Then let us begin with the purpose of this meeting, and do not dispose of our time as if it were your own."
Godric understood what was happening. Dumbledore wanted to exclude him from the conversation, but as it was taking place in his house, his grandmother was in charge and had the power, in a way, because of the location of the meeting. Godric was grateful for that. It was not very normal for the Headmaster to visit a family. He was curious about what had brought Dumbledore here. Godric decided to remain silent, listening, hoping to find something important. He would not speak unless he was invited to do so.
"I've come to tell you about Voldemort's return."
"The Ministry has denied that information," his grandmother revealed, confirming the fact. "However, I will listen to both sides."
"Young Potter and Diggory confirmed this when I spoke to them in my office. Unfortunately, the Minister does not see value in the word of two young people."
"The Minister's power is fragile. A Minister who arrived by chance at the time, who started from a position in which he was not a favourite. The public cheered for him, Dumbledore; and with much more force after Crouch's fall from grace. Despite his faults, he is not a foolish Headmaster, no matter how foolish he may seem with the decisions he makes. You know what's going on at the Ministry."
"I have my theories. They think I'm trying to destabilise the Ministry, but that's not the case. I want to prevent Voldemort from taking power."
"And that has brought you here, am I wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong. I'm rebuilding the Order of the Phoenix. I assume you'll remember..."
"Of course," said Madame Longbottom grimly. "I remember perfectly well what that association of yours did to our family."
"It wasn't—"
"No, it was the Death Eaters who were looking for their missing master... Dumbledore. They attacked those they knew as members of your association. Members you had informed that the danger had passed and they could come out of hiding."
"I had no way of—"
"Dumbledore. I see where you're going with this. You want the support of what's left of our family for your Order of the Phoenix."
"Will you join?"
"Neville, what do you think?" Godric was surprised by his grandmother's question. She was testing him. She wasn't telling him to make a decision; the decision was made from the very first moment. He just had to speak wisely. "The Ministry fears that you are rising up against him. The Order of the Phoenix is a dissident group right now, although it's not public. It's important to work to stop Voldemort, but at this time, it would not be advisable to support him publicly. This is a complex situation."
"House Longbottom will not join your association at this time, Dumbledore," he said, surreptitiously giving his grandson his approval. "Now I would appreciate it if you would leave."
Godric watched Dumbledore leave. He remained silent for a long time. He reflected on what had happened. Dumbledore was trying to revive his secret organisation, but he had seen that in the past, the Headmaster had been able to sacrifice some of his Order without looking back. It was clear that people died in wars, but Godric had the impression—and his friends did too—that for both Voldemort and Dumbledore, their followers and armies were simply tokens.
"You've done well," his grandmother told him. "You're finally showing yourself to be the heir you should have been from the beginning."
"Yes, Grandmother."
"Well, and what do you think about it?"
"That no matter how well-intentioned he is, he's not to be trusted," Godric said. "He allowed several members of his secret society to be harmed in the past. Sirius Black, who was not only innocent, but he also made sure everyone turned their backs on him. My parents, whose stupidity cost them their sanity. The Bones, who orphaned their own daughter. The Potters... Wars do have victims, but it's curious how many of them seem to be around him. He wants to face Voldemort, and that's fine, but I don't know if I would unite under his banner."
"And under what banner would you unite?"
"Harry Potter."
"Young Potter, although he has shown manners that I would not expect from someone intentionally raised not to know our culture, is under Dumbledore's thumb."
"Not exactly. Harry has seen his faults, and he doesn't like them. Harry feels that the Headmaster has somehow manipulated his life. You see, in the first year the Headmaster kept the Philosopher's Stone in the castle, guarded by obstacles that any first-year child could overcome. He knew they would try to steal it, and instead of setting up something elaborate to protect and hide it in a place that only he knew, he put it in a place where anyone could pass through. I'm not going to talk about the second year, as not even I am very sure what happened. In the third year, when we heard about the Dementors, we looked for and practised the Patronus on our own. Dumbledore only said he didn't like the Dementors being in the castle, but he could have objected to them being there and the Minister would have had nothing to say. Oh well... you saw what he did this past year during the tournament. It looks like a pseudo-army, and I'm concerned about the way he leads that army."
"I understand your point. You have matured a lot in these years. That friendship with young Potter suits you. You may withdraw."
Godric went up to his room thoughtfully. Maybe he shouldn't have been so open with his grandmother, but she seemed to approve of his words and arguments. Dumbledore seemed to be presenting himself as the wizarding society's only hope, and in a way, it seemed that he was. He had no way of knowing that the four of them had returned through his blood and that they had already come a long way in their confrontation against that dark wizard. He had no way of knowing, nor would he, unless the four of them decided to reveal themselves to him, which he didn't think would happen. Dumbledore had knocked on their door trying to recruit them; presumably, he would knock on other doors as well.
Godric sat down at his desk and wrote three letters, all with the same content but expressed in different ways. He addressed them to the names by which his friends were known today and instructed his personal house-elf to deliver the letters. He wasn't going to risk sending any by regular mail; they could be intercepted. Dumbledore could intercept them. Anyone who was following Dumbledore, if they were following him at all, could intercept them.
"I'm getting as paranoid as Salazar," he muttered as he turned off the lights and changed his clothes to go to sleep. In the letters, he had proposed that they meet in Diagon Alley in about three or four days, so they could talk face-to-face and go shopping all together.