Dumbledore sighed as he shook his head. He knew it wouldn't come to that. As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot he could easily move the proceedings away from such dire actions against Ginevra Weasley, but it would be impossible to contain the harm that would befall Arthur Weasley especially if the Minister got word of it being against Harry Potter. Worst would the fact that the matter concerned potions and Amelia would use the events to conduct a full investigation of the potions department of Hogwarts and that would mean Severus Snape. "Very well, I will agree with your actions."
"Thank you Albus," Minerva said in a tone that had no thankfulness in it whatsoever.
"You are going to make Mr. Weasley the Quidditch team captain instead?"
It was Minerva's time to sigh. Though that had been the original idea; the latest events made her reconsider. She thought of who else could do the job. She knew though he'd try, Harry Potter could not be both the team captain and Prefect and do either well. Katie Bell was the other choice, and as Minerva had told Harry, Ms. Bell was not the type to be a captain even if she wasn't more dedicated to her studies than the team. Minerva hated the idea of rewarding Ronald Weasley in such a manner, but maybe it could serve a purpose. It would be the carrot, but she'd be ready with the stick just in case. "Yes, but it will be with the understanding that a single toe out of line, or failing grades in any of his classes, and I'll find a replacement."
"I'm sure that won't be necessary," Albus replied. "I'm positive the young man is quite ashamed of what he's done and is eager to make amends," He rose from the chair and started for the door.
"Albus," Minerva said.
"Yes?"
"Fix my chair," Minerva nodded toward the cushioned chair Dumbledore had been sitting in.
"Of course," The Headmaster replied and with a wave of his wand the chair returned to its original uncomfortable design.
....
"I wished I knew what Dumbledore is going to do about the ring," Harry said as he sat his quill down. "Or if they've had any luck getting into Bellatrix's vault."
"We can ask Madam Bones tomorrow about the vault," Hermione replied, "and about the Thief's downfall. The vault, the downfall, a lot seems to ride on the Goblins right now."
"I know. Can you think..." Harry started when a non-stop clanging could be heard down the steps. That was followed by screams and yells of the Walburga Black from her painting started up at once.
"Who do you think it is?"
"Most of the Order knows not to ring the bell," Hermione replied. "Mundungus maybe."
"You'd think after the earfuls Molly has given him, he'd learn by now."
Do you think maybe he does it on purpose?"
"Ring the bell? Why?"
"Well, while everyone is trying to quiet the paintings down he'd have a chance to filch something else wouldn't he?"
"Probably. We should definitely tell Sirius that idea."
Twenty second later a knock came on the door.
"Harry," Mrs. Weasley's voice could be heard. "You have guests downstairs."
"Who.." Started Harry but then he smiled. "Luna and Neville."
They yanked open the door and raced down the steps to see their friends. When the got to the bottom of the steps, Sirius was fighting to get the curtain closed while Luna had her wand raised at the portrait.
"Don't you say things like that to Neville. He has never met you."
"Traitors to the blood are all the same," Walburga said nastily. "How far the Longbottom name has fallen since dear old Harfang died. If only my dear niece had rid the world of the Longbottoms..."
"Bellatrix?" Harry asked as he stepped in front of Luna and glared at the painting. "She's dead you know? Neville did it. He is responsible for killing that foul bitch."
That stopped the rant for a few seconds, but then the painting continued. "YOU LIE!"
"No, I don't. Many of them are dead. Followers of Voldemort, of blood purity," Harry continued.
"Harry, it does no good to argue with her. She's a painting."
"She's evil...almost as evil as a..." Harry's thoughts trailed off as another thought came to mind. He looked at the painting. "I even killed Goyle last week and if you don't SHUT UP you will be next."
"You foul boy," Walburga sneered. "You think that scar makes you special. Go ahead and try to destroy my painting. Even the great Albus Dumbledore finally admitted it was impossible," The last said with almost a smirk.
"Sirius, if I can destroy this painting would you mind?" Harry asked.
Sirius leaned over to Harry and whispered. "She wasn't lying. Even Dumbledore couldn't get rid of it, what makes you think you can?"
"I think if Basilisk venom can destroy a Horcrux, it can destroy her," Harry whispered back.
"NOW OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU TRAITORS AND MUDBLOODS. TAKE YOUR FOUL STENCH AND LEAVE," The painting had started up again.
Sirius glanced at the painting for less than a second before answering. "Give it a try."
"Hermione, you want to do it?"
"Gladly," Hermione replied and reached into her mokeskin bag and pulled out her knife. She unsheathed it and stood in front of the painting. "Any last words Mrs. Black?"
....
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