ooc: how is Gideon here? I thought I had him locked in my drawer! =P Anywa, thanks Kris both ways


Nott raised an eyebrow. "Well, that made sense."

He shook his head and coughed to disguise his comment, not fan of another senseless row of insults right then. They finally seemed to be going though something big, right?

"You might, but I think your giant friend -" he said, pointing his thumb at the doors of the Great Hall, "went that way. The doors of the castle are shut closed after all."

He gestured Gideon to go with him as soon as Weasley had accedded to this. Sure, who knows if Nott would keep his promise, though up to know the Gryffindors seem to do more good on their side than against. Then again, they might get something from this. Like a feeling of self-satisfaction of helping a lost soul or something. Theo had no time to consider their reasons.

They both hurried their steps - or at least Nott did expecting Gideon to follow behind. It was heard foots steps before them, and soon the castle shadows allowed them to perceive the two eldery figures walking quite slowly though the walls, though actually one of them seemly trippled on his own feet trying to go slower, out of some very shown impatience. Without as much as a second thought, Nott broke into a run trying to reach them. It would have been his footsteps the ones to alarm Fudge and Dumbledore of him, slowing down and letting him reach them.

"Minister -" he said quite agitated, trying to speak in within the intakes of breath. "I think we found - something you might be interested in."

He finished this with a smile and trying to compose himself as he allowed some minutes for Gideon to catch up.

"What's with you harrassing us like this, you -" Fudge started plainly irritated, looking back and forth from the Slytherin boy to the Headmaster. "I'm looking for nothing you can give and I don't have the time to waste with you - Explain yourself quickly."

He finished, mildly perturbed by the look of amusement on Dumbledore's face.

"Oh, nothing, we wouldn't wish to disturb you -" Nott said still out of breath, "but my friend has a theory, you know, about the question you asked us earlier? We would like very much to give it a try - it would prove once and for all I'm not a lier as some think to imply."

He turned to Gideon with a hand gesture that very much said 'go ahead', leaving Fudge with a struck confused expression in his face.

"I know that," Ron snapped, looking rather indignant but turning to walk there all the same. He expected Hermione and Harry to follow them, but Harry didn't seem all that eager and Hermione wanted to be cautious for now, so with a shrug he went on alone...

ooc: I suppose we can pick up on these characters later on if we need them.

Gideon took off after Nott, not at all finding it difficult to keep up with the other boy's pace, skipping slightly and humming something along the lines of "The Wizard of Oz" to himself. When Nott suddenly broke out into a run, Gideon followed close behind, looking like a child running into Honeydukes. Oh, what fun...he wondered if he was actually right, and if they would force Fudge to keep his word. It might make the headlines, even, in Gideon's fantasy world. "Ravenclaw Outsmarts Minister of Magic".

Gideon came to a stop next to Nott, catching his breath before speaking. "'ello, Minister," he said brightly with a hint of mischeif in his voice. Hopefully Fudge would not remember who he was--he doubted his aunt ever mentioned him. "Y'remember how y'wanted to ask us if we knew what got Malfoy? Well, I think..." Gideon paused for effect. "Well, Sirus Black got in'he Gryffy's Common Room before, s'maybe it isn't tha' hard t'get into the Slythy Commons. Probably a human or part-human, or an Animagus like Black got in with a password, then...I donno, got an' changed into some beastie an' then--" Gideon's voice reached a triumphant pitch--"got away wi' him!"

ooc: *lol* Oh dear... oh dear oh dear oh dear... Is that Gideon's answer? Ouch. My mistake. My horrendous mistake. I thought you had it figured out but by the look of it... you are rather half way. *grin* I'm tempted to pinch Gideon's cheeks.

"Is that so!" Fudge said immediately and with his eyebrow rising in a way that could only mean he was humored, a smug smile was splitting his featured in half. "Here the student wants to give lessons to the Ministry of Magic. And about Sirius Black!"

He was already swallowing with the impending laughter, when the gesture of Dumbledore's stopped him quite calmly.

"If you allow me, Cornelius, I would prefer we have this conversation in a more private enviroment, shall we?" he said this slowing his hand and making a swift movement to unlock the first room at sight. It was a small classrom coincidentally available for their use. The Headmaster walked inside without further addo and found a seat on the very front, on the professor desk of course. Fudge followed rather esceptically and trying not to look as uncomfortable as he was. Next he had found an extra chair and dragged it to the front to sit next to the Headmaster, on the front, as it should be. Dumbledore waited for both boys to come inside before waving his wand again and closing the door.

"Now, I believe you said you had some information we didn't," he said accomodating himself on the chair. "But Cornelius' thinking is also reasonable. Maybe you would think I would overview the possibility of using a history such as that of Sirius Black, even when so personally involved. But, you still are missing that it was not because of his animagus powers that Mr Black managed an entry though the secured portrait. I trust you read about it in our history books. Mr Black did forced his way out of Azkaban, but you will find our and Azkaban security is very different one from the other.

"Now I must soon to ask why do you think an animagus did this and why it explains the attack in the Slytherin Common Room, the way it happened and the very different descriptions of the supposed beast involved."

Dumbledore's eyes glittered with something which could have been encouraging. "You do know an animagus can only change its appearance to that of an animal and only this animal, I'm am correct?"

Nott didn't say anything while Fudge went on how he didn't think it neccessary at all and how it was a waste fo time. Blast it. In his position as a Slytherin no matter what he said he was completely sure they would not listen, and his position as son would help in his apprehension to speak what he knew. Or thought he knew -Urganda might not be the responsible, maybe it was another one...

ooc: I'm sorry to say, you are alone Backy. Pity, I really thuoght you had it.

Ron trotted into the Great Hall, scanning the staff table for Hagrid. The latter wasn't hard to find, being a very prominant figure sitting alone to the side. He walked briskly up to him, not really knowing what to do next, or how to say it, but he was going to try. Pity Hermionie wasn't coming...but he could do okay by himself.

"Oi, Hagrid," Ron called as he approached, willing a grin on his face. "Hagrid!"

Unlike Nott, Gideon was not the least bit nervous that he was talking to the Headmaster and the Minister of Magic, something that would have sent the average student whimpering away. He was actually grinning and talking like he would a bunch of his peers.

"Well not to say tha' it would've been Sirius Black or an Animagus, jus' someone on the lines o'that kind of magic. Whatever got in had t'have the brains to know or crack the password, 'cos I didn' see a messed-up portrait or entrance or whatever when I popped o'er there this mornin'. An' if it had the password, it had to be able t'speak it to get in. An' everyone said they saw some beastie, didn' they? An' it was all different. Whatever got in then probably could change shape then, not jus' to one beastie form, but a bunch o'them. Professor McGonagall never said anythin' about them in class, but it was kinda a thought, no, could've been some kind of a Polymagus or shapeshifter, as wooly as tha' sounded."

Dumbledore's eyebrow raised slightly. "Shapeshifter, indeed," he commented. "But I would dare not understimate the use of Minerva's classes, Mr Gideon. Not speak so."

The Headmaster gave the silghtless chuckle. Fudge, on the other hand, was looking at Gideon like some crazy looney. By the look of it, he was barely keeping attention of him.

Dumbledore had risen from his seat by now, pacing the room though empty as it was. He seemed to be muttering to himself, his right hand making all sorts of small gestures and his mouth seemly moving.

"Dumbledore, you will understand that I have better things than stay here to hear this silly students makings assumptions!" Fudge stated (ooc: because Fudge is a very important, very bussy man...). "I want to be there for when the raid - when it starts, and you know, I should think this students should be in classes, should they not?"

"Why, I think this young students had brought up a very enlighting possibility, Cornelius, do you not? Something that had slipped my mind. Must be the old man in me."

Fudge smiled sardonically. "Well, of course nothing I wouldn't have thought of," he answered smugly. "Animagus, yes, maybe a team! I did thought of it and I need not of some foolish students, encouraged by your misguiding attitude, to be stuffing their noses where they are not called!"

"A team? Oh, no, that was not what I had in mind," the Headmaster sat himself down once more and ignoring Fudge's irritated tone. "It is quite unneccesary as I see it. Though I still have problems finding out how this - person or persons - managed to fool the passwords security. Surely no beast could have."

"Yeah, the portrait was in perfect conditions, and so was the rest of the room," Theodore popped into the chat, "the entrance was not forced, plus somebody might have let her - er, it in," Nott said rather clumsily but his speech skills were overpowered by the growing anxiety.

~*~

"Wha' -"

Hagrid turned his head to the source of the voice calling him. Cracking his neck to spot him and about to raise from his seat only to remember last time he had tried stood that fast had caused the table to almost fall forwards. Wasn't neccessary after all when the person in question came to his meeting,

" 'Ey Ron!" Hagrid waved at him, feeling like standing again on the relief of seeing a friendly face. McGonagall was just by him, to whom he had been talking with minutes later with a worried expression. Much different from now that Hagrid had a brightness in his eyes as if the trio was visiting him to drink some tea on his hut.

"Jus' in time yeh're! 'Been thinkin' on mah next class, someth' in-doors." He paused to look around, the smile lingering in his face "- Where's Harry an' Hermione?"



ooc: you know, you are aiming right but missing the word. And I don't know why that is. You from all people should have already figured out that one, B. Or maybe I'm just confusing you with my comments... I should probably shut up.
Oh and if I got your question right: it is cannon.

"Yeah, tha's another thing, and this Gryffy kept yellin' at Theo 'ere caus' he thought that he was---heeeeeyy," Gideon interrupted himself suddenly, getting struck and run over by a sudden inspiration. "Never mind Animagus, wha' if the bloke or beastie or whatever could pretent t'be someone else? Like another Slythy, or even Professor Snape? Then, then," Gideon's voice became excited again, "then not only could 'e get the password, 'e wouldn't look suspicious no, 'cause 'e's a Slythy. An' Draco wouldn' know wha got him, 'specially if it were his best bud or 'is Head of House. An' then 'e changed what he looked like loads of times, so ev'ryone who saw 'im saw somethin' different, so it looks like a whole buncha beasties instead of one or two fellas! Tha' means it was a Metamorphamagus, not an Animagus, don it?"

He looked at Dumbledore, Fudge and Nott, blue eyes sparkling, quite sure he had nailed it this time. It would certainly explain why Ron the Gryffy saw Nott and Nott insisted he was nowhere nearby...

"They...were busy," Ron said, rather dissapointed that they weren't onto this as he was. "Anyhoo...bummer isn't it? I was..er...really looking forward to today's class...er, what was it on again? Too bad we're not allowed outside anymore...I wonder if Quidditch practice would be cancelled."

Curse it, Hermionie was probably better at this than him...

ooc: OK, the colors are a little messed up, but I'm basing them in points of view or something...


Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. That would explain it all, no, Cornelius?"

Fudge was flabbergasted, looking around as if being the centre of a clown circle.

"It does explains how this person made an entrance, how he managed to remain unidentified, and... guess that means Mr Nott was never on that scene isn't he?"- here Theodore gave a proud smile -"It's quite a convincing theory."

Seemly tired of opening and closing his mouth like a goldenfish, Fudge spoke though not that coherently. "Now, wait a minute," he said. "There can't be that - not possible -"

Suddenly his eyes popped open in a 'aha!' gesture, "Of course, of course... but how to explain that the beast was seen alone and not with Draco Malfoy on its back - on any of its backs? Unless, of course, you are ready to say Mr Malfoy was the metamorphmagus himself?" He had the most smug smirk ever seen by now. "Must I remind you that you cannot force another person to apparate?"

"Yes, yes," Dumbledore said, "and we cannot apparate in Hogwarts, I must remind too. But that could easily be figured out. A Portkey maybe? There's many ways to trap a person and not been seen. Then the attacker run to the forest desguised as some kind of larger beasts, whichever it was."

Fudge opened his mouth again, then closed it.

"Well, that settles it," Nott popped in finally.

"I beg your pardon?"

Fudge had the wildest most confused expression. Nott leaned on a nearby desk lazily, "You said earlier than we would have the Ministry permission if we could come with an answer your Aurors couldn't."

"Oh but... You were taking it seriously, d-did you?" the Minister said with a very silly, very nervous laugh behind his eyes. They were teary and he was sweaty, his face was growing red.

"You did promised that, Cornelius," Dumbledore popped in as if it didn't matter.

"But - Albus! How can you," there was the smallest laugh in his speech, as if expecting someone to step and said all had been a joke. "Wha- you..."

"However," Dumbledore added as he cleaned his glasses, "though it is true you received permission from the Ministry, this is still school. And I'm afraid that at school, I am the authority, and I can't let you out."

The smile in Nott's face disappeared.

"But what do you - you promised us!" he said outraged.

"I must once again point out that was a promise from the Ministry, I personally didn't participate in that promise." Fudge smiled once more at this, though it was plain by the look of him he was more ashamed and uncomfortable than happy, though still the idea that this kids wouldn't get away with it made up for it. "My deal is that I will let you out, after 10 pm, and since that pass cue, it means not until tomorrow. And of course, nowhere near the Forbiden Forest that, you must know by now, is forbiden."

Nott's closed and then opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.

Dumbledore continued. "I suppose that I own you a small explanation, though, before you decide that the permission from the Ministry exceedes that of the Headmaster - which can be argued as well." He paused. "I cannot let you out on concern for your own safety. Not the forest nor its surroundings are safe right now -"

"And I suppose Draco Malfoy's safety doesn't matter?" Nott scathingly questioned.

Dumbledore nodded. "As I see it, Malfoy could not be safer right now than he could be in his own home."

"But how can that be -"

"The forest," he continued, "is about to be raided, as soon as we can notify the inhabitants the best we can." There was a small interruption as Fudge asked "Notify?" totally bewildered, but he was ignored.

"Needless to say the creatures of the forest aren't that happy, but hopefully they will be able to seek refuge in time. Besides, Cornelius here seems to think a raid is just what's needed."

"That's an official secret -" Fudge gaped, and Nott's frown deepened. "What kind of raid?"

"The same kind which is taking place right now in Mr Malfoy's house," Dumbledore responded. And Fudge turned to him so fast his neck seemed about to crack. Dumbledore, however, was looking very calm as he blabbed that information.

"So as you see, you are safe, while you remain in this castle walls, and so I can't possibly let you out. Unless you want to stop the raids, Cornelius?"

Cornelius' expression from outraged to stuborn-serious. He said nothing but the answer to that question was plain and obvious, even in his sweaty face.


~*~

Hagrid's bettle eyes shone at the mention of the subject. "Ah, jus' bin told 'bout Quidditch! Good news! 'Won't be cancelled after all," he told brightly. "Oh and don' yeh worry 'bout the murtlaps - their better off inside anywor'."

He practically chocked on his juice when McGonagall had elbowed his arm rather forcefully to let her be, err, felt.

"Er, right. So I've planned this 'nd I think studen's'll like murtlaps. I wanted to do tebos but, nevermind. It'd've bin difficult to catch 'em anyway. If they turned invisible in the rain of bombs, those nasty things. Think ter harmless, they do as well as kill those poor -"

It was McGonagall's time to choke. Hagrid had been talking despite her attempts of subtly quieting him; she had been trying to step into Hagrid's foot under the table without much success until now.

"You're right, Minerva?" Hagrid asked concerned patting her back.

At the same time McGonagall could stop the coughing fit, though still unable to talk, Hagrid had said, "Oh, don' worrie, you'll do fine, Ron." He had moved to pick bread near the centre of the Staff Table.

"Their foun' near the Congo," he said enthusiastically taking a bit of bread to eat. "Yeh'll love this class, jus' wait 'till four today."

"Rubeus," McGonagall had said, gesturing him to pass a plate with apples and Hagrid complied. Soon he was back at looked at Ron, seemly happy that he was taking so much interest in his classes.

~*~

Again the amused light in the Headmaster's eyes. He only nodded calmly and moved to stand.

"If you excuse us, gentlemen," he had said. Fudge was right at his tail, looking like an outraged puppy. In the back of his mind, Nott thought he might be muttering to Dumbledore about telling the Aurors right away. The exited the deserted classroom without as much as a farewell sign.

Nott turned to Gideon, "Now what?"

"Er-really? Uh, I can't wait," Ron said, grinning yet half-wondering if the creature in question was deadly or had a taste for fingers. Something suddenly came to mind, and he lowered his voice a bit so that students passing by wouldn't hear. "Ah...Hagrid? So, how's your..er...little brother doing?"

The change in his expression was sudden and impossible to miss. Those eyes just before filled with excitement and delight had become to express a sudden lots of oppossite emotions; disappointment or maybe worry, pain or just sadness. He was undoubtly anxcious, that was no doubt, because next the globet on his hand had slipped from his grasp and the pumpkin juice soiled the table. She didn't quiet react to it, more like he started after the mess at lost of what to do.

"Err," he stammered with a pale face though those rolls of heavy, bushy facial hair, "Ah, err, the-the things've gone fine, fine," he lied and his eyes dropped to the table, avoiding those of Ron's. "He's bin - v-very energetic. 'Bin behavin' more..."

At this moment his jaw gave an unvoluntary movement. In trying to keep his voice low, lower it had become until he was left with no speech and gaping. He had become mute, and it was obvious by the look of it that he couldn't supress the fear in his eyes. Concentration had left him. His lips quivering a little, he uttered an inaudible appology, not sure if even spoken and stood from the table. Minerva's eyes were on him now, too, as it was difficult not to when having a massive body like Hagrid's, and so were his saddened eyes.

He moved rather clumsily and trying to not to trip in his feet, rounded the staff table and started outside, with tears coming from his eyes.

ooc: ... I'm too angsty lately, aren't I? *pets Hagrid*

The thing with Hagrid was that you could smell a lie like the reek of Stinksap. Ron got up and struggled to catch up with Hagrid without looking too suspicious, meeting him down the hallway.

"Wha--hey...Hagrid? What's with...he's not met that thing that took off Malfoy, has he?" It might've happened, the thing was huge and Grawp could get mean when grumpy...

Gideon cocked his head to the side, thinking. "How many secret passages d'yathink them Aurors and Fudge know about?" He said finally.

Nott eyebrows dissappeared behind the mass of hair. Well, he was already linking this guy's mind. "To be completely honest, I know of none. I can sugget, however, to go to the source directly. You have heard of the Weasley Twins I pressume? Ah, yes, I remember you mentioning meeting them -" he was moving outside the classroom and leaning to whisper just slightly, not turning to Gideon so not to arise suspicion.

"Well, they aren't here any more, that's the sad news. But if somebody boasted about getting wherever they wished were those two... Only thing missing is finding out how and use that." He paused, his stare hardening. "Seems only link we have are... the same Weasleys."

ooc: Hagrid tomorrow. I'm exahusted. And not fearing getting redundant: Didn't sleep all day and night before *pff*

Nott crossed his arms and leaned on a wall in a pensive matter.

"We saw it in the map you got from that auror: the entraces and exist of Hogmeade seems to be blocked or guarded. Guess we could risk to try the passageway, then try to fool the Ministry Aurors and get to the forest, though needless to say it's risky. We don't know what kind of security this people have put."

His gaze lowered, his hairs covering the most of his eyes.

"Whatever we do, we must do it immediately. We have eight hours, or less, to reach the forest, supposedly find Mafloy and warn him to get the bludgers out of there, before returning before the raid starts."

He paused for a minute to look up at Gideon, then his features turned into a smirk. "That is, if you are in this for Malfoy's security."

Theodore had the slightless impression this kid was only doing it for the fun of it. Well, people's interests are everywhere, and while they had an interest of some sorts in common...

~*~

Hagrid turned to Ron who had followed him outside. He was half way whipping what looked like a giantic tear out of the way, but Hagrid was soon to try to hide it.

"What? Oh. Oh no, at all," he said. "Not at all, ther monster... ther monster sur'ly wouldn' go fer Gawp." He cleared his throat. "I mean, it really has no reasons ter go fer Gawp, righ'?"

He gave a sudden pause in which his expression betrayed the feeling as if a weight had added over his shoulder. He sighed rather audibly, showing exahustion like never before.

"Haf to talk to Dumbledore," he said finally quickening his pace - the hadchief he was using to clean his tears now on his forehead sweat. "'Must ask fer him ter stop this," was the last he said before quickening his pace, with even a more panicky expression.