Life Begins Anew

Chapter 66 Life in the Wizarding World

Arthur sat at the kitchen table drinking a mug of tea in the Burrow. With his children gone it seemed empty. He sighed as he picked up the letter from his daughter, missing Molly’s busy presence in the kitchen. He tasted his tea and grimaced, missing the morning cuppa that Molly always made him before leaving for the Ministry. He tapped the parchment to reveal the words as he taught her a particular charm on how to disguise her letters, watching the sentences of nonsense change and form into the true letter.

Dad,

Made it here at Hogwarts safe and sound. Headmaster Snape has instituted the old punishments and we had to watch as Neville Longbottom took ten lashes from the new Professors Carrows for questioning a professor. Then Headmaster Snape called me into his office and warned me not to talk to anyone about mum’s death, as he gave me a necklace to protect me as he seems to think I will be attacked because of Harry. Dad, I am confused. He threatens my death and then protects me.

I will Owl you and let you know if anything changes.

Love Ginny

Arthur sighed as he read the letter. What was Snape up to? He walked up to the floo as he tossed in the powder stating “Ministry of Magic” and disappeared in a flash of green.

He appeared at the Atrium in the Ministry of Magic seeing dozens of witches and wizards waiting on seats. Sighing, he made his way to his office. The Ministry began to demand heritage checks and those in the Atrium were there to prove their status. Most were never heard from again.

Arthur ignored the calling of his name from the group passed them. Gods how he hated his mornings now as he saw good friends in that line and he could do nothing to help them.

Entering his office He noticed Percy standing next to his desk.

“Father the nature of your job has changed. It is not one of trying to understand how muggle devices work and relation to magic but one of exterminating the muggles. I am here to find out if you accept this job as head of the new department.”

Arthur cursed the enchantments that Voldemort had placed upon him as he wanted to tell his despicable son what he really thought. “No Percival. I find that I cannot accept that position.”

Percy motioned to the two aurors that was standing in the rear of his father’s office. “Then pack up. We do not need those who are unwilling to fall into the new world. Go to the pay office where you will receive one month’s termination pay. Are you sure you will not change your mind Father?”” Percy asked him as he looked down to his father.

“No I will not change my mind. You are no son of mine Percival Weasley! Your mother would be ashamed of you. You remembered how she died?” Hatred in his voice as he packed up his belongings and reduced them into his pocket as the two Aurors joined him.

Percy looked at his father as he commanded the Aurors. “Take him to Finance and then escort him out of the Ministry to Diagon Alley.” He left his father’s office without another word.

“Come on Stoddard and Wright. Escort me to Finance and do not worry. “

Stoddard looked to him. “Arthur, I hate to do this, but I have no choice.” He told his friend as they headed to the Finance office.

They arrived and found Lead Auror Kingsley Shacklebot at the door to Finance. “Aurors Stoddard and Wright, I will take care of this. Resume your duties.” He told them, his deep voice rumbling.

Both wizards nodded to him as they walked away.

Kingsley looked to his friend sadly as he watched him gather his termination pay and escorted him to the entrance of Diagon Alley. “I envy you that you are out of this mess.”

Arthur shook his hand as he looked to him. “Be well Kingsley.”

Kingsley looked to him. “I wish you well Arthur Weasley. Be safe.” Watching as his friend exited the Ministry into Diagon Alley.

Arthur made his way up the mostly empty street, recognizing many as they avoided him. It was just like the first rising of He-Who-Not-Be-Named. One never knew if a friend was true or a Death Eater using Polyjuice. He sighed as he turned and Aparated to the Burrow. All was lost he thought.

Covert meetings began amongst the citizens as word of mouth spread about the bodies of fifty Death Eaters was found next to the mutilated students. Most enjoyed the life after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named disappeared after he murdered the Potters. Someone stood up and they wondered who it was.

They did not like what was going on and would never trust the minions of the Ministry. Night raids taking away family members and then feeling their deaths and their complaints falling on deaf ears. It was mostly talk, but the seeds of discontent were sown.

&&&&&&

Severus sat at his office listening to the rumors from the portraits. He chuckled as he recognized the beginnings of a coup as he stood up from his desk. “I will be thrown out of here within a month. But I will make the most of it.” Pleased that it only took two days at the school to start the students tongues wagging.

After classes ended on the third day, he made his way to the Infirmary with a fistful of offenses in his hand. “Madame Pomfrey the Post has quite a few punishments tonight and I want to go over them to prevent any…..complications.”

Madame Pomfrey looked to Snape, sadness in her eyes. “Headmaster, how can you allow this to happen? Only Merlin knows how many times I’ve patched you up in the past.”

“Madame, I have to follow the guidance of the Board of Governors. As the old punishments were never stricken from the rules, they have decided to reinstate them as the previous Headmaster was considered to be lacking in disciplining the students.” He told her as he handed her the offenses making sure that a particular name was on top.

“Draco Malfoy! I pray that he owls Lord Malfoy and complains. Maybe that will stop these barbaric punishments.” She exclaimed.

Severus looked to her. “Any reasons medically that these students cannot accept punishment? Be truthful for I will know if you lie to me.”

“No Headmaster Snape. All are whole and healthy. Thank the Gods that those whips are charmed as a simple healing paste heals the wounds without a trace of a scar.” She looked to him. “Thank you for warning me ahead of time. I will be prepared at dinner tonight.”

Severus looked to her a moment, remembering all the times that she had healed him as she tutted over his condition when he arrived back from the Dark Lord’s meetings. “Madame, I am sorry that I could not warn you ahead of time before. I will make sure you get a copy of any offense given so that you will be prepared.” He turned and left the Infirmary without a word.

Madame Pomfrey stared at the Headmaster’s exit wondering how he could be so cold at one moment, then showing concern in the blink of an eye. She sighed as she pulled out a trolley and began placing pastes and potions based on the punishments of the night.

The students sat in the Great Hall, eying the Post seeing the green whip of Slytherin hanging beside the red whip of Gryffindor.

Severus sat next to his Deputy Headmistress and drawled out. “Really Minerva, getting back at me with these punishments to Slytherin?”

“I assure you not Headmaster. My hands are tied as I have no option to assign detention.” She primly relied, secretly pleased as Snape had defended his snakes in the past.

He glared at her for a moment and then made his way to the podium. “Viewing yesterday’s punishment was not enough? I had thought that it would dissuade you. Very well Misters Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Miss Parkinson. You are accused of disrespecting your professors. Five lashes and learn to respect your professors. As tradition demands it, witches before wizards.”

Miss. Parkinson of Slytherin house approached the Post in fear. She was a pampered witch and no one had ever laid a hand on her ever.

Alecto grabbed the witch and bound her to the post as she lifted her robes and shirt allowing them cover her head as they draped over the Post. She unclasped the witch’s bra, allowing her full back to be exposed.

Amycus flicked his whip and began the punishment, enjoying the witch’s cries as he whipped her. Gods! The hard on he was getting! He laughed out as the student passed out at the third lash.

Finishing his punishment, he watched as his sister unbound the unconscious witch and pushed her into the waiting arms of Madame Pomfrey, not bothering to watch the medi-witch’s administrations as he motioned to Draco Malfoy to step up.

“Draco.” Alecto whispered in his ear as she watched the boy shudder. “Your father is so pompous and it pleases me to teach you.” Licking his ear as she removed his robes, sweater and shirt and bound him to the Post as she traced the scars on his back.

“Do not taunt me witch, as you know who my father is and I will remember to tell him your words.” He muttered loud enough only to be heard by her.

Alecto chuckled as she stood aside as her brother met out his punishment, impressed that the young Lord did not utter a sound as he felt the stinging of the whip.

Draco was unbound and he angrily pulled his robe on and carried his sweater and shirt with him to Slytherin table, ignoring Madame Pomfrey’s call to heal him. His Godfather would do that as it would not do for the healer to see the Mark that he concealed prior to arriving to the hall. Thank the Gods that Severus taught him well as Gryffindor would be on him in a flash if it was revealed.

Crabbe and Goyle took the punishments as well, the watching students holding their laughter as both passed out after the second lash. Merlin, they could dish it out but could not take it!

“Slyhterin house is punished. Now to the House of Gryffindor.” Headmaster Snape intoned. “Mr. Longbottom, did you not learn anything from last night? And Miss. Weasley, I am shocked that you are called up as well. Ten lashes for questioning a professor’s knowledge.”

“Headmaster Snape, I am innocent of this charge!” She cried out as she walked to the Post.

“An additional lash for denying the validity of your punishment Miss. Weasley.” Snape drawled out.

Amycus pushed his sister aside as he bound her to the Post and lifted up her robe, sweater, and shirt as harshly squeezed her breasts as he leaned down. “Miss. Weasley, I will be meeting you soon privately to discuss your relationship to Potter and convince you of your unwise choice.”

Severus looked into the frightened witch’s eyes as he entered her mind, seeing what the wizard whispered to her. ***Now you see the danger. Be a rallying point for your fellow students. Everyone here knows that you are Potter’s witch! ***

He pulled out of her mind as he saw the flicker of fear change to one of determination as Amycus whipped her.

Amycus was disappointed that the witch did not pass out. Soon he would meet with her privately, and that would change. What the Headmaster did not know would not hurt him and he could pass a good Obliviate.

Ginny was unbound and sat in a chair as Madame Pomfrey administered a paste to her back, once again confused at the Headmaster’s words.

Neville Longbottom strode up discarding his robe, sweater and shirt to the floor on his own as he was bound once again to the Post, taking his punishment as he glared to Snape, hatred in his eyes.

Severus inwardly sighed as he realized who would be the leader of the rebellion at the school. Who would have thought that it would be Neville Longbottom?

Food appeared at the table and the students began to eat as they began to talk to one another of the punishments, not noticing that the Headmaster left once again without eating.