Amelia entered the great hall as the students were at breakfast and the audible sigh of relief from some of the older students was not for her presence but rather for the people she'd brought with her.
The minister of magic made her way up to the podium and addressed the hall, "good morning Hogwarts, as of today the school comes under ministerial control. The older students amongst you will of course recognise the people with me, Madam Griselda Marchbanks is head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority and has agreed to take over the role of headmistress until a suitable replacement can be found. Professor Tofty is a senior examiner but has consented to teach potions and be the new head of Slytherin while the defence course will be taught by a rotating pool of aurors."
Cheers and applause greeted the announcement as these appointments definitely met with the student's approval, comments like 'at last, people who know what they're doing' came from every house table. Amelia might be quitting her job and even this country at Christmas but that didn't mean she wasn't going to do her best until then to ensure whoever took over from her found a much better situation than she had inherited.
Her next announcement went down even better, "this Friday, dinner will be a slightly more formal occasion as the ministry expresses its thanks one of your own. For exceptional bravery and courage under fire Miss Millicent Bulstrode is being awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class."
The noise was thunderous, even Slytherins lost their usual reserved manners at the news that a member of their house was receiving this most prestigious award. Ron was actually sitting with his betrothed at the Slytherin table as they now ate all their meals together at one of their house tables and no-one was going to object, especially now.
He was kissing Millie congratulations when she suddenly shot out of his arms and ran away, he was confused until the reason became apparent as she returned with her arms around her parents.
"Lord Potter wrote to us and explained what happened before we read about it in the Prophet, we're so proud of you," said her mother.
"As are we," said Amelia who had came up behind them, "there will be an award ceremony here on Friday night where you four will be the guests of honour."
A delighted Millicent lost her smile as a thought that proved she was all woman crossed her mind, "what am I going to wear?"
Amelia was laughing before pulling out a note, "this is permission to leave the school on Thursday, and a certain elf will collect both Bulstrode women for a day's shopping with Emma, Hermione and Joan in Naples."
The head of the Bulstrode family hadn't said a word since entering the hall, every father thinks their daughter is beautiful but the change in Millicent since the first of September had shocked him into silence. She was currently entangled with her betrothed, whirling the red head around in her joy that had her giggling loudly and half the hall was laughing with her instead of at her. The medal would bring great honour to their family but the change in his daughter's behaviour and appearance was a greater reward to the very proud father.
...
The sound of sobbing from the ministry holding cell wasn't heard by another living soul due to the heavy silencing charms in place, distraught didn't even begin to describe how Molly Weasley felt.
She had been informed that the trial of Albus Dumbledore would be held on Friday and she would be called as a witness, this news extinguished the last faint glimmer of hope she had managed to keep burning. Molly was sat on her bed, which, apart from the commode was the only thing in the cell taking stock of her situation.
She was wearing a grey threadbare robe that by no stretch of the imagination could be called flattering, combined with the fact that her hair was refusing to grow back and the bald witch didn't have a lot going for her.
It was bad enough that everyone was going to hear what she had attempted but to go to court looking like this was just too much for Molly Weasley. She was aware that she had shed a few pounds since her incarceration but it would have to be stones before she looked any better in these robes..
Molly had resigned herself to the fact that Azkaban beckoned and her only goals in life now were a hot bath and a clean robe before having to face everyone in court. She realised that this was a trivial matter compared to the charges she was facing but it was all she had left, to accept her punishment with whatever dignity she could muster.
She was sure Harry would be under the thumb of that bossy mudblood bitch and wouldn't lift a finger to help, Molly's only consolation was that her daughter was safe and not being pawed over by some old man after Arthur's incredible stupidity.
....
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