"How did questioning of the healer go over that?" asked Hermione. "I would have thought they would be able to track it back to Dumbledore by now."
"Tompkins had taken an oath to whoever he was working for," said Matthias. "Every time questions began to narrow in on who the ultimate perpetrator was, Tompkins would start to have seizures. If they pushed it any closer, they'd have probably killed the man.
"Nevertheless, he's in Azkaban now. There is not many who can survive more than a few months with their sanity intact. Harry's godfather is one of the rare ones. And Sirius believes he survived as well as he did due to his being able to wandlessly switch to his animagus form, and that he knew he was innocent."
"So, it's a dead end," sighed Harry.
"I'm afraid so," said Matthias.
"Any word from Madam Bones on when she'll be ready to make her move against Fudge?" asked Daphne.
With a wry smile, he replied, "She's still trying to convince me to run for Minister." He looked at Hermione and almost snarkily said, "Thanks for that, by the way."
Hermione blushed and looked away before she mumbled, "I still think it's a good idea."
"So does everyone else," he snorted.
Astoria, who hadn't heard this before, was quite surprised. She asked, "They want you to be Minister, daddy?"
He chuckled and said, "Our Hermione put the idea to family and friends the day after the third task. There's now quite a few people who also think it's good idea and want me to do it."
"You'd make a wonderful Minister, daddy," she said.
"I know, sweetie," he said. "However, we're about to re-enter a war. And, that would mean I'd be one of Riddle's priority targets. It places us at great risk."
"Well, the only way you're going to get them to stop wanting you to nominate for the post is to give them a better candidate," said Harry. "Have anyone in mind?"
"Ogden," he immediately came back with.
"Have you approached him with the idea?" asked Harry.
"Not yet. The man's a Fudge supporter," he replied.
"Then, if you want him on-side, you need to convince him of two things: One, Fudge won't survive a vote of no confidence; and, two, Riddle's returned," said Harry. "I can help you with the second and Sirius and I both can help you with the first." Matthias seemed to think about that for a few moments before he said, "I'll set up a meeting."
The four teens settled into their holidays with three bondmates helping Astoria with her summer homework. They were working on the homework when Deece came and saw them where they were sitting together at the informal dining room table working together.
"I just had a Floo call from Augusta Longbottom," she said. "Alice and Frank are asking for you three."
A quick glance between the three bondmates and Harry asked, "When would she like us to visit?"
"Now, if you're not too busy," she replied. "We can do that," said Daphne.
Looking to Astoria, Hermione asked, "Are you going to be alright to keep working while we're away?"
"Yeah, no problems," replied the younger girl. "You've given me plenty of information. I'll probably still be going when you get back."
"Thank you," said Harry. While Deece waited for them, the three packed up what they'd been working on and left it sitting to the side of the table.
When they were ready, Deece escorted them back to the Floo.
Just before they were ready to go, she said, "I'll expect you back for dinner. If you're staying there longer, please send an elf to let me know." "We will, Mum," replied Daphne. "Thank you."
With Harry going first, with wand drawn and held ready, the three arrived in the Welcoming Hall at Longbottom Hall. They were greeted by Neville.
"What was the first thing you asked me the very first day we met?" Harry asked the other boy, wand at the ready.
Surprised by the question, Neville replied, "Umm... Have you seen a toad?"
Harry gave a firm nod and said, "Correct. Always ask a question of whoever you meet and expect to be a friend. It could be an enemy using a glamour or polyjuice." He popped his wand back into its holster. Neville thought about that for a moment before he realised what Harry meant. He then asked, "Who else was in your compartment, at the time?"
"Only Ron Weasley," Harry promptly replied with a smile.
Meanwhile, both girls had also popped out of the Floo, and Madam Longbottom walked in with her wand in hand.
"In future, Nev," said Harry. "When expecting someone through the Floo, or at your apparition and portkey arrival point, be standing behind one of those couches, or something, with your wand in your hand ready to defend yourself. It may save your life."
"Mister Potter is correct, Neville," said Madam Longbottom. Turning to Harry, she said, "The fault is mine, Mister Potter. I have not yet instructed Neville in being safe from such attacks in these troubled times."
Harry gave a slight bow of acknowledgement to the older lady.
"And, what was that with the questions, Mister Potter?" she asked.
"A check system, Madam Longbottom," replied Harry. "By asking questions very few people will know the answers to, you check for glamours, polyjuice and the like."
"Clever," she said. "An idea we shall adopt." Turning to Neville, she instructed, "Start thinking of questions you can ask visitors you know others are very unlikely to know the answers to, Neville."
"Yes, gran," the boy dutifully replied with a short nod.
"Now," said the family matriarch, "Frank and Alice are expecting us in the conservatory. Neville, please escort our guests through to them. I shall join you shortly."
"Yes, gran," replied Neville before he turned back to Harry. "Harry, Daphne, Hermione... Please follow me. My mother and father are expecting us."
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