Transfiguration was a difficult art that required finesse, and it seemed that his ability to master it may have been permanently damaged. Bones had asked him to turn a small block of wood into a toad, and Harry had somehow transfigured it into a loathsome cross between a slug and a salamander. The poor creature had three eyes and an extra leg sticking out of its forehead. Only time would tell if he could regain control of his transfiguration skills.
"Well, Mr. Potter," said Amelia Bones, "we are all agreed that your prognosis is very good. Your magic appears to be stronger than ever, in some cases much too strong for a young man of your age. The transfiguration exercises did give you trouble, but if that is the only consequence of removing the block you should count yourself very lucky."
Harry nodded, and wondered just how powerful he now was. He couldn't wait to start training.
"So I can start some training tomorrow then?" he asked hopefully.
Bones nodded. "We'll do what we can, Mr. Potter. We all agree that continuing the Hogwarts curriculum is pointless for you at this point. For the moment Auror Tonks will remain here to continue testing you and to show you some Auror-level techniques and spells. I would not ordinarily allow a 15-year-old access to such information, but I fear that you will have no choice but to fight soon. If you progress rapidly we shall see about adding other tutors; right now there is no one to spare, and too much to do at the Ministry."
"I understand," said Harry sincerely. "And I really do appreciate everything you're doing for me. Can you tell me more about what's going on with Voldemort? Why can't you just tell everyone he's back again?"
Bones sighed and looked wearily at Croaker. "It's complicated, Mr. Potter. I am appointed to my position, as are most Ministry employees. Minister Fudge would brand me a liar and have me removed if I simply told the truth. You saw what happened to Professor Dumbledore this afternoon. The best we can do right now is gather allies within the Auror Corps and elsewhere within the Ministry, and prepare a plan if the worst should come to pass."
"Does this mean that Dumbledore will get kicked out of Hogwarts too?" Harry asked, somewhat eagerly.
Parvati had informed him that the school was in an uproar over that morning's Daily Prophet, with everyone speculating on where Harry was and what was happening. Dumbledore's later removal from the position of Chief Warlock had only added fuel to that fire.
"No, Mr. Potter," replied Croaker, "that is unlikely. The Hogwarts Board of Governors operates independently, for now, of the Ministry. And you should pray that he remains there; it would be a disaster for Dumbledore to be removed from Hogwarts."
"Alright," Harry grumbled. "I just want to see him pay for what he's done to me."
"Give it time, Mr. Potter," said Bones. "We have more important matters to attend to, and frankly Dumbledore's crimes against you will have to wait. We will do what we can to force the contents of the prophecy from him, but the Headmaster is a very powerful wizard, and we are going to need him if the worst comes to pass."
Bones knew Harry would be unsatisfied with that response, but she felt it unwise to tell him just how bad 'the worst' could be. With Fudge denying Voldemort's return, the Ministry's security was abysmal. A concerted attack on the Ministry would likely overwhelm it before an organized defense could form.
Even worse was the possibility that an attack wouldn't even be necessary. If Fudge and Malfoy were conspiring, it was within the realm of possibility that Voldemort's representatives could seize political power without a major battle. That would allow the Dark Lord access to priceless and dangerous artifacts as well as confidential information about the wizarding public.
She and Algernon were making plans to remove the most essential information and artifacts from the Ministry should it fall. She was also compiling a list of people who would be likely enemies of the Dark Lord, and would soon counsel them to go into hiding or to arrange wartime security. Even the families of muggleborn wizards and witches would have to be informed, as their safety could soon be very much in jeopardy.
The clock was ticking, and there was just not time enough to prepare adequately for the trial to come.
It was a very somber group that exited the Bones Manor dueling room that evening.
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