The sound of horses and laughter drifted through the open window. Gaunt, who had been arguing with Ogden stopped in mid-sentence and turned toward the window. Morfin hissed as he turned toward the door with an expression that clearly said he wanted to have 'fun' with the muggles.
"My God, what an eyesore!" rang out a girl's voice, as clearly audible through the open window as if she had stood in the room beside them. "Couldn't your father have that hovel cleared away, Tom?"
"It's not ours," said a young man's voice. "Everything on the other side of the valley belongs to us, but that cottage belongs to an old tramp called Gaunt, and his children. The son's quite mad, you should hear some of the stories they tell in the village —"
The horses grew nearer and Morfin started to get out of his chair. "Keep your seat," warned his father, in Parseltongue.
"Tom," said the girl's voice again, now so close they were clearly right beside the house, "I might be wrong — but has somebody nailed a snake to that door?"
"Come," Dumbledore said and led Harry and Hermione to the window. Outside were a handsome young man and a beautiful young lady sitting upon regal horses. Harry remembered his last visit to this memory and how much Tom Riddle looked like the man in the saddle.
"Good lord, you're right!" said the man. "That'll be the son; I told you he's not right in the head. Don't look at it, Cecilia, darling."
Harry and Hermione watched as the two horses rode steadily away. The sound of their hooves disappearing into the sounds of the trees.
By now Morfin had told his father about how Merope longed for the man and Hermione wanted to throw herself between the frightened young woman and her father who was advancing threateningly toward her. When he reached his hands around his daughter's throat, she was already moving toward them at the same time Ogden acted.
"No!" Yelled Ogden as he raised his wand and cried, "Relaskio!"
As his father went flying across the room, Morfin erupted in rage. He brandished his wand and knife and started to chase Ogden who ran out the door and disappeared into the forest growth.
"I think that will do," Dumbledore said as they watched the Ministry gentleman disappear into the brush. They immediately found themselves back in Madam Bones' office.
"Did you get what you needed Albus?" Amelia asked as she watched Dumbledore scoop the memory he'd been viewing back into the small vial.
"Yes, I believe so," The Headmaster replied. "Thank you for allowing me to use MY Pensieve," The last had a touch of sarcasm, but the he continued. "Now if you'll excuse us, I will make sure Harry and Hermione are escorted safely back home."
"Actually," Harry said. "We have an appointment with Rita Skeeter in the Minister's office in about thirty minutes or so."
"You don't need to speak to her Harry," Dumbledore said. "I'll be glad to let her know you are unwilling to endure her questions."
"We want to speak with her," Hermione replied. "She's doing an article on me and I agreed to answer a few questions."
"I must strongly advise against it," Dumbledore said. "You saw how much damage your interview did to Professor Snape. Now please allow me to escort you two back home."
"No," Harry said firmly. "We'll be fine. We will do that interview."
"Please consider how this fame is affecting you," Dumbledore argued. "Do you truly believe a story in a magazine is worth your safety?"
"What we are doing is controlling what is said about us, instead of waiting for reporters to make up stuff," Harry retorted sharply as he started to lose patience with the Headmaster.
"I believe the Potters have declared their intentions Albus," Amelia said. "If there is nothing else?" She glanced meaningful at her door.
"I'm sure you will keep your other part of this agreement?" Hermione asked.
Dumbledore sighed and nodded. "I'll let you know," He then glanced at Sirius and Tonks, "Please keep these two safe."
"Goes without saying Albus," Sirius replied.
"Wait," Amelia said to Dumbledore. "I almost forgot. I need to test the Pensieve before you leave."
"Is that truly necessary?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes," Amelia shot back. She poured in one of the memories that had been used in the trial and quickly verified the Pensieve was working as it should. When she finished she turned to Dumbledore. "You may leave."
Dumbledore gave Amelia a curt nod and strolled out of the office.
"Do you really have an appointment with Skeeter?" Amelia asked the Potters once the door had closed.
"Yes," Hermione replied. "She's agreed to let me review her article on me for Witch Weekly if I allow her to take a few photos."
"Just be careful around that woman. She's poison with that quill of hers."
"We've come to an understanding," Harry smirked.
"She's realizing how lucrative it can be to have our stories, with our approval, rather than making stuff up," Hermione added.
"Feel free to put in a good word for the Ministry then," Amelia said. "I have a feeling she's going to give us a go tomorrow about two Aurors being killed in the middle of a trial."
"We'll see what we can do," Harry replied.
"Amelia, you mentioned the Goblins earlier," Sirius said.
"I've found out," Amelia's eyes flickered to Harry and Hermione before she continued, "that they have a way to disspell Imperiused and Polyjuiced people. Unfortunately when I approached them they refuse to admit to having the ability."
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