Chapter Seven, Year Five

As summer was quickly coming to an end Leta and Lisette – with encouragement from Newt and Theseus – sat down with their Aunt Roisin, Uncle Falco, and their cousins Radamanthus and Niamh and explained the truth of what their father had put them through and how their brother had died; once they finished the twins sat in the silence that followed clutching nervously to each other until they were suddenly buried in their cousins arms and quickly followed by their aunt and uncle.

"It is not your fault, my loves." Roisin told them firmly, her voice tight with emotion and her eyes filled with tears at all that her babies had suffered. And they were her babies, she loved them just as much as she loved Radamanthus and Niamh.
"Your aunt is quite correct." Falco agreed, his voice holding a hard edge to it. "The fault lies with my bastard brother and he alone, but I am so proud of you girls for having the courage to tell us." He added, kissing their foreheads before he brought his family into a group hug as Radamanthus and Niamh held Leta and Lisette tightly as they sobbed into their arms purging all the pain they've held onto over the years in the safety and comfort of their family's arms.

** *

-Hogwarts Express –

"How'd it go?" Newt asked his best friend and girlfriend Leta and Lisette. With Theseus completing his Head Boy duties, it was just like their first year when it was just the three of them and Leta and Lisette's Familiars Bast (Leta's) and Isis (Lisette's) who were Seal-point Siamese cats crossed with Kneazles, and Theseus's Familiar Archimedes a brown-grey Tawny owl, but they were also joined by Newt's Familiar Teddy a black Niffler he'd found two years ago in a poacher's cage in Hogsmeade when she was a baby.

"They took it really well." Lisette smiled, still feeling a little shocked about that as she cuddled with Isis and made notes for her and Newt's book (she was determined he should take most if not all of the credit, but Newt could be just as stubborn as she was and wouldn't hear of it).
"See!" Newt beamed happily at Lisette, leaning forwards to bring her into a comforting hug, despite not being much of a hugger like his older brother, Newt could still show and comfort his friends and girlfriend when the need arose.

"Theseus and I told you it would all be fine. If there was anyone who would know what he was like, besides from the two of you, it would be your Uncle Falco."
"We know." Leta agreed softly, kissing Newt's cheek causing the curly-haired Hufflepuff to blush. "It's just surreal at times."
"Sometimes it feels like we're not worth it." Lisette whispered not looking up from the notes she was adding to the draft of the book, especially as she felt like that more than her older sister, Leta did.

"That's rubbish!" Newt exclaimed, a fire burning brightly in his eyes. "You two deserve the world and I know that Theseus agrees with me, he even made me swear that I wouldn't let anything happen to you Lissy, as if I would! And if anyone dares to hurt either of you, especially those two stuck up Gryffindors, I'll set a rampaging Hippogriff on them!" The three shared a look before they burst into uncontrollable laughter just as the Court and Theseus joined them which they always did in the latter half of the journey to catch up with each other on what they did over the summer.

They were more than just a Court, they were a family, and plans for the year were always discussed after they retired to their Common room for the night.
"And how are you, my love?" Theseus questioned, wrapping an arm around her shoulder a smile lifting his lips widely as Lisette snuggled into him. He couldn't help kissing her forehead though he longed to kiss her lips.
"I'm okay. Both Leta and I are. It went much better than we thought it would and Newt has made it a point that if anyone dared to upset either of us he'd set a rampaging Hippogriff on them." Lisette revealed with a soft giggle.

"Good." Theseus agreed with a smirk, but a fire danced in his eyes as he pulled Lisette impossibly closer as if to protect her, despite knowing she was more than capable of protecting herself and wiping the floor with anyone, the same with Leta.
"Because I'd duel the bastard and wipe the floor with them."
"You'd have to get in line, Theseus." Adonis Lovegood, Cygnus and Vulpecula Black, Prisha and Aryan Patil, Niamh Lestrange, Ashley Zabini, and Anya Greengrass all declared passionately.

The Court had reduced over the years as Alexander Potter, Calamus Malfoy, Radamanthus Lestrange and Cantankerous Nott graduated in their fourth year which resulted in those that were left to take on more roles to make sure they, their House, and Leta and Lisette were all protected. Especially as Radamanthus had been the First Captain and Advisor to Leta, Alex had been Advisor to Lisette and a Spy, Calamus Malfoy had also been an Advisor to Lisette, but he was also Security, and finally Cantankerous Nott had been the third Spy. Theseus beamed happily at those around them; beyond happy that his little brother, the woman he loved, and his best friend were well protected and supported; especially as he had become a Spy for Lisette in Calamus and Alexander's absence.

** *

The weeks following the start of term were rather mellow in comparison to what would soon follow. The words that had been uttered by Headmaster Dippet towards the student body (mainly the Gryffindors) and Professor Dumbledore seemed to have either taking effect, they were dedicated towards their O.W.Ls and therefore not interested in the juvenile activity of bullying those that were different to them, or they were simply lying low in the tall grass waiting to strike like a snake.

As Samhain passed with everyone – who wished to and who revered Mother Magic celebrated her and Samhain – it would seem the latter would be the case for two Gryffindors, Sierra Brown and Mary Lawson, who bullied people regardless of what punishments they were delt or what was told to them, but none more so than Newt Scamander, Leta and Lisette Lestrange, Adonis Lovegood and Vulpecula Black (the only Black in Hufflepuff, but her family didn't care for that they loved and supported her regardless of what others said). In fact they blamed Leta and Lissette for Headmaster Dippet clamping down on the students bulling each other, the Gryffindors mainly, and they blamed them for Dippet clamping down on their beloved Head of House and D.A.D.A Professor, Albus Dumbledore

Never mind that they had no one to blame but themselves, however; that doesn't matter to selfish and self-absorbed people such as the two Gryffindors (who were ruining everything for their fellow Housemates as it was the minority ruining everything for the majority), and Albus Dumbledore who care for nothing but power, absolute power; as the saying goes: absolute power corrupts absolutely. It was why Sierra Brown and Mary Lawson formed a plan to get to what they thought as the weak link surrounding the Lestrange twins; Newt Scamander.

The day after Samhain once classes had restarted, Brown and Lawson instigated their plan when they saw Newt coming back from the Greenhouse alone. Putting on worried expression the two Gryffindors pelted down the hill screaming and waving for Newt, startling the mellowed Hufflepuff; however, once he saw who was calling for him he became cautious and apprehensive.
"Yes?" Newt questioned, staring between them with rising tension in his shoulders.
"It's those Lestranges you hang around with _" Sierra Brown started only to be cut off by an aggravated Newt.

"Leta and Lisette. I mean you should know their names by now with how often you bully and degrade them." Newt said sassily.
"Yes, yes. Yes." Mary Lawson waved off impatiently. "You need to hurry instead of backchatting us. They've been kidnapped. Taken into the Forbidden Forest, we heard them screaming."
"Kidnapped? In Hogwarts where Headmaster Dippet can feel within the wards who enters the grounds at any point? And if they truly have been kidnapped why did you not go for a teacher in the first place?" Newt asked warily.

"They have, look!" Sierra insisted, pulling out two books that Newt belonged to his best friend Lisette, and his girlfriend, Leta. They were books on Greek Mythology that they had wanted to read after hearing the stories his parents used to tell him and Theseus growing up. "Believe us now?" She sneered at the Hufflepuff not knowing that Anya Greengrass was just behind the door in the Greenhouse watching and listening to every word.
"How long have they been missing?" Newt asked hurriedly, snatching the books from Brown and stuffing them into his bag.
"Not that long." Brown commented idly, a small sly and malicious smirk growing on her lips.

"If you hurry you might just catch them before they disappear at the boundary in the forest." Lawson stated, the smirk matching the one upon her friend's face as they watch Newt pelt towards the forest stumbling over his own feet with his fear. The pair shared one malicious look before delving into wicked laughter.
"That'll teach them to mess with us or Professor Dumbledore." Brown commented, laughing wickedly as she and Lawson returned to the school never noticing that Anya had left via the other exit running as fast as she can to her Transfiguration and Head of House's office, Professor Galatea Merrythought.

** *

-Headmaster's Office-

It was two hours later after Newt was saved from falling down a ravine and into territory of the Manticore that had taken up residence at the very edge of the ward's boundary line deep within the forest, that saw Professor Merrythought, Professor Dumbledore, Lord and Lady Brown, Mr and Mrs Lawson, Xanthos and Aethra Scamander along with Newt, Sierra Brown and Mary Lawson within the Headmaster's Office waiting for Professor Dippet who went to talk to Magnus the herd leader of the Centaurs and went to fetch someone.

"Now, I'm sure we can all come to an arrangement –"
"An arrangement? An arrangement?" Lady Aethra Scamander asked irate, clutching tightly to her son who was covered in cuts from the brambles he'd slipped into. "My son was nearly killed as a result of your Gryffindors playing a malicious sick game, Professor Dumbledore and you want to come to an arrangement? Are you out of your mind!?" She shouted. "If he hadn't been rescued by the Centaurs I would have been planning my youngest son's funeral!!"
"Come now Mrs-"

"Lady!" Xanthos interrupted sharply, not moving his scrutinising gaze off of Dumbledore. "You will address my wife via the correct title, Professor Dumbledore as neither of us have given you leave to address us so informally!"
"Mr-"
"Professor!" Lord Brown's voice boomed within the quiet tense office where the only sound is of Lady Brown scolding her daughter for her heinous behaviour, while Mr and Mrs Lawson were the polar opposites of the Browns as they weren't horrified by her behaviour in fact they seemed quite glad if the truth be known. It was that moment that the Headmaster returned to the office with a cloud of anger swirling over him; but he wasn't alone Anya Greengrass was with him.

"I have just returned from speaking with Magnus the leader of the Centaur herd that lives upon these grounds, and he has informed me that Mr Scamander had nearly fallen into the territory of a Manticore that has taken up residence on the ward's boundaries having slipped down a ravine but luckily he had been passing by just in time to pull Mr Scamander up." Headmaster Dippet revealed sitting himself behind his desk while Anya came to stand between his desk and her Head of House Professor Merrythought. "As for Heiress Greengrass here, she happened to witness everything that had occurred between Mr Scamander and Miss Brown and Miss Lawson, including what they did afterwards. Laughing maliciously as they crowed in delight about how it will teach Mr Scamander and his friends a lesson for messing with them and Professor Dumbledore."

"SIERRA!!!!" Lord and Lady Brown shouted in shock and horror while the two girls stared at Anya in fear and hatred and a look of hatred and slight fear passed over Albus's face before he schooled his features into a genial expression once more. But Aethra, Xanthos and Merrythought caught it and glared at the man.
"Is this true Albus?" Dippet asked sharply. "After the warnings I gave you before summer, before I started sitting in your classes to monitor your behaviour regarding the students of other Houses and even some of your own for the simple fact of having either family in a different House or befriending others of a different House?"

"Of course not Armando, I would never tell my students to behave in such a way and I do believe that a simple warning and a detention with me will –" Albus tried to placate but Sierra, panicking over having to leave Hogwarts started crying as she revealed how he had instigated everything explaining how he had wanted to get rid of the Lestrange twins as they were a threat.
"If you try to interfere and stop these girls from being punished appropriately I will be taking these matters to both the Wizengamot and the Board of Governors for a severe lack of conduct!

This has gone on for long enough! Since my son, Heiress Lestranges, Heir Adonis Lovegood and Miss Vulpecula Black started here in first year they have been bullied by your Gryffindors but mainly these two without so much as a rightful punishment, well my wife and I have had enough!" Lord Scamander hissed.
"My wife and I will support you both in your decision." Lord Brown declared with a decisive nod.
"DAD!" Sierra shouted outraged.
"No Sierra, your father is right. Now be quiet, you're in enough trouble as it is!" Lady Brown snapped at her daughter.
"There is no need for that Lord Scamander as I have already sent word to the Aurors on what has happened and the same can be said for the Board.

And I have decided to suspend both Miss Brown and Miss Lawson for their abhorrent behaviour and will only be allowed back to Hogwarts pending a formal hearing, and you are also suspended Albus pending a formal hearing and investigation into these allegations and previous ones." Headmaster Dippet declared causing the Scamanders, Anya and even Merrythought to bite their lips to hide a smirk.
"BUT IT'S HER OWL YEAR!!" Mrs Lawson screeched causing everyone to wince at her Banshee-like voice.

"Then she should have made wiser decisions." Headmaster Dippet responded carelessly. "I will not have students under my care be made to feel like Hogwarts isn't safe for them anymore and my decision is final." He added firmly when Dumbledore and the Lawsons' opened their mouths to argue. "You may use my Floo to return home, I have asked the house-elves to pack for them." At that moment two trunks and owl cages appeared beside Sierra and Mary. "Albus I suggest you hurry up and pack and leave as your own suspension starts now. Galatea, may I ask you to company Albus to his office and escort him out of the grounds, so he doesn't talk to any of what was his Gryffindors?"

"Of course." Professor Merrythought agreed ushering Dumbledore out of the office. Behind their backs Newt and Anya were sharing secret smiles as they couldn't wait to tell Leta, Lisette and the rest of the Court what had happened to Brown, Lawson and Dumbledore; it seemed their time at Hogwarts was finally looking up.

—————————————————————————

Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this.