The new school term came faster than expected and with it some new students.

At the opening ceremony for the new term Professor Dumbledore made the announcement that in recognition of the services rendered by these students in overcoming Quetzalcoatl and freeing Hogwarts from the spell at great risk to themselves that they were all were to be awarded the specially created Order of Merlin - Junior Class. A number of parents and guardians were also present at this special assembly.

"To make the presentation of the certificates it is my great pleasure to introduce the Hereditary Head of the Order of Merlin - Lord Emrys Hawkwood."

A tall handsome dark-haired man stepped forward from the shadows to shake Dumbledore's hands. He began his speech on the extraordinary courage and resourcefulness shown by the students, naming each in turn to come forward and receive both a medal on a ribbon and certificate.

It must be said that one Miss Elizabeth Nimue Hawkwood was both bursting with pride over her friends being recognised in this fashion and dying of embarrassment over this 'outing' of her Father's role in the wizarding world. True the headship of the Order of Merlin was honorific chivalric title passed down through the centuries within the bloodline of the original Merlin but it was still a strange feeling that now everybody knew.

Marvo, his hands still bandaged and wand still protruding from his left hand, winked at Nimue as her name was called to step forward. Her Father when placing the medal around her neck also kissed her on the cheek and she said 'Oh Daddy' in a quiet voice and returned to her seat.

After the presentation the rest of the day was declared a holiday and a grand feast was laid on.

Currently everyone is standing about chatting and eating (as usual) including some of the parents/guardians.

Niki spent as little time as she possibly could with Madam Pomfrey, and disappeared into the library for hours at a time, until her father arrived. He took her back to his apartment in London, where they spent the Christmas holidays quietly. She also attended her brother's funeral.

After the awards ceremony, Niki and her father, Mr. Pheidippides, got plates of food, and joined the group. Mr. Pheidippides keeps glancing at the other parental units, particularly at Monsieur Lagrand. When he sees Morticia, he calls her over. "We met at a party, Mademoiselle Lagrand, did we not? I assume you've met Nicola," he adds, indicating his daughter, and Niki nods.

"We've met," she says, then grins. "Look what Papa gave me for Christmas," she adds, darting back to her chair. She returns with a small gray kitten. "I named him Skotadi," she says, stroking the little cat's head. "That's Greek for darkness."

Yvette looked at the floor and sighed quietly then sat in a big armchair. Her feet barely touched the floor and she watched everything and everyone warily.

Ayumi cautiously edged her way over to Professor Dumbledore amidst the happy, chattering crowd. "Ah-hemm....." She shyly tapped on his shoulder, and blushed a bit when he regally turned around.

"Aaah! S-s-sumimasen!! I..I mean, I'm so very sorry to bother you, but could you please give me a little direction as to which house I shall be admitted into and whatnot?" She bowed low, very stiffly in the traditional Japanese manner, her face flushed red. As Ayumi rose, she continued.

"Watashi.....err..I'm Ayumi Yuki; I arrived to study at Hogwarts over the Holidays, and because of the terrible misfortunes that the school has encountered, I'm a bit lost as to where to go from here." Ayumi smiled meekly. "You see, my parents....they came to the Ministry of Magic as ambassadors from Japan. H-here are my records from my previous academy, Shoukkudo Gakko no Mahou." With that she bowed again, staring at the floor and holding a manila envelope out to the professor. Dozoyoroshiku!!"

*****************

Just then Professor Dumbledore walks over to Marvo and the others.

To each side of him are two tall, well built Wizards in black robes looking very serious.

'Malcolm? These Men would like to speak to you. They're from The Ministry' Says Dumbledore, obviously none to pleased about it.

One of the wizards step forward.

'Mr. Malcolm Dexter Ward. I hear-by inform you that you are to be taken into our custody while an investigation is made into charges of your unauthorised use of a unforgivable curses.' The Wizards voice is monotone and his face expressionless.

Marvo does not look surprised. He just nods his head 'I understand. May I have time to say goodbye?'

The Two WIBs (Wizards in Black) turn to Professor Dumbledore and he nods his head, more to say 'you'd better or else' than to agree.

First Marvo walks up to Kat. 'Well Kathryn. I have to be going now. Don't worry. It'll be fine.'

He takes her hand (carefully with bandaged right hand) and kisses it. Then smiles and Kisses her cheek. 'You've been really, really great. I'm sorry about... Things...'

Then with a smile he backs away and moves over to Morticia!

'Ms Lagrand? Can I just say...' He kisses her on the cheek 'It's been fun'.

Then he walks over to Peesemould.

'Peesy.... You know... I never did like you...' Marvo raises his left hand and his wand starts to glow. '.. Seeing as I'm in so much trouble anyway, I think I'll turn you into the most horrible, ugly, smelly thing I can think of...' He starts to wave the Wand and the Two WIBs reach into their robes....

'... Oh! But I see someone has already beaten me to it!' Marvo's Wand goes 'pop' and a face with a tongue sticking out appears for a moment :-P

Peesey goes purple with rage, at this, and mumbles under his breath "You're ugly too."

Then Marvo turns to Nimue. 'Well.... Erm....' He goes red, 'Erm.. Well.. I know we have our 'problem' still. But I just wanted to say... To say thanks. You did great, and well.. If things don't work out as we want, well... I... it could be worse...'

Marvo is very red now and starts to back away. But then stops and gives Nimue a big hug, whispering something in her ear which no one else hears.

He looks at 'The Scooby Gang' and with a big smile waves and mouths 'I'll be back'

"I hope you never come back!" Peesey says as Marvo is escorted out.

Then he waves and goes over to the WIBs and is assorted from the room.

As Marvo was escorted from the room, Nimue crossed over to where Kat was standing.

"Kat?" she said, "Do you want more time to talk with him? I am sure my Father would allow it. He has got seniority over them in theory."

Andy watched as Marvo slowly walked out of the room. He breathed in deep and said not a word. Marvo had saved his life. That's all he could think of. He sat down in the nearest chair, put his hand over his mouth, and watched as everyone waved good-bye to his hero, Marvo The Magnificent.

Yvette stood up and walked over to where Andy was sitting, just lending her presence for a while. She smiled slightly at him, knowing how he was feeling. "I think we'll miss him." She said very softly.

Andy looked at Yvette and smiled.

"I don't think we'll miss him," said Andy. "I know we'll miss him."

Andy was glad that Yvette was there. He felt like he needed somebody to talk to. But for some reason, the only person he didn't want to talk to was Madison.

Ember Hawthorne "Oh, my...I don't deserve any awards, I didn't really DO anything..." Ember sat more or less by herself in the Great Hall. She watched sadly as Marvo was taken away.

"He saved all our lives, and THIS is his reward? Somehow that's just not right..."

"It'll be hard." She smiled at him, the exact opposite of her normal self. This had changed her in ways she'd never thought would happen. Why, her voice was almost a whisper! "But we'll pull through. We've all got each other." She almost laughed at how cheesy she sounded. But it was true!

**************

Watching this Niki turns angrily to her father. "Papa, I explained what happened! He saved our lives! How can they do this?"

Mr. Pheidippides shakes his head sadly. "There's nothing we can do about this, Nicola. I'm sure Malcolm will be all right."

"Like Mother was all right?" Niki says challengingly. Mr. Pheidippides looks even sadder, and Niki sighs. "I hope it is all right," she says.

Kat was shocked. They had stayed here over the holidays and had such a great time together. No one had really mentioned Marvo's little secret and they had enjoyed things being normal again.

The awards had been great. She was so happy it was all over. But this! She had thought it was allowed for aurors, but apparently not.

She smiled at Marvo as he kissed her, and she returned a kiss to his cheek, but underneath she was seething. How dare he brush her off as this made the end to everything they had shared. How dare he? And at times like this you could tell who was important to him, he had come to say good bye to her first. But sooo final, and not so to Nimue. And almost affectionate for Nimue. She felt confused. She felt cheated and upset. But she didn't want him to be taken away.

As he walked from the room Kat decided that this was not enough of a goodbye for her. She ran to the door, only to be caught by Dumbledore.

"Please sir, I, well I, I want to say good bye properly." It sounded lame, but it was the best she could do.

Professor Dumbledore looked at Kat, his eyes both kind yet full of sadness. He then looked over to Nimue, who as the Headmaster had stopped Kat had headed straight to her father to plead for Kat to be allowed some private time with Marvo.

"Kathryn" said Dumbledore, "what will be between those two will be. I wouldn't want your heart to be broken so young."

Emrys Hawkwood could be seen listening to his daughter's words and strode from the room in the direction of the WIBS. He returned after a minute or two to where Professor Dumbledore stood with Kat.

"They will be leaving for London in a few minutes. Malcolm has given his word that he will not try to evade whatever is to come and for this and my daughter's promise to him - you may have some time alone together."

Kat hated Professor Dumbledore for saying that. He couldn't understand. As Lord Hawkwood spoke, Kat felt her heart sink. Marvo would honour his promise. But they had said they didn't want it and were

going to work on their parents. Now she was nervous. Kat left the room went to catch up with Marvo.