Ministry Comes to the School.

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Retta listened to him talk, feeling the sorrow and failure in his emotions as he talked about his last failed mission. The Addams woman had taken their toll on him but his spirits lifted as he spoke of the woman he had found because of it. He was very lucky indeed she thought, more than he realised she would bet anything on. And she would be sure to consut the cards later about it. This man was was going deeper than he ever had in the past and she just hoped he would get through it.

"It was strange, I was actually just heading back to my private rooms when I got the strangest feeling I should be in the Head Mistresses Office. I thought it was somethign about her but to my surprise you were there. I had just been talking to Professor Underwood this very morning I needed to speak to the nw head of the department and lo and behold here you are. It is strange how fate steps in at times " she told him as she guided him along a passage to take one of the smaller staircases down. "It's quicker this way and less busy, classes will be done soon and the main stairs will be flooded with students" she explained to him.

"I am not sure I can tell you anything. But I have read the signs in the cards. A darkness is coming , a darkness that has touched this community before. A darkness that will swallow us up if we do not take the right actions. This darkness will touch the woman you love and I fear for her sanity. You must protect her and keep her safe. But it is more than that. There is a young child in my house, the darkness has already touched her though she does not know it yet , there is much mystery surrounding her ." Retta continued as they reached yet another staircase.

"Please, I do not wish to say too much in here, the walls have ears. May I walk with you a bit down the lane. " she suggested as they made it down the last stair.

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Tommy had listened to Retta as they made their way down to the Entrance Hall. He appreciated she took some back routes to avoid the students. If he had been on his own he would have gone down the main stairs, not knowing the castle, for hehad gone to Durmstrangs.

His eyes furrowed at her words but he did not interupt her. He had never put much faith in those that read the cards, yet her words struck deep in him. A young child that the darkness had already touched and he wanted to ask more but she had suggested the walls had ears. He was not sure what that meant but he went along. She certainly had his interest . He had been meaning to apperate as soon as he was out the gates but a little walk would not hurt he thought, just to hear what she had to say.

"I would be honoured to have you walk with me for a bit" he said as they crossed the Entrance hall and stepped out into the day. The sun was out and it was starting to warm up. He stil had plenty of time to see his father and be back to pick up Belle at 5. Avoiding an inner voice told him but he ignored it.

"Tell me more of this darkness and how will it touch Belle" he asked. She feared for Belle's Sanity, that scared a little and his only thought was Luke Andrews, a dangerous man she had once gone out with. Would he come back into her life, surely not he thought , would he be that stupid, yet he had not told Belle who had he was sure had killed Caroline. Another mistake perhaps. But how much faith to put in this womans words.

"I am guessing you need my help , otherwise why say anything, who is this girl you talk of " he asked for he had no idea who she was talking about and why it concerned him

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Retta gave a sigh as they made their way outside into the sunshine. Summer had come at last , something she knew the kids would be thrilled about. She could sense his feelings about the woman he loved, it was deep and she lightly touched onit. A pure love, the best kind and even though she knew these two had hard times in front of them, they would come out it OK in the end. She did not reply until she was sure they were well clear of the castle.

"I can't see details, just a feeling from when I read the cards and the message they tell me. All I know it is someone she knows, someone from her past and she will not see the danger herself. But she know by the end and you will need to be there for her. I am sorry I can't tell you more, the cards only allow me to see so musch and I do not have the sight as my grandmother did" she apolgised as they started down the path that would lead to the drive.

"As to me needing your help, I do not think it is me that needs the help. This girl perhaps, I do not know, all I know is I told her to stay in the company of her friends and never be alone. It is do with her mother that is what I know. A mother that was lost and I am sorry I can not tell you anymore" she said for she did not wish to give it away about professor Underwood just yet. He had told her he was going to speak to his friend and to her that was more important.

"The girl will be safe under my care and that of the Head Mistress. I am sorry I brought it up but it all pertains to this darkness that is coming. It is written all over the cards. And I saw the beginning in that murder. Caroline Jones, that was the start, but ther eis more to come. It will touch all of us but you I feel more deeeply for I sense it has touched you before too" she said for although she may not have the sight like her grandmother, being this close to him she could feel it deep down. Something he tried hard to push deep but it was always there in him.

"Maybe we could work together. That is if you beleive what I am saying. I know many don't, they think I make it up I know after last night I think I have convinced at least one Professor" she told him as they reached the gate.

"I might leave you here if you do not mind." she said and stopped before they walked out of the castle grounds.

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Someone from her past that Belle would not see any danger in. It had to be Luke he thought. Would he dare come into her life. She had walked out on him, he knew that much, woudl Luke hold a grudge. From what he knew of the man, Tommy was sure he would and surely he would know that she was now going out with him. After all it had been splashed all over the papers.

Retta was talking about the girl again and from what she said his first thoughts were Sunshine. It all came back to her it seemed. A darkness that had started 18 years ago, in the height of Voldermorts power. He wanted to ask more but she had apologised for bring it up and stated that Caroline had been the start. But she wrong, it had started many year sago when Voldermort had been in power and Sunshine had been taken. The darkness had never quite gone away. Sunshine, Kade, Clio and Oliver and now Caroline and it all came back to Sunshine.

"It touched me a few years ago, Clio was her name. " he said softly. Even thinking about her took him back to that day, the day he had winged her but still she had got the better of him. "But you are right , it is all connected. And I do believe you. I would very much like to be able to consult you from time to time. " he said as an Owl swooped down with a note attached ot its leg.

Tommy took the note and unrolled it. It was from Cameron "Trouble in Diagon" it said

Belle was his instant reaction. "Muggle lads cause Chaos, Bookshop" he read on and gave a sigh of relief. Still it was a concern, how did Muggles get into Diagon. He folded the note and popped it in his pocket.

"That is fine, Work calls anyway" he said to her. Then with a nod of his head he stepped outside the gates, took a few more paces out then twisted on the spot. Seems that talk with father was going to have to wait.