The Ministry of Magic was rarely quiet, but on this particular morning, it seemed louder than usual—voices sharper, footsteps faster, whispers carrying a nervous edge. Something had shaken the brass-and-glass corridors long before the memo birds began flying.
And all of it centered around a single name:
Mavis Potter-Silverthorne.
On Level Two, in the crowded expanse of the Auror Office, Kingsley Shacklebolt opened a sealed red folder with golden binding. His calm expression flickered—barely, but enough for Tonks to notice.
"What is it, Kingsley?" she asked, leaning over the back of his chair.
He turned the folder so she could see the title.
UNSANCTIONED ADOPTION OF MAVIS POTTER.
Tonks blinked. "Silverthorne? As in those Silverthornes?"
Kingsley nodded.
Tonks whistled low. "Well, this is going to make the politicians choke on their morning tea."
"It already has," Kingsley said, noticing the flood of incoming memos. "The Minister wants answers. The Wizengamot wants a hearing. And the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is pretending it isn't their problem."
"So everyone's panicking." Tonks guessed.
Kingsley closed the folder, "Profoundly."
Meanwhile, on Level One, Dolores Umbridge's shrill voice cut through the air like nails on glass.
"This is completely unacceptable!" she screeched at a cluster of shaking clerks. "The Potter girl was placed—properly placed—with her Muggle relatives under legal decree!"
A young clerk whispered, "But ma'am... the Dursleys were under investigation for child neglect. She was found starving, bruised, and—"
"—IRRELEVANT!" Umbridge snapped. "The Dursleys were the designated guardians! That is ALL that matters!"
"Except," another clerk spoke faintly, "Severus Snape filed a detailed report. And it includes... well... photographs."
Umbridge paled.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3CwcG3Ia3
Snape's name had a way of ending arguments instantly.
"How dare he interfere," she muttered, voice trembling not with fear but humiliation. "How dare he undermine Ministry protocol..."
The clerk added timidly, "And... the adoption ritual was already sealed magically. Ancient magic, ma'am. Old magic. The kind the Ministry can't override."
Umbridge's face turned bubblegum-pink, then puce.
"Find a loophole! Find something! We cannot let the Silverthornes take control of the Girl-Who-Lived!"
Hours later, the Wizengamot chamber filled with robes of deep plum and silver. The floating torches dimmed as Dumbledore walked in with quiet authority.
Snape followed behind him—expression icier than a Dementor's breath.
The whispers rose instantly.
"Dumbledore is defending the Silverthornes—again!"16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY5cSfLQDf
"Snape filed the report. Highly irregular."16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lz8854Hwt
"Why didn't anyone inform us sooner?"16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwoJRaCXp1
"She is a Potter—she belongs in a wizarding household!"16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZvJ4801g0
"Silverthorne is a wizarding household, you idiot—one with more credentials than half the Wizengamot combined!"
Madam Bones struck her staff. "Order!"
Dumbledore stepped forward.
"I stand before you not as Chief Warlock," he began softly, "but as a witness to the truth of Mavis Potter's wellbeing."
Snape's dark gaze swept over the room—daring anyone to challenge him.
Dumbledore continued, "Mavis Potter has been abused, neglected, and mistreated by the Dursleys for years. I have seen it myself. Severus Snape has seen it. The Silverthornes have provided healing, safety, and a stable magical environment."
The room buzzed.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUKDF87lcP
Umbridge looked ready to explode.
"And," Dumbledore added, turning slightly, "the blood adoption ritual is already complete. Ancient Silverthorne magic recognized her as family. No law, no decree, no political pressure can undo that."
A silence so heavy it vibrated.
Then Snape stepped forward.
"If anyone," he said, voice cold as a frozen river, "suggests placing her back with the Dursleys—or anywhere but the Silverthorne household—I will personally escort them to St. Mungo's for psychological evaluation."
Several members flinched.
Snape went on, quieter but infinitely deadlier:
"What I saw at that Muggle home..."16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgIxMvxoXH
His fists tightened.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIzFsHz33F
"Lily Potter would rise from her grave to curse every one of you if you returned her daughter to that environment."
The chamber fell completely silent.
Even Umbridge sputtered uselessly.
Madam Bones cleared her throat. "Let the vote commence."
Ballots glowed.
One by one—16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KIru1qtSL
Silverthorne Adoption Approved16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FjOoHFOpc
Silverthorne Adoption Approved16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiFg5HtHeZ
Silverthorne Adoption Approved
Only Umbridge's ballot glowed red.
By midday, the news spread like Fiendfyre.
THE GIRL-WHO-LIVED ADOPTED BY SILVERTHORNE FAMILY16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYdXQxctBe
DUMBLEDORE SUPPORTS NEW GUARDIANS16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OMMoPPkle
MINISTRY UNDER FIRE FOR FAILURE TO PROTECT CHILD HERO
And the Silverthorne crest—shimmering tree with constellation roots—was suddenly everywhere.
People celebrated.
Some protested.
Some tried to exploit it.
But the overwhelming sentiment was clear:
The girl was finally safe.
Mavis swung her legs from the kitchen counter, munching on a honey tart while Aurelion perched on her shoulder. Sakari curled around her waist, purring like a warm pastel cloud.
Elarisse stirred a cauldron of calming draught while Alaric cleaned potion knives.
Snape arrived first, stepping through the manor wards with a sweep of black robes.
"You're back!" Mavis beamed. "How was the Ministry? Did they yell?"
Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. "That is an understatement."
Alaric smirked. "Did you threaten anyone, Severus?"
"Of course," he said flatly. "Several."
Mavis laughed, eyes bright.
Then the fireplace roared green.
Dumbledore stepped out, brushing ash from his robes.
"Well," he announced cheerfully, "that went surprisingly well."
Elarisse raised a brow. "Define 'well,' Albus."
"Well," Dumbledore said, "no one was hexed. Severus did not curse anyone. And the Wizengamot approved everything."
"Only because I reminded them of their basic human decency," Snape muttered.
Dumbledore chuckled.
Alaric placed a hand on Mavis's shoulder, "You're officially ours, little star."
Mavis looked around the room—her parents, her found family, her familiars, Snape looking begrudgingly proud, Dumbledore smiling like the sun after rain.
For the first time in her life...
She felt wholly, utterly safe.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGXm9nyhTP
and then Add to home screen.