HPWW341-350
Chapter 341
While she was pressing hard, not giving the old man
time to dawdle, she kept an eye on the healer. Only
when the woman gestured her to back off or slow
down, did she do so.
While she continued to press she was also watching
the old man's, though muted due to the serum,
expressions. He was quite flushed, breathing a little
rapidly and sweating buckets.
At the eighteen minute mark, the Healer simply said,
"Enough." And Bones immediately stopped and sat
back.
She then watched as the Healer administered the
antidote and kept up her monitoring charms on the
old man as he began to recover.
Once he appeared to have regained his senses,
Dumbledore started to look quite shocked and utterly
disappointed.
"Well, well," she said. She'd have smirked at him if
she wasn't already so horrified by some of the
answers he'd given.
"Dumbledore, we now have the following
confirmations under Veritaserum and faithfully
recorded by Dicta-quill: You lied in court when you
stated you did not know the Dursleys would mistreat
Lord Potter. If anything, you were counting on it. You
even 'helped' in that with the occasional casting of
compulsion charms to increase their ire towards Lord
Potter when he first arrived there. In effect, you were
conditioning them to condition Lord Potter for you.
Plus, if the abuse the Dursleys heaped onto Lord
Potter was ever discovered, which it was, you would
have ready 'patsies' to take the fall for you while you
sat back and faked pious disappointment, which you
did.
"What you've either completely forgotten about, or
simply didn't care about, is that, if Lord Potter did not
have the sheer force of will and fortitude he holds and
has since amply demonstrated and had actually tried
to suppress his magic as his muggle relatives tried to
force him to do, you may very well have turned him
into an Obscurial."
That caused the old man to nearly jump in his chair in
shock, as if he'd been surprised by getting tagged by
an electrified cattle prod.
Bones ignored it and went on. "On that, I have you for
premeditated child abuse, psychological;
premeditated child abuse, emotional; premeditated
child abuse, physical; child abuse by proxy for all
three; deliberate child abandonment; criminal child
neglect; muggle-baiting many more multiple accounts
than you've already faced court for and perjury of the
case 'The Ministry and Albus Percival Wulfric Brian
Dumbledore; Regent Dowager Lady Augusta
Longbottom, presiding'.
"That last one means I can now keep dosing your arse
with Veritaserum, over and over again, until I have all
my answers before resubmitting that entire trial back
before the Wizengamot. That means all those crimes
of yours, which did not receive the full sentence, I get
to reopen and have reheard. Double Jeopardy does
not apply.
"Going back in time a bit, I now have the following:
You received information that the Dark Lord had
specifically targeted the Potters and Longbottoms. On
hearing that you immediately 'ordered' both couples
go immediately into hiding, but refused to tell them
why other than you 'suspected' the Dark Lord was
specifically targeting them. You tried to get the
Longbottoms to use a Secret Keeper of your choice,
but they refused you and Frank's mother fulfilled that
role. However, you demanded to be informed of the
Secret... in writing... and you were. You then kept that
slip of parchment in a draw in your desk in the
Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts, not even under a
lock and key let alone within a magical safe.
"The Potter's, however, also wanted to use a Secret
Keeper of their choice. However, you managed to
convince them to use Peter Pettigrew instead of Sirius
Black, their first choice. You were able to convince
them by stating how much of a prank it was to fool
everyone into thinking it was Black when, all along, it
was Pettigrew. You also knew Pettigrew was a Death
Eater and had obliviated him of knowledge you knew.
As such, you convinced the Potters to use a Secret
Keeper who you knew to be a marked Death Eater. I
also have confirmation, from your own mouth while
under Veritaserum, you were hoping Pettigrew would
share the secret with his master, Voldemort, so that
his master would go to the Potter Cottage, kill Lord
and Lady Potter and attempt to kill the then infant Heir
Apparent, Harry Potter.
"In other words, you deliberately and with forethought
engineered the death of the last remaining members
of a Noble and Most Ancient House, thereby rendering
that House extinct. As such, by your own evidencesubmittable admission, on this act alone I have you
dead to rights for a capital crime that has only one
punishment - the Veil. As the evidence is via your
admission under Veritaserum and faithfully
transcribed onto parchment by Dicta-quill, it cannot
be overturned.
"All other crimes I've been able to uncover through
your questioning today is just icing on the cake and,
ultimately, doesn't mean much. However, it is useful in
learning the truth about matters of importance to the
Wizarding World.
"From what I have been able to learn so far, I now
have enough to make a certain decision right here and
right now.
"I, Madam Director Amelia Susan Bones, Director of
the Department of Magical Law Enforcement,
determine the wizard known as Albus Percival Wulfric
Brian Dumbledore to be a Dark Lord. As I say, so let it
be written."
That had Dumbledore blanch so white she thought the
man was going to die, right then, from either a brain
aneurysm or a heart attack.
After a pause to carefully watch the man to see if
Pockridge would have to step in to save the man's life
for the moment, she had to wait a bit for Pockridge to
step back before she continued.
"I, Acting Madam Minister Amelia Susan Bones,
concur with the determination made by Madam
Director Amelia Susan Bones, Director of the
Department of Magical Law Enforcement; and also
determine the wizard known as Albus Percival Wulfric
Brian Dumbledore to be a Dark Lord. As I say, so let it
be written."
With a shorter pause, this time, she continued, "I,
Madam Regent Amelia Susan Bones, Regent and Heir
Secondary of the Noble and Ancient House of Bones
and member of the Wizengamot, concur with the
determination made by Madam Director Amelia Susan
Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law
Enforcement; and also determine the wizard known as
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore to be a Dark
Lord. As I say, so let it be written."
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Chapter 342
There was a muted triple-flash from Bones that
signified the magical command had taken effect upon
the three legal entities in one body she was.
As soon as the triple-flash occurred, another occurred
about Dumbledore. Magic had accepted the
determination.
With a nod, she declared, "Let the record reflect magic
has accepted the determination. From this moment
forth, the wizard known as Albus Percival Wulfric
Brian Dumbledore will be known as the Dark Lord
Dumbledore. This determination may only be
overturned by the three who determined it to
unanimously agree to do so, or a full sitting of the
Wizengamot through majority vote to do so.
"End transcript."
It took a long moment before young auror Fitzwallace
was finally able to say, "Errr... yes, Ma'am.
Deactivate!... The Dicta-quill is deactivated, Ma'am."
"Thank you, Auror," she replied. "As of this moment, I
declare the matter of the questioning of Dark Lord
Dumbledore, together with his incarceration within the
cells of the DMLE, a Security of the Realm matter. It
has a designation of High Secret. Only those in this
room and any auror of the rank of Master Auror or
higher may know of it. To speak of it outside this room
is an automatic sentence to Azkaban and an
obliviation of any knowledge of it, other than you
breached a High Secret matter of which you once
knew."
Having given the old man time to cogitate through his
mind he was now a declared Dark Lord, she smirked
and said, "You no longer hold any position of any
authority, Albus. You're unemployed. Therefore, there
is no employer who will question your sudden
disappearance. Only your brother will question it if
you disappear. Even then, I have it on good authority
he wouldn't push for an investigation.
"When I'm done with you - if I'm of a mind to - I can
stun you, mask your presence and levitate you down
to that lovely room with its lonesome arch... and float
your arse through it. As you should well know,
anything that goes in there is never seen again. No
trace, whatsoever. And Saul Croaker owes me a
favour."
It was easy to see Dumbledore was now completely
terrified. His half-broken Occlumency shields from the
Veritaserum didn't allow him to mask his emotions.
"As I cannot have Veritaserum used on you again for
twenty three hours, we'll have to wait to do this again
until tomorrow."
Leaning forward and glaring at him, she tapped her
list of questions and said, "I'll have these questions
answered. It does not matter how much you
pontificate your answers, trying to last out the
eighteen minutes, I'll have as many lots of eighteen
minutes as I need; day... after day... after day. If I
manage to accidentally kill you in the process, so be
it. You're now a declared Dark Lord. Therefore, if you
die, no punishment awaits me.
"Once I have all my answers, only then will I call for
your new trial. If you're already dead, then I'll simply
try you in absentia. That way, the information that
comes to light will all be public.
"By the time I'm finished with you, Tom Marvolo
Riddle, also known as The Dark Lord Voldemort... if he
does actually manage to come back, as you believe he
will... is going to be pissed. Because, he'll have lost
the title 'The Worst Dark Lord, Ever'."
She sat back and returned her attention to her notes.
As she then began to pack them up, she ordered,
"Take him back to his cell and put a twenty four hour
suicide watch on him. Other than aurors, no one is to
see him; and no one, including the aurors, is to talk to
him.
"If he attempts to talk to them, he is to be immediately
silenced. I will not have him employ his silver-tongued
ways to get any... concessions."
Once she had packed her notes and tucked them
under her arm, she rose and walked over to the clerk's
desk, collected the record of interview and walked out
the door without another word.
About a minute later, the two beefy aurors who first
dragged him into the room came and got him. Moody
and Robards escorted them.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After the morning's classes, Herbology and CoMC,
Neville was almost bouncing in excitement. He didn't
know if Headmistress Marchbanks planned it that way,
but putting Herbology and CoMC one after the other in
classes that weren't separated by a morning tea or
lunch break was clever. It now meant they could go
from working in the greenhouses to working on the
grounds, or vice versa, and not have to worry about
rushing inside to change clothes between classes
before changing back later.
And then there was History with their second newProfessor-taught class for the day. All the Gryff's and
the 'Puffs they shared it with thought he was brilliant;
though he did scare them, at first, knowing as they did
he was also the new Deputy Headmaster. No one slept
a wink in his class.
As the Fourth Year Gryff's had a self-study period
immediately before lunch, many quickly changed out
their books for their afternoon classes, an elective
double.
Though early for lunch, the house elves brought up a
small portion of the food from the kitchens for those
who stopped by early to have their midday meal, like
Neville and other Gryffindor Fourth Years; and,
apparently, the Hufflepuff Fourth Years, for starters.
Neville was just in the process of building a lunch
when MacMillan approached him again.
"Heir Longbottom," he said, getting Neville's
attention. "When will we see Lord Potter arrive?"
Neville calmly said back, "I answered that question for
you, this morning. My answer has not changed. Is
there anything else?"
MacMillan appeared frustrated, but he shook his head
and replied, "No." Then turned about and stalked back
to the Hufflepuff table.
Neville mentally smirked and thought, 'There goes a
very unhappy boy.'
After he finished his lunch he gave Susan and Hannah
a signal and walked out the doors into the Entrance
Hall, a quick look around and he ducked into the
antechamber all the new First Years were herded into
on their first arrival at the castle and before the Sort.
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Chapter 343
He only had to wait about five minutes before both
girls walked in and, a couple minutes later, so too did
Daphne and Tracey.
"How are you all holding up?" he asked. As the senior
'Heir', without Harry also there, it was his job to make
sure the other four were all alright.
"We're fine," replied Tracey, for the four of them.
"You're the one who is getting continually questioned
over and over again."
Susan added, "We've been watching. We think you're
getting about triple the questions the rest of us are
getting."
Neville sighed and replied, "I'm fine, too. It's not as if
we didn't expect this."
Daphne asked, "No word from Lord Potter?"
"No," he replied. "Without news to the contrary, he
and Hermione still plan to arrive tomorrow morning
during breakfast."
Daphne sighed and said, "If you manage to talk to
Lord Potter before I do... which, of course, is almost a
certainty... can you pass on the message I need to
speak with him?"
When Neville looked curious, he still replied, "Of
course."
Taking another look around her she let her 'Ice Queen'
mask slip, as she would only in their presence or
within their dorm, and said, "Alliance Secret time. My
father has tasked me with approaching Lord Potter
about a Concubine Bond Agreement."
That had everyone, but Neville, shocked. He and
Susan just looked at each other for a moment before
both blushed.
"If we're talking about such..." he said, giving Susan a
pointed look.
She didn't indicate he was not to say, so declared,
"Alliance Secret; Susan's aunt, Regent Bones, and my
father are also talking about a Concubine Bond
Agreement for Susan with me."
"Furthermore..." prompted Hannah.
"Furthermore," he agreed, with a nod in her direction.
"My father and Mister Abbott are currently negotiating
a Betrothal Agreement between Hannah and me."
That seemed to surprise the two Slytherin girls. And
both noticed that Susan and Hannah did not seem
surprised.
Tracey looked to Hannah and asked, "You don't have a
problem with the Concubine Bond Agreement,
Abbott?"
"Nope!" the once-pigtailed blonde happily replied. "As
you know, Sue and I have been friends since we were
babies. We... kinda... hoped this would happen ever
since Sue found out she'd enter either a Concubine
Bond Agreement or needed a Line Continuation
Clause in a Betrothal Agreement."
Neville smirked and said, "Harry, apparently, figured it
out during that day when he formally introduced
Hermione as Lady Presumptive to you all. According
to my dad, he'd told him it was quite obvious by the
way the two girls acted between themselves and me,
when he was talking about his and Hermione's
Betrothal Agreement. He said it had something to do
with 'body language', whatever that means."
Tracey, not realising Neville didn't actually expect an
answer, replied, "It's to do with how people move,
stand, gesture with their hands, hold their heads a
certain way, their expressions, things like that when
interacting with others. Apparently, someone who
becomes skilled in... reading... it can determine a lot
more information than the person just telling them."
When she noticed the others, except Daphne, looking
at her in surprise, she blushed and added in an almost
mumble, "Leastwise, that's what my father tells me."
Neville was the first to react. He gave a small snort of
amusement and said, "And that means Harry was both
telling my dad the truth and knows how to... read, as
Tracey put it... someone's 'body language'."
Daphne asked, "All three of you are happy with this
arrangement?"
All three replied in the affirmative.
She then said, "Well, then; I can only hope Harry is as
open to discussing this for he and me."
"As you now know," said Neville, "Harry is not an
idiot. You've now seen and talked with the real Harry
Potter. He'll hear you out and give the matter a lot of
thought.
"Your bigger, probably only, problem is going to be
Hermione. She's a muggleborn, remember? They
don't have concubinage. Mum even told me it's illegal
in their world.
"You're going to need to be able to explain it to her in
a fashion she'll understand. And you're going to need
to give her a logical reason why she should be
accepting of it."
Daphne winced. Her one 'card' she could play was
that she and Hermione were both in Ancient Runes
and Arithmancy; and the two had studied together for
both those subjects.
In her mind she began to formulate her arguments for
the girl.
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Chapter 344
Harry and Hermione had spent the first half of the
morning going through their spell books for all their
wand-based classes at Hogwarts, revising the
practical side of the work. They transfigured for
Transfiguration, they charmed for Charms and moved
onto hexes, curses and shielding for DADA.
When Hermione began to flag, Harry called on Willy to
organise a morning tea for them - one the little elf
insisted they partake of in the informal dining room.
And then they moved onto theory revision.
That led to lunch, again in the informal dining room,
before returning to the duelling room to practice more
hexes, curses and shielding; this time against each
other, rather than the training dummies.
However, they only did that for about ten minutes
before the auror with them in the room called a halt
and offered to teach them and provide better training
for the rest of the day.
That had the two of them then practicing against he.
And he'd hit them with stinging hexes if they weren't
trying their best against him.
"You're not going to hurt me," he firmly declared. "I
hold a dual Mastery in Combat Magics and Defence! I
might only hold the rank of Senior Auror within the
aurors, but part of that is because I cannot be
promoted any faster than I am now. I spent the first
five years out of Hogwarts working on my Masteries,
so I'm probably the most highly skilled of all the
aurors on the force; and I include Mad-Eye Moody and
Bones herself in that!
"So, either try your best, or be prepared to need
plentiful application of soothing balm on your welts!
Because, as from now, stinging hexes is what I'm
going to hit you with, if I see an opening in your
defences I can exploit.
"Your next issue," he continued, looking to Harry, "Is
that you have a tendency to go 'all out' right from the
start. I noticed that when you whittled down that rock
on the banks of the Black Lake at Hogwarts. That's all
well and good when you're up against a mediocre
wizard, but is unwise against anyone who has a firm
grasp of strategy and tactics. All I had to do was
spend most of my time shielding and dodging, waiting
for you to tire yourself. Once you did, you became a
much easier target. That's when I had you beat. Don't
do that, in future.
"Next, you tired out too fast. While Quidditch gives
you some added fitness, it's nowhere near enough for
what you need when facing someone of my calibre.
You need to get more aerobically fit; to build stamina.
That is, you need to become fitter in the style that
allows you to keep going beyond a mere couple of
minutes. You need to get your fitness to a level where
you can keep going at near full speed for at least
fifteen minutes. With developing finesse and strategy
you could easily take me on within a year or two. At
the moment, I can easily keep wiping the floor with
you.
"Now, let's go again." And the auror, who barely
showed any fatigue, gestured for both of them to
stand and ready themselves.
Once they were, he snapped, "Begin!"
By the end of the training both teens were quite
exhausted, Hermione more so. But it showed Harry,
now that he'd recovered from the effects of
malnutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle, needed to
dedicate more time into getting physically fit.
Hermione then stated she'd be joining him.
"But, where?" she asked.
"The Room of Requirement," he firmly replied.
She sighed and said, "Of course."
The auror, after rehydrating a little himself, came over
and said, "You, Lord Potter, have power to spare.
However, your focussing more on that power, rather
than on finesse, is your weakness. Power versus
power you had me beat, hands down, on your own.
Now you need to focus on strategy and, as I
mentioned, finesse."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Returning to the Granger residence in time for Harry
to make a start on dinner - he was determined Dobby
wasn't going to rob him of the chance to cook the last
dinner before they returned to Hogwarts - they were
home well before Wendell and Monica were due.
He had no idea Hermione had already had a word with
Dobby to alert him to letting Harry cook dinner that
night. "It's his last night here, Dobby," she explained.
"You know he'll want to; need to, even. Let him."
That also meant, once he had the dinner in the oven,
he was able to head up to his room to take a quick
shower.
Hermione also took a shower, seeing as both returned
quite sweaty from their exertions, but must have spent
longer under the water as she was a little while before
she came back down.
When she walked into the kitchen to find him doing
something with raw vegetables, she looked beautiful
and her bushy hair was significantly tamed.
He practically goggled at her, which made her blush.
He exclaimed, "What happened to your hair?!"
With a light jut of her chin as if in defiance, she
replied, "Betsy used her magic on it. She also used
some potion she collected from Pottermore that's
supposed to tame unruly hair."
He stood staring back in shock for a moment more
before he realised he was doing it and gave himself a
shake. "Must be Sleak-Ezy," he suggested. "The
Potters were involved in developing and initially
marketing it."
Getting her blush under control, she smiled back and
said, "Yes. She told me that, too."
"Hunh!" he exclaimed. "I was about to send one of the
aurors up to see if you'd slipped and disappeared
down a drain hole or something."
She gave a snort of amusement and said, "So. I take
it, you like?"
"Yes!" he immediately declared. "But, that's if you like
it, too. You don't have to go to the trouble if you don't
want to. But, it's very nice to see you looking so
beautiful."
She smiled back. "Well, then," she said. "It looks like
Betsy is coming to Hogwarts with us. That is, if you
don't mind."
"Nope!" he happily declared.
As she helped him prepare dinner, he said, "You
know... your father's going to take one look at you,
looking as beautiful as you do now, and be thinking
about threatening me to keep my hands off you
again."
She giggled.
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Chapter 345
When the Grangers arrived home, Wendell took one
look at his daughter, both radiant from the exercise
and looking gorgeous, and goggled in shock. Then he
turned an almost scowl on Harry.
Harry just looked innocently back and shrugged.
Wendell's behaviour was exactly as he expected.
Monica, not so much. She took one look at her
daughter and smirked before dragging her upstairs 'to
chat'.
As soon as they were gone, Wendell asked him, "What
happened to Hermione's hair?"
"Betsy fixed it with elf magic and a hair management
potion called Sleak-Ezy," he immediately replied. "It
looks good, doesn't it?"
"Hmmmph," Wendell grumbled. "Remember: As her
betrothed, it's your job to make sure no harm befalls
her. If you need help hiding the bodies, let me know."
Harry grinned and replied, "No worries. I remember."
Both 'men' knew the other knew exactly what they
were both alluding to.
When both ladies came back downstairs, Monica was
demanding to know more about the potion and if it
worked on non-magicals.
"No idea," said Harry. "I don't know why not, though.
Try it and see. Call Betsy and ask as she'd probably
know and could even source it for you."
Monica did exactly that and Betsy couldn't say it
wouldn't work. She also promised to purchase some
for her and come to apply it if called, with Hermione's
permission."
"My permission?" asked Hermione.
"She's your Ladies' elf, Hermione," Harry explained.
"If you order her to answer someone else's call, she'll
do it."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Dinner that night was a bit of a feast. However, the
only people sitting at the table were the Grangers and
Harry. The aurors said they'd eat in the 'Quarters', so
Harry and the Grangers could have this last meal
together in private.
As it was winding down, another well-cooked and
succulent roast beef with all the trimmings, Harry
made sure the two Granger adults were finished with
theirs and about to have their teas when he gave his
throat a little clear and said, "Wendell... Monica...
Thank you, so very much, for allowing me to come
and stay. And for putting up with having strangers in
your home for this past near month and a half―"
"You're very welcome, Harry," said Wendell, cutting
him off. "And the aurors and other guests have not
been a bother."
"You've brought us new friends and acquaintances,
Harry," said Monica. "Plus, we've both been given a
better look and understanding of the world our
daughter is now a part of."
He blushed and looked down. "Still―"
"Still nothing," Wendell firmly said. "Monica and I are
now a great deal more relieved our daughter is going
to be alright in your world. It was something that
plagued us with... yes, even nightmares... this past
few years.
"This past five weeks has given us both a lot of peace.
Especially knowing that manipulative old coot of a
Headmaster of yours is now effectively dealt with."
"And the wards," added Monica. "And the floo out the
back."
Still blushing he said, "If you're safe, Hermione's
happy. Plus, I've got one more thing to give you and a
couple of things to tell you to keep you safe."
He then reached into his pocket and drew out two
items before offering, one each, to the two adults.
They were little lapel pins.
"Each of these is a fully charged portkey. If someone,
for some reason, manages to get through your wards
with ill intent and you're home, the bringing down of
those wards will activate them. As long as you're
wearing them, you'll be portkeyed direct to Pottermore
and under the far more powerful wards there.
"If the wards come under attack, an alert built into
them will also alert both myself and Sirius that they're
such. And both of us will be able to call on the aurors
to get here with alacrity. But, the portkeys will get you
away to safety even if something goes wrong with
that, or the aurors are delayed."
Both accepted them with near reverence and looked at
him with gratitude. Hermione, however, turned in her
chair, leaned over to him and planted a major kiss on
him.
With eyes shining brightly she pulled back and
quietly, but heartfeltingly, said, "Thank you."
Wendell gave his own throat a clear and softly said,
"Yes. Thank you, Harry."
Getting his blush under control, he frowned and said,
"Dumbledore worries me. But, he's not the only threat
to you out there from our world. While Dumbledore
will try and use you, there are those who may come
after you with more life-threatening intent.
Dumbledore's attempts to get in through the wards,
twice, is only an inkling of that."
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Chapter 346
"We'll wear them always, Harry," said Monica.
After a quick nod he said, "Secondly, if you're not
somehow wearing the pins and the wards start to go,
I've instructed the Potter elves to get you out of here if
you're still here. If you're at, say, the hospital if it
happens, they'll alert you to it without letting anyone
else see them. They're pretty good with things like
that."
After that quite emotional moment, the two adult
Grangers immediately donned them.
"Well!" said Monica with a sigh. "What time, did you
say, you had to be ready to floo to Hogwarts
tomorrow?"
Harry smiled at her, grateful for the obvious intent to
change the subject.
"7.30am sharp," he replied. "Dobby... and, probably,
Betsy... will bring our trunks once we're gone. It's
safer than taking them with us through the floo unless
we were to shrink them and put them in our pockets.
I'm, for one, just as likely to trip over mine and break
my fool neck stepping out of the floo at the other end
if they don't, even if it is in my pocket."
That had the other three grin back.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
For his last morning Harry was determined that today,
of all days, he was going to beat that half pint, sawn
off, little joy-killer of an elf of his to the kitchen. He'd
set the alarm to go off an hour earlier than normal.
When going to bed he chuckled and thought, 'Got ya
now, pipsqueak!'
When the alarm went off, on as quiet a setting as he
thought he could get away with, he was quick to
deactivate it, pull his invisibility cloak over himself,
put on as many masking charms on himself as he
thought he could get away with - scent, noise, body
heat, etcetera - and hurried down to the kitchen.
Almost giggling to himself he hurried into the
kitchen... and stopped dead in shock.
Dobby was already there and preparing breakfast.
"Good morning, Master Harry!" he chirped, working
with a skillet and the fry pan for the hash browns. The
eggs were being poached, the bacon was on the grill,
he even had tomatoes being grilled, as well.
Yanking the cloak off and cancelling the charms with a
powerful finite he firmly said, "Damn it!"
Glaring at the back of the elf with suspicion he
checked the clock on the wall... and found it was set
to a time half an hour later than the one in his room.
He again glared at the elf before he hurried back up to
his room... and found the clock was set the same as
one in the kitchen. That meant he either didn't set the
time of the alarm right, or someone had changed the
time for it to go off.
Hurrying back down to the kitchen he found Dobby
now checking the poaching eggs and demanded, "Did
you change the time on by clock to go off half an hour
later?"
Too innocently to be believable, Dobby turned to face
him and asked, "Is Master Harry feeling alright?"
"Damn it!"
Still with his cloak in his hand, Harry stomped off back
to the stairs to go back to his bedroom to get
showered and dressed for the day.
It was while he was showering, and trying to figure out
where his plan had gone wrong, that he had an
epiphany. "That... little... shit!" he quietly but
vehemently muttered to himself. "He's charmed my
clock! That's how he knows when I get up and can
beat me to the kitchen! Cheeky... little... bastard!"
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
When he got out of the shower and dried, as soon as
he stepped through the ensuite door and back into the
bedroom he noticed everything was packed in a 'new'
trunk and one full set of his Hogwarts Uniform,
together with fresh underwear, was laid on his bed.
One pair of his shoes were tucked under the side of
the bed, ready for him to don.
"Now he's just rubbing my nose in it!" he huffed.
He dressed then went over to inspect his 'new' trunk.
Flipping it open he saw the thing had wizarding
expansion charms and compartments in it.
All his new clothes, both wizarding and muggle, were
now neatly packed inside. So were his school books,
parchment, ink, quills, cauldron, scales, potion
ingredients' case, telescope, received Christmas gifts,
other paraphernalia... and even his Firebolt. He was
stunned.
It took him at least a full minute before he slowly
closed the lid and latched it again.
Finally able to shake off his apparent shock he gave a
huge sigh and, more calmly, began to make his way
down to the dinette for breakfast.
However, he'd only dropped two steps down the stairs
from the first floor landing when he heard Hermione
suddenly cry, "Bet-seeee!"
That had him immediately spin about and race up the
stairs to the second floor without making too much
noise about it. If there were intruders, he didn't want
to alert them to his quick approach.
The door to Hermione's bedroom was open, so he
jumped within with his wand drawn, crouched and
ready to battle. He didn't even realise he'd drawn it.
Hermione was in the room wearing a fluffy pink
dressing gown that came down to mid thigh, with her
hair trussed up in a white towel. She was looking back
at him in shock.
After his quick check found the room to be clear of
Death Eaters or similar, he looked back at her. That's
when he noticed what she was wearing; but, even
more, that what he could see of her body was showing
signs of having only just come out of the shower - her
skin was flushed a healthy pink and was lightly
steaming. Then realised she was probably naked
under that dressing gown as he could also spot her
own Hogwarts uniform was laid out on her bed with
her pink underwear on top.
He immediately blushed and stuttered, "Errm―"
Getting her own shock under control before he could
get his under such, she firmly said, "Best go
downstairs and wait for me to get dressed, Harry. I
need to talk to Betsy."
"Errr... yup!" he said, before he spun away and hurried
down the stairs as quietly as he could. He was just in
time to pass Monica on her way up from the first floor.
She was wearing her own, but bigger and longer, fluffy
dressing gown with a look of confusion on her face.
But, Harry could see she was at least somewhat
dressed under her robe.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 347
He only paused long enough to blush again and
quietly said, "Oops!" Then hurried down as quietly as
he could and raced for the kitchen.
He was just thankful he hadn't also come across
Wendell. He'd be told off, just for the evidence of the
blush he knew he was now sporting.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As Monica rounded the top stair and saw her
daughter's bedroom door, as usual, wide open she
was also greeted to the sight of her daughter doffing
her robe and standing in the room, side on and naked.
Her skin was the pink of a hot shower and she still
had wisps of steam rising from her skin.
Quietly stepping in through the door, as her daughter
bent over to pick up her underwear from off the bed,
she quietly said, "Well―"
With a very shocked but quiet, "Eeek!" Hermione's
reaction was near-instant. She dropped to the floor,
grabbed her robe and jumped back up holding it
before her as she turned to the door, blushing
furiously away. It almost appeared as if she bounced
down and up.
Knowing she'd caught her daughter out, Monica
smirked and continued to say what she was going to
say. "I certainly hope what I just saw was not what
Harry just saw."
Furiously blushing, Hermione squeaked out, "No!... I-I
was wearing my robe when he saw me."
Stepping in further, Monica reached for the door,
closed it and turned back to face her daughter. "I did
warn you that, one day, if you continued to leave your
door open while you were getting dressed you were
going to give someone an 'eyeful'.
Hermione, still holding the dressing gown looked
down in somewhat shame and quietly said, "Yes."
Monica gave a snort of amusement and said, "You'd
better get dressed and go down and see Harry. You
just embarrassed the boy again."
Then she left, closing the door behind her.
With a pained sigh, Hermione threw her robe on the
bed and turned back to don her clothes.
'Betsy, first; then, Harry,' she thought.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
At 7.30am, on the dot, Headmistress Lady Marchbanks
was watching as the floo 'whoomphed' with a burst of
flame and the flames turned green. A moment later an
auror stepped out, then Lord Potter, then Miss
Granger and, finally, a second auror.
As they were stepping out, she came out from behind
her desk and was waiting before it by the time the
second auror stepped out.
Once the floo reverted back to orange flames she
quietly said to the two teens, "Welcome back to
Hogwarts."
Both grinned happily back. Both were also already
dressed in their Hogwarts robes, with Lord Potter
wearing the Potter crest on the opposite breast of his
Gryffindor crest and the Black crest subservient.
While Miss Granger wore the Potter crest on her right
sleeve up near her shoulder, signifying she was under
a Betrothal Agreement or contract to House Potter.
But, that was what they were wearing. Lord Potter had
clearly grown a few more inches, filled out across the
shoulders, lost the spectacles and... yes... apparently
also lost that famous scar. And, while Miss Granger's
physical statistics hadn't changed, her hair now fell in
loose waves to lay on her shoulders and was clipped
back at the temples by matching gold clips. Her
changes were small, but no less startling.
"Your luggage, dears?" she asked
Harry gave a nod and called, "Dobby... Betsy..."
With a double flash, both elves arrived with their two
trunks.
With a nod of her own, she called, "Toby."
A third elf arrived. This one, clearly a Hogwarts elf,
was looking to her for instructions.
To the elf she indicated the two Potter elves and said,
"Show these two that Lords' Quarters apartment I had
the school elves ready for me, would you?"
"Yes, Lady Headmistress," the elf replied, before he
turned and looked at Dobby and Betsy for a moment.
Then both Potter elves nodded back and all three,
plus the two trunks, disappeared.
Hermione appeared confused for a moment before
she looked to Marchbanks and asked, "Headmistress?
You asked... Toby... to show both Dobby and Betsy the
Lords' Quarters...?"
in a tone that sounded as if she was saying it was
obvious, Marchbanks replied, "Yes, dear. Lord Potter
is being given an apartment with three bedrooms. As
his recognised betrothed, you're allowed to share with
him."
Hermione stood there, mouth open a little and blinked
for a moment. "Ummm..."
Harry, realising the problem, said to her, "Hermione, if
you want to be in the Gryffindor girls' dorms with
Parvati, Lavender, Sophie and Fay, I understand. We
can have Betsy move your effects to there, if you
prefer."
Looking to him she said, "Ummm... no! I... i-if you
don't mind, I'd prefer to stay with you."
"I thought you knew to expect that, dear," said
Marchbanks. "Have I offended?"
Spinning back, Hermione replied, "Ummm... no. I...
just didn't expect it. That's all."
"And I didn't know, either," said Harry. "I should
have... and didn't."
"Actually..." said Hermione. "I'm... thinking... this will
be a much better idea. Thank you."
"You're welcome, dear," said a slightly confused
Marchbanks.
Hermione grinned at her.
One of the aurors asked, "And where are the Lords'
Quarters, Headmistress?"
"On the fifth floor on the way to both Gryffindor and
Ravenclaw towers," she replied. "Go up the grand
staircase to the fifth floor, head towards the two
towers and I'll have an elf meet you on the floor to
show you the rest of the way."
The auror gave a nod and said "Thank you, Ma'am,"
And he and the other auror left through the door to the
stairs.
Looking to the two teens she said, "I believe it's now
time we head for the Great Hall. There's been a lot of
speculation as to when you two would arrive."
"Yes, Ma'am," said Harry.
Both teens then followed her out.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As they walked, Hermione asked the little old witch
who was their new Headmistress more questions
about the Lords' Quarters and why someone, who was
only betrothed, was expected to stay there with their
betrothed.
"Aren't you worried what we might get up to?" she
asked.
"You're betrothed, Miss Granger," replied the witch. "I
might not be fully aware of what your Betrothal
Agreement states, but I have a fair idea of the gist of
it. Part of it states Lord Potter may act for your
protection, does it not?"
"Well... yes," Hermione replied.
"Then, where better for you than to be close by so he
can protect you than in the room next to his?" she
asked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 348
"Oh," said Hermione. "I didn't think of that."
"Hmm!" said Marchbanks in a verbal nod.
When Hermione didn't seem to want to ask any further
questions she stopped and waited for the two teens to
stop as well, they did only two paces forward, and
looked back at her. Both were looking at her with
quizzical expressions.
She was a moment before she quietly said, "Alliance
Secret."
That had Harry give a little start of shock as Hermione
looked even more confused.
Marchbanks looked to Hermione and said, "That
means, what we discuss here cannot be discussed
with anyone outside of the Alliance, dear."
"Oh," said Hermione, understanding.
Marchbanks then looked back at Harry and said, "I
have received correspondence from Lord
Longbottom. He has informed me that he is currently
in negotiations with Mister Abbott about a Betrothal
Agreement between Heir Neville Longbottom and
young Miss Abbott. Further, he is in simultaneous
negotiations with Madam Bones about a Concubine
Bond Agreement between Heir Longbottom and
Heiress Susan Bones.
Both were surprised, but not so much.
"I see this is not news to you," said Marchbanks.
"Not that it would happen, but that it is happening
now is," replied Harry.
"Hmm," said Marchbanks. "Lord Longbottom has
requested that, when the Agreements are signed, I call
on you to suggest you recommend Heir Longbottom
request Lord's Quarters of his own for he and the two
young ladies. I will approve it."
That surprised both.
"Why?" asked Harry. "I mean, why me?"
"Lord Longbottom does not want it to seem as if he's
over-fathering his son. However, if the suggestion
comes from you..."
Harry nodded and said, "Then Neville won't think it's
an order from his father. It'll be his choice. He wants
Neville to make these sort of decisions on his own."
"Precisely," she nodded.
"Uh-huh," muttered Harry. "I'm happy to do so. I also
expect Neville will leap at the opportunity if he doesn't
think it'll get him into trouble. The other three boys in
the dorm are all slobs, whereas Neville and I are not."
"Then you'll need to convince him it won't hurt to
ask," she said.
He nodded and said, "Will do."
She then hesitated again and asked, "Do you know
why you've been offered an apartment with three
bedrooms?"
Both teens immediately looked shocked. "Errr... you
know something about a possible approach for a
Concubine Bond Agreement for me, don't you?"
"I do," she firmly stated. "However, since that
approach does not appear to have already been made,
it is not my place to expand on that."
"Noted," he said. "Not even a hint?"
She smirked back and replied, "I'm sure you can
figure it out, if you haven't already."
"Greengrass," he sighed.
She just smirked back. "Shall we continue to the Great
Hall?" she innocently asked.
As she walked between the two teens and continued
on her way, both turned to again follow her. Both
teens, at the same time, glanced at one another.
A few seconds later and as he followed, Harry softly
but firmly said, "You're an evil woman, Lady Griselda
Marchbanks."
She just cackled. It was so much fun 'tweaking' the
youngsters.
'Oh, how I missed this!' she thought.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Walking the long way, so they'd walk in through the
main doors of the Great Hall from the entrance hall, it
was about ten minutes before they arrived.
As soon as they walked in following the
Headmistress, the Hall fell silent. Marchbanks just
ignored it and continued on her way between the
tables to the head table, while Harry and Hermione
peeled off at the head end of the House tables to go to
the Gryffindor table. They already saw Neville was
sitting there waiting for them with a grin on his face.
They'd no sooner separated from the Headmistress
before the first of the other students tried to approach.
It was Angelina Johnson.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "I want―"
"Back off and let us sit down!" he snapped out.
That immediately brought her to a sudden halt.
Though he wasn't looking at her, she had an
expression of shock on her face.
Reaching a grinning Neville, Harry made sure
Hermione walked around the table with him, so their
backs were to the wall, sat her first next to Neville and
sat alongside her on the other side. They'd sat next to
the other boy, who had also chosen to sit with his
back to the wall, to show solidarity. They didn't know,
however, he'd saved them seats.
"Morning," grinned Neville, just after they sat. "Making
waves, already, I see?"
Having already eaten before they flooed to the castle,
both teens only dragged over a cup and saucer and
began to make cups of tea each. Both knew they were
going to be immediately bothered by other students
all demanding answers to their questions and
wouldn't get much of a chance to eat before they had
to go to class.
From an inside pocket of his robes, Neville drew out
two small sheets of parchment, checked them and
offered one each to the two. "Your class schedules,"
he said.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 349
Hermione was all set to snatch it out of his hand
before she hesitated with a small start, then more
calmly accepted it. "Thank you, Neville," she said.
Harry smirked to her and nodded. He approved. And
she smiled back.
After just finishing making their teas, Harry asked,
"How did everything go on the trip here and
yesterday?"
Neville had only just opened his mouth to reply when
they heard the cough of someone trying to get their
attention opposite.
With a mental sigh, Harry turned to see who it was.
Ernest MacMillan. The boy looked determined, angry
and not a little scared. 'Ah!'
Sitting back and up a little straighter he looked the
boy full-on and asked, "Something I can help you
with, Heir MacMillan?"
Self-fortifying himself first, the other boy said, "Lord
Potter. I have come at the request of my Lord to offer
you my heartfelt apology for my behaviour I have
directed towards you between the start of this school
year and today. I―"
Harry interrupted and asked, "What about Second
Year, Heir MacMillan? Do you not remember your
behaviour towards me throughout that year? Does
calling me the Heir of Slytherin not ring any bells with
you? Do you not recall what you called me... to my
face... in public? And what about the hexes and such
in the corridors? How many did you cast at me?
"Secondly, you 'come at the request of your Lord?' At
least you're honest in stating apologising to me is not
something you actually want to do.
"If you want to apologise, Heir MacMillan, then
actually apologise. Make it from the heart or it'll be
worthless."
MacMillan, clearly angry, had to close his eyes as he
managed to rein his temper in. He knew he had to do
this, or his grandfather was going to disown him on
the spot as soon as he learned of it. He... had... to do
this.
Getting himself back under control, he looked back,
took a deep breath and firmly said, "Lord Potter. I
have come... to offer you my heartfelt apology for my
behaviour I have directed to you over... our time
together in the school. I have behaved with...
dishonour and in a manner that has brought my
House into conflict with you."
As he talked he seemed to get more into it and even
managed to calm a little.
"Though... I see now that I was in the wrong and you
did not deserve the treatment I caused to befall you.
You were undeserving of any of it.
"My... I hope you accept my apology in the spirit it is
given and we both may put this matter behind us."
With that last line, MacMillan almost seemed to slump
inwards. Obviously, his apology was done.
Harry gave it a long moment for the boy to collect
himself before he replied. "Apology accepted. You
may inform your Lord I have accepted your apology in
the spirit it was given and invite him to speak more of
this matter with Lord Longbottom at Lord
Longbottom's convenience. Anything else?"
MacMillan looked back for a moment and replied, "No,
Lord Potter. Thank you." Then, without waiting for
Harry to say anything else, spun about and hurried
away.
Harry gave a snort of amusement and returned to his
tea.
Neville leaned around Hermione and said, "I think
you've just caused anyone who had visions of coming
over to demand answers from you to rethink their
plan." Then he flicked his eyes to the rest of the Hall.
When Harry glanced up through his eyebrows and
looked about he could see what Neville meant. There
were quite a few who were staring at him and
appeared very reluctant to get on his bad side.
They now knew, more than ever, the meek little orphan
boy was gone.
They could also see he was a great deal taller, had
filled right out, wasn't wearing his glasses any more
and sat with a firm posture. This was no longer the
Harry Potter they once thought him to be.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Dumbledore did not sleep well. He never did in these
cells. They never turned the light off completely, only
dimmed it down so they could see him if they ever
took a peek through the little viewing slot in the door
for that purpose.
However, his sleep that night was even worse. That
Bones had declared him to be a Dark Lord had really
hit home. It was even worse when he quickly realised
that, with being declared a Dark Lord, it now meant
the prophecy could now be about him and not Tom, as
he truly believed.
When the little slot for an auror to peek within would
be opened about an hour after he'd been given his
meagre breakfast, he knew―
He heard the bolt on the outside of the door give its
distinctive deep 'shh-clunk', signalling the door was
about to be opened. And then it was.
The same two burly aurors as the previous day
stepped in. The senior of the two said simply,
"Prisoner, stand."
With a sigh he rose to his feet and held out his hands
held close before him, bent at the elbows with his
wrists inches apart. A few seconds later and the
magic-inhibiting manacles were firmly affixed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Chapter 350
As soon as they were, both aurors stepped to either
side of him, gripped him by his upper arms and
marched him out of the cell and towards the
Interrogation Rooms.
This time, during his move from his cell to the
Interrogation Rooms, he never said a word.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
A few minutes after MacMillan left, the mail arrived.
Neither teen received anything as they'd received it
before flooing to the castle.
It was as he was returning to his tea, Angie Johnson
regained her courage to approach.
"Harry?" she carefully asked.
"What can I do for you, Angie?" he calmly asked.
As he was neither smiling or appeared angry, she was
at somewhat of a loss on how to proceed.
"I... want to talk to you about you withdrawing from
the team," she said.
"What about it?" Again, no inflection.
"I want you to reconsider," she stated.
"I have," he replied. "However, as I stated to you in the
letter I sent you, I stand by my decision.
"I really did not appreciate my so-called House-mates
practically berating me and demanding answers to
their questions that day Hermione and I returned from
the Wizengamot trial sessions.
"I am not a walking version of the Daily Prophet they
can command to do their bidding like I'm a bloody
house elf, or something.
"If you need a new seeker, as I said in my letter, I
strongly suggest you approach young Miss Ginny
Weasley. I've seen her in action and believe she will
make an excellent seeker for the Lions."
Angie, though clearly angry at what she perceived as
a 'brush off', didn't retort. Instead she simply gave a
single sharp nod in return and walked away back
down the table - marched, really.
Hermione quietly said, "You know it means you can
never go back to being a seeker for the Lions, don't
you?"
Harry gave a quiet sigh and said, "I didn't want to be
the seeker in the first place, Love. I was bullied into it
by McGonagall. She told Wood I was to be the new
seeker for the Lions, without even bothering to ask me
first, and that was that.
"I like flying, Love. And chasing the snitch gave me
something to do while doing that. But, I can still do
that by simply releasing a snitch on my own and
chasing after it."
Surprised, Hermione said, "I thought you liked being
seeker."
He smiled back and replied, "No; the fake Harry did,
because it helped his façade"
"Ah!" she said. A moment later she added, "I'm glad. I
didn't like how dangerous it was for you; nor how
much you seemed to get hurt, all the time."
He leaned across a little and kissed her on the cheek,
causing her to blush a little and look away.
Looking back around her, he looked to Neville and
said, "Now. Before we were interrupted, you were
going to tell me about how the past couple of days
went."
Again, Neville was about to open his mouth when
Professor Babbling approached and said, "Lord
Potter. I'm here to escort you and your betrothed to
your new accommodation. You'll also be needing to
collect your books for your morning classes."
With a sigh, Harry looked to her and said, "Very well,
Professor." Turning to Neville he clearly said, "I
apologise for yet another interruption to our
conversation, Heir Longbottom. Perhaps we'll be able
to complete it during next break."
As the Professor gave a little start of shock, Neville
grinned and replied, "I look forward to it, Lord Potter.
Perhaps we'll be able to complete it during morning
tea."
Harry gave a smile back, rose, stepped back over the
back of the bench seating and turned to the Professor
as Hermione rose beside him.
She waited for them both to walk around the table and
then lightly gestured towards the main doors before
walking that way, herself.
The two teens followed, knowing they had many eyes
watching them as they did so. Both ignored them.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After Dumbledore was again manacled to the ring-bolt
on the table, as with the previous day the same aurors
entered and took up positions. This time they were
immediately followed by the Dicta-quill operator and
the Master Healer carrying her rack of vials of
Veritaserum. Then Madam Bones entered with her file
and went directly to her seat on the opposite side of
the table.
Without even offering a greeting, this time, she
opened her folder, made herself comfortable and
asked, "Ready for your next Veritaserum dose,
Albus?"
"No," he lowly replied.
"Too bad," she smirked.
After everything was set up, the Dicta-quill was
activated and the dose of five drops of Veritaserum
were administered Bones began her interrogation.
"What was the true purpose of you having caused the
erection of those series of so-called traps in the third
floor corridor as you announced on the first of
September, 1991, to the students of Hogwarts?"
As Dumbledore mentally struggled to not directly
answer the question he replied, "I informed the staff
the traps were erected to protect a valuable artefact
given to me by a dear friend―"
"Was that response meant to direct me away from the
truth?"
"Y... Y... Y-y-yes."
"What were you trying not to tell me?"
"T... T... T...Thhhhh-the traps were... a... s... series... of
tests."
"Tests for whom?"
"H... H... Haaaarry P... Puhhh...ter."
"What was the purpose of testing Lord Potter with
those series of so-called traps in the third floor
corridor as you announced on the first of September,
1991, to the students of Hogwarts?"
"T... t... t... toooo test... h... his... braaaa-ver-y."
"Do you see, Albus? Fighting the potion is pointless!
You are only delaying the inevitable."
"Y... Y-yes."
"Did you know Quirinus Quirrell was possessed?"
"Y-yes."
"From when did you know Quirinus Quirrell was
possessed?"
"Ffff... fff... ffffirst... of... Sepppp-tember―"
"Did you know Quirinus Quirrell was possessed from
the first of September, 1991?"
"Y... Yyyy-yes."
Bones was a few moments before she asked, "When
were you aware the troll was released into the school,
as reported by Quirinus Quirrell on the thirty first of
October, 1991?"
"Ah... At th... the Feast."
She paused a moment while she thought and then
asked, "At what time were you first aware the troll was
released into the school, as reported by Quirinus
Quirrell on the thirty first of October, 1991?"
"Ssss... sssiiii.. sixxxx thhh-... thurrrty seh... sehven,
thhhhat n... night."
Scowling, she demanded, "What time did Quirrell
burst into the Great Hall to make his announcement
about a troll being loose in the dungeons?"
"Sssseh... Sseh-ven nnnnuh.. niiiine...teen."
"So, you were aware a troll... a second troll, if you
consider the first troll being the one that was part of
those traps of yours... was within the school grounds
approximately three-quarters of an hour before
Quirrell made his shocking entrance into the Great
Hall?"
"Yyy... yes!"
"Why did you not head it off and deal with it as soon,
or very soon after, you knew it had entered the
grounds, Albus?"
"Aaaa... I... wwwwanted... to... sss- sssseee... whwhhaaat... T-T- Tommm... w... would do... w-whuh... wwith it."
"And if, instead of releasing it into the corridors of the
school, Quirrell had brought it direct to the Great
Hall?"
"H-heee... didn't."
"Did you know where it was, at all times it was within
the school?"
"Y... yyyyes."
"At that time, did you know that a student was not in
the Great Hall, but was on the second floor in a girls'
bathroom?"
"Y... yes."
"Did you know that the troll was making it's way
towards her?"
"Y-y-yuh-... yyyesss."
"Did you know Lord Potter was going to go and find
the girl, when it became apparent to him that Miss
Granger was not in the Great Hall?"
"Y-yyy... Nnnno."
Frowning at the response, Bones had an epiphany.
"Did you use any form of compulsion... No. Did you
directly use any form of mind magic on any student to
inform Lord Potter, then Mister Potter, that a student
was in that second floor girls' bathroom?"
"Nnnn... Yyyeeesss."
"On which student did you use such mind magics to
inform Lord Potter a student was in that second floor
girls' bathroom?"
"M-Missss... Br-Brown."
"And which form of mind magic did you use against
Miss Brown?"
"C... Cuh... Com...pul...shun.. charm."
"Why did you use an illegal compulsion charm on
Miss Brown to inform Mister Potter that Miss Granger
was in that girls' bathroom?"
"Sssso... yyy... yuh-oung... H... Ha... Harr-reee... wwould... go.. ressss-cue... h-her."
"Why would you send Lord Potter to go rescue her?"
"Tuh... T-tooo... tessssst... h-his.. b-b-braaaaay-very."
Surprised, she blurted, "Are you trying to get Lord
Potter killed, Albus?"
"N...n...nnn-Yyyy... Yeeehhs!"
Utterly shocked, the aurors and even the Master
Healer in the room all gasped in shock. Bones was a
few moments stunned silent.
"Why are you trying to get Lord Potter killed, Albus?"
she demanded.
"... ... ...B... Beeee... C-c-c―"
Dumbledore then appeared to go into some form of fit.
The Master Healer immediately stepped forward,
rapidly casting over him as he went into some form of
paroxysm. Then, without a word, suddenly stunned
him.
She immediately whirled to stare at Bones and
snapped, "He's having a heart attack. I need to get him
to Mungo's... now."
"Shhhhit!" said Bones.