Chapter 12
Harry was depressed as he awoke on the 14th of February, he was still in the care of Madam Pomfrey as she was having to remove the venom from his body slowly. The first day she had tried to do so quickly but it had caused him so much pain he had slipped into unconsciousness and began to thrash around too much for her to continue. Today was a Sunday and he had made his plans with Tilly over a month ago and he knew that as soon as he was able to have visitors a bushy haired missile would be headed straight for him, he was certain that his surprise for Hermione was already being enjoyed by her, a breakfast of fresh strawberries and chocolate would have been delivered to her as she woke up, followed by his first gift to her, a new sundress in the family tartan, he knew she would love all of this but what would bring her the most joy was his second gift that was on their coffee table surrounded in red roses. He had found a book he knew she had never read, he had had a copy of the translation brought out of the Avalon library, it was a book on the recorded Soulbonds in Japan, it was a relatively new book having been published in the last century, but the first case they spoke of was in the year 67BC, although light on details about their bond it did state that the couple lived a long and happy life and founded the first global school of magic that lasted until the 17th century when the statute of secrecy forced them into hiding and their pagoda in the centre of Kyoto to be abandoned. The rest of the cases listed in the book had more detail on what abilities bonded couples had and their achievements to better Japan.
"Good morning Harry." Madam Pomfrey smiled as she approached his bed. "I know you wanted to be out of here by now but you still have venom coursing through your body we're lucky it hasn't done any damage to your organs so far."
"I know, and I'm grateful for everything you've done for me so far." He said tersely. "It's just I had a whole plan for today with Tilly and unless you'll let me out on a day release from your imprisonment I won't be able to participate in any of it."
"Tell you what." Madam Pomfrey smiled. "I've only got one siphoning left to perform, so once you're done with Hermione today you can come back here and I'll do it but you'll need to be in my care for another day."
"I can live with that." He nodded. "Can I get dressed now?"
"Yes I'll call Tilly for some clothes for you."
As soon as he was dressed Harry moved through the castle as quickly as he could, glad that it was stil early enough that most of the students were still in bed, as he reached the corridor that housed Merlin's portrait he saw it open, and Hermione step out, he stopped moving and waited for her to see him. She looked to be in a daze as she walked towards him, like she was in a world of her own, when she still hadn't reacted to seeing him and was only a few feet away Harry stepped in front of her.
"Good Morning Mi." He smiled at her.
"Harry?" She questioned quietly before she fainted into his arms.
Harry panicked and instinctively used his ability to make himself stronger, he picked her up bridal style and ran as fast as he towards the hospital wing, the few students he passed called after him in concern but he ignored them and continued on his way. He entered the room that had been his prison for the last week and placed Hermione onto his bed, he brushed the hair out of her face and caressed he cheek.
"MADAM POMFREY!" He shouted. "HELP!"
"Harry?" She asked walking back into the room from her office. "What is going on you were free to spend the day with Hermione?"
"I was just getting to our quarters when she open the door." He explained as the matron moved to the bed. "She looked confused or dazed maybe I don't know, but she didn't seem to notice me until I was stood right in front of her and called her name."
"Oh dear." Pomfrey sighed and began to wave her wand over Hermione. "Call your family."
"Tilly." Harry called out.
CRACK
"Yes Lord Potter-Merlin?" The elf asked as she appeared beside him.
"I need Aunt Minnie, Uncle Sev, Sirius, and Remus here as a matter of urgency I don't care what they're doing just get them here." He stated without taking his eyes off of Hermione.
"Professor Black is hosting his fiancé." Tilly stated. "They are currently in the middle of something."
"Tilly my Hermione is currently unconscious due to unknown reasons, this is an emergency I don't care what they are doing get them here." He snapped at her.
"Yes sir, sorry sir."
CRACK
"It's a mix of potions by the look of it." Madam Pomfrey stated. "I'll need to give her a flushing draught, at the least, and there's no telling what else this might cause."
"Harry what's going on?" Uncle Sev asked as he entered the room.
"I don't know Madam Pomfrey was nice enough to let me out to see Hermione today but as I got to our quarters she was exiting them looking confused, then she fainted." Harry stated.
"She has more potions in her system than I've ever seen in a student, I am unable to tell them apart." Madam Pomfrey stated.
"Harry what's the password to Merlin?" Uncle Sev asked.
"It's 'Prongs' why?" He asked.
"I am going to check them for the sources, what did you give to her for valentines?"
"I had Tilly give her chocolate covered strawberries for breakfast in bed, the dress she has on and a Japanese book on soulbonds." Harry stated beginning to get upset. "She didn't put on her braclet when she got up she must have been too distracted by my gifts."
"Harry this isn't your fault, someone else has done this to her." Madam Pomfrey stated. "And with this amount of potions possibly more than one person."
"Indeed." Uncle Sev nodded gravely. "I will see what I can find."
As Uncle Sev tore from the room Aunt Minnie and Remus entered together.
"Hermione has been potioned." Madam Pomfrey stated as Harry seemed unable to pull himself out of the feeling that he was responsible for what was happening to her. "Severus has gone to check their quarters for the cause."
"Amelia will want to as well." Remus stated as he placed his hands on Harry's shoulders. "This isn't your fault Harry, the whole school knows you're currently residing in the hospital wing, someone took advantage of your separation."
"Who ever it is will be on a one way ticket out of the castle."Aunt Minnie stated. "I gave them their warning when you got together last year messing with your bond is grounds for expulsion, I already acted on it with Mr Malfoy and Miss Chang they know I won't hesitate."
"What's going on?" Sirius asked as he enter the room at a run with Amelia hot on his heels.
"Hermione has been potioned." Madam Pomfrey answered still waving her wand over Hermione.
"Severus has gone to check their quarters for the cause he could use a hand Amelia." Remus stated.
"I'll take you." Aunt Minnie said. "We will be back as soon as we can Harry."
Harry nodded as he stood watching Hermione, who was still unmoving on the bed.
"Why haven't you given her a flushing draught yet?" Remus asked the matron.
"I'm getting so many potion hits I'm not sure which to give her." She sighed. "I have some that react badly to some potion ingredients so I need to know what she was hit with."
"My money is on that upper year Slytherins." Sirius growled. "But if they targeted Hermione not Harry then they probably have another victim out there by way of a male classmate, just like last time."
"For all we know it's some of the boys." Remus sighed. "Ron has been staring at her lecherously ever since Harry's birthday and their time in the pool."
"If it is him I'm going to kill him." Harry stated. "I warned him about staring at either of us the last time Rose was around."
"Where would he have gotten it from?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she stopped moving her wand. "None of the apothecaries will send a love potion here, he is certainly not capable of making one himself, and I can not think of a reason for any of his family to want to endanger either Harry or Hermione."
"I'm not sure." Remus stated. "It was just an example."
None of the quartet standing by Hermione's bed moved or spoke in the next twenty minutes they were waiting for their family to return, Harry had a grip on her hand so tight his knuckles were white, the trio who had left to check their quarters returned bringing an irate elf and two boys from their year, one was their former friend and the other was a Slytherin who Harry recognised as his one time duelling partner, Theodor Nott.
"What's happened?" Sirius asked.
"There were several cauldron cakes, and a glass of water that had been tampered with." Amelia stated. "The three Slytherin girls responsible for the glass of water which was actually poisoned not just potioned have been remanded in custody via portkey, this elf confirmed they were involved."
"Whose elf is it?" Remus asked.
"It was formally Malfoy's, I think he belongs to Harry now."
"No I is being sold to Carrowses before the house was being gonses." The elf stated. "Dobby would be honoured to be Great Harry Potter's elf, but Dobby be needling to punish himself for speaking out against mistress."
"And the boys?" Madam Pomfrey asked impatiently.
"Both of them used several different potions on the cauldron cakes." Uncle Sev stated. "Unfortunately they both asked the same elf, who is new to the castle's service and performed his task without questioning the safety of the students, so each cake has a strong love potion keyed to both of them, a confundus potion, and an brain dimming potion to stop her thinking too much, when combined together all they managed to do was cause extreme confusion to her, luckily Harry got to her before they did or who knows what could have happened in such a state of confusion."
"Definitely a bad situation." Aunt Minnie stated turning to face the boys Uncle Sev had hold of. "Now we need to know which love potions you used."
"I don't have to say anything." Nott stated. "I have the right to remain silent."
Harry saw red and remembered something he had read in the Potter Grimoire and wondered if it would work for his other houses.
"Theodor Nott, Son the the Noble House of Nott, I, Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin Head of the Noble House of Nott hereby command you to speak the truth when questioned by me." He said letting his magic flow with his words. "What's your full name?"
"Theodor Fredrick Nott II."
"Date of birth?"
"18th of April 1980."
"Why did you attack Hermione Jean Granger?"
"I need a Mudblood to further my family magic, every 3 generations the heir must take one of the filth to replenish our bloodline."
"Why her?"
"She is smart and pretty." Nott said straining against his compulsion to tell Harry the truth. "And father told me to so that one of the other families could get you to wed their daughter and release the rest of the Dark Lord's followers from your control."
"Did you plan to potion her for the rest of her life?"
"Only until she gave me a son, which I would have started to work towards as soon as I returned home for the summer, then I would have given her to my fathers friends to use as they liked, she would have been used until she was begging to be killed."
"Can you give me their names?"
"No I don't know them father only uses initial when he talks to them." Nott strained. "And they all wear masks around me."
"I have enough to arrest him and his father." Amelia stated.
"I would cast you out of the family but that would aleart your father to the problem." Harry stated.
"What of Ronald?" Remus growled looking at the red head.
"Mum sent them to me." Ron mumbled.
"Why?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"Not sure she just told me what to do and said that I'd have what I deserved, and then something about Ginny getting her dream." Ron sighed
"Why do this now after everything we've been through this last year?" Harry demanded.
"I don't know but it really doesn't make much sense does it." Sirius said shaking his head. "Sounds like she's being manipulated in some way, Arthur hasn't said anything about her acting strangely recently but that just means it's happened while he's been working."
"Agreed from what we saw at the manor neither Molly or Ginny was acting like this towards Harry or Hermione." Aunt Minnie stated. "Who would want to do this though?"
"I can think of quiet a few mothers who want Harry for their daughters." Amelia stated. "We need to speak to Molly and see if she can tell us about any visitors she's had recently, this screams imperius curse to me."
"You'll need to be careful." Uncle Sev sighed. "If it is one of the Death Eaters they all add protection clauses into their instructions after one of the Bulstrode Dunderheads got caught out during the war."
"For the love of Magic I need potion names." Madam Pomfrey snapped. "I cannot begin treatment without them."
"Nott what potion did you use?" Harry asked.
"Lover's dream." Nott growled as he tried not to answer.
"Any ideas Ronald?" Harry asked.
"Mum's letter said it Smitten something."
"Smitten Kitten?" Amelia gasped. "I know who it is, there's only one person who could provide the ingredients needed to make that potion."
"I doubt Goyle would have the brains for this." Uncle Sev stated.
"No but his sister Amanda is no slouch around the cauldron." Amelia stated. "She supplies some of the potions to my department when we have an urgent need."
"She honestly thinks after everything Millicent has done to Hermione and I that I would ever choose her." Harry scoffed. "Not likely."
"I'll deal with these two." Amelia stated. "You lot stay with Hermione, I'll be back when all of them have been processed."
"What of Nott senior and Miss Goyle?" Remus asked as Madam Pomfrey brought out the potion she needed.
"I'll send Alister out to get them." Amelia stated.
"Right all of you out this isn't going to be pleasant for Miss Granger to experience, and definitely not something she will want to share with anyone." Madam Pomfrey instructed them.
"No I'm not leaving." Harry stated picking up Hermione again. "You can all wait out here from my reading of these potions this will be best done in the shower."
"Well he's not wrong." Madam Pomfrey nodded. "And I suppose she'd rather you help her in that state of undress than me."
As soon as Harry had closed the door of the shower room off of the hospital wing, after Madam Pomfrey had administered the potion and cast the spell to wake Hermione up, he began to remove her clothes, he knew this wouldn't be pleasant. After they were both nude Harry called for Tilly and sent their clothes back to their room and helped the rather reluctant Hermione under the now running water of the shower, after ten minutes it started, and she continued to purge her system of all of the potions for a further two hours, by the time she was finished she collapsed into Harry's arms utterly spent as she sobbed uncontrollably, he sat with her under the running water for another hour before there was a knock on the door.
"Is everything ok in there?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Yes." Harry replied. "She's just exhausted, I'm letting her rest for a moment before I get her dry and dressed."
"That's understandable." Madam Pomfrey said. "I'll call Tilly for some clean clothes for you."
"Tell her to bring the ones I sent her away with." Harry stated.
"Of course."
"Hermione we should be getting dry now." Harry said softly.
"Oh Hero, you saved me again." She said speaking for the first time since she had finished her purge. "I was on my way to find Nott your presence shook me from my stupor, it was like an extreme static shock but then everything went black."
"I was on my way to surprise you if I'd only been earlier or hadn't been in the hospital wing none of this would have happened." He stated. "I'm so sorry I put you through this."
"It's not your fault, I was soo excited to find your gifts to me that I didn't stop to put my bracelet on, the box held a compulsion charm for me to eat one and after that I wasn't myself." She stated as helped her to her feet. "Do we know what potion he used because some of the things it made me want to do are not normal."
"Actually you were dosed by two people, Nott got you with Lover's Dream." Harry stated.
"Well that explains the wanting to have sex with him." She shivered as he started to dry her off.
"And Ronald got you with Smitten Kitten." Harry continued.
"Dear Merlin that explains the other things."
"That bad?" He asked as she took the towel from him and started on her hair.
"Let's just say I'm not likely to ask you to do any of it with me." She stated as another shiver ran down her spine. "But it's like someone had shut off a huge part of my brain as well that can't be all it was."
"Uncle Sev said there was also a confundus potion and a brain dimming potion." He replied. "It doesn't sound like a fun experience."
"Definitely not something I want to repeat." She said as she started to get dressed again. "Did they say why they did it?"
"Ronald's was due to instructions from Molly, but it's unclear if she acted of her own free will or if the imperius was used." He stated as he finished drying himself off. "And Nott wanted to use you until you provided him with an heir, before he passed you off to his dad's Death Eater friends, and a fate I'm not going to explain."
"Yes, definitely don't need to know what they would have wanted to do to me." She agreed. "Thank you for the dress by the way it's beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it I got two so you and Rose can match if you like." He smiled.
"Maybe another day." She sighed. "This kind of ruined Valentines though, didn't it?"
"We still have half a day left and I'm sure Madam Pomfrey is going to want to imprison you as well after this." He chuckled. "So maybe it's not all bad, I mean she has that private room off of the other side for when a professor needs treatment, we could ask to use that after my last siphon and then we can have the picnic I planed and get Tilly to bring one of the boardgames from our quarters."
"That actually doesn't sound too bad." She laughed.
They exited the bathroom to find a gathering of their family and friends waiting for them.
"Are you all there Princess?" Richard asked as he and Viv stepped forward.
"Yes Daddy." She smiled. "All thanks to my Hero saving me again."
"Glad to hear it." Viv said pulling both of them into a hug.
"We still can't believe it was Ron." Dean sighed.
"Yeah, we all thought he had turned over another leaf." Seamus added.
"It wasn't only him." Daphne said. "It was also Nott, and Yaxley, Carrow, and Mulciber from sixth year."
"How exactly did you survive?" Lavender asked looking at Hermione.
"Well I don't know what the older girls did but I met Harry on my way to find Nott and our bond reignited and overpowered the love potions he and Ron had used enough for me to register something was wrong, but then everything went black and the next thing I remember is Harry helping me to clean up in the shower." She explained.
"The young ladies tried to get rid of you completely, their elf who didn't want to follow their orders by the way, placed a withering poison in the glass of water on the left hand bedside table in your room." Amelia stated.
"That's Harry's side of the bed." Hermione stated. "I might have been using his pillow when the elf popped in but I always use my own glass when I wake up."
"For once your reluctance to use my glass has actually turned out to be a good thing." Harry chuckled.
"Decidedly." Hermione smiled. "So what's happening to all of them?"
"All five students have been arrested, Nott, Yaxley, Carrow. And Mulciber have been expelled, but the Department of Mysteries are analysing the letter Molly sent to Ronald if they find a compulsion charm of any kind his sentence will be lighter and he might be allowed to return to the school." Amelia advised. "We have the date for all 7 trials linked to this set for a weeks time, but that's only so I can finish gathering evidence on Nott senior."
"Seven?" Harry asked.
"Molly was under an imperius curse cast by Amanda Goyle." Amelia stated. "She confessed that she wanted to punish Harry for what he did to her daughter in September, and sought to do so in a way that could see him choose another betrothed."
"Alright, that's it for visiting hours today." Madam Pomfrey stated. "These two need their rest."
"Bye guys." Harry said to their friends who quickly filed out of the room.
"Will they be in classes tomorrow?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"No." The matron stated. "Harry will need 24 hours of monitoring after this last siphon and after an experience like this I think it best they stay together."
The rest of their day passed much as Harry had thought it would, Madam Pomfrey had performed the last siphon needed to remove the basilisk venom from his bloodstream before she showed them into the private room normally reserved for professors and expanded the bed to make them more comfortable, lunch was provided by Tilly in the form of the picnic Harry had requested complete with roses in just about every colour and all of Hermione's favourite snack foods. By the time they were released back to their own quarters the following day they felt more relaxed than they had since they were at home during the summer, this relaxed demeanour continued until the morning of the trials.
"You should both eat something." Lavender said as she sat down across the table from them.
"We know Lav." Harry sighed. "It's just that all of my hunger has just disappeared, the thought of what could happen today is daunting."
"It's not that bad is it?" Pavarti asked.
"Ronald could be sentenced to life in prison if he acted of his own free will." Hermione stated. "It's a tough thought that someone who was once a friend to Harry, someone who we happily invited into our home, someone we trusted could be guilty of trying to hurt us."
"That and we're seeing his mother for the first time since then as well." Harry sighed. "She was imperiused into sending Ron those potions and she is going to be distraught that she let it happen."
"Dad says she's become depressed, doesn't trust anything anymore." Ginny stated. "Won't even get out of bed most days."
"Hang on you said Ron could get life in prison, even Malfoy didn't get that and he could have killed one of you." Dean said.
"The potion he used is illegal to make and equivalent to an unforgivable when used." Hermione stated. "It causes the drinker to want to do some very specific things that I do not want to repeat."
"Merlin." Fred exclaimed. "He used that one?"
"You know about it?" Harry asked.
"Dad told us Ron had dosed Hermione and we looked them up to get an idea of what he had done." George explained. "Had to go into the restricted section but nobody needs to know what you almost did, I think I want to have my memory of what it causes removed if I'm honest."
"Me too brother." Fred nodded. "Let's go see Madam Pomfrey and see if she can help."
"Later guys." They called as the hastily left the hall.
"Anyway back to my original point you're not leaving until you've at least eaten a bowl of porridge each." Lavender stated. "You've got a long day ahead of you you'll need your energy, or do I need to get Professor McGonagall involved?"
"Fine." Harry relented.
By the time the Wizengamot broke for lunch Harry and Hermione were thoroughly bored, although they were linked to the first two trials that had taken place they hadn't actually been needed to contribute anything, most of the trial of Theodor Nott Senior had been about his past crimes as a Death Eater, with his supplying his son with the potions he used on Hermione left as a foot note, his sentence of life imprisonment in the maximum security wing had his wife in tears, but it was the second trial that had been most shocking. Amanda Goyle was a tall blonde haired woman who had tried to carry herself with poise even in her Department of Magical Law Enforcement assigned prisoners robes and shackles, she had tried to justify her actions as wanting to restore an ancient and noble house to its former glory by ridding it of a gnarled branch, but that had only added a charge of attempting line theft, in the end she had been sentenced to life imprisonment next to Nott for her use of the imperius curse on Molly Weasley, and had been taken from the hall screaming about injustices against a pureblood, calling for someone to get her daughter to avenge her fate.
"So Harry." Sirius said as they sat in a small room with some of their allies to have lunch. "Millicent is now your responsibility as her Head of House."
"Damn it." He swore. "Alright find her a light family to adopt her, I'll continue to pay for her education and school supplies from the Bulstrode vault to ease their burden but she needs a decent home to undo the brainwashing her parents and uncle have put her through."
"A wise decision." Augusta smiled at him. "I believe the Magical Orphans Office should be able to find a suitable home, and I've been asked to pass on a message from Alice, 'It worked'."
"Brilliant." Hermione smiled. "At least that's some good news on such a drab day, I look forward to seeing the results."
"It will take some time for it to correct the issue, but so do I." Augusta smiled.
"Anyone going to clue the rest of us in here?" Sirius asked.
"Nope." Harry stated. "Let's just say Alice and Frank had an issue, and Neville found out and chose to consult with us on, it was what we gave them for Christmas, and now we just wait for the fruits of our labour."
"Harry." Amelia called as she approached them. "As a word of warning Ron is the first one on the stand this afternoon, Arthur asked me for the favour so he could get Molly home before she gets so worked up she causes an issue in the courtroom."
"Thank you for the warning." Harry sighed as Hermione latched onto him burying her head in his shoulder. "Anything else you can tell us?"
"The Department of Mysteries didn't find any trace of any magic on the letter from Molly." Amelia answered grimacing in disgust.
"Oh bugger." Sirius swore.
The mood in the room became somber after that and neither Harry or Hermione could shake the small feeling of guilt over what was about to happen to Ron, who not so many months ago had made strides to be their friend again.
"Come on you two we can't delay this." Sirius stated.
"He is right." Aunt Minnie smiled. "Let's get in there and we can try and get all of this over with quickly."
"Then you're going back to the manor for some rest and relaxation." Sirius stated. "You're far enough ahead to be able to handle a few days away from the castle. You'll be on your own as well Richard and Viv went to Greece yesterday they said they wanted to give you two some time alone, Petunia has used some of the money from her divorce of Vernon to travel on the continent for a while with Dudley, and Violet is in America consulting with the store for Pansy."
"You mean you're all trusting us alone in a manor where we can get up to anything?" Harry asked.
"We know we don't have anything to worry about." Sirius stated. "Besides I don't think either of you are ready for that step yet."
"Right you two I need you in the victim's seats please." Amelia stated pointing to two leather backed chairs near the centre of the room.
"Why didn't we do this during Draco's trial?" Hermione asked.
"Change in procedure. The new Chief Witch says it helps the court understand who the aggrieved is and how it has affected them." She stated.
"Don't worry I'm going to be right behind you." Aunt Minnie smiled. "I have to rescue myself from the jury anyway."
"Please be seated we have 5 more cases to see today." The Chief witch called out. "Please bring in the accused."
Ron was brought into the room he looked depressed and downtrodden, he didn't look up from the floor at all and as he sat down he looked at Hermione and flinched before he returned to looking at his hands.
"Madam Bones you have the floor." Marchbanks said.
"First case to be seen this afternoon is Ronald Billus Weasley, accused of using Smitten Kitten and a Brain dimming potion on Hermione Jean Granger the betrothed of Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin." Amelia stated much to the shock of the jury. "This potion as we heard this morning was supplied to him by Amanda Goyle through his impiriused mother."
"How does the accused plead?" Marchbanks asked.
"Guilty." Ron mumbled. "I wanted what Harry had, I thought mum's letter was genuine, I should have asked my brothers what they thought."
"Please continue Madam Bones." Marchbanks instructed.
"Did you know what the potion was?"
"No, the letter only said it was a love potion."
"Do you know what Smitten Kitten makes a drinker want to do?"
"No, and given its name I don't think I want to."
"I shan't repeat it in front of the victim but all members of the court can find an explanation on page 4 of the court notes." Amelia stated there was an immediate rustle of parchment, followed by a few sounds or retching, Hermione gripped Harry's hand tightly and Aunt Minnie rubbed their shoulders supportingly. "Now Mr Weasley why did you add the Brain dimming potion it wasn't mentioned in the letter from your mother?"
"I thought it would be best as she would likely have seen through the love potion without it, she is the most cleaver person I know and I didn't want to risk it going wrong."
"Where did you get it?"
"I stole it from Snape's personal store."
"Why was it there?" One of the jurors asked.
"I can answered that." Aunt Minnie stated. "It is a newt level potion, he keeps a vile to show his 7th years the effects they are looking for, he also keeps the antidote right next to it, he held the lesson on it 3 days later than he was planning to as he had to rebrew the potion himself."
"Concern retracted." The juror sighed in relief.
"So if you couldn't have gotten the Brain Dimming potion what would you have done?" Amelia asked Ron.
"I practiced the Confundus charm on my dorm mates, I was ready to use that if I had to." He stated.
"I have no further questions Chief Witch." Amelia said moving to stand next to Harry and Hermione.
"All those who agree the accused acted of his own free will and accept his plea of guilt raise your wands." Marchbanks called.
"The vote is unanimous." The scribe called out.
"Due to his lack of understanding of illegality of the potion he was using, the House of Black suggests a lesser sentence, than life in prison." Sirius called out.
"Seconded by the House of Longbottom."
"Motion carried." Marchbanks nodded. "Accused will serve 15 years in minimum security, where he will receive his education, if he is repentant and passes his schooling to an agreeable level his record will be expunged and early release will be available to him."
"Will I be responsible for providing that education?" Aunt Minnie asked.
"No Madam McGonagall I will take this on as the Head of the department of Magical Education, Merlin knows some of my examiners have too much time on their hands." Marchbanks stated. "Return the accused to his cell and bring forth the next accused."
"Why did Sirius call for a lesser sentence?" Hermione asked Amelia.
"We planned to if he looked like he was repentant." She stated. "When I told him what that potion made you want to do it broke him."
"Well at least there's that." Harry sighed.
As Nott was dragged I to the room he looked feral, he was struggling against the Aurors who were escorting him, he was clearly not happy to be there.
"Madam Bones please present the case." Chief Witch Marchbanks said as Nott was chained into the accused's chair.
"Our second case of the afternoon is Theodor Fredrick Nott II, accused of using Lover's Dream and a Confundus Potion on Hermione Jean Granger the betrothed of Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin." She stated. "This potion as we heard this morning was provided to him by his father through an elf."
"How does the accused Plead?" Marchbanks asked.
"Not guilty, a pureblood heir may do as he pleases to Mudblood filth so no crime occurred." Nott spat.
"Please refrain from any further derogatory remarks in this court room." Marchbanks growled. "Or you will be rendered unable to speak, therefore unable to defend yourself."
"As I said I have committed no crime, so I don't need to defend myself." Nott stated.
"Chief Witch." Harry said getting her attention.
"Yes Lord Potter-Merlin." She said giving him the floor.
"I am the accused's Head of House, and in that role when I discovered he was the perpetrator I commanded him to speak the truth when I ask him a question."
"You can do that?" One of the Wizengamot members asked.
"Not everyone can." Marchbanks stated. "It depends on the family magic and the will of the Head of House. Very well Lord Potter-Merlin you may question the accused if you believe you can remain level headed during the process."
Amelia handed Harry the list of questions she had prepared
"What is your name?"
"Theodor Fredrick Nott II."
"Date of birth?"
"18th of April 1980."
"What is your Hogwarts house?"
"Slytherin."
"Why did you attack my betrothed, Hermione Jean Granger?"
"My family have always taken a muggleborn wife every 3 generations." Nott growled trying to fight giving Harry the truth. "We almost became a family full of squibs 300 years ago so now one generation in 3 must bed new blood to replenish the family magic."
"Why did you choose her?"
"She is attractive." Nott said trying to make it sound simple. "And my father ordered me to so that one of the other families could get you to wed their daughter and release the rest of the Dark Lord's followers from your control."
"What was the plan after the day you dosed her?"
"To either potion her or use the imperius curse until she bore me an heir then give her to my father to use for entertainment for his friends."
"Did you not think that a soulbond would affect your methods?"
"Everyone knows that's rubbish, there hasn't been a recorded soulbond in centuries." Nott scoffed and many of the Wizengamot nodded their agreement to his statement.
"We will deal with that in a moment." Marchbanks stated. "We have our confession, all those who agree that the accused acted of his own free will please raise your wands."
"The vote is 90% yes." The scribe stated. "You are free to sentence the accused."
"The House of Avery calls for a lesser sentence as he is but a child acting on his father's request."
Nobody else moved to second the motion.
"Motion rejected." Marchbanks stated. "While we agree he is underage he is no child, he speaks of defilement and the use of unforgivables as if they were the same as going to dinner, at least the last two men his age to sit in that chair realised the weight of their situation, and showed true remorse for their actions."
"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement recommendation is not to place either Mr Nott or Mr Weasley on the island of Azkaban, until they are of age or their magic has settled, this is due to what happened to Mr No-Name formally Malfoy." Amelia stated.
"Agreed." Marchbanks said. "Mr Weasley will have a cell inside the Department of Magical Law Enforcement where his tutors can meet him, Mr Nott will be placed in the Department of Mysteries holding cells until he is of age at which point his 50 year sentence in a maximum security cell can begin, while he is in the care of the Department of Mysteries they may utilise him as they please."
"I do not give consent to be used in that manner." Nott stated. "I am a pure…"
"Neither did your victim." Marchbanks replied angrily. "Get him out of here and have an unspeakable bring me the book of bonds."
It took more than half an hour for a black cloaked figure to appear in the centre of the room holding an ancient looking leather bound tome, Harry couldn't make out the persons face under their hood but he was sure it was a man.
"Why have I been summoned with this book?" They asked. "The contents of this book are not for anyones eyes but the individuals named within it."
"We appreciate that." Marchbanks smiled. "But the bond between Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin and his betrothed Hermione Jean Granger has been called into question."
"Do I have your permission to read your section to the room?" The person asked looking at Harry and Hermione.
"If it will clarify everything." Hermione agreed and Harry nodded but remained silent.
"Very well." The figure said opening the book to the required page. "Hermione Jean Granger & Harry James Potter bond initiated 1st of September 1991 when Hermione broke the wards keeping Harry isolated in his compartment, solidified 31st October 1991 with Harry's rescue of Hermione from a rampaging mountain troll, bond confirmed 19th September 1992 when Hermione stopped ageing on her 13th birthday, bond completion and marriage expected 31st July 1993 Harry's 13th birthday, estimated lifespan of bond 200 years."
The room was silent, nobody had expected to hear it explained in such an irrefutable way. Hermione was coming to terms with the fact she hadn't aged in 5 months, Harry was hung up on the fact they would be considered married from his birthday, and Amelia was formulating a plan to prank Sirius with the information.
"Well then I hope that clears up that issue completely." Marchbanks said. "I will not tolerate any further actions or even statements from anyone denouncing their bond, now I believe we have three more to put on trial this afternoon, will these trials be separate or joint as their crime is one and the same?"
"Joint Chief Witch." Amelia smiled. "The three accuseds acted as a unit in this crime each completing a part that is not a crime unless they had knowledge of the other parts, our final case today is Morgana Alecto Carrow, Persephone Elizabeth Yaxley, and Iphigenia Morigan Mulciber, all accused of attempted murder of a Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Noble house and his soulmate."
The Wizengamot was in shock the last time they had heard this charge it was also against Harry they were not expecting it to be presented to them again just over a year later.
"Are we to believe that this young man has survived two attempts upon his life this past year?" A man in the back row of the Wizengamot asked.
"My count is closer to 5 the the last 18 months." Harry stated. "A Voldemort possessed Professor during a quidditch game in November the year before last, Draco No-Name's as you know, Lucius Malfoy during July of last year, a Basilisk controlled by a shade of Voldemort in the chamber of secrets about two weeks ago, and the case you are about to be presented."
"You survived a run in with a basilisk?" The man scoffed.
"As confirmed by me." Amelia stated. "And you can ask Madam Pomfrey the Hogwarts matron, she has been removing the basilisk venom from his system, the only thing keeping him alive is the tears of his phoenix familiar."
"So he managed to escape without being eaten." A woman said. "It's not that impressive."
"No actually I killed it with the sword of Gryffindor, and I am having it rendered by the Goblins in the coming months." Harry stated.
"By Merlin." The original man swore. "You deserve recognition for that."
"It is being coordinated with the ICW as this was a class 5X creature threatening an entire generation of children." Amelia stated.
"An agreeable situation." Marchbanks smiled. "Now bring forth the accused."
The three girls were lead in together all sneering at everyone who looked at them, but it was the men following the aurors that had most of the room's attention, each of them were being followed by a man in elegant black robes, behind Miss Mulciber was a large man of average height with broad shoulders, a bald head and scar running through his eye on the left side of his face, behind Miss Carrow was a tall, thin man with a pointed face and a hook nose, his scruffy ginger hair looked out of place in his robes, and behind Miss Yaxley was a man of short stature, with well kept brunette hair, and a nose so pointed it could almost have been used as a knife.
"Welcome to courtroom 5 gentlemen." Marchbanks said. "But to what end do we owe the pleasure of your company?"
"I am accompanying my daughter who is still underage, I do not deem her ready to face this alone." The bald me stated.
"Very well but if you interfere with proceedings you will be charged as an accessory to her crime." Marchbanks instructed him.
"And although my daughter turned 17 just last month, she is still but a child in many ways, I would be remiss if I left her to face you alone." The man with a hook nose said trying to flatten his hair.
"Very well." Marchbanks sighed. "But the same stipulation goes to you, if you interfere with anything today you will be charged as an accessory. Can I assume Mr Yaxley that you are here for a similar reason?"
"Yes Chief Witch." The man smiled.
"The same goes for you." Marchbanks enforced. "Now are you all aware of the crime you are accused of?"
"No your honour." Morgana Carrow replied. "As far as I am aware I have not committed any crimes."
"Madam Bones you have the floor." Marchbanks stated.
"Thank Chief Witch." Amelia smiled. "Now the three of you together are accused of attempted murder of the Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Noble house and his soulmate, through the use of a withering potion left in his glass of water in their bedroom by an elf."
"While that is a serious charge." Mr Mulciber stated. "My daughter is in no way capable of making such a potion she is not in the newt level class required to make it."
"Thank you for your input Mr Mulciber, but at no point have we said she did." Amelia replied. "At no point have we said any of them made the potion only used it, now I do not believe that any of these three young ladies will answer me truthfully, so I formally request the use of veritaserum on Miss Carrow, the only of age accused."
"Granted." Marchbanks nodded. "Bring in the vial."
"Is that really necessary?" Mr Carrow asked. "Surely if I were to question her she would not lie to me."
"I'm afraid not Mr Carrow." Marchbanks responsed. "You are not of a Noble house and do not have the power over the nembers of your house in the way Lord Potter-Merlin demonstrated earlier, so if we wish to have the truth she is legally allowed to be given veritaserum as she is of age."
The potion was administered by another person in a black cloak with his face obscured, Morgana's face immediately lost all of its hatred and the gleam left her eyes.
"Please stated your name." Amelia said.
"Morgana Alecto Carrow." She replied in a monotone.
"Date of birth."
"15th of January 1976."
"Hogwarts house."
"Slytherin although the hat considered me for Hufflepuff."
"Serum confirmed as working may I continue Chief Witch."
"You may proceed." Marchbanks nodded.
"Did you attempt to poison Lord Potter-Merlin with a withering potion?"
"No he was in the hospital wing he would not have been near it."
"So you did place the potion in his glass?"
"I asked my elf if he could work his magic on school grounds, as he could I asked him to put the potion in the Mudblood's glass."
"Why?"
"She isn't worthy of his attention, he should be with a proper pureblood woman to help further his families."
"Had you tried to get his attention before this happened?"
"Yes, Persephone, Iphigenia, and I brought our feelings on the matter to his attention before the chamber of secrets was opened by the spaced out blonde girl daddy gave the diary to."
Aurors immediately locked the exits to the room and moved to flank Mr Carrow.
"We'll come back to that." Amelia said looking at the jurors. "When did you speak to him?"
"I can't remember the exact date but we informed him that as the Lord of multiple houses he could take a wife for each, and that we were willing to share him. The news he could have more than one wife didn't seem to phase him but he didn't budge from his position next to the Mudblood, so we said he could keep her as a pet if he wished, but she would need to dressed as such."
"Explain what you mean by that last statement."
"Naked, collared, and preferably in a cage."
"But he didn't agree to this?"
"No he didn't, we had been lead there by Millicent Goyle a Daughter of house Bulstrode, he called on magic to judge her for leading to the attack on him and his betrothed, she lost the ability to use magic with her dominant hand."
"In my defence I had warned her twice about attacking my betrothed." Harry stated.
"Your actions are in line with your role as her Head of House." Marchbanks stated. "You shall face no repercussions."
"How did you get the potion?" Amelia continued.
"Persephone stole the ingredients from Snape, Iphigenia gave them to my cousin David who brewed it for us and gave it to me under the guise of it being an additive for my shampoo."
"What happen after that?"
"I hid the vial for a time when it would be most useful, I was hopeful I wouldn't need to use it, the creature in the chamber had begun to target her kind and it would be long until it started killing, but then Harry supposedly killed it whatever it was so while he was laid up in the hospital I gave the potion to my elf and told him to place it in one of her drinks."
"But what your elf didn't realise is that Hermione was sleeping on his side of the bed." Amelia stated.
"Obviously not."
"What do you know about the chamber of secrets?" Amelia asked as her Aurors restrained Mr Carrow.
"Daddy was given a diary of Tom Riddle by Lucius Malfoy not long before he was arrested, he said it would be a good time to weed out the Mudbloods and get rid of the light sided administration at Hogwarts, he said Tom Riddle was actually their master the Dark Lord and he had opened the chamber 50 years ago and used whatever was inside to kill one of the filth before he had had to frame another to get away with it."
"Anything else?"
"Just that Daddy was told to find an unsuspecting first year to give the diary to as they would be easier for the diary to control."
"So he knew what the diary would do?"
"Yes."
"No further questions Chief Witch."
"Administer the antidote." Marchbanks stated. "We have our confession, Morgana Carrow, Persephone Yaxley, and Iphigenia Mulciber you are all found guilty of attempted Murder of the soulmate of the Lord of a Most Ancient and Most Noble house, the carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment in maximum security with 24 hour dementor guards, you will be sent there immediately for processing."
All three girls immediately disappeared, causing both of the unrestrained fathers to begin shouting at the Chief Witch.
"I will have silence in my court room." She said over their noise. "Your presence here today in support of your daughters is appreciated, as it kept them calm in my courtroom, but if you continue in this manner you will find yourself sharing their fate for a period of at least a year."
"Why didn't I get to speak to my daughter before she began her sentence?" Mulciber asked.
"The sentence I passed is an ancient one that governs the rights of our Most Ancient houses, their sentence required not a second more of freedom, you will be able to visit them on the island at most thrice a year from here on out, but you will be searched before you see them, not even your wands will be allowed in the same room as them." Marchbanks stated. "Now Mr Amycus Carrow you are charged with endangering an entire generation of children by allowing the release of a Class 5X creature into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you are being remanded in custody for questioning and your trial will be set as soon as the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is certain the information you have given them is all that you can."
Returning home to an empty manor was a strange experience for Harry and Hermione, the house was still warm and welcoming but it was also eerily quiet, Friga had met them as they landed outside the front door, and they had spent a while stroking her feathers before they headed into the empty house. They meandered through the house to their suite in silent companionship, where they found the Spa room from the summer break was still waiting for them, they stripped off and spent the next four days not leaving their suite for anything, opting to eat in bed and spend much of their time together in the jacuzzi relaxing their stress away.
After they returned to the castle the rest of their second year passed quietly, all those who had not believed in their bond had quietly apologised, the Weasleys had been outspoken about Ron's actions making it known to all that they didn't agree with what he had done, Luna joined their study group properly and they helped her catch up with the work she had missed due the Tom's possession. The basilisk had been rendered the the victims and the school received their compensation promptly as the goblins had given Harry top Galleon for all of the saleable material, each of them had come and thanked Harry personally, and Aunt Minnie had praised his generosity and began to make it known to all the professors that they could requisition now equipment so long as they could prove the need. Hermione had had to play alongside Angelina and Katie in the final quidditch match of the year against Hufflepuff, as Alicia had fallen from her broom in the final practice before the match and had had to have her bones regrown as Harry had earlier in the year, she had scored 7 goals for the team and with Harry's catch of the snitch the team had won the match 480 - 200 securing the quidditch and house point cups for Gryffindor. Everything was as normal as it could be until they were getting ready for the end of year feast.
CRACK
"Mistress Minerva has asked me to be bringing you your house robes." Poppy said as she appeared on the bed.
"Why?" Harry asked taking them from her.
"She is not saying only that I be needing to alter them rather than you altering yourself to fit them." Poppy stated.
"Why do I have to wear mine?" Hermione asked.
"Again Mistress she is not saying."
"Thank you Poppy." Harry sighed.
Almost as if it had been timed there was a knock on Merlin's portrait the moment Poppy had finished her alterations of both sets of robes.
"It is the Headmistress, and Professors Black and Lupin." Merlin told them.
"Let them in." Harry sighed knowing something was up.
"Good afternoon you two." Aunt Minnie smiled at them. "How are we today?"
"Suddenly very nervous." Harry stated. "Why the robes exactly?"
"It's nothing to worry about." Sirius chuckled. "Just a small presentation."
"Ooh that's today." Hermione said excitedly. "But why am I in House of Potter robes?"
"The ICW has asked for you to be a part of the ceremony as his betrothed soulmate." Remus stated.
"So why do this in front of the whole school exactly surely I can receive the award away from the people I really don't like?" Harry asked.
"Sorry it is a tradition that when creature slaying awards such as this are awarded that all those saved be present at the ceremony." Aunt Minnie said. "Don't worry Harry there are a lot of political guests here and the Slytherins know this and will be on their best behaviour in order to give a good impression."
"How many extra votes does this give us in the Wizengamot?"
"15 as it's an ICW award." Sirius stated. "It also gives Harry the right to supersede the ministry and take any issue directly to the international floor through his named proxy."
"That could come in handy." Hermione smiled. "How well would the elf rights bill we were discussing last month do on the international stage?"
"I think it would have a better shot than if we left it up to the Wizengamot, the werewolf bill as well." Remus stated. "We're still struggling to get them to come forward so we can organise numbers for the cure, if we can get them better rights first it will really help."
"Right before we get too excited about all of that let's get the annoying bit out of the way." Harry said frustratedly.
"Yes, sorry Hero." Hermione smiled giving him a quick kiss. "Are they all waiting for us?"
"We called everyone else down early." Remus chuckled.
As they reached the entrance hall Harry realised just how much fame this was going to bring him on top of what he already had, and his stomach dropped, he was thankful the doors to the great hall were closed as he became light headed and had to sit down on the stairs for a few moments.
"Are you alright Pup?" Sirius asked.
"Yes dad, I just realised that this actually surpasses the fame I already have and don't want, and it's going to make staying out of the public eye even harder." Harry stated with his head in his hands.
"This is different though." Hermione said crouching in front of him. "This is for something amazing that you've done, something you can be proud of, instead of just not dying with you parents. We can use this to do so much good, not just here in Britain but across the world, I understand that the notoriety you've received so far hasn't been great but now is when we change all that ok?"
"You're right as always." He smiled looking her in the eye. "What would I ever do without you?"
"Fumble through life like a bull in a china shop."
Harry stood back up, took ahold of Hermione's hand and together they walked towards the great hall, the doors opened for them and instantly all they could hear was the thunder of applause. The room was decorated in Gryffindor colours as was the norm for the winning house at the end of year feast, but interspersed with the normal banners were each of Harry's house crests on white banners, the tables were decorated with elaborate enchanted ice sculptures of him holding the sword of Gryffindor over his head, and at the head of the room were 20 witches and wizards all wearing silver robes with the flag of their country on their right shoulder, Harry could make out Japan, Brazil, and India, there were many more but none he could recognise fully.
"Thank you everyone." A short balding man, with an Australian flag on his shoulder. "We are gathered here today to present a prestigious award to Lord Harry James Potter-Merlin, this young man has proved worthy of receiving an Order of Merlin First Class, for saving every person in this room, barring the reprentatives from the ICW, from a basilisk, a Class 5X creature known to cause instant death upon looking into its eyes, and Lord Potter-Merlin knew the risk he faced and marched forward anyway. Let's have a standing ovation for the young hero."
Everyone in the room stood and applauded him as he and Hermione approached the waiting dignitaries.
"Thank you for your brave actions." The man said as he handed Harry a golden plaque signifying the permenance of his award. "I am Reggie Braithwaight, the Australian representative to the ICW and have just been voted in as the Supreme Mugwump, are there any issues you plan to bring to the international floor?"
"We have been working on several bills for the comming years to bring equal rights to all of the sentient magical races." Harry stated. "We plan to introduce the one at a time into our own Wizengamot, so as not to overwhelm the system with changes."
"That I can get behind." Reggie smiled. "I'll put together a task force to come up with how to achieve that in all ICW member nations, and I would be happy to see what you've already come up with."
"The headmistress is our proxy for all matters until we are of age." Hermione stated. "Our only stipulation is that any international law passed towards this goal be listed under the Potter initiative."
"Indeed Miss Granger, I look forward to the day you two join us properly on the international stage." Reggie nodded.
The rest of their evening was going well they dined with the ICW members on a separate table but just as dinner was winding down Aunt Minnie stood before the students and got their attention.
"While it is clear who has won the house cup this year, there are still some additional points to be awarded." She said happily. "I have here an award for special services to the school for Hermione Granger, for her clever deduction of the available clues that lead to the discovery of what the creature attacking students was and where the entrance to the fabled Chamber of Secrets lay hidden."
There was more applause as a thousand rubies fell into the Gryffindor house point counter.
"Well done." Harry whispered to her as Aunt Minnie handed her her award.
"And while this next person has received international recognition for their actions in saving us all, I find a more permanent and closer to home statement should be made." Aunt Minnie smiled as she turned to face Harry. "I have here his second award for services to the school, which in addition to the normal 1000 house points comes with a piece of history, he is the only person to receive this award twice in this schools long history, over the summer a portrait of him will be produced for the trophy room on the second floor where it will hang forever more."
"She just had to go there didn't she?" Harry whispered to Hermione.
"You can get her back later just be thankful it's only a portrait in a relatively unused room, I get the feeling that if you do it again she'll have a statue commissioned for the entrance hall."
"I hope not." Harry sighed as Aunt Minnie handed him his award. "Thank you for you kind word Headmistress."
"And so another slice of history has been made this day." Aunt Minnie said addressing the students again. "Never before has a house won the house cup by more than double its next closest competitor, all of the names of Gryffindor house of the school year 1992/1993 will be listed on a plaque in the trophy room denoting their dedication to learning and unity."
"Oh for the love of Merlin that room has my name in it more times than my own bedroom."Harry sighed causing Hermione and several members of the ICW to laugh.