Chapter 7
The trip back to Hogwarts was quieter than normal. No one bothered them and they were able to enjoy the ride in peace. Apparently Ron had learned his lesson for the moment and was giving them a wide berth while Draco was truly a coward without his bodyguards. Harry figured Hogwarts would be a much nicer place now that most of the worst Slytherins had been permanently removed from the school.
As they walked into the great hall, Harry smiled to himself as he spotted Draco sitting alone at the Slytherin table. His smile disappeared when his eyes moved to the Gryffindor table and focused on a certain redhead. He'd put Ron out of his mind over the holidays but seeing him had thrust the attack back to forefront of his thoughts. Fighting the almost overwhelming urge to kill him right there and then, He instinctively placed himself between the bastard and Hermione while leading them to the seats closest to the head table.
He didn't particularly want to be that close to professors but figured it was the safest place for Hermione should Ron try something as there was no way they could miss it or fail to act if something happened that close to them. Harry had planned to enjoy the feast but found he couldn't stomach seeing his girlfriend's attacker stuffing his face without a care in the world. Deciding to do something about it, he first whispered something to Neville who nodded than immediately took a seat that placed him in a spot that would force Ron to go past him to get to her.
He then turned to tell her he'd be right back and noticed she was glaring at the redhead her with wand in hand. There was no fear in her eyes only rage. It only made his resolve stronger. He gently touched her on the shoulder to get her attention. When she turned to look at him her eyes immediately softened the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"I'll be right back," he told her softly.
She nodded her head then sat down next to Neville. They hadn't really discussed it, but she knew what he was going to do. It had been that way for a long time. Neither of them could say exactly when it started, but, at some point, they began being able to communicate without speaking. It was like they could read each other's thoughts. It wasn't really a conscious thing; they just knew each other so well that they could practically have an entire conversation with just a look. Neville and Luna had begun developing that kind of closeness but were nowhere near achieving the level that Harry and Hermione shared.
Harry made his way up to the head table and stopped in front of Dumbledore. It was Professor McGonagall that noticed him first and nudged the headmaster to get his attention. Dumbledore had been enjoying the feast and conversing with Professor Vector who sat on his other side and hadn't seen Harry's approach. His expression turned to one of annoyance when he saw who was standing there but it was quickly replaced with a condescending smile as he greeted the student.
"Good evening Mr. Potter," He said a little too sweetly. "Is there something I can do for you?"
It took all his willpower not to lash out at the old bugger. He was even less happy with the headmaster than he was with Ron especially after what the old man did to Sirius on top of everything else. As angry as he was, however, Hermione's safety was far more important so, biting his tongue, he maintained a respectful tone as he responded.
"Yes there is Headmaster," he said quietly. "I was wondering if we might be able to have a private meeting as soon as possible?"
"Might I enquire as to what this meeting would be about?" the headmaster replied looking thoughtful.
"I'd rather not say where others might hear sir," Harry responded feeling quite sick at having to show respect to the old bastard.
Dumbledore seemed lost in thought for a few moments as he considered the request before meeting Harry's eyes again.
"Very well Mr. Potter," he said finally. "Is after the feast soon enough?"
"Yes sir, that would be fine," Harry answered
"Come to my office after the feast then," he responded while writing something on a small piece of parchment before folding it up and handing it to Harry. "That is the password for the gargoyle; please don't pass it around."
Harry nodded while putting it in his pocket then turned to Professor McGonagall.
"Professor," he asked. "Would you join us as well?"
"I would be glad to Mr. Potter," she answered him. "See me after the feast and I'll escort you there."
He thanked her then returned to the Gryffindor Table and let Hermione and Neville know what was going on then put it out of his thoughts and tried to enjoy the feast.
They met Professor McGonagall outside the great hall. She gave them all a friendly greeting before turning her attention to Harry.
"Ready to head up Mr. Potter?" she asked.
"We all are Professor," he responded.
"We-, but I thought it was just you?" She replied clearly puzzled.
"Professor, this concerns Neville as well," he answered her. "It concerns Hermione most of all but, even if it didn't, as you know, I'm currently serving a detention that requires me to stay in her presence at all times, so I couldn't go to this meeting if she didn't come with me."
A devious smile appeared on her face either at the memory of assigning that detention or at finally understanding the purpose of the meeting. Harry wasn't sure but her next words left no doubt that she knew what the meeting was for.
"I hope you have better luck than I have had Mr. Potter," she continued. "I've done all I could to get justice for Miss Granger without success."
With that they made their way to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall gave the password saving Harry the trouble of digging it out of his pocket and they all mounted the moving stairs for the ride up to the office door. They only had to wait a few moments before they heard the words 'come in' along with the sound of the door unlocking. When they entered Dumbledore was at his desk and appeared to be reading something and didn't look up until they were all seated.
"So, what did you want to see me about Mr. Pott-," he started but trailed off when he noticed Hermione and Neville. "Miss Granger, Mr. Longbottom, I wasn't aware that you would be here."
"Headmaster?" Harry responded innocently. "I did ask you if wecould meet."
"Yes Mr. Potter," he replied clearly trying to hide his annoyance. "But I thought you meant you and I we not this. Either way, its water under the bridge, what seems to be the problem?"
"Ron Weasley," Harry answered simply.
Dumbledore gave an exasperated sigh while throwing a glare at McGonagall.
"Was this your idea Minerva?" he accused her.
"She had nothing to do with it sir," Harry answered before she could but he noticed she returned the headmasters glare with one of her own before he turned to face Harry.
"Mister Potter," he started the famous grandfatherly twinkle nowhere in sight. "That matter is closed. I've explained to you that, without proof, there's nothing I can do!"
"Headmaster," it was the first time Hermione had spoken. "In the muggle world the victim's testimony is enough to at least get the person they identify arrested if not convicted."
"Miss Granger," he responded using the twinkle full force on her. "While I'm deeply sorry for what you've suffered, I must point out that this isn't the muggle world and things are done differently here."
"I understand that sir," she replied. "But surely, even in the magical world, it should be enough to warrant at least the questioning of the person accused by the headmaster of the school where the attack took place if not by a member of law enforcement. It seems to me that one or two questions under veritaserum should be enough to determine his guilt or innocence."
"She's right Albus," Minerva said pouring gasoline on the fire that Hermione's words had lit.
The headmaster shot her another glare before returning his attention to Hermione.
"I'm sorry Miss Granger," he said firmly with more than a little irritation. "But I refuse to ruin a young man's life without concrete proof. You were the victim of a horrible attack that took place in a dark alcove. I'm not convinced you were able to clearly see who attacked you. I know you think it was Mr. Weasley, but, under the circumstances, I don't believe it's possible for you to be sure." He turned to Harry before he continued. "Mr. Potter, if this is all you wanted to discuss then I'm afraid you've wasted all our time."
Harry had hoped to stoke the fire himself by bringing up the possibility of viewing her memory in Dumbledore's pensive but fortunately the cabinet was closed so he couldn't ask what it was to bring it into the conversation and, since he wasn't supposed to know about it, he couldn't bring it up. Hermione then proved to him why she was considered the brightest with of her generation.
"What if I gave you a copy of my memory?" she asked causing the color to drain from the headmaster's face while McGonagall smiled proudly at her smart young Gryffindor.
"Excuse me?" Dumbledore managed to say but it was clearly a struggle for him to speak after her question.
"Well, I read something in a book about copying memories," she answered acting like she was concentrating hard trying to remember. "Apparently they can be viewed in a rune covered basin." She then seemed to scrunch her face up in concentration before sighing in frustration. "I'm sorry but I can't remember what it's called."
"A pensive," McGonagall supplied the answer clearly enjoying watching her favorite student get the better of the stubborn old fool.
"Thank you professor," she responded smiling at their head of house before meeting Dumbledore's eyes again. "Surely you could take a copy of my memory of the attack and view it in a pensive? You must, as the head of the Wizengamot, be able to get access to one?"
"Actually Miss Granger," McGonagall answered for Dumbledore. "The Headmaster owns a pensive. He keeps it in that cabinet over there."
She pointed to the corner and all three of them turned to look as if they'd just learned something new and exciting. Hermione played it perfectly as she enthusiastically turned back to the headmaster.
"In that case sir," she said smiling. "You're welcome to take the copy and view it right now."
Dumbledore didn't answer right away. He sat there clearly shocked at how pear shaped this meeting had gone. Harry knew he was desperately searching for a way out of this but didn't think he could but a few moments later Dumbledore surprised him.
"I could do that Miss granger," he said calmly. "But it wouldn't make a difference. You see, Memories can be tampered with sometimes unintentionally. You have thought from the beginning and continually told yourself that Mr. Weasley attacked you and therefore it's possible that your memory would show him as the attacker whether he was guilty or not. That is why memories aren't allowed as evidence in a trial. They're too subjective and easily manipulated."
"I've never heard of that Albus!" McGonagall argued.
"You've never been part of a Wizengamot court panel Minerva," he responded. "So you wouldn't be familiar with the rules of evidence."
She didn't argue further but her expression showed skepticism. Harry knew the old man was lying through his teeth but they couldn't call him on it. There weren't any books in the Hogwarts library on wizarding law so Hermione couldn't contradict him either without raising too many questions so while he enjoyed watching the old man squirm and would've loved to see Ron finally get what's coming to him, he knew they'd pushed this as far as they could. When no one spoke for a few moments Dumbledore seemed to calm obviously thinking he won the argument.
"As I said earlier," he started clearly building towards dismissing them. "If that's all you wanted to talk about, then we should end this right here. It's getting rather late anyway. As unfortunate as this whole episode has been, I feel I must impress upon you the importance of forgiveness and second chances. Whoever perpetrated this heinous act has undoubtedly learned their lesson since there's been no further attacks so I urge you to try to move on so we can put this behind us once and for all. If there's nothing further you may return to your dormitories."
"Actually Headmaster," Harry said softly. "As much as I would love to see Ron Weasley face justice, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
There was no missing the confusion in the old man's face as he clearly had no clue what Harry wanted. He gave another exasperated sigh as he sat back and seemed to brace himself while signaling Harry to continue.
"While I respect the fact that you know more about these things than I do as far as the wizarding world's concerned and understand there's not enough proof to act, it doesn't change how we," he indicated himself along with Hermione and Neville as he spoke. "Feel about what happened or the person we believe to be responsible for it. While Neville and I are fighting to control our desire for revenge, Hermione here finds herself forced to live in the same house as the person she believes tried to kill her. It's not fair to make her suffer like that sir."
The pained expression that came over his face was a clear indication he wasn't happy with the new topic which wasn't really that different from the old one. It was really more of a same problem different tactic sort of thing. Harry had to fight a smile at seeing the old man start massaging his temple with one hand or the glare his head of house was directing at her superior. It took a few moments for Dumbledore to respond. When he did, his tone was more resigned than remorseful.
"And just what," he replied more than a little exasperated. "Would you like me to do about it?"
"Sir," Harry started trying to be respectful. "Hermione and Ron Weasley can't stay in the same house. None of us want to be in the same house as him but we all want to stay together so I was hoping Ron could be resorted. If not, then the three of us need to be."
"I agree with Mr. Potter Albus," McGonagall added. "I don't want that boy in my house."
Dumbledore was massaging both temples now as he seemed to consider the request. In reality he was formulating a response that would avoid revealing a limitation he didn't want anyone in the room to know he had. It wasn't the first time he'd had to bluff. He'd been successful at it in the past and had no reason to believe it wouldn't work this time.
"There will be no resorting," he said finally putting all the authority he could muster in his voice. "I'm sorry but, again, since there's no proof of wrongdoing on Mr. Weasleys part I cannot authorize a resorting for him or any of you. My decision is final and I will brook no further discussions on this subject now or in the future. This matter is closed."
He stood to escort him out when a voice he never expected to hear stopped him cold.
"What he means is he doesn't have the authority to call for a resort because only I can do that."
Everyone turned to the source of the voice to see that it was the sorting hat that was speaking. Dumbledore shakily sat back down as the hat continued.
"You see the founders created me to do all the sorting after they were gone. They wanted the sorting done fairly and recognized the possibility that an unscrupulous person could become headmaster and manipulate the sorting to his own ends. To keep that from happening they wrote it into the bylaws that only I had the authority to sort or resort a student. Neither the headmaster, board of governors or even the ministry can change that because the bylaws predate them all."
They were all paying rapt attention. Hermione especially seemed excited to be learning something new. Harry was ecstatic. At last they'd found a way around the roadblock the old man had become. If the hat agreed to their request there would be nothing Dumbledore could do to stop it. That didn't mean he wouldn't try.
"While we appreciate the history lesson Hat," Dumbledore said still trying to maintain the illusion he was in charge. "This is a matter of school discipline and doesn't concern you."
"Up until Mr. Potter's request, I would have agreed with you headmaster," the hat responded. "But a request for a resorting does concern me and I take my job seriously unlike some I could name." There was no doubt among any of the room's occupants who the hat was referring to with that statement. "This isn't the first I've heard of this situation and, after sorting the boy, I have no doubt that the youngest Weasley was more than capable of carrying out such a despicable deed. A clear indication he was incorrectly sorted. Not the first time I've made a mistake in the last thousand years but certainly one I can correct."
"No!" Dumbledore practically yelled returning to his feet. "I won't allow it!"
"You have no choice headmaster!" the hat yelled back. "I will resort Ron Weasley tomorrow night after dinner! To echo your words from before Headmaster, my decision is final."
With that the hat stopped speaking and nothing the headmaster said could get it speaking again. Eventually Dumbledore sat down and put his head in his hands and barely acknowledged his students or second in command bid him goodnight before they left.
Albus Dumbledore didn't know how things had gotten so out of hand. He had expected Harry potter would want to discuss Mr. Weasley and the incident that happened before the holidays but never expected the meeting to go the way it did. He thought he'd be able to politely dismiss them as he had done before when this issue came up.
He quickly realized he had greatly underestimated Miss Granger when she brought up the pensive. His bluff had worked for the moment but all it would take was for Minerva to ask Amelia about it to have that house of cards fall apart and see his hand forced when it came to young Mr. Weasley not to mention finding himself in a heap of trouble as well.
He would have to move up his plans. Perhaps, once the potions took effect, the hat would change its mind about resorting young Ronald especially if it was Mr. Potter doing the asking. He would have to act fast. 'Tomorrow at lunch should be sufficient' he thought to himself.
He pulled a bottle and glass out of one of his desk drawers and poured himself a double. Quickly downing it he poured himself another but this one he sipped more slowly. He was beginning to feel exposed as he seemed to be finding himself attacked from all sides these days or at least it felt like he was. He needed someone to watch his back and made a mental note to visit St. Mungos over the weekend to find out how soon Severus would be able to return. It wouldn't be soon enough for him. Albus finished his drink as well as a headache potion he'd pulled from a different drawer for good measure then headed to bed.
Harry woke the next morning happy that he'd just spent his last night in the same dorm room as Ron. They'd finally gotten some small measure of justice for Hermione. As he headed to the showers, he pondered what house the git might end up in. Ravenclaw was out; Ron was far too stupid to end up there. That left Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Ron wasn't really loyal to anyone but himself but Harry doubted he could be lucky enough to see the redhead end up in Slytherin but he could hope.
Harry and Neville met Hermione in the common room and they headed to breakfast together. They enjoyed their breakfast and completely ignored Ron when he entered the great hall. They did finish quickly after that and headed to their first class early. Harry fully expected this to be a great day and couldn't wait for dinner.
Hermione was also looking forward to dinner. She wanted to do a lot more to Ron bloody Weasley than simply get him resorted but, at that moment, she'd take what she could get. While she was as excited as the boys were about what was coming that night, she was still Hermione. She found herself, more than once, having to admonish both of her companions to pay attention in class.
Their whispered arguments that they'd been through this class before in the previous timeline didn't sway her. Neville lacked confidence and had to use his father's wand the first time around so probably wasn't able to get the most out of it the first time while Harry was best friends with Ron. Harry couldn't argue with her on that and didn't even try.
None of that really mattered to Hermione though because even if they'd been as attentive and studious as her the first time, they still might have missed something useful. That's why she paid rapt attention even though, so far, she'd heard nothing new; it was still possible that she might.
They headed to lunch and once again sat closest to the head table and far away from Ron. They started to fill their plates then went to fill their glasses when they noticed there were no pitchers of pumpkin juice within reach.
"Sorry," a voice said behind them as a hand sat a pitcher of juice in front of them. Turning around, they saw that the voice belonged to Percy Weasley. "I was going to sit here but decided to move down a bit. I had to talk to a professor McGonagall about something and found myself with a terrible thirst and decided to grab a drink first chance I got."
He held up a half filled glass to show them then took a drink and left. Harry and Hermione each poured themselves a glass and took a long drink before digging into their lunch while Neville opted for tea instead. Fifteen minutes later Hermione began to feel nauseous. It wasn't the food which was quite delicious; it was the thoughts that had entered her head. She found herself wishing Ron was with them. Worse than that, she almost unconsciously put more distance between herself and Neville. Next she found herself wishing it was Ron sitting beside her instead of Neville. When a thought entered her head that Ron would make a good husband someday, it took all her self control not to vomit right then and there.
It was then that she knew something was very wrong. She glanced at Harry and noticed he was staring at the redhead but there was no anger in his face only longing. She scribbled a quick note to Neville forcing herself to hand it to him despite the sudden revulsion she felt toward him then turned to Harry and asked him to leave with her. Harry nodded and together they walked out of the great hall helping each other control the urge to talk to Ron as they passed him. She glanced back as they left the hall and saw Neville heading towards the head table looking sad like she'd asked him to in her note.
Once they were out of the hall she led him to an unused classroom to wait for Neville. As soon as she placed the glass she'd brought with her on the desk, she checked on Harry.
"Are you alright love?" she asked concerned.
He was now visibly shaking as he fought against the poison.
"R-ron," was all he could get out.
She grabbed his face with both hands and gave him a kiss before meeting his eyes.
"We've been poisoned Harry," she told him. "Don't worry; we will get it out of us soon."
"D-don't l-let them w-win," Harry pleaded though it was a struggle. "C-can't lose y-ou."
There were tears running down his face and fear in his eyes that caused her to pull him into a fierce hug.
"That will never happen Harry!" she swore holding him close. "We will be fine, I promise."
She couldn't figure out why he seemed to be more affected than she was until she remembered that he'd downed the first glass and had been most of the way through the second while she'd only drank about half of her first. It had clicked for her as they left the hall that it was the Pumpkin juice that had been spiked. Percy's little story had been a set up and they'd fallen for it. She would bet that there was a repulsion charm on the pitcher to keep Neville from having any as well. That should have been a red flag since Neville loved pumpkin juice but somehow they'd missed that too. 'Perhaps a mild confundous charm?' she thought to herself.
Her thoughts didn't get any farther as right at that moment Neville came in followed by McGonagall. Hermione quickly explained the problem to their head of house and gave her the glass. McGonagall ran a check of the contents then immediately led them up to the hospital wing to be checked out. Hermione had to fight the urge to ask if they could have Ron there instead of Neville and felt like she was betraying her friend the whole time because of it.
Once in the hospital wing Pomfrey gave them a potion to make them vomit then gave them flushing potions to get what had been absorbed out of their system. An hour later they were feeling normal again. They were also very angry. Harry hadn't said much but it was clear to her that he wanted blood as Madam Pomfrey told them all that had been put in the pumpkin juice. She had them both resting on a bed while recovering from their ordeal. They were sitting on the same bed because Harry wouldn't let go of her while he was fighting the potions. He'd released his tight hold on her but she'd made no move to leave his side. Neville was sitting in a chair next to the bed. Pomfrey approached them with a look of disgust on her face as she read a piece of parchment that expression was mirrored by Professor McGonagall who was following her.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," she said sounding grim. "It appears that someone was out to do you great harm. There were multiple potions in the pumpkin juice you drank. Most of which, seemed to be keyed to Ron Weasley. They included a strong loyalty potion, as well as protectiveness, guilt and a notice me surely potion. There was also a repulsion potion keyed to Mr. Longbottom as well as a notice me not potion keyed to both of you."
"I managed to confiscate the pitcher and test it as well," It was Professor McGonagall who spoke next. "As you suspected Miss Granger, There were charms on it as well. There was a compulsion charm, a mild confundus charm and a repulsion charm. While the confundus wasn't anything out of the ordinary, the other two were quite unique. The compulsion was one that would only affect the two of you while the repulsion was set up to affect everyone but you. I daresay, even Professor Flitwick, would have trouble creating such targeted charms. I agree with Poppy, someone tried to harm you today but, having seen Mr. Weasley's grades, there is no way he could have done it nor could his older brother Percy have accomplished it for him. Someone far more skilled was involved and I intend to find out who."
She paused for a moment as her expression became one of resolve. She made eye contact with all three of them before continuing.
"I've already contacted Amelia Bones and she is right now at an emergency meeting of the board of governors trying to see to it that the headmaster won't be able to stand in the way of this investigation like he did the last one."
She gave Hermione a sympathetic look as she said the last part. She didn't get to say anymore as she was interrupted by a voice behind her.
"She was successful."
McGonagall and Pomfrey turned around as Amelia bones came into view flanked by two aurors. She was holding a piece of parchment in her hand. There was a slight smile of triumph on her face as she approached but her expression turned sympathetic when she addressed the three students.
"The board was shocked upon hearing what happened to you," she told them. "They unanimously gave me approval to do a thorough investigation and there's nothing Dumbledore can do to stop it. I promise you we will bring those responsible to justice."
She paused for a moment as her tone became more professional.
"I've already sent a team of aurors out to the Burrow to interview Molly Weasley as well as search the place for evidence of the potions you were given. I also intend to talk to both Ron and Percy Weasley to determine the extent of their involvement but first I think we need to have a meeting with the Headmaster."
She paused again as a sly smile came over her face.
"It wouldn't do to give him time to warn his cohorts now would it? I agree with Minerva here that very view witches or wizards would be able to cast those charms and Albus Dumbledore is at the top of that list. Add in the fact that he's been protecting the youngest Weasley boy beyond all reason and, from what I've heard, vehemently opposed having the boy resorted, he clearly seems to have a strong motive for making you two change your tune on Mr. Weasley. Harry, I think you and Hermione should send the headmaster a note asking for a meeting as soon as possible. If I'm right, you won't have to wait long for an answer."
Harry remained quiet only nodding his head. Hermione was worried about him but quickly pulled out a piece of parchment and scribble a quick note before signing it and handing it to Harry to sign it. Once it was finished, she handed it to McGonagall who called a house elf and asked it to go to the owlery and bring Hedwig to the hospital wing. The elf disappeared and reappeared almost immediately. Hedwig hooted in annoyance before flying over to Harry and nuzzling him. Harry petted her for a few moments then tied the note to her leg and asked her to deliver it to Dumbledore.
She returned with a response about ten minutes later. Harry took the note and read it before looking up at his companions.
"He said we can meet with him right now." He said simply.
Amelia had her aurors take charge of the pitcher and glass while she held on to the reports and notice from the governors. As a group they left the hospital heading for Dumbledore's office. Harry was still not speaking and it was worrying Hermione. As they were approaching the gargoyle, she asked McGonagall if she could have a few moments with Harry alone. McGonagall looked at him and Hermione could see concern in her eyes. She nodded her head and told them they'd wait for them at the gargoyle. She led him into an unused classroom and closed the door while putting silencing and locking charms on it. Then she turned to Harry. He was just standing there not really looking at anything his face a mask of rage and pain.
"Harry," she said with deep concern. "I'm worried about you. Are you-"
"He's dead," Harry interrupted her and there was no mistaking the anger in that statement or the seriousness in his tone.
"We've always planned to kill Ron, Harry but-," she started to respond but was interrupted again.
"Not Ron!" he yelled then seemed to catch himself. "I mean, yes we're going kill him but I was referring to Dumbledore."
She was quite sure the shock she was feeling was written all over her face.
"B-but Harry-" she tried to reply but he cut her off again.
"Don't say it Hermione," he said firmly. "I know you try to see the best in people. It's one of things I love best about you and you may be right. He might not have dark intentions like Voldemort but this time he's gone way too far for the bloody greater good. First he got Sirius locked up again and now he's tried to take you from me."
"You don't know-," she tried again but again he wouldn't let her finish.
"You heard them!" he said his voice slightly raised in anger. "Only a few could do those charms. Only Dumbledore would have a reason too."
She opened her mouth to argue but the words died in her throat as she watched him go from angry to sad in a few seconds.
"They tried to make me stop loving you," he said as tears began running down his face. "They put horrible thoughts in my head. They tried to make me think that at best you were boring and plain and at worst an insufferable know-it-all, but I fought them." His expression became imploring as he continued. "I wouldn't let them take my love for you away. Take you away. I swear Hermione! I never stopped loving you for even one second."
At that he completely broke down. She immediately pulled him into her arms to reassure him of her love.
"I know you didn't Harry," she said with all the conviction she could muster. "Nor did I stop loving you. They failed love and, I promise you, we'll make them pay."
She held him until he calmed down. She knew arguing with him further would be useless. If they'd just gone after him, he probably would've let it slide, but they'd gone after her and that, to him, was unforgivable. He'd suffered many losses in his lifetime. His saving people thing had led to many people being saved but always seemed to come up short when it was someone close to him. Fate, it seemed, was determined to be cruel to him. Forcing him to watch helplessly as people he loved died. When they fell in love, she became the one person he refused to lose. When it came to her, his saving people thing reached a whole other level. Anyone going after her would be permanently removed as a threat and there would be nothing anyone could say or do to change his mind.
Once he calmed down, she pulled out her wand and removed the tear stains from his face as well as hers. Once they were presentable, she removed the silencing and locking charms form the door then they left together. They had a meeting to get to.
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office a triumphant smile on his face as he read Harry's note. The potions had worked. He'd watched as they pulled away from Mr. Longbottom. The sadness on the boys face as he walked up to the head table to talk to Minerva spoke volumes. He clearly felt betrayed by his friends. Dumbledore didn't pay any attention to what the boy said to her. He was too busy watching Potter and Granger as they left the hall clearly trying to fight the potions. The charms he put on the pitcher insured they would imbibe too much to be successful. No, he'd expected to hear from them very soon.
He quickly wrote a response inviting them to come to his office immediately then sat back to contemplate his next move. The potions had worked well but Potter and Granger would have to continue being dosed. They might also need to be given other potions to further modify their behavior. A loyalty potion keyed to himself for instance and perhaps one for the Weasley family as well. A potion to curb the boy's violent tendencies might be a good idea too. In a few years time, if it didn't occur naturally, a potion to make the boy take notice of young Ginerva may be needed followed up, if necessary, with a love potion. Miss Granger was almost certain to require one to make her accept Ronald as her mate. With Severus hopefully returning soon, it finally looked like things were going go the way Albus Dumbledore wanted them to.
The smile was still on his face when the door charm announced he had a visitor. He changed it slightly to a welcoming smile as he called out for his visitors to come in. the smile stayed as Minerva entered first followed by Harry and Hermione. It disappeared when Neville followed behind them and his expression turned to shock when Amelia along with two aurors brought up the rear. Dumbledore swallowed hard before greeting them then conjured some extra chairs so everyone could sit down. All the good feelings he had were replaced with dread. The plan he thought had gone so well had apparently gone terribly awry. He gathered all his courage before getting down to business.
"You asked to see me Mr. Potter?" he asked as kindly as he could manage.
The boy's only response was a glare and Dumbledore was quite sure that if looks could kill he'd be headed on to the next great adventure that very moment. The others weren't looking too kindly at him either. It was Minerva that spoke first.
"There's been an incident Albus," she started in a serious tone. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and indirectly Mr. Longbottom were the victims of a vicious attack at lunch today. Someone put several potions into a pitcher of Pumpkin juice then charmed it to insure that they, and no one else, would partake of the contents."
Dumbledore didn't have to fake shock at her words. He couldn't believe how badly the plan had failed. He carefully put on a sad, compassionate expression before responding.
"That's very unfortunate," he said sadly. "I'm glad it was caught before any of them was hurt. Why wasn't this brought to my attention earlier and why is Amelia here?"
"Giving someone mind controlling potions is a serious crime Albus!" Minerva replied her voice raised. "Naturally I contacted the MLE."
"We've been through this before Minerva!" he responded letting his annoyance with his deputy show. "It's up to me to decide whether or not to notify the authorities!"
"Not this time Albus." Amelia broke in handing him the governors' notice. "The board has asked me to investigate this incident so it doesn't matter what you think."
He read over the notice. It gave her authority to investigate the potion incident but nothing else.
"Very well Amelia" he said finally. "But see to it that that's all you look into. Try looking into last term's attack and I'll contact the board and have this notice revoked and you barred from this school. Do we understand each other?"
If anything, Harry's, along with everyone else's expressions, became even more unfriendly towards him during the exchange. Harry, Dumbledore noted, seemed to be almost shaking with barely controlled rage. So much so, that Albus was afraid the boy might try to attack him but, once again, neither he nor his two friends said anything. Instead, they left it to Amelia to respond.
"We do Headmaster," she responded. "But don't think for one minute that I'm done pursuing it. I won't rest until that boy faces justice for what he did to Miss Granger. You won't be able to protect him forever."
"That goes double for me Albus!" McGonagall interjected.
"Very well," he replied.
It was now clear that he would have to get Amelia removed from her post. Minerva may have to go as well. He mentally cursed the youngest Weasley boy for putting him in this position. He could have put the favors he was going to have to call in to far better use then to save the little brat from the consequences of his actions.
"Let's move on shall we?" he continued. "Tell me about today's incident."
Amelia handed him copies of the reports on the pitcher and its contents. He made a show of reading them since he already knew what was in them. Putting a look of sincere regret on his face, he again looked at his visitors.
"Well, let me start be reiterating what I said before," he said in solemn tone. "It does my heart good to know that you weren't permanently harmed but surely you can't think Mr. Weasley is capable of such a thing?"
"No we don't," Amelia answered. "The boy is barely functioning in his classes according to Minerva so we are certain he couldn't have brewed the potions and there is no way, even if he turned out to be a charms prodigy, that he could have performed the intricate charm work on the pitcher. His older brother Percy may have been able to brew the potions but the charms, other than perhaps the confundus, would have been way above his level as well. No, I suspect Percy's only involvement was delivering the pitcher into the unsuspecting hands of these children." She indicated Harry and Hermione as she spoke. "We will have to rule him out though so I will need to speak with him very soon maybe even tonight."
Dumbledore didn't like the sound of that as any such discussion was virtually guaranteed to reveal his involvement and that would be a disaster. What he heard next he liked even less.
"If I'm correct," Amelia continued. "This is a far more serious situation than a school prank or even a student on student vendetta. With the Weasley name all over this, along with the magics involved, I dispatched a team of aurors to the Burrow an hour ago to interview Molly and Arthur and search the house for anything that might link them to this."
He could now see all his plans falling apart before his eyes. His recent success with regards to Sirius Black would mean nothing if he himself suddenly became a resident of Askaban which was a likely outcome if his part in this became known. He could only hope Molly had had the sense to get rid of anything incriminating in case things didn't go as planned.
His thoughts were interrupted as his floo flashed before another auror stepped out of the fireplace. While it annoyed him that the wizard hadn't requested an invitation first, he was livid inside when the auror went straight to Amelia without acknowledging the person whose office he'd just barged into. This could not be allowed to continue.
He'd built and cultivated a sterling reputation that made him the most respected and revered wizard in the magical world. He would not allow anything, much less these brats that sat before him, destroy it. While he raged inside, he kept his face impassive as the auror handed a piece of parchment to Amelia. Another surge of rage hit him at that. It should have been shown to him first. The incident had happened at his school after all.
Amelia and the auror whispered back and forth for a few minutes oblivious to Dumbledore's outrage. When they were done, the auror left the way he came. When she turned to Minerva rather than him, it was the last straw.
"Madam Bones," he said putting all the authority he could muster into his tone. "You will speak to me on this matter not Minerva! You can start with what the auror just gave you."
Amelia looked poised to argue while Minerva glared daggers at him but neither woman said anything until Amelia turned to face him.
"Very well Headmaster," she responded evenly. "It appears my discussion with Percy Weasley will have to wait."
At first, Dumbledore thought that was good news but then a feeling of dread came over him and he feared it was anything but as she continued.
"I'm afraid I'll be spending this evening and the better part of tomorrow interviewing his parents. When my aurors arrived at the Burrow, Molly Weasley refused to let them into the kitchen. Once they forced their way in, they found several potions brewing on her stove. They were the same potions that were found in the pitcher. She's been arrested as has Arthur. Their youngest child Ginerva, who was home at the time has been temporarily placed with their only living relative Muriel Prewitt until their older sons Bill and Charlie can be contacted to see if they can take her in."
'Stupid woman!' thought Dumbledore. There were more than enough potions for the foreseeable future. There was no need for her to be making more so soon. He would have to act quickly to avert the disaster that would occur if they were questioned with veritaserum. Disaster for him anyway. They possessed far too much knowledge of his actions since the end of the war; knowledge that could not be allowed to become public.
For the greater good of the wizarding world, Harry Potter had to fulfill his destiny. Only with Dumbledore's guidance would the boy have any hope of success. That's why he couldn't let Sirius have any access to the boy and agreed to the use of potions; he couldn't risk letting the boy have any influences that might keep him from following the master plan that Dumbledore had laid out for him.
It didn't matter what the boy, or anyone else, might want. The future of the wizarding world was at stake. There was really no choice. He would prefer to keep everyone ignorant of this truth for as long as possible but would tell them if it came to it. He was quite sure that, if everyone knew what he did, they would gladly force the boy under his control if it became necessary.
It was possible that, once told of the prophecy, the boy might willingly sever ties with his friends and place himself under Dumbledore's tutelage for the good of all. If Miss Granger was truly as bright as she seemed, she would understand there was no other option and convince Mr. Longbottom to accept it as well, but he wasn't quite ready to play his trump card yet. He would save that as a last resort. He put those thoughts aside for now as Amelia continued.
"It looks like we now know the source of the potions but not the charms. A further check revealed that there are only two people at Hogwarts that could've done them. Your charms master Filius Flitwick and you Headmaster. Professor Flitwick's reputation is impeccable and there's no conceivable reason for him to help Molly Weasley poison two students."
"Are you saying my reputation is any less impeccable then Filius'!?" he asked letting some anger flow into his voice. "Because I'll happily put it up against yours anytime Madam Bones!"
"To the public at large Headmaster," she responded matching his anger with her own. "You outshine us all but, personally, your stubborn protection of Ronald Weasley beyond all reason coupled with your well known ties to Arthur and Molly, make you much more likely to assist her than Professor Flitwick. It's also well known that you and Mr. Potter have been at odds since he came to Hogwarts. The fact that these potions would've helped mend that rift clearly gives you a motive."
"I resent that implication!" He replied no longer trying to hide his outrage. "For over sixty years I've dedicated my life to the children of magical Britain and have never acted in any way other than the best interests of the students in my charge!"
"That may be true," she answered clearly not backing down. "But I must follow this investigation where it leads. My interviews with the Weasleys as well as their son Percy should help clear this up. Although, to be thorough, I may need to talk to young Ronald and the twins as well."
"I'm sure that won't be necessary Amelia," he interjected quickly.
He knew the twins weren't involved but Ronald couldn't be trusted not to say something stupid that would land them all in a whole lot more trouble than they already were in. It was almost a given that the boy would incriminate himself in the attack on Miss Granger. If that happened, there would be nothing he could do for the boy, though he may not have to now that Molly and Arthur had been arrested.
If he could arrange for them to take the fall for this while keeping his secrets intact and, most importantly, himself out of harm's way, he would be free to let the boy hang if the need arose. A plan began to form in his mind as he returned his attention to his now very unwelcome guests as Amelia replied to his outburst.
"We shall see Headmaster. In the meantime, you are to have no contact with any of the Weasley children until this matter is cleared up." She held up a hand to forestall any objection he might make. "Anything school related that might come up, Minerva can and will handle it."
He surprised them by not arguing.
"That's probably for the best," he said solemnly. "I've known Molly and Arthur for years. I would never have believed them capable of such a despicable act. It's obvious now that I didn't know them as well as I thought I did. There will be no interference from me Amelia. As for you three," he turned his attention to the three students who still hadn't said a word. "I apologize for any suffering you endured over this incident. I assure you there will be no others."
None of them responded nor did their expressions soften one iota. He would have liked a more positive response but he decided not to push it since he needed to end this meeting quickly so he could get started on damage control.
"I would appreciate it if you kept me informed Amelia," he continued in a consolatory tone. "Otherwise I'll stay out of your way. Now, it's almost time for dinner and these three," he indicated the students as he spoke. "Are no doubt in dire need of a good meal after today's events. I will leave it to you, Minerva, to see to it that they are able to enjoy tonight's festivities in peace."
He gave the children a conspiratorial wink as he said this hoping to get a smile from them. When he didn't get any, he chalked it up to having been at odds with them for so long. He figured it would take some time to earn his way back into the boy's good graces and he was willing to be patient. It was a tactic that had served him well in the past and would most likely do so now.
Once he was officially named Harry's guardian, he would have all the access he needed to guide the boy down the path he needed to go for him to fulfill his destiny. He had hoped to use the Weasleys but they had now become a liability that needed to be sacrificed for the greater good.
He kept his famous eye twinkle on full force until they were gone then locked and charmed his door to insure his privacy before moving quickly to the fireplace. He threw in some floo powder before sticking his head into the flame.
"Minister of Magic," he called out and was soon looking at the minister himself as he sat at his desk looking over some documents.
"Cornelius?" he said to get the man's attention only to see him jump in surprise before turning to his visitor.
"Albus," he exclaimed grabbing his heart theatrically. "You startled me."
"My apologies old friend but I need your help."
Elsewhere, the three students that had just left his office gathered in the unused classroom Harry and Hermione had used before the meeting. Two of them were trying to calm down the third member of their group with little success. It wasn't Harry that needed calming; it was Hermione. She was pacing back and forth the look on her face making them both glad she wasn't mad at them.
"That whiskered wanker!" she yelled finally unable to hold her temper in any longer. "Did he really think a sudden change of attitude, a few winks and that bloody eye twinkle of his would suddenly make us fall at his feet or want to kiss his wrinkly old ass?!"
She then stopped pacing and looked at her two friends.
"You do realize that's what he was doing don't you?" she asked nervously.
"Of course we did love," Harry responded smiling. "I'm just surprised you did. I'd of thought you'd be trying to convince me to give him another chance after that display of crap he threw at us in there."
She glared at him for a moment making him worry he'd gone too far.
"Honestly Harry," she responded momentarily turning her ire on him. "If I was truly a first year student, I might have fallen for it but not this time. The bastard is sacrificing the Weasleys to save himself."
"I know Hermione," Harry replied. "But after what they did, both today and the first time around, they can rot for all I care. That doesn't change the fact that Dumbledore will need to be brought down as well, but it would seem to have solved most of our redhead problem in one go."
"He's right Hermione," Neville spoke up adding in his two nuts worth. "I was truly afraid I was losing one of my two best friends today until you gave me that note."
Her anger was quickly replaced with guilt and there were tears in her eyes as she threw her arms around him.
"I'm so sorry Neville," she responded through sobs. "I fought it with everything I had."
"I know you did Hermione," he replied returning her hug. "But you have nothing to apologize for. I'm just glad you're finally seeing Dumbledore for who he really is. Molly Weasley brewed the potions and Dumbledore made sure you drank them. Arthur Weasley had to at least have been aware of it, if not assisting in some way, so none of them deserve your pity. They are also the reason Ron is still walking the halls of this school free as a bird after he attacked you." He paused for a moment as a smile came over his face. "Speaking of which, Ron doesn't know he's being resorted tonight and I'd like to be there when he finds out. We should head down there early so we can get good seats."
Both Harry and Hermione matched his mischievous smile with one of their own.
"Neville's right 'Mione," Harry agreed. "We wouldn't want to miss that." Hermione nodded her agreement as he continued. "I'm surprised Dumbledore didn't hand him over to Amelia straightaway after the sudden change in attitude. He must be holding that back until he can really score some points with it."
He took her hand in his and gently ran his thumb over the back of it.
"So, you ready to head down love?" he asked when he met her eyes again.
She nodded and the three now smiling friends left the classroom and headed down to the great hall.
The great hall was loud with all the conversations going on. No had seen the Gryffindor trio, as they had come to be called, since lunch. Professor McGonagall hadn't been seen either as other professors had covered her afternoon classes for her. Add to that that Amelia Bones had been seen leaving the grounds and the whole school knew something was up.
The trio themselves weren't talking. They were sitting together at the end of the Gryffindor table closest to the head table. They kept to themselves except for when McGonagall came over and used her wand to check the food and drink close to them. Everyone was curious as to the reason behind the professor's odd behavior but, since no one involved was talking, they could only guess what it was.
Dinner proceeded normally except for the headmaster arriving late. When Dumbledore stood at the end of the feast and called for everyone's attention while McGonagall quietly slipped out, everyone thought they were finally going to get some answers about the day's events. No one expected the news they received.
"If I may have everyone's attention please?" he called out then waited for the hall to quiet down before continuing. "It seems we are to bear witness to a rare event this evening as the sorting hat has decreed that one of you is to be resorted this evening. As you know, the sorting hat has been sorting students into their houses since the time of the founders. What you may not know is that the hat also has the authority to resort any student should it deem it necessary. The last time it happened was over two hundred years ago."
By this time, McGonagall had returned with the hat and stool. Everyone was now watching her as they waited to hear who the unfortunate student was. They had long since settled into their houses by now and had no interest in moving. While there might be one or two of their housemates they wouldn't mind being rid of, there were also several members of other houses they would hate to have forced on them.
All thoughts of the Gryffindor trio and what happened that afternoon left their heads as they awaited their fate. Dumbledore kept them waiting until McGonagall made it to the front of the room and set the stool down before placing the hat on it.
"The student being resorted is..," there was a pregnant pause as he allowed the tension to build.
Every student seemed to lean forward just a little not wanting to miss a single word. All except the Gryffindor trio that is. They, of course, already knew who it was but the rest of the students were too caught up in the announcement to notice. Then Dumbledore finally put them out of their misery.
"Ronald Weasley" he finished.
"No!" the shout came from the middle of the Gryffindor table as the named student decided to protest. "I won't do it!"
Meanwhile, the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers while the other houses hung their heads in dread. While relieved that they wouldn't be resorted, no one wanted that particular student in their house. Ravenclaw could see their reputation as the house of intelligence being dragged down by this idiot while Hufflepuff was sure they would never recover if he was sorted into their house. They were already considered the house of misfits, the last thing they needed was to add moron to the equation.
The only thing worse, in both houses minds, would be if it was Draco Malfoy being resorted. Poor Slytherin didn't need another bad apple; they already had Draco. Most of the riff raff hadn't returned from Christmas break so things were finally looking up. Getting Ron Weasley now just wouldn't be fair. McGonagall ordered him to the front but, instead of heading to the stool, he went right up to Dumbledore.
"You better fix this headmaster or my mother won't be happy." He demanded.
Dumbledore merely fixed him with a condescending smile.
"I have no control over this Mr. Weasley," he told the boy. "And your mother's feelings on the matter are irrelevant. The hat has chosen to resort you and you have no choice. Now let's get on with it."
Ron paled as he realized his trump card wasn't going to get him out of this. It was a fearful redhead as opposed to the angry one that had stormed up to the headmaster that made his way to the stool and sat down. McGonagall placed the hat on his head and everyone waited to find out where he would end up. It seemed to take forever before the hat spoke.
"Slytherin!" it yelled ending the suspense.
Ron Weasley fainted straightaway. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw cheered wildly while the Slytherins looked ready to cry. All except Malfoy that is. Unaware of his housemate's feelings toward him, he spouted off to all within earshot how unfair it was to have a bloodtraitor sorted into his noble house. Poppy immediately moved to the fallen student and revived him.
He was then turned over to Aurora Sinistra, the acting head of Slytherin, who informed him that his things had already been moved before leading him away to show him his new home. The festivities now over, a mass exodus started as students began making their way back to their houses. Harry, Hermione and Neville followed suit as they were frankly quite knackered. It had, after all, been a very trying day. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite over yet. As they approached the portrait of the fat lady, a voice called out to them.
"You three come with me!"
They turned to see that the voice belonged to Percy. Although their hands instinctively went to their wands, they still followed him because: a) he was still a prefect and: b) didn't know what was coming and they wanted to keep it that way. They followed him to a dark alcove off the main corridor where he rounded on them.
"I know it was you," he snarled.
"I'm sorry?" Harry responded for all of them looking genuinely confused.
"Come off it Potter!" he retorted almost yelling. "Don't play dumb with me. It won't work. I know you had something to do with my brother ending up in that horrible house and I'm not letting you get away with it."
"And just how would we have been able to convince the hat to resort him?" Harry reasoned. Percy seemed beyond logic at that point but that didn't mean he wouldn't try. He was also correct but they weren't about to tell him that,
"I don't know and I don't care!" he yelled proving Harry's assumption correct. "I know you did and I'm going to make you pay! I've been rather lax in my duties so far trying to be a good guy but that ends now!"
He then glanced at his watch before meeting their eyes and shaking his head
"Tut, tut," he said in a mock regretful tone. "Three first years have been caught out after curfew. I guess my new, tougher stance will have to start now. Five points from Gryffindor for each of you. Now get back to your dorms and don't try this again because I'll be watching."
They all made a show fear as they quickly obeyed him. They were bone tired and just wanted to go to bed. They were laughing on the inside however. They didn't expect Percy to be around for much longer anyway and if, by some chance he was, they were perfectly capable of taking care of him themselves if necessary.