Chapter 1803 - Ch: 5

Chapter 5

A/N: Here's the next chapter, enjoy.

The next two weeks were the best he'd ever spent at Hogwarts. Flitwick was the best defense teacher he'd ever had except for Remus Lupin. Harry had always enjoyed charms but had no idea how good the diminutive professor was at defense and, despite his penchant for sticking his nose where it didn't belong, Dumbledore was a thousand times better than Snape in potions although even Hagrid would be an improvement to the greasy git. It didn't matter that the gameskeeper probably didn't know much about potions since Snape didn't really teach anything he just wrote instructions on the board then took points from and made snide remarks to anyone who wasn't a Slytherin. Hagrid would be kind and wouldn't favor one house over the others. That alone, would be an improvement.

Dumbledore truly was a talented teacher. So much so that Harry was actually starting to look forward to potions as opposed to dreading it. That wouldn't last long as, two weeks into this new arrangement, Dumbledore asked him to stay behind after class.

"Ahh, Mr. Potter," he spoke in his kindly grandfather voice. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your improvement. I must say it was a surprise after seeing Professor Snapes gradebook. Apparently you were barely passing but in the two weeks I've taught this class I daresay only miss Granger has shown more skill. Could you enlighten me as to what's changed?"

Harry felt anger and hate well up inside him towards the greasy git not that he needed any more reason to. The first time around he might have deserved those marks but this time he knew he'd done every potion right and still Snape tried to fail him. He didn't bother trying to look shocked and let his anger show.

"The teacher," he answered simply his loathing for the potions master flowing freely in his tone. Dumbledore was clearly shocked at his tone and said so.

"Now Mr. Potter," he spoke in an admonishing tone. "That's no way to speak about a member of the faculty."

"On the contrary headmaster," Harry responded. "That's exactly how to speak about that particular member of the faculty. The man doesn't teach he merely writes instructions on the board then sits glaring at any student that isn't from his house. While Slytherins can go to him for help, the rest of us get points taken and humiliation in front of the whole class if we ask for help. He takes points if we try to help each other as well. In fact, if you checked his book I'm sure you saw that all the Slytherins received top marks even Crabbe and Goyle while the rest of us are lucky to get passing grades most of the time except for Hermione of course but that's probably because he knows he couldn't get away with that since no one would believe she could be anything less than the top of the class. If that's not enough proof for you headmaster than consider this. Hermione has been my partner all year so how's it possible that she's got top marks while I've been essentially failed when our samples come from cauldrons on the same table? Do you honestly think Hermione wouldn't help me if I was having that much trouble? The answer is that Snape has a particular dislike for me because he hated my father and has transferred that hate onto me."

The look on the old man's face clearly showed he had looked at the book and that Harry had come closer to the mark than he was comfortable with. It was only there a moment before the grandfather persona was firmly back in place.

"I will look into it Mr. Potter," he said in a placating way. "But I must insist that you at least respect his position as a member of the faculty even if you don't respect the man."

"I've already told you headmaster," Harry responded maintaining a respectful tone. "I will only show respect when someone has earned it. The position one holds means nothing if they're not worthy of it and he clearly isn't."

Dumbledore sighed clearly disappointed at being unable to get Harry to listen to and follow his advice.

"Very well Mr. Potter," he replied after a moment. "But I think you'll find that that attitude may adversely affect any ambitions you may have in the future. I hope, for your sake, that you'll reevaluate your attitude at some point and realize the grave error you're now making by behaving in this manner. You're dismissed."

Harry nodded then grabbed his things and left. He had to fight to keep from laughing at the old man's attempt to make him feel guilty. He'd tried that route the first time around and all it got him was being hunted and being forced to watch as nearly everyone he'd ever cared about was murdered. He wasn't naïve anymore and wouldn't be blinded by it this time around. This time it would be his enemies that suffered loss not him. Hermione and Neville were waiting outside the classroom for him and together they started making their way out of the dungeon while he told them about his conversation with Dumbledore. They thought it funny as well. They rounded a corner and found their way blocked by several older boys. Harry recognized the one in the middle as Marcus Flint the Captain of the Slytherin quidditch team. Their wands were in their hands and it was clear that they had no intention of letting them pass. Then he heard a smug voice that he was all too familiar with behind him.

"Going somewhere Potter?"

Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy, his two goons plus Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode along with a few more older students that harry didn't know but thought could've been members of the quidditch team. The three of them quickly backed into the corner with Harry slightly in front of the other two as both groups closed in.

"Realized you were horribly out matched the first time and used your father to get your housemates to help you eh Draco?" he asked while pulling out his wand.

Draco's smug expression was replaced with anger.

"I don't need anyone's help to deal with the likes of you Potter!" he yelled then his sneer reappeared as he continued. "This is for what you did to our head of house. We know you had a hand in it. There's no way Professor Snape would have been beaten by a troll without help."

Again Harry had to fight laughter as he recalled Snape's so called battle with the troll.

"I had nothing to do with it," Harry said confidently. "I was in my dorm asleep at the time. Now I would suggest that you let us pass if you know what's good for you."

The corridor filled with laughter and Harry used the distraction and turned toward Hermione.

"Time to use the spell," he whispered. She nodded her head then he turned back to the Slytherins.

"Not moving?" he asked then shrugged when no one answered or moved. "Okay let's get on with it then unless you plan on keeping us here until we cry from having to look at your ugly faces. Come to think of it that might work better for you; you should at least consider it. Although I'm more likely to get sick before I cry and that could get awfully messy."

All at once spells were flying at them from every angle. Harry quickly put up a shield which reflected the spells back the Slytherins. The spells hit a few of them and it quickly became clear they were seriously trying to hurt them as one of them was clearly hit with a cutting curse. Harry was filled with anger as he thought of what that curse could have done to Hermione and used that anger to power his shield. Hermione and Neville meanwhile were firing stunners around the edge of the shield and soon the corridor was filled with Slytherin bodies as opposed to attackers. The last few attackers tried to run when they realized they were losing but were hit in the back as they fled. Unbeknownst to anyone other than the three of them, Hermione had been sending out a second spell along with stunners and had managed to hit every one of their attackers except Draco with it because they had other plans for him. It was a spell they'd found in the Black family library that at first they thought was very dark but as they planned their trip through time, they realized it could be useful.

It was a spell that was meant to be part of a two part process to take magic from muggleborns and give it to purebloods or to give magic to a squib child. The book they'd found it in was the personal journal of Arcturus Black; Sirius' grandfather. Arcturus was the very epitomy of a pure blood bigot. The journal was little more than the story of his personal crusade to eliminate what he called the mudblood conspiracy. He believed muggleborns were simply muggles that had discovered a way to steal magic from true wizards (i/e: purebloods) like himself out of jealousy of the magical world's obvious superiority to their own. He claimed that squibs were really wizards whose magic had been stolen and given to an undeserving muggle. The fact that muggleborns vastly outnumbered squibs was either conveniently ignored or missed alltogether. Given the insane ramblings and senseless angry diatribes that filled nearly a third of the book, they suspected the latter.

The remainder of the book detailed his efforts to destroy the threat that only existed in his mind. There were gruesome accounts of what he called his missions for the cause wherein he described the many times he tortured muggleborns and their families for information on the conspiracy before killing them in the most brutal and painful way he could think of proving that 'mugglehunting' wasn't a sport that Voldemort and his deatheaters had thought up but had actually been passed down to them like a treasured family tradition. Arcturus considered those hunts the best moments of his life making them wonder how it was possible Sirius could have come from that family. Then there was what he referred to as his life's work; finding a way to take magic from muggleborns and give it back to its rightful owners: purebloods.

He documented his progress diligently. There was no doubt he was passionate about his work. The first time he managed to take a muggleborn's magic, he celebrated by treating himself to a few extra 'missions'. Fortunately, for muggleborns, he was never able to find a way to give that magic to someone else and died with his mission incomplete. They'd found the journal in the boxes of books Molly Weasley had removed from the library the summer before fifth year and stored in the attic. By itself it would eventually destroy a witch or wizard's magical core rendering that person essentially a muggle. They'd talked about using it on deatheaters and, if given an opportunity, would certainly use it on Voldemort. He wouldn't be much of a threat without magic. They decided that deatheaters were little more than rabid beasts that needed to be put down along with their master and didn't deserve to be allowed to live even as muggles.

Their children were all future deatheaters but hadn't yet become monsters like their parents so it was decided that using the spell on them would be a merciful way of dealing with them as well as the corrupt sycophants that dominated the wizengamot and ministry that allowed so many deatheaters to bribe their way out of trouble after the first blood war. They hadn't planned to use it so soon but Harry decided take advantage of the opportunity this attack offered to test the spell and deal with them now before they were able to harm anyone. Best of all, the spell wasn't registered and wouldn't show up on a prior incantato check. Harry lowered the shield when the last attacker fell. It was at that moment, his timing perfect as usual, that Dumbledore showed up. Concern was evident on his face as he surveyed the scene. He sent a patronis off then turned to them.

"What happened here?" he asked.

"We were attacked sir," Neville answered and told him what happened.

He shook his head sadly as he looked around again then regarded Harry.

"Mr. Potter," he said finally. "You've got to learn to control your violent tendencies. You should have come to me rather than start a brawl."

Harry glared at the headmaster unable to believe what he was hearing. When he spoke his voice was cold.

"I didn't start this headmaster they did," he nodded his head toward the Slytherins. "You heard what Neville said. They had us blocked both ways so I couldn't leave and even if I could have I never would have left my friends to face half of the Slytherin house a stone's throw away from their common room by themselves. We were minding our own business. I told them what you said and we were discussing it. I asked them to let us pass and they refused. What happened was their own fault not mine."

Madame Pomfrey, McGonagall and Flitwick arrived at that moment. Pomfrey and Flitwick began checking the Slytherins while McGonagall made her way to the Gryffindors to check on them.

"Are you all right?" she asked clearly concerned. When they all nodded she asked what happened and they reiterated the incident for the second time. At first she was shocked then she became angry but not at them, her anger was directed at the Headmaster. "Albus! I won't stand for my Gryffindors being attacked in the dungeons. You had better rectify this or so help me I will!"

Dumbledore held his hands up in a placating gesture.

"Calm down Minerva," he said soothingly. "I'm sure that this is just a simple misunderstanding."

His words had the opposite effect than he'd hoped and he was soon afraid of being cursed.

"Misunderstanding!," She yelled at the top of her voice. "This was a bloody ambush Albus! They laid in wait then attacked. These three could have been seriously hurt or worse! I want them all expelled!"

"Now Minerva," he said calmly but Harry noticed him back up a little bit. "I don't think that's necessary. I'm sure they've learned their lesson."

"No Albus," Minerva responded no longer yelling but still just as angry. "The only thing they've learned is that you won't really punish them no matter what they do. Do they have to kill someone before you realize that some people won't change no matter how many chances you give them?"

He ignored the question and instead turned his attention to Madame Pomfrey.

"How are they Poppy?" he asked her.

Most of them are just stunned Albus," she responded not looking too happy with the headmaster either. "There were a few that were hit with minor curses like a boil curse however Mr. Flint was hit with a cutting curse. It hit him in the arm otherwise it could have been fatal."

Dumbledore immediately rounded on Harry anger evident on his face.

"How could you use a lethal curse?" he asked incredulously. "You could have killed him over a minor squabble. I'm afraid you'll have to be punished for that Mr. Potter."

Professor Flitwick had moved to McGonagall's side and grabbed hold of her wand. It was a good thing too as it looked like she might curse Dumbledore at any moment. Harry glared defiantly at the headmaster anger raging inside at the assumption the old man was making.

"For your information Headmaster," he responded angrily. "The only spell I cast was a shield charm to protect myself and my friends and they only fired stunners. Feel free to check our wands if you don't believe me. I've been attacked several times now yet every time it seems like you blame me for them rather than my attackers."

"I've tried to warn you what your behavior could cost you Mr. Potter," he said. "It seems I've been proven right. I accept your offer and will check your wands as well as the others so we can determine what happened here."

He held out his hand and Harry handed him his wand. Hermione and Neville did the same as expected, prior incantato revealed just what Harry said it would. Dumbledore then checked the wands of the Slytherins and found that the cutting curse had actually come from Draco's wand. He was shocked at the spells they were using especially Malfoy but still refused to expel any of them. They began reviving the Slytherins while Madame Pomfrey prepared the injured for transport to the hospital wing. Dumbledore gave them a mild lecture and told them they would have to be punished. Draco smirked at the thought of the headmaster punishing them because he knew it wouldn't amount to much until a tall shadow fell over him. He looked up and saw the angry face of Professor McGonagall and visibly gulped.

"You think it's funny to attack another student Mr. Malfoy?" She asked still angry. "Well for your information since you attacked a member of my house I have the right to punish you as well. Two hundred points from Slytherin and Detention for the rest of the year." Draco was cut off as he tried to respond. "And that's on top of whatever punishment the headmaster gives and he will be punishing you." She emphasized her statement with a glare at the old man. "You will be spending all you spare time working around the castle without magic. It's time to give the house elves and Filtch a break. I'm afraid you won't even be able to watch quidditch as you will be working during every match."

Draco paled but soon the sneer was back and he looked at her defiantly.

"When my father hears-" he started but was quickly silenced as McGonagall bent down until she was right in his face.

"I knew your father when he was a snot nosed little brat like his son," she said clearly unfazed by the threat. "He didn't scare me then and he sure doesn't scare me now. However I would be happy to set him straight about a number of things should he care to visit. When you write to him, be sure to mention that it was I who taught Alastor Moody the ferret spell." At Draco's confused look she continued. "Don't worry young man he'll know what I'm talking about."

She turned away from him and left him to Dumbledore.

"Albus," she said getting the headmaster's attention. "With your permission I'll escort my Gryffindors to their next class."

He nodded and she turned to them but was interrupted by Flitwick.

"Actually Minerva," he said kindly. "Since it's my class they're missing, I can escort them plus you have your own class to get to."

She gave him a grateful smile then looked at them.

"If you have any more difficulty," she told them quietly. "You come to me."

They thanked her then followed Flitwick to their next class and continued on with their day.

None of the other students got more than a slap on the wrist. Draco's punishment was held up despite his father's protest and Draco found himself escorted to every class and could be seen constantly in the presence of a faculty member doing some work around the castle. Harry, Hermione and Neville went out of their way to create extra work for him whenever possible. They also kept their eyes open for any sign the spell had worked but didn't see any until the first quidditch match. Harry noticed that he was right about several members of the team being in on the attacks as he noticed the trouble they were having controlling their brooms. With luck, they'd be out of the school soon regardless of the old man's wishes.

The morning after the match Harry woke up feeling like something was wrong. He couldn't put his finger on it but something didn't feel right. Looking around the dorm, nothing seemed out of place. Thinking he was just overreacting, he pushed the thought from his mind and headed to the showers.

Hermione had gotten up early and was headed to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. She hoped to have good news to give Harry. She knew he wouldn't like her going off on her own but with Draco being escorted everywhere and it being so early, she felt safe going out and was sure he'd forgive her when she gave him the good news. A few minutes later she left the bathroom with a smile on her face. She did indeed have good news. She hadn't got far when she was hit in the back by a body bind spell. Her body stiffened and she fell down face first. There was a sharp pain in her nose but she was unable to move. Fear gripped her as she realized she was helpless. She felt someone grab her feat and start dragging her away. Suddenly everything went dark and she realized she been pulled into an alcove off the hallway. She was slowly turned over until she could see her attacker. He was clouded in shadow but she was sure it was Ron Weasley. This shocked her because he'd never been up this early before. When he spoke, his voice confirmed his identity.

"Still think your better than me?" he asked smirking. "Don't bother trying to answer, I know you can't. Not so tough now are you? You're nothing without the-Boy-Who-Lived around. You'll soon learn your place. After this, even he will see that you're a waste of his time."

He then grabbed her by the throat his expression turning vicious.

"You uppity mudblood!" he spat at her. "Did you really think you could get away with treating me like that? I'm a pureblood. I'm above you and always will be!"

His anger seemed to get the best of him and he began to hit her. He rained down blows one after the other on her paralyzed form lost in his rage. She lost count of how many times he hit her face and body. She was sure she'd heard several bones crack from the blows. She was also sure she would lose consciousness any moment and was truly afraid he might kill her. Then she heard voices. Ron heard them too and snapped out of his rage. He looked up when he heard them and cursed. He then looked down at her one last time then stood and ran off.

Harry returned from the showers feeling an even greater since of urgency. He still couldn't figure it out then all at once it hit him; there was no snoring. Ron was a notorious snorer but this morning his bed was quiet. He ripped back the curtains and felt his blood run cold when he saw it was empty. Neville was finishing getting dressed as well and sped up when he saw the empty bed.

"Hermione!" was all Harry said as he raced out of the dorm and down to the common room praying she was there. Neville had been right behind him but she was nowhere in sight. At that moment Parvati descended from the girls dorm. They raced up to her and asked if Hermione was still in the dorm and was told she'd gotten up early that morning. Harry didn't waste any more time figuring he knew where she went to and ran out the portal Neville right on his heels. They ran to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Stopping outside, they called out her name in case she was actually using the facilities. They didn't get an answer but a moment later they heard the sound of someone running away and headed that direction. They ran around a corner to where they thought they heard the first steps but didn't see anyone. Harry started toward the next corner when Neville stopped him and pointed to an alcove.

He could just make out what looked like a girl's shoe lying at the entrance like it had fallen off. Harry raced to the alcove and was nearly overwhelmed at what he saw. Hermione was laying on her back, her body rigid, and her face bloody and swollen. He quickly realized she was in a body bind and ended it. She simultaneously relaxed and gasped at the same time. Her eyes were swollen shut, there was blood flowing from her nose and mouth, there were bruises on her throat and she seemed to be struggling to breathe. He fell to his knees and gently touched her shoulder and she recoiled until pain forced her to stop then she turned her head in his direction.

"Please help me?" she said spitting out even more blood as she spoke and it clearly took great effort to do it.

"It's me Hermione," Harry responded fighting back tears.

"Harry?" she asked as if afraid to believe it.

He reached out again and touched her. This time she leaned into him and started crying. He gently picked her up and started heading to the hospital wing.

"Neville," he said turning to his friend who was walking beside him with his wand drawn. "You should run ahead and let Pomfrey know she's got a patient coming."

Neville just shook his head and stayed where he was.

"I'm not leaving your side mate," he said simply. "You're carrying her and can't really defend yourself right now so I'm guarding you both in case that bastard tries to take a shot at you while you're vulnerable."

Harry gave him a look of gratitude then turned his attention back to Hermione who was still crying against his chest. He tried to comfort her any way he could as he made his way to the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfrey was also shocked at the sight of her but controlled it and immediately got to work. Harry and Neville had stationed themselves at the foot of her bed like guards and nothing the healer said could make them leave. After thirty minutes she'd been able to relieve most of the swelling and had given her potions to ease the pain. She had three cracked ribs, a broken nose and Jaw, hairline fractures on her eyesockets and cheekbones and had lost some teeth. Pomfrey was able to put the teeth back in but it would be a painful couple of days while the bones knitted back together. During one of the moments the healer went to her office to get more potions, Harry moved up to Hermione's side and asked the question he needed the answer to most.

"Who did this Hermione?" He asked her. "It was Ron wasn't it."

She tried to turn away and avoid answering him but he gently turned her face back toward him.

"It was him wasn't it?" It was a statement more than a question. She hesitated a moment then nodded her head. He returned the nod then gently caressed her head offering what comfort he could while trying to avoid her injuries. Pomfrey soon returned and had her drink a few more potions.

"Now that she's stable," she said looking at Harry. "I need to let the headmaster know what happened."

She started to turn but Harry stopped her.

"I'll tell him," he said as he stood up. "I'm going there anyway."

"No Harry, please stay with me," It was the first time Hermione had spoken since she'd said his name in the alcove.

"Don't worry," said soothingly to her while gripping her hand in both of his. "I won't be long and Neville will be here with you." he looked at Neville who immediately nodded then continued. "I'll try to bring you back some food since I'm sure you haven't eaten yet."

Madame Pomfrey seemed to consider it for a moment then nodded.

"Go straight to the headmaster and inform him before you do anything else Mr. Potter," ordered the healer.

He promised he would then moved to the end of the bed and leaned in toward Neville.

"Don't let anyone else near her, not even a teacher and especially not old dumbass. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Neville nodded again.

"Give Ron one for me too okay mate?" he said with a knowing smile.

Harry just nodded and headed toward the door. He looked back one more time at the woman he loved before he left and felt rage welling up inside him then began walking at a brisk pace toward the great hall. As he entered the hall he noticed the redhead eating his breakfast like nothing had happened and moved toward him. Since technically it was on the way to the head table, he wasn't really breaking his promise to Madam Pomfrey. As he walked the length of the table his eyes focused only on the redhead, a voice he recognized as Parvati's asked him if he'd found Hermione. Upon hearing her name Ron smirked knowingly and Harry lost it. He practically ran up to the redhead, grabbed him by the throat and, fuelled by anger induced adrenalin, pulled him up off the table before slamming him onto the floor. He struggled to get up but ended up on the receiving end of a right hook halfway up that knocked him farther back and he landed against the wall. Again he foolishly tried to stand only to have Harry help by pulling him up by his throat before slamming him into the wall.

"You think it's funny to attack someone from behind then nearly beat them to death do you!" he yelled at the redhead who was struggling just to breathe. "You're too cowardly to take her on face to face because you know she'd wipe up the floor with you don't you? Come near her again and your worst nightmares will pale compared to what I'll do to you!"

By this time the shock of the swift attack had worn off and those watching started to act. The twins got there first and tried to pull him off their brother. They managed to pull Harry back when Ron tried to take advantage and threw a punch at Harry's head. Harry ducked and the punch hit one of the twins who went down while the other let go to as he ducked. Harry wasted no time and immediately hit Ron in the stomach before landing a second right hook to send him back into the wall. This time Ron went down and stayed down. The twins once again grabbed him and tried to pull him back. He then tried to kick the redhead while struggling with his brothers. Ron just tried to protect himself covering his head with his arms while bring his knees to his chest. Once again, as if right on cue, the teachers arrived after it was over. McGonagall, Flitwick and Dumbledore positioned themselves between the combatants.

"What's going on here?" Dumbledore asked. It was Ron who answered first.

"I was eating my breakfast and he attacked me for no reason!" he said as he got to his feat.

He then turned to Harry with an exasperated sigh.

"Care to enlighten us Mr. Potter?" he asked.

"He attacked Hermione with a body bind curse from behind then proceeded to beat her to a bloody pulp." Harry answered showing no remorse. "She's in the hospital wing now. Madame Pomfrey sent me to tell you and when I saw him I lost it."

There were gasps throughout the crowd at the thought of such a cowardly and heinous attack and many glares were aimed at the youngest Weasley who either didn't notice or didn't care.

"He's barking," Ron exclaimed. "I never touched her!" his expression then turned thoughtful as he continued "But maybe it'll be a good thing and teach her not to cross the wrong people."

Harry lunged at him only to be held back by the twins again but it looked like it was only because they wanted to hit him themselves.

"Mr. Weasley!" Professor McGonagall yelled even though she was right in front of him. "I will not tolerate attitudes like that in my house! Perhaps you should join Malfoy on his yearlong detention. That is if your still here."

She turned to the headmaster hoping he would finally take action but knew he probably wouldn't. She was unfortunately right.

"Did you witness the attack Mr. Potter?" he asked Harry.

"No sir he was gone when I got to her," he answered. "But she told me it was him who did it."

"I'm afraid that's not enough proof," he responded. "At this point it's her word against his."

Harry anger now found a new focus on the headmaster.

"So he nearly kills another student and you're just going to let him get away with it!" Harry asked incredulously.

"At this point," Dumbledore responded. "The only proof of wrong doing we have is your unprovoked attack on Mr. Weasley. We will look into the attack on Miss Granger and do our best to determine what happened. In the meantime, I suggest you apologize to Mr. Weasley for attacking him."

"THE HELL I WILL!" Was Harry's response. "He's lucky he's still breathing after what he did."

" , That's enough!" the headmaster yelled back. "For all we know she only thought it was him or is too afraid to name the real attacker. And let's face it; He's not the one that's shown extremely violent tendencies since he's been here."

The twins grabbed a hold of him again when he began to almost glow with power as his anger reached a hereto unseen proportion in fear he would attack the headmaster.

"ARE YOU ACCUSING ME OF ATTACKING HER?" he yelled loudly causing many to cover their ears. "I have been in several altercations but she's always fought beside me and you damn well know that one of those fights started because I was protecting her. You also know I didn't start those fights, I just finished them and if you had acted like a real headmaster half of them wouldn't have happened because those students wouldn't have been around to start them. Including him!" He pointed at Ron then continued. "He started the confrontation outside the charms classroom and it was Neville who finished it not me because I was busy catching Hermione after he pushed her then Professor Flitwitck stopped him as he tried to curse one of us in the back. I don't know who he was aiming at, but after today it's a good bet that she was his target!"

"Be that as it may, Mr. Potter," he replied. "You've proven time and time again that you have no self control. It wouldn't surprise me if you lost control with your friends as much as you do with your enemies. Either way, as I've already told you, it's her word against his and, without proof, there's nothing I can do."

"Albus!" McGonagall had finally gathered her wits after momentarily getting lost the exchange between the headmaster and Harry but his response threw her for another loop.

"Very well headmaster," Harry said while shaking himself free of the twins. "But if I or my friends are attacked again and all you do is spout platitudes and lay the blame on us, I'll remove them from the school myself then I'm coming after you. I know who I am in this world headmaster and I'm willing to bet I can cause you a lot of problems if I go public with some of the things I know about you."

His expression was cold as he glared at the headmaster who almost imperceptively flinched at his words. Harry held his gaze for a moment then turned and headed for the door. McGonagall was too shocked to say anything as were the rest of the bystanders however the show wasn't over yet.

"Mr. Potter," Yelled Dumbledore having recovered from the shock. "You have not been dismissed!"

Harry stopped and slowly turned around.

"I don't care," he replied. "I have a friend in the hospital wing that's way more deserving of my time than you are." He turned to go then quickly turned back around. "For the record, I don't give a damn how many points you take for this but I refuse to serve any detentions because I'm not leaving Hermione's side as long as he's still here." He pointed at Ron when he said that. "However, feel free to expel me since I'm not sure I want to stay here anymore anyway but if you do my friends will be leaving with me."

With that he left ignoring Dumbledore's calls for him to return and headed back to the hospital wing as fast as he could.

Minerva McGonagall had never seen a first year talk to the headmaster like that before but then Harry Potter was no ordinary first year. He was the savior of the wizarding world. She'd also never seen Albus Dumbledore so at odds with a student before either. He was, after all, the leader of the light and was generally revered. Students tended to treat him with awe but Mr. Potter had barely shown him any respect at all and had just threatened him in front almost the entire school. Although she didn't like the disrespect he'd shown the headmaster, she could understand why he did it. Albus had goaded and antagonized the boy from the start then proceeded to blame everything on him up to and including accusing him of attacking his best friend himself then trying to lay the blame on the Weasley boy. He didn't even bother to question him and after the redhead's comment, she had no doubt that he was guilty and it disgusted her that he was still allowed to walk the halls. She decided then and there that she couldn't allow this to go on anymore. She quickly disbanded the crowd then turned to the headmaster.

"Albus," she said using her no nonsense tone. "We need to talk."

"Later Minerva," he responded. "I need to go to the hospital wing"

"No now Albus!" her tone made it clear it wasn't a request. "In private."

He gave another exasperated sigh before nodding his head and following her out of the great hall and into the room the first years are put in before the sorting. She closed the door then put up some privacy charms then turned toward the other occupant in the room and glared at him. He seemed to involuntarily shiver as if the temperature had just dropped several degrees but he met her eyes without flinching.

"First off Albus," she said continuing in the same tone. "You will stay away from the hospital wing."

Dumbledore suddenly straightened up and adopted the expression he used to make even his toughest enemies cower slightly. There was a glow about him and his eyes were cold and hard. It was quite an intimidating sight but Minerva didn't even flinch.

"Minerva," he spoke with an air of authority. "There has been an attack on a student and I'm required to investigate it also I gave my word to Mr. Potter. You wouldn't want me going back on that would you?"

"After what I just witnessed Albus," she replied. "I can almost guarantee you that Mr. Potter will not cooperate with you and once he tells Miss Granger what just happened she probably won't want to talk to you either."

Dumbledore's face nearly turned crimson and anger was clearly evident on his face.

"I have had all of Mr. Potter's insolence that I'm going to take," he yelled. "It's time he was made to realize that I run this school not him! He doesn't get to decide how things are handled at this school I do and there's no better time than the present to make that clear!"

She looked at him like he was a complete idiot which at that moment she thought he was.

"I'll admit that some of his behavior was out of line, Albus," she responded. "But I also understand why he was so upset. What were you thinking accusing him of committing the attack he was reporting? You've seen as well as I have that he and Miss Granger our almost always together. In fact, I don't think I've heard so much as a cross word between them since they've been here."

"I don't care what his reasons are Minerva," he replied clearly still angry. "I intend to teach him the error of his ways. He wanted to see real punishment from me and he's going to; starting with his own. He's traveling down a dangerous path Minerva. One I've seen before. We've got to reel him in before it's too late."

His look had become pleading and she thought she saw a hint of fear as well. It didn't make sense but she'd long ago stopped trying to make sense of the enigma that was Albus Dumbledore. It was an impossible task because he kept way too much information to himself and refused let anyone else in on his secrets. As a result, no one that might be able to help him was ever given the chance to.

"He's in my House Albus," she said after a moment of thought. "And I'll punish him. He'll accept it from me but right now, I doubt he'd accept a life preserver from you even if he was drowning."

Dumbledore looked like he was going to argue for moment but then apparently thought the better of it and nodded his head.

"As long as it's a suitable punishment," he said now somewhat calmer. "And regardless of what he said, I must insist that he serve at least one preferably long detention. Also, if possible, I would appreciate it if you could come up with some way to help him see that violence should be the very last resort. I've tried to reach him but as you can see I've failed miserably."

He looked positively defeated after the last statement and she almost pitied him but then she remembered why she'd brought him in there and her anger returned.

"I'll see what I can come up with Albus," she responded. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. I want to discuss the Weasley boy."

"As I told Mr. Potter Minerva," he replied his anger returning. "Without proof I can't do anything."

"Come off it Albus," Minerva yelled. "We both know people have been sent to Azkaban on far less evidence than this. You yourself practically tried and convicted Mr. Potter in front of the old school just now without so much as questioning the person the victim named. I'm done standing idly by while you ignore the wrong doing of students who are little more than thugs. I did some research and found some alarming trends. I've notice the students you continue to give chances to are all purebloods while they're victims are muggleborns and halfbloods. Could it be that the voice for muggleborns and halfbloods is in fact a bigot himself that just wants to look like he cares?"

"That's enough Minerva!" Dumbledore roared.

"You're damn right that's enough Albus!" she roared right back. "I'm taking this to the board of governors, D.M.L.E., and the press if I have to but I won't rest until the thugs are permanently removed from Hogwarts including Mr. Weasley! This is a school! Students should be able to walk these halls without fear of being attacked and I intend to see to it that that becomes a reality! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get to the hospital wing and check on my Gryffindors. I'm finding I'm in agreement with Mr. Potter; they're much more deserving of my time than you are. Good day headmaster!"

With that she left leaving a shocked and slightly pale headmaster behind and headed to the hospital wing.

When she arrived at the hospital she got her first look at the Granger girl and the anger returned in full force. Harry had not been exaggerating when he'd said she'd been beaten to a pulp. She was laying on a bed with Mr. Potter on one side and Mr. Longbottom on the other each holding one of her hands. She noticed that the girl had positioned herself slightly closer to Mr. Potter making the headmaster's accusations even more idiotic. She decided to talk to Poppy first to get a rundown of the girl's injuries before talking to her and headed to the office. Poppy was sitting at her desk making notes in a patient file when she walked in. The healer looked up then closed the file and gave her a smile.

"Hello Minerva," Poppy greeted her warmly.

"Hello Poppy," she returned the greeting. "I came to check on my Gryffindor."

Poppy's face turned grim and began to fill her colleague and friend in on the extent of Miss Granger's injuries. Minerva found her shock quickly turning to horror as Poppy told her what the girl looked like when she was brought in. It took all her will power not to leave the office immediately in search of a certain redheaded first year and quickly thought of a few transfiguration experiments she'd love try out on the little bastard. She thanked Poppy then headed out to talk to her students. It was Mr. Longbottom that noticed her first and alerted Mr. Potter. They both immediately stood up, pulled out their wands and moved to the end of the bed positioning themselves in front of Miss Granger like a barrier. It made her happy to see them being so protective of their friend. That they were willing to stand up to students and teachers alike and, in the case of Mr. Potter, even the headmaster showed just how much they cared for her. It also eased her fears for the girl's safety as long as the Weasley boy remained in the castle. So instead of a scowl she responded to their show of force with a wry smile.

"You may put your wand away Mr. Potter and you too Mr. Longbottom," she said kindly but firmly. "I would never harm one of my Gryffindors." She paused for a moment then continued. "Actually, I supposed that's not strictly correct anymore since there is one Gryffindor I'd very much like to have a go at but that student is not in this room and you, Mr. Potter, already beat me to it. I've merely come to check on Miss Granger and discuss the incident in the great hall with you."

Harry exchanged a glance with Neville then turned back to McGonagall and nodded. They both then return to their places on either side of Hermione. Harry seemed to focus on offering support for Hermione while she was answering the questions he knew were coming while Neville seem to focus his attention behind her. It only took her a moment to realize he was watching the door in case someone else came in. He might have sat down but he was still standing guard over his friends. As Hermione began to tell her head of house about the attack, Minerva noticed that Harry moved from his chair and sat on the bed next to her and put his arm around her as she became visibly upset while reliving what happened. She clung to him as her tears flowed making the headmaster's accusation even more ridiculous in her mind. As she listened to the girl's story, she felt her own eyes fill with tears. It was shocking to hear Poppy's description of the girls injuries but hearing the girl tell how she got them simply broke her heart and made her even more determine to rid the school of her attacker.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that Miss Granger," she said once Hermione had finished her story. "I'm even sorrier that I don't have better news for you but, as Mr. Potter has no doubt already told you, the headmaster has decided not to punish Mr. Weasley. As a result he's still free to walk the halls of this school."

The girl simply nodded then moved even closer to Harry as she continued.

"Rest assured Miss Granger that this is not over. I will not stand by and allow that miscreant to get away with committing such a heinous act in my school. I've decided to go to the board with this as well as several other questionable decisions the headmaster has made. Also, one of my dearest friends happens to be the head of the department of magical law enforcement. Her name is Amelia Bones and she won't take kindly to finding out the headmaster is sweeping an attempted murder under the rug. If neither of those options work, there's always the press. You were right Mr. Potter when you said that, as the boy who lived, you could cause Dumbledore damage. I daresay, if we both spoke to the press, the uproar would be too great for even his reputation to overcome."

All three students seemed to perk up at that and even Hermione managed a slight smile. She then focused on Harry hoping he wouldn't erupt too badly at what she was going to say next.

"Now Mr. Potter we need to talk about what happened in the great hall," she said and noticed his face harden as he nodded showing he clearly felt no remorse for his actions. "Unfortunately, the headmaster has ordered me to punish you and mandated that a detention be part of it." A look of fear appeared on Hermione's face and she seemed to tighten her grip on him. Harry meanwhile quickly became livid and opened his mouth to speak but was stopped as Minerva held up her hands to forestall the protest she knew was coming.

"Mr. Potter I understand your reasons for not wanting to serve a detention but please let me finish then we can discuss any concerns you may have." She spoke quickly than paused to see how he would respond. He glanced at Neville for a moment then looked down at the girl who was holding on to him for dear life before meeting her eyes again and nodding. Taking a more official tone she continued. "The headmaster has also requested that I find some way to show you the dangers of violence so I've decided to make your punishment such that it will accomplish both goals at once. I've decided that you will serve your detention right here in the hospital wing assisting Madame Poppy as she cares for a victim of a violent attack so you can learn the physical consequences of violence. As Miss Granger is the only victim we have right now, she will have to do." Both students were now smiling and she couldn't help returning them with one of her own.

"You will spend all your free time here until she's released. After that you'll be required to escort her to all her classes, meals and anywhere else she may need to go so you can understand the emotional and psychological toll violence take on its victims as well. This detention is in effect until further notice and may continue until the end of the year if I feel it's necessary. Since I want to make sure the message sinks in, I've decided to excuse you from classes while Miss Granger is here. You are not to leave the hospital wing for any reason Mr. Potter! I will speak to Madam Poppy about making up a bed for you to sleep in. She'll be keeping an eye on you so don't even think of trying to sneak out. I will have one of the other students bring both of you your assignments so you won't fall behind as well as clothes and any other items you might need from your dorms. Mr. Longbottom?" she turned toward Neville and saw he was grinning just as widely as his friends were. "Would you be willing to do that for me?"

"Certainly professor," he answered his smile getting even wider. "I would be happy to. They're my best friends after all."

"Thank you Mr. Longbottom," she said gratefully. "Ten points to Gryffindor for your willingness to help out your fellow students. Mr. Potter I will not have any arguments about this; you will accept this punishment and that's final are we clear?"

Harry did his best to put on a downtrodden expression but couldn't help cracking a small smile which ruined the whole effect.

"Yes professor," he said sadly but soon the grin was back on his face.

"Very well Mr. Potter," she responded then smiled herself. "We will consider this matter closed then."

She then focused on Hermione letting her concern show.

"You rest dear," she said reaching down to pat one of the girls feet that were under several blankets. "One way or another I'll make sure this never happens again. I've got other things to attend to so I'd best be on my way. I'm sure none of you have eaten so I'll have some food brought up to you. Mr. Longbottom try not to be late for class but, if need be, come see me and I'll give you a note. I'll try to check on you later Miss Granger."

With that she turned and headed toward the exit stopping by the office to give Poppy some final instructions. They spoke for a few minutes then they both left the office; Poppy to take a sleeping potion to Hermione, Minerva to find a certain ginger haired first year to discuss his new punishment. She just hoped she could control herself otherwise the boy wouldn't survive the meeting.

Albus Dumbledore threw himself down into his plush chair in his office. It had been an exhausting morning that included yet another confrontation with Harry Potter. If he wasn't so important to the future of the wizarding world, he'd expel the brat. 'How dare he threaten me' he thought angrily. He also felt a little fear as well. He didn't think the boy really knew anything that dangerous but just talking about his home life would be enough to cause Dumbledore a headache he could do without. He would be able to deal with it easily enough but it would take time and cost a few favors that he could put to much better use. It was time the boy was taught humility and to respect his betters but alas even that would be difficult now. The boy had somehow managed to turn his strongest supporter against him; Minerva McGonagall. He now knew she would stand in the way of anything he tried to do concerning the boy. Yet again he found himself trying to figure out what went wrong. They boy was supposed to be pliable and eager to please. He was supposed to be friends with the Weasley boy and through him his family.

The Weasley boy was another matter. He read the boys thoughts and found them to be disgusting. Not only had he committed the attack, he was proud of it and confident he wouldn't get into any trouble. He knew Dumbledore would protect him and that his mother wouldn't let him do anything else. Just the thought of the Weasley matriarch made him queasy. It was she who made demands on Dumbledore in return for their support. Arthur Weasley wasn't much better but she seemed to be the mouthpiece for the family and she certainly had a big enough mouth for the job. He was dreading having to call her about today's events but it couldn't be avoided. Minerva made it clear she wasn't going to let it go so he wasn't going to be able to keep it quiet. He decided he'd better get it over with and moved over to the fireplace. He threw in some floo powder and stuck his face in.

"Weasley Residence!" he shouted and soon he was looking into the living room of the Burrow.

"Molly?" he called out and a few moments later the heavy set woman entered the living room from the kitchen. She approached the fireplace her expression a combination of confusion and concern.

"Albus?" she said when she got close. "What's wrong? Has something happened to one of my children?"

Dumbledore cut in before she worked herself up into a panic.

"They're all fine Molly," he said placatingly. "However there was an incident today that involved Ronald."

"What happened?" she asked.

"A student was attacked and severely beaten," he answered her. "She's claimed that it was Ronald who did it and one of her friends got into a fight with him in the great hall over it."

"My Ronald would never do something like that!" she yelled indignantly. "Who is this little bint who's accusing my sweet boy falsly?"

He was tempted to tell her he was guilty but that would mean revealing that he used legilimency on the boy and he didn't think she would take too kindly to that idea so he chose not to argue with her.

"Hermione Granger," he answered. "She's also a first year Gryffindor. She and Ronald have had several altercations including an incident in which he tried to fire a curse at her or one of her friend's backs."

There was no missing the look of extreme distaste that came over Molly's face as he spoke and she practically snarled when she responded.

"I know who she is," she spat in disgust. "Ronald has talked about her in his letters. She has constantly made fun of him. He says she hangs out with two boys who are nothing but brutes who bully everyone in the school! It's one of them who attacked my poor Ronald isn't?"

He nodded his head. While he agreed with the brutal comment, he had to admit that he'd never seen Harry or his friends deliberately bully anyone. They just defended themselves and their friends and were way too quick to turn to violence to solve their problems but he wasn't foolish enough to argue with the woman in front of him in the state she was currently in.

"I want the little bully expelled Albus!" she said as if she was issuing an order. "No one lays a finger on of my children and gets away with it! What's the little thug's name anyway?"

"Harry Potter," he answered simply.

Hearing the name had the effect he thought it would as Molly was shocked into silence which was no easy feat. Seeing her caught off guard; he decided to speak quickly as he might not get another chance once she regained her senses.

"So you see my dilemma Molly," he continued. "The boy has to remain in school so I can't expel him however I assure you he is being punished."

She seemed to have recovered as he spoke but instead of looking like she was going to explode she became thoughtful.

"And what about this girl's complaint?" she asked and he could see the wheels turning in her head as she began to plan her next course of action. "By the way, I'm not familiar with the name Granger. I don't recall any pureblood family by that name."

"There's not," he answered her. "She's a muggleborn."

Molly was again livid.

"What right does a muggleborn have to complain about a pureblood?" she yelled loud enough to make him cringe involuntarily. "She ought to feel lucky he's showing her any attention at all!"

"While I agree with you Molly, there are other complications," he responded. "She happens to be a close friend of Mr. Potter's and Minerva has taken a special interest in them and has threatened to do whatever she can to overrule me and force Ronald's expulsion."

"Well you'd better make sure she doesn't succeed Albus," she replied and there was no mistaking the malice in her tone.

"Minerva will get nowhere and is little more than an irritant," he said quickly. "Mr. Potter is a different matter. As the savior of the wizarding world, he has more influence than he knows. If he ever found out he could cause us considerable problems. I've been trying to drive a wedge between him and Miss Granger and had hoped to use Ronald to do it but alas I fear that that is now all but impossible. I'll have to find another way then once the girl is isolated, we can more easily deal with her."

"No Albus," her words stopped him in his tracks and he noticed the thoughtful expression was back on her face. "Leave them be. I think it's time we took matters into our own hands. She wants to hang out with boys than let's see to it that one of them is my Ronald. It shouldn't be difficult to push out the other boy and put my boy in his place. What's the other boy's name anyway?"

"Neville Longbottom." He answered.

"The Squib?" she responded clearly shocked. "How did he even get into Hogwarts?"

"He's no squib Molly," he replied. "From what I've seen so far, he's quite a capable-."

"It doesn't matter," she said interrupting. "He in the place that rightly belongs to my son and it's time for him to go. I think a few loyalty potions ought to do it. If that's not enough, we can always move up to compulsion charms. One way or another, we'll soon have those two believing Ronald can do no wrong and you'll owe me Albus."

He didn't like the sound of that but knew he needed to keep her happy so, rather than argue, just asked the next logical question.

"What is it you want Molly?" he asked with trepidation. "I've already promised to do whatever I can to get Harry and Ginny together when they're older."

"The Granger girl," she answered with a predatory grin. "Ronald has admitted she was smart. She can help him with his schoolwork and I can teach her to be a good wife to him. Then, after they're married, he'll be able to teach her what her place is without any outside interference. After all, as a muggleborn, that's all she's really good for anyway."

He marveled at the duplicity of this woman. On the one hand, she would never stand for anyone victimizing or manipulating any of her children yet on the other had no problem doing it to someone else's child. Part of him knew what she was suggesting was wrong but he needed to gain control and most importantly influence over the boy and this could go a long way to helping him achieve that goal. The future of the wizarding world was far more important than the life of one girl. He really had no choice and, like Molly said, she was just a muggleborn so she didn't really matter anyway. Having made his decision, he met woman's eyes again.

"Very well Molly," he said finally. "How do you want to proceed?"

"I'll get started on the potions and get them to you as soon as I can," she answered him grinning evilly. "It probably won't be until after the holidays but by the end of the school year, they'll both be begging to come to the Burrow for the summer. In the meantime you concentrate on keeping my boy out of trouble."

He recognized a threat in her statement and nodded then signed off. He got up from the fireplace rubbing knees that had started to hurt after kneeling on the hard stone floor. He moved to his desk and flopped down. Looking up at the clock, he was disappointed to see that it still morning. After the conversation he'd just had he could really use a stiff drink. Instead he popped a lemon drop in his mouth and, once he felt better, carried on with his day.

Several hours later Hermione was sitting up in bed reading. Harry sat next to her holding a book of his own. He'd stayed by her side except for the occasional trip to the bathroom. He'd been comforting and caring right after the attack but had been a little distant since she'd woken up. She felt a little better now that the shock of the attack had worn off. She was no longer terrified and had no intention of cowering behind Harry the next time she saw the redheaded bastard. In fact, she was almost itching to see him so she could put him in his place once and for all. Her thoughts of where he belonged echoed her boyfriends and that was six feet underground after being caused a whole lot of pain. She shook her mind free of those thoughts then focused on Harry.

He appeared to be reading but she couldn't remember the last time he'd turned a page in the book he was holding. He also seemed tense like he was trying and only barely succeeding at controlling himself. Every once in a while he'd look at her and smile or with a look of concern but it seem like those looks were at least partially forced. She knew he was genuinely concerned for her but could tell there was something else. Something bubbling just under the surface that he was fighting to control. Then she realized what it was; anger. He was angry with her but was doing everything he could not to show it. She was touched that he was trying to avoid upsetting her but also a little annoyed that he tried to keep it from her. He needed to come out with it already so they could deal with it and move on and she intended to make sure he did. She closed her book and set it on the night stand than regarded her boyfriend again as she pondered how to start the conversation she knew they needed to have.

"Harry?" she asked and waited for him to look up before continuing. "Is there something bothering you?"

"No I'm fine," he said simply but his jaw clenched slightly letting her know he was anything but fine. He looked back down at his book but she had no intention of letting him brush her off so easily.

"Harry?" she asked again. She gently turned his face back up until their eyes met again. "I know you too well to fall for that. I know you're upset with me but I can't make it right if you don't tell me what I did."

His face hardened a little like he was fighting to keep from screaming at her. The struggle only lasted a few moments before his expression became passive again.

"You've been through enough today Mione," he said finally. "It can wait until you're better."

He tried to look away again but she wouldn't let him. He avoided eye contact with her as she started to gently caress his cheek. She knew he was really upset when instead of leaning into her touch like he usually did he tried to pull away from it. The thought of him pulling away from her terrified her and made her even more determined to get this out into the open.

"It's not possible for me to get better when you're this upset," she responded earnestly. "Especially knowing I caused it. Please Harry, tell me what I did?"

"You know what you did," he replied quickly and his tone was now cold.

"No I don't please-," she started say but was interrupted as it was clear he was no longer trying to hide his anger.

"You went out alone!" he cut her off his voice slightly raised and he was clearly angry. "You promised me you wouldn't do it again but you did and after I warned you Ron might try something! You knew how I felt but you didn't care. You never listen to me but expect me to follow your advice to the letter don't you?"

Hermione was taken aback by his outburst. She also felt stupid for not realizing sooner what was bothering him especially after the first time she wasn't waiting for them in the common room. She tried to reach for his hand but he pulled it away.

"Harry," she started feeling her eyes begin to water. "I didn't think there was any danger. Malfoy's detention keeps him out of the way and Ron's never up that early. I hoped to have good news for you-."

She'd hoped to calm him with her logic and distract him with the reason she'd left but once again he cut her off and seemed to miss the last thing she said all together.

"Well he did this time didn't he!" he responded. "What if we hadn't been able to get to you! What if he wanted to do more than just hurt you! He might've-. You could've been-."

He trailed off as his emotions got the better of him. She caught a glimpse of tears before he covered his face. She now fully understood why he was upset just as she knew what he couldn't bear to finish saying; 'You could've been killed'. There was a haunted look in his eyes as he tried to say it. It was a look she'd seen before. It was the same look they'd all had after seeing too many people they cared about die right before their eyes. Since returning back to their first year, they'd managed to put those horrors behind them since the people they'd lost were alive and put plans in motion to make sure that future didn't happen again. Now that look was back on his face because she'd been careless. She let her own tears flow as she once again reach out to the man she loved.

"Oh Harry," she said through sobs. "I'm so sorry."

She gently placed her hands on either side of his and started pulling her towards him. At first he resisted as he looked up and met her eyes. Then all at once he gave in and let her pull him to her. She pulled his head to her chest then wrapped her arms around him. He put his arms around her as well being careful of her injuries and completely let go of his emotions. She just held him as he cried offering words of comfort while apologizing over and over. He didn't respond he just clung to her like his life depended on it. Once he'd calmed down, he pulled back just far enough to meet her eyes.

"Please Mione," he said his voice hoarse from crying. "Please don't do that again. I can't lose you. You're the only one who knows that bloody ritual so I wouldn't be able to go back and find you again and even if I did it wouldn't be you. It would be a version of you that didn't love me. I understand now why Neville was so scared. I can't do this without you Mione. I can't I-."

He trailed off as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him again. She pulled him back into a fierce hug as she fought to keep her own emotions in check.

"You're never going to have to find out Harry," she stated resolutely. "I may have been bloody stupid today but that won't happen again. I'm not going anywhere and you're not going to need that ritual ever again. We're going to put a quick end to Voldemort then those that made his rise possible. Then we'll deal with the ones who thought of us as commodities to be traded about for favors. We will make this a world where we can live the life that we want. That we deserve. I've learned my lesson besides I couldn't even if I wanted to after McGonagall's punishment. Her detention practically made you my shadow."

She heard a soft chuckle and knew her attempt to lighten the mood had been successful. He pulled back again and met her eyes a curious look on his face.

"Don't you like it?" he asked.

"No," she answered putting a serious expression on her face. She held it until his face started to drop in disappointment then cracked a smile. "I love it."

"Really?" he asked becoming hopeful again as she nodded her head.

"Spending practically every waking moment with the man I love?" she responded. "It's a dream come true. The only thing better would be getting to spend my nights with you as well."

He laughed and sat up. He put his book down then they repositioned themselves and were soon sitting side by side on the bed cuddling into each other the bad feelings all forgotten.

"So," Harry spoke after a long silence. "You said you had good news?"

Hermione was momentarily confused until she realized what he meant.

"I didn't think you heard that," she responded.

"Of course I heard it," he replied. "I just had other things on my mind at the moment. So what's the news?"

"It's ready," she answered.

He smiled and gave her a kiss then they spent the rest of the evening making plans and just being together.

They filled Neville in the next morning. He'd brought them the previous day's assignments and joined them for breakfast. With them both stuck in the infirmary, it was decided that Neville would have to carry out the plan. Hermione went over everything he would need to do before he headed to class then gave him a refresher that evening before Madam Pomfrey ran him off. Neville had retrieved the potion from moaning Myrtle's bathroom along with anything else he needed and brought them to Hermione for the final prep work. He'd just managed to stuff everything into a pocket of his robes when the healer arrived to tell him it was time to go. He made his way back to the Gryffindor tower going back over the plan in his head. Once he got there, he noticed that all his dorm mates were in the common room. Most importantly, Ron was there. He was playing chess with Seamus Finnegan. The rat was asleep on the arm of his chair. He swallowed down his anger at Seamus for associating with the prat but it helped keep the redhead busy so he kept his mouth shut and headed up to the dorm room to set the trap.

Once there he moved to the side of Ron's bed to find the right spot. Once he did, he stepped back out of the room and quickly cast a ward to warn him if anyone came and then got to work. The plan was simple; draw a compulsion rune on the floor that would draw the rat to a particular spot on the floor with a second rune intended to get the rat to eat the piece of cheese that just happened to be there. The cheese, however, was laced with an antianamagus potion to force Pettigrew into his human form where he would then be stunned. Neville quickly drew the runes then placed the doctored cheese into position then disillusioned both the runes and the cheese. He'd just finished when the ward alerted him that someone was coming. He quickly dashed over to his bed, grabbed a book and plopped down on his bed and pretended to be reading. Moments later all three of his dorm mates appeared. It wasn't long until they were all asleep. He cast an alarm spell on himself then went to sleep as well.

He woke up three hours later. He carefully peeked out of his curtains then used his wand to end the disillusionment on the cheese and activate the runes. Then he waited keeping his eyes on the cheese. Within a few minutes he saw the rat scurrying across the floor. He stopped when he got to the cheese, he picked it up and sniffed it before beginning to nibble on it. It only took a few seconds to down the whole thing. Neville kept watching as the rat turned like it was heading back to Ron's bed when it started changing. Suddenly it was a rat like man standing over Ron's bed instead of a rat beneath it. Neville acted immediately.

"Stupify!" he shouted.

Pettigrew had just realized he was no longer a rat so didn't have a chance to react. The spell hit him and he went right down. Neville's shout woke up his dormmates who began shouting themselves and soon the whole house was standing around looking at the strange man that Neville had stunned. As everyone stared at the stunned man on the floor, Neville took the opportunity to remove the runes. Percy then left and returned about five minutes later with Professor McGonagall in tow. Her face went pale when she saw who it was.

"Peter Pettigrew!" she said clearly shocked. "He supposed to be dead."

She turned him over onto his back and started checking him over as she asked what happened.

"I just happened to wake up Professor," Neville said sticking to the story they'd come up with. "And I saw him towering over Ron's bed. I didn't recognize him so I stunned him."

She then bound him and levitated him.

"Well done Mr. Longbottom." She said smiling. "Fifty points to Gryffindor for defending your fellow students. There's no telling what his intentions were but we'll soon find out. Everyone back to bed now."

She then left with Pettigrew floating behind her. There was a lot of talking afterwards. Everyone was freaked out about a stranger being in their house. Ron was so upset that he never noticed that his rat was missing. It was a happy Neville that settled back into bed an hour later his mission accomplished.

Minerva made her way back to her office. Once there she removed the ropes long enough to put the man in a chair then bound him to it. She went to the fireplace and threw in some floo powder, stuck her face in and call her friend Amelia Bones.

"Amelia!" she called out. She was looking into a bedroom and saw the person sleeping sit up quickly with her wand pointed at the fireplace.

"Minerva!" she asked as she became fully awake then she checked the clock. "Why are you calling me at this hour?"

"We've had an intruder at the castle," she responded.

"There are Aurors on duty," Amelia replied slightly annoyed. "Why didn't you call them?"

"Because I felt this required your attention." Minerva answered. "It's Peter Pettigrew."

If Amelia had been drinking her friend's words would have made her cold sober.

"How's that possible?" she asked getting out of bed. "He's dead."

"Apparently not Amelia," Minerva replied. "All this time we thought he died a hero's death but he obviously faked it. The question is why?"

"What does Dumbledore think?" Amelia asked then noticed a flash of anger go across her friend's face.

"The old fool doesn't know yet," Minerva responded. "And I'd like to keep it that way for the time being. Can you come to my office? I have him bound to a chair. I want him in your custody before the headmaster finds out."

"What's going on with the Headmaster?" she asked.

"I'll explain when you get here." Minerva replied.

"I'll head to the ministry first to get the files on that night," Amelia responded. "I'll bring a couple of aurors with me and we'll see if we can't get to the bottom of this. I'll be there within the hour."

"I'll see you then Amelia," Minerva said then signed off.

She got up from the fireplace added more ropes to the chair and hit him with another stunner. Then she sat down at her desk, poured herself a stiff drink and waited.

The next morning Albus Dumbledore sat in the great hall eating breakfast. He looked down at the food on his plate with distaste. He knew he should find the food quite appetizing but he was too upset to enjoy it. It wasn't the fact that a man thought to be dead had mysteriously appeared in a Gryffindor dorm room that upset him but that Minerva had waited to inform him of the incident until after the head of the D.M.L.E. had removed the man from the grounds to question him. He was the headmaster! He should be informed of any such incidences first and it left up to him whether or not to call in the D.M.L.E. to handle the situation. Worse yet, Minerva hadn't looked even remotely apologetic for the slight. He knew things were strained between them over the Granger attack but he never dreamed she would openly defy him like this. He couldn't allow this to continue. She would have to learn to accept his decisions or he would force her to step down as assistant headmistress. He may do that anyway and appoint Snape as her replacement once he returned. The sooner he returned the better as far as Dumbledore was concerned. He needed the potion master to help rein in the boy and help build his reliance on the headmaster once Molly's potions took effect.

The headmaster looked up and wasn't happy with what he saw. Minerva had entered the great hall with Amelia Bones accompanying her. As they approached he plastered a fake smile on his face.

"Good morning Minerva," He greeted then turned his attention to their guest his eyes in full twinkle mode. "Madame Bones to what do we owe the pleasure of your company."

The twinkle had no effect on Amelia as she scowled at the headmaster.

"I'm here on business I'm afraid headmaster." She said. "Perhaps it would be best if we spoke in private."

"Very well," he answered already not liking the way this was going and he hadn't been told what this was about yet. "Shall we head to my office?"

Both women nodded and ten minutes later were seated comfortably in the headmaster's office. Dumbledore sat in his chair across from the two women contemplating trying to use legilimency on them to get an idea what this was about but decided it would only cause him more trouble if he was caught doing it and they were clearly here to tell him anyway so he just offered them a lemon drop which they both declined then sat back to listen. It was Amelia who spoke first.

"As you know Albus," she started. "A man was caught in the school last night standing over the bed of a student. That man was Peter Pettigrew who was previously thought dead."

"Yes," he responded casting a glare at Minerva. "I was informed after you left. Therefore I wasn't able to question him before you were called. As Peter is a hero, I'm sure there's a logical reason for him being both alive and in the castle." He couldn't really think of any at the moment but that didn't stop him from trying to cast doubt on the situation. "I apologize for calling you out in the middle of the night for nothing Amelia. Clearly a man such as Peter deserved better than to be hauled out of here chained like a common criminal"

He expected his statement to be taken as fact by the monocled woman, after all, he was the leader of the light. But unfortunately he was horribly mistaken in that assumption.

"No he does not!" Amelia responded vehemently. "The threatening situation he was found in, not to mention the question of why he faked his death, was all we needed to question him with veritaserum and we learned some disturbing facts. Under questioning, he revealed he was the Potter's secret keeper and it was he that betrayed them. He also admitted to killing the muggles, faking his own death and framing Sirius Black for his crimes. We are now in the process of setting up a trial for Peter and Sirius. It's time the Potters received justice."

Dumbledore was, of course, aware of this but needed Sirius out of the way so he could place Harry with his relatives so he covered it up and allowed an innocent man to be sent to prison without a trial. Any guilt he might have felt was eliminated by the knowledge that it was for the greater good. This was not a welcome development. He was already making plans for an alternate summer placement for the boy in hopes of reversing the damage that was done to him by his relatives. He had no intention of sending the boy back to those people but he still wanted the boy with someone he could control and that was not Sirius. He would have to act quickly to have him declared unfit as Harry's guardian otherwise, with Sirius' protection; he may never regain control of the boy. For now, he needed to placate these women until he had the situation under control, otherwise they could get in the way. Trying to look as shocked as he possibly could, he responded.

"That is both welcome and sad news," he spoke his tone solemn. "Welcome that justice can finally be done but sad that an innocent man had to suffer so long for a crime he didn't commit. You have my full support on this Amelia. Just let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

"Thank you Albus," she responded. "But we have it covered. Sirius has been brought to the ministry and is currently being tended too. I'm merely informing you as the head of the Wizengamot. The main thing I wanted to discuss with you was the recent attack on a student and the boy she accused Ron Weasley."

Dumbledore glared at Minerva before returning his attention to Amelia.

"That is an internal matter Madam Bones," he said firmly. "It's been handled."

"The hell it has Albus!" Minerva yelled as she got to her feet. "That boy nearly killed another student and you haven't even questioned him."

Amelia was standing as well.

"The attempted murder of one student by another is not an internal problem!" she yelled. "It's a serious crime. That boy needs to be handed over to me Albus!"

Albus could only imagine what Molly would say if he acquiesced to her demand. He needed to think of something fast then the answer came to him. He had to fight to keep from smiling as he met their eyes again.

"We don't have proof he attacked her yet," he said then quickly held up his hand to stave off the argument he knew was coming from Minerva. "If we did, I would gladly turn him over to you but I'm not willing to ruin a young boy's life prematurely."

"What about Miss Granger?" Minerva asked incredulously. "You're forcing her to walk the same halls, be in the same classes and eat at the same table with the boy who attacked her! How can you be so cruel?"

He refused to answer and just returned her glare with one of his own.

"Albus, this is foolish," Amelia said trying to break the tension between the two professors. "Let me take the boy. I can question him just like did Pettigrew and then we can get to the bottom of this."

Dumbledore turned and regarded her with a cold stare.

"No," he said firmly. "I appreciate your concern Madame Bones but as you know Hogwarts is mostly autonomous. You have no authority to act on any crime that occurs at the school unless it's reported by the headmaster. I have not nor will I be reporting any crimes today or in the foreseeable future. Now if there's nothing else I have a school to run."

Recognizing the dismissal, the two women left shaking their heads at the old man's stubborness. Dumbledore sunk back into his chair and breathed a sigh of relief that he'd dodged that bullet. He was glad the holiday break was coming up. He could use a break after this term.

A few days later, Harry, Hermione and Neville boarded the train to go home for the holidays. Hermione had gotten permission from her parents for Harry to come home with her and they were excited to be away from school for a while. They'd heard from Professor McGonagall about Sirius' trial and Harry couldn't wait to see his godfather again. They'd also gotten to meet Amelia Bones and were told about their meeting with Dumbledore. They decided to enjoy their holidays and deal with the old bastard and the redhead when they returned to school. They were not bothered during the train ride and made plans to meet up in Diagon Alley as well as at Luna's house. When they arrived at King's Cross, they said goodbye to Neville after Hermione introduced both of them to her parents than Neville left with his gran and they left with the Grangers. Pettigrew had been captured and Sirius would hopefully soon be free. That thought along with the knowing he would be spending Christmas with the girl next to him put a smile on Harry's face. He couldn't imagine his life getting any better but then thought of a possible future where he and Hermione celebrated Christmas with her parents, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Teddy, Neville, Luna, and any kids the two couples might have. He couldn't wait for that Christmas and planned to do everything he could to make it happen.