Capítulo 415: hp81-90
Hermione had a dreamy look on her face, "I'll be Mrs Potter, oh Harry this is a dream come true." The resulting snog was broken when a clearing of Adrian Greengrass's throat was louder than the giggles coming from his two daughters.
"Lord Potter, I'm sorry to interrupt but I wanted to congratulate you on the fabulous achievement your Institute is, I am delighted that both my daughters will be attending but could you answer a question for me please?" Harry nodded for the man to continue, " Mathew Boot is spreading rumours as to why his son was not welcome here, could I hear your version please?"
Harry took a moment to get Hermione's help with is reply, "when Daphne stood up with the others that morning she was making a statement that she supported me rather than the current system, that meant a lot to me and was directly responsible for the Institute being born. All those students put their faith in me and I promise to do my best to live up to it, by the same token those who remained seated chose the current system and are welcome to it."
Adrian was nodding indicating he understood Harry's point of view.
"We currently can't take any students older than us as the Institute is still growing, but younger students like Astoria didn't know me and most wouldn't have the maturity to stand and make a declaration in the great hall in front of the whole school. For the students who have shared classes with me for three years they had the knowledge and maturity to make their choice, if two Slytherins can publicly support Harry Potter then there is no excuse for anyone else choosing not to. Terry Boot made his and his father had no argument other than he wanted the best school for his son so thought he would try intimidation - big mistake."
Hermione added to the argument, "Ravenclaw house decided en mass not to support Harry and I, we think the incident where we publicly called them on their bullying of the girl we think of as a sister had something to do with it. Apart from Luna only Padma chose to follow us and now the so-called 'smartest house' are realising they have made a big mistake, we have had enquiries from almost everyone of our year group but they have all been given the same answer – that year group is full. Luna and Ginny have spent the summer here and are studying hard to skip a year which will take it to full capacity."
Harry smiled knowingly, "my information is that apart from the Ravenclaws only two other students from our year have confirmed they will be returning to Hogwarts and, as yet no new staff have been appointed. We understand why they're panicking but it's not our fault that Hogwarts standards are slipping, they should be looking nearer to home for answers to why that is."
It was a thoughtful Adrian Greengrass who continued, "if you have that information then you must know about the children of death eaters being taken care off," Harry said nothing but the fence sitter had heard and seen enough to make up his mind. "Lord Potter I have been impressed with your achievements but they pale in comparison with the dedication to your ideas and commitment to those who have faith in you."
"Daphne is a good judge of character and the way she has been treated while attending your Institute has been first class. My family and I have faith in you therefore I would like to publicly align the house of Greengrass with the house of Potter."
Harry immediately held out his hand, "it would be an honour sir," and both shook hands as a light flashed through them signifying their magical agreement.
Daphne was shocked at how quickly her father had decided the fate of their house, she totally agreed with him but thought he would sit a while longer to see how the land lay. Even her years in Slytherin though couldn't contain the question she was desperate to ask, "what did happen to Draco, Pansy and the rest of them?"
"Oh don't worry, they're being well taken care of and continuing their education abroad," Harry's smile gave nothing away.
Draco Malfoy was lying in a bunk bed in severe pain and cursing Harry Potter when the miracle occurred, he realised that it wasn't Potter's fault as a smile crossed his face when he remembered the reason he was suffering.
Stepping off the express had led to a whirlwind of new adventures as he was taken shopping for everything he would need. Draco then spent the night in a hotel where he made the most important discovery of his life; he watched his first music video on TV.
The pureblood Draco Malfoy was hooked on scantily clad females 'booty shakin' to rhythms he'd never heard before, as hobbies go this seemed pretty harmless compared to being an apprentice death eater.
At the camp Chuck and Bob had decided that they needed to take the 'pasty Brit' under their wing and show him how they do things in the good old US of A. Draco didn't understand half of what they were talking about but since their knowledge of Britain consisted of it being an island on the other side of the Atlantic his ignorance was usually just put down to him being English.
Draco's hormones were in overdrive as every female in the camp wore shorts and something called a 'belly top', which confused the hell out the pureblood as it's sole purpose seemed to consist of exposing female midriffs so you could see the jewellery pierced into the girls bellybutton.
Chuck and Bob then decided they would broaden his horizons which directly led to his condition, sneaking out last night to meet three girls Draco made some startling discoveries, his cologne drew every mosquito in a two mile radius, he couldn't hold his beer worth shit, hangovers must surely be worse than the cruciatis curse and snogging a muggle girl was way better than kissing Pansy Parkinson.
When his hangover had worn off sufficiently to allow his higher brain functions to once again perform their duties these revelations would change the pureblood for ever, after all something that good simply couldn't be wrong.
America was the land of opportunities and since he would be spending at least the next four years here Draco intended to seize as many as possible, his pureblood father had ruined the Malfoy name in Britain by perusing outdated beliefs and worshiping some half blood psychopath leaving him parentless and penniless so there was nothing to go back to.
Draco thought of the opportunity that was going to await him tonight again and suddenly came up with a brilliant plan, he would cut down on his drinking, give the extra beer to Trish which should bring him even more opportunities and best of all, Potter was paying for everything. Draco may be beginning to form his own opinions and beliefs but he was still a Slytherin.
.....
Albus still couldn't get an answer from the Weasleys and when he tried to floo there he ended up at the public floo fireplace in Diagon Alley, deciding to investigate the mystery he apparated to the Burrow. The old wizard was actually shocked to find the house totally destroyed and the magical tent in the garden unoccupied, he knew he'd hardly been out of his office in weeks but didn't think he could be so behind that something like this could escape his attention. After finding no clues he apparated to the ministry in his search for answers.
As he marched through the ministry atrium he was astonished to find himself being stopped at the security checkpoint by a disgruntled guard.
"Name?"
"My dear man you must know who I am!"
"Don't see an identification badge so I'll ask again before calling security, Name?"
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class." He realised that was the only thing he hadn't lost yet and the muttering guard seemed to have other ideas.
"Should have lost that as well, leaving the boy with those animals and never even checking on him," he stopped muttering and writing before looking back to the old wizard in front of him. "Reason for visit?"
"I don't see that's any of your business," Albus blustered.
The guard let out an audible sigh before sitting down his quill and going into 'procedures for idiots' mode, "let me explain the system to you, when a member of the public wants to enter the ministry they complete this form, receive a visitors badge and get directions to their destination. No form means no badge which means no entry, have you got that?"
Albus was desperate to dispute his status as a 'member of the public' but couldn't think of an argument so just nodded in agreement.
"Reason for visit?"
"To enquire about the location of some friends of mine."
"Didn't know you still had any." The guard muttered before asking, "what are their names and who do you want to see."
"The Weasleys and I think Madam Bones would be best suited to deal with my enquire."
Another mutter, "figures it would be them," before he delivered his bombshell, "Minister Bones is much to busy to deal with people who walk in here off the streets because they can't find someone, I'll get you an auror."
He was so taken aback by the fact that woman was now minister he didn't hear the guards first request, he glanced down and there was the guard's hand waiting on his wand.
Albus hadn't let another's hand touch his wand for many years and he was loathe to let this jumped up janitor get his mitts on it but his choices were limited and he needed to find the Weasleys. Watching as his wand was weighed definitely qualified as a new experience before turning to find that black auror standing right in front of him.
"What can I do for you?" Shack asked in a voice totally void of any warmth or enthusiasm before reading the badge the old coot had been forced to wear. "If you're looking for the Weasleys then I'm sorry but that information is classified so I'll wish you good day and show you the way out."
This was how Albus Dumbledore, greatest wizard of the age came to find himself standing on the ministry steps, he had been politely escorted out the doors and his visitor badge had disappeared as soon as he left the building. As he was standing there contemplating his next move, the hostile stares of passers-by began to annoy him so he apperated to the Weasleys nearest neighbours hoping he'd have better luck at the Lovegoods.
Roy MacDonald was standing in the magical shopping area in Naples and the experience put the final seal on his decision, translation spells had been used before they left the Institute but it was the body language being displayed that spoke volumes to the muggle.
He was comparing this experience to the one they had in Britain where his family had been visited by a Hogwarts professor who informed them magic was real and Natalie is a witch, a few pointless tricks later (why would you want to turn a table into a pig?) and they were taken to Diagon Alley. There the family were given a provisional supplies list and instructed where to buy each item but it was the stares, sneers and even open hostility that greeted the MacDonalds everywhere they went that had unsettled Roy.
Natalie was an only child who had been a precious gift late in the couples life when they had almost given up on ever having children, and now both parents were agonising over a decision that would have a major effect on all their lives.
It wasn't until they attended the meeting for the Potter Institute and Dan Granger spoke that the family realised they weren't alone, his words resonated deep into their souls as a third option they were so desperate for became available.
'There are parents sitting here today that are wrestling with the hardest decision of their lives, I know because three years ago my wife and I were in the exact same position. If at that time I had the information that I do now our daughter would never have set foot in the magical world and we would just have made a monumental mistake. You see my daughter is a witch, it's not an illness or condition to be cured, it's who she is!'
Both parents had practically made their minds up that Natalie would not be attending Hogwarts but those words had changed everything. After seeing the elation on his daughters face on that iconic moment when she flew on a broomstick for the first time it really drove the message home more than any words ever could, their daughter is a witch.
Standing observing this magical community that had welcomed them with open arms and went out of their way to make them feel comfortable was the final box ticked for the MacDonalds, Natalie would be a witch in a country where she was accepted irrespective of her linage and would not be going to a school that her parents couldn't even see.
They also decided pretty quickly that any money spent would be in Naples rather than Diagon Alley though Natalie was insisting she get a Harry Potter poster, which weren't on sale in Italy yet.
That little Creevey boy had taken her picture with Harry and Hermione and the poor soul wouldn't get a moments peace until his daughter had the print. She was obviously crushing on Harry and from what Roy had seen of him so far Natalie couldn't have picked a better role model unless it was his girlfriend Hermione.
Adrian Greengrass had explained the incident that Emma Granger was involved in and the alternative outcome had she not been under Lord Potter's protection, he would gladly sign a tithe agreement tonight when he confirmed Natalie was going to be attending the Potter Institute.
.....
Albus was not a happy bunny, he was quickly running out of options and this was a situation he had little experience of. The Lovegoods had proved fruitless, the Grangers must have been on holiday, Privet Drive now had a rather large crater where number four used to be and even the Longbottoms were out of the country.
He was scratching his head while trying to figure out his next move when he decided to try the Clearwaters; Penelope had been Percy's girlfriend for over a year now and might have some information he could use.
Penelope answered the door clearly flustered and her face only got redder as Albus enquired about the Weasleys, when Percy popped his head round the door still buttoning his shirt the reason for his girlfriend's embarrassment was clear.
Dumbledore was delighted that the situation would keep both of them off balance and he finally might get some answers.
Penelope left to make some tea while Percy spun the tale of Weasley woe from Molly destroying the Burrow, Arthur swapping Ginny for a house and the attack by the muggles on a pureblood going unpunished. Albus now found himself in a bind as, no matter how much Percy thought otherwise, both his parents were in serious trouble and definitely wouldn't be available to teach at Hogwarts come September.
Penelope returned with the tea and Albus suddenly had the answer to his problems right in front of him, "Mr Weasley I was very impressed with your tenure as Head boy, so much so that I would like to offer you the post of transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor house."
Both eighteen-year-olds just sat there with their mouths hanging open but Dumbledore wasn't finished, "Miss Clearwater I hold you in the same high regard so therefore would offer you the post of charms professor and head of Ravenclaw."
Albus knew he had them but decided to sweeten the deal since it wasn't costing him anything, in fact he would be saving a fair bit on salaries as he had no intention of paying them anywhere near their predecessors level. "The posts of course come with their own accommodation which can be adjoining rooms if you so desire."
Percy Weasley had been convinced he would have to move abroad for employment, as the Weasley name was now a hindrance in the ministry, all that hard work and years of study for naught. His two older brothers were both successful in their chosen fields but he planed on outshining them both, now here was his opportunity and he would get to be with Penny as well.
The young couple just reached out their hands for each other before giving their unconditional answer, "YES!"
"Excellent," beamed the old wizard, "now if I could ask you both to start on Monday as there is a mountain of paperwork to get through and it will also give you a chance to work on your lesson plans. You will of course be paid from the date you arrive at the castle and the elves will have rooms ready for you."
It was actually pathetic to watch the way both thanked him as if he'd just done them the biggest favour in the world, instead of them helping Albus out the shit, people were so easily led. He was sure both would receive good NEWT's but wasn't worried about their qualifications, after all even breathing wasn't a requirement for being a Hogwarts professor.
He left a lot happier than he arrived and decided to pay Mr Woods a visit and conscript him into the defence professorship, he was aware that Oliver wanted a career in Quidittch so he might have to use some compulsion charms. After all if the curse held true it would only be for the one year and again Albus would save gold on his salary too.
Harry and Hermione were sitting discussing the arrangements for their honeymoon with their mum and dad, if that wasn't strange enough the invitation to accompany them floored Dan and Emma.
It was Harry who explained, "we feel as if we've just found you and in my case that's true. Hermione and I used to think that as long as we were together then nothing else mattered, we now realise how naive that was. We want parents, children, aunts, uncles and friends."
Hermione continued, "before we came back the only experience we had was our friendship with Neville and Luna, now we have loving parents, a couple of honouree uncles who seem to have their eyes on adding some aunts and closer friendship with quite a few people. What we have with each other is magical but our relationships with those around us has grown beyond our wildest dreams."
"What we are trying to say is that while we might appear confident and assured, we're flying by the seat of our pants most of the time. When the locket turned out to be a fake we just panicked, after calming down we were able to access Voldemort's knowledge and discover who R.A.B. was but we still couldn't have got it without Sirius.
We have only one plan and if that fails we don't know what else to do, he could disappear for years and then come after our children to get to me. He has to die by my hand but we refuse to put our lives on hold while waiting on that to happen." Harry had the beginning of tears in his eyes.
"Mum, dad we would really love for you to come with us, just to make sure we don't get into too much trouble. Harry always feels better knowing you've got his back covered."
Emma watched as their façade cracked before crumbling and leaving two insecure teenagers behind, the look of pleading in their eyes almost broke her heart. She had Harry enveloped in her arms before even realising she had moved, he was clinging to her as his tears flowed and Emma began to understand the pressure these two were under.
Even allowing for their trip back in time Harry was just turning sixteen and had the weight of the world on his young shoulders, apart from Hermione, Nev and Luna seemed to be the only positive things in his whole previous life.
His admission of never having seen the sea until he came here had foretold of a much deeper problem and his revelations of his relative's treatment had confirmed this. She had to hope that the Dursleys never crossed her path or her ever present pistol would see some more action, Emma wasn't sure if she could restrict herself to a single bullet in the shoulder as this boy was now her son in everything but blood.
She could feel Dan mirroring her emotions as he hugged their daughter so she pulled back, kissed Harry on the forehead and said, "of course we'll go with you, now just what have we let ourselves in for?"
A folder appeared on the table as Hermione chuckled, "thanks Dobby"
It was a very contented Harry and Hermione who lay entwined in bed that night with their honeymoon itinerary agreed, now they had to go to Gringotts tomorrow after Sirius's trial and iron out all the details. They also intended opening accounts for all the children who had now joined them under a tithe agreement, for the agreement to be legal they were required to take the money from them but their was no law that said it couldn't be returned to the children.
Opening Gringotts accounts and issuing debit cards linked to them would allow their parents to transfer money directly to their kids in Italy without paying exchange fees. Gringotts were taking the view that the short-term loss in fees would be recuperated by all the extra customers this would bring in.
The open weekend had been an astonishing success with every single prospective student signing-up to attend, Adrian had told of Emma's encounter and they all had taken advantage of the tithe agreement.
The Potter Institute would have fifty-nine pupils come September and enough enquires to fill it twice over, Hogwarts was going to be missing over seventy pupils between them and Salem not counting anyone else who dropped out.
If anything they were even closer to Nev and Luna now while Poppy was turning out to be just what Ginny needed as the change in the girl was a lot more than cosmetic.
Sirius and Remus were out on a double date, supposedly to take his mind off the trial tomorrow but both suspected ulterior motives and noticed that the two Sprout women seemingly were all in favour.
They weren't too worried about the outcome but they were all going in a show of support for Sirius, in full armour and loaded for bear. They weren't looking for trouble but it just seemed to keep finding them so they would be prepared for anything.
Counting their blessings as well as the number of days till their wedding the two teens fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
At the Bulstrode residence in England another two teens lay in bed though only one of them was awake, Millicent was perhaps the only person in Britain who was a louder snorer than her betrothed but that wasn't why he couldn't sleep. Tomorrow Ron was going to have to face up to his actions of what he was trying with Hermione and the fact that Millie was now his betrothed, he had absolutely no idea what to do.
Normally his mother would have dealt with the situation leaving him free to dream about food, Quidditch and girls in that order. He had images of everyone he had ever known in his entire life gathered in Diagon Alley to laugh and ridicule as Millie dragged him down the street, he still wasn't sure if getting killed by Mr Granger wasn't preferable.
It almost felt that it was him who was on trial tomorrow with the guilty verdict already in and it was only his punishment that had still to be decided, he was dreading what tomorrow was to bring and every time he closed his eyes visions of a fate worse than death haunted his dreams, Weasley twins with Millie as their mother.
.....
Bertha Jorkins closed her eyes for the last time in an Albanian hovel as the creature that was Voldemort decided she had no more information to give and murdered the witch. Bertha had left on holiday the weekend before the Harry Potter story broke in the Quibbler so neither Voldemort nor Wormtail were aware of the changes taking place in Britain in the last few weeks. This didn't matter though as his plans were now made, Voldemort would be returning to Britain and this time Harry Potter was going to die.
....
Remus didn't usually like to admit he was wrong but in this case it was a pleasure, his premise that only muggle clothes could make a woman look sexy was shattered into a million pieces as he saw the ladies of the Institute in their new Italian made wizarding robes.
Apparently it was another case of the British magical community being well behind their Italian counterparts and the group had heads turning as they made their way through the ministry towards the Wizengamot chamber where Sirius was to get his day in court.
Harry had ordered designer robes for everyone in the pale blue colour that was going to be the Institute's uniform and each had the new crest displayed prominently so there was no doubting who they were. An owl that looked remarkably like Hedwig was perched on a rather thick book that had a wand lying across it; the motto in Italian 'l'abilità è tutta' roughly translated as 'Ability is all' and said everything that needed saying about the Institute.
There were quite a few who had the Potter crest on the sleeve of their robes showing they were under the protection of house Potter, Remus as a werewolf, Amber as a squib and Filius as a crossbreed were all grateful for it.
Dan, Emma and Hermione had the Potter crest displayed on the chest above that of the Institute signifying that they were family while Minerva had hers trimmed with the McGonagall family tartan rather than her clan crest. Ginny was wearing the Pomfrey crest along with Poppy while the Lovegoods, Longbottoms and Pomona all proudly displayed their family emblems.
Lord's Potter and Black led the procession and wore cloaks signifying their rank; Sirius was practically unrecognisable from the haunted, emaciated creature that was on the run. Good food, exercise, sunshine and a new haircut at Ambers 'suggestion' had made a big difference with the stylish dark blue robes emblazed with the Black family crest completing the transformation, he looked every inch the Lord he was
They entered the courtroom and Sirius was led to the chair in the centre of the floor, he had given Harry his wand for safekeeping so they couldn't take it off him. Sirius sat there alone, quietly contemplating the things that could go wrong today but safe in the knowledge there wasn't any way Harry would accept anything other than an innocent verdict.
If the Wizengamot tried to screw with him today they were in for a rude awakening, he had a slight chuckle to himself as the security guards had totally dismissed Dan and Emma as any threat. If it came down to a fight he for one was glad they were on his side and wondered what the effect would be amongst the purebloods if that cannon Dan carried was fired in the chamber.
Dan Granger's attention was on the red head that had been seated at the other side of the court, smart lady that Amelia Bones. He had heard descriptions of the Bulstrode girl but he had taken those with a pinch of salt, seeing her in the flesh left him wondering if those same descriptions weren't on the flattering side.
If ever there were to be a campaign against marrying close family members then Millicent Bulstrode would be the poster girl, though it would have to come with a government health warning. She totally dominated the boys every action and even at one point spat into a hanky then proceeded to wipe a dirty mark of the side of his face, Dan remembered his late mother embarrassing him by doing the exact same thing but he was about four at the time.
It suddenly struck Dan that the boy was exactly like his father, anytime Molly was around Arthur's entire conversation consisted of "yes dear" with the word 'no' never being uttered. This girl had just replaced his mother as the person who issued the commands that he blindly obeyed, as they were betrothed he was going to be dominated by this person for the rest of his life.
He felt his wife's hand find his as they both reached the same conclusion, his punishment for trying to enslave their daughter was to end up in this one sided relationship where she dictated every facet of his life. Millicent was treating him like a possession in a similar fashion to celebrities with their little dogs; he would be dressed and paraded up and down on her arm but definitely under her thumb and anything else she desired.
Harry and Hermione were ignoring Ron; they had more important business to attend to. Using Voldemort's stored knowledge they were able to identify every death eater who came into the courtroom, the place was packed and had turned into a real media circus – Lord Harry James Potter and Lord Sirius Orion Black in the same place was big news.
All the Institute staff were sitting together and if trouble started they would do their best to finish it, the exercise eight all wore armour under their robes and Sirius knew to get over there as quick as possible if spells started flying.
Amelia entered last with the raised platform of Wizengamot members now filled as the court settled down, her two favourite aurors walked in front of her before taking their places standing on the floor at either side while she sat on the raised platform.
Shacklebolt was earmarked to take over from Amelia as the head of DMLE but wanted to make sure his boss lived long enough to get the reforms they wanted passed through this court, their estimated timetable was two weeks and he was prepared to wait longer if necessary.
The trial developed exactly as they hoped and the Wizengamot retired to reach a verdict after only three hours of watching pensieve memories from the shrieking shack and questioning Sirius under Veritaserum. It should be a mere formality based on the evidence presented, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of imminent danger and had slipped Sirius his wand when the Wizengamot members left to deliberate on his innocence.
They filed back in and Harry could read from Amelia's expression that he was going to like the verdict but the feeling of apprehension just wouldn't go away, the new minister started speaking and had just pronounced Sirius innocent when the shit hit the fan.
Harry noticed that one of the death eaters he was keeping an eye on was not following proceedings but instead looking at a wizard sitting to the right of Amelia, this wizard's sudden movement forced Harry and Hermione into action. The wizard had his wand pointed at Amelia and was uttering a curse as Hermione fired a stunner at him while Harry tried to summon the minister out of the curse's path.
Amelia felt herself being pulled out of her seat just as a beam of green light hit her now vacant chair and large splinters of wood smacked into her back, both legs caught the barrier in front of her but the force of the exploding chair tipped the new minister over the barrier as she felt at least one of her legs break from being trapped.
Shack and Tonks had been watching the crowd but when Hermione fired off the stunner both whirled round just in time to see their boss come head first over the banister, thankfully Kingsley was able to physically catch Amelia before she hit the floor.
Dan fired his pistol into the air and the unaccustomed noise froze everyone for a split second but that was all they needed, Harry and Hermione had another six wizards down with stunners as he raised his voice to shout above the escalating panic. "STOP! Everyone stay right where you are and the next person that reaches for a wand will be met with something stronger than a stunner."
This really did freeze everyone in place, Harry turned round to call for Poppy but the healer was already on her way to Amelia and Sirius had moved over to stand guarding Poppy with his wand drawn. Harry was livid and only Hermione in his mind was keeping his temper under control, had that killing curse been aimed in their direction there would have been no stopping him.
As Harry strode into the middle of the room, cape billowing from the magic pouring off him and the stunned members began being wandlessly levitated to the floor no one was stupid enough to interfere or even put their hands anywhere near a wand. Hermione of course was right by his side.
As the member who'd fired the curse hit the floor Shack looked ready to rip his head off bare-handed until Harry stepped in and pointed to the stunned wizard next to him, "Auror Shacklebolt could you please check this wizard's wand for the last spell it cast."
Shack's attitude changed immediately, it was bad enough to try and assassinate the minister but to use an unforgivable curse to force someone else to do it for you was even worse in his book, the wand was checked in front of the whole Wizengamot and the imperious was the last spell cast. The shocks were not over though as Harry and Hermione started casting spells to remove the sleeves of the stunned members revealing six death eaters while the wizard who cast the killing curse was unmarked.
Harry needed an outlet for his anger and turned on the remaining members, "how can you sit there and allow over ten percent of your members to belong to a fanatical terrorist organisation who must freely commit a murder in their master's presence before Voldemort will accept them. These animals live amongst you and are clearly marked like cattle so why has nothing been done about it?"
"We don't have the laws in place to deal with it," moaned one member before Harry's gaze bore through him.
"This is the Wizengamot, you make the laws so lets make some today!" Hermione watched as her betrothed berated the assembled wizards and witches, she knew opening her mouth would hurt their argument, as she was just an uppity mudblood in their eyes. This time she would have to play the support role to Lord Potter but that didn't mean she couldn't help put words into Harry's mouth.
"We don't have an agenda," a court official said before he also wilted under the young wizard's gaze.
"Your newly appointed head of government is lying bleeding on the floor from a failed assassination attempt and you need an agenda to friggin do something about it! Is it any wonder magical Britain is still in the dark ages when murderers are allowed to walk free because no one has the balls, never mind agenda to stand up to them."
Poppy had done wonders as Amelia was actually back on her feet, "I don't know about balls Lord Potter but I certainly have the agenda, there was a meeting scheduled for tomorrow where every member of the Wizengamot was going to be required to show their arm. Apparently my security isn't as tight as I thought it was as they must have learned of this and came up with a pre-emptive strike, I am indebted to you and your betrothed Lord Potter."
"Minister is there any reason this law cannot be discussed and passed today?"
Shacklebolt had re-stunned and restrained the six death eaters while overriding the lockdown that had went into effect as soon as the killing curse was fired, allowing about a dozen aurors to flood the chamber, seeing Amelia injured didn't improve their mood.
The teens recognised one of the aurors so Hermione waved her hand, causing all the aurors to lose their right sleeves while Harry stunned and restrained the man before levitating him to join the others.
"It would appear these vermin have infested every corner of our society, how can they walk about freely yet an innocent man gets to spend twelve years in Azkaban?" Harry's anger was beginning to get away from him and the old arsehole in the Wizengamot who kept interrupting with inane comments was seriously not helping.
"What would you have us do Lord Potter? We have to treat people in a civilised manner or we're no better than them. As you rightly pointed out, the attacker was under the imperious curse, some of these people could have been as well"
Harry decided to let them know just what they were dealing with, he revived the seven death eaters and choose a Wizengamot member by the name of Grafton to be levitated into the chair that Sirius had been sitting in only moments before.
"Shack, you have any that truth serum left?"
The old arsehole was now on his feet, "You can't do that, what about his rights?"
"Lets ask that question after he's supplied us with some answers?" Harry nodded to Shack who quickly administered the Veritaserum and the prisoners eyes soon glazed over so Harry began.
"What is your name?"
"George Grafton"
"When did you become a death eater?"
"Third of August, 1978"
"Did you choose this of your own free will?"
"Yes"
"Describe to the court the events of that night when you received your mark."
"We kidnapped a family that was muggle parents with a mudblood daughter, the Dark Lord had contacts in the ministry who would keep us informed of accidental magic from these freaks so they could be culled. As was usual the woman was raped and tortured while the father and daughter were forced to watch, then we moved on to the daughter who looked about nine."
The death eater continued to describe the horrendous events though his words were spoken without emotion due to the serum; everyone in the court was struggling to comprehend how someone could carry out such atrocities to another human being, a child at that.
Harry and Hermione were having different problems; they could see the images as the scene played out in their mind. The use of the word freak caused something to snap in Harry and as he watched the horrors unfold it was Emma's face he saw when he looked at the woman who was welcoming the release of death, The husband morphed into Dan who was struggling for all he was worth to escape his bonds but was only providing amusement for the assembled crowd of death eaters.
When the young girl who was being stripped morphed into Hermione, Harry couldn't take anymore. "ENOUGH!" The power radiating off him shook the room.
His voice was now hard and as unforgiving as the sharpest steel blade, "is there anyone here who thinks this piece of shit has any rights in our society?"
Not a word was spoken but the overwhelming emotion on display from everyone present was anger, "these bastards were allowed to carry out their own version of genocide while we sat back and let it happen, that could have been your family, that was my family."
Shack had administered the antidote but George Grafton wasn't too worried, he might have to do some time in Azkaban but his money would get him out before too long.
"If we want to take our country back where decent people can live without the fear of saying someone's name then we have to be prepared to deal with arseholes like this. How can we ever hope to defeat Voldemort if all his followers are allowed to freely roam amongst us, we have the means to find them but we lack the conviction to deal with the problem."
Sirius walked over and joined the teens, ripping the right sleeve off his robe to leave his unmarked arm bare. The rest of the Institute party made their way over and were all missing a sleeve by the time they reached Harry and Hermione. The challenge had been flung down and the public gallery couldn't wait to accept.
They had all been ready to run at the first sign of trouble but Lord Potter and his betrothed had dealt with the problem in seconds, now they ripped their robes exposing forearms to the person standing next to them.
Amelia Bones had a trickle of blood running down her face as she hobbled over to Harry and ripped her robe before turning to the Wizengamot members, her silent challenge plain for all to see. To a person they stood and tore at their robes, not one dark mark was left amongst them.
"This is the first step to reclaiming our world but it isn't enough, this bastard sitting here thinks his position, heritage and money allows him to rape, torture and murder nine year old children with impunity, well he thought wrong."
Harry put his hand out towards Dan and took his pistol, he walked right in front of the still bound death eater, "your wished to become a death eater and today I'm going to make that wish become reality, eat this you sick bastard!" Harry pushed the muzzle of the pistol into the man's mouth and pulled the trigger, blowing the back of the death eater's head off.
He strolled over to the six death eaters lying bound on the floor, they all heard their compatriots confession and had similar stories to tell, by the time Harry got there with Dan's pistol still in his hand they had all wet and soiled themselves. "These people are terrified of Voldemort for good reason, he's a sick, evil psychopath who would think nothing of killing them if they failed him."
"We on the other hand give them rights and privileges that their mark says they don't deserve. Voldemort will return but I say we let him come back to a barren desert, no money, no followers and nobody willing to join him because of the consequences they will face." Harry indicated over to the dead George Grafton.
"If we take these steps our country has a chance, if he returns to most of his recourses still in place then heaven help you, because I won't."
Hermione could feel Harry was running on pure adrenalin and that was starting to wane, she would need to get him out of here soon before his actions hit home because this was going to be bad. She had also seen the images and when Harry started seeing the Grangers in their place Hermione was amazed that he actually held it together so well.
She had no qualms about what he had just done and in fact Hermione was fighting the urge to take her mother's gun and shoot the six shits who were still lying on the floor. She was going to have to be strong for Harry as this was going to rip him apart.
As he finished speaking Dobby appeared and took both their hands before vanishing them home, blowing the ministry wards apart in the process.
Amber stood as the Institute crew had sprang into action, she had found herself surrounded by people who were ready to fight to protect those like her who couldn't fight back. Watching the Grangers with their guns and seeing the graphic effect a bullet had on a death eater Amber knew what she had to do next. As Harry and Hermione left with Dobby she put her arms round Sirius and kissed his cheek, "I've seen you training in the morning and would like to join, I don't want to be helpless anymore."
He looked into her gorgeous eyes before replying, "I'm afraid you wasted that kiss as it's actually Remus you need to ask, he's the expert on guns."
She kissed his cheek again, "I don't think I wasted it and if I kissed Remus aunt Pomona would be pissed at me, you never want aunt Pomona pissed at you no matter what."
"Thanks for the warning but I had already figured that one out myself."
"Sirius, don't you think we should be heading home?" asked Emma, "I'm really worried about Harry, I only shot that bitch in the shoulder but I felt terrible after it. He must be going through hell."
"They have each other and I suspect that's all they'll need for now, Dobby won't let any harm come to them," Sirius answered.
"You realise that could so easily have been us if Harry hadn't stopped him as a baby."
"So did Harry, that's why that arsehole's dead but by the look in Amelia's eyes this isn't finished yet. Let's take our seats because I've a feeling we're about to see history being made, in fact I would bet you and Dan have already made it by being the first muggles to meet the Wizengamot."
The same old arsehole was heard to mutter, "Are we just going to let him kill a man then leave here as if everything's fine?"
Amelia Bones was on adrenalin high as well, almost being murdered will do it every time. "Johnston you celebrated with the rest of us when that young man defeated Voldemort as a baby, is it just the fact that this happened in front of you that upsets your outdated moral belief that these animals deserve better treatment. I propose that aurors be given the right to ask ANY citizen of magical Britain to roll up there sleeve, do I have a second?"
"Minister Bones!" came the shout from the public gallery, "could we change that to any citizen can ask, rather than just the aurors. This is our country and it's about time we reclaimed it."
The roar of approval that followed this remark was more than she could have hoped for, Amelia had deliberately stopped her aurors from moving the body as she planned to railroad through some drastic measures and it would do no harm for their to be a reminder of what they were up against.
Using a dead death eater as a visual aid might be considered unethical but the bastards had tried to kill her, leaving Susan an orphan, so screw ethics and full steam ahead. "I agree with that change with the proviso that we don't have kangaroo courts taking place up some back alley, justice will be administered only in this room." She looked towards the body leaving no doubt in anyone's minds what she meant by justice before turning back to the Wizengamot, "all in favour say aye!"
It was unanimous, as was the law waiving death eater's rights so they immediately received a trial under truth serum and the final law passed stated that any death eater who had committed rape or murder would face a mandatory death sentence. Sirius was right, history was made and the magical world was changed forever.
The body was then removed and the death eater Auror took it's place in the chair, as Shack was about to administer the serum the now ex-Auror made a plea, "Minister Bones, I freely admit I made a serious error of judgement when I was younger and have worked tirelessly trying to atone. I plead guilty willingly accept whatever fate the court decides but would like to spare my family the details of my crimes."
Amelia looked at the man she had worked along side and trusted with her life in the field, she had trouble equating his actions with that of a death eater but the mark was there and he had plead guilty. "Are you aware that this is a mandatory death sentence you're pleading guilty to?"
He held his head up, "Yes and I deserve it, I only wish to spare my wife and son the details."
She glanced amongst the members and nobody seemed to have any objections so she passed sentence, "the court accepts your plea of guilty, you shall be placed through the veil of death tonight at eight o'clock, take him away."
The other five death eaters all started spouting information, trying to shout over each other in the hope of getting a lighter sentence. Rather than mess about with silencing charms Shack just stunned four of them while the fifth was placed in the chair.
Every Auror in the ministry had been called to the chamber and required at wand point to show their arm and thankfully there were no more death eaters, the Aurors then began to leave in teams of three to arrest every name the death eaters in the chair gave them.
By the time they had finished with the five former members the first Aurors were returning with their prisoner, standing on no ceremony they were strapped into the chair and administered serum.
Amelia was beginning to feel the effects of her near miss but a pepper-up potion was keeping her going, they were achieving more here today than they had in decades.
They called a halt to the proceedings at three o'clock with eighteen death eaters sentenced to death that night and another five names being hunted by her Aurors. She planned on trying every inmate of Azkaban by the same method to eliminate the death eaters and assure herself there were no more "Sirius Black's" serving time for crimes they didn't commit.
Between today efforts and the purge on Snape's information she felt at last they might be getting on top of the situation, walking through the ministry Amelia had to smile at the last nail in the death eater's coffin. Every single person was wearing robes with a sleeve missing, this statement of innocence would spread throughout their world like wildfire and before the week was out anyone wearing both sleeves would be repeatedly challenged at wand point to show their arm.
Hermione led Harry into their bedroom and led was the operative word; he had started going into shock almost as soon as they arrived home. He just stood there as she removed his clothes before placing him in bed; she then undressed and joined him before pulling her betrothed tightly into a hug.
He was unresponsive until speaking over the bond, 'Hermione how can you bare to touch me, didn't you see what I did to that defenceless man!'
Hermione spoke back to him, "Harry there no longer is me, I, or you – only we and us. Of course I saw what you did and the fact I made no attempt to stop you surely tells that I agreed with your decision. I saw the same vision as you and if Voldemort hadn't been stopped by baby Harry Potter that version of history would probably have come true."
'I thought I was loosing you again, I won't let that happen I swear I won't.'
"You could never loose me Harry, we're together for all time like your mum and dad."
This seemed to be the right thing to say as his arms slowly wrapped round Hermione as he sobbed holding the girl he loved more than life, slowly crying himself to sleep holding onto the one person in the world he relied on.
Harry awoke with a strange feeling until he remembered where he was and why his betrothed was wrapped in his embrace, after a while he gradually relaxed before finding his voice, "eh Hermione, did you know we were both lying here naked?"
She smiled at him, "Harry I can tell you the exact second you discovered it, I'm sorry but it's rude to point."
They both laughed before snuggling into each other, "Harry, your birthday is in twelve days but I really don't want to wait any longer." She started to kiss away any semblance of sense the boy had left.
"Well if you're sure…" no more words were used or needed.
Dobby was outside their bedroom door casting silencing and locking charms that Dumbledore would struggle to break, his charges were going to be given the time alone they needed to heal.
.....
Millie and Ron had left the trial soon after Harry and Hermione, making their way down Diagon Alley. She noted her betrothed was seemingly in another world and this really scared the large Slytherin, Millicent wasn't stupid and knew she had taken advantage of the handsome Gryffindor. Being betrothed to someone her own age was a bonus she didn't expect but the pureblood by her side was far beyond her wildest dreams and she was so happy she could burst.
Watching his reactions when he saw his friends had left her confused so Millicent asked the one question she really didn't want answered, unfortunately she was falling in love him and couldn't live without knowing the truth. "Ron, would you rather be with Hermione than me? Is that why you're so quiet?"
The question shocked Ron but not nearly as much as the answer did his betrothed, "are you serious? Did you see what they did in that courtroom, what he did! Hanging around with those two is a one-way ticket to an early grave; you wouldn't believe some of the shit they put me through. If it's a choice between them or you then I've made my decision and will gladly be sticking with you."
Ron's feet actually left the ground as an ecstatic Millie engulfed her betrothed and gave him the snog of his life in the middle of a busy Diagon Alley.
Ron's feet were still of the ground as he put his arms round his betrothed and started to return he kiss, the image of the back of that death eater's head being blown off was a startling reminder that there were a lot worse things in life than being betrothed to Millicent Bulstrode.
.....
It was late when the two finally left their bedroom and headed towards the terrace in search of some supper, they could easily have had something brought to their room but understood people would be worried about them. Harry was now more worried about Dan and Emma finding out that they hadn't waited till they were married than the group's reaction to his performance in court, this caused Hermione to smile as that was why she had pushed him earlier, well one of the reasons anyway.
They walked in and Harry was accosted by two blurs, one with long blond hair and the other red with black streaks as both began to kiss him all over his face. Hermione chuckled at Harry's discomfort, "should I be getting worried here girls?"
It was Luna who answered, "I just want Harry to know our feelings haven't changed because of today, I still love him." She gave him another kiss before holding him in a tight hug.
"Hey, I just thought it was a good excuse to get to kiss Harry!" Ginny Weasley would have meant those words but coming from Ginny Pomfrey her friends understood she was trying to lighten the mood.
Neville also kept it light, "sorry mate, you know I love you but I really prefer blonds so no kisses from me."
Harry was mortified though when Augusta came over and gave him a hug and kiss, "young man what you did today has set our world on a course that will eventually eradicate the evil that is Voldemort and his followers. The houses of Potter and Longbottom have been allies for generations and I for one hope this is a tradition that can be continued."
"Madam Longbottom, Neville is our brother in all but name and between us we hope to continue the tradition for a few more generations yet." Harry was tearing up and when he saw Emma approach him in the same condition they held each other and let them flow.
"Harry that man was pure evil, I was ready to shoot him myself."
"Mum when he was talking I started imagining you and dad with Hermione in the same position, I will not let anyone harm my family and if I have to become an outcast to achieve that then I'm willing to pay the price."
Dan had joined his wife in holding the young man who was now their son in every way that mattered, "I was imagining the same as you Harry, thinking of all the witches and wizards who never got the chance to discover who they were before being brutally murdered. These are not just statistics anymore, kids like the Creeveys, little Natalie MacDonald and even our Hermione wouldn't be alive today if you hadn't stopped him as a baby. I know what it cost you to do that today and I wish that I could have pulled the trigger in your place but Harry Potter doing it changed your world."
Harry looked confused until Sirius led the group over to the table so they could get some much needed food into them before he would explain, "when you left it was a pretty pissed Amelia Bones who rounded on the Wizengamot and Merlin did she get some changes made. You can now legally be asked by anyone to lift up your sleeve and prove you don't have the dark mark, if you do then it's straight to trial with Veritaserum and the guilty are sentenced to death. I don't see you becoming an outcast any time soon."
Dobby popped in and actually looked embarrassed, "Minister Bones would like to speak with you, she's been asking for hours but I told her you were unavailable at the moment."
Hermione could feel Harry's apprehension; he actually expected to be arrested. "You did the right thing Dobby, could you fetch her now please?" It was a smiling Dobby who popped away to obey his mistress's command.
"Dobby told us the same thing, just what were you up to?" The smirk on Sirius's face grew wider the redder Harry got but he hadn't reckoned with Hermione.
"I'm sorry Sirius but we can't tell you, it would be considered cruelty to dumb animals to make an old dog jealous."
If anything Harry's face got redder at the accompanying laughter but he calmed down a fair bit noticing that Dan and Emma were joining in and not trying to murder him, Hermione had both arms around him with her head on his shoulder when Amelia arrived with Dobby.
The Grangers and Sirius followed their charges as they escorted the minister into their study for a meeting as Dobby served tea while they waited to see what the minister of magic wanted, the fact that Shack and Tonks weren't here let Harry relax on the arrest issue.
As usual Amelia wasn't one for small talk and got straight down to business, "Lord Potter you will face no charges for what transpired today as I and many others believe you did the magical world a very big favour by giving it a kick up the arse. All the death eaters that you and Miss Granger exposed today have been tried, sentenced and executed under the new wizarding law your actions allowed to be formed."
Harry was visibly relieved that he wasn't going to be facing any charges and once again Hermione had her arms round him with her head on his shoulder, their actions this afternoon seemed to have done the almost impossible task off making them even closer.
"On a more personal note I would like to thank you both for saving my life today in more ways than you know," Amelia opened her robes and lifted her jumper showing a dragon hide vest. "The money you gifted the auror department will mean that all our operatives will have one of these as standard issue in a matter of days. Poppy told me some of the splinters that impacted into my back would have done serious damage but for this vest. We have also tripled our intake of recruits this year and next leaving me a lot more confident about our future than I was a few months ago."
Harry and Hermione were pleased that things were working out so well but felt Amelia hadn't got to the real reason for her visit yet though thought that would soon change, they weren't wrong.
"Now we come to the problem I have and the real reason for my visit, it's plain to me that you have an incredibly accurate source of information that I don't. All six members you stunned after the attack were death eaters and I found myself asking how you could know when all my entire department had was a few unsubstantiated rumours. There is not a shred of doubt in my mind that we're on the same side but as minister there must be things we can work on together to resolve this with as little loss to our side as possible."
The all understood Amelia wasn't asking for any political or personal gain, she felt every auror loss personally and was willing to do anything to eradicate those visits where you had to tell somebody their loved one had been killed in the line of duty.
"Minister we have a plan that hopefully will meet that criteria and we will gladly accept your help when the time is right, recent events may have put those plans beyond salvage at which point we will certainly bring you into our full confidence as we try to end this. Our generation has known relative peace and we hope to finish off Voldemort so the peace will extend to our children and beyond, at the moment only Hermione and I know the plan and that's the way it's got to stay for now but that doesn't mean we can't work together or share information."
They had been discussing it over their bond just what they could tell the only person in the ministry they trusted, "minister the horcruxes that you became aware of have been found and destroyed bar one, Voldemort has a very large snake as a familiar that he's made a horcrux. The snake is always with him but can be killed like any other animal, which will leave him mortal. Before you start organising search parties there's a very important fact that you need to be aware of, it's been prophesised that he can only die by Harry's hand." Hermione's words had Amelia's head whipping round to face Harry for confirmation.
He nodded and Hermione continued, "if your aurors come into contact with him they need to get out of there as quick as possible, take a shot at the snake if they get the chance but don't engage Voldemort in a fight they can't win."
Amelia found herself lost for words for one of the few times in her life, to anyone else that would be a death sentence but his friends and family had all rallied behind this extraordinary young man and she actually believed he could pull it off. She was trying very hard not to imagine Susan in the same predicament; even with her as minister it was very doubtful they would get a positive outcome.
"Lord Potter I can only wish you well and reiterate my offer that I will swing the whole weight of the ministry behind you, all that's required is to ask and if it's within my power it's yours."
"How would you like to capture a death eater whose escape from Azkaban was masterminded and carried out by a high ranking ministry official?" Harry's question had Amelia on the edge of her seat, eyes burning with righteous indignation.
"Please tell me more Lord Potter."
.....
When Roy MacDonald had confirmed Natalie was going to be attending Potter Institute he had politely asked the young lord if there was anything he could do to repay his generosity. The answer had Roy chuckling and he was still laughing as he gladly granted Harry's request, the form in front of him was Natalie's acceptance letter for Hogwarts. He had ticked the box to indicate his daughter would not be attending and in the space provided to give a reason he wrote 'taking the PISS'. He placed the form into the envelope provided for muggle parents and wished he could see the face of the person who opened it.
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