Chapter Nine – Halloween: Part 2
Albus Dumbledore stood in the middle of the Great Hall, the image of the troll flying backwards through the wall frozen in time as he viewed his memory of the event in his pensieve.
"Amazing," he said quietly to himself as he stared at the burst of magic between Harry and the troll. He had seen all sorts of accidental magic throughout his years, but never anything as powerful as what Harry had produced.
The events of the evening reversed itself back to just before Harry had pulled out his wand and his sudden exclamation.
"What was going through your head?" the aged wizard asked as he noticed the look of fear on Harry's face turn into one of defiance and rage as he unleashed a very overpowered banishing spell. One that had broken every bone in the troll's body before it smashed through the foot and a half thick stone wall of the castle.
Dumbledore was so distracted by what Harry had done, he completely missed the sticking charm that had been cast on the young boy by a member of his own staff.
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It was twenty minutes later when Dumbledore exited from his own memories of the event, and to the quite unhappy look of Andromeda Tonks.
"Andromeda, what a surprise," said Dumbledore.
"Is it?" she asked, not sounding very happy. "After what happened tonight, are you really surprised to see me?"
"No," Dumbledore said, realizing that he wasn't. "I take it that Pomona floo called you?"
"She did," said Andromeda. "Which raises that question why a Head of House called me to inform me of what happened to Harry instead of the Headmaster, who seems more interested in swimming around within memories."
"My apologies, but I needed to see what had happened again as soon as possible," said Dumbledore as he sat down behind his desk. "Words cannot describe what transpired."
"Try," Andromeda said as she too sat down.
"Well," said Dumbledore. "You do remember the object that was hidden on the third floor?"
"I remember coming to see you about that dangers that surrounded it and threatened my son's life," said Andromeda.
"Adopted son," Dumbledore corrected her and instantly regreated it by the look on her face. Obviously, this wasn't a time to split hairs with the woman. "Anyways, one of the safe guards placed there by our defense teacher were a pair of trolls. When the object had been moved, the trolls were released into the Forbidden Forest… It would seem that they made their way back here in what I can only guess is for some territorial reason, which is why they had been fighting. They both believed that the caste was their territory."
"That does not explain what happened to Harry," said Andromeda.
"Ah, yes," said Dumbledore with a hint of a smile. "Astonishing, it was. Harry unleashed quite the powerful bit of accidental magic that took on the form of a banishing spell."
"Accidental magic?" asked Andromeda. Never in all her years had she ever heard of accidental magic doing anything like what Harry had done. Granted, accidental magic was usually reactionary due to moments of high emotional stress, which being threatened by a fully grown mountain troll would surely qualify as, but still. For someone as young as he was to do what even some fully grown and trained wizards can't do spoke volumes to the woman about just how special Harry was.
"Quite so," Dumbledore said, sensing what the woman was thinking. "While it is rare for accidental magic to be as powerful as what Harry has done at his age, it has happened a few times in the past. One time, I am now beginning to suspect, was ten years ago tonight."
"You don't mean?" Andromeda asked.
"The night Voldemort was defeated," Dumbledore said, noticing Andromeda flinch slightly. "I still believe that Lily's sacrifice is what protected Harry from the killing curse, but I now suspect that Harry subconsciously reacted to the curse and unleashed a burst of accidental magic so powerful, that it destroyed Voldemort."
Andromeda thought about that for a moment.
"That would make sense," she said. "Not long after that night, Ted, Nymphadora, and I went to Godric's Hallow to pay our respects. I saw the house and how part of it looked like it had exploded from inside."
"Where Harry's room was," said Dumbledore, remembering what he had seen of the house as well.
Andromeda thought about it for a moment, and decided to think on the past some other time.
"While I am very thankful Harry is alive, I am still very unhappy this happened in the first place," she said. "Things like this did not happen when Ted and I were students here, nor when Nymphadora went here."
"I will concede that it is a rare occurrence," said Dumbledore. "But not unexpected. With all manner of things dwelling within the Forbidden Forest, it is only a matter of time before something ventures close to the castle. Hence the reason the forest is named so."
"I wondered about that during my time here," said Andromeda. "Most students had their theories as to why."
"It is not light heartedly done so," said Dumbledore. "It is why every headmaster and headmistress has made a point to remind every student at the beginning of each school year not to go there. Of course, there are the few students who venture forth anyways… Usually those from Gryffindor."
Dumbledore had a faint smile on his face as he remembered his time as a student in Gryffindor house and how some of the older students would dare each other to spend the night in the forest as a test of their true bravery.
"Very well then," Andromeda said. "As I can see that this is no fault of your own, I shall let the matter drop."
"Then allow me to escort you to the hospital wing so you can be with Harry," said Dumbledore.
"That's fine," said Andromeda. "Ted is already there. Plus, there is another matter I wish to bring up with you. Something Harry has written home about in almost every one of his letters. Something about your potions teacher."
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Ted Tonks was in the hospital wing of Hogwarts, sitting in a chair next to the bed Harry was currently sleeping in as Madam Pomfrey finished healing the last of the minor injuries of the students from the Halloween Feast before sending them back to their house.
"He's been through so much, hasn't he?" asked Ted as Madam Pomfrey walked over and waved her wand over Harry, checking his vitals.
"That he has," the healer said. "Much more than anyone his age should have to endure. And yet…"
"Yet?" asked Ted.
"There is something very special about him," said Madam Pomfrey. "And I don't just mean what happened to him ten years ago. He has a magical core unlike anything I have ever seen in all my years."
"Really?" asked Ted.
"Oh, yes," said Madam Pomfrey as she finished checking Harry over and put her wand away. "When Minerva brought him here during the summer, I did a full check up on Mr. Potter, and was surprised by how strong his magical core was. Now, four months later, it's gone up nearly ten percent. That might not seem a lot, but when compared to the size it was before… Well, let's just say that within a few years, he could easily out duel the Headmaster."
Ted let out a low whistle in surprise.
Just then, Harry let out a quiet groan and started to move.
"Ugh, what happened?" Harry asked, feeling very tired and a bit sore.
"Hey kiddo," said Ted with a small smile. "How are you doing?"
"Ted?" Harry asked, wondering why the man was there.
"Yeah, it's me," he said.
"Why are you…" Harry started to ask when the events of the evening came rushing back to him. He quickly sat up in his bed and looked around for the troll.
"Relax Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said as she gently pushed him back so he was lying down again. "You've put a bit of strain on your magical core tonight. You need rest."
"But the troll?" Harry asked.
"Is gone," she said. "Thanks to you."
"Me?" asked Harry as Madam Pomfrey went to her office to get a few potions.
"Yes, you," said Ted. "Seems you blasted that troll right through the castle… Literally. Andi and I saw Professor Flitwick finishing up fixing the hole you made when you blasted the troll through the wall when we arrived."
"I did what now?" asked Harry.
"That's what everyone is saying," said Ted.
Harry groaned, thinking that now everyone was going to be looking at him and talking about him even more than they already were.
Madam Pomfrey returned and stuck a vial of potion in front of Harry's face.
"Drink this," she said. "It will help speed up the recovery of your core."
Harry sat up and took the vial, looking at the dark purple liquid inside before taking it and downing it as fast as he could.
"ELGH!" said Harry, making a bit of a face. "Tastes like the way rotten garbage smells."
"Yes, yes," said Madam Pomfrey as she rolled her eyes. "Potions taste nasty. We've been over this before. Now drink this one. It will help you sleep."
"Not sleepy," said Harry.
"Which is why I am giving you a potion to help you sleep," said Madam Pomfrey. "Please, do not be a bother with this like your father was. You did so much better when I gave you potions during the summer."
"That was before I knew some of the weird stuff that goes into them," said Harry as he reluctantly took the second vial from the healer. "Wait, what did you say about my dad?"
"He frequented here during his time as a student," said Madam Pomfrey. "At least once a month after some prank he tried to pull went wrong, or he was hexed by someone from Slytherin in retaliation for a prank that was pulled, or injury during Quidditch. Not to mention the once a month bruises he obtained in general rough housing with his friends during his last couple of years. I do not know what it was about them and a full moon that made the four of them act the way they did."
"Teenage hormones," Ted said with a grin. "Makes even the best of us do foolish things. Something for you to look forward to."
Ted ruffled Harry's hair, making it look even messier than it already was, and causing the young wizard to grown outwardly and smile inwardly and thinking that it was nice to have a real family.
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Alastor Moody and Tonks stood off to the side of the interrogation room, each of them with their wand in hand, just in case, as they stared at Gregory Nott, who glared at them with a look of pure hatred.
"You know," Moody said, "I always regreated not catching you in the act ten years ago."
"What are you babbling about?" asked Nott.
"Oh, come on," said Moody. "You know what I'm talking about. All those things you did for your precious little dark lord."
"I was imperioused," said Nott. "I had no choice."
"So you say," said Moody, his eye swirling around in his head. "But you and I both know that's a complete pile of centaur shit. Your line has followed every dark witch or wizard that makes a play for power going all the way back to Morgana herself."
"You cannot hold me responsible for the actions of my ancestors," said Nott.
"No, I can't," agreed Moody. "But I can hold you accountable for your own actions… But like I said, I regret not catching you then. It annoyed me to no end. Little did I know that I would get you one day. And for embezzlement of all things. You really are a fool for that one."
"Please," said Nott with an air of superiority. "Even if I was guilty, the Wizengamot will dismiss the charges."
"And what about your attempt to cast an unforgivable?" asked Moody.
"But I didn't," said Nott with a smile of his own. "You stunned me before I cast anything. And since it won't show up on my wand, you can't charge me for that."
"Damn," said Moody as he looked at Tonks. "He's got me by the short and curlies on that one… Shame he's wrong about the charges being dismissed."
"What are you talking about?" asked Nott. "The Wizengamot would never send a pureblood such as myself to Azkaban."
Moody smiled at Nott and said, "Lad, whoever said anything about the Wizengamot? The money from Hogwarts was withdrawn from Gringotts under false pretences. According to section eight, sub-section fifty three, by-law nineteen of the treaty with the goblin nation, said goblin nation reserves first right at trial and punishment if they so chose. While Tonks here was booking you, I contacted the goblin representative here in the Ministry, and he spoke to his boss within Gringotts and they have decided to invoke that part of the treaty."
"You mean…" Nott started to ask, the air of confidence he had been projecting gone in a flash.
"Yes," said Moody. "The goblins will be trying you for your crime, not the Ministry. And let me tell you, their trials don't last long. I suspect that come sunrise, you'll be feeling the executioners' blade on the back of your neck… Let's just hope it's nice and sharp. Otherwise, you could end you looking like Sir Nicolas' ghost over at Hogwarts."
Gregory Nott suddenly felt sick to his stomach, and even more so when the door to the room opened and five armored goblins walked in along with a sixth goblin dressed in a very finely tailored suit.
"Speak of the devil," said Moody.
"We are here for the thief," said the goblin in the suit.
"He's all your," said Moody as he gestured to Nott.
The five armored goblins bound Nott in a set of chains around his body, giving him just barely enough slack to walk.
"You made a foolish mistake committing fraud against the goblin nation," said the goblin in the suit. "And after another thief broke into a vault and vanished this summer, I do believe the ruling council will take great pleasure in sentencing you."
That was all Nott could take as he proceeded to empty the contents of his stomach on the floor in front of him.
"Pathetic," said the goblin in the suit. "Take him away."
The armored goblins marched Nott out of the room and the goblin in the suit turned to Moody.
"The goblin nation thanks you for your assistance," he said.
"No problem," said Moody. "May your gold be vast and your enemies cower in fear."
The goblin in the suit gave a brief nod before leaving the room.
"What was that you said at the end?" asked Tonks as the door closed.
"Just a polite saying the goblins use," said Moody. "It's stupid to be disrespectful to them. Especially since all of the gold of Wizarding Britain is in their control and they could economically crush us in a heartbeat. That's another lesson for you. There are times when you need to be a cold hearted bitch, and other times when you need to remember respect."
Tonks nodded her head, and not for the first, nor the last time, was she thankful she had been teamed up with one of the greatest aurors Magical Britain had ever known, as she doubted she would be learning as much as she was about the subtleties of the job from anyone else. Even if the man was a bit suspicious of everyone and possibly a hairs breath away from losing him mind due to paranoia.
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Neville, Hermione, Susan, and Hannah sat in the corner of their common room while the rest of the members of their house milled about, talking and enjoying the replacement Halloween feast that the house elves had put together. The Fat Friar floated next to the entrance barrel, talking to one of the seventh year prefects as he made sure none of the students tried to sneak out since all students were confined to their houses after the events of the evening.
"I still can't believe it," Susan said. "Two mountain trolls fighting in the Great Hall."
"I can't believe that Harry blasted one of them through the wall," said Hannah.
"Neither do I," said Neville. "And I was there and saw it happen."
The four of them looked around the room and noticed a few of the students were also talking about what had happened.
"This is going to be tough on Harry," said Hermione.
"What do you mean?" asked Hannah.
"Well, you know how he's already uncomfortable with how some people already stare at him and talk about him being who he is behind his back?" asked Hermione and the other three nodded. "Well, just imagine how much worse it's going to be now after this."
"You're right," said Susan. "I didn't even think of that, I was so worried about thinking about what had happened."
"Should we say something about leaving Harry alone to everyone else?" asked Neville.
"No," said Hermione. "I would be pointless, really. Telling people not to bother Harry with it would be like trying to tell people to ignore an elephant in the room… No, I think all we can really do is just be supportive to Harry and not make a big deal about it so he can feel comfortable and be himself."
"I agree," said Susan.
"Me too," said Neville. "I don't want Harry freaking out about how everyone is going to treat him after this. He's helped me to try and be more confident in myself since we first met on the train, and also been my first real friend. I don't want to lose that."
Hermione and Susan both nodded in agreement and understanding.
"Okay, this might sound stupid, by why would there be an elephant in a room?" asked a confused Hannah.
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Cornelius Fudge, the British Minster for Magic, was just finishing up his day and packing up to head home when he heard a commotion outside his office.
"The Minister is just heading home," he heard his secretary say just before the door burst open and in walked Lucius Malfoy.
"How can you let this happen?" Lucius demanded.
"How can I what now?" asked a completely confused Fudge.
"Gregory Nott," said Lucius. "Handed over to the goblins to be executed."
"Impossible," said Fudge. "I haven't heard anything about that. For that matter, why would the goblins want to execute him?"
"He's been accused of stealing funds from the Hogwarts treasury," said Lucius. "Bones and a bunch of other witches interrupted our monthly meeting about some silly notion that the school needed new brooms. Personally, I think they made up this false accusation regarding him stealing money in order to blackmail the Board of Governors into getting these new brooms, and now an innocent man will die because of it."
Lucius watched as the Minister fell back into his chair and slumped down, and did his best not to smirk as the fool believed his lie. Lucius had dug around after the meeting had ended and Nott was in fact siphoning off Galleons from the school, tucking it away into a hidden account that he had set up with a group of gnomes in the Cayman Islands.
"This cannot stand," Fudge said after a moment of silence. "I will not allow an upstanding member of our society to be executed by those greedy little creatures. Probably came up with this idea with one of those witches so they could seize his vault and claim the contents as theirs to recuperate their loses."
Lucius once again had to stop himself from grinning. The Minister had always been so easy to manipulate, and the fool had such an over active imagination, all he ever had to do was give him a bit of information and his mind made up the rest. And that always led to one thing…
"My numbers would take a huge hit if he is killed," said Fudge. "Any chance of re-election would go right down the drain."
"We cannot let that happen," said Lucius. "This Ministry, no, all of wizarding Britain needs you as Minister for Magic. It could never function as well as it does without a man as competent and wise as you."
Lucius also knew that stroking Fudge's ego was the second best way to manipulate him. The first was gold.
"You must do something about this now before it is too late," Lucius continued. "Not only is Nott a good friend, he is also your second highest campaign contributor. Your first being me, and if he were to be executed… Well, to be honest, my faith in you being able to lead the wizarding world would be brought into question."
Fudge went slightly pale at hearing that. He knew that without Lucius and a few others, his chances of keeping his job were less than slim and none.
"Fine," Fudge finally said. "Give me half an hour to make a few floo calls. I need to contact people that will not go blabbing to Amelia or anyone else before we rescue Nott."
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A/N: Uh oh. The events of Halloween are about to come to a head. And you thought all it would be about was a little problem with a silly mountain troll. To think, all of this started because McGonagall wanted to personally bring Harry his Hogwarts letter. And if this much has changed because of that one event, what else will be different because of it.
