Chapter Twelve
Picking up the Pieces and Moving on
The next morning, Amelia Bones arrived at Albus Dumbledore's family home with a team of Aurors. This was one of the first places they would raid today. She also had to talk to the Hogwarts staff. She hadn't done it yet because she wanted to finish the searches first.
Aberforth met Amelia Bones at the front gate. "Thanks for meeting us."
"No problem," Aberforth said coolly as he opened the gates to allow the group to enter.
As the group walked up the pathway to the family home, Amelia said to Aberforth, "Have you seen your brother yet?"
"No, and I don't plan to. Madam Bones, you don't have to be polite to me. It is no secret that my brother and I haven't seen eye to eye for years. I always known he wasn't the man everyone thought he was. I just never managed to convince anyone of the truth. So, this doesn't shock me. The only thing I care about is not loosing the family estate to the Ministry once he is found guilty. My pub is locked into the estate. They can have the house and everything else. I just want to keep what is mine," Aberforth said.
"I understand and I will see what I can do," Amelia said.
"Good," Aberforth said and he used his key to open the front door. "The house is yours. I made sure all the wards on the place were turned off that I know about. There are several around Albus office. It might take a bit to break them."
"We can take it from here and I promise, we won't do any damage to the place," Amelia said.
"Like I said, do what you want with this place. I haven't been here since my sister's funeral. I could care less about any of it," Aberforth said coldly and he turned and walked away.
Aberforth apparated back to Boar's Head and went inside. There sitting at the bar was Molly Weasley. "I wondered when you were going to show up," he said to the red head.
"I need your help. The Goblins won't let me have access to Albus' vaults and the money he gave me is gone," she said.
"So," Aberforth said as he went to the back room.
"Aberforth, if I don't get money soon, Percy, Ron and I will be on the street. I need to get into Albus' vaults," Molly said following him.
"You might as well forget it. What money that is in there is going to go to his defense. My brother spent more money than this family had. So, I doubt there is much in there. Why don't you and those kids of yours get jobs?" Aberforth said.
"Albus isn't going to prison. He will clear this mess up, "Molly said.
Aberforth laughed and said, "Dream on sweetheart. My brother is going to Azkaban and even if he wasn't what makes you think he is going to take care of you? He used you. You were nothing to him but a nice roll in the hay, you and those other ladies that hovered around him."
"There were no others," Molly yelled.
"Yes, there was! My brother slept with any woman that he could lure into his bed. It wasn't sex that he wanted from you anyways. You fit his other needs. His need to control certain things, like the fact that he kept your husband from finding out he had a seat in the Wizengamot. Or that his god father, Ares Potter left him two million gallons after his death. You do remember having Arthur sign papers. Albus had you meet him here one evening. Arthur was in St. Mungos at the time recovering from a mission for the Order. Albus wined and dined you that night. He even managed to talk you to go up to one of the rooms that evening. Why woman like you fall for him is beyond me? I believe your son Percy was born nine months later. I really hope spending the night with my brother was worth those two million gallons."
"He wouldn't have done that to me. He loved me!" Molly cried.
"Albus Dumbledore loved himself. He used everyone around him. The only thing he cared about was money and power. The sooner you realize that the sooner you can get your life back together," Aberforth said as he started to clean up the back room. Molly stood there crying. She was starting to realize what Aberforth was telling her. Albus had used her. He used her and now she had nothing. She didn't have a home. Aberforth shook his head and said, "Look, you need a job. I'll give you one. I'll even allow you and those brats of yours to have two rooms upstairs but…" he said stopping Molly before she got her hopes up. "I don't want any trouble from any of you. I don't care if they are my bother's kids. They mean nothing to me. I'm only doing this because I need help here."
"Alright," Molly said. "What do you want me to do?"
"Clean this back room and kitchen. The Wizarding Health Department is on my back about how messy this place is. They won't let me open up until the place passes inspection," Aberforth said.
Molly nodded and went to work. She had no choice. She couldn't go home. Her father's brother had sent her a letter disowning her from the family. Arthur's family wouldn't take her in. So, she had work. It was either that or starve!
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Arthur and the children arrived home early that morning. There sitting on the table was a note written in Sirius hand writing and a sack full of gallons.
Arthur,
Thanks for the use of the house and the hot meal.
Sirius Black
P.S. If you question about using the money contact Madam Bones. She will explain things to you.
Arthur sent a letter to Madam Bones explaining the letter and the money. She sent back a letter reassuring that she knew about Sirius and money. She promised that she would explain things as soon as she could but it was alright for Arthur to keep the money.
Arthur put the money on top self and went about is normal day. He helped the kids get settled back in and then called everyone together for a family meeting. The kids sat around the table looking at Arthur wondering what was going to say.
"Okay, I know the last few days have been rough. We can keep on brooding or we can start putting our lives back together. I for one am Weasley and we don't spend too much time thinking about things we don't have. So, I'm going go back to work. Now, while at work, I'm going to need help around here. Who wants to do what?"
"Charlie and I can do the shopping," Bill said.
"I can cook," Ginny said.
"We can help clean the house," the twins said together.
"Good, I'll be back later in the evening. I'll leave the running of the house in your capable hands," Arthur said good bye to the boys and gave Ginny a kiss on the cheek. He then headed out to get back to work.
Bill looked at his siblings and said, "Dad's right. We can't just sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. Ginny, you are doing the cooking, so tell Charlie and me what you need."
"Okay," Ginny said and she went to check out the cupboards to see what she needed. She wrote down what she was going to need and handed it to her brother.
"Thanks, we will be back soon. You two don't blow up the house to clean it!" Bill warned the twins before he and Charlie left.
Ginny laughed at this and helped the twins to start to clean the house. They decided that since they were starting over moving things around might be a good idea. Molly always wanted to keep things where they were. Arthur had tried to give the house a new look by moving things around but Molly refused to let it happen. The kids decided it was time to do things their father's way.
They also packed up the rest of Ron's, Percy's and their mother's belongings and put them in the attic. They moved Charlie into Percy's old room. The twins decided to use Ron's old room as a place to work on their pranks. It would free up their bedroom and keep their clothing from smelling from all the potions they brewed.
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Minerva was called to a meeting with the Board of Governors. She was nervous about this meeting. She didn't know what to expect from the school board. She knew by looking at the books Hogwarts was in trouble. They were nearly broke. The board could blame her and the staff for the mess Albus created and fire everyone. This was a great fear among the staff and not even Minerva was assured that she had a job.
Minerva walked into the Boarding Meeting that afternoon and took the empty seat near Augusta Longbottom. "Good after, Minerva. Thank you for coming," Augusta said.
"No problem. I just wish none of this was happening," Minerva said.
"As do we," Augusta said.
"Some of us saw it coming," Lucius growled.
"Why don't we just get on with the meeting," an elderly witch said.
"Yes, lets," Augusta said. "Minerva as you know Hogwarts has agreed to participate in the Tri Wizard Tournament. Sadly, because of Albus lack of financial control we can't host the tournament. So, it has been decided that this school would travel to France. This will allow us to cut staff and still give the children the education their parents paid for. Only the Heads of House, school nurse and grounds keeper will be going along with the students. The others I'm sad to say will be let go for this term." Minerva nodded, feeling a pit in her stomach. She was going to be the one to face her friends and tell this news. "They will be given a small amount to help them get by but it won't be much."
"When will we leave? And how do you expect to hold classes?" Minerva asked.
"You will leave the day of after the start of term. As for classes, the Heads of House will teach their normal subjects plus aid the students' independent study of their other subjects. We of course agree that Divination is to be dropped. The students this effect will be allowed to pick another subject in its place. They ones that are about to take their OWL's will be graded on a curve for the subject they choose to replace Divination," Augusta said. She went on explaining how they would travel and what they would take.
Minerva listened and took notes. She was thankful that for now, she was considered to be Headmistress. They did note this could change at the start of next term once the Board managed to get school running again.
Minerva left the board meeting and found the others in teacher's lounge waiting for her. She walked into the room and sat down. Severus poured her a stiff drink. "You look like you need this."
"I do and so will rest of you," Minerva said sadly.
"It is that bad?" Flitwick said.
"Yes, and no," she said sadly looking at the staff. "I'm sorry but most you don't have job. You will be given a small sum to get you by but that is it. It is possible that you will be given your jobs back next term but for now, you are not needed. We are going to be traveling to France for the Tournament. The only staff that is needed are the Head's of House and two others."
"Who are the others? Sprout asked.
"Poppy and Hagrid," Minerva said.
Madam Hooch sighed. "Well, I better get packed. I think the Cannons need a new Coach. I might even be able get them to win a game," she said sadly.
"I can't leave Hogwarts," Trelawney cried.
"You have no choice," Septima said as she stood up to leave. "I have packing to do. It has been nice working with everyone."
One by one the room emptied of the staff that was no longer needed. The only ones that were left were Severus, Poppy, Sprout, Flitwick and Minerva. Hagrid was locked in his cabin. He still refused to believe that Albus was guilty. "They want us to take care of all those kids?" Severus growled.
"I'm afraid so," Minerva said.
"What about the other subjects?" Sprout asked.
"They said something about independent study. I don't think it will work. So, I was thinking we each take a subject. Anyone want to pick one?" Minerva said.
"I'm not doing Divination," Severus growled.
"You don't have to. It has been dropped entirely," Minerva said.
"About time," Poppy said.
"I'll take defense," Severus said.
"You would," Sprout said.
"Okay, lets not do this not now. We have to work together and Severus is the only one that is capable of teaching Defense. I do think Flitwick should help out though. He can teach dueling."
Severus and Flitwick looked at each other both men nodded their heads. "I can take some classes," Poppy said.
"Not a bad idea, would you be willing to teach Muggle Studies and History of Magic?" Minerva suggested.
"Sure," Poppy said.
"Good and I know Hagrid can teach Care of Magical Creatures. This leaves Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Astronomy," Minerva said.
"I'll take Runes if you do Arithmancy," Sprout said.
"Astronomy could be a subject the students study on their own. We could monitor them on their night studies," Flitwick said.
"I think you are right. So, we know what we are going to teach. Now, we need to think of what we are going to take. We will be traveling in five carriages. Severus, I don't think it is safe for Slytherin house to have the Potion's lab in their carriage. Do you think you can make up a lab in the other carriage or will it force us to use the lab in France?" Minerva asked.
"I don't think it is safe to have a portable lab. I can pack up the supplies but it might be wise to have a more stable place to house the lab," Severus said.
"I'll contact Beauxbatons Headmistress and see if I can set things up. Also, I will have to see if we could use their greenhouses as well. We will be able to pack up the books that we will need. I don't see a problem in that. I think we can even take a few house elves along to help keep the carriages clean," Minerva said.
"What about the time table? How will we work this?" Severus said.
"The only way we can is to keep everyone together. We can't break them down into grades. This way we can rotate everyone around," Minerva said.
"Great, a room full of Gryffindor's," Severus growled.
"Severus, if you don't want to do this, I'm sure there is someone that is willing to take your place. I know Beauxbaton's has Potion Master that might be willing to assist us," Minerva snapped. She was not in the mood to listen to his whining. She just had to tell people she considered family they were no longer needed. It was not the time to complain about anything.
Severus wisely shut up. He knew he couldn't leave Hogwarts. There was no other place he could go unless he wanted to end up kissing Lucius' feet for the rest of his life.
The meeting went on. Everyone commenting on what should be brought and what shouldn't be. They knew it was going to be a hard year but they had no choice. They had to keep going. It was either this or close Hogwarts forever.
