Chapter 21
They arrived back in Black Manor just before 8am. Kreacher was waiting beside the portrait of his ancestor, both grew silent at their arrival.
"And how did House Black fare this day?" Walburga asked.
"Charges dismissed, the Minister has been utterly shamed by Dumbledore, and his Undersecretary arrested." Daphne said.
"Most excellent. Kreacher, a celebratory toast." Walburga said.
The elf snapped his fingers and a small glass of a smoldering Amber liquid appeared before each of them. The former Lady Black picked one up from a table outside of the view of the portrait and held it up in salute.
"Firewhisky," Daphne whispered while taking hers from mid-air. "Sip it." She added, turning to Ginny behind her she repeated the warning to sip, and lifted hers on high.
When the others had taken theirs Lady Black looked to Daphne who quickly provided a toast. "In honor of the Heir to House Black being absolved and his accusers beaten." She sipped from her glass, an action quickly followed by the others, both living and non.
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny immediately coughed a small tongue of flame and then the sensation was gone, moving down their throats to settle like a bubbling cauldron in their stomachs. Daphne and Walburga merely closed their eyes while the sensation passed through them.
Fortunately their glasses vanished after that so none of them were subjected to further pain and torture.
"Wow."
"I'd rather not do that again." Ginny said looking for a glass of water, which Kreacher quickly provided for each of them.
"And where is Lady McKinnon?" Walburga asked.
Harry stepped a few paces closer to the portrait so he didn't have to speak so loudly before answering. "The Wizengamot is still in session. I don't know when she will be back."
"And how does your magic feel about this?" The portrait pushed him.
He closed his eyes, Hermione embraced him. He didn't need to look, he knew it was her in his bones, or magic, or whatever it was telling him these things.
"Unhappy." He whispered, receiving a nod from the brunette in his arms. "My magic is unhappy." He said loud enough for those in the room to hear.
"Good." Walburga said. "Thank you for answering honestly Heir. I will retire to another portrait and spread the news of your success at trial today."
A hand lightly pressed his cheek, longer nails than the lady in his arms had and opened his eyes to look into Daphne's ice-grey orbs. The portrait behind her was empty. A quick glance told him that Ginny was sitting in one of the many chairs, wrapped in a thick afghan and hugging herself.
"I feel it too love." Hermione said from his chest.
"And you Daphne? What is your magic doing?" Harry found himself asking.
Her beautiful red lips turned downwards but she answered readily enough. "I've always loved my aunt. She always took us out of the house when father allowed. And then she freed me from him, by trouncing him in a duel, and I've lived with her since. We've never…" She finally hit a troubled spot and hesitated a moment.
"We've never been intimate in any way, like Mine and I. Though we've shared showers and baths on occasion." She shrugged. "Yes, I'm attracted to her, always have been, but I don't know how that's going to evolve."
He squeezed her hand, he wasn't aware he was holding until that moment. "I'm still working through it myself, but I was worried you'd feel awkward about the whole situation."
"No," she smiled and shook her head slowly. With a glance to where Ginny sat she kissed him and then Hermione's pouting lips. "We should distract ourselves, but your Ward should not be left alone. Time for some wandless magic practice."
And like she'd been dipped in an invigorating drought, Hermione lit up in excitement. She shifted to pull Daphne to the nearest couch, leaving Harry suddenly missing her warmth. With a chuckle he joined them, motioning Ginny to move closer.
}-{
Some days being the 'Spear of the Light' was a boring exercise in holding her temper. After the brief recess, where Harry and the girls were allowed to leave, and Umbridge removed, the Wizengamot settled in for a fairly lengthy, and complex, trial. It was time to sort out the Weasleys.
As she'd taken Ginny's testimony, and heard of the evidence found from her Co-Hit Witch, there was little new for her. They had to take it slow though as Amelia presented the information to them.
"Members of the Wizengamot." Amelia said, while Dumbledore sat in a conjured chair in the precise center of the chamber and Fudge sweated in his chair. "We will now hear evidence in regard to the case Lord Potter referenced, the Weasley Family."
When the excited babble receded she continued. "Ginevra Weasley, gave sworn evidence, in the presence of an Auror, and Hit Witch. This evidence was that her mother, Molly Weasley, had obliviated her father, Arthur, and fed him love potions for as long as she knew. She also had planned to dose Lord Potter and his Consort with Love potions to have them wed two of her children."
Valerie Norwood stepped forward, until she was beside the chair Albus Dumbledore sat frowning in. Madam Bones then banged her gavel. "Mrs. Norwood is the Special Investigator I assigned to this case. But first the accused."
The prisoners circle, close to the Minister's box, vanished, and the majority of the Weasley family rose up, each bound by magic inhibiting cuffs, to large stone chairs. They were also muted as Molly Weasley appeared to be yelling at the top of her lungs, yet went unheard.
"Thank you Madam Bones." Valeria began. "We have confirmation, of the stated charges. Arthur Weasley is currently in the Excessive Potion Ward at St. Mungo's where they are attempting to slowly wean him from almost thirty years of being dosed with both Love and Loyalty potions. His prospects of recovery are not good. Both potions were keyed, and brewed by his spouse Molly Prewett-Weasley. Evidence was found during the initial investigation of both potions along with several others, keyed to young women, some of which were unwillingly present at the time of the investigation. These young ladies have been freed of their potion haze, and then presented their own evidence. Though at this time two of the young ladies are of age, the evidence collected shows they were first subjected to potions in their fifteenth year."
Valerie paused, taking a sip from a glass of ice water that had appeared in front of her, courtesy of the man sitting beside her. She sipped again and waited for the murmurs to fade.
"All members of the Weasley family have now been interviewed, those under age, with the consent of Arthur. The only ones unaware of this, and now cleared of charges, are William, Charlie, Ginevra, and reluctantly Percy. Unfortunately William is also in St. Mungo's after suffering a bludgeoner to the back of his head. His prospects of recovery are also bleak. After extensive interviews, both verbal and mental, we've discovered that Molly Weasley performed all of these crimes in an attempt to restore her maiden family to prominence."
Dumbledore suddenly stood, drawing the attention of the room and utter silence. "Many of you will remember the tales of the Prewett family's downfall. Several members sided with Grindlewald, and were subsequently killed in battle. Including a very memorable duel between Lord McKinnon and Lord Prewett, in which Lord Prewett killed himself and three of his family when it became obvious he could not win. This was done by shattering his own key ward stone, destroying their ancestral manor and most of their prized possessions. I myself interviewed the three remaining Prewetts, Fabian, Gideon, and Molly. The twins were of great help to the light during the battles against Voldemort, though they were each finally slain, while Molly seemed to settle down with Arthur. I can honestly say that I was unaware of the circumstances within their home."
He bowed to Valerie, dismissed his chair, and walked to the stairs, finally stepping into the Minster's box. He ignored the Minister who had yet to move or speak, instead sat clutching his bowler hat to his chest. Dumbledore nodded to the Hit Witch who stood waiting alone in the center of the chamber.
"Thank you Sir." Valerie said. "Molly Prewett grew up in the splendor of Prewett Manor, with servants and elves at her beck and call. Apparently she believed that such was her due, and pushed Arthur to provide this to her. When he could not advance fast enough, she turned to further use of potions. Gringotts presented me with a statement, in her maiden name, that showed she secretly had nearly a hundred thousand galleons in her own personal vault. We believe this was attained through sale of illegal potions, though that trail went cold. Yet with all this wealth her children wore paupers clothes and had second hand schoolbooks."
Valerie paused again, drinking from the glass Dumbledore had provided earlier.
"Thank you Mrs. Norwood." Amelia said. "The actual charges are thus against Molly Weasley, line theft. Use of love and loyalty potions on the Head of an Ancient House, use of love and lust potions on three minor girls, use of a ghoul as a sex object. I will not go into details of these crimes as frankly they sicken me. Further charges are against three of her minor children. Fred and George Weasley are charged with illegal potion experimentation on two minor girls including those sexual in nature. Ronald Weasley is charged with attempted rape of the daughter of an Ancient House."
"We shall now hear from the accused." Amelia said, though it was clear she was not looking forward to this part of the trial.
As the silence was lifted from them the first voice heard was from the youngest male, Ronald. "I accuse Harry bloody Potter of stealing my witch! I was there when she was saved, she should be sucking my cock, not his! My mum promised I could have any bint I wanted."
As the chamber sat in shock the voice was suddenly cut off. Dumbledore's wand flashed back into his robe. "Mrs. Norwood, was the validity of the life-debt tested?"
"Not by myself sir, but yes, and I have absolute trust in the one who performed it." Valerie said.
"I'm afraid we must have the name." He said.
"I verified it." Marlene said firmly, standing in her family box. "Consort Potter was placed in danger by the words of Ronald Weasley, therefore cannot benefit from her rescue, which Lord Potter initiated and Ronald reluctantly went along with. Magic showed that Consort Potter is tied so tightly to her Lord that only death can separate them."
"Thank you Lady McKinnon." Dumbledore said and she returned to her seat, though many of her fellows were suddenly filled with questions. "Let the records show that the life-debt owed by Hermione Granger falls solely upon Harry Potter. As verified by Lady McKinnon."
"As we have now heard from the youngest, let us proceed to the twins." Amelia said and nodded to Dumbledore who selectively removed the silence from the two red-headed menaces. "Fred and George Weasley, you have heard the crimes you are accused of, do you have anything to say for yourselves?"
"We." One of them started but then looked at the floor.
"Mum said it was the way things were done, and at first it seemed to be just in great fun." The other said softly, though the acoustics of the chamber allowed most present to hear it well enough.
"I'd like to apologize." The first twin said, lifting his head to Amelia. "It seemed wrong, but I didn't question it."
Since neither of them seemed willing to speak further Dumbledore again silenced them. "With my long relationship with this family I must recommend the maximum punishment for these crimes." He said softly as though not quite sure he should say anything, yet knowing everyone in the chamber was looking to him for direction.
"That's for later, and as yet, you're not officially present." Amelia said with an indulgent smile, though she made no move to protest his seat in the Minister's box or his control of the trial.
"I claim the Prewett Lordship." Were the first words Molly spoke upon the lifting of the silence spell.
"The Prewett Lordship is patriarchal and I believe requires a male of more than half Prewett blood. None of which currently exist as your son's are only half." Madam Longbottom said loudly, clearly angry at the witch.
Instead of cowing her, Molly lifted her chin. "Then test Ginevra, she is more than half, her firstborn son will inherit then and she will restore me to my rightful place in life."
The volume in the chamber went up dramatically and Dumbledore again silenced Molly and a moment later the bang of his staff brought the rest of the chamber to silence.
"Mrs. Norwood?" he asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes." She said and then finished the glass of water before speaking again. "I'd hoped this bit of Weasley family history would be buried. When William Weasley was being treated in St. Mungo's it was revealed that it was in fact he who fathered Ginevra, upon his own mother. Molly apparently used her favorite combination of loyalty and lust potions upon William to get him to participate, and then obliviated the knowledge from his mind."
Molly, who could hear everything, but not respond, held her head up proudly in spite of the chaos such a statement caused in the chamber.
When Amelia looked green Albus banged his staff and stood. "Such information will destroy the young lady in question. I shall not allow that to happen. None present will be able to disclose it to another, in any form. Should the lady come forward herself then this compulsion will fade." With that proclamation his magic flared, aided by the wards of the Ministry the force pushed everyone back in their seats.
His gaze swung about the chamber, looking every bit the conqueror of Grindlewald and the greatest wizard since Merlin. He avoided looking up at Lady McKinnon, who was doing a credible job of looking like she had also been affected by his magic. The young lady, and her Lord, needed to be informed of this so he'd deliberately excluded her.
Satisfied he turned his attention back to Molly. "Your declaration is invalid, you cannot claim Lordship of a patriarchal line. Do not speak of irrelevant things. Is there anything you have to say in your defense?"
She only seemed partially cowed, her gaze shifting about the chamber for support. "I am the last full Prewett, I've resurrected my line."
"That is for the Wizengamot to decide." Dumbledore said, sliding to his seat as utter silence descended upon the chamber.
It took Amelia a few minutes to get herself back on track and clear her throat. "We've now heard the charges, and the accused have spoken. We shall begin with the greatest charge, Line theft. By using Love potions on Arthur to get him to propose to her, she removed his right of free choice to continue his line. Indicate your vote, red for guilty, gold for innocent."
There were several who emitted gold sparks, but not nearly enough to allow the Matron of the Weasley family to go free.
"The traditional sentence is Azkaban for life. Again indicate your decision, this time red for Azkaban, gold for another punishment which will be debated later."
Again the red sparks were presented.
Amelia banged her gavel. "Life in Azkaban." She proclaimed and Molly's chair sank into the floor leaving her three youngest children awaiting their fate.
"The twins have admitted their guilt and expressed regret, yet their crime is severe and three girls were victimized by their actions. Gold for innocent, and red for guilty."
This time the sparks were fairly close, actually requiring a tally, which was magically collected to be called out. "Guilty by under ten votes, this will moderate their sentence, which is typically ten years in Azkaban down to three." Amelia said and banged her gavel causing the twins to sink into the floor.
"Ronald Weasley is accused of attempted rape of the heir of an Ancient house, but is clearly delusional as to his rights. I move that the accused be placed under the care of St. Mungo's at this time. We shall re-address this decision when we have their evaluation." Amelia said.
It took a minute, but Marlene seconded the motion when no one else spoke up. She felt Harry would agree that his one-time friend had something wrong with his mind. And even the magical world realized that punishing the insane benefited no one.
The vote was taken and Ronald vanished to be taken to St. Mungo's under guard.
"Members of the Wizengamot." Dumbledore said, once again standing in the Minister's box. "Now that this is behind us, I must inform you that I will not seek to lead this body, nor this nation. My place is ensuring the safety of our society and running my beloved school. Yet I charge all of you to remember that our society will only survive by working together. I shall do my utmost to avoid the scenario of the last war, and a strong Minister will go a long way towards that."
Everyone looked at where Fudge sat cringing. When he failed to respond Amelia banged her gavel. "This session of the Wizengamot is declared over. Next full session is on September 3rd at noon in our usual chambers."
It took well over an hour for the well-wishers to each speak with Dumbledore and exit the chamber. The Minister had scrambled from the box as soon as the wards shimmered and vanished.
Marlene was surprised when her sister met her on the stairs down from her box. "Celeste?"
"Over here a moment." She said and stepped into a vacant box, pulling Astoria along with her. Lord Greengrass was still speaking with other families of the Grey on the other side of the chamber.
"Yes?"
"Astoria would like to speak with you." Her sister said and took a step back, pushing the teen forward.
"Aunt M." Astoria said a bit too softly to be heard over the conversations in the chamber. She quickly realized that and repeated herself, stepping even closer to her aunt. "Aunt M. When can I visit Daph?"
"Oh." Marlene said and quickly made a decision. "How about tomorrow starting at lunch, you can stay for a few days, but we're very busy."
"Yes." Astoria said and hugged Marlene, though she did it carefully so as not to harm either of their fancy clothes.
"Here, let me make you a portkey to the front porch." Marlene said and took out her wand.
"Use this." Celeste said, holding out a foot long piece of delicate lace.
Marlene, out of habit, cast a strong finite on the lace before taking it from her sister's hand. "Portus." She incanted, tapping one of the roses along the border of the lace.
Astoria gratefully took the lace and folded it into her pocket.
Marlene leaned down to her niece's ear. "It will only work for you. Hold it and say, Daph is the bestest."
Astoria giggled and covered her mouth with her hands.
"Tomorrow at eleven, we'll be waiting for you before we begin lunch." Marlene said aloud for her sister to hear. "Pack for three days. Is that alright Cele?"
"Yes, thank you." Celeste said and squeezed her sister's hand before pulling Astoria back onto the stairs to join Malcolm where he waited near the exit.
At last Dumbledore was left with Madam Bones, Marlene, and Mrs. Norwood, while her team replaced the Aurors at the doors.
"Why have you not acted so decisively in the past?" Marlene said sharply to Dumbledore. Her wand suddenly flashing around them to encase them in a privacy ward.
"I'm unsure if I shall ever do so again." He said, suddenly looking far frailer than a moment ago as he leaned onto his staff.
Fawkes flamed in and alit on his shoulder, instead of adding more weight to the ancient man's frame he seemed to relieve much of it.
"What's wrong with you Albus?" Madam Bones said.
"I have been projecting my magical aura since I arrived in this chamber. It's a trick I learned long ago. Alas it is very taxing on one's reserves. It was critical that the Wizengamot, whether they stand for Light, Grey or Dark, to see my power."
He paused and stood a bit straighter. "We all must diminish and move on to the next adventure. Poppy says I should allow others to take some of my responsibilities and focus myself where I can do the most good. This was necessary to ensure Lord Potter's position. And I'm certain all of you will agree that he is my logical successor."
"At some point in the future my firstborn son may contest that statement, but I shall not." Marlene said.
For centuries the title had been passed among only a few of the families. Albus and his brother were the last of their line, neither had produced any heirs, so the title would pass to one of the other Light families. McKinnon and Potter were the only ones that currently were capable of taking it up.
Dumbledore chuckled and met her eyes. "And that is a discussion for a son and his father."
The women looked at him, not in confusion, but at the ancient man's audacity to bring the subject up.
"Albus!" Marlene said sharply.
"Come Lady McKinnon." He said softly. "I see magic as well now as I did in my youth. Lord Potter will father your children or no one shall."
With great effort the tall, elegant woman controlled herself. "This is a private matter."
"Of course." He said, without even a hint of shame.
Valerie hugged Marlene tightly and then pulled back. "I'm so happy for you." She said with a broad smile.
"Magic has declared him an adult." Madam Bones said. "I'll not stand in the way of magic. You'll hear no protests from me or my office. How long do you have?" she asked, turning to Albus.
Dumbledore shrugged. "There is nothing actively killing me, though I anticipate having to face a certain Dark Lord in the near future. I hope to be able to best him and either contain or slay him, but nothing is certain."
When none of the witches spoke up he leaned his staff towards Marlene to get her attention. "I find myself in need of a Defense instructor for the coming year. Would you be willing to accept such a post?"
Marlene looked to her boss.
"You're free to do as you wish Lady McKinnon. Your own family honor has dictated your only responsibility and it would seem the best place to perform it." Amelia said quickly.
"I'm not sure if this is a good idea." Marlene finally said to Dumbledore.
"But you need a valid reason to be close to Lord Potter, this will provide it. With you taking up the Defense position it will show the world that we're serious about stopping the evil among us." Dumbledore said. "He and his ladies will have their own chambers, as you will. No one else needs to know if they are connected."
"And if I find some of that evil within the walls?" Marlene asked, ignoring Dumbledore's attempt to provoke her.
"Then do as your office, and honor, dictate." He said after a moment's hesitation.
"Very well. Dumbledore, I'll accept. Though I'll need to bring an assistant along from my castle and he will need his own, disconnected, chamber."
Dumbledore bowed to her and vanished in a ball of phoenix fire with a smile on his face.
"That man." Marlene said as though cursing under her breath.
Valerie laughed and put a gentle hand on her friends shoulder. "Is worth his every eccentricity to have standing with us."
Marlene sighed and nodded.
"Go." Madam Bones said. "I'm sure your magic wishes you elsewhere."
With an exasperated look, The Spear of the Light, finally let out a soft laugh. "Yes. Yes it does." They didn't answer as she broke her silencing ward and strode down the stairs towards the main entrance.
"If we make it through the next few years, they'll change the world." Amelia said.
"They'll change it regardless of our presence, though I intend to ensure we do see it. Let's get you back to your own guard so my team can relax a bit."
"I'll have you know I'm familiar with the uses of a wand in combat." Amelia said without any anger as they went down the stairs.
Valerie signaled her team and those farthest away hurried down to meet them at the main entrance. "And we both know that the Light cannot afford to lose you."
Amelia laughed, "Since my death would see you as the next head of this department, I'll ignore that."
"But you'll walk with us to your office."
"I shall." Amelia said and they both laughed.
}-{
The citizens of the mixed village of Godric's Hollow were broken from their routine when the ground shook. Bathilda Bagshot was one of those citizens and she hurried to don her coat and slippers before stepping onto her porch.
People were screaming and things were flying through the sky. Her reduced vision didn't enable her to discern if the things in the air were people or pieces of homes, but the three giants were easy enough to identify, though much of that came from when one of them bellowed loud enough to be heard half-way to London. She scurried back inside, not bothering with the door and headed for the floo to notify the authorities.
Something struck her home before she made it and she was knocked unconscious. When she woke there was blood on the ground under her left side and a shard of wood through that arm, but people were still screaming so she crawled through the remains of her home to the floo. She was having a hard time breathing for all the dust in the air. At least that was what she told herself, though she realized she perhaps had a few broken ribs from her fall.
It took her several minutes to locate the jar of powder as it had been knocked to the floor. It was then she realized the fire had gone out.
Dropping the pinch of powder to the hearth she took her wand from her pocket, but the tip dangled loosely, connected only by the sinew of a dragon's heart. With a soft clack it joined the pinch of powder on the hearth.
The world grew dark around her as she tried to light the fire with a wandless spell, though she hadn't cast one in nearly a century.
The last thing she heard was a guttural voice scream, "Morsmordre!"