Chapter twenty one

Charlie, Hermione, Ron, Minerva and everyone else watched as Poppy Pomfrey performed her diagnostic spells over Harry's unconscious body, then she summoned two vials of potions, pouring each into his mouth, then did some more charms over Harry.

'He will be fine, he's just drained all his magic. However he did that used every bit he had and it will take a while before his magic returns. The potions I just gave him will help, he will feel weak for a while though, probably through tomorrow.'

'So there's nothing wrong?' Charlie asked in a shaky voice as he ran his hands over Harry's face.

'No, there is nothing wrong Charlie. But I would like an answer as to what is going on?'

'We're sorry Poppy, we could not tell anyone what our plans were. Everyone had to believe it was Voldemort so they wouldn't get suspicious. We were not sure if it was just Umbridge here or if there was more. I studied Harry's map a lot but with so many here names get missed.'

'We did the same professor, we kept checking the map. So who are these Slytherin's then if they aren't Malfoy and the others?' Hermione asked.

'I'm sure we're about to find out, it seems the polyjuice potion is slowly wearing off.'

Kingsley, one woman and four men walked into the great hall, 'So it was Arnold Presten, and Brian Steel, the two that pushed for Harry to return to Hogwarts,' Kingsley said.

'Were you suspicious Kingsley because to us they just seemed to be sucking up to Harry?' Charlie asked.

'No, we weren't Charlie. We thought they really wanted Harry on their side so they were going to do anything they could to make him happy. I give Voldemort his due, he trained his people well. We're aurors, we spoke with them quite a lot, none of us picked up on the fact they were actually death eaters but they also got passed our tests, even veritaserum which can't be beaten, but the one test which normally would show was the dark marks. Anyway, we should get these taken to Azkaban.'

'Wait,' Harry said softly as his eyes flickered slowly open.

'No more Harry, you're weak,' Charlie said sounding concerned.

'Rest soon,' Harry panted, 'Kingsley,' Harry panted again but moved his hand to gesture for Kingsley to come closer, which he did, 'They used a combination of magic and muggle makeup to conceal their dark marks, they used the imperius curse each other before taking the veritaserum, it would make them say whatever they had been instructed,' Harry panted, 'To act like they were innocent, like who they were pretending to be.'

'Damn, how did they know that would work?' one of the men with Kingsley asked.

'Who knows Gawain, it seems they had a lot of plans worked out.'

'What about Mr. Malfoy and the others Kingsley?' Hesita asked.

'Three aurors and five members from the hit wizards are all at Little Hangleton now. It's only thanks to Harry that we know where that blasted house is.'

'Okay, now how did Potter know this?' Gawain asked as he stared down at Harry Potter who was unconscious again.

'Harry's very powerful Gawain, he didn't tell anyone apart from Minerva, Charlie, Hermione and Ron. Minerva told me when they discovered Umbridge was here at Hogwarts and thought it would be best to let it play out to see what plans she had and who else might be involved. If we took her into custody straight away we would not have gotten anything out of her. We all thought they would try something, so Harry figured keeping his true power hidden would be the surprise he needed, especially to protect Charlie and his friends.'

'He's hardly slept over the last week, waking up to nightmares of seeing me die. It took me a long time to get him to settle down, all he kept doing was clutching me until he fell asleep again.'

'So this power, he was able to get this information from them, how?'

'He could go into their minds and find every little secret they had. He can transform himself or others into other people without the use of polyjuice potion. The students didn't know this but all of them were shielded even shielded from spells such as the killing curse. He knew this plan had to play out but he wasn't going to take the risk that anyone could get hurt.'

'Does he still want to be an auror?' the woman who was beside Gawain asked.

'No, he said he'll help with anything but he didn't want to fight anymore, we all think he's right, he shouldn't fight. Harry might be very powerful but his an emotionally wreck. All this started for him from a young age, he can't keep doing this all the time,' Charlie said still touching Harry's face, 'We talked and decided to take a very long holiday as soon as this year was over. Harry needs time away from here, away from everything that reminded him of Voldemort, his parents, Sirius, everyone. Today would have made that worse, having to pretend to be Voldemort, the man that murdered his parents, that tortured him many times, that tried to kill him and almost succeeded. He can't do this anymore, it's time for Harry to rest.'

'Charlie, Charlie,' Harry shouted as he bolted upright.

'I'm here Harry, it's all good.'

Harry flung his arms around Charlie, 'Charlie, oh god, you're alive.'

'I'm fine, now relax babe,' Charlie felt Harry tightening his hold then he heard a sob, 'Hey, it's fine love, please calm down.'

'Oh my,' Hermione knelt down, 'he's crying, he never cries.'

'All the stress he's been under, that would make anyone cry,' Ron said as he knelt down next to his friend.

'What do you mean he never cries, surely he cried after Sirius died?' Kingsley asked.

'No, he didn't, not when Dumbledore died, his body shook but he didn't cry, he didn't even cry when Remus died. He just seemed to look upon that as part of his life, death surrounded him, that's what Harry always said.' Hermione said sadly.

'Then he needs to get away, exactly like Charlie said. If Harry keeps going on like this he could end up in the mind damage ward at St Mungo's. Anyway, good work you lot, we'll get these out of here so you can all finally relax,' Kingsley turned to face the students, 'Sorry we could not tell you, but it was to keep you all safe, which now you are. Everyone here is trustworthy so you have nothing to worry about,' Kingsley nodded to Gawain, the aurors all bound the death eaters, then levitated them out of the great hall with Kingsley following.

'Charlie, take Harry to your room, let him rest,' Minerva said kindly.

'Come on love,' Charlie slowly stood with Harry in his arms, still with his arms tight around him. He carried him from the hall with all eyes watching. But the talk had started, how they really believed it was Voldemort, how they had no idea Umbridge had been amongst the staff. One thing all the students seemed to say, they hoped it really was over this time.

'Everyone,' Minerva called loudly and waited until all the students fell silent, 'I've worked it out so all of you can eat dinner in your common rooms, I think we can skip a meal in the great hall. So off you go, just remember none of you were in any danger.' Minerva waited until the students left before turning to speak with her staff, to discuss an idea she had.