Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, and do not own Harry Potter. I make no money from the writing of this fanfiction. Only the original characters and this particular story line are mine; everything else belongs to JK Rowling
Chapter Thirty-Three
Previously:
The team of Aurors were waiting at the fountain when Amelia strode over to them. Holding a sheaf of parchment, she looked each in the eye.
"We will be going to Ottery St Catchpole, a residence called The Burrow, everyone. I will handle the arrest of the suspect, I want two of you with me as backup, and the rest I want to secure the property and look for additional evidence against the suspect. In particular, look for anything bespelled with compulsion or obedience charms and any potions. I want samples of the potions, no matter the stage of brewing, so be sure you have collection phials in your evidence gathering kits. I've seen this suspect in battle, so do not underestimate her because of her gender. So unless anyone has questions, let's go."
More than one head turned as the group walked to a Floo. It wasn't often that many Aurors left the Ministry at the same time, with the exception of the end of their day, and people were glancing nervously at each other.
What exactly was going on?
OoOoOoO
Arthur Weasley walked out of his home, intending to go to his shed. He needed time to think, and Molly was in the middle of brewing. He knew from past experience to never bother her while she brewed her potions. The last time she had been interrupted, his ears rang for a week from her screaming. So he usually went to his shed while she brewed. He also wanted to think about what was happening with his family. He never would have thought one of his children could grow up to be the kind of person that would actually strike someone, yet Ron had proven that hope wrong. He was halfway down the path to the shed when a group of people apparated just outside his wards. As he walked closer to greet them, he recognized at least one of them.
"Amelia, what brings you here? Not trouble with Ron at Azkaban, I hope?"
"Arthur, I wish it were that simple. Is Molly here?"
"Yes, in the kitchen. I've learned to leave her be when she's brewing, and she started a cauldron around an hour ago."
Amelia looked at one of the Aurors and nodded toward the house. Taking the signal as a silent go ahead, he went to the door and entered. A moment later, Molly's screeching could be heard in the yard.
"Arthur, I'm sorry, but I need to place Molly under arrest. You're welcome to wait here, and then accompany her to the Auror office while she's processed into a holding cell."
Stunned, Arthur followed as Amelia went inside, only to see Molly in a body bind and stuck to a chair in the kitchen.
"Any clue about the potion in the cauldron?" she asked, quickly looking around the room.
"Based on the color and smell, as well as the thickness of the liquid, it could be either Ruby Desire or a batch of Amortentia in mid brew. Can't tell yet if there are compulsion spells as well."
"Take multiple samples for testing. And check to see if there's a cupboard somewhere for finished potions."
"Understood, Madam Bones."
"Molly Weasley, I'm placing you under arrest for the attempted murder of Hermione Granger, conspiracy to impede justice and evidence tampering, with further possible charges pending. As you're already in a body bind, I don't need to restrain you, and you can have legal counsel meet you at the DMLE. Until then, you have the right to remain silent and not answer questions unless you wish to. I'll escort you to the DMLE while these other Aurors finish gathering the evidence that is listed on the warrant I have here. Arthur, did you want to come with her?"
"I'll meet you there, Amelia. I need to make some Floo calls first, and then I'll be along. From the look on her face, be prepared for her to start screaming when you release the body bind."
"The rest of the Aurors will come back to the DMLE when they've finished collecting any evidence. Don't interfere with them, and please don't touch anything but your Floo to make your calls until they leave."
"I understand, Amelia. I just can't believe Molly would actually…"
"It's always hard to believe someone you love could be capable of doing anything wrong, Arthur. We need to go, and I'll see you there."
Amelia turned to leave and one of the Aurors began levitating Molly out the door. It was so similar to the day Hermione had been taken to St. Mungo's that tears began slipping down Arthur's cheeks. This time, the person being floated away wasn't a girl he'd come to think of as a daughter, but his wife. And unlike Hermione, she hadn't been hurt, but had supported their son while Ron had hurt someone, and then tried to hurt the same person.
Taking a deep breath, Arthur walked to the Floo to begin his calls. This was going to be a long day.
OoOoOoO
Draco entered the safe house to find Hermione talking with his assistant. It would have amazed anyone who knew him when he was at school, but one of the reasons he'd hired her was because, as a Muggleborn, she also knew Muggle methods of self-defense. Shaking his head a little, he focused on Hermione.
"Madam Bones wants to see us in her office in an hour. Will that interfere with your appointment?" he asked her.
"It's a little close to the appointment time, but I think I can reschedule. Did she say what it was about?"
"No, but from the tone of her voice in the Patronus, it's urgent."
"I'll Floo call to reschedule, then. According to Narcissa, this Mind Healer will rescind his services if you miss an appointment."
"Go and take care of that then, I need to speak to Chloe for a moment."
After Hermione left to use the Floo, Draco turned to his assistant.
"You taught me Muggle fighting techniques, right?" Draco began, holding Chloe's gaze.
"Some hand to hand like some militaries use, and some basic martial arts, yes."
"I don't have time to look up your resume, Chloe, so give me a verbal rundown of your skills."
"I know combat level hand to hand, I can fire almost any handgun made with sharpshooter accuracy, and hold belts in Aikido, Judo, Ninjitsu, Karate, and Krav Maga. I'm also expert at melee fighting. Why do you ask?"
"Because if she agrees, I want you to teach Hermione Granger self-defense. She won't always be able to use her wand, and I don't know if she can defend herself if someone does something unpredictable and tries a physical attack. She works at the Ministry, Chloe. I somehow doubt anyone there would appreciate an employee being tailed by a bodyguard. Not good PR for the Ministry being a safe place to work."
"If she can follow instruction well, and wants to learn, I'll teach her. I can decide on the style when I work with her the first time."
"Chloe, I went to school with Hermione Granger. If there is one thing she was absolutely known for there, it was being obsessive about following instructions. Just make sure you give her reasons for what you tell her to do. She also likes visual representations, so if you have any books that show what you try to teach her, that would also help."
"I'll start putting together a schedule then. We can both speak to her and see if she agrees. 'Brightest Witch of the Age' or not, a wand won't do much against a gun or knife. I still have no clue why your school never teaches basic self-defense against a non-magical threat."
"Wizards and witches tend to use wands to attack, and we don't usually interact with muggles, Chloe. So Hogwarts never saw the need for it."
"Are you sure you're a Pureblood, Draco? That almost sounded like something a Muggleborn would say," Chloe joked.
"Please don't insult me, Chloe. I just grew up a lot since the war. I'm told that growing up can change your mind about a lot of things. You should try it sometime."
"Truce! Now you need to get going. If Madam Bones said it was important, then things are about to go pear shaped for someone. I doubt you want to be in her sights when she's pissed."
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but this chapter is being used to set up following scenes in the story.
