A/N: What's up y'all! We're so close to the end of the first story I can almost taste it. I have loved writing this story but I'm just so ready to be done and give myself a bit of a breather before I start on the sequel. Hope y'all enjoy the rest of the trilogy as much as you have hopefully been enjoying the first one
-RJS
"What the hell do you mean there's nothing you can do?!" Lucius roared at Fudge.
"Lucius I'll ask you again to please lower your voice." Fudge pleaded.
He had only gotten the news that very day that Amelia had taken Draco Malfoy into custody for the attack on the Greengrass girl. He had implored her to release the boy, but she refused to budge. Besides the law was on her side. In a case that had to do with an assault on Hogwarts grounds and the Ministry had been involved full authority in the initial case lay in the hands of the investigating officer. In this case, Amelia Bones. He had already played a bit too close to the fire when he ordered her not to do anything to young Potter.
He had given an excuse when Amelia had asked him why he refused to arrest the boy. He said that Harry Potter being arrested would fracture their world to a point of no return. But the real reason was he knew he needed the boy if he wanted to survive in office. If Harry Potter himself all but endorsed Cornelius, then no one would dare touch him.
"MY SON IS IN THE CUSTODY OF THAT BLOODY BINT BONES AND YOU'RE ASKING ME TO LOWER MY VOICE?!"
"That is enough! "Cornelius finally snapped. "If you do not sit down you will be forced to leave."
Lucius glared at the man but otherwise took his seat. "Please Cornelius let's not beat around the bush. You say that there is nothing that can be done but we both know that isn't true. What will it take for my son to be released?"
Fudge sighed. "I know in the past I have favored you and your faction in the Wizengamot at that, but you seem to overestimate my capability in a matter like this. The Ministry is after all a democracy. One man does not hold all the power!"
"Amelia Bones reports to you." Lucius said. "If you command it, she will follow orders."
"If your son had a few minor infractions perhaps. But what he is being charged with is a very serious matter, Lucius. I'm sorry but there's nothing that I can do."
Before Lucius could argue, Cornelius pressed on. "I wouldn't worry. I'm sure this is nothing but a misunderstanding. Madam Bones is simply following a lead." He had read the report Amelia had filed but it had to be exaggerated. The boy attacked an Auror? No chance.
"Every second that my son is imprisoned it is an insult to my families honor." Lucius spat. "I demand justice!"
Cornelius sighed. "If you like you can raise an official complaint against Madam Bones. Other than that, there is nothing I can do."
Lucius didn't say anything for the longest time. Cornelius thought that he had drifted off. "Lu-"
"You've made a grave mistake today Fudge." Lucius seethed and rose from his seat. "You forget who helped get you into that seat in the first place. I can just as easily remove you."
"It is time for you to leave, Lord Malfoy." Fudge said with a dangerous edge to his voice. "Do not return unless it is to discuss official Wizengamot business."
Lucius snorted and with a flourish of his cloak he left.
Fudge sighed. He had allowed that man too much power over him. Sure, he had been the key to getting him elected in the first place but he would not allow himself to be bullied. Lucius Malfoy seemed to forget that as Minster he had access to numerous Wizard intelligence operatives and maybe he had assigned a few of them to Lord Malfoy to make sure he was a "good citizen". Maybe he had a folder a mile deep on the man.
And maybe it was time to go to war.
Lucius would quickly learn that Cornelius Fudge wasn't the type of man who would just lay down and take punishment.
"Arthur. It is good to see you." Madam Bones as the patriarch of the Weasley family stepped into the room. At his side was his wife Molly. The poor woman appeared as if she had spent the better part of the day crying and it didn't surprise Amelia. Her youngest son was being accused of assault.
"Amelia." Arthur nodded and shook her offered hand. "Same to you. I just wish it were under better circumstances."
"As do-"
"Please I beg you to release my Ronald!" Molly croaked out a fresh set of tears falling down her face. "He can't have done the things you say he's done."
"Molly I understand how hard this must be for you." Amelia sighed. "And I hope that your son is innocent. But we must examine every corner of this case. If your son does turn out to be innocent, I will release him and give a full apology not only to him but to your family."
Molly blew her nose into an offered handkerchief given to her by her husband but nodded.
"As your son is underage you may both be inside the room when he is questioned. Shall we begin?"
They both nodded. "Bring in the suspect!" The door to the vacant classroom open and in came Tonks who was escorting Ron Weasley. To Amelia's surprise (and annoyance) following behind the two of them was Albus. "Headmaster can I help you with something?" Amelia raised an eyebrow as if the situation would take care of itself.
"I am here for the questioning of Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said as if it should be obvious.
"Ronald!" Molly came running at her son and wrapped him in a motherly hug. Tonks looked to her superior, but Madam Bones shook her head. It was okay.
"Albus, we have been over this. This is a Ministry matter and it will be re-"
"As Headmaster of this school I have a right to be here when one of my students is questioned." Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at the woman. "I promise I will not get in your way."
"Very well." She sighed heavily and looked to the mother of the suspect. "Molly we must begin."
"Everything will be alright Ronald." Molly whispered to her son who offered no answer. "Just cooperate with them." She kissed the forehead of her youngest son and went back to stand at her husband's side who offered his son a weak smile. Ron didn't meet his father's eye.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley." Amelia unfurled a parchment. "On this day, the twenty sixth of February, it is hereby ordered by the Ministry that you are to be administered Veritaserium to aid in the questioning of yourself in the matter of the attack on Astoria Michelle Greengrass."
"Veritaserium?!" Molly exclaimed. "You can't be serious Amelia. That could destroy his mind at his age!"
"I feel I must agree." Dumbledore nodded his head conveniently forgetting his promise not to interfere with her interrogation.
"Only a tenth of the recommended dosage will be applied. It will have the desired effect and Mr. Weasley will be just fine." Amelia replied nodding to Tonks who produced the vial from her pocket.
Ron inched away from the vial as Tonks forced it towards him. "Do it Ron." Arthur commanded.
The expression on the boy's face was one of defeat. He knew if he didn't it would be forced down his throat anyway. He opened his mouth and Tonks poured the vial's contents down his gullet. He swallowed and then opened his mouth so she could inspect it. She nodded to Madam Bones.
"What is your name." Amelia asked. It was best to first test that the serum had worked by asking the suspect a few questions that she knew the answer to.
"Ron Weasley." He answered his voice calm and collected.
"What house are you in?"
"Gryffindor."
"What year are you?"
"I'm in fourth year." He replied his voice never changing from the soft monotone that the serum was inducing.
"Mr. Weasley, I have to ask you a question. It will determine your innocence…or guilt."
He nodded but Amelia noticed the smallest bit of fear in the boy's eyes.
"Did you attack Astoria Greengrass?"
He didn't answer at first. He started to shiver in his chair. It was clear that he was trying to fight the serum. "Mr. Weasley did you hear me?" He nodded. "Then please answer the question. Were you involved in the attack on Astoria Greengrass?"
Still he did not answer. "Ron." Arthur said softly. "Plea-"
"YES!" Ron snapped suddenly his voice only raising a bit.
"So, you did attack Astoria Greengrass?" Amelia asked.
"Yes." He said again not willing to meet her eyes.
"No." Molly croaked a river of tears flowing down her face. "Ron how could you?"
He didn't answer. He lowered his head unwilling to even look at his parents.
"He must be delirious." Molly insisted. "My Ron wouldn't attack a girl. He just wouldn't."
"Did you do it Ron." Arthur said softly but with a growing anger rising in him. When his son didn't answer he strode towards him and surprised everyone when he backhanded him across the face.
"Arthur!" Molly yelped.
"Arthur!" Amelia warned drawing her wand. "Step ba-"
"Did. You. Do. It." Arthur seethed. Again, no answer. "SPEAK UP!"
"I DID IT!" Ron finally looked up at his father. "I attacked the Greengrass girl."
Arthur didn't respond at first. It was like he was seeing the person before him in a whole new light. "No son of mine would hurt a woman." Arthur hissed.
"You can't be my son."
"Dad." Ron suddenly looked up his eyes filled with anguish. "Ple-"
"From this day." Arthur pressed on. "You are no longer a member of this family. In my father's name and his father before him, I hereby decree that you are to be cast out of House Weasley. Any affiliation that you had with us is at an end." The declaration was not only felt by those in attendance by the tone of Lord Weasley's voice but by the force of magic that swept through the room. Ron's eyes went wide in fear.
"Da-"
"Do with him as you wish Amelia." Arthur said evenly to the woman and without sparing another look at his now former son left the room. The door slammed shut behind him.
Molly fell to her knees and began to sob again. "Mum? What does this mean?" Ron said not being able to help the fear that was laced in his voice.
"Y-Y-Your father loves you I know he does Ron." Molly sputtered. "And I do. I will always love you, but I can't help my son when he's done something so horrible." With that she left after her husband her sobs following her into the hallway as the door again shut behind her.
With both his parents having left him Ron was finally beaten into submission. "Can I just go back to my cell please." He asked solemnly.
"Not quite Mr. W- Ronald." Amelia had to correct herself since the boy was no longer a Weasley. "I still have a few questions for you."
"Is that really necessary Amelia?" Dumbledore asked. "The boy has been through a lot. Maybe we should take some tim-"
"You shall be silent, or you will be made to leave." Madam Bones snapped at the man who after a moment of hesitation nodded.
"Ronald." Amelia continued. "Why did you attack Miss Greengrass?"
The serum still in effect Ron had no choice but to answer. "I wanted to hurt Potter. Hurting the Greengrass girl was the only way we knew how."
"We?" She raised an eyebrow. She already suspected that he had an accomplice, but he had just confirmed it. "You had help in this?" He nodded. "Who?"
"Malfoy."
"Are you referring to Draco Malfoy your classmate?" He nodded. "Why would he want to hurt Miss Greengrass?"
"Same reason. He wanted to hurt Potter."
"And so, you both came up with the plan to hurt the girl?"
"He mostly came up with it. Him and the man."
This new nugget of information got Amelia's attention. "Man? You're saying there was another person involved?" He nodded again. "Who?"
"I don't know." Ron said truthfully.
"What do you mean you don't know? Did you ever see this man?"
Ron nodded. "Only a bit. He always had a hood up and would only talk to Malfoy. I only saw him once. He said he was a friend of Malfoy's dad."
"Lucius Malfoy?" Amelia's eyes went wide. This went a lot deeper than a simple assault case. "Did Draco ever say that he had the blessing of his father for this attack?"
Ron shook his head. "He just knew the man from his dad. That's as involved as Mr. Malfoy was."
Even if Draco did have the assistance of his father for the attack on the girl, it was likely that Ronald hadn't been there when it happened. She was questioning the wrong boy at this point. "You may return the boy to his cell, Tonks. I am done questioning him at this time." Tonks nodded and grabbed Ron by his shoulder and forced him to his feet.
"Madam Bones." Ron asked suddenly. She turned. "What will become of me?"
"I do not know." She sighed. "But I won't lie to you Ronald it doesn't look good for you. The punishment for assault is fifteen years in Azkaban. Minimum."
"And what about my dad?"
"What about him?" She raised an eyebrow.
"C-Can you reverse what he did?" He asked hopefully.
She sighed. "The politics of a family are controlled exclusively by the Lord of that family. When your father cast you out, it became legally and magically binding. From this day forward, you are no longer recognized as a Weasley."
She saw his heart break. "T-Then what am I?" He asked.
"The Lord of your mother's family may have the option to adopt you as one of their own. If that does not happen, you may register at the Ministry for a new surname."
"You mean…get a new last name?" He blinked.
"Precisely." She nodded. "Although if you are convicted your ability to do so will be extremely limited."
"I think we are getting ahead of ourselves Madam Bones." Dumbledore said rising from his seat. "The boy must be given a trial first."
"As you say Headmaster." Amelia nodded. "But Ronald has admitted to the crime. It will be admissible in court."
Dumbledore didn't reply. What was he supposed to say? The boy was all but done. It would be an open and shut case.
As Tonks led the former Weasley from the room, Amelia produced a parchment and a quill. It was standard issue to all the Heads of Departments at the Ministry. Self-inking so they wouldn't be forced to carry the stuff with them everywhere they went.
"What are you doing Madam?" Dumbledore asked as she took a seat at a desk and began to write out on the parchment.
"A letter to the Minister." She answered without looking up. "Now that we know what we know we have enough for a warrant to question Draco Malfoy. We will begin as soon as I receive a reply.
"Have you spoken to the Weasley's yet Harry?" Daniel asked Harry as they walked through the halls.
Harry shook his head. "No sir. I haven't had the time and I think I might be the last person they want to see right now."
"Why do you say that?" Daniel raised an eyebrow.
Harry sighed. "I did help get their son arrested. I don't think they'd want to see me."
"The fault lays only at the feet of their son." Daniel argued. "No one else. You were simply aiding the authorities in capturing him."
Harry nodded. In his heart he knew it was true, but it still didn't make the fact he had to face them any easier. "Sir is there any more news on…the trial?" Harry looked around. They were alone but in Hogwarts you never knew who was listening.
Daniel nodded. "Fudge tried to block us at every turn, but we managed to get it on the schedule for next week."
"Next week? That's so soon."
Daniel sighed. "I know. Fudge wants to rush it. He thinks that the defense won't be as prepared. Has Sirius been prepping?"
"Yes…erhm sir?"
"Yes?"
"I was thinking, worried is more the word I mean. What's to stop Fudge from flat out arresting Sirius when he shows up for his trial?"
"The law for one. Fudge has already promised the public a trial. It is officially in the system so unless Sirius commits a murder in the foyer of the Ministry the trial will go on and he will be most welcome there."
Harry nodded. "And just to let you know you will most likely have to speak."
"Me?" Harry blinked. "Why though?"
"You are the Godson of the accused. You will be used as a character witness."
Harry gulped. "Erhmm I'm not the best public speaker sir. Couldn't someone else speak?" Hannah for instance?
Daniel shook his head. "As much as you hate to admit it your voice carries much weight in our world. You could sway many of the deciding votes in our favor."
"Votes sir? Isn't there going to be a judge?"
"This isn't the Muggle world. It's majority rules. If we can get fifty one percent of the vote, then Sirius will go free."
"And if not?"
"Well…let's not think about that. We have public opinion on our side for one. The fact that your Godfather never got a trial in the first place will help sway some of the votes."
Before Harry could reply they were interrupted by one of the people that Harry had been trying to avoid. "Harry?" Mr. Weasley called out. They both turned and coming towards them was the Weasley patriarch.
"Mr. Weasley." Harry nodded at the man.
"Arthur." Daniel said moving a bit closer to Harry.
"Daniel." Arthur said nodding at the other man. "I was wondering if I could have a word with Harry…in private."
Daniel looked to Harry who nodded. "Very well. I needed to get going anyway. I have an interrogation to sit in on."
"Daniel." Arthur called after him as he started to walk away. Daniel turned. "I know this won't solve anything. You even might hate me. But I can't express how sorry I am for what happened and for what Ronald did. I hope you can forgive my family."
"I do not forgive your family." Daniel said slowly. "Because there is nothing to forgive. My anger is towards your son."
"He is my son no longer." Arthur said darkly. "And I thank you. I want no feud between the Weasley and Greengrass families."
"You shall have none." Daniel nodded at the man. "I must get going however."
"Till we meet again." Arthur said as the man walked off and then he turned to Harry. "It is good to see you."
"And you sir." Harry answered. "Mr. Weasley, what did you mean when you said Ron wasn't your son anymore?"
"Exactly what I said." Arthur spat. "He might be of my blood, but he is no longer a member of my family."
"Forgive me if I overstep sir but that seems a little far."
"Some of the worst people in the world are those who attack the defenseless." Arthur said darkly. "He beat that poor girl when she was unconscious. There is nothing that he can say or do that will make up for that."
"I am sorry sir."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Harry. You are still a friend of my family. You will always have a place at our table I promise you. I just wanted to let you know that."
"I appreciate it sir." Despite the circumstances Harry smiled. "Thank you."
Arthur extended a hand which Harry shook. "I am sure Molly would love to see you but not now. She is still broken up about…well what has transpired."
"I can come around this summer if you like Mr. Weasley."
"That would be nice." Arthur smiled. "I look forward to seeing you again Harry."
They said their goodbyes and Harry walked away from that situation happy. Happy that he hadn't lost the people who had been like a family to him since he had entered the wizarding world.
Daniel knocked on the door to the classroom and then entered without anyone responding from the inside.
"Is there something I can help you with Daniel?" Madam Bones raised an eyebrow as the man let himself inside.
"I am here for the interrogation. Or is it already over?"
"Hmm I don't recall me even telling you of an interrogation taking place today."
"So, you're denying it is taking place?"
"I did not say that." Amelia responded. "But of course, you must understand that I cannot allow you to stay."
Daniel produced a piece of parchment from his pocket and handed it to Amelia. "What is this?" She asked.
"Signed by Cornelius himself. I've been given special permission to sit in on this questioning as a wounded party."
"I wasn't informed of this." Amelia scanned the parchment. That was definitely the Ministers seal. She had seen it thousands of times.
"It just came in over an hour ago." Daniel shrugged. "He must not have had time to inform you."
Amelia sighed. "I will allow it." She then pointed at him. "Let me be crystal clear, however. You will remain silent and not speak unless spoken to. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Daniel nodded.
It was at that moment that they were joined by three additional people. Daniel wasn't surprised to see Malfoy Sr at the side of this son as the boy was led in by Captain Talbot. "Phineas." Daniel nodded at the man.
"Daniel?" The Captain was clearly shocked to see his old friend there. "Ameli-"
"He has special permission from the Minister to be here." Amelia answered without needing to hear anymore.
"I demand this man be removed at once!" Lucius ordered. "He has no right to be here."
"I disagree Lucius." Daniel took a step towards his rival. "Considering that your son attacked my daughter I have every right to be here."
"Nonsense." Lucius scoffed. "Draco would never!"
"Gentlemen!" Amelia snapped at them both. "If you do not behave you will be removed. Permission or no."
They offered no reply, so Amelia continued. "Put him down there Phineas." She nodded towards the chair and as the man did so pulled a piece of parchment from her robes. It was the exact same warrant that the now former Weasley boy had been given except it read Draco Malfoy. When she was finished, she nodded at Phineas to deliver the Veritaserium.
"Get that away from me." Draco reared back from the Captain.
"Listen boy." Phineas said gruffly. "Either take it now or I'll stun you and force it down your gullet. Your choice."
"Threats? Is this how the Ministry is run, Bones?" Lucius whirled on the woman.
"You should know you helped write some of the recent laws pertaining to it." Daniel muttered.
"We have a warrant signed by the Minister himself. Either your son takes the serum now or as Captain Talbot said we will make him." Amelia said with finality.
Lucius glared at the woman but then turned to his son. "Do it Draco."
"Father you can't be serious. I'm no-"
"DO IT!" Lucius snapped.
The look on Draco's face spoke nothing but fear. There was no other way around this. No anti-serum in his back pocket. No law he could cite. He had to take this bloody serum and hope his Father could somehow get him out of this. He opened his mouth and Captain Talbot poured the liquid down his throat.
"What is your name?" Amelia asked.
"Draco Tiberius Malfoy." The boy answered.
"Who is your father."
"Lucius Marcellinus Malfoy."
"Did you attack Astoria Michelle Greengrass?"
"Yes."
Malfoy Sr's face went white. "You little shit." Daniel muttered.
"Daniel!" Amelia glared at him. "Don't make me remove you." Daniel didn't respond but nodded. He still fixed the younger Malfoy with a look of hatred.
"Who told you to attack Astoria?" Daniel asked.
"No one. Me and Weasley did it ourselves."
"So, you weren't under the Imperious curse?"
"No."
"Why did you attack Astoria?"
"To get at Potter. The bastard embarrassed me in front of the entire school and the continent. He had to pay. Getting back at the Greengrass family was just a bonus. Bloody cunts."
"Did you have an accomplice in this? An older man?"
"Yes."
"What is his name?"
"Joseph Duffy."
"That son of a bitch." Daniel growled. He knew his former brother in law was a piece of shit, but he didn't know he would order an attack on his niece.
"Daniel." Amelia looked to him but this time tread carefully. "You have to remain calm. Joseph will be held responsible if this is true, but it will be done legally."
"For now, let's just continue with the questioning."
"Questioning?" Daniel laughed without humor. "The boy admitted to doing it. Lock him up."
Before Amelia could respond Lucius interceded. "My son had done nothing wrong. It is obvious his mind has been tampered with."
"We will of course check his mind but as he has admitted to the crime, he will be considered guilty till he goes on trial."
"Trial?" Lucius blinked. "What trial?"
"The information that he has given us has given enough to press charges against him. And if Daniel wishes he-"
"Set the bloody date." Daniel finished for her his glare returning to the boy.
"Trial for what?" Lucius snapped. "Even if he did attack the girl it was self-defense."
"Self-defense?" Again, Daniel laughed with no humor. "Your boy beat my baby girl senseless."
Lucius took a step towards his rival and poked him in the chest with his finger. "Your trollop of a daughter nee-"
There was a flash of movement and suddenly Daniel had the man by his throat slammed up against the wall. Captain Talbot's wand was pointed at him seconds later. "Let him go Daniel."
"If you EVER talk about my Tori like that again." Daniel growled at the man. "I will squeeze your damn throat until your eyes bulge out."
"DANIEL!" Amelia snapped at him now drawing her own wand. "Release him."
Daniel let him drop to the floor and Lucius began heaving air in and out. "Arrest this man!"
"You instigated this as soon as you assaulted him Lord Malfoy." Amelia shook her head. "And you were not harmed. If anything I should arrest both of you. You can raise an official complaint in the Wizengamot if you like."
"Believe me I most certainly will." Lucius glared at her. "And you can believe that I will be writing the Minster about all of this."
"From what I hear you and the Minster aren't exactly on the best of terms right now." Daniel said. "But yes. Write to him if you want."
Lucius looked about ready to say something but ultimately did not. "You will all be punished for this." With a flourish of his cloak he was gone. Didn't even spare another look at his son.
"You shouldn't have done that Daniel." Amelia said as Captain Talbot began to lead Draco out of the room. "He's a dangerous man."
"He and I." Draco added. "You've made a grave error today."
"If I were you boy, I would shut your bloody mouth." Phineas offered. "You hurt the man's daughter. You'll be lucky if you don't get life in Azkaban."
"So that's it then?" Tracey asked. "It was Malfoy?"
Daphne nodded. "That's what Dad is saying." Her voice lowered. "Apparently my Uncle was involved as well."
"John's father?" Blaise asked and his expression soured. "Why? Why would he hurt his own famil-"?
"That cunt is no family of mine." Daphne snapped. "He is nothing but a brute. And he's always hated my father. Even at school the only reason that Dad tolerated him was because my aunt Hannah made him. This was just a way of getting back at my family."
"Do you think they'll catch him?" Blaise asked.
"With luck he will." Daphne responded. "According to Dad, Aurors were dispatched to the Hogs Head. Joseph has been frequenting there lately so that's their first place to check."
They walked into the Great Hall and immediately set towards the Gryffindor table where John, Hermione, Susan and Neville were already waiting.
"Where's Harry at Hermione?" Daphne asked looking around for her boyfriend.
"You don't know?" Hermione asked. "I thought he would be with you."
"He's in Dumbledore's office." Neville answered surprising the both of them. "You didn't know?" He asked thinking maybe he should've kept his mouth shut.
"No." Daphne said. "What's he doing there?"
"I'm not sure exactly. I do know your dad went with him though." Every word that Neville spoke he felt he was digging Harry a deeper and deeper hole, but he couldn't stop talking. Mostly he didn't want to piss Daphne off.
"What?" Why had they kept this from her? Why was Harry in the Headmaster's office with her father? And why had her father not told her? "Do you have any idea why they're there? Think hard Neville."
Tracey glared at Daphne who was grilling her boyfriend, but Neville only shook his head. "If I knew I'd tell you I swear. All Harry told me was he needed to have a conversation with Dumbledore and your dad would be there."
"What are you thinking Daphne?" Hermione asked her friend seeing how she was staring at the plate in front of her.
"I'm thinking me, and Harry need to have a talk next time I see him." She replied and speared a piece of ham with her fork.
"Come in Lord Greengrass. And Harry?" Dumbledore said from the chair behind his desk. "I was not expecting you."
"I needed to speak to you Headmaster." Harry answered plainly and took a seat across from the man. Daniel took the other.
"Of course." Dumbledore nodded. "What can I do for you my boy?"
"It's about the trial."
"Ahh yes." Dumbledore sighed. "Well you have to understand Harry there is precious little I can reveal to you that you might not already know."
"I understand that. But I agree with Harry that we'd like a few questions answered." Daniel crossed his arms.
"If you insist, I can tell what I know gentlemen but as I said most of it is a mystery to me."
"Tell us about the Weasley boy." Daniel asked. "Was he under the Imperious Curse?"
"No." Dumbledore answered. "However, Ronald was under the influence of a highly illegal potion. It brought forth his most base wants. So, while it is true that he wanted to hurt your daughter Lord Greengrass, it was deep inside of him."
"It also appeared that a memory charm had been applied to his mind, but it failed."
"I thought they were almost impossible to reverse." Harry asked. "When Lockhart's backfired on him, he didn't even know who he was."
"You are correct Harry. A total mind erase is near impossible to reverse. However, it appeared whoever placed this charm on Ronald's mind wasn't trying to wipe the slate clean so to speak, but rather eliminate certain memories. This is quite tricky to do even for an experienced wizard. The effects from this charm were only temporary and Mr. Weasley's full memories have been returned to him."
"Just so you know I intend to press charges against the boy as well as Malfoy." Daniel said staring at Dumbledore. "I don't care if he was given a damn potion, he still attacked my daughter. He will pay."
Dumbledore sighed. "I doubt there is anything I can do to change your mind?"
"Correct." Daniel replied simply.
"Very well." Dumbledore said. "Anything else?"
"When will the trial be set?" Harry asked.
"As I said Harry, I know very little." Dumbledore replied. "But I've heard that they have scheduled it for next week. Apparently, it's supposed to take place right after the trial for Sirius Black."
"Good. That only means I won't have to make two trips to the Ministry." Daniel said and Harry nodded.
"You are attending the trial for Black?" Dumbledore asked surprised. "Whatever for?"
"He's an old school friend." Daniel replied simply. "I just want to see justice done."
"Indeed." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. He knew there was more to the story, but he didn't press the issue. "Am I to understand that Harry will-"
"Yes." Harry said.
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. Is there anything else?"
Daniel rose from his chair. "Much but I doubt you have the answers and if you do you would not share them." He began to leave the room but noticed that Harry was not following. "Harry?"
"There is one other thing." Harry said quietly. "It's about Weasley."
"Go on." Dumbledore asked.
"When I-" Harry gulped. "When I was helping Madam Bones arrest Ron something happened."
Dumbledore nodded. "From what I hear you were rather…forceful in taking Ronald in."
Harry shook his head. "That's not just it. Even when I knew I had him beat I just kept going. I couldn't stop myself."
"And what's more." Harry shivered. "I liked it."
Daniel put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You were angry Harry. I don't know if I would've been able to stop myself if I was in your shoes."
Harry shook his head. "That's not it though. If it had just been against Ron, then that would've been one thing. But there have been times where I've felt…evil this year. Like a darkness is rising in me and taking ahold. I don't know how to explain it." He looked up at Dumbledore who had been silent the entire time. "What's wrong with me?"
Dumbledore didn't answer at first. There were more than a few options on the table. He could tell Harry lies. Tell him that he didn't know what was going on with him. Tell him that it was nothing. Even tell him not to worry about it.
But that wouldn't be right. If he wanted to mend the bridges it would have to start here.
"Harry." Dumbledore sighed. "There is much I need to tell you."
A/N: Some of y'all will say that Daniel deserved to be arrested for assaulting Malfoy like that but honestly in my mind Madam Bones understands. She sees a grieving father and how Lucius doesn't give a single fuck about the Greengrass family suffering. She's willing to let something like this slide once.
