(September 1st 1990) (Gringotts)
Harry had taken an unexpected nap after his emotional outburst. His foster family had sent him back home where he could rest in peace while the goblins ensured everything was going according to plan. They had seen how much the Dursley's had taken out of the boy by his outburst earlier and wondered if he would be able to deal with everything that was to come. He was ten years old and he would never know a day's peace from now on. It didn't matter what choice he made when it came to his future, the whole world would be watching anyway.
The nap and a very strong headache potion along with lunch had been enough to revitalize the young boy. His foster mother had walked him back to the War room to continue to oversee the day. She had grown fond of the boy. She hoped they rained down justice swiftly on all those who wronged him.
Harry walked into the War Room just as the time was about to chime four in the afternoon. He raced to the Eagles eye to get a much better look at the proceedings. His chair next to the Director was sitting empty just waiting for him to fill it. He was given a cold drink and told what was going on in the monitors. The mass panic and chaos happening in the Alley as the people read the flyers would become a memory he would treasure forever.
(September 1st 1990) (Ministry of Magic)
It was a usual first of September for those working in the Ministry. Most officials go with their families to see their children off on the Express or stayed home since not many worked on the weekends. It wasn't unusual for an influx of owls to arrive since many arrived during early evening hours on the weekend from those who slept in or took their time to see their kids off to turn in their reports.
However an enormous parliament of owls flying into the Ministry was never normal. The ensuing screaming that followed the delivery from said owls only caused panic from those who didn't receive a paper. What was worse was the next batch of owls that entered the Ministry not even fifteen minutes later when the entirety of the ministry was informed of the contents of the papers, more or less. Howlers, hexed letters and people themselves began to flood the Ministry in droves. The floo system became overwhelmed with the swell in traffic as person after person made their way to the ministry to demand answers.
The Minister had quickly locked himself in his office under a twelve auror guard to keep the people from reaching his door, and boy did they try. The only person allowed to enter was Madame Bones who was also fending off idiots who shouted out question after question at her as she marched down the halls with determination. An invisible thundercloud hovered over her head as she cursed everyone involved in the chaos around her. She prayed to the old gods that this was an elaborate plan against the magical citizens of the British Enclaves by the Goblins but she knew it was asking for too much. The news of that little boy the same age as her Susan having lived through hell was causing her to rein in her temper lest she kill every fool in sight.
The showed her official badge to the aurors that let them know through a signal in their own badges that she was who she said she was and they let her pass through as they managed the mob of people trying to see the Minister.
"Stop hiding behind these walls Cornelius. Get up and do something!" Amelia yelled out to the sweaty round man behind his desk who flinched when she first walked in. It was disgraceful to her to answer to the idiot.
"Like what? We don't know if this is even true. I have Dolores scouring the hall of records along with the Head of the Department to get me everything they can." The minister said as he took a swig from his crystal glass.
Amelia glared at the fool and bit her tongue to stop herself from cursing him.
"You need to sober up immediately and pull yourself together. The press is already here and I can bet The Prophet is royally pissed that the scoop of the century was done by their newly printed rivals. Skeeter is infamous for getting information she shouldn't have and I have it on good authority that she is just itching to sink her teeth into whoever she can. I have already called in Moody and have him working on the Potter case I am taking lead on. So pull yourself together. The last thing you want is a picture of you sloshed printed all over the Prophet calling for your impeachment."
Cornelius paled at the image she painted and vanished the liquor in his glass and went to his mirror to spell away any trace of his drinking.
"You are taking the lead?" he asked, already thinking of ways to push some blame around so all of it didn't hit him.
Amelia narrowed her eyes knowing full well where the simpletons mind was heading.
"It is the only sensible option. Anyone lower and the masses will be calling for blood. Each and every member of the Wizengamot and heads of Departments will be put under scrutiny for any little thing. If what the paper says is true then we have a scandal that we will never recover from. Already the paper is reportedly being sold in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Denmark." She said in anger and frustration.
The minister looked at her in horror.
"What!" He screamed. "How is that possible? The Prophet barely sells in France as it is."
"This isn't the Prophet we are talking about. Gringotts released their own paper. And before you ask I am sure there is nothing in the treaty barring them from making one and distributing it as they wish, especially since it's sold in the bank itself. It is the citizens who are subscribing to it and all we could do is make it illegal to purchase it but that would just drive more people to it or simply go to France and buy it there legally so don't even think about doing so." She said sternly when it looked like the fool was about to do just that.
"I already have someone looking into it but I am sure it is all perfectly legal and well within the treaty agreements. What bothers me is how well put together this all is." She said in exasperation.
She wanted to sneer at the idiot when he looked at her blankly. How the fuck had he been in Slytherin and gotten this far up the ranks in the Ministry.
"This entire thing was planned Cornelius. Think about it." She snapped.
"One. The paper was released on September first. A day the majority of our society looks forward to and even more so next year since it would be the first time we would glimpse our savior. The day is too important for it to simply be a coincidence. That paper was launched today of all days since it would leave a lasting memory in every citizens minds for decades to come.
Two. Sanctuary is rarely ever given and when it is given it is only to those who the Goblin race judges worthy of receiving it. For that young boy to have been given Sanctuary is meaningful. The abuse must have been terrible for them to have granted it to a human. That only bodes badly for us.
Three. This doesn't feel like all of the information. This feels like the appetizer to a full course meal. This paper incited the masses and we are paying for it. It's a masterful plot to throw us off our game and its working. We need to get in front of this fast because otherwise we won't survive the shit storm that has just been unleashed." Amelia ranted.
Cornelius was deathly pale as he absorbed all of the information. Oh how he wished that was all of what the Goblins had in their arsenal. He didn't think the Ministry could survive more.
"What else?"
"I sent a few halfblood and muggleborn aurors to check out on the information of the Dursley's. What they found only confirmed my suspicions. There are human employees from the Bank and even members of their press all over the muggle side of this mess. Harry Potter's case is all over the muggle media. There is no way to contain it. It was in their local news in the morning when they were arrested. A few minutes ago it was confirmed to be a nationwide news story now, something I am sure the goblins helped with. It is being talked about in their papers, radio and television, there is no way to contain it. I had to post undercover aurors in muggle clothes to stop any idiotic witch or wizard wanting to interfere. The Prime Minister will have to be informed of the magical involvement in the case when paperwork doesn't materialize on the Potter line. That is if the Goblins haven't already done so and we look like we are trying to cover up child abuse." (Cornelius groaned into his hands as the shit piled up high.) "We have to move fast, nothing can be swept under the table for this since we don't know what the Goblins know or what the boy is telling them. We look like shit Cornelius. The boy could end our Enclave if he names us as responsible for what happened to him. The ministry placed him in Dumbledore's care and he placed him with those monsters."
"Where is Dumbledore? He has a lot to answer for." Cornelius instantly latched onto the lifeline Amelia had just thrown him. Just as she had planned.
"In Hogwarts getting ready to receive the students. His floo is currently locked to everyone though. Convenient don't you think." She deadpanned with heavy sarcasm that the fool couldn't miss.
"Why don't we pay him a visit? We need answers and we need them now." The Minister said as he stood up and straightened his robes.
"I was just thinking the same. Let's take your private floo. If he won't answer I am sure Minerva or one of the other heads of house will. I can call a few aurors over to the school once we are there. It wouldn't do to open the main door right now." Amelia said as she walked over to the Ministers private floo.
"Very well." Cornelius said as he floo called Minerva's office. "Minerva McGonagall's office, Hogwarts."
It only took a moment for the face of Minerva to appear in the fireplace.
"Finally, I was wondering when you would get off your arses and make your way here." Minerva sneered as she nursed her brandy.
Amelia and Cornelius looked at each other in concern. This was not the woman they knew.
"Can we floo through your fireplace? The headmasters' is conveniently closed." Amelia said as she treaded carefully.
They heard what sounded like 'convenient my arse' being muttered before she waved her wand and motioned for them to floo. Quickly they went through and found her office in a state of disorder so massive that they had no clean surface to stand on.
"You got the paper too?" Minerva asked as she massaged her temples with a look of agony on her face they were sure did not have to do with the alcohol.
"All the high ranking members of the Wizengamot received one as well as the heads of the Sacred 28 families. I have received word that there were some business owners who received one as well. Currently the only way to get one now is to go directly to Gringotts and purchase one there or know someone who received one. I have already signed up for a subscription myself. I suggest we all do so since I am sure this is far from over." Amelia said as she gauged how to best speak to Minerva.
"They were smart about it, a single free sample to entice everyone to buy from them and hook them. (She snorted.) Now the people will pay almost anything for the paper. I bet the Prophet is happy about that." Minerva said with a hollow smile that looked brittle at the edges.
"I believe you are right. So how was the news taken here?" Amelia asked as Cornelius did the smart thing, for once, and stayed quiet probably sensing the strain in the air.
A hollow laugh left Minerva's mouth that turned into a sob.
"How do you think?" She whispered.
"What did Dumbledore say in his defense?" Amelia probed. She needed to know what she was walking into.
Minerva closed her eyes and rested her glass against her head. No doubt wanting the cooling effect from the ice.
"He told me for over eight and a half years that Harry Potter was living happily with his maternal aunt. He said that he wanted for nothing. That he was in a loving home. He lied to my face each and every single time." She snarled the last sentence and threw the glass across the room.
Fudge jumped in the air barely suppressing an undignified squeak. Amelia hid her flinch at the uncharacteristic behavior.
"Is he in his office?" She asked when Minerva sank back into her chair. Her gaze on the wall but her eyes were distant, haunted.
"Yes." Minerva replied.
"Thank you Minerva. We will leave you to prepare for the students." Amelia said in an effort to snap her out of it. It worked since the vacant look left and a determined one entered her eyes.
"Very well. Good day Madame Bones, Minister Fudge." She said as she flicked her wand and opened the door for them. It was a bit rude but no one minded in this instance. Fudge all but ran out of the room. He did not want to be near his old Professor at all.
Amelia and Cornelius left the room hastily as they all but marched to the Headmasters office. Amelia hated that the portraits had most likely already warned the bastard. She hated to deal with the old fool at all. Getting any information out of him was like pulling teeth. She wasn't going to be gentle though. She would get the information she wanted from him or else. Remembering herself she quickly sent for her backup using her badge as a locator spell.
The walk up to the old fool's office was done in silence. Once the Gargoyle was in sight she scowled at it. She was itching for a fight even if it was with an old piece of stone.
(Dumbledore's office) (A few minutes earlier)
Albus Dumbledore was sitting rigidly in his office chair. He was a mixed bag of emotions he was suppressing to keep in control. Being slapped had been humiliating enough without having been hit by one of his oldest and most loyal friends. He could understand why she did so but it did nothing to stop his anger towards her. He had known of her temper and hiding something so large from her had been a risk. He hadn't known the abuse had been that bad however. A few slaps never hurt anyone. Sure the protective instruments monitoring the boy had kept track if he was alive but not if he was well. He had only cast monitor charms for his location, wards and living status. He had counted on what Arabella told him and as long as she said the boy was alive then he didn't really care about the rest.
He knew Petunia hated magic but the level of abuse implied or even stated in the article sounded too harsh to be from her. He was sure it was all her husband. At least that was what he was planning on saying or implying. He needed Petunia only after all, or her son if need be. He was desperately remaking his chessboard in his mind as he tried to rearrange all of the fallen pieces now. He despised having to do so at all but he had no choice. To have his perfect board undone, it was infuriating. To have lost Severus, that had been a blow. He needed to get him back under his thumb as soon as possible. He was still under contract for the school, sadly it was a yearly contract since they both knew the Dark Lord would return and a full contract like the others would not do. He would do everything in his power to have him renew for next year no matter what it took, he didn't think he could bind him in a longer contract other than a yearly one, the boy was not stupid. Thankfully Severus was now more committed in protecting the boy, sadly for him it seemed that Severus would protect the boy from him as well.
The rest of the staff had been livid. He needed to find a way to placate them all. He wouldn't be able to use his usual methods. He was sure Filius would call an honor duel if he tried to read his mind now or tried to potion him or place him under spells. The rest of the staff might be susceptible but they would be cautious now. Minerva and Severus were wild cards as well since they may end up warning them. It didn't help that they were more cautious after Severus wife caught him scanning her. He had even felt Minerva's shields during one of his mild Legilimency scans. He had to stop them after that.
Fawkes thrilled from his spot to soothe his nerves. That had been another thing he noticed once he escaped to his office. Fawkes was even more distant from him now. He knew binding the phoenix to him was a borderline dark act but he could not have lost the connection to his familiar during the war. It would have been a devastating blow for morale and he needed him for emergency transports. Sure he had done some questionable things during the 80's but they had been losing. He hadn't had a choice, it had been for the greater good. Feeling his anger spike Albus quickly pulled out a laced lemon drop and popped it in his mouth. This one had a strong calming drought on it so he could keep his serene persona in place when he was having a bad day.
"Headmaster." A snide voice said his title. "You have the Madame Bones and Minister Fudge on their way here." The voice said now gleefully.
Albus looked sharply at the portrait of an old Headmistress. Her pleased look never left her face. Many of the portraits did not like him. He had taken measures to silence them even further than their original enchantments years ago. He would not let them interfere in his plans. His spells would hold while he held the office. He had made sure of it.
"You are all to keep quiet while they are here or leave." He ordered them.
A few muttered curses and snorts filled the air.
"We know Albus." Said the previous Headmaster Dippet. He had come to despise the man before him. He had once thought of him as a great man of great promise. Now he wished he had never retired and nominated him for his successor. Then again, he had prized Tom Riddle and praised the boy only for him to become a Dark Lord too. He had made many mistakes.
Albus tidied his desk up from all of the screened mail the elves had passed him. He quickly summoned one of them and told it to hold the mail until after his guests left. He did not want either of them to see any of the things he had received in the last ten minutes alone. That had been another thing that had shocked him. He had received a few threatening letters in the past but he had always brushed them off since they were against all of the movements he had done towards the light. Now though, now they were different. He would find a way to seek revenge on all of those who had the audacity to curse his mail or sent him piles of literal shit. He would make them pay.
Hearing his guardian moving to let his guests up the stairs Albus plastered his signature grandfatherly smile. These two may be heads of office but he was The Great Albus Dumbledore. These were children playing in a grown man's world.
Not wanting to deal with a rude knocking he allowed the door to magically swing open with a wave of his hand and he remained sitting to greet his unwanted guests. Once they were fully inside he allowed them to have a proper greeting by standing.
Stretching his arms wide as if he was waiting for a hug Albus smiled at them in his signature way.
"Cornelius, Amelia, what a pleasant surprise. How are you both this afternoon?" He asked as he made no move to embrace either.
"Observe the proper titles Chief Warlock. You may not be able to wield them for much longer once your questioning is over. We are here to know if you willingly or unknowingly placed Harry James Potter in an abusive muggle home." Amelia said seriously as she stared at the old codger.
Cornelius found his spine for once as he was determined to not be blamed for this.
"This is just the beginning of a full blown investigation into your handling of the Potter heir. The muggle side has already launched their own case against the muggle family you placed him with. The Prime minister and The Magical British Enclave will be following the case and ensuring to foul play happens. If need be we will have them tried under potions within the Ministry to know the extent of their abuse."
That declaration shocked both occupants in the room. Amelia was secretly thrilled the idiot was doing something right and it was apparently the right thing since Dumbledore paled at it. She would do all she could to ensure nothing was covered up. Albus however was terrified of what could be uncovered. He would have to get rid of Arabella quickly and ensure no one knew she had lived there at all or had had any contact with the family at all. If the muggle police was involved then that would mean someone had been arrested. He hoped it was only the husband but he wasn't banking on it. All in all this did not bode well for his plans. He could see his imaginary chess board being knocked over once more.
Sorry for the wait. It has been hectic over here in Texas. But things are a little better. I hope to get back on track and keep writing. There are only about two more chapters of September first left. I know it is a lot but there are so many sides to cover. I had to cut out three perspectives because i had second thoughts on them. I did not want to overcrowd the chapters as well.
If there are any scenes anyone would like to see however then feel free to leave that in the reviews or send me a message.
Like always dont forget to Fav Follow and Review.