A/N: Updates should become more recent. Also, really going to start going AU from this point forward.

A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 29

May 2, 1992

Great Hall, Hogwarts, Scotland

Edmund gave Hermione a scared look. She looked terrified.

"Don't worry, I have heard Professor McGonagall shall be healthy in a few days and return," Professor Flitwick said from the Head Table. "In the meantime, all her classes shall be canceled for a Study Hall."

"Ed," she said.

Not for the first time in the last week he was mentally hitting himself for sitting on the opposite side of the table. He knew why, but if something were to happen, would he get to her in time. Now, she needed him and he was not immediately there.

"Come on," he told her.

"Should I come," Neville asked.

"Please," Hermione said, Daphne standing with her. "Maybe Lady Longbottom can find out what happened if the Professors won't say."

Harry stood too and the five of them walked up to talk with Professor Flitwick. As they approached, Quirrell had a look of triumph on his features while Snape looked dower. The other Professors looked concerned. He held his arm out and Hermione moved to his side. This was their Auntie and she was his best mate. She wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I know what you want. Would you come into a side room," Flitwick asked them.

"Yes, Professor," they said.

"Severus and Aurora, can you watch the Hall?"

Snape looked at them and nodded. They all followed Professor Flitwick, who had been joined by Professor Sprout, to a side door off the Great Hall. It opened into a small antechamber. "Professor, is Auntie Min alright," he asked.

The man looked at him with a long face. "I am uncertain, Mr. Evans-Potter. She has been taken to St. Mungo's."

Hermione wrapped her other arm around him and pulled tight. "What happened," she asked.

"I am sure some of this will be in the Prophet tomorrow. There was an altercation between the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall that led to wands being drawn," Professor Sprout said.

He felt his heart thud in his chest. "What type of altercation," Hermione asked.

"We don't know. We really can't say anything if we did," Professor Flitwick said.

"Neville," he turned to his best mate.

Neville nodded, looking pale. "Professor's, can I use a floo to contact my Gran."

"I would like to contact my parents too," Daphne said.

"I appreciate that you would like to help your friends, but this is with their families," Professor Flitwick said.

"We are Allies. Per Wizengamot Law, I am allowed to contact my parents in the case of emergency. This is an emergency with my Ally," Daphne stated, pulling herself up tall.

Professor Flitwick nodded. "If you will follow me, you can use the floo in Professor McGonagall's office."

He looked at Daphne, trying to say how thankful he was to her. She nodded to his unsaid thanks and took Hermione's hand when she offered it.

As they walked up to Auntie Min's office, Hermione had her hand in his and was squeezing as hard as she could. "Your Auntie will be alright," Neville said behind them.

"Thanks, Nev," he said.

"Of course she will. Who else is going to give us detention as much as Snape," Harry said.

There was a strained chuckled among them. Hermione sniffed. It was quiet after that. When they got to her office, Daphne called through the floo first. When she pulled out, she warned them. "Father is coming through."

A moment later, Lord Greengrass stepped through the flames. He still wore his nice day clothes and robes. He didn't bother with the normal formalities as he looked around. He looked at them quickly before turning to Professor Flitwick. "Filius, what is going on?"

The small man frowned. "Minerva has been taken to St. Mungo's. I am not sure of her condition, but Poppy thought her wounds quite severe."

Hermione gasped and hugged him. He wrapped her into him. "Can we see her," he asked.

Lord Greengrass looked at him. "Filius, I will be escorting her godchildren to St. Mungo's if it is that dire."

Professor Flitwick shook his head. "I can't allow that. Minerva is their magical guardian and without her approval, they must stay here."

"I want to see Auntie Min," he told them. Fear causing him to speak much louder than he should.

"Filius, you will find it filed that myself, my wife or Lady Longbottom can act Guardian in her stead. Edmund, Hermione, Harry, do you need anything," he asked.

"Father, I would like to go to," Daphne told him.

"As would I, Lord Greengrass," Neville said.

The man looked at them. "My little swan, this is a night for close family. If everything is well, I can take you tomorrow. Scion Longbottom, I do not have the authority to allow that."

Edmund elbowed Neville out of gratitude. He got an elbow back. "We can leave now," Hermione spoke for them. He felt her fear and desire to go get their Auntie. Lord Greengrass looked to Harry.

"Ready?"

Harry nodded.

Lord Greengrass gave a quick hug to Daphne before going through the floo. Edmund was not a fan of the floo, but it got them to the main lobby of St. Mungo's in moments. It was also infinitely better than the Knight Bus. He came out and turned to catch Hermione as she stumbled out. Typically he would say something to see her flush, but tonight was not one of those nights. Harry came out behind them, silent and reticent. Normally, he would notice, but tonight he was only thinking of Auntie Min.

He remembered a lady at the front counter. The desk was at the far side of a waiting room with a dozen people or more. Some wizards and witches in Lime Green robes. There was an elevator and then they stood outside a room talking to a Healer he recognized. The tall blonde woman had helped him before. He was sure of that. "Healer Tonks, can you please let us know of her condition?"

The woman looked at him. "You know I can't unless you are family," she told him.

"Minerva has given emergency contact and rights to my wife and I. Her godchildren would like to see her if they can," he told her.

She pursed her lips. Nodding to Lord Greengrass she turned to them first. "If you three can be very quiet and not bother her, you can go in and see your Auntie," she told them. Edmund was impressed that her tone was of that of a grownup talking to a grownup.

"Thank you," Hermione said before pulling him in.

"How bad is it," Lord Greengrass asked.

"Not good. She had a good cut on her leg that had been healed very poorly. Whatever she got hit with in her chest broke four ribs, dislocated a few vertebrae and then was starting to dissolve the bones. It was a nasty piece of work," she told him. Edmund had stopped just inside the door to hear that and then see Auntie Min laying in a bed. She looked very pale and old. Older than he had ever seen her. He knew she was up there in age, but she had never looked so frail.

Hermione waited at his side until he moved again. Harry had come inside the door, moving to stand against the wall next to it.

"Auntie Min," Hermione said moving to the bed side and putting her hand in their Aunties. He put a hand on her leg. This woman was family. She had been there almost as much as his parents. Hermione was the only person that had been in his life more than Auntie Min. She breathed steadily and lay so still he was worried she would stop breathing. Hermione wove her fingers into his. He held her hand tight, knowing how this was affecting her.

They didn't say anything for a bit. Lord Greengrass came in with Healer Tonks. "We need to send an owl to mum and dad to let them know she is here," he told Lord Greengrass.

"I will visit them once I get you lot back to Hogwarts," he told them.

"How bad is she hurt," Hermione asked looking at the adults.

"She will need a few days to heal and recover. Madame Pomfrey was able to get to her in time to prevent any serious damage that we couldn't heal."

Hermione let out a sob and leaned into him. He put his head on hers. "What happened," he asked. "We were told the Headmaster was taken to the DMLE. Why did they duel each other?"

"We don't know," Healer Tonks said. "Lord Greengrass..."

"Anders, please."

"... Anders. There isn't much her godchildren can do here tonight. I think it best they go back to Hogwarts and get a good night's rest."

"I don't want to leave Auntie Min," Hermione said standing tall and moving away from him, as though she was going to protect their Auntie. He moved to stand behind her. He would be resolute in this too.

"As commendable as that is, she has been given a sleeping draught and will not wake until tomorrow. If Anders agrees, I am sure she will be in a better state to receive visitors tomorrow after lunch," Healer Tonks told them in a soft tone.

He put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "You will tell us if anything happens," he asked.

"I shall come to the school as soon as I can if she worsens, Edmund. But Healer Tonks has assured me she will be better. It will be several days, if not longer, though before she is fully healed." Lord Greengrass was trustworthy. He had not seen anything to dissuade him of that. Hermione nodded and moved back to Auntie Min's side.

"We will be back tomorrow, Auntie Min. Get better," she said before placing a kiss on their Aunties forehead. She moved to the side to let him do the same.

Harry hadn't moved from where he was. "Harry, you alright," he asked.

Harry nodded. "Professor McGonagall will be alright? She needs to be better. I don't want to be separated from Edmund," he said to Healer Tonks.

"Mr. Potter, you will not be separated. Your Professor will be good as new very soon," she said kindly back.

"Harry. You're Godmother has named myself and Iliana your guardians should anything happen. You will not be separated from your brother or Hermione and you will not be removed from the Sylvans'." He looked at Harry until he nodded. After that, he turned to them. "That goes for you two as well. Now, it is getting close to your curfew at school. We should be heading back."

"Yes, sir," he said looking at his Auntie again. Hermione gave her another kiss on the forehead before taking his hand. Edmund felt the comfort to have her hand in his. Before any of this stuff in the last few weeks, they were friends. He still was. He hadn't controlled her before, so was it worth it pulling away from her? Especially at times like this.

As they walked to the door, she let go of his hand. "Come on, Harry," she said gently. He felt she was still trying to keep tears back. "We aren't leaving you."

Harry gave her a wan smile and looked at him apprehensively. Edmund shrugged. If that was who she wanted tonight, who was he to say no. Harry nodded and let Hermione lead him away. Lord Greengrass followed but stopped just outside the door when he didn't follow. He looked at Healer Tonks. "You will make sure she is alright and let us know if something happens," he asked her. He knew he was just a child to her, but it didn't mean he wasn't concerned for a woman who had always been there for her.

"I will, Edmund. Now, get off to school. You can see her tomorrow afternoon."

He nodded and let Lord Greengrass steer him to the elevator.

-oOo-

May 4, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Edmund was in a better mood today after seeing Auntie Min yesterday. She had looked so much better, but still under the weather. They had been told not to worry, and he was inclined to believe her. Lord Greengrass was to come mid-afternoon to take them back today.

Hermione, on the other hand, had been very quiet today. After breakfast she had gone to the library, not wanting anyone around. He didn't like that with their Auntie in the St. Mungo's, but he let her go, knowing sometimes they all needed their space. Thus, he found himself in the greenhouses with Neville.

"Gran said she was going to visit this afternoon and that I could come," Nev told him piling some manure into a narrow wheelbarrow. Edmund tried not to turn his nose up at the pungent dragon dung. He felt he needed to be with a friend today, so he had gone off with Neville. Daphne had told him she would keep an eye on Hermione. Edmund trusted her. He found that he would only trust Neville, Daphne or Harry if they had told him that.

"As long as you don't smell as bad as this shite," he told Neville, who just grinned at him.

Madame Sprout was a row over with another student who was helping for the day. He was glad she didn't care if students swore, especially during class when something bit, stung or whipped you.

"It smells better than you most days," the blonde boy retorted.

Edmund chuckled. He so much liked the Neville now compared to the Neville at the start of the year. "Surprising since I'm not the one usually buried up to my arm pits in this. What do you use for soap? Troll turds?" Neville laughed and punched his arm. "Oh, yuck. Now it's on my shirt!"

Neville shrugged. "Guess I need to get the elves a present for cleaning your clothes up."

He gave his best mate a glare. "I liked you better before you fought back."

Neville grinned and moved the wheelbarrow down the row. "A handful into each pot. Stay away from the tentaculars. Madame Sprout doesn't want us touching those yet. They give a nasty bite and the poisonous ones will turn your skin green or blue for days."

"Brilliant" he said. If all this stuff wasn't so useful for potions, he would burn the whole lot. He was not a fan of magical plants, except when they were brewing.

They had almost finished the row when Professor Sprout came by. "Very good boys. I see Longbottom has been showing you the proper way," she said with a smile.

"Yes, Professor," he said wiping his brow. The greenhouses were hot, even for May.

"Very good. Don't forget to take a swig of water now and again. I think you both earned five extra credit points for next class. When you are done, please clean up your tools."

"Yes, ma'am," Neville answered her. After she walked away, Neville moved to the plant next to him. "Are things good with you and Hermione now? You seem back to your old self after last night."

He focused on the plants. He wasn't sure if he was ready to talk about everything yet. As far as he knew, only Harry and Hermione knew it all. He felt guilty keeping it from his best mate. Next to Hermione, Neville was his best mate. Harry was family though. "Nev, can I tell you something?"

Neville looked at him and nodded. Edmund sighed and then told him all about their bonds. "Can you tell me where Hermione is now," Neville asked. He could tell Neville was trying not to act surprised. Before he thought about it, he turned and pointed towards Gryffindor tower. Either she hadn't gone to the library or was already back. He blinked for a moment, not realizing he could do that.

"Wicked," Neville said with some awe. "So what does this mean?"

Edmund smiled before it fell. "It means she's stuck with me."

Neville gave a grin. "I get why you feel sad. I wouldn't want her with a Troll either," he snarked.

Ed chuckled. "I hate you, Longbottom."

"Feelings mutual, redhead," he retorted. After a moment, their mirth died and Neville nodded. "When you mean she's stuck with you, you don't just mean as in the bond, do you?"

Edmund sighed and moved to the next plant. Only two more to go. "The Goblins say we are betrothed."

"Oh, bollocks," Neville said to him. Edmund tried to focus on placing the dragon dung. As he did, he could tell Hermione was moving somewhere. It was away from the tower and more towards them. "You aren't taking the piss?"

Edmund shook his head. "Like I said, she's stuck with me."

Neville helped to finish the last pot before they went to the hose at the old hand pump. "You know, Ed, Hermione really likes you."

Edmund took the pump and started to crank as Neville washed out the wheelbarrow over the drain. "She's my best friend. She's Hermione. It seems... odd to think of her that way."

Neville shrugged. "Why?"

He looked at Neville as though there was a hole in his head. "Are you serious? She's my best mate. You are too, but not like her."

Neville went to put the wheel barrel away. "Good. I don't want to wear skirts."

Edmund laughed to have the image in his head. "Good. I'd have nightmares for weeks."

"Oi! I have nice legs," Neville said.

"For a troll," he responded. Neville went to punch him in the arm and he stepped back. "Slow like one too."

Neville had been running and working out with them, so he was actually quick. Hermione and him had started to teach him what they knew about martial arts. Edmund looked forward to going back over the summer. He did wish they could do it at Hogwarts though.

"I'll show you who is slow," Neville groused as he stepped in. Edmund stepped back, looking over his shoulder to make sure he wouldn't fall into the pile of dragon dung and Neville tried to playfully swipe at him again.

Edmund laughed. "Yeah. Not afraid."

Neville smiled. "You watch your back Evans-Potter."

A short bit later, they were walking back to Gryffindor Tower. He needed another shower before lunch. Hermione and Daphne were waiting for them at the doors. He smiled when the girls scrunched their noses. "What did you do, roll around in dragon dung," Hermione said to him.

"I told him that's not how you take a bath," Neville said and the girls laughed.

"Oi! Last time I help you." He elbowed Neville, who elbowed him back.

Daphne still had her nose scrunched. "Serious. Did you roll in dragon dung?"

He rolled his eyes. "No. I am going to take a real shower. Longbottom can roll in the mud."

Neville eyed him before turning to Hermione. "You going to stop him or just let him keep making fun of me?"

Hermione eyed him back. "As far as I am concerned, you both need to go jump in the Black Lake."

Edmund chuckled. "Care to join," he asked her.

Her eyes went wide and she scrambled behind Daphne. "Don't you dare," she shrieked.

Daphne pushed Hermione as she moved away from them. "I swear you touch me, Evans-Potter, and you'll have green hair for a month."

"I would like to see that," Neville said.

He moved towards the girls and Daphne drew her wand. "Auqamenti!"

He was moving as her wand came up and he twirled as water shot out of her wand. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL," Neville shouted as the water sprayed him in his face before she quickly turned it on him. He had grabbed his wand, but wasn't fast enough to get a tickling charm off before being doused with frigid water. "That is bloody cold," he cried out.

Both girls laughed before turning. "Be in the entry hall at noon," Hermione yelled behind her. His wand was up but they turned a corner before he could cast anything. He stood there, dripping wet from head to toe. Neville put a hand on his shoulder, making a squelching sound when it hit his sopping wet cloak. "I think they need some pay back."

Edmund nodded. "You realize that they will retaliate."

Neville shrugged. "I could use a real challenge."

"And I'm not a challenge?"

"No," Neville said in a nonchalant tone.

"Watch it, Nev. Once we get them, you could be next."

Neville shrugged. "Like I said. No challenge."

Edmund laughed. "You think we can make it up to the tower without running into Filch?"

Neville shrugged again before taking off. "I know I will," he called over his shoulder and Edmund took off after him.

-oOo-

May 5, 1992

London, England

Minerva sat up in bed. It was the first time in days she could do so without help. Her bones had finished healing and the pain was receding. Whatever she had been hit with, she was deemed lucky to have survived. Her anger at the man had only grown as she thought about Saturday.

Albus, Leader of the Order of the Phoenix, the man who always advocated non-lethal force. The man that always preached tolerance and salvation. The man that had tried to kill her when she would not go along with his machinations.

She had never known him to be that way. Maybe she just had been too blind to see it. Until he had split Harry and Edmund, she had followed him blindly. Always believing that he was doing the right thing and leading others to do the same. After this experience, she wondered how many others had fallen prey to his schemes, maybe even being eliminated by the man, or manipulated into traps or the right place at the wrong time? How many other Houses had had their inheritance stripped from them?

Albus had been part of the Wizengamot since his twenty-first birthday, when he took up the mantle of Sir Dumbledore. The Dumbledores were a page house to the River-Blacks, who were allegiant to the Blacks. This had secured them a seat on the Wizengamot, a seat that was later turned into the Chief Warlock in 1963 after he helped to depose Minister Tuft. The crazy man had proposed to start breeding Dementors to use as guards at the Ministry and other places.

Maybe she should mention this to Lady Bones when she came to see her.

She also needed allies, lots of them. It was better than even odds that Dumbledore would find a way to get out of the DMLE holding cells, and she held no illusion she had just made a powerful and deadly enemy. Would any of his allies abandon the man if what really happened came out? Or would she be facing criminal charges, instead of him? Her only real hope was in the old Potter alliance. Would they heed her call? The last two requests had gone unanswered. Between the Potters and the three from the Peverells would put a good ten houses in her court in the Wizengamot. It would weaken Albus by three or four if they stuck to their old alliance. More if she could figure out who might still be allegiant to either Potter or Peverell. Without the old Library and records from Potter Manor, it was a slow slog for the Goblins to research through old documents to determine such. It was also costing a small fortune, about G10,000 each month they looked, but with her godson's accounts mostly in order again, they were earning interest and returns, so the cost was not coming from their main funds.

In the meantime, she was writing down the Prophesy. She would need help with this, but she wasn't sure who to turn too. Albus was still powerful and had many allies. Bones was her only real route she could see, but she wasn't sure if she should trust the woman. Outside the Ministry, she knew that Augusta and Anders should know about this. She was asking them to keep her godchildren safe.

Again, alliances. If the Dark Lord was to come back, they would need a strong alliance. One that wasn't afraid to act the way it should. Looking back, she was wondering if the Order could have done more to stop You-Know-Who last time. It was going to be even more imperative this time. She would not let her godchildren, or any child if she could help, fall victim to that monster again.

She didn't have much more time to think on it before a soft knock came at her door.

"You can come in," she said, looking at the clock. It was hours before Anders could take her godchildren.

As the dreaded vulture entered the room, she smiled. It was a good thing it was dead and stuffed. If it had shown up in the last day or two she would have throttled it. The greying woman, who's head it sat on, opened the door wide and stared at her. "If you needed a break, you old puss, the Governors would have approved it."

She smiled at her old friend. "You old bat. I hope you brought something with you," she told her.

"How about someone," she said walking in the room. Behind her was Amelia Bones.

Minerva gave her old student a smile. "Lady Amelia Bones. Received ten OWL's, seven NEWT's, including an outstanding in Transfiguration and a troublemaker," she said to the woman.

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "I was not that large of a troublemaker," she said.

Minerva laughed. "I still have that cage that mysteriously showed in my class one day. It had a kookaburra bird that kept repeating... hmm. What was it?"

"McGonagall is a koo, koo, kook," Amelia said with a smile. "I hope my niece is as inventive."

Augusta laughed. "I don't remember hearing about that."

"Yes, it was quiet amusing, for the first hour. Then it went on for two weeks before I figured out how you bound it to the cage and prevented it from being vanished," she said. "As for your niece, she is a model student, for now. Though if she keeps hanging out with my godchildren then I am sorry for corrupting such a nice girl."

Amelia gave a hearty laugh. "One can only hope. I have heard they have gotten up to some trouble, so my niece isn't totally innocent."

"No. She stands by her new friends, and I hope old allies," she asked. It was better to sound out the waters now before she revealed anything she shouldn't.

Amelia looked at her, her merriment dissipating. They regarded each other for a few. "It has been more than a decade that a Potter took up that mantle," she told her.

Minerva nodded. "It has been more than a decade since a Potter could. You know this. I know you have been involved with the investigation into Harry."

"Yes, well, the Bones have been the Allies of the Potters for almost fifty years and I felt it was my responsibility to see how it was going. Is it true, Minerva? Was he really isolated from our world? I have read the reports and find it hard to believe," she told her.

Minerva pursed her lips and looked at Augusta. She needed confirmation that Amelia was still with them. Augusta sat tall. "The Longbottoms have stood by the Peverells and the Potters for almost six hundred years. We will never abandon an Ally. I knew your parents and I never figured you as one of those people, Madame Bones."

Amelia bristled. "Listen, you old bint. The Bones do not throw away alliances, but the Potters disappeared a year and a half before they were murdered, not telling anyone of the Alliance what was going on and then for ten years no one contacted us. The old Potter Alliance has had five meeting since those boys miraculously appeared this year and not once was our invitation accepted to attend. As far as I can tell, we remained faithful."

Minerva stiffened. "Amelia, were they addressed to Potter or Peverell? I have been Regent Peverell since August, but only Regent Potter since March. I have received missives only about House Peverell, but nothing about both houses until last month when Gringotts started to send me statements. It is possible all letters went to the previous Regent, since Potter is the Liege of Peverell."

Amelia sat still. Minerva sat there, watching the gears turn in her head. "You are talking of Albus Dumbledore, aren't you?"

She tried to keep her face calm. "That wasn't just a spat between us losing our cool. Albus is less than pleased with me for what I have done for my godchildren. They are my world, Amelia. I was never blessed with the opportunity to be a mother, but I view each of them as my own and have done everything to protect them as a mother should."

There was a hard look between them. "I know you have refused to talk to my Aurors until you talk to me. What happened?"

"Before I say anything, I need to know your loyalty to Albus Dumbledore. Are you with the Potters, Dumbledore or the Alliance you have founded," she asked. Minerva was going to need to get closer to Amelia again. She can't teach, be Deputy Headmistress, run the Regency of two houses and deal with the Wizengamot and Ministry. She needed help and a team she could trust. Her godchildren and the others of Hogwarts were her top priority.

"I am not a stooge of that man. Personally, I hope to hang him by his bollocks, but I suspect you know as I do, he is extremely skilled at covering his tracks. He also has a core group of supporters that are just as fervent as those that once supported You-Know-Who. If you wish to call the old Potter Alliance, I would consider releasing a few houses as your first order of business. They will support Dumbledore no matter what."

"And what of you," she asked.

"My niece is involved with the group around your godchildren. She is the last Bones and I am too old now to bare anymore. They have already shown their willingness to keep her safe and include her. From what I understand, many of the children of the other old alliance members have naturally gathered around them, even those that Dumbledore controls," she said.

She couldn't keep a smile off her face. "Yes. They do remind me much more of Fleamont than James. He naturally collected people and their loyalties."

"He did," Augusta said. "Amelia, we need to know. Where do you stand?"

Amelia leaned back in her chair and looked at them. "I have grown accustomed to leading my faction. We have been the only check against Dumbledore and the Pureblood tripe's. I also cannot see you leading this, Minerva. Not unless you plan to leave Hogwarts. As you love and will do anything for your children, I would do the same for mine. If you are willing to instead back me, I will happily lead the old alliance until such time as Susan or one of your brood is old enough to figure out what to do."

"I will promise you this, if you decide this route. I will treat those boys as they are my own. I owe Fleamont that much. He helped my parents out many times before their untimely death, and then supported me when I was still young in the Ministry."

"You will include Heiress Peverell and my grandson in that mix," Augusta asked. When Minerva looked at her, she scoffed. "You don't think the wizarding world knows about your godhchildren now? Her betrothal to Edmund will be published soon, if not already scheduled. My sources say it has been recognized as such since March. Neville is also friends with Hermione and Edmund. I don't see that changing and I don't want it too. I am also not as young as I used to be. If I pass for some reason Neville must be represented in the Wizengamot."

She understood. All three of them had people they loved. All three of them would do what it would take to keep them safe. After a moment, she nodded. "I can accept those terms, Amelia."

Amelia nodded. "Your grandson and Heiress Peverell shall be considered as such. Now, what happened between you and Albus? We have a very short time left to try to nail him to the ground. His supporters are already trying to get him free and calling for you to resign."

"I shall do nothing of the sort," she said indignantly. "If that manipulative old windbag thinks he can get away with this, then he is wrong. The bastard tried legilimancy on me, and I am positive he was doing it to erase memories and alter my mind."

Amelia's eyes narrowed. A small smile came over her face. "Tell me what happened and then I would like two copies of your memory," she told her.