Sipping a cup of tea Molly Weasley smiled now everyone would know just what their precious golden boy was like. Ginny would get attention she deserved after what he had done to her. A better life was on the Horizon for both of them and it was all thanks to Harry Potter.
Hermione let out a shriek of rage when she read the front-page story. It was all there in black and white.
Someone had spoken to a reporter and painted Harry in a not so flattering light. She knew exactly who had spoken to them and when the Auror guard arrived to stay with Harry that person was going to be in a world of pain.
As Minerva left the dungeons she could hear the sound of glass breaking and great racking sobs. Severus had lost it when she showed him the article it was side that Minerva never thought she would see again.
Inside the classroom Severus sank to his knees and howled. He sobbed and banged his fists on the ground. This was more than he could take, someone was destroying Harry's life and he felt powerless to do anything about it.
Kingsley stood in Minerva's office and hour later. He had told her of his conversation with Arthur Weasley that morning and what they had decided to do.
Minerva explained that Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott had approached her at breakfast and filled her in on the plan Hermione had come up with the night before.
Nothing was found when they searched the girls' dorms or Ginny's belongings. The only logical conclusion was that Molly had what they needed.
The Headmistress added what Poppy had told her when Ginny was leaving the hospital. She agreed that it was a good idea of Kingsley's to get George to visit Molly he had a very cunning mind.
A third year Ravenclaw boy bent over the bowl of a toilet in the boys bathrooms when he had read the article in the Prophet at breakfast he had fled from the hall and shut himself in a cubicle.
He knew that he would have to tell someone what he knew and soon. He liked Harry Potter and didn't think he should be getting the blame for something he hadn't done. No matter what the outcome he had to do what was right.
He splashed his face with water took a deep breath and headed for his next class which happen to be with his head of house. He resolved that by the end of the lesson he would tell the Professor what he knew.
It was unfortunate that the Professor was not in class that day. They had a substitute Professor. Henry figured he would have to tell someone else, but didn't know whom.
Severus' patience was tested a lot that day especially in the 8th year Potions class. Ginny Weasley sat at the workbench with a smug look on her face.
A copy of the article was sticking out of her Potions book Severus wanted to rip it from her and blast the thing to hell where it belonged. He kept his composure not wanting to give the redhead the satisfaction of seeing him lose it.
Minerva had spoken to him at lunch giving him time to calm down and restore the classroom to its natural order. She explained the conversation with Kingsley and also Arthur and George Weasleys willingness to help.
He in turn spoke to Draco and Hermione asking them to drop some subtle comments about the missing note and how it would be the key to proving Harry's innocence. As they both wanted to see Ginny squirm they agreed to take part.
'Did you hear that the boy who gave Harry the note from Hagrid has been questioned by the Minister and Professor McGonagall' Hermione said nonchalantly.
Blaise told me it was a third year from Slytherin' Draco replied.
Severus watched out the corner of his eye as Ginny Weasley strained to hear what was being said.
She left her bench at one time pretending to be collecting more ingredients, she lingered for a moment until Severus told her to get back to her seat and finish her work.
When the class was dismissed Ginny was the first one gone from the room. Draco and Hermione followed close behind. She went out into the courtyard that led up to the Owlery and figured she was sending her mother a letter.
During dinner she attempted to corner Blaise and ask him who the third year was that gave Harry the note. She sounded panicked and was quite pale. She did fire up when Blaise ignored her and kept on eating.
Slumping down at another table she tried to think who it could have been. She had never seen what house the boy was from when she made Hagrid hand the note over.
She wasn't close enough, and by the time she got to the Great Hall the boy had left and Harry already had the note.
It had been a lucky that Harry went to his room after classes had finished before he left for the forest. Ginny had snuck in behind him and waited for him to leave before retrieving the note.
She needed to find that Slytherin and wipe his memory. She had wiped the brainless oafs memory but if the kind went and told Hagrid he remembers being given the note then everything was bound to fall apart.
George met Arthur outside the Ministry and together they apparated to the Burrow. A surprise visit was best they had decided, as Molly wouldn't have the chance to hide anything.
Both men entered the kitchen to find Molly at the sink. She jumped when she heard the footsteps behind her.
'George Arthur you didn't tell me you were coming tonight, I would have cooked you some dinner had I known' she smiled.
'I have just come to collect and few things from the shed Molly then George and I are eating out.' Arthur said stiffly.
'I need some stuff from my room for the shop' George grinned.
He headed up the stairs before she could answer. He went into his parents' bedroom and looked through some of the drawers where his mother often kept important things. Finding nothing he thought for a moment then an idea came to him.
Closing the door quietly he tiptoed over to his sisters room and opened the door. He levitated the bed and removed the loose floorboard Ginny always hid things she didn't want anyone to know about.
Jackpot he said when he saw the note sitting on top of a photo of Harry he also found a quill the end had been chewed he took that as well.
George put the note and quill in his pocket replaced the floorboard lowered the bed and left his sisters room. Grabbing boxes from his room the redhead walked back down stairs to the kitchen.
'Got what I need so I'll be off' George said cheerfully
'Sure you won't stay dear?' Molly asked
'Another time mum, I better go and find dad' he left through the back door and made his way over to his fathers shed.
They left the Burrow and walked into the shop. George put the boxes down and turned on the lights.
'Did you find it?' Arthur asked his son
'Yep sure did, it was in Ginny's room under her bed.' He took the note from his pocket and gave it to his father. 'I also found this' George showed his father the quill.
'I'll give this to Kingsley in the morning hopefully they will be able to use it to clear Harry of any wrongdoing' Arthur said with hope etched his voice.
'I wish we could see Harry' George sighed.
'I spoke to Kingsley about it, he said he doesn't think Severus would let us anywhere near Harry, I think he blames all of us for the state Harry is in and I can't say I blame him. Arthur hung his head.
'Lets go and have something to eat and a glass of Firewhiskey' George suggested
'Sounds like a good idea' Arthur agreed.
Locking the shop up the two men walked the short distance towards the Leaky Cauldron. Both men trying to push away the feeling of guilt they both felt over Harry.
Severus sat beside Harry caressing the side of his lovers face and relishing in the beauty that was Harry.
'You need to come back to me love, we know it wasn't you and we are trying to find a way to prove that.' Severus spoke quietly.
'I might have to give you extra homework and detention if you don't wake soon. You know how grumpy I get when students miss lessons'
'Don't tell him that Uncle Sev he'll never wake up' Draco laughed from his seat.
'You're probably right there Draco' Severus mused.
'You need to wake up Harry so you can help Draco with his love life' Hermione giggled.
'Do tell Miss Granger' Severus smirked.
'Don't you dare Hermione' Draco blushed.
'Like he doesn't already know Draco you are his godson.' Hermione retorted.
'If you are referring to Mr Zabini then yes I have noticed my godson giving him wanton looks in class and in the Great Hall' Severus chuckled at the look on the blondes face.
'You really need to wake up now Harry I refuse to accept dating advice from these two ingrates.' Draco huffed.
'I happen to be well versed in the area of dating thank you dear godson.' Severus smiled.
'Yes versed in dating Harry not versed in organising my love life' Draco replied.
Somewhere deep in the fortress of his mind Harry smiled at the antics going on around him. They really had no idea.
Draco and Hermione left a short time later. Severus kicked off his shoes and climbed on to the bed beside Harry, he pulled him close and breathed in the scent that he loved so much.
'I don't know where you are my darling Harry, but please know that nothing on this earth would make me love you any less I love you more with each passing moment.
My future is with you I want to experience life with you Harry have a family with you.'
Severus saw tears fall from Harry's eyes; he held on tighter and prayed to the gods that his love would soon come back to him.
Draco was staring into space when he heard a knock on his door. When he opened it he saw Blaise Zabini.
'Wanted to see if you were alright' he said.
Draco burst into tears Blaise moved towards the blonde and gathered him up in his arms. Shutting the door he led Draco into the sitting room.
Lowering himself on to the sofa he held his friend and let him cry.
Draco cried himself to sleep in Blaises arms. The Slytherin summoned a blanket from the bedroom and draped it over himself and Draco, he kissed his head and closed his eyes.
The third year Ravenclaw boy named Henry lay in his bed staring at the curtains. Berating himself for not saying anything, he promised himself that tomorrow he would talk to Professor Flitwick at breakfast.