Chapter Sixty-Nine

Arrest and Investigations

Amelia Bones, Healer Coote and Auror Perkins, as the Senior Auror officially in charge made their way to the interview room that Master Dedalus Diggle had been placed in. He looked a little worn and worse for wear; Azkaban even the minimum-security levels could do that to you especially for an old man like Diggle. Should Diggle be convicted of murder he would be placed in the high security section where he would be exposed to Dementors at all times of the day. It was unlikely he would see the next summer.

'Interview with Dedalus Donald Diggle beginning at thirteen thirty on third August 1995,' Amelia said. 'Interview conducted by the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Amelia Susan Bones and Senior Auror Gregory Emil Perkins. Healer Rafael Coote is present to administer the Veritserum to the suspect.'

'I haven't consented to the use of Veritserum,' Diggle said crossing his arms failing to hide his fear.

Amelia took out the roll of parchment sealed with the plum-coloured seal of the Wizengamot. As a Wardmaster who had been used by the Ministry Diggle would recognise it. Diggle looked paler and his eyes were flickering around desperately.

'This is an Order from the Wizengamot allowing the use of Veritserum on Dedalus Donald Diggle,' Amelia said calmly. 'Is he competent to be questioned with Veritserum?'

Healer Coote nodded, 'indeed Madam Bones.'

'Would you like a lawyer present?' questioned Amelia.

Diggle crossed his arms, 'I've done nothing wrong … I did a great service for the Wizarding World.'

'I think the people who your reckless and immoral actions killed may disagree,' Amelia said dryly.

'That wasn't my fault,' argued Diggle. 'It was his!'

'Well, if you are sure you are willing to wave your right to legal-council,' Amelia waited for the wizard to come to his senses, but none such actions came, 'Healer Coote administer the potion if you would.'

Amelia watched as Rafe administer the potion. It took a few seconds for the glazed look to cover Diggle's eyes.

Rafe nodded, 'what is your full name?'

'Dedalus Donald Diggle,' Diggle said.

'What is your birthday?' Rafe continued.

'2nd February 1894,' Diggle said.

'Vertiserum Validation Questions passed,' Rafe said.

Amelia nodded taking over, 'what was your purpose in the Three Chasers on the 2nd of August 1995?'

'To kill You Know Who's Heir,' Diggle said.

'How did you know he was there?' asked Amelia.

'Headmaster Dumbledore told Sturgis and I,' Diggle replied.

'How did Dumbledore know he would be there?' asked Amelia.

'Mundungnus Fletcher told the Headmaster,' Diggle replied.

Amelia made a mental note to bring Fletcher in for questioning. They would need everyone possible to tie Dumbledore to the crime to get him done for the maximum sentence of conspiracy to commit murder. And Fletcher was still on probation, and he like almost anyone would do anything to escape Azkaban especially a self-serving sneak thief like Mundungnus Fletcher.

'Did Dumbledore tell you to kill Hadrian Salazar Slytherin?' asked Amelia.

'He-Yes,' Diggle said the Veritserum forcing the truth from his mouth.

'Did Dumbledore have any further involvement?' asked Amelia.

'No,' Diggle replied.

'Did he help cover up your crimes?' asked Amelia.

'No,' Diggle said.

Amelia nodded, 'then that will be all.'

Amelia then interviewed Podmore but got nothing else from him that Diggle hadn't told them. Still, she had two witnesses (and possibly Fletcher being a third) under Veritserum admit that Dumbledore was part of a conspiracy to commit murder. That he had provided the intelligence which had led to the attack in the first place. That was all she needed to file a warrant for conspiracy to commit murder.

Amelia assembled a full squad of Aurors, that she could personally vouch for as not being hoodwinked by Dumbledore. Amelia did not want to leave anything to chance if Dumbledore decided to resist arrest. Still there were nervous looks on the assembled Aurors who knew how powerful Dumbledore was.

They arrived at Dumbledore's place of residence in Godric's Hollow that he had been forced to move to after he had been ousted from Hogwarts. Unfortunately, it was obvious to Amelia that Dumbledore was not here. The place had been turned inside out with a lot of Dumbledore's most treasured books and nick-nacks gone. It was clear to Amelia that Dumbledore had left before he could be arrested. Amelia wasn't even surprised given that he had been there when they had allowed Veritserum to be used. He would know that the gig was up, and he would be condemned by the words of his followers.

'We'll have to announce to the papers that Dumbledore has escaped arrest,' Perkins said.

'This is going to be a political nightmare,' Amelia groaned. 'Perkins, I want you to bring in Fletcher immediately, and interview anyone who might sympathise with Dumbledore, especially the Order of the Phoenix. We need to find him before he goes underground!'

Minerva McGonagall returned from visiting Malcolm's daughter, Isobel, and her two babies. Minerva had barely made herself a cup of tea and was just starting on making her dinner when a knock came from the door. Minerva frowned wondering who was calling at dinner time without Flooing in advance. Minerva made sure her wand was in its holster and made her way to the door to find two Aurors at the door. She recognised Floretta Proudfoot who had graduated from Ravenclaw eleven years ago, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, one of her own lions who had graduated in 1968. He had been part of the Order in the last war but had not come back after the first meeting.

'Professor McGonagall,' Shacklebolt said politely. 'Would you mind if we come in?'

'Of course,' Minerva said frowning.

She was sure that this would have something to do with Albus and Harry. Minerva had already been interviewed by the Aurors investigating the charges Harry and You Know Who had levelled against Albus. The Board of Governors also had called her into talk about some of Albus' more questionable decisions. Minerva was well aware that it was her friendship with Albus that had prevented her from being appointed as interim Headmistress and given the way things were going then it was likely Filius would become the fulltime Headmaster before Christmas.

'Would you like some tea?' asked Minerva.

'No, thank you, Minerva,' Kingsley said calmly.

'Do you know where Albus Dumbledore is?' asked Auror Proudfoot.

'His address-'began Minerva.

'We have searched there,' Kingsley said calmly. 'His place is emptied and cleared.'

'Albus has never run from a fight,' Minerva said primly.

Albus Dumbledore frustrated Minerva on a daily basis. Yet, she knew that Albus was one of the bravest men she knew. Minerva felt that he had handled Harry's situation badly and had driven the bright-eyed boy straight into the arms of You Know Who. And now Dumbledore seemed to be gunning for the boy as much or more as You Know Who, which would do nothing but further ensnare Harry into the Dark Lord's embrace, and in doing so Albus was alienating those who would support them. Already the Weasley boys had walked away, and both Kingsley and Aberforth had refused to return to the Order. Yet, even in his more morally questionable actions Albus had always remained resolute and firm in his convictions never backing down from challenging the Dark Lord.

'Even to save himself from life in Azkaban at the very least,' Kingsley said gravely.

'Even then,' Minerva said.

'Minerva, Dumbledore is wanted for conspiracy to commit murder,' Kingsley said gravely.

Minerva closed her eyes and knew that he was behind the attempt on Harry's life; that Dedalus and Sturgis had been operating on Dumbledore's orders. Minerva could only hope that the Ministry had it wrong. Although, many of the Order members had advocated killing Harry Dumbledore had not supported it … but neither had he argued against it. And if he had fled it painted a very damning picture that Minerva wasn't sure she wanted to see.

'If you know anything you must tell us,' Kingsley said gravely. 'Or have any idea where he might be hiding. If you conspire to hide anything from us you may face charges for conspiracy to commit murder after the fact,' Kingsley said sharply.

Minerva breathed in sharply, 'I don't know where he would go if he was running. If Albus … does mean to run, he wouldn't go anywhere he could be located easily.'

'We had thought as much,' Kingsley admitted. 'But any information would be helpful.'

Minerva hesitated, not wanting to betray Albus even if she knew nothing that would help them locate Albus. The idea of betraying a friend did not sit well with Minerva. It was thanks to Albus Dumbledore that she was who she was today. And when the Dark Lord revealed his true nature, they would all need him. Something of what Minerva was thinking must have shown on her face.

'Minerva,' Kingsley said softly. 'I was loyal to him too. But you have to admit that Dumbledore's actions towards Heir Slytherin are … wrong. If we go by Albus' theory; then he stole from an innocent child and had said child violently abused, planted spies at the boy's said … until the Dark side became the far better option, all because of Heir Slytherin's supposed parentage.'

'There is no evidence that Lord Slytherin is He Who Must Not Be Named,' Proudfoot put in sharply.

Kingsley nodded, 'I know, I am in no way claiming he is but for if he was it doesn't change Albus' crimes against his infant child. And if it is true it makes Dumbledore no better than the Death Eaters that we fought against condemning a child for his parentage!'

Minerva couldn't refute that point.

'And if we continue to support him knowing what he did the Heir Slytherin we can no longer call ourselves a force for good,' Kingsley said.

'And if Lord Slytherin is not the Dark Lord,' Kingsley said darkly. 'Then he kidnapped a child, embezzled from his ward and had him abused so that he would be taught not to ask uncomfortable questions.'

'And now that Heir Slytherin has escaped his abusers,' Kingsley said.

'Of which Dumbledore is one,' Proudfoot said sharply.

'Dumbledore is claiming his victim to be the Heir of the Dark Lord,' Kingsley said sharply, 'to excuse his abominable actions.'

'Either way Dumbledore's actions are criminal, and he should be punished by them no matter who were against!' Kingsley said. 'And anyone who conspires with him will be investigated. If you know anything, please tell us. Already four innocent bystanders are dead. Do you want to be responsible for more?'

Minerva sighed, 'I don't know where he would have gone. I know that he has a brother in Hogsmeade, but they are … distant from one another, so I doubt he would have taken him in. I also know that he has been holding meetings at the Weasleys.'

'Thank you,' Kingsley said.

O-O-O-O

'You shouldn't have told her that,' frowned Floretta Proudfoot.

Floretta had become an Auror after the war so had never worked alongside Albus and Minerva. Nor was she a Gryffindor with any loyalty towards them. And she was right that Kingsley had behaved unprofessionally but Minerva wasn't the only one who had been taken in by Albus Dumbledore. Kingsley had walked away when Doge had proven that Lord Slytherin was not You Know Who.

Kingsley had gone directly to Madam Bones who had been highly unimpressed. Kingsley had been suspended without pay for two weeks whilst an investigation was conducted. Thankfully Kingsley hadn't actually committed any crimes, so they were forced to allow him back in. but he was given a dressing down, demoted and his pay cut. Kingsley thought that Madam Bones was going to push for legislation to prohibit Aurors joining private organisations.

'I know,' Kingsley admitted. 'But Minerva wasn't the only one to trust Albus Dumbledore.'

Floretta still frowned and Kingsley had no doubt he would be called into discuss his actions with Madam Bones before the day was out. Floretta was hired after Alastor was retired and was from a Neutral family. Kingsley was sure that Auror Proudfoot was under orders to keep an eye on Kingsley's actions.

'We should have brought her in for questioning,' muttered Floretta.

Kingsley shook his head, 'Minerva would never have given up Dumbledore like that. She is stubborn and loyal and would not betray Dumbledore, not even to save her own neck. She would only give up Dumbledore if she came to understand that Dumbledore is no longer the hero we fought with in the last war.'

Floretta still frowned, 'we should go and speak to Professor Snape.'

Severus Snape scowled as he heard his doorbell sound. It was unusual for somebody to ring his doorbell. The Muggle-repelling charms kept his Muggle neighbours away from his house. And his colleagues and fellow Death Eaters would rarely visit him at his home.

Still, he went to door anyway and was not completely surprised when he saw two Aurors at his door. That would explain it, they must have interviewed Diggle and Podmore under Veritserum. Probably, wanted a completely airtight case before Dumbledore went before the Wizengamot.

'Can we come in, Professor?' asked Shacklebolt.

Shacklebolt had been part of the Order before Dumbledore's various plots had come to light. He had left at the same time as the Morant brothers had done so. But was that just an act, so Dumbledore could keep a spy that nobody else knew of? Severus doubted it, because although Dumbledore would be more than willing to do so he didn't think Shacklebolt would be the type to do so, and he had not been involved in any of Dumbledore's plans for Hadrian Slytherin and his child.

'If you must,' Severus replied with a sneer leading them to his living room. 'Well, have a seat,' Severus said.

Severus waited until they were seated and then followed suit. He surveyed the two Aurors. Shacklebolt had graduated long before he had taken over from Slughorn and in the last war had kept him at arms distance not believing he had really defected. Now he was surveying Severus with that same distrustful look. Proudfoot, however, he had taught for four years and she had been one of the few Gryffindors who managed to gain an Outstanding. She had been passionate and outspoken back then, and but she appeared to have calmed down since then, or at least been tempered.

'Professor Snape has Albus Dumbledore contacted you?' asked Shacklebolt.

Severus raised his eyebrows, 'could you be more specific? He has been my employer for almost sixteen years. We have been in contact.'

This is not where he was expecting the line of questioning to go. He was expecting them to be asking for information about Dumbledore's crimes. Probably, thought that he too was involved in the plot to kill the Dark Lord's son. If Severus had known about if before the fact, he would have reported it to the Dark Lord who would never have let it go that far!

'Since this morning,' Shacklebolt said.

'We have a warrant out for his arrest, but he had already fled,' Proudfoot said.

Severus blinked at this revelation. Somehow, he wasn't surprised that Dumbledore had seen where the wind was blowing and sought to get out of dodge. For a Gryffindor he was very Slytherin but given Heir Slytherin's own sorting Severus knew that the house system seemed to be broken beyond all repair because if not Dumbledore, Slytherin, Granger and the youngest two Weasleys at the very least would be Slytherins.

'I can assure you that had I known where Dumbledore was, I would have informed the Ministry and Lucius,' Severus said sneering at them both.

Well, he would have informed the Dark Lord first but given that the Dark Lord was using the Ministry of Magic for his own aims it was likely that Severus would have been requested to inform the Ministry anyway. As much as the Dark Lord wanted Severus' position as a spy to remain secure, he wanted his son safe more. And as long as Dumbledore was free Hadrian Slytherin would never be safe.

'We know that Dumbledore kept you out of Azkaban,' Proudfoot said.

'He did,' Severus said glowering at them. 'So, you are under the impression that I feel honour bound to protect him in turn.'

'More that he may have evidence on you,' Shacklebolt said.

Severus sneered again, 'I can assure you that none such stuff has ever been discussed. But let's say if Dumbledore did have any evidence on me about my actions as a Death Eater you should know that as a part of my deal to give evidence against Death Eaters, I was acquitted of any actions I may have taken part of as a Death Eater. So even if he did have evidence on my actions as a Death Eater it would amount to nothing. The worst that would happen is that the Board of Governors would not want me teaching children.'

'We have had reports that you continue to meet with him and his Order of the Phoenix,' Shacklebolt said.

'I have,' agreed Severus.

He would have to be careful here because if Shacklebolt was Dumbledore's man anything he said would get back to him. However, Severus could easily say he was lying to keep him from going back to Azkaban so he could get revenge on the Slytherins. Dumbledore may doubt him but after acquiring the semen he had more than earnt Dumbledore's trust.

'Why?' asked Shacklebolt.

Severus thought for a second – he had two choices of what to say now. Either he could tell them that he was report to Lucius Malfoy, but they would be likely to confirm with Lucius. And if it got back to Dumbledore then he may be inclined to believe it. Or he could once more use Lily Evans as an excuse.

Severus sighed and got up to his dresser where he kept his most precious objects. Severus found an old picture of him and Lily when they were children. They were at the park where they often played. They smiled broadly, having no idea of the tragedies of their own choices would befall them. Severus placed the photo down in front of the Aurors.

'Is that Lily?' asked Shacklebolt surprised.

'She grew up a few doors down,' Severus said. 'We were best friends growing up. Until House rivalries and bad influences drove us apart,' Severus said affecting a heavy sigh.

'You mean Death Eaters,' Proudfootsaid sharply.

'They weren't Death Eaters then,' Severus said equally sharply. 'But, yes, that is who I mean.'

'So, despite your Muggleborn best friend, you still signed up to those who hunted her kind,' Proudfoot said looking disgusted.

'My past,' Severus said coolly. 'Is neither here nor there. I have never sought to conceal or justify my past sins, and nor shall I now.'

'I am sorry for my partner's unprofessional outburst,' Shacklebolt said calmly. 'Please go on.'

'After Hadrian Slytherin was born, she made me promise to protect him, which I swore to,' Severus said.

'On your magic?' asked Shacklebolt leaning forward slightly.

Severus nodded, 'indeed. Heir Slytherin may not be her natural son, but she died for him so if I can keep Dumbledore's trust, he can tell me his plans for the boy, and I can protect him more than if I broke ties with Dumbledore.'

'Then why have you not informed the Ministry of his plans?' demanded Shacklebolt.

Severus sneered, 'do you really think that Dumbledore does not still have people in the Ministry. You yourself were one not such a long time ago. If I lose Dumbledore's trust, then I cannot protect the boy.'

Shacklebolt winced.

'Then what have you been doing with the information?' asked Proudfoot.

'I have been keeping watch on the situation so I can step in at the right moment,' replied Severus.

'And the attempted assassination of Heir Slytherin?' asked Shacklebolt.

'I was not informed of that,' Severus admitted. 'I believe that Dumbledore reacted taking advantage of the first time Heir Slytherin was out without his father's protection. I don't know where Dumbledore has gone, but I do know that he is obsessed with Heir Slytherin, and his child. He will not have gone far – he will be somewhere he can still contact his followers and get to the Slytherin Heir.'

'If Dumbledore does contact you, inform the Ministry immediately,' Shacklebolt said.

'Of course,' Severus said.

Of course, Severus would be alerting the Dark Lord first, but they didn't need to know that. Severus wasn't sure if they believed him or not. But they weren't arresting him, but Severus was sure he would be being watched.

'Now, is there anything else?' asked Severus.

'No, I think that will be it for now,'

The two Aurors saw themselves out soon after that. And Severus made his way to the Dark Lord's Castle to inform him of what had happened. The Dark Lord would want to know what the Aurors knew so he could plan what to say to them if they came knocking.

'Severus, what has Dumbledore done now?' asked the Dark Lord.

'Fled, before he could be arrested from the sounds of it,' Severus replied. 'I had a visit from the Aurors.'

'They are likely visiting all known associates of Dumbledore,' the Dark Lord said darkly. 'What did they want to know?'

'Mostly, if I knew where he was or if Dumbledore, had contacted me recently, and why I was still in attending meetings,' Severus said. 'Don't worry, if it does get back to Dumbledore, there is nothing that will make him believe that I am betraying him. I informed them of my history with Lily and claimed that I had sworn to her to protect her stepson, and that I was spying on Dumbledore to do so, waiting to betray him until I had enough information to bring him down permanently.'

The Dark Lord nodded, 'and they bought it.'

'I believe so,' Severus said. 'Either that or they did not have enough evidence to arrest me.'

'Good,' the Dark Lord said. 'And if it does get back to Dumbledore, he will just believe that you are lying to him. You did well, Severus.'

'Thank you, my Lord,' Severus said inclining his head slightly.