Chapter Seventy-One

Aliases

Filius was unsurprised when two Aurors came into his new office that he was in the process of updating so it was more to his liking. Instead of cabinets of strange objects designed to impress, wow (and if he was not wrong to spy) those who came into Dumbledore's office, he now had his favourite books ordered alphabetically. He had changed the wards of the office so if he was in here alone before curfew, anyone could walk in (with or without a password) as he personally felt that a Headmaster should be able to be approached by the students he served.

Filius had been unofficially headmaster for less than two months, and in that time, he had been trying to get a handle on all of the things that Albus and Minerva had done wrong. Firstly, there were the wards which were in serious need of updating as they had not been officially updated since Dippets time. Then there were the number of complaints about staff that Dumbledore had not seen fit to investigate. Then there were the missives from Madam Pomphrey and several Heads of House about concerns they had about students' home lives which were once again not passed onto the proper authorities.

Finally, there was the finances which despite having less than half of the teachers they had during Dippets day there was still the same number of salaries being paid. Salaries to teachers that Filius knew did not exist and never had existed. Filius had requested that his father, who worked in Gringotts look into these accounts and tell him who entered the vaults. Because if he was right Dumbledore was not just embezzling from young Heir Slytherin, but Hogwarts herself.

And the fact that either Minerva had either known and done nothing or was not performing her duties at all was more than concerning. The next Board meeting was in a few days and Filius had requested to be there. He took no joy in seeing another of his colleagues investigated but after everything Albus had done … well his duty was to the children of Hogwarts and not his colleagues even if they were old friends. And if Minerva was unable to perform her duties, they needed someone who could.

So, all in all when the Aurors came to question him once more about Albus, Filius was not surprised. In fact, he was surprised that it had taken them this long to attempt to arrest the human wizard. If it had been someone of non-human heritage Filius knew that it would have been done in a few hours. That was the kind of double standard that their society was governed by.

Nor did it surprise Filius that Albus had slipped through the net – he always was too smart for anyone's good. Filius had already been in fourth year and in Ravenclaw, by the time Albus came to school. But he saw the way that the young Dumbledore boy had managed to wrap everyone he met around his finger by the end of his first term.

Filius sighed, 'I can, assure you Aurors that if I knew where Albus was I would tell you. You have no idea what mess he has left for me to clean up. Nor how much damage he has caused to Hogwarts.'

'What do you mean?' asked Shacklebolt frowning.

Filius sighed heavily, 'well for one the wards are woefully out of date, so I am going to need a Wardmaster to come in and update them before Hogwarts starts up in four weeks' time.'

'And you think they will need that long?' questioned Proudfoot.

'I hope not, but as they have not been so much as looked at since Albus took the position I am seriously concerned about the safety of our students at school,' Filius said darkly.

'How often are they supposed to be checked?' asked Proudfoot frowning.

'Dippet seemed to be having them checked every year in the summer,' Filius said. 'Unsurprising given that he lived through Grindelwald's War and knew the devastation which could be wrought.'

'So did Dumbledore,' pointed out Proudfoot scowling.

'Yes,' agreed Filius. 'But apparently, he did not share Dippet's concerns about our children, which brings us to the second point – Albus has been completely negligent in his handling of both his staff and his staffs' concerns about their pupils. I have forwarded no less than forty students medical records and head of houses' reports to the Department of Magical Children.'

Shacklebolt gasped, 'forty.'

Filius nodded gravely, 'it is horrifying. I am going to change the way that the Matron and the Heads of House report such cases, so that the Headmaster can suppress the information again! But that is not here nor there.

'My third concern is that I highly suspect that Albus has been embezzling from Hogwarts. We have less than half the teaching staff that Dippet did. Yet, he is still paying the same number of salaries. I have found salaries paid to seven teachers who do not and never have existed.'

'Can you give us the names?' questioned Proudfoot.

Filius nodded, 'I was waiting on my fathergetting back to me on who had been accessing their vaults before I took the information to the Board. But I can see why having any possible alias' would be useful.'

Filius took out the seven files of the "teachers" details that Dumbledore had kept in between the real former Defence professors who had come and gone over the decades. But Filius knew from the Hogwarts accounts that they were still being paid monthly. Well, until Filius had stopped them in July when he had taken over.'

'Thank you, Professor,' Shacklebolt said.

'No problem,' Filius said.

'If you think of anything else do contact us,' Shacklebolt said.

'Of course, Aurors,' nodded Filius.

Amelia sighed as she came out from talking to Molly, the last Weasley to be interviewed. None of them had said anything of note, but Amelia knew there was more to the story than she was being told. Amelia knew when she was being lied to whether it was about Dumbledore or other potential crimes she did not know. Perkins was already present looking tired.

'Any luck?' asked Perkins.

Amelia shook her head, 'none. Miss Weasley appeared to cooperate, but she did lie to me about the last time she saw Dumbledore– nothing that I can prove without a shadow of doubt. Mrs Weasley refused to answer any questions, aside from saying she agreed with Dumbledore. We could probably charge her with conspiracy, but it would be unlikely to stick without further evidence. What about the male Weasleys?'

'Ronald Weasley all but confessed to the embezzlement charges so that helps,' Perkins said. 'And admits he wants Heir Slytherin dead.'

'Its not against the law to wish harm upon people, just act on those desires,' sighed Amelia.

'I caught him in a lie about speaking with Dumbledore recently,' Perkins said.

'That's better,' agreed Amelia. 'But all we could charge him with is perverting the course of justice.'

'But I do believe he doesn't know where Dumbledore is,' Perkins said. 'Arthur was more helpful – he heard Diggle and Podmore advocating assassinating Heir Slytherin. He claims he didn't believe them, but we could charge him with negligent homicide as he heard the plans and did nothing. I asked him if he knew anything else – he said no but Arthur Weasley is a terrible liar.'

'I got that impression too,' Amelia said darkly.

Amelia needed to be allowed to question Arthur and Molly under Veritserum if she was going to get to the bottom of this. Of course, she could not do the same to the children as it could negatively affect their brain development. But naturally she was sure anything they knew their parents should also know. Otherwise, there may be additional abuse charges to level on Albus Dumbledore.

'I think we need to question Mr and Mrs Weasley under Veritserum,' Perkins said.

'Yes, I agree,'

She couldn't wait another month to request it at the next scheduled Wizengamot meeting. Luckily Albus Dumbledore's crimes at the Three Chasers officially labelled him as a terrorist so under the Terrorism act of 1974,she could call an emergency Wizengamot meeting with only twelve hours' notice. Amelia knew several of her peers who would hate it, but the longer Dumbledore would out there the more chances he had of killing more.

That was when Aurors Shacklebolt and Flitwick marched into her office looking very excited about something. Maybe they had actually had luck with Dumbledore's colleagues. Certainly, nobody else had any luck with Dumbledore's associates; either they knew nothing or stonewalled them.

'Madam Bones,' Shacklebolt said. 'We have possible alias' for Albus Dumbledore.'

Amelia straightened up, 'what?'

'There are seven teachers being paid, who according to Professor Flitwick do not exist,' Proudfoot said.

'So, Dumbledore embezzling from Hogwarts too,' Amelia said.

'That's what Flitwick believes,' agreed Shacklebolt.

'Do you have the names?' Amelia asked.

Proudfoot passed over a pile of seven files that had records of these false teachers.

Freya Golpalott – Ancient Runes Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1901.

Samuel Journeux – Charms Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1909.

Johanna Perrot – another Runes Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1991.

Alistair Ballcocke – Defence Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1988.

Bartholomew Trefle – Divination Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1910.

Maristela Bullock – Astronomy Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1987.

Kari Leonardsen – Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Started working at Hogwarts in 1970.

'Tonks, Gosforth, Shacklebolt, Gosforth, I want you to find everything you can on these supposed teachers,' Amelia said. 'Perkins and I will talk to Gringotts and see if they have anything on the records of these individuals.'

'Doubt goblins give up information on clients,' muttered Perkins.

'They will when they find out that it is on someone who has stolen from them,' Amelia said. 'Goblins hate thieves.'

'Professor Flitwick did say he was asking his father for information,' Proudfoot said. 'With his heritage he's likely to get it faster than us.'

Amelia nodded, 'true, but we need it to be official. Otherwise, we can't use it in Wizengamot, should we need to prove it in court.'

'And us ma'am?' asked Proudfoot.

Ooo

Cornelius was still in his office when Amelia Bones came charging in. He had spent the whole day putting out fires. Half of the population was furious that they had the audacity to arrest Albus Dumbledore. The other half were furious that they had let the person behind the deaths at The Three Chasers escape justice.

'Madam Bones, any news on Albus Dumbledore?' asked Cornelius.

'Perkins' team is running down leads,' Bones said. 'And we have the four Weasleys in holding cells. I would like you to call an emergency Wizengamot meeting to ask permission to question the adults.'

So that's why Bones wanted to speak to him. Usually, it would be the Chief Warlock who was the only person able to call non-routine Wizengamot meetings. But, with the Chief Warlock elections yet to be voted on Cornelius as the Minister of Magic was the interim authority.

'Do you think they know where he is?' asked Cornelius.

Bones hesitated, 'I don't know … but they are hiding something from us. Even if they don't know where Dumbledore is, I believe they know what he is planning so that means what he will be doing next and where he may be. And it would be remiss of us not to question those who have already been charged as co-conspirators of Albus Dumbledore.'

Cornelius nodded, 'yes, I agree.'

'And as Dumbledore is an active threat,' Bones continued. 'He has masterminded a terrorist plot and is likely still attempting to kill an Heir to a Wizengamot seat, so we should call it with twelve hours' notice. I am sure both Lords Malfoy and Slytherin would agree.'

Yes, as both of them had almost lost an heir in the attack Lucius and Lord Slytherin would be the first to campaign for a Wizengamot meeting first thing. The Progressive Party would argue that they were favouring the Traditionals. However, if it had been a Traditional to do what Dumbledore had done, they would have called him a Dark Lord and had him and any so much as associated with him arrested for conspiracy. So not it was fair to do the same to Dumbledore.

And Cornelius was no fool; he could see the tide was turning. The power of Dumbledore and the Progressive Party was waning. Dumbledore had lost his seat, and it was looking likely that they would have their first Traditional Chief Warlock in 120 years. It was best for him to curry favour with the traditional.

Cornelius nodded, 'I will send out a demand to attend an emergency Wizengamot at session at eight in the morning.'

'Thank you,' Bones said.

Amelia had to go back home to have dinner with her niece. Susan said she didn't mind, that the House Elves would make her food and she could look after herself, but Amelia couldn't leave her fifteen-year-old to fend herself for the whole summer. Balancing being the Head of the DMLE, and the guardian of a teenager was complicated on the best of days. And currently it was a nightmare given the political upheaval going on with Dumbledore's plots coming out.

Amelia had become the Head of the DMLE in 1993 when Susan was already thirteen. She had first been asked to become the Head of DMLE in 1982, shortly after Crouch had been forced out, but she had was the single parent of a two-year-old so had turned down the position. Not that juggling being a Senior Auror with being a single parent was much easier.

'Aunty, you look tired,' Susan said looking at her with concern.

'Long day,' Amelia said. 'I'll have to go back after dinner … I'll come back at eleven and say goodnight.'

And make sure that her niece was not talking on the Floo until the wee hours of the morning as she was wont to do.

Susan looked worried, 'but you've been gone since before I got up! How many hours did you work today?'

Amelia didn't answer – not wanting to admit that she had lost track of how many hours she had been at work for. She had had breakfast at about nine and had not been back since so had worked something like thirteen hours straight. She had only had one break at two where she had gone home got a quick bite to eat and then slept for half an hour. She had barely had time to say more than two words to Susan all day.

'I'm sorry, Susan,' Amelia said. 'Once this is all over, we'll go on vacation.'

'I don't mind that,' Susan said softly. 'I'm worried about you! You've been working twelve-hour days for the past week. You're going to burn yourself out!'

'Susan,' Amelia said softly. 'I have to do my job, or more will die.'

'Because of Dumbledore?' asked Susan.

Amelia pursed her lips, 'you know I can't talk about my work.'

'Is Harry alright?' asked Susan.

Amelia sighed, 'Susan.'

'Is he really pregnant with Lord Malfoy's child?' asked Susan.

'Susan,' Amelia said again.

'Yes, yes, I know, you can't talk about your work,' Susan said. 'Is … is it dangerous?'

Amelia sighed, 'there's always a degree of risk … but this isn't like the War … Dumbledore doesn't have the support You Know Who had.'

Susan still looked worried. Amelia wished that she could comfort Susan that she wasn't going to be killed like her parents had been. But she couldn't make any promises – Dumbledore had already proven that he was quite happy to kill innocent bystanders who happened to be around at the time.

'Susan, I'll be back soon,' Amelia said softly. 'Don't worry. And do your homework. I'll be back later.'

Gregor Perkins was making his way through the streets of Diagon Alley. The shops were shutting, and some people were making their way to the pubs and restaurants. Gringotts was still open due to the Goblins keeping nocturnal hours (they only opened in the day for wizards' sake) and allowing vampires and hags and other nocturnal species to do their banking there. Gregor found himself in line behind a bronze skinned goblin.

It took Gregor twenty minutes to move to the front of the line. If this had been a Wizarding establishment, he could have flashed his car and skipped the queue, but the Goblin Nation being a sovereign entity would not hold with that. He could find himself thrown out of the bank in a second. Still, it was irritating and had Gregor gritting his teeth the whole time.

'I am Senior Auror Gregor Perkins, I would like to talk to King Ragnok about an ongoing investigation concerning a suspect,' Gregor said harshly.

'Do you have an appointment?' asked the goblin.

Gregor nodded, 'Madam Bones, Flooed ahead.'

The goblin checked, 'good, follow Teller Stoctuld.'

Gregor followed a short, plump goblin with bright golden eyes through the halls of Gringotts to the King's majestic office.

'Auror Gregor,' greeted the King gruffly.

'Albus Dumbledore, has been embezzling from Hogwarts under these names,' Gregor said trying not to bristle at the Goblin's slight at using his given name without permission. 'I … if it would not be too much trouble I would like to see if we can tie Albus Dumbledore to the vaults in question.'

The King nodded, 'I have little love for humans … but the thief is our enemy too. He stole from us and has yet to pay us back. So, we will help you.'

'Would you be willing to testify against him in a court of law?' asked Gregor hopefully.

Ragnok sneered, 'I would prefer to cleave his head from his shoulders … but, seeing him tortured by those foul beasts will have to do.'

Gregor shifted slightly at the reminder that the punishment for almost all crimes was considered torture. There was a reason that some Wizarding nations like France did not have extradition with Britain because they considered the practice barbaric. But Britain had little choice as they had no way to destroy Dementors, and if they weren't fed, they would still need to feed. It was better for them to be allowed to feed on the guilty than feeding on innocents.

'Freya Golpalott, has a single vault, opened in 1981 via OWL – supplying appropriate legal documemts,' Ragnok said. 'All communications done via OWL. Same story with the rest of them except Kari Leonardsen – she has two vaults; her original vault was opened in 1955 and has been untouched for twenty-one years, the second vault was opened about two months after the original vault was last touched.'

Gregor frowned, 'it sounds to me like he might be using the names of the dead – is there any records of closed down vaults under those names?'

'Johanna Perrot and Maristela Bullock, their vaults were closed, and the money moved to their heir's house, and a few months later a new vault under the same name was opened by OWL,' Ragnok said.

'And what happens to the money?' asked Gregor.

'Seems, that very little is kept in the vaults – just enough to keep the vaults open,' Ragnok said. 'The rest is used to purchase precious gems. They are then shipped out to … the Burrow Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon, the Bur – they are all shipped to the Burrow.'

'How was this not spotted before?' demanded Gregor harshly.

Ragnok raised an eyebrow, 'they each have the different Bank Manager … so the unusualness of the situation was not spotted. I can assure you that we will be changing the way vaults are opened and managed to make sure this does not happen in the future.'

Gregor nodded hoping that the Tonks and Gosforth had found something more substantial than he had. He knew that Dumbledore was committing identity fraud and embezzlement which would help to prosecute. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to tell them where Albus Dumbledore might be.

Amelia arrived back at the DMLE offices at the same time as Gregor did. Shacklebolt and Proudfoot were going through the DMLE files for any mention of the names alongside Kingsley. Tonks and Gosforth were at the tax department doing the same. Immediately, Amelia called a meeting knowing she would have to make it quick – they would need to finish shifts soon enough as they would have to be back early the next morning.

'Any luck with the goblins?' asked Amelia.

'They were surprisingly helpful,' Perkins said. 'They must really hate Dumbledore. It seems that the accounts were opened by OWL with proper identification … but other accounts with the same name were closed shortly before. I suspect he's using the identities of deceased witches and wizards to open fraudulent accounts.'

'That seems at line with what we have found,' agreed Kingsley. 'Johanna Perrot, Half-Blood, who was killed in an accident at Hogwarts in 1974 when she was only fourteen. Moody classified it as an, tragic accident but reading the transcripts and witness testaments I would say it was criminal negligence on the part of Hogwarts – she was using an ancient school broom that was out-of-date and the flying charms failed when she was fifty feet in the air. There really should have been a more thorough investigation,'

Amelia frowned at the story that she was being told. The fact that Alastor had made such questionable judgement where Dumbledore was concerned was worrisome. That alongside him possibly faking his death a few months prior meant that Amelia was going to have to set up a team to go over Alastor's old cases with a fine toothcomb. But that was tomorrows problem.

'Over a decade later and an account was opened in her name and she began teaching Runes,' Shacklebolt continued. 'We've found similar stories with Maristela Bullock. She was born in 1960 and was killed in 1970 by her parents when it became clear she did not have magic. Again, several years later a vault opens at Gringotts.'

'We have yet to find the other names,' Proudfoot said.

'I think I can explain that,' Gosforth said. 'Freya Golpalott was a real Hogwarts teacher between the years of 1901 and 1930, before retiring.'

'However, according to Hogwarts records, it seems that her salary continues to being paid,' Tonks continued.

Amelia nodded, 'that would make sense. Now what is he doing with the money?'

Amelia hoped that it was something like buying a house that they wouldn't automatically associate with Albus Dumbledore. But somehow Amelia didn't think it was going to be that easy. Dumbledore was too clever by far.

'He's been using them to buy precious gems,' Gregor said.

'Why?' frowned Gosforth.

'Because all galleons have individual identification numbers printed onto them so we would be able to track them,' Proudfoot explained. 'Gemstones are far harder to track – Dumbledore could have sold them to jewellers and pawn brokers, and we will never be able to relate them to him.'

'Do you have a copy of the statements?' asked Amelia.

Gregor nodded, 'yes.'

'First thing in the morning and you will go around the jewellers and pawnbrokers and see if they remember who sold them,' Amelia said.

'Oh, we haven't even got to the best bit,' Gregor said. 'The gems were shipped to the Burrow so ties the Weasleys to this embezzlement.'

'That is helpful,' agreed Amelia.

'I want you all to go home and have as much rest as possible,' Amelia said. 'I want you all back here at-

She stopped when Ernestine McLaggen of the Department of Magical Children arrived back looking serious.

'Are Mister Ronald and Miss Ginevra Weasley still here?' asked McLaggen.

'Yes, we were just about to release them into your custody,' Amelia answered.

Legally they could only keep minors in custody for up to six hours which would be at about eleven o'clock at night. Of course, as their parents were still in custody, they would have to be transferred into the DoMC until a proper placement could be found for them. Fortunately, the DoMC seemed to be as interested in them as she was.

'I would like to talk to them about their home lives,' McLaggen said. 'Mr Weasley said several concerning things … and I've looked into his legal records. I think his parents have been using him to commit crimes. I would like to ask them for more details, and whether or not Molly and Arthur Weasley are the best place for them. Will that be alright?'

'Of course,' Amelia said. 'Will you be conducting a medical exam on them?'

'I wasn't going to, but it would be within my rights to do so,' frowned McLaggen. 'Why?'

'Let me know the results of Miss Weasley's medical history,' Amelia said.