Chapter 16
Retail Therapy and
The Beginning of Justice
The eighteenth of November, dawned crisp and cool, the Scottish weather cooperating for once to give the students a fall day that made this Hogsmeade weekend perfect. Adhara and Daphne sat down to eat breakfast together and asked Pansy what had the entire hall whispering. The Parkinson Heiress couldn't hold back her snicker.
"Didn't you know? Apparently Ronald Weasley is rather taken with his Great Aunt! Lavender has been telling everyone about it. He was hooking up with her last night and instead of saying her name as he came, he cried out 'Tessie!'"
Daphne's eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and horror, and Adhara was staring at Pansy with her mouth hanging open. Suddenly they heard a shriek from the Gryffindor table and turned to see what the commotion was about.
Ron had just entered the hall, still half asleep, and attempted to sit next to Lavender.
"Ronald Weasley, you stay away from me!" She shouted, practically crawling into Pavarti's lap to try and put as much distance as possible between herself and Ron.
"Lav, I swear I don't know what happened last night, I'm not like that!" Ron pleaded.
He just knew that Fred and George were behind this. Why was everyone trying to ruin his life?
"Fred and George must have slipped me something. You know how they are! Please Lav, let me make it up to you!" He begged, but she wasn't having it.
"I don't care what you think happened, you disgust me!" Lavender continued, doing an impressive job at imitating a banshee.
Adhara quickly scanned the length of the Gryffindor table and didn't see either of the Weasley Twins. Just as she realised they were nowhere to be seen, Fred and George appeared on either side of her, each wearing their trademark smirk of mischief. They leaned in and planted a kiss on each of her cheeks.
"It's the best we could do on short notice 'Mione. Bill told us what he could. We're with you and Harry all the way. He's no brother of ours." Fred whispered before pulling back.
She had tears in her eyes as she looked at them both, and threw her arms around them to hug them.
"Thank you, boys. Thank you."
George squeezed her hard before letting go.
"Just because I'm curious, what did you use?" Hermione asked.
"Love potion." The twins replied together, and Hermione laughed out loud.
"You brilliant, brilliant men. Whatever help you need with your shop, you let me know. And I'll match the galleons Harry gave you to open the shop. Don't bother protesting, because it won't get you anywhere."
She kissed them on the cheek and shooed them off so they all could eat breakfast. Ron had fled from the Hall as the whole school mocked him, his face as red as his hair with embarrassment and anger.
Adhara and Daphne finished eating and left the Hall quickly, each girl wearing a thick sweater, jeans, and mid-calf boots. Daphne had initially protested at the jeans, but as soon as she tried them on and saw her figure in the mirror Adhara knew she'd hooked the blonde bombshell on another muggle fashion trend.
The two witches linked arms as they walked down to the village, Daphne talking Ada's ear off about the different fashion trends from her favourite countries, her preferred fabrics, and what she thought could potentially work well with Adhara's skin. She also peppered Ada with questions about more muggle fashion and what specific designer labels she knew of.
The girls walked into Gladrags and Daphne set to work grabbing a number of basic items for Ada to try on, in a multitude of colours. Once they had found her four sets of everyday robes she liked, Daphne headed over to the formal wear to hunt for social function pieces. As they were skimming the gowns, Daphne asked casually, "So, what's with you and Theo?"
Adhara stopped where she was and squeaked, "Nothing."
She refused to meet Daph's eye and her obvious avoidance made Daphne snicker.
"Right because that reaction doesn't speak volumes. Spill, Miss Malfoy! I want to know all the details."
Ada sighed, knowing that the subject wouldn't be dropped until Daphne was satisfied.
"I suppose I should start by telling you that Theo is technically my betrothed."
Daphne's eyes widened at this.
"That contract must have been signed before you were taken!"
"It was. We were four when our parents agreed to it. I honestly hated the idea when I learned about it last month."
"You hated it? Why? Theo is a wonderful guy!"
"I know that. Theo wasn't the issue... betrothal contracts just don't exist in the Muggle world anywhere except for in a few select cultures. Not even the British Royal Family uses them anymore. So the idea that a parent could decide the fate of his son or daughter without their consent doesn't sit well with me at all."
Daphne gestured for her to continue as she pulled a gown from the rack running her hand down the fabric before putting it back.
"Theo'd been in my heart for years, but I didn't want to force him to choose between his friends or me. We're on opposite sides of this war Daph."
Daphne looked pointedly at the brunette before speaking candidly.
"Adhara, I have no doubt that you and Harry can win this war. You will help him take down the Dark Lord and make our world safer. As a Muggleborn you were everything he didn't want thriving in the Wizarding Community, and you excelled to the point of earning the nickname, 'Brightest Witch of the Age,' by the end of our second year at school! You've been top of our class the last four years and that isn't going to change simply because you now have a new last name.
"Bring your experience from the Muggle world. Those of us with brains can see the flaws in our parents' and grandparents' logic. It doesn't matter that you're the Golden Girl and he's the son of an Inner Circle member. The so-called Light side is just as twisted as the Dark if they're willing to rip a child from their family. You're not the only one whose interests are with someone on the other side of the line, but you're the only one brave enough to do something about going after them right now, and the rest of us need that."
Adhara was taken back by the candid passion Daphne spoke with. Such emotion was uncommon in the Slytherin Ice Queen, but she immediately felt grateful that Daphne was comfortable enough with her to open up like that. Ada walked around the rack and hugged her friend tightly.
"I'm going to need a top notch wardrobe designer to help me take down both sides of this stupid war." Ada looked the blonde square in the eye as she asked, "Ready to help me lead the rebellion?"
Daphne's answering grin was the perfect expression of wicked mischief. "Let's show these boys who really runs this world."
"Perfect." Adhara said, and Daphne prompted her to finish the story about Theo.
"Well," Ada sighed, "I got Mama and Papa to promise that I could get to know Theo on my own terms and that if we weren't compatible, that they would void the contract. I thought I loved Harry, but it just wasn't going to work. He and I both need someone who understands the nuances of Pureblood Society, a partner who was raised in that world that can help us navigate it with as few blunders as possible. Especially Harry with his four bloody Lordships." She muttered at the end and Daphne choked on air at the number.
"Four?"
"Four. Potter, obviously, and you heard him say Slytherin and Gryffindor when he gave Umbridge the boot. His fourth is just as powerful as the Founders titles, but you'll have to ask him which House it is specifically. I don't think he wants that information known to very many people."
Daphne got a calculated look in her eye for a moment before shaking her head.
"Daphne, I may not know you very well yet, but I know that look. You're plotting something for my best friend. He wouldn't happen to be the one holding your…. interest on the other side, would he?"
Adhara giggled as the blonde imperiously set her face into a mask of indifference, pretending to check her nails as she replied, "I can neither confirm nor deny, I am merely cataloging the information away for use at a later date."
Adhara let out a belly laugh at this, doubling over to catch her breath once she'd calmed down a little. She then let Daphne fully take the reins and put her in anything, and the girls walked away with two bags full of skirts, blouses, outer robes, and a gown each. They made their way to meet the boys for lunch and enjoyed the rest of their afternoon as carefree teenagers.
Sunday was a lazy day for everyone, each of them choosing to take a sort of mental health day and just exist. The entire group of Gryffindors and Slytherins ended up eating a picnic lunch in the seventh floor corridor near where the Room of Requirement could be found. There was no small amount of awkwardness in the beginning as the teenagers floundered for a topic of discussion until Adhara decided to mention Quidditch. She, Theo, and Neville sat back and ate while they watched the rest of the group argue about strategy and taunt each other about who would win that year's House Cup.
Ginny and Draco went at it on the benefits of a strong Seeker versus a team of cohesive Chasers, and Daphne jumped down Harry's throat about how broom skill was just as important as broom model, something Harry disagreed with as he claimed to be able to beat Draco to the Snitch any day on any broom. Daphne found the idea ludicrous and told him as much. The bickering continued until bets were placed and a scrimmage set up, the one thing Draco and Harry agreeing on being that more practice could only benefit their teams.
The group separated to their House tables for dinner, not expecting this Sunday to be any different from another day. By Saturday afternoon the majority of the school could replicate Ron's look of horror at realizing he didn't see the busty blonde he expected between his legs and instead only saw his Great Aunt. Lavender was pouting, continuing to viciously fan the flames of Ron's social ostracization. He sat alone at meals and was rarely seen outside of classes.
The Headmaster had continued to only appear at mealtimes and kept himself hidden from the rest of the castle's occupants. Unfortunately for him, Remus had informed Amelia Bones of this fact and so when the Aurors came to arrest Albus they did so during Sunday's evening meal. Ron had just slipped into the Hall and sat on the very edge of the table when the doors to the Hall opened and in walked Amelia with Kingsley Shacklebolt, Lucius Malfoy, and Augusta Longbottom right behind her.
Albus rose from his chair as the group of four reached the Head Table.
"Madame Bones, I believe I know why you're here. Why don't we all head to my office and talk there. There's no need to do this in front of the students."
Lucius sneered and Kingsley shook his head at the Headmaster.
"I completely disagree with you Albus. There are two students present who need to witness justice being served for your crimes against them, and another student who is also being brought in alongside you." Amelia's voice was firm, and she turned from the doomed Headmaster to face the student body.
"Hogwarts students and staff, I apologise for the spectacle. As I'm sure you're aware, there have been ongoing investigations involving Miss Adhara Malfoy, also known as Hermione Granger, and Lord Harrison Potter. We are here today with warrants to arrest Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore in the case of Adhara Hermione Narcissa Granger-Malfoy on one count conspiracy to kidnap a magical child and multiple counts of illegal use of magic against a minor.
"Headmaster Dumbledore is also to be arrested in the case of Lord Harrisom James Potter on four charges of attempted line theft, wilful neglect and perpetuating the abuse of a minor, grand theft, wilfully ignoring the wishes of a Lord of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, failure to execute the Last Will and Testament of Lord and Lady Potter as instructed, and multiple counts of illegal use of magic against a minor.
"Lastly, we have a warrant to arrest Ronald Bilius Weasley on the charges of conspiracy and the use of a highly controlled potion with the intent to harm the victim."
As soon as Madame Bones said his name, Ron tried to escape out the Hall's doors, only to be hit by several stunning spells from the students nearest to him. Kingsley had his wand trained on Albus and so did the entire Hogwarts staff.
Harry stood from the table and walked to the front to stand between Lord Malfoy and Lady Longbottom. With a strong voice he said, "Albus Dumbledore, as Lord of Houses Slytherin and Gryffindor, I am permanently relieving you of your duties as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Insolent child. I will not be ousted by a mere boy!" Albus growled, calling Fawkes to him. "And I shall not be leaving with you, Madame Bones. I have no intention of coming quietly." Fawkes appeared above Albus's head and as his hands made contact with the phoenix's talons there was a burst of white light and the pair was gone.
Harry growled and tapped into the castle's magic to see if he was still within her walls or grounds. Not finding his magical signature at all, Harry turned to Amelia and said, "He's not in the castle Madame Bones, nor is he anywhere on the grounds. He may be somewhere in the Forbidden Forest outside the boundary of the school. I'll go with Hagrid and speak with the centaurs immediately." Harry turned and walked from the Hall, Hagrid quickly following him.
Amelia growled under her breath. Hopefully the team of Aurors she had sent to the Weasley home had been successful in arresting Molly. One fugitive was bad enough, she didn't need the other escaping and for the two to team back up with each other.
Meanwhile, in Ottery St. Catchpole, the two Aurors sent to arrest Molly Weasley had finally subdued their target. The woman had a voice like a banshee and had fought them tooth and nail. Arthur had listened in shock at the charges against his wife. Hermione had been treated as a second daughter to their family, and it was this thought that snapped him into action. While his wife shrieked and raged at the two officers, Arthur took his wand out and stunned and bound his wife of almost thirty years.
"Gentleman, you have my full cooperation. Search the house, the property, wherever you need. There's also a shed at the edge of the property where I normally work on the muggle artifacts I pick up at work. If she were trying to hide anything, I reckon it would be there."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. We're sorry to have interrupted your evening."
"You're doing your job boys, I can't fault you for that. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to step outside and contact my son."
Arthur exited his home and conjured his Patronus.
"Bill, your mother's just been arrested. I'll be writing to your siblings in the morning. We need to talk, meet me at the Burrow as soon as you can."
The wispy weasel bounded off to deliver its message and Arthur returned to the living room.
"My oldest son Bill should be here shortly. Let me know what else you'll need."
The Floo flared to life just then and Bill stepped through, shooting the still stunned form of the woman who had birthed him a look of disgust. He looked at the two Aurors and greeted them, recognising them from his school days.
"Winger, Lee, good to see you boys. Wish it was under better circumstances."
Winger clapped Bill on the shoulder. "Amelia and Kingsley went to Hogwarts to get the Headmaster and Ron. I'm sorry Bill."
"They made their choice. Now they have to pay the consequences." Bill said darkly. "Be expecting a letter from Ragnok about Albus, he's done enough to warrant trial in the Goblin Nation as well."
Winger's eyes widened and he whistled. "Bloody hell. I'll make sure to let Bones know."
Bill nodded stiffly before looking at his dad. Arthur's face was ashen.
"Ron too?" Has asked hoarsely, not wanting to believe that Molly had involved any of their children in her misdeeds.
Bill nodded sadly. "Ron too. Come on dad, you come home with me. You're going to need a drink, or several. Winger, am I good to take him?"
"Yeah you're good to go. We have his statement already. We'll contact you if we need anything further."
Bill hauled his dad up from the chair where he'd collapsed and flooed them both back to his small London flat, where he told his dad everything.
Arthur cycled through almost every emotion, ending with heartbreak. He didn't know how or when Molly had become the kind of witch to commit such a litany of heinous crimes.
He put his head in his hands and cried. In one evening his entire world had come crashing down.