Chapter 12:
Minerva McGonagall was confused. The argument that Potter and Albus just had was off somehow. She knew Albus like to control things, but she never realized how controlling he was. To use Quidditch as a bargaining chip was a bit too far for her. And if Potter was anything like his parents, especially Lily Evans Potter, then the boy would give up a game that he loved just to annoy Albus. She was not going to stand for that.
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE! How dare you! That was uncalled for!"
Albus turned towards his deputy. In the many years that they had known one another, she had never fully supported his Greater Good. He had always worked with and around her sense of honor and duty. But it was time to show her who truly had the power.
"Professor McGonagall, I will do with my ward as I see fit. He is to be monitored by Ronald Weasley. He is to be taken off the Quidditch team. Both Ms. Granger and Ms. Lovegood are to be kept from him until he conforms to my dictates."
Minerva shook her head. "That is not possible."
"Of course, it is possible. I had said so therefore it will be."
"Albus, a message from Potter arrived earlier today by Fawkes, claiming the right to the Heir suite per the Hogwarts Charter. As it was delivered by your phoenix, I and the castle itself assumed that you approved of this. That cannot be changed. Nor can the request by Potter for a separate room for those girls who are now his Vassals. Then there's the fact that Potter had all but declared a Blood Feud with the Weasley Family and Arthur sent me a message that his children are to have no contact with Potter, Granger, and Lovegood until Potter, himself, allows them to. Otherwise, they will lose their magic. Now do you want to ruin everyone involved or your loss of control?"
"I see, however his quidditch ban stands and any Hogsmeade privileges or revoked."
Minerva said nothing as she glared at her boss and left the room in a huff. The other Professors left as well, confused by what that had seen and heard. Most of them were not happy with how the Headmaster was acting. Only Snape seemed to be on the Headmaster's side.
Remus Lupin was conflicted. His Loyalty to Dumbledore was strong. After all the man had made it possible for him to attend Hogwarts as a werewolf child. Those had been some of the best years of his life. All of that had come crashing down when James and Lily had been murdered. Murdered by a friend, no brother. For years he had cursed Sirius Blacks name. Now it seemed that wasn't true. That the true traitor had been the rat, Peter Pettigrew. His world had been tilted on a bizarre axis.
Now it was even more so with the knowledge that Harry was at odds with Dumbledore. He noted that although the boy looked like James and was just as Gryffindor as the rest of the Potters, that temper and indignation was pure Lily. All he knew was that Albus had better watch it if Harry had any idea of what his mother was capable of then the old man had better start running for the hills now. Because a Lily type revenge tended to people in the hospital or the grave. Gods Help them all if that became the case. Hiding bodies was tedious work.
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Minerva stomped her way towards the Gryffindor Tower. Her wand was out casting several spells along the way in revenge to Dumbledore's stupidity. Portraits and painting emptied as spell after spell hit them, sealing them so that his spy network would be useless. Peeves, if he had legs, was seen running in fear at just the ungodly look in the older woman's eyes. The poltergeist decided that Azkaban was a safer option to haunt, even with the return of the Dementors. Her fury had return to manageable levels by the time she had reach the portrait of the Fat Lady, Guardian of the Gryffindor Dorms. She saw that Potter, Granger, and Lovegood were waiting outside.
"Follow me you three."
She led them a few paintings further down, towards the Room of Requirement, to a portrait of what could have been the opening scene of Macbeth. Three witches stirring a cauldron.
"Ladies, these three are to reside in your rooms."
The middle witch nodded.
McGonagall turned to Harry. "I need a password. I guarantee that the I will be the only one to know it. I will even make a Vow to that effect if you need it."
"That won't be necessary Professor, but I thank You for the offer. As to the password let's use 'Nottingham'."
The three witches nodded in unison and the door opened. Before McGonagall could say another word the three had their wands out and were casting spells. One was doing detecting. One was placing black coverings over every painting in the room. And Potter was setting ward afterward afterward. She had no idea where that came from. It took the trio a mere five minutes to complete their task. She raised an eyebrow in question.
"We learned s few things this summer."
"Obviously."
Potter gave her that Potter grin that his father and grandfather had. She had to shake her head.
"I have given the three of you this suite due to two of you being from my house, and Since Potter is the Heir and in charge as it were. The main room is for all, You may even invite those friends that you wish. However. the bedrooms are off limits to the opposite sex. Do you understand?"
All three nodded. Afterall they weren't really going to use those rooms.
"Mr. Potter, the Headmaster has ordered that you cannot go to Hogsmeade, as is your right as a third year and I have received your permission slip and has banned you from Quidditch. This is something I do not agree with and sine I know who your true guardian is, will contact them. Let's see what Albus does with that!"
Harry just snorted out a laugh. Merlin to be a fly on that wall!
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Lucius Malfoy was getting a little impatient. Night was falling, by his estimation, and he was still in this pathetic cell. Where was Narcissa? Where was Fudge? Afterall as many times as he had bribed the man he should get out for free occasionally. Hour after hour passed. A meager meal had been delivered but he refused it as the smell was atrocious. His palate was more refined than that. He had been standing and pacing for hours as he didn't want his clothes to be infected by whatever was in the mattress or the bedding. Not that these clothes would be his much longer. As soon as he was out of here, he was going to order a house elf to burn them while he bathed in his Roman bath, before have a succulent dinner of Venison.
But his respite never came. Finally, he couldn't stand anymore and had to rest. He removed his outer robe, spreading out over the bed and laid on that. Sleep was little and light. Mostly he daydreamed about who was going to suffer when he finally got out of there.
He lost count of however many hours that he thought he had been there when suddenly the door to his cell opened. Before he could move a wand appeared and he was stunned.
The next thing he knew he was in a room with a table, seated in a chair. Amelia Bones sat across from him. At least three Aurors were also in the room. He noted that his hands were shackled to the chair and the chair was bolted to the floor.
"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! I" LL SEE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU OUT ON YOUR EAR BY DAYS END! NOW YOU WILL LET ME GO, GIVE ME MY WAND AND RESIGN YOURSELF TO YOUR MISTAKE!"
Amelia Bones smirked at the ponce. "Mr. Malfoy, you seem to be under the impression that you are free to go."
"WHERE IS MY WIFE? WHERE IS FUDGE?"
"Your wife is in a cell at this moment and the Minister is busy answering questions about certain activities to members of the ICW."
"WHAT?!"
"Lucius Malfoy you are not going anywhere."
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Sirius was currently having dinner with Ted and Andromeda at their home. The only house available to him was the Family Seat House. Too many bad memories made that one not someplace that he was willing to stay. The Family hose elf was certifiably insane, and Sirius had to dismiss him. That the elf couldn't take such a thing and died was probably the best outcome.
They had just started on dessert when an owl delivered a note to Ted. After reading it he looked at Sirius. "Want to visit Hogwarts tomorrow?"
"Already?"
Ted nodded. "It seems that Albus decided to 'punish' Harry for a few things and is overstepping his bounds."
Sirius's eyes narrowed. "Oh really. Well then we best get there at breakfast."
"I'll let Abe know. He wants to see his brother's face when he finds out who took the rug out from under him. This should get us a few concessions out of him."
The grin that Sirius Black had on his face made Ted shiver. He had learned years ago when he and Andromeda first married. Never upset a Black.
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Albus Dumbledore was in his office pacing. He hadn't even noticed that Fawkes was gone. He had wondered how his familiar had defected and went to the boy. To betray him after all these years. How had thing unraveled so much and how much more was he going to lose before it was all said and done?
No answer came to mind as he spent the night pacing, going over ever detail, reviewing memories, and such.
What he didn't know was that no matter what he planned for, the morning was going to go to his enemies.