Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters are the property of JK Rowling. While I do claim ownership of original characters and this particular story line, I am not JK Rowling, and do not own Harry Potter, or the various characters in the Harry Potter universe. I make no money from the writing of this fanfiction.

Chapter Twenty-One

Amelia Bones couldn't believe it. Not only would she be putting Ron Weasley on trial for a second time, when she charged him with attempted blackmail on Draco Malfoy, she had been given an idea for figuring out just how the reports Hermione Granger had filed against Ron Weasley had gone missing. Her mind went back to their discussion as she hung her travelling cloak on the rack in her office…

"Have you had any luck locating the original reports, Madam Bones?" Hermione asked.

"Not as yet, and I have less than a day and a half to find them now. The Wizengamot reconvenes for the trial on Tuesday at nine."

"Are you sure they left the office?" Draco asked, arching a brow.

"What do you mean, Mr. Malfoy? If they were in the office, they would have been found when the files were summoned while preparing the case."

"And what would have happened if the reports had been copied, and the originals destroyed or locked in a desk which can only be opened by the owner of the desk? I know my father uses an enchantment like that on the desk in his study, to prevent anyone he's meeting with discovering what he might decide to do in a business deal. Being Slytherin to the core, he likes to make sure any deal he makes has an advantage in it for him."

"Well, if the reports were copied, and the originals destroyed, the reports could then be removed from the office. The charm to prevent the removal of files is for the original copies, and only allows removal to a courtroom for trial."

"And other than Harry Potter, can you think of anyone who would want to help Weasley avoid being convicted? Given what his mother did at the Final Battle, I wouldn't put anything past Mrs. Weasley. Only problem with that thought is, she's known to be a homebody and devoted housewife. I can't see her going into the Auror office much, even to bring a lunch to her son or Potter."

Going to the doorway of her office, Amelia got the attention of her assistant, and motioned her inside the office.

"I need you to go to Kingsley Shacklebolt's office and tell him I need to speak to him about a confidential matter, and ask if he can meet me at my home to do so."

After the assistant left, Amelia gathered up as many evidence phials she could, and arranged them in a box for travel. Then, she again put on her travelling cloak and Flooed to her home to wait for the Minister for Magic to arrive.

OoOoOoO

Even though Blaise usually sent in orders for things he needed, now that he had been out of Hogwarts a few years, there were some things he had to purchase in person, which was how he found himself walking through Diagon Alley on this particular day. Looking at the various shops, he also kept his senses trained on his surroundings, which was how he was able to spot a flash of red hair ducking around a corner into Knockturn Alley. Curious, he followed, casting a disillusionment charm on himself to avoid being seen.

Keeping an eye on the red hair, Blaise maneuvered in and out of the small crowds of witches and wizards, making note of the shops that were passed. Finally, he saw the red hair disappear into a particular shop. Looking up at the sign, he frowned. Kali Unchained was one of the more dangerous Apothecaries to shop in. Almost all of the stocks as far as the herbs were poisonous, and quite a few were blacklisted by the Ministry. He doubted even the late Severus Snape would have come to this shop. He opened the door slightly and slipped inside, just as the red headed person reached the counter.

"Good to see you again, Madam. What can I do for you today?"

"I need a whole oleander plant, including the roots, basilisk venom, and a phial of dragon's blood; Hungarian Horntail blood if possible, Chinese Red if not."

"Madam, I do have those things, of course, but the basilisk venom is very hard to acquire. The cost is not insubstantial. Perhaps if you tell me why you wish to have them, I can suggest other ingredients which will compliment and stabilize the draught."

"I need to remove an obstacle from my son's life, sir. That is all you need know. Now, how much for the ingredients?"

"Madam, might I also suggest foxglove as an alternative to the venom? Basilisk venom can be corrosive if precautions aren't taken, which would waste the other ingredients."

"Fine, a measure of foxglove as well."

"The total will be five galleons, three sickles, Madam."

After paying, the red head turned to leave, drawing the hood of the cloak closed. Blaise was flabbergasted by what he had just seen. Why, since she was well known to be a loving mother and housewife, would Molly Weasley need those ingredients?

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but this is basically to help "set up" the situations that will come later.