Title: Strings of Fate
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.
Summary: Being raised only by his Aunt, Harry comes to Hogwarts not only knowing about the Wizarding World, but with a kind of training no one at the school is expecting.
A/N: There have been a range of comments relating to this fic. Harry is too mature with his training. Harry is too Immature with his nicknames. Everything goes Harry's way too easily. Major enemies are being 'taken care of' by others off screen. All I can say is that this Harry is not primarily a warrior, hence being sorted into Hufflepuff not Gryffindor, he is a diplomat (not a politician). In areas he has been trained in he is confident and decisive yet he is still a child, hence how well he deals with the press but still gives people nicknames.
Harry was sitting on one of the couches in the Apartment reading a letter he had received from Dudley, which outlined his cousin's latest meeting with the 'Mythology Class' at his Prep School, which was a cover for all students and staff with Magical relatives. Susan was sitting on the other couch, humming softly as she read a novel while Hannah was curled up with her head in Susan's lap half asleep from Susan's lullaby.
"Looks like Dudley is going to ask Luna and her father over for Christmas Day." Harry said without looking up from the letter.
"I think that would be good for her." Susan replied.
The door to their apartment was ajar as Susan had not done her nightly lullaby yet so the shouting in the Common Room drew their attention. The three of them quickly stood and walked out into the Common Room where they found most of the House gathered there, gathered around a trio of a Sixth Year boy, a Second Year Girl and a Fist Year Girl, the two girls weeping and the boy trying to stay strong but Harry could see he was struggling with his emotions.
"What's happening?" Susan asked.
"Justin Finch-Fletchley was found petrified like Flich's Cat." A nearby student said. "They say he was found with an equally petrified Nearly Headless Nick."
Harry now recognised the three students that were at the centre of attention lived in Justin's Apartment. Harry, Susan and Hannah went over to the distraught trio and offered their sympathy. When they stepped back the they looked at each other.
"So… what are we going to do?" Hannah asked.
"Well, I am going to write my Aunt." Susan replied.
"Helena, can I speak to you?" Harry called out, surprising the gathered Hufflepuffs.
It took about three minute for Helena to float through the ceiling to 'land' in front of Harry.
"How can I assist?" Helena asked in her usual slow and ethereal voice.
"Have you heard about the latest attack?" Harry asked, getting a head shake from the Ghost. "One of our Housemates and Sir Nicholas were attacked."
"Where? When?" Helena asked, her voice hard. "Peeves!"
One of the Hufflepuffs stepped forward and Helena started to ask pointed questions, until Peeves showed up.
"Peeves." Helena said turning to the poltergeist, "Inform The Baron and The Friar. Get Myrtle and Alphonse to the scene and see what they can find. See if Tomkins can track whatever did this, maybe he will have better luck this time."
"If I have any say in it, the DMLE will be here by morning." Susan said. "Any information that can be shared would be appreciated."
"We can work with that." Helena replied.
Amelia Bones marched up the main pathway towards Hogwarts. There were twenty members of the DMLE behind her, along with four Auror Trainees. Five of them were members of the Patrol to secure the crime scene. All of the other fifteen full members of the DMLE were Aurors, two of them from Intelligence Department and the rest from the Investigations Department. The four Trainees were the two pairs who were being considered for Partnering up when they graduate, rather than being paired with experienced Aurors.
As they approached the main doors, they opened and, much to Amelia's surprise, they were met not by Dumbledore or McGonagall but by the Grey Lady and The Bloody Baron.
"Hey Helena." Tonks said. "How's the photo?"
"Cadet Tonks. Shut up." Amelia snapped. "Lady Ravenclaw, we have been informed that there has been an incident."
"That's correct, Director Bones." Helena replied. "The Ghosts of Hogwarts are at your service. We have secured the scene. The victims have been transferred to the Infirmary, after we had a First Year Gryffindor under the direction of the Ghost and Former Auror Kenneth Southerland. The students who discovered the victims have been made available for you to interview, and have been kept separated."
The two Ghosts and the DMLE team entered the receiving hall.
"What information do we have on the victims?" Amelia asked.
"One Second Year Hufflepuff, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and one Ghost, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington." Helena replied.
"A Ghost?" an old and scarred Auror with one leg replaced by a wooden stump and an electric blue coloured false eye.
"Ok. Patrollers, secure the crime scene from the Ghosts. Proudfoot, Nicolls, Symons, take Cadet Zorah and interview the witnesses. Smith, West, take Cadet Tonks and interview the Hufflepuff Student's three 'best friends'." Amelia ordered placing only a slight emphasis on 'best friends'.
Smith and West were both former Hufflepuffs.
"The rest of you with me." Amelia said. "And I want to see the Senior Professors after I get a look at the Crime Scene."
Tonks walked into the Hufflepuff Common Room with Aurors Smith and West. She saw Harry, Susan and Hannah standing off to one side but she ignored them, knowing that she had to keep it professional. They were directed to the Apartment of the victim. The passed the Apartment that Tonks used to reside in and she saw the plaque that dedicated it to Harry, Susan and Hannah.
Tonks sat on the writing table out of the way in Justin's Apartment, and took notes as Smith and West asked questions that established Justin's recent movements and any potential conflicts or enemies he may have had. Tonks was impressed at the speed and efficiency that the two Aurors were able to track the life of the victim.
Amelia walked into the Staff Room where the Senior Professors had been gathered. She was flanked by Senior Aurors Moody and Proudfoot.
"Director Bones, what can we do for the DMLE?" Albus Dumbledore asked.
"Well, Professor Dumbledore, you have had an attack on a student that has left them Petrified, following another attack on, albeit on an animal." Amelia replied. "And I am wondering why you did not inform us of the attack yourself, as is required by both the Ministry and Hogwarts Charter."
"We had no conclusive proof of a crime." Dumbledore replied.
"So, what?" Amelia said sarcastically. "A Second Year, a Ghost and a cat all spontaneously petrified themselves?"
"Director Bones…" Dumbledore began.
"Enough, Dumbledore." Amelia interrupted. "We will investigate this and you will co-operate or you will be arrested for obstruction. We already have the co-operation of the Ghosts."
With that Amelia and the two Senior Aurors turned and walked out.
"Albus, what were you thinking?" McGonagall asked.
"I'm sure you though you could fix it in-house." Snape said. "You constantly underestimate Potter, and his best friend is Amelia's niece. There was no chance you could keep this quiet."
"Bones was a Hufflepuff. She's not going to give this up." Sprout added.
"Forgive an old man his hubris." Dumbledore said. "Ensure that Director Bones has all the assistance that we can provide."
TBC…
A/N: Below is the listing of the Nicknames in this story:
Harry Potter – Ambassador
Dudley Evans – Battering Ram
Nymphadora Tonks – Indy
Susan Bones – Diva
Hannah Abbot – Sunset
Hermione Granger – Wells
Neville Longbottom – Dragon
Fred & Gorge Weasley – Janus 1 & 2
Padma Patil – Athena (possible but not confirmed)
Parvati Patil – Aphrodite (possible but not confirmed)