Authors Note: Thank you for all the comments on my story so far, and to everyone that has commented that this fanfiction is similar to another one by a different author, I would just like to say I have never read it or knew of its existence prior to starting this one.
Replies to comments:
Teachergirl: The reason I decided to kill Neville's parents is because I don't believe anyone should have to go through something as tough as their loved ones being in a comatose state like his parents were in the books.
Articdranzer: I'm glad you are enjoying this story, like I said in the author's note, I was unaware of another story similar to this one when I started this fanfic a week ago.
Magitech: I always wondered why everyone took what Albus said at face value, not questioning him any further, and not using common sense.
Chapter 15
Since Minerva was exhausted by the time Augusta picked up Neville, she asked Augusta to come over in the morning to discuss the trials, which she agreed. So, Sunday morning, Augusta arrives at the McGonagall house promptly at 10:30 for coffee with Neville in tow once again. Once Harry and Neville are playing in the living room, Minerva, Remus, and Augusta sit down to discuss how the trials went.
"The good news is, Severus Snape was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in Azkaban and was stripped of his Potions Mastery and will never get it back again once released. During Snape's trial, we got solid evidence that Sirius is innocent, and his trial is first thing Saturday morning. The gold mine of his trial, however, was when he helped put the final nail in Dumbledore's coffin. Apparently, Voldemort went after both the Potters and the Longbottoms due to a prophecy, that Snape partially overheard." Remus begins explaining. "Furthermore, Albus tried to get Severus out of the trial before it even started, saying that Severus has his complete trust, and will be working at Hogwarts next year. Because of the illegal document they signed, we were able to throw the book at Albus."
"Exactly Remus, and during Albus' trial, he let Voldemort's real name slip out to the whole Wizengamont, the entire prophecy that sent Voldemort on his rampage, why he was stealing money from Hogwarts, and the fact that Voldemort made horcruxes." Augusta continues.
"What did they decide as a punishment for Albus?" Minerva asks, speaking for the first time since she greeted Augusta into her house.
"Albus was stripped of his magic and sentenced to work for the goblins for the rest of his life. I have a feeling it won't be pleasant for the old man." Augusta explains, "We have appointed Lord Greengrass as the new Supreme Mugwump and Chief Warlock, and he asked who we are going to appoint as the new headmaster. I am meeting with the Board of Governors at the Three Broomsticks later this afternoon, but I was going to ask if you would be up to taking the headmastership Minerva?"
"As much as I would love nothing else, I need to finish my leave of absence before I take on another job. James and Lily's monthly allowance, along with my savings, will be enough to last me through the rest of my leave. I will become the new Headmistress on the eve of the new school year, and not one minute sooner. However, if you would like me to approve the budget for the next school year, I will be glad to do that." Minerva says. As much as she disliked how Albus ran things at Hogwarts and soured her memory of her safe place after the death of her husband, she could not just turn her back to it, Hogwarts and its students need her as much as she needs them.
Meanwhile, at Gringotts…
While the Wizengamont was done interrogating Albus Dumbledore, the goblins were not. Rockgrinder heard Albus talk about Horcruxes and was shocked that the Wizengamont didn't even question him any further, probably because they were just as blindsided as Albus was when he was put on trial. Once the Unspeakables released the now muggle Albus Dumbledore into their custody, they immediately placed him and handcuffs and dragged him into an interrogation room. Rockgrinder, Axegut and Axewielder had left him in the room alone overnight, hoping to loosen his lips that he normally kept sewn shut. Now, they are going to interrogate him in hopes to hear about more about the Horcruxes Tom Riddle had made throughout his lifetime.
"Now Albus, are you ready to talk?" Rockgrinder asks, "We want information on the Horcruxes of Tom Riddle."
"As would I, unfortunately, I know about as much as you do." Albus replies, secretly glad that the goblins don't have access to veritaserum.
"Cut the act Albus, you said so yourself yesterday that you knew him well, you taught him after all, and you were teaching at Hogwarts when the Chamber of Secrets was opened back in the 50s. You know more than you're letting on." Rockgrinder says, snarling at Albus and gripping his spear a little tighter.
"Ah yes, the Chamber of Secrets, Tom was the one who found the culprit who opened it and was awarded an award for Special Services to the school for it. It was Rubeus Hagrid that opened the chamber, which is why he was expelled, and his wand snapped." Albus lies through his teeth, not worried about the weapons the three goblins are wielding.
"That is a bold-faced lie Albus, Rubeus Hagrid could not have opened the Chamber, we asked him about the creatures he took care of when he was in school, and an acromantula could not have petrified several people, or killed anyone with the same properties of that of the killing curse." Rockgrinder says. "Now tell us the truth, or else we will dose you again with veritaserum."
"Unfortunately, you cannot do that, as veritaserum is a controlled substance and can only be used by the DMLE to interrogate criminals." Dumbledore says, secretly thankful he was able to get that law passed last month, under the pretense that this would help keep the peace.
"Normally, you would be right, but since you were found guilty on several charges, we have the right to ask the DMLE for veritaserum when we have probable cause to interrogate someone, in this case, that would be you. Now, are you going to start talking of your own free will? Or do we need to get another dose of veritaserum in you?" Seeing that Albus was remaining tight-lipped, Rockgrinder looks to Axegut and says, "Send a letter to the DMLE ASAP and get a vial of veritaserum here on the double." Without a second thought, Axegut leaves the room to send the letter. "Now, while we wait for the veritaserum to get here, you will start by washing every single cart Gringotts has, and you will not stop working until we bring you back to pour the veritaserum down your throat." With that, Albus is taken to the cart room to begin his punishment.
Later that afternoon-in a private room at the Three Broomsticks
Once the Board of Governors had arrived at the Three Broomsticks, with the exception of Lucius Malfoy, Augusta Longbottom gets everyone's attention to get the meeting started to figure out who they can get to replace Albus as the headmaster.
"Thank you, everyone for gathering today on such short notice. As you may have heard, Albus Dumbledore was arrested yesterday after several charges were laid against him and he was found guilty. I have asked you here today to find a new headmaster for Hogwarts." Augusta says once everyone has been seated, "Not only that, but we also need to find a replacement for Lucius Malfoy on the board. Does anyone have any ideas as to who we can appoint?"
Mary Lineback raises her hand, and when Augusta acknowledges her, she says, "What about Minerva McGonagall for headmaster?"
"I had thought of Minerva and discussed the option with her earlier this morning, although she said she would be honoured, she would like to finish her leave of absence before taking on the position." Augusta asks.
"That's understandable, she deserves a break after all that she's had to deal with." Mary says, "Does anyone else have a thought for a headmaster for the remainder of the school year?"
No one speaks for several minutes, until James Portman raises his hand. "What about Arthur Weasley? He would be perfect, and it would give him a significant pay raise from being head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, especially since I heard his wife just had another child."
"That's an excellent idea Mr. Portman, would you like to send him a letter and ask him to meet with us so we can offer him the job? Let him know that this position is temporary, but maybe, just maybe, when Minerva becomes Headmistress next year, she will be able to find a place for him in the teaching staff." Augusta says, "All those in favour of Arthur Weasley as temporary headmaster, please raise your hand." With that, everyone raises their wands in agreement. "Wonderful, now, any ideas on who to offer the Board of Governor's position?"
"How about Remus Lupin? I know he's currently McGonagall's proxy on the Wizengamont, but I think he would be a good fit. He's knowledgeable about both the wizarding and muggle world, and I think his way of thinking will help us update the curriculum that has seem to become steadily outdated due to Albus' decisions in his time as headmaster." Mary suggests, remembering him from her years at Hogwarts.
"I will talk to him and see if he would agree, I think he also has another job with the goblins though, but if he can manage it, I agree that he would be an excellent fit with the board, any objections?" Augusta asks. Seeing no objections, she continues, "Unless there is anything else we need to discuss, I think we can conclude the meeting for today. Thank you again for coming, meeting adjourned, I will call another meeting when we hear back from Arthur and Remus about the positions." With that, everyone gathers their things and heads for home to either spend time with their families or send letters of job offers.
Back at Gringotts:
An hour after Axegut sent the letter to Amelia requesting more veritaserum to use on Albus, she came to the bank with a sealed vial of it as soon as she was able to. The DMLE is a bit of a mess since Lord Greengrass decided to put Justin Croppy in a holding cell for bribery and accessory to obstruction of justice. Because of this, Amelia has been promoted to Sr. Auror and Alastor Moody is the temporary head of the DMLE. Once Amelia gave Rockgrinder the veritaserum, she apologized that she couldn't stick around for the interrogation, but she had to get back to work.
"Now Axegut, please bring Albus back to the interrogation room. I think he's earned a break from washing carts by hand." Rockgrinder asks, and watches Axegut leave the room to retrieve the prisoner. Once they bring Albus back to the room, they hold back a laugh seeing his beard thoroughly soaked in various cleaning products. "Maybe you should consider trimming that beard Albus, you unfortunately haven't received shower privileges yet." Axewielder says as they strap Albus to the chair in the room, and force his mouth open to place the veritaserum on his tongue. "Now, let's try this again, how many horcruxes did Tom Riddle make? Not including the one in Hendrick James Potter-McGonagall." Axewielder asks.
"He made 6 Horcruxes, the first one he made was when he was 16. To make a horcrux you must commit cold blooded murder, so he used the death of Myrtle Warren to create it." Albus says once the serum had taken effect.
"Do you know what he used to contain his soul shards?" Rockgrinder asks.
"I have theories, nothing more." Albus says, unable to fight the veritaserum.
"Well enlighten us to your theories, you keep far too much far too close to your chest for our liking Albus." Rockgrinder says, knowing that no matter how strong the wizard is, no one can fight veritaserum.
"I believe he managed to track down the Founder's Artifacts and turned them into some of his horcruxes. Where he hid them, I do not know."
"Those artifacts were made of goblin steel and gold, there is no way he could have figured out their secrets to taint them in such a way." Axegut says.
"Tom was always a charmer; he could charm a blind man into buying a pair of reading glasses. He sweet-talked Helga Hufflepuff's descendant into telling him the secrets of her cup, the Grey Lady into showing him how her mother's tiara works, and Tom is a descendant of Salazaar Slytherin, so he was able to use parseltongue on his ancestor's locket to learn his secrets." Albus says.
"Well, that's three of the horcruxes, do you know what the other three horcruxes are?" Rockgrinder asks.
"I do not. That is all I know." Albus replies.
"Very well, now, you said yesterday at your trial that you needed the money from the school budget to bribe the ministry, why could you not use your own account for that?" Rockgrinder asks, satisfied for now about the horcruxes, but still wants to wring as much information from Albus as he possibly could.
"I need that money to bribe the German ministry to keep my boyfriend alive." Albus replies, which threw the goblins for a loop.
"Your boyfriend? Who is your boyfriend, and why do you need to bribe the German ministry to keep him alive?" Axewielder asks.
"Gellert Grindelwald, why do you think I only disarmed him and not killed him at the end of the war with him? I needed his wand, but I also need to keep him alive, if he dies, I will die as well. You see, I made a blood pact with him, we not only share blood, but our souls are intertwined as well. If his soul leaves this earth, mine will follow soon after to the next great adventure." Albus explains.
"Why did you need his wand? Surely your wand from Ollivander's was a perfect match for you." Rockgrinder continues, now knowing that Albus' lies go deeper than they even thought possible.
"Gellert possessed The Elder Wand, and after the Potter's were killed by Riddle, I went to their place and stole James' invisibility cloak. I believe his cloak once belonged to Ignotus Peverell, from the story of the Three Brothers."
"The Deathly Hallows are a children's story, nothing more than a legend, why would someone like you chase after an old wife's tale?" Axewielder asks, knowing that they may not like the answer.
"Ah, but all legends are based on truth. The story of King Arthur and the round table are considered a children's story, but Merlin did exist during his time, and was a wizard like the story claims him to be." Albus says, "If the legend of Merlin is true, who says the legend of the Three Brothers is false?"
"What about the third item that the brothers received, The Resurrection Stone if I remember correctly?" Axewielder presses.
"It resides in the Lord Peverell Ring, where it resides, I do not know. The Peverell family was extinguished centuries ago due to several wars within our world." Albus explains.
"Like I said yesterday during court, those old families may not be as extinguished as you fear. Lily Potter's research shows that muggleborns are descendants from squibs, so once we start doing inheritance tests on the muggleborns, we can find the new heirs to these old houses." Rockgrinder says, while thinking to himself that they should also test the children of muggleborns that have since passed away. "I think we got as much information out of you as we are going to get for today, Axegut, give the prisoner the antidote to the veritaserum, chop off his beard and put him back to work. I am going to start writing to the muggleborns at Hogwarts and see if they would be willing to come in for an inheritance test once their done school for the semester." With that, Rockgrinder grabs his battleaxe, and places Albus' waist length beard on the table, and chops off all but 2 inches of it with one mighty swing, then takes him back to the cart room so he can finish washing and polishing the carts.
End Author's Note: That's all I have for this chapter, hope everyone enjoyed it. I will hopefully update again tomorrow, if not, I will have another chapter up by Thursday evening. Please read and review.