Anything that's not blatant is a riddle
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Author's penname: Elixa Amethyst
Voices of the Past Part III
Written May 2002 onwards, pre Order of the Phoenix.
All characters and things you recognise, are © JKRowling, no infringement intended.

All references to "mediwizard" mean healer.
Please read parts I and II first.

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Chapter Three
Veritaserum

I was shocked at the request and looked up in alarm. Severus was on his feet.
"You are not giving her veritaserum!" He snapped, taking a step towards me.
"Professor Snape, the girl has just tried to murder one of the most high profile wizards in the world, it is ministry right to administer the serum. Get out of the way."
"She's not old enough, you haven't even heard what she's got to say without it!" Severus raised his voice again.
"Severus." Dumbledore interrupted. He caught my uncle's eye. "I do agree about her age, but if we don't we may miss a link to Voldermort." I saw Severus pause and look towards me. He stood back, and Percy Weasley stepped towards me, his face telling me he'd rather not give it to me.
"I've told you, I don't know anything." I said, tears starting to break. "Don't any of you believe me…?" Percy placed his hand on my shoulder.
"If you co-operate it'll be less painful Elixa." I shut my eyes and Percy forced my mouth open and dropped three drops of veritaserum into my mouth.
"Who commanded you to murder Albus Dumbledore?"
"I do not know the answer to your question."
"How do you know the charms to enter the headmaster's chambers?"
"I do not know which charms to use to open the headmaster's chambers. I would not know how to find out."
"How did you get in then?"
"I do not know the answer to your question."
"Did you suggest Kerry entrap Claude Peterson?"
"It was my idea yes."
"Did anyone challenge it?"
"Severus said it was haphazard, but he'd discuss it with Dumbledore."
"Who commanded you to murder Albus Dumbledore?"
"I have already told you I do not know the answer to that question."
"Administer more veritaserum, she must know."
"I object, you've administered more than enough already, you'll kill her!"
"Carry out my order now Weasley or lose your job."
"You're the murderer Fudge- I won't let you ask her another question- Albus, surely you have the powers to stop him?"
"Cornelius, Severus is right, I'd stop now."
"WEASLEY NOW!"
"No I told you no! I'm the girl's guardian!"
"Its too late Severus." Minerva replied. My head slumped forwards and I rolled it slowly back to look at Fudge.
"Who commanded you to attempt to murder Albus Dumbledore Elixa Amethyst?"
"I do not know the answer to your question." Fudge let out a sort of strangulated scream, his face redder than any Welsh dragon's hide.
"If you do not answer this time, Merlin help you Miss Amethyst. I repeat for the last time… WHO COMMANDED YOU TO ATTEMPT TO MURDER ALBUS DUMBLEDORE? WHO HELPED YOU TO GET TO HIS BEDSIDE?"
"I do not know the answer to your-."
"This is ridiculous- this can't be allowed- not a dementor!" Minerva shouted. Then came the shouts together of all apart from the Minster himself and I.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" I managed to make out what looked like an army of patronus beating back a dementor before blacking out completely.
"You've gone too far Cornelius- I warned you!" Dumbledore's voice was raised and very angry.
"Elixa, wake up, Elixa." Severus had hold of my wrists and was shaking them gently as he crouched beside me. I felt two fingers go to my neck, Minerva's I presumed by what she said.
"She's still alive, and breathing, at least it didn't kill her…"
"Or kiss her." Severus added, and went back to calling my name. I gave a groan.
"Thank Merlin!" I heard them both exclaim. I flopped forwards and landed on Severus's shoulder feeling quite sick and a headache rampaging through my thoughts. He put his arms around me and closed his eyes, repeating "thank Merlin" over.

Madame Pomfrey tried to fuss over me, insisting I rest, but I denied her. Dumbledore was refusing to leave the school, more or less reinstating himself as headmaster. The faculty stood by him along with a large part of the school. The thought that I had been held by the imperius curse was disturbing since it was likely to be someone in the school, and I knew you could overcome the curse. It was one of the questions I asked Severus while Madame Pomfrey left us alone in the hospital wing.
"It looks like a mild cruciatus curse was used with it, that's what Madame Pomfrey's looking into. Some of the symptoms from the full curse are present." Memories of the full curse made me shiver, I was glad Dumbledore kept the necklace now.

Against the will of Madame Pomfrey, who tried to make Severus agree with her and persuade me, I returned to classes after lunch. Everyone must have found out. Draco was a little cautious of me; I hadn't seen Susan at all. Draco told me she'd woken looking like hell and he hadn't seen her either since breakfast. In corridors and classrooms, people cowered from me, vicious rumours reigned and I started to wish I'd taken Pomfrey's advice. At dinner Dumbledore addressed the school on the matter.
"Regarding an incident in the early hours of the morning, I am able to assure you Miss Amethyst of Slytherin was held by the Imperius Curse. For the benefit of our youngest students, the curse is one of the forbidden curses, and enables the caster to control the recipient completely. Miss Amethyst was merely a pawn in a very sinister chess match, and let it be known that we will find the person who did it, student or other, and the Ministry will certainly deal with them justly. Imperius to attempt murder is very serious." Dumbledore went to sit down but a voice interrupted him from either the Gryffindor or Hufflepuff table.
"Is it true there was a dementor here this morning?"
"It was not sanctioned by any member of staff, but one was present with the Minister of Magic. No harm done though." Dumbledore sat back down and clapped his hands. The students were distracted by the arrival of the food and no more questions were asked. I caught Severus watching me and gave a slight smile of thanks.