Chapter 13:

Susan's Relief

The entire courtroom full of witches and wizards sat in stunned silence as they looked at the Dark Mark burned onto Cornelius' arm. Finally, Dumbledore spoke, "How long have you known that Cornelius had the Dark Mark?"

Harry smiled ferally, "Since the day he was in your office with Umbridge and Weasley."

Dumbledore gave Harry a steely look, "And why didn't you see fit to inform me of that?"

Harry replied, "Well, you know how it is, Dumbledore. You have seemed to enjoy keeping information that I needed from me my entire life, I only felt that it was prudent to return the favor."

Dumbledore's gaze went very cold, and he said, "I see. I suppose that is how things will remain between us."

Harry shrugged, "That is entirely up to you, old man. You were the one that destroyed the trust I once held for you. Its entirely up to you to repair it."

Then, Harry dropped Cornelius' arm, and reached down to take his wand from him. He tossed the wand to the nearest Auror, and then did a back flip to land back on the floor. He bowed mockingly to the Wizengamot, and then turned on his heel, and strode defiantly from the room.

Madam Bones and Dumbledore gave the Aurors in the room their instructions, and then proceeded out of the courtroom. As Amelia exited the courtroom, a hand landed on her shoulder. She spun drawing her wand in the process, only to have it snatched from her hand. Harry smiled easily, and said, "Calm down. I only wanted to talk to you for a second."

Madam Bones stilled her breathing as Harry handed her wand back to her. Then, she asked, "What would you like to speak to me about, Mr. Potter?"

Harry answered, "I was wondering why Susan was sent a letter stating that you had perished in the attack when you're quite obviously alive."

Amelia looked stricken for a moment before speaking, "Are you serious? I knew that several notices went out in error for people that weren't accounted for quickly enough, but I had no idea that I was one of them. I've got to send an owl to Susan right away."

Harry shook his head, "Don't bother. I'm returning to Hogwarts in just a few minutes. I would be happy to take her the good news."

Madam Bones nodded, "I will send her an owl as well. That way she will know for sure."

Harry bowed lightly, "As you wish. I will take my leave of you now." Then, Harry turned and walked down the corridor, popping out of existence, and reappearing at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore stepped up beside Madam Bones and sighed, then he said, "I am afraid that we have unleashed another demon upon the world."

Madam Bones looked askance at Dumbledore before asking, "What do you mean by that?"

Dumbledore replied, "Harry was guilty of everything that he was just charged with, not to mention a few more things."

Madam Bones narrowed her eyes at Dumbledore, "Then, why didn't you push for him to be convicted if you knew he was guilty."

Dumbledore replied gravely, "Because right now, Harry is our only hope of destroying Voldemort once and for all. Unfortunately for the rest of us, he may only destroy Voldemort to take his place."

"What do you mean by that?"

Dumbledore took a deep breath to compose himself, "Harry has been falling farther and farther from what I always perceived him to be. He is dead set on destroying Voldemort, and is willing to go to any length to do it. After that he will turn his sights on the Ministry. He has very strong opinions about what is wrong with our society, and he is determined to change it."

Madam Bones wondered aloud, "Would changing our society be so bad? There are numerous things wrong with it. If there weren't then people like Voldemort could never gain the power that he did."

Dumbledore shrugged, "The changes that Harry proposes aren't bad at all. They would actually benefit society a great deal. It's the lengths that Harry is willing to go to accomplish his goals that worries me."

"How far is he willing to go?" questioned Amelia.

"I have heard him say that he will kill half the purebloods in the world if that is what is required. I have no doubt that he means it. I fear at this point we are merely trading one conqueror for another."

Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts, Harry used the wards to locate Susan Bones, and then he Apparated directly behind her. Silently, he stepped forward and then slid his hands over Susan's eyes. With a smile on his face, he said, "Guess who?"

Susan chuckled lightly, "What is it, Harry?"

Harry stepped forward and casually draped an arm over Susan's shoulders, and said, "Nothing much, but you'll never believe who I just saw at my trial."

Susan asked, "Who was that?"

Harry replied easily enough, "Madam Bones."

Susan's expression grew cold, "That is not funny, Harry." A few tears sprang to her eyes.

Harry shrugged, "It wasn't intended to be funny, Susan. Your aunt really is alive. The notice that was sent to you after the attack on the Ministry was a mistake, and they have been so busy with trying to get everything reorganized that Amelia had no idea that you thought she was dead."

Hope began to shine in Susan's eyes, "Do you really mean it? Auntie is really alive."

Harry nodded, "Would I lie?"

Susan shook her head and then grabbed Harry in a hug that would do Molly Weasley proud. Then, she began to sob uncontrollably with joy. Harry stoked her hair and then Apparated them to the Room of Requirement, where he sat them down on a couch, and continued to stroke Susan's hair while she sobbed. Once she was through crying, Susan looked around, and asked, "Where are we?"

"The Room of Requirement. I didn't think you wanted to make a spectacle of yourself in the corridor, so I brought us here."

Susan asked, "How did you bring us here? I wasn't even aware of moving."

Harry shook his head, "You didn't move. I Apparated us directly here."

Susan laughed, "That's funny, Harry. You know you can't Apparate in Hogwarts."

Harry grinned, "Most people can't. I don't seem to have a problem with it. I suppose it could have something to do with the fact that I am the Heir of Gryffindor."

Susan looked at him in amazement, "You're the Heir of Gryffindor?"

Harry nodded, and said, "Yeah, and here people thought I was just the Boy-Who-Lived."

Susan shook her head, "You've never been the Boy-Who-Lived to me. I like Harry. Just Harry."

That statement caused Harry to smile, and the two of them settled onto the couch to talk. After awhile, things began to heat up, and directly the two of them were kissing. That led to other things, and soon clothing was flying about the room. The two of them were heatedly making love, when the Headmaster entered the Room of Requirement.

Dumbledore paused and stared at the two teenagers intertwined bodies in surprise, before finally finding his voice, "Potter, I am afraid that I must speak with you."

Susan attempted to cover herself in an effort at modesty. However, Harry felt no such inhibitions. He stood up and said challengingly, "Can you not see that I am busy at the moment old man. I don't barge into your quarters and interrupt you when you're fucking that old bat Minnie. So, I suggest you run along and I will grace you with my presence when I am ready to speak to you. It's not like I don't already know what you want, so off with you."

Given the fact that they were in Hogwarts, Dumbledore had little choice but to acquiesce and then leave the room.

Harry then turned his gaze hungrily back to Susan's barely covered form, and said, "So, where were we?"

Susan was looking at him in amazement. She finally said, "I can't believe you spoke to the Headmaster that way."

Harry shrugged, "That pompous old fool deserved it. Now, do you really want to talk about cranky old men right now, or would you like to continue what we were doing?"

Susan looked contemplative for a moment, and then grinned, "Come here and finish fucking me then, Mr. Potter."

A/N: It seems that my schedule is determined to drive me to an early grave. I wouldn't expect chapter fourteen for at least another two weeks, but I will do my best. Chapter fourteen will begin setting up the final confrontation, and will involve a duel between Harry and Lucius Malfoy, finally. The story will wrap up pretty quickly from here. Three more chapters at most. I may squeeze it into two, but I'm not sure how it will shape up. Happy reading.