CHAPTER 44: The Interrogation

Harry didn't stop until he reached the room of requirement. He walked inside to find the normal meeting place. He turned around and waited for the rest of the DA to file inside. Harry noticed that they all had similar determined looks on their faces. To Harry's surprise Fred and George Weasley walked in as well.

"Someone want to fill us in on where our little brother is?" Fred asked.

"I needed to talk to you about that actually. Ron was the one who smuggled the Lethifolds into Gryffindor tower and cast the flame freezing charms on the fireplaces."

"WHAT?" George yelled.

"I knew he was a git but this tops it all!" Fred chimed in.

"Before you sentence him you should know that he is under the imperius curse." Harry said quietly.

"But how?"

"And who?"

"That's what I was meaning to talk to you about. Ron was acting strange lately, we all knew it, but do you know if he ran into anyone or visited anyone suspicious?" Fred and George shook their heads. "Not even Percy?" They both shook their heads again but George's head popped up.

"Wait, maybe he did say something about that!"

"I think I would have remembered that, George."

"No, remember when Ron started rambling when we were leaving St. Mungo's?"

"Yea, nobody knew what the hell he was saying. I don't even think he knew."

"He knew exactly what he was saying. He said something like 'he was right all along, I need to fix it.' It all makes sense now!"

"Percy's letter!" Fred exclaimed, finally catching on.

"You're sure that's what Ron said?"

"I'm positive, Harry. I only remembered it because it was the only thing the whole time that I could make out clearly." Harry considered the far wall for a minute.

"That's good enough for me. Any idea where Percy's hiding?" Fred and George looked at each other.

"You didn't hear?" Harry shook his head. "We got an owl post just after Ginny died. He didn't even stop by to see her, just a letter saying that this was our punishment for siding with you. Ron, apparently had already come to that conclusion. Percy also said that Penelope sent her condolences."

"So he's living with Penelope Clearwater now?" George nodded. "Did they get married?" Fred shook his head.

"I don't even know how he could have afforded the house. He didn't exactly make much money as Fudge's assistant and me and George are the only ones that had kmoney to give him and we sure as hell didn't."

"So how could he have gotten the money?" George asked nobody in particular.

"Maybe he didn't get the money."

"I don't think Percy would steal a house, Harry."

"No, I mean maybe he's living with someone who owns the house already."

"But who would take that bastard in? Nobody likes him except-"

"Penelope. Where do her parents live?"

"Somewhere in London, I'll get you the address tonight."

Harry turned away from the twins to address the rest of the DA, most of the members were now staring stupidly at the three of them.

"You guys all know what happened. We need to make sure Voldemort knows he can't expect to get away with something like this. You let me take care of Percy but you need to know that it can't be long before we're under siege. We're going to have some visitors to the castle in the next few weeks so don't be surprised, they're here to help. I need to talk with Fred, george, and Hermione for abit so you guys can all get going, keep an eye on your coins though."

Harry waited for the DA to filter out of the room before continuing his discussion with the remaining three.

"Fred, how far along have you guys gotten on that list I gave you?"

"Not real far, we've completed a few of the easier items."

"The ones we already had and just needed to tweak."

"But the others could take some time. Especially the last one, we have some theories but we're not sure about any of them to be honest."

"I wouldn't have had to come to you guys if they were easy. I want you to update me on any process you make or setbacks you hit. Let me know about Penelope's address, too." The twins bowed their heads and left. Harry got the funny feeling that it was the first time they bowed to him and actually meant it.

"What'd you want me for?" Hermione asked quietly.

"I need you to get in touch with Rita Skeeter. I think it's time for her to do another exclusive."

"Oh."

"You sound disappointed."

"I thought you were going to…I don't know. I'll see about Rita." She turned to leave but Harry caught her arm.

"You were wondering about Ron?"

"That was part of it."

"He's under the imperius curse, I have no doubts. He's got a temper but he wouldn't raise a hand to you even if he knew you were cheating on him. You obviously never saw the way he looked at you when he thought nobody was watching. He loves you, Hermione. I'm going to make sure he comes back to you."

"But...I thought…What about you?" Harry had thought about Hermione quite a bit ever since Ginny died, but now it seemed all wrong. Every time he thought about her as anything more than a friend Ginny's face would intrude in his thoughts. He loved Hermione as a friend. Maybe he had just been looking for a comforting shoulder. Maybe she was as well, Harry kept forgetting that she had as good as lost her boyfriend.

"We're best friends and there is no changing that. We've been through a lot together and we're both vulnerable. I think we were just trying to trick ourselves into thinking something was there when it waasn't. We were both afraid of being alone and we latched onto one another. You'll have Ron back soon though."

"What are you going to do?"

"How am I going to get him back you mean?"

"No, how are you going to handle everything?" Harry considered her for a moment and then shrugged.

"I'll think of something. I always do." Hermione got the picture that the conversation was over and walked from the room. Harry spent some more time sitting on a pile of cushionsand just letting his thoughts drift before returning to Gryffindor Tower.

The next day Harry woke up and made his way down to breakfast alone. When he arrived he noticed that his revised schedule was sitting in front of him. Harry grabbed a muffin and began to read it but was interrupted by the owl post. Harry looked around and saw a beautiful snowy white owl flying in the middle of the group. It was a few seconds before Harry realized that the owl was heading straight for him, it wasn't Hedwig. The owl swooped down and dropped a letter on his plate next to the muffin and soared off again.

Harry eyed the envelope suspiciously before taking out his wand. He levitated it carefully and turned it so he could inspect every inch of it. He used his wand to open it and a piece of parchment and a photograph fell out, it was from the twins. All that suspicion for nothing, though the twins would've found it hilarious.

Harry

Hope you like our new owl, we were always jealous

of you for having Hedwig (the girls thought he was

adorable), so we got Anwen. Hopefully the ladies

will love her too. Speaking of ladies we found

the Clearwater's address. It's in Pembroke in the

South east of Wales, number 148 Lower Lamphey Road.

Let us know if you need anything, and try not to get killed.

-Your Business Partners

Harry slipped the letter into the pocket of his robes and studied the picture. The house was a large red brick building on lots of land. He put the photograph into the same pocket as the letter and took out his schedule again. He had Transfiguration first thing. How could they have already founf a replacement? Harry was lost in thought so he just nodded a greeting to the Gryffindors who sat down around him.

"Who do you think is taking over for Mcgonagall?" He heard someone say.

"I can't be sure but I think I know. If I'm right we'll want to get there early for good seats."

"Hermione don't do this to us, who do you think it is?"

"You'll just have to wait and see. Come on, Harry let's go." Harry vaguely heard her but didn't respond. She slapped him on the back of his head causing him to jump out of his seat and the rest of the Gryffindors to laugh. "I said let's go, Harry. The rest of our classmates are being childish and are going to end up with bad seats for an amazing lesson."

"Yea, sure let's go." Harry said unenthusiastically. Seamus sniggered but was silenced by a look from Hermione. When they reached Mcgonagall's old room it was different. It was no longer the cold, harsh room that it had been. It was now a brightly colored, comfortable area. Hermione looked almost outraged by the appearance but suddenly brightened.

"I'm definitely right, I know it." The rest of the student were now filing in and taking seats. Hermione made Harry sit in the front row with her.

"What are you right about? Who is it?"

"Me." Said an amused voice from the doorway behind them. When harry turned around he saw the tall figure dressed in deep purple robes, Albus Dumbledore. "You all seem to forget that I was Professor McGonagall's predecessor. I guess it is only fitting for me to take over the class for now." He strode to the front of the room and sat on the edge of the desk. From Hermione's smile Harry could tell that she had indeed been correct. "During the second term this year I've decided to start you on animagus transformations. Please note that not everyone will be able to do it. For some it will be, quite literally, impossible to even try. For others it will be nearly impossible to focus enough energy into the transformation to complete it. I will do a very simple spell right now to see who will be able to attempt the transformation. If you do not have the ability than I will move on with a different topic for you to study somewhat independently." Hermione's hand shot up.

"Sir, doesn't it take years to become an animgus?"

"For some people, yes it does. This is the case especially if it is being done without a proper teacher." Dumbledore looked over his half moon spectacles at her, ahe didn't miss the connection. "If there are no other questions why don't we begin with you, Miss Granger?" Hermione stood up cautiously. Dumbledore repeated the process that Professor McGonagall had done to find his animal. The end result, however, was not an eagle like Harry, it was a cat. Hermione watched the ghostly looking cat walk around in a circle and stretch its back before it disappeared. "I'm not surprised, Miss Granger. In fact I was almost expecting it. Harry why don't you go next?" Harry got up, not sure what Dumbledore was playing at. He already had an animagus form and had perfected the transformation.

Try to look upset. Dumbledore's voice rang in his head and he caught on. Dumbledore pointed the wand at him but instead of an owl shooting out with a bang nothing happened. Dumbledore frowned and Harry followed suit. He dropped his head in shame.

"Don't worry, Harry. Most wizards cannot transform. Why don't you go back to Gryffindor tower, I'd like to meet with you later, however, about your class schedule." Harry nodded glumly and walked from the room. As soon as he got into the hallway, however, he took the photograph out of his pocket and studied it once again. He pointed his wand at himself and suddenly he had blonde hair with bangs to cover his scar and a mustache that made him look a good deal older. Satisfied, he holstered his wand and with a crack he was gone.

When Harry reappeared he was standing in front of the large brick building from the photograph. He walked up to the front door, deciding that the best way inside was to knock rather than try to sneak in through a window.

"Yes?" The man who answered the door was no taller than Harry and rather thin. Harry immediately saw the resemblance to Penelope. She had the same eyes and nose as this man. Harry shook his hand enthusiastically and pushed past him into the entrance hall.

"Mr. Clearwater it is an honor to finally meet you. I've heard quite a bit about you from Percy Weasley, he says you're a great man and I'm beginning to see why." Harry was speaking so fast that the man couldn't interrupt him. At the mention of Percy's name, however, Harry saw something flicker in the man's eyes that told Harry his hunch had been right, Percy was in the house. "Speaking of young Mr. Weasley he owled me a few days ago and I wanted to get back to him in person, it's rather important business, I'm sure a man of your stature would understand. Where is he anyway?"

"He's –uh- in his room on the second floor, would you like me to get him-" He spluttered but Harry cut him off.

"No, that's quite alright I wouldn't want to impose on you. I'll just run up and find his room if you don't mind." Before the man could answer Harry had taken off up the fancy wooden spiral staircase. Harry opened the first door he came to, an empty study. He ran down the hall and opened the next one.

"Who are you?" A girl shrieked.

"I'm sorry, I thought this was Percy Weasley's room. I hope I didn't disturb you, I'm awfully embarrassed." He said. "I wonder if I could trouble you to opint me in the right direction?" The girl looked at him suspiciously before pointing.

"It's the next door that way."

'Thank you very much, ma'am." He said as he quietly closed the door. He walked over to Percy's door and threw it open. He rushed inside and grabbed Percy by the collar before the red head could get his wand out. Harry yanked him from the chair and threw him onto his back. Percy got his wand out but Harry caught his wrist and twisted it hard to the right causing the wand to fall from his grip. Harry apparated from the room, Percy's collar still in his grasp, before anyone even reached the doorway.

When Harry reappeared in his dormitory Percy was unconscious. The return trip had seemed like an eternity to Harry, who had heard Percy's screams. Apparently forcing someone through the Hogwarts wards was about as bad as the cruciatus curse. Harry opened his trunk to the sixth compartment and carried Percy inside. He strapped him down to the bed and left, locking the trunk behind him. If his instincts were right it would be about an hour before Percy would wake up. Harry wouldn't return until lunch time, two hours after he woke up. This was partially because it would be suspicious for Haryr to miss class and partially so Percy would have enough time to get scared of the instruments lying next to the table. Harry wasn't planning on having to use any of them but Percy didn't know that.

He left the common room and made his way down to the defense corridorwhere most of the class was assembled. He smiled and winked at Hermione, her jaw dropped in awe. She pulled him away from the group.

"You've only been gone 10 minutes!"

"I've been gone that long? I guess the trip home really did take a long time." She shook her head but he was spared any further comments by McClaggan arriving at the door.

"Let's go, busy day today. I thought we'd start by burning off all that weight you gained from Christmas dinner. Let's head out to the quidditch pitch for a run through the gauntlet." Most of the class groaned but Harry was excited. He had come to love physical exercise because he knew that most wizards woudn't bring themselves down to that level. It just gave Harry one more advantage.

When they reached the quidditch pitch Harry saw the familiar structure of the Gauntlet. McClaggan told them to stretch and get ready.

"I shouldn't even let you stretch because you can be sure that if death eaters jump you they won't give you five minutes notice so you can prepare. You must always be ready." When the class finished stretching he called out the first name, Hannah Abbot. The class cheered everyone on as they went through the course and this time around everybody finished. Harry had the feeling that he had beaten his own time but McClaggan wasn't giving out the scores, he was just taking copious notes on his clipboard.

"Let's head back inside, it's time for class." The class groaned and followed him back towards the school. The rest of the class was uncomfortable for most of the students who had sweat through their robes. Harry, however, hadn't even broken a sweat in his quick run. McClaggan let the class out a few minutes early so they could shower and change before their next class. He must have known Harry didn't need it and asked him to stay after.

"Yes, Professor?" Harry asked kindly. McClaggan raised and eyebrow.

"Whenever you talk like that I think you're up to something."

"I'm always up to something." The Scot laughed.

"Too true, Harry. I hear you made quite a few friends over break." Harry nodded, wondering where he was going with this. "I have a friend in France that just sent me a letter. I haven't spoken to him in some time and I was going to visit. You want to come along and see if you can get into the Chancellor's office?"

"Can your friend get me a meeting?" Breannan laughed again.

"He's not exactly the type of guy that the Chancellor of magic would talk to. The girl you met during the triwizard tournament, however, and her headmistress could probably get you in though."

"I was thinking about owling Fleur, I hadn't thought of Madame Maxime though. I'll talk to them and let you know when they can meet me."

"You do that." He patted Haryr on the shoulder and wwent back to his desk. Harry, realizing that the meeting was over, left the room.

For the next hour Harry sat through an unusually boring charms class. He assumed that it was boring because he already knew how to do everything they were learning. What he didn't understand was how Hermione put up with going to all her classes already knowing everything when he couldn't even sit through one. When the bell rang Harry ran off to the great hall, grabbed a sandwich and sprinted off for Gryffindor tower. When he got into his dormitory he closed the curtains behind them and stepped into the sixth compartment of his trunk. Percy was laying there, his eyes transfixed on the various instruments on the table next to the bed.

"Harry!" He squeaked. "You came to save me!" Harry decided to play along and ran up to the table.

"Yea, perce, but you've got to tell me who I'm saving you from." He began fiddling with the straps as if he were trying to untie him.

"Voldemort! Who else would capture me?"

"Why would Voldemort be interested in capturing you?"

"Because I-" But Percy stopped talking when he realized that Harry was no longer trying to untie him.

"Because you failed him? Because you were supposed to make Ron kill me and all you could do was kill some first year pureblood? I bet he's pretty upset with you right now." Percy's eyes went wide with fear.

"But…it was you?" Harry nodded. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you do, Percy." Harry summoned a chair across the room from his prisoner and took a bite from his sandwich. "Ron came to talk to you after Ginny died, didn't he?"

"Y-yes but-"

"And when he showed up he was vulnerable and you took advantage of that. You thought that since I had already gotten rid of Voldemort's supporters here at Hogwarts that you would be pushed up the ranks if you could get someone else inside. So you cast the imperius curse on Ron."

"No I-of course not!" He spluttered, Harry could see right through him.

"When you told Voldemort of your triumph he gave you the plan, he wanted you to give Ron the lethifolds and make sure we would think they were blankets. The only problem was that it didn't work. Now Voldemort thinks you betrayed him, he thinks you got cold feet and he can't have a death eater who doesn't follow orders."

"I-I He put me under the imperius curse."

"Yes I can see how much trouble your having fighting it." Percy was sobbing uncontrollably now.

"You just don't know what its like! He'll kill you without thinking about it! What else could I have done?"

"YOU COULD HAVE STOOD UP TO HIM!"

"He would have killed me!"

"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!"

"So what's going to happen now?"

"You're going to lift the curse off of Ron and then I'll figure out what to do with you."

"You're…you're going to kill me aren't you? You can't kill me, Harry!"

"I've killed better wizards than you, Percy. But I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I'll leave you to your thoughts." Harry stood up, banished the chair he had summoned and walked out of the trunk.