Author's Note: Thank you all for the reviews. I hope you like this chapter, because the truth is revealed! Well, almost!
Well, I noticed a few of you asked me if this was going to be a Draco/Hermione fan-fiction. Well, I haven't decided yet because romance is really not the main focus of this story and I haven't thought about it. Perhaps you might be interested to know the reason why I chose these two characters to be the "lead actor" and "lead actress" in this story. Well, because I needed a character who has everything in the world at one moment, and then lost everything the next. Draco Malfoy's characterization by JK Rowling made him a good choice in this case. As for Hermione, I needed someone who is exceptionally clever, kind-hearted, yet has depth and courage. The characterization of the other girls by JK Rowling does not quite cut it, in my humble opinion only. They are all wonderful though, but I wanted to keep them in character so Hermione was really the only choice I have.
In Dumbledore's Office
Hermione's Point of View
As we followed the Headmaster to his office, I stole a glance at Snape out of the corner of my eye. His face was impassive. I thought he would scowl and be grumpy about it. After all, from Dumbledore's manner just now, it seemed that he was on my side.
Before I realized, we reached the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office. "Sherbet lemon!" said Dumbledore cheerfully and the gargoyle sprang to life & jumped aside.
Inside Dumbledore's circular, beautiful office, I stood my ground while Snape explained to Dumbledore how he caught me "sneaking around the Potions classroom" and I caught phases of "in the middle of the night" and "unbecoming behavior of a teacher". I rolled my eyes, an expression of exaggerated impatience on my face. Has he finished yet?
I felt Dumbledore's eyes on me and I turned to look at him. I was slightly relieved that his face was not reproachful, after Snape's unflattering account. "Well, Professor Granger?" Dumbledore asked gently.
"Headmaster" I began. He nodded and I continued. "I was in the Potions classroom to…uh…obtain" I said for lack of a better choice of words "Professor Snape's new dose of Veritaserum which he brewed last month. But I had my reasons, Headmaster. I think I know who is the real murderer of Arthur Weasley and I plan to use the Veritaserum to make him confess."
Snape drew a sharp breadth at my startling revelation. Dumbledore nodded at me to continue.
I poured out the whole story, From how I started on this investigation, to what I found out at Borgin & Burkes', and my visit to Percy's apartment. The first two parts were more directed at Snape. I felt slightly gleeful to see his very shocked and bewildered expression, as if he could not believe I could go to such great lengths for a Slytherin, and a Malfoy at that. Cheap thrill, Hermione, I chided myself slightly.
"Arthur Weasley suspected that a cohort of officials were taking bribes, and raised it to Cornelius Fudge." I explained. "Fudge gave the order for an investigation panel to be set up and Percy was appointed head of the panel. From Borgin, Percy found out the names of some junior officials who had been receiving bribes, from their superiors. Further investigations on these junior officials found that most of them were from the finance department and they were being bribed to tamper with the Ministry's accounting documents - so that funds could be siphon out from Ministry coffers. Percy paid Borgin for the information, of course, as it was within his duty scope as an investigation official. Percy's continued investigation led to the exposure of a conspiracy far greater than just funds siphoning. The siphoning of the funds were real, but the purpose behind is a conspiracy to overthrow Fudge and his government."
I paused and glanced at Dumbledore's knowing face and Snape's astonished expression. "Percy shared this information with Arthur Weasley, his father. Arthur Weasley was afraid for Percy's life, because he was uncovering not just a simple case of bribery, but a ruthless plot for rebellion, and potentially, was up against some dangerous, but invisible enemies. People at the top who were behind all these. He wanted Percy to relinquish the position as head of the investigation panel immediately. But Percy was adamant, accusing his father of obstructing what is a great opportunity for career ascension if he were ever to crack the case. For the second time in their life, they had the biggest fight ever."
"Percy pressed on with the investigation and found out from one of the junior officials it was the pureblood extremists, people like Lucius Malfoy & Avery, who were behind the coup to overthrow Fudge. The fall of the Dark Lord has had not stopped the Death-eaters from their quest to destroy mudbloods and half-bloods from the wizarding world. Over the years, Lucius Malfoy had bribed a sizeable number of Ministry staff, directly or indirectly, to do his bidding. Senior ministry officials, like Avery and Rabastan, were facilitating his dirty work within the Ministry. The siphoning of the funds serve two purposes: to create havoc & confusion on Ministry accounting documents and then purposely expose this to the public in time to come. So as to create negative controversy on the Ministry's and Fudge's integrity to throw Fudge out of office. The second, of course, was to used the siphoned funds to built up what they called the "coup fund" – to be used to finance a war, if it eventually has to come to that.
Snape interrupted me. "But what would Lucius Malfoy want to throw Fudge out of office? Fudge was practically his lapdog, we all know that!"
I answered him. "Yes, Fudge was. But Fudge was weak also, and he was afraid of Dumbledore. Such a man was of no use to Lucius Malfoy in the long run. Lucius was pushing Fudge to pass laws to purge wizards of Muggle parentage, that is, Mudbloods, from wizarding schools or working in the Ministry and Fudge refused, more because he was afraid that such extremist measures would led him into trouble. Especially with Dumbledore. And Lucius Malfoy cannot have an ally who is afraid of Dumbledore."
I continued. "Anyway, Percy reported his discovery to Fudge, who was outraged, of course. According to Percy, Fudge confronted Lucius Malfoy one night, who denied all of it. And accused Percy Weasley of trying to sow discord. Fudge wanted to bring Lucius to trial, but the junior official who could testify against Lucius suddenly went missing. Fudge was tied, because he had no evidence, and he, with all of his insecurities, did believed Percy Weasley and was very wary of Lucius Malfoy now. Fudge told Percy to continue working on the case and find evidence to bring Lucius Malfoy and his accomplices to trial."
"But as Percy did so, he unwittingly stumbled upon some very unfavorable evidence against Fudge himself! Apparently, after Fudge's confrontation with Lucius Malfoy, Percy issued a raid order on Lucius Malfoy's manor in the name of searching for evidence. It was then Lucius Malfoy told Percy the following:
Lucius Malfoy: Weasley, searching for evidence in my manor? Foolish, don't you think so? Do you really think you would find anything?
Percy Weasley: Mr. Malfoy, we have every reason to believe you were involved in a conspiracy against the Ministry. And we will bring you to justice!
Lucius Malfoy: Conspiracy against the Ministry? Well, then I suppose you should put Fudge in your list as well.
Percy Weasley: What do you mean?
Lucius Malfoy: Well, I happen to know that Fudge himself was involved in a case of bribery some years ago. Someone offered him galleons, ten thousands of galleons, in exchange for the freedom of some suspected Deatheaters in Azkaban years ago.
Percy Weasley: Wh..what?
Lucius Malfoy: Well, how do you supposed I, and Avery, and Dolohov, among others, managed to get out of Azakaban during my son's sixth year at Hogwarts?
Percy Weasley: How…dare you, Mr. Malfoy! To insinuate that the Minister……
Lucius Malfoy: Just something for you to chew on, Percy Weasley. In the meantime, happy searching. Be careful not to damage anything in this manor. You will not be able to afford the replacement costs.
Percy Weasley: I will bring you to justice, Malfoy!
Lucius Malfoy: How admirable, Weasley. However, be assured you will never be able to trace anything back to me. Not the coup, nor the bribery to get myself released out of Azkaban. We Malfoys are backed by power, wealth, status, none of which you and that pathetic father of yours have, and we are untouchable, Weasley. Remember that.
Percy was obviously disturbed at this shocking discovery. He went back to check the Azkaban records and in accordance to Lucius Malfoy's statement, the Deatheaters were released due to "insufficient evidence" and the release was authorized by Fudge.
Percy then approached Gringotts, on the pretext as a investigation official, he needed access to bank statements. The goblins disclosed the bank statements of all the names Percy wanted to check, including Fudge's. It was then Percy discovered that two years ago, a lump sum of ten thousand galleons was indeed deposited to Fudge's bank account. By none other than Borgin.
Percy knew he had to speak to Borgin again. He was getting frightened, though. This was too severe for him to handle. Percy did the only thing he knew. He went back to his father, Arthur Weasley.
Arthur Weasley was outraged. But Arthur Weasley was a father first before he was a Ministry Official, and he feared for Percy's life. Arthur Weasley wanted Percy to stop investigating and take leave from work straightaway.
But unknown to Percy, Arthur Weasley drank the Polyjuice Potion to disguise himself as Percy and went to see Borgin. That was the day he was killed." I finished, in a very final tone.
Dumbledore looked at me gravely and stated "So you know who murdered Arthur Weasley." I looked at Dumbledore & nodded, and I could see from the wise man's eyes that he too, knew exactly who I was referring to.
Snape was looking at Dumbledore incredulously. "Who?" he asked, eyebrows raised. He turned to Dumbledore and said "I must admit I do not know who she refers to, Headmaster. But even if I do know, this Ms Granger does not have evidence! It is all DEDUCTIONS! If you observe……"
Dumbledore nodded "That is precisely why she needs the Veritaserum, Severus. Because we do not have evidence."
Author's Note: Well, I made it longer this time. And I promise, there will be Draco angst in either the next chapter or the next one after, okay? In fact, there will likely be a chapter with very heavy Draco angst. I've sort of conceptualize it already. Just need to think what is the best way to compose it. Please review……hope you like this chapter.