Chapter 25

Daphne had never seen such a distasteful estate, if you one could call it that. It made sense considering that the Weasley's were the poorest among the pureblood families, but she hadn't expected this. Even the falling snow could not bring a sense of beauty to the place.

"This looks very shitty," Astoria voiced flatly as they stood at the outskirts of the property.

"Hey! Be nice." Lupin interjected, "A home is a home. "

Daphne was not inclined to agree, but she would hold her tongue- and her nose- for the time being. From the outskirts, the place was filled with people, and the level of noise that could only be described as chaotic.

As they approached closer, Daphne was certainly a bit nervous. This was certainly out of her comfort level, but it was nice to be out of the rather stuffy headquarters. She hadn't realized how much she had been craving the outside world, or at least anything that wasn't medieval practices.

"Daphne?"

Daphne turned to see a Hermione coming from the side of the house. She was followed by Ron Weasley.

"Hermione!" Daphne replied, beaming as she found herself embracing Hermione. What a year it must have been for the simple fact that she felt such joy from seeing someone she considered fairly annoying just a few months ago.

"This invite happened so quick, I didn't even think about you being here, " Hermione said as she untangled herself and gazed toward the others, "Astoria...Professor Lupin!"

Lupin responded with a wry smile, "Merry Christmas, Hermione, and It's good to see you too Ron!"

"It's good to see you too, Professor," Ron said as he crossed his arms, "Daphne."

"Well, I'm going to head inside," Lupin said as he made his way to the door, "I'm sure you four can behave without me."

"It's cold," Astoria said as she followed Lupin, leaving the group to themselves outside.

Hermione nudged Daphne, "We're helping peel apples to make Christmas pudding, if you would like to help?"

Daphne furrowed her brow, "Isn't that a house-elves job?"

Hermione's face soured as the door swung open.

"Hermione," Someone called out. Which distracted Hermione from whatever lecture she was about to begin as she turned to face the door.

"Over here, Neville." Hermione replied.

"Whatever we do, we shouldn't do it in the cold." Ron said as he rubbed his arms. "Let's go back to the barn."

Neville approached the group, carrying a sack on his shoulders. He stared longingly at Hermione before turning his head slightly toward the rest of the group.

"Err...Sorry, it took so long, Ms. Weasley said this last sack should just about do it. Also Professor Lupin is here!" Neville said as he continued to stare with a rather confused glare at Daphne.

Hermione smiled, touching Neville lightly on his shoulder, "This is Daphne Greengrass, she's my friend and fellow apprentice I was telling you about."

"Oh...Greengrass," He said rather stiffly. "Wha-What exactly are you doing here?"

Daphne was unsure of how to answer. As she opened her mouth, Ron stepped forward grabbing the sack from Neville, "She's my friend too. Now can we please get back to the job at hand. I'm rather cold and hungry."

"Yeah...err... needs some of us to come help with another dish. I told her Hermione and I would help. "

Daphne could tell Hermione was not enthused with being spoken for, but she didn't object.

"Okay, well, I'll just peel these by myself then." Ron grumbled.

"Why don't you let...err- her- help," Neville said as he motioned to Daphne, "I mean you all are friends. It won't take long to finish."

Ron sighed, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Hermione crossed her arm glancing at Daphne, as she began moving toward the door, "I'll see you in a few, sit with me at Dinner."

Daphne nodded as she watched Hermione and Neville enter the house; leaving her outside with Ron.

"So we were peeling this in the barn behind the house. It's enchanted so we don't have to worry about the cold." Ron said as he threw the sack of apples over his shoulder and began walking behind the house where Daphne had first seen them, "Let's make this quick."

"Thanks for covering...earlier." Daphne said as she followed, looking around at the disheveled place he called a home.

"Sure," Ron said as they walked. As they continued on through the cold, they made their way through what seemed to be an attempted garden. However, it was littered with holes, rusted cauldrons, and otherwise unkempt flowers.

"Your sister seems okay?"

"She's...getting there." Daphne replied, "I never got to thank you for helping, so thank you. "

"Don't mention it...I don't want anyone to know what it's like to lose a sister."

They made their way to a rather small 'barn' - if you could call it that. As they made their way inside, it was small and cozy and an aroma of cinnamon, apples, and wood. A few Broomsticks littered the wall and the floor. Three chairs were circled around two buckets. As Daphne approached, she could see a knife on each chair.

"Unfortunately, we'll have to peel this by hand. We're not allowed to use magic." Ron said as he sat the sack of apples in the middle chair. "Peelings in one bucket, apple in the other."

They both sat, grabbing the apples and peeling. It wasn't anything Daphne had done before, but it was easy enough. It was quiet for a moment as the sound of peeled apples filled the room between them.

Ron finally broke the silence, "So...do you like Qudditch?"

"With everything going on, I don't really keep up with Quidditch news." Daphne said as she tossed an apple peel into the bucket, "But my family were huge financial supporters for the Chudley Cannons in their heyday, so I've always been a Cannons fan. I can't imagine they're doing any worse."

"No Way! Really? " Ron exclaimed. His face went red as he realized how overexcited he became, and in a more subdued tone he finished, "I'm a huge Cannons fan. I've been my entire life. "

Daphne smiled, "Growing up, I would go with my grandfather before he passed. I couldn't really appreciate it, but my sister and I would get to hang out with the team after the game."

"That's so fucking cool." Ron said as he dug his knife into an apple. His voice was low as he continued "I could never go to any matches."

"You know, it's not too late," Daphne replied, "Once the games are back, I'll see about getting you a front row pass, if you want."

Ron's face hardened, "I don't need your charity."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "It's not charity. We automatically get season passes since we've always been major contributors to the team, if you couldn't tell, I don't have much of a family to give it to."

"Well...still, I'll work for them." Ron said begrudgingly. "I don't need your money or help, and I don't need you to feel sorry for me cause we don't have a manor or because we're not like the other pureblood families. "

"And here I thought you were finally done being a hardarse," Daphne murmured. She tossed an apple into the bucket, "If you didn't notice I don't feel sorry for you at all. You're at your home. On Christmas. With family. It's not much but at least you have it. I don't know if you know this, but this war hasn't discriminated against families who have a manor and those who don't."

"You're right," Ron said, rubbing his head, "I'm sorry, I just have some bloody bad memories about arguments with Lave- I saw the way you were looking at the house when you were approaching. It just took me the wrong way."

"No, you're right. I don't even have a home anymore, so I shouldn't have been so judgmental. Old habits, you know?"

Ron reached into the sack, "Just a few more apples and we're done."

Daphne nodded as the peeled for a few moments more before she finally broke the silence.

"So what do you want to do...like career wise? "

Ron shrugged, "I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm thinking Maybe becoming an auror. It seems cool, valuable, paid well, and it's honorable. I hadn't really given it much thought."

"Not a professional Quidditch player?"

Ron laughed, "I don't know if you went to any games this term, but I'm rather rubbish. I barely made the team this year, so it's off the table. The only the reason I haven't been kicked off is because everyone feels so bloody bad for me."

"Well, you beat Slytherin."

"I had nothing to do with that, and we should have obliterated Slytherin but every Slytherin is just inherently cheaters." Ron said passionately to the disapproving gaze of Daphne. "Well, most of them-so err- What- uhh- what did you want you to do? I'm guessing be a healer right? "

"Yes. I want to be a healer."

"Why?"

"Before my mom died, we spent a lot of time at Mungo's and well, I loved to watch the healers as they worked. Something about it was so calming and cool to me, and It never left me," Daphne mused. "And I'm good at it. When I'm working with a patient, I have this focus that just...makes everything wash away. I feel whole when I'm focusing on a patient."

"That makes sense." Ron replied as he stood up. "Well, This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Daphne grinned, "It wasn't. Maybe Gryffindor's aren't as bad as I thought."

"If it's all the same to you, I'll hold off my judgements until the next Gryffindor and Slytherin Quidditch match." Ron said jokingly as he picked up the buckets.

Daphne laughed as they exited the barn and began walking back.

"So I didn't ask earlier cause of-you know- Neville, but where's Harry?"

"For the record, Are you Harry James Potter?"

Harry sat at the end of the table; the auror named Arran sat at the other end. Another auror sat in the corner of the room, at a separate table behind Harry with parchment and a self-writing where Harry sat, Arran looked to be a younger guy whose grey eyes were cold and detached. He could vaguely remember him from the night of the first imperious killer attack.

"I am." Harry said.

Arran turned toward the other auror, "Let it be noted that Head Auror and Best Protector of the Minister for Magic Arran Burton will lead in questioning while Auror Noah Oliver will be primary witness and official notifier."

"Noted," the other auror replied.

"And you did consent and consume a standard vial of veritaserum under the acknowledgement that anything said does not entirely indict or absolve you from crimes you are being investigated for?"

Harry could feel the effects of the spell running up against his occlumency defenses, like a constant hammer against a wall. Each hit was a bit harder and a bit louder against his defenses, so he would need to be careful as it was very easy to slip under veritaserum.

"Yes. I did."

Arran nodded firmly as he looked down at his own parchment, "Is there anything you would like to state, for the record, before we begin?"

"No."

"You are being investigated for charges of treason, conspiracy, and murder. Are these charges recognizable to you?"

"No. Explain them to me." Harry said.

"Treason for an attack against a Department of Minister of Magic employees, and an appointed Department of Justice head. Conspiracy for suspected plot against pureblood citizens of the wizarding community, and against ministry employees. Suspected Murder for those killed during your previous term at Hogwarts. Do you recognize these charges?"

Harry sat up straight against his chair, "I recognize them."

"On the recent charges of treason, you were seen attempting to kill newly appointed department head Tom Riddle. What motivated these attacks?" Arran asked, his expression and posture austere with a tone that was rather scathing and direct.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "I don't recall."

"Were you being pressured by other figures?"

"No."

"Then you were motivated by vengeance against the ministry, particularly Minister Scrimgeour?"

"I don't recall."

"Are you lying?"

"I'm telling the truth."

"So you've had no contact with any organization outside of the purview of the Ministry?"

"I haven't seen Albus Dumbledore since the Minister fired him."

"Was that unjust?"

"It was foolish."

"Walk me through the wedding massacre?"

Harry shook his head, "I was granted amnesty, so I will do no such thing."

"Okay," Arran said as he placed his hands on the table, "Walk me through your relationship with other Slytherins and your place in the Slytherin house?"

"I was put in Slytherin, and I know my fellow classmates, that's it."

"No friends?"

"Acquaintances."

"And where do you spend your time?"

"I don't know, why you don't ask for my 24/7 patrol?"

Arran was unfazed as he continued his rapid questioning. It was a smart tactic. Fast questioning could get anyone to slip up especially if they were not masterfully skilled at Occlumency.

"Describe your relationship with Mr. Zabini and Mr. Malfoy?"

"Acquaintances."

"And you have had no contact with any other house member?"

"None that is relevant."

It was silent in the room.

"Explain to me your relationship with the Greengrass Family?"

"Irrelevant." Harry answered flatly.

"Is it?" Arran rebutted. His tone accusatory, "Considering the younger Greengrass girl would commit a serious crime on your behalf?"

Harry mulled over it before responding, "I can't speak on behalf of her motivations."

"But it wasn't the first time a Greengrass would have attempted to save you?"

"I don't recall."

"Walk me through the previous Halloween night incident before aurors arrived?"

"I don't recall that night."

"You could try and work with us here, Mr. Potter." Arran said.

Harry replied rather pleasantly, "I'm doing the best I can, but it's a bit hard when you're already being treated as guilty."

There was a long pause.

"Let's take a ten minute break," Arran said as his eyes bore into Harry's. He could hear the quill drop behind him. "Would you like a drink?"

There was another long pause as Harry didn't move.

"Noah, grab Mr. Potter and I some water."

"Yessir," The auror Noah replied as he got up and left leaving just Harry and Arran in the room. Arran folded his arms and leaned closer on the table toward Harry.

"Harry, I'm not your enemy. " Arran said, his gaze still unfaltering and cold. "Personally, I know you're innocent, but my duties aren't personal."

This surprised Harry, but he didn't react. This had to be a trap.

"When Madam Bones was murdered, ministry officials began disappearing en masse, and everyone we attempted to hire to fill the position disappeared...except for one," Arran said matter-of-factly. "The same one who put you on that side of the table. "

Harry asked, "What's your point?"

"You will be formally charged with one, if not all crimes I've listed." Arran declared bluntly,"The Wizengamot has been stacked against you, and the Minister can't see that it will be stacked against him soon. I have to stop Tom Riddle, and you know how to help me."

"Sounds like treason, what you're suggesting, Auror."

Arran was resolute, "Call it what you want, but my duty is to protect the Wizarding World from dark forces. You nor I need to trust each other, but we can help each other."

"You think so?" Harry asked, feigning innocence.

"You know more about Tom Riddle than you would let on. There's a reason you attacked him. I want to know why. Everything that can be used to stop him before he destroys the ministry."

"I wish I could help you, but I don't know anything."

"Some advice, Harry," Arran said apathetically, "If you're someone with a lot of secrets, I would do my best to not make unnecessary enemies."

Harry didn't say anything.

"But I get it, and I'm sure you'll be more inclined to help me on your next visit. Considering, I haven't told anyone about the imposter Sarah who's been giving me updates over the Holiday."

The door opened.

"Hey, Sorry it took so long, someone apparently enchanted the spout to create a tsunami when used! Goddamned tricksters, I was soaking wet."

Arran smiled, "That's okay. I think we're done for now."

Post-Chapter Thoughts:

Happy Holidays, everyone. Enjoy!