Chapter 12

It wasn't that Harry didn't want Ellen Mueller's case brought out into the open and catch the attention of the Auror department. He wanted that to happen. Of course he did. But he hadn't meant to plant himself right at the centre of it.

Harry released a quiet sigh while Dumbledore sputtered in complete disbelief at Charlus' accusation. Harry really, truly had meant to keep a low profile this schoolyear. Hell, this entire life, even. But apparently he was simply incapable of doing so and now he had to live with the consequences of his chronic impulsiveness.

"Mr Potter," Dumbledore said, chin up and eyes narrowed as he glared at Charlus. "I assure you that we took the utmost care to determine Miss Mueller's cause of death, but we ultimately decided it wasn't necessary to involve the authorities since it was an open and shut case of suicide."

Charlus gritted his teeth, took a step back and gestured towards the nearby hallway. "With me, all of you."

"Charlus, be reasonable," Dumbledore said, spreading his hands in a placating gesture.

"This is now an official investigation and if you refuse to participate, Professor Dumbledore, I will arrest you for obstruction of justice. That's a promise." Charlus marched out of the Entrance Hall and what do you know, Dumbledore must have believed that threat because he followed quietly, head still held high and purple robes swishing around his legs.

For his part, Harry also followed without comment, though he did marvel at having just witnessed exactly where his own temper came from. It was obvious that the Potter family had a bit of a genetic predisposition for furious outbursts, especially when justice was on the line.

"Inside," Charlus said, opening the first classroom door he could find. Inside were two older Hufflepuff students busy exploring each other's tonsils up close and personal. They sprang apart, took one look at Charlus' thundercloud expression and all but fled the classroom while everyone else stepped inside.

"Now, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Dippet, I expect a full report of Ellen Mueller's death and your handling of the situation on my desk first thing tomorrow morning. I will then personally interview every single person who was involved in this case, starting with Gawain Macmillan."

Dumbledore looked more and more constipated as he listened to Charlus' demands and promises. "Charlus, I assure you that Gawain is a fine young man. Very spirited, very good at Quidditch. He flew for the Falmouth Falcons for three seasons before starting at the Department for Magical Games and Sports."

"He's a rapist!"

For once it wasn't Harry who all but yelled that. Harry glanced to his side, surprised to see Myrtle standing there with a frozen expression on her face as though she'd just accidentally tickled a sleeping dragon and now realized what a tremendously stupid idea that had been.

"Miss Warren, these baseless accusations have to stop," Dumbledore said with a stern glare aimed directly at Myrtle, who gulped audibly and took a step back. "If Miss Mueller had been hurt I'm sure she would have come to me, since I was her Head of House."

Harry snorted in the most unfeminine way possible. "Like hell she would have. Not with the way you talk about her rapist. Because that's exactly what you would have told her had she come to you. That Gawain is just a spirited young man and he probably didn't mean to do it and perhaps she should just find it in her heart to forgive him, or better yet, maybe in the future just give into his demands because boys will be boys after all."

By the time Harry was done with his little tirade, Dumbledore's face had gone ashen again while Dippet had his balding head bowed and looked about 20 years older, if that was even possible. Charlus, on the other hand, gave Harry an approving nod while Myrtle had grabbed hold of Harry's arm and hung on for dear life.

"Hogwarts has a structural problem with all sorts of forms of assault, especially of muggleborns. Sexual assault as well as violent bullying and nothing is done about it, so muggleborns don't even bother to report it because no one will do anything about it anyway," Harry said, calmly now, when it became clear no one else was going to say anything. "Muggleborn students are treated very differently than the purebloods. Half-bloods sit somewhere in the middle, depending if they have a magical parent or not. No, don't deny it," Harry said when Dumbledore looked ready to interrupt him. "Just now during my interview no one even offered to contact my family for me, even though I'm a 15-year-old girl and I should have had an adult family member there while I was questioned."

Charlus cleared his throat and suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. "I had requested to be there for your interview, Harriet, seeing as we are related."

Harry gave him a small, grateful smile. "I appreciate the sentiment, Charlus, but I barely know you. We've met two times over the summer. I much rather would have had my mother or older sister there. And if I were a half-blood or pureblood, they would have been there."

Dumbledore seemed at a loss for words, so Harry kept talking, glad he had the opportunity to voice some of his grievances. "Headmaster Dippet," Harry said, and the old man finally raised his head and gave Harry an uncertain look. "What students need is a person they can trust. Someone who will listen to them without judgement, and who won't treat them differently based on their blood or their wealth or their cultural background. Someone who regularly talks to the students, to build a relationship with them so that if something does happen they'll feel confident to share it with that person." Harry briefly glanced at Dumbledore and then gave Dippet a pointed look. "And for Merlin's sake, this person has to be a woman."

"I will take this under advisement and create such a position, Miss Hubble, I promise you that," Dippet said with a solemn nod. "I'm sure you will also be relieved to learn that you no longer have to worry about running into your assailant, since I am expelling Konrad Mulciber."

For one brief moment it looked like Dumbledore actually wanted to say something about it, but thought the better of it and merely nodded instead.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Harry said sincerely while Myrtle squeezed his arm even tighter. "That is a great relief indeed."

They ended their impromptu meeting at this point and Harry nodded at Charlus while Myrtle all but dragged him out of the classroom in a mild panic.

"I can't believe you said all those things to Dumbledore and Dippet!" Myrtle said in an urgent whisper as they hurried towards the Great Hall.

"They needed to be said," Harry said by way of explanation. To be honest, he couldn't quite believe it himself, either, since he hadn't meant to step up on a soapbox and suddenly become the advocate for all sexual assault victims at Hogwarts. But it had needed to be said, and when no one else did, Harry figured he might as well do it.

Damn his Gryffindor impulsiveness and thirst for justice.

When they reached the Entrance Hall, Harry saw Tom standing against a wall in a relaxed pose. He held a thermos in his arm, and a small bundle folded inside a cloth napkin. The second he spotted Harry he pushed away from the wall and approached them. Myrtle released Harry's arm as if it had suddenly burned her and took a few steps away from him.

"Harriet," Tom said with a small, neutral smile. "I wonder if you'd join me for a walk around the grounds. It's still well over an hour until dinner, after all."

Harry briefly glanced at Myrtle, since he didn't want to abandon her after the emotional afternoon they'd both had, but Myrtle made shooing motions to urge Harry to go. "I'll just go to the library and find something good to read," Myrtle assured her. "That always calms me down."

"I'll see you at dinner," Harry said with a small wave and then let Tom lead him out of the castle. The weather was still mild, though it had rained earlier that day and everything was wet and glistening.

Neither one of them spoke as they strolled across the wide lawn in the direction of the lake, though Tom did shoot Harry various curious looks every now and then. But Harry wasn't going to give anything away so easily. If Tom had questions, he could simply ask them. They made it to a formation of rocks beside the lake near the forest, which were often used as a place to hang out by the students. Tom conjured a blanket with a swish of his wand, and then two porcelain cups. He unscrewed the thermos and poured two cups of steaming tea. The bundle turned out to be a pile of digestive biscuits. While Harry sat down on the blanket, Tom handed her a cup and a biscuit.

So now Harry was having an impromptu picnic with Tom Riddle. While he nibbled his biscuit Harry briefly questioned his entire life that had led up until this point because what the hell even?

Tom sat down across from Harry, legs stretched out to the side, while he sipped his own cup of tea. "I hadn't expected you to involve the Aurors."

"Hm." Harry stared at Tom for a few long moments. "What had you expected then? That I torture Mulciber to death?"

Tom got a funny sort of look on his face, as though he had perhaps thought that but would never publicly admit it. Then he sighed and his expression turned almost sympathetic, which was something Harry didn't think he'd ever seen on Tom's face before. "You have to understand, Harriet, that the Aurors can only do so much. The Mulciber family is very rich and powerful and it's entirely possible Mulciber will escape punishment altogether."

"He's already been expelled," Harry was quick to point out. "Dippet told me that personally."

"Ah." Tom took his time studying Harry's blank expression, as though looking for any cracks in his mask. "And you're satisfied with just expulsion? Because I sincerely doubt Konrad will ever see the inside of Azkaban."

"Of course not," Harry said, and ate the last of his biscuit, taking the time to chew and swallow while Tom waited for him to elaborate. "But I assure you, Mulciber will face more punishment than that. Far more punishment."

Tom's whole face lit up, his lips pulling back in a sharp grin. He leaned closer to Harry across the blanket. "What did you do?"

Harry shrugged and sipped his cup of tea.

"Harriet," Tom said, with a bit of a whine in his voice. "Harriet, what magic did you use on him?"

"Tom," Harry said with a grin that was full of amusement at Tom's obvious impatience. "You're a Slytherin. Do you honestly expect me to just confess any crimes I may or may not have committed to you?"

"Well." Tom sat back again with a chuckle. "I had hoped a Ravenclaw wouldn't be quite so secretive."

"Try a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff next time," Harry said with a knowing smile. Then he sobered and looked Tom right in his brown eyes. "Just remember that revenge is a dish best served cold."

"You have done something," Tom concluded with a burst of laughter. "You got some terrible curse from your aunt the Unspeakable and you cursed Konrad, didn't you?"

"I can neither confirm or deny anything," Harry said in a sing-song voice and then he reached for another biscuit. "Mind if I help myself? I am feeling rather peckish."

Tom snorted and snatched up another biscuit for himself as well, though his eyes never left Harry's face. "You impress me, Harriet Hubble," Tom said, biscuit hovering in front of his mouth. "And I don't impress easily."

"Oh," Harry said after he finished his treat. "Just so you know, Dumbledore was quite eager to somehow pin Mulciber's crimes on you somehow. I told him in no uncertain terms you had nothing to do with it."

Tom's eyes narrowed and his lips thinned. "That man is determined to accuse me of every little thing that happens at Hogwarts."

"Yeah, he's a prejudiced bastard," Harry agreed easily enough. Once upon a time he'd looked up to Dumbledore, but those days were long since gone. "But Charlus is now investigating Ellen Mueller's case, and he might be able to knock Dumbledore down a few pegs."

"One can hope," Tom said in a frosty voice. He kept staring at Harry, though his expression, which had been quite open before, slowly closed off. "I did know. I never actually did any of the things Mulciber was involved in, but I did know what Mulciber was up to. He was always very eager to share the details, long before you ever used that special truth magic on him."

Harry sighed and shook his head. He'd suspected this, of course, and he honestly wasn't sure what to think of it. "I don't blame you for this," Harry eventually decided to say. "I know you were treated badly in Slytherin at first, so I understand why you wouldn't want to risk your own safety by ratting out a pureblood roommate."

"And I didn't care what happened to you and the other muggleborns," Tom said in complete honesty. Harry appreciated that, even though it was a very harsh truth to hear. "But then I got to know you." Tom closed his mouth for a moment, seemingly unsure what else to say, while his brows curved up in a rather confused frown.

"It's a lot harder to ignore the pain and suffering of others once you care for them," Harry concluded for him, and Tom gave a single nod, though he still looked rather confused, which was strangely adorable. Oh come on, now was not the time to have those kind of ridiculous thoughts. Harry blamed Harriet's adolescent, hormonal body, somehow.

"I don't understand why Mulciber needed so much sex," Tom said, still in obvious confusion. "Why didn't he simply curse you if he wanted to hurt you? It's so much easier than do what he ended up doing."

Harry had to briefly bite his lip so he wouldn't burst out in laughter. The subject matter was far too serious for that. "Wait, you truly think Mulciber was just some horny bastard who did what he did so he could get off?"

"Well, why else would he do it?" Tom asked, head tilted as he stared at Harry as though he doubted his sanity.

"Tom, rape isn't about sex," Harry said, sitting up a bit as he slipped into lecture mode without even realizing it. "Rape is about power. Rape is the tool a rapist uses to gain power over his victim, and to hurt them."

Tom's brows were doing that confused curve again. "Are you certain?"

"Yes," Harry said with conviction. He'd always paid full attention during their criminal profiling lessons at Auror training and he knew exactly what made the average rapist tick. "Mulciber did it to feel superior over muggleborns, to show us our place if you will. It had nothing to do with actual sex."

"Huh." Tom shifted his body and ran his fingers across his mouth while he looked at nothing at all. "That explains why he didn't simply go to Knockturn Alley and pay for it. He certainly had enough money to do so."

Harry couldn't hold back the snort of laughter at Tom's pragmatic solution to a teenager's horniness.

Tom shrugged his shoulders and then he gave Harry a surprisingly sad smile. "I am sorry this happened to you."

"Thanks," Harry said and ducked his head, unsure what to do with such a sympathetic Tom Riddle. "I'll be fine, though."

"Oh, I'm sure you will be," Tom agreed with a quiet chuckle. "You certainly showed far more teeth and claws than Konrad was expecting."

Harry felt a coil of grief at poor Harriet's true fate, which kept him from making any public claims about standing up for himself and seeking justice because it was the right thing to do and other such drivel. Truth was, Mulciber's actions had killed Harriet, plain and simple. Mulciber had hurt her so much that she saw no other way out. And just because Harry, who was an adult Auror, did have the strength to stand up for himself didn't mean that Harriet's suffering wasn't real or that Harriet had been weak because of the choices she had made.

The world, but especially Hogwarts, had failed Harriet. And all Harry could do now was trying to fix that problem once and for all.

If Tom noticed Harry's sudden heightened emotions, he didn't show it. "I've certainly learned never to underestimate you, Miss Hubble."

"Smart man," Harry agreed and then held out his empty cup when Tom picked up the thermos for a refill. They chatted for half an hour more, and Harry told Tom in detail what had happened during his confrontation with Dumbledore. Tom took great delight in Harry basically calling Dumbledore out on his bullshit.

They made it back to the castle in time for dinner and said their goodbyes with the understanding they'd see each other again the next afternoon in the library.

Myrtle was already seated at the Ravenclaw table. She had her head down, face pale. Harry sat down beside her and gave her a questioning look.

"Are you all right?" Harry whispered while he reached for the mashed potatoes.

Myrtle nodded, glanced up at him and gave him a tremulous smile. "Yeah. It's just…students were talking in the library. About us and the others."

"Ah." Harry spooned potatoes on his plate while a frown slowly took over his face. Of course kids would gossip about what had happened. Harry knew only too well how mean teenagers could be. As long as it stayed with a bit of gossip, they'd be able to ignore it, even if it was unpleasant to hear it. But Harry had a gut feeling that some students would be happy to use this as an opportunity to bully some mudbloods. Or a few might believe they needed to avenge poor Konrad Mulciber, who was clearly the victim of slander or some such nonsense.

Harry had already briefly considered teaching Myrtle and the other muggleborns some defence. Perhaps now was the time to make good on that offer.

"After dinner, we'll visit Dippet," Harry told Myrtle to hopefully make her feel better.

"Dippet? Why?" Myrtle did perk up a little, if only because she was a Ravenclaw and therefor innately curious.

Harry gave her a huge grin. "It's a surprise."

Dippet was in his office, still looking beyond tired. Harry imagined that the revelations of that day did weigh heavily on him. As far as Harry knew, Dippet wasn't a bad person at all. Just an ignorant one, who believed the best of people and therefore had a hard time comprehending there were real monsters out there, hiding amongst the regular people.

"Miss Hubble, Miss Warren," Dippet said, seated behind his ornate desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Thank you for seeing us," Harry said as he and Myrtle stood in front of the desk. "I'll keep it quick, since it's been a trying day for all of us." Dippet nodded in agreement so Harry barged on. "I'd like to start a self-defence club for students."

Dippet's bushy eyebrows rose significantly. "And who should lead such a club? We have a competent Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, but she is quite busy and I doubt she'd have time for this."

"I'd lead it," Harry said, putting as much confidence in his voice as he could. "My aunt is an Unspeakable and she's taught me quite a bit about self-defence. I'm sure I could teach my fellow students plenty of useful things to help keep them safe."

Dippet nodded thoughtfully, though his overall expression was one of genuine grief. "It pains me that such a club is even necessary in my school, Miss Hubble. You have my permission to start it."

"Thank you, Sir." Harry gave the old Headmaster a respectful nod and Myrtle quickly did the same. They hurried out of the office and once they found themselves in a mostly empty hallway, Myrtle pulled on Harry's arm in sheer enthusiasm.

"You'll teach me, right? Everything you know? That magic push you did?"

"Yes, yes, and yes," Harry said with a laugh, truly happy to see some light come back into Myrtle's eyes. "We'll start recruiting tomorrow. We'll get the word out first with the muggleborns, year three and up I think."

"I'll help," Myrtle was quick to say. "Whatever you need, Harriet, I'll help you."

They made some tentative plans how they would organize the club as they walked towards Ravenclaw Tower. It had been a truly trying day and Harry really was exhausted, so he planned to tuck himself into bed with a book and let sleep claim him as soon as possible, no matter it was very early still.

But that plan was put on hold when they found their roommates occupying their dormitory.

"Oh, look who it is," Daisy Corner said, seated on her bed, offering Harry and Myrtle a contemptuous look. "The sluts."

Harry's wand was in his hand before he'd even thought to draw it and he effortlessly turned Daisy into a pigeon. Olive started screaming while Patricia turned as pale as a ghost and almost tripped over herself to get away from Harry. And Daisy the pigeon flapped frantic wings, trying to fly but failing miserably.

Olive was being exceptionally loud and Harry really did not feel like explaining himself to a prefect that evening. Plus, he did not want anyone outside their dormitory to know just how powerful he was. Turning a human into an animal was quite advanced magic, after all. So with a sigh, Harry swished his wand and turned Daisy back to herself. It took Daisy a few hilarious seconds to realize she was a girl again during which she crouched on her bed and flapped her arms as though her life depended on it.

Myrtle, meanwhile, had both hands pressed over her mouth, giggling uncontrollably.

"I warned you," Harry said, giving the three girls his most unimpressed glare. "I warned you to leave us alone and you didn't even manage to last a day."

"Sorry," Patricia said with a stutter. Olive had at least stopped screaming, but now she was gaping like a fish, mouth opening and closing rapidly. Daisy sat on her bed and stared at the wall with a blank look on her face, apparently going through some immediate existential crisis after her brief foray into being a bird.

Harry cleared his throat and gave each girl a pointed look. "What happened to Myrtle and myself is a terrible thing. It happened through no fault of our own. I sincerely hope it never happens to any of you, because I truly wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy." By now the three girls looked at least a little bit ashamed of themselves for their earlier reactions, but Harry wasn't quite done. "Bring it up again, and I will hurt you, I promise." Harry managed a sly little smile as he looked at the girls. "Oh, and just for your information, Myrtle and myself are starting an official self-defence club. Dippet has given us permission to do so. You're not invited. Good night." And with that, Harry turned his back to the girls, who took all but three seconds to collect themselves before they managed to flee the dormitory as though a whole battalion of dementors were after them.

"That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen," Myrtle said in between bouts of helpless giggles.

"That was more luck than anything," Harry quickly said, to explain away his sudden ability to turn people into animals. "I certainly didn't think it would work. I was hoping to see her covered in feathers at the most."

Myrtle seemed to buy that explanation, much to Harry's relief, and they got ready for bed. Harry took a long, hot shower to help relax himself, and then curled up under the covers with Mrs Ashford, because having her comforting presence close was the perfect way to relax. Harry read about different recipes for moisturizing potions until he fell asleep, Mrs Ashford lying peacefully across his chest.

The next morning offered a few interesting things.

As Harry and Myrtle entered the Great Hall there was an obvious increase in whispers, but Harry easily ignored them. Being the Boy Who Lived truly had immunized him against frivolous student gossip.

Another thing that happened was that Tom received a letter and a small package. The surprised look on Tom's face indicated that this was not a regular thing. Harry, who'd gone through a whole Hogwarts career without receiving much mail either, save for the occasional chocolate easter egg from Mrs Weasley or short letters from Sirius, felt a huge burst of warm sympathy while he watched Tom open the letter. Tom's expression was carefully blank while he read but Harry saw his eyes warm more and more as he finished the letter. The package contained a book, but on what subject Harry couldn't tell.

If Harry had to guess, Newt had just sent his brand-new family member a surprise gift.

What was a bigger surprise, even, was that Harry received two letters himself. One from Euphemia Potter, in which she delicately wrote that she'd heard from Charlus about Harry's unfortunate altercations with another student and that if Harry ever wanted to talk or vent that Euphemia was more than happy to listen. That letter gave Harry a significant lump in his throat, because it reminded him that in this life he did have family that truly cared about him. It was still such a new feeling to Harry that it truly made him a little emotional. He tucked the letter away with the plan to write Euphemia a reply later that day.

The second letter was from Ruby Baird, the reporter from The Daily Prophet. She'd learned, through a trusted source at the Ministry, that Harry was involved in the Konrad Mulciber case, and she asked Harry for an interview, through letters if needed. Harry closed that letter, unsure what to do about it. On the one hand, he did want the truth out there, of what had happened at Hogwarts. But on the other hand, Harry wasn't sure if he wanted to give an actual interview about it. Harry decided to think about it for a day or so.

They had a busy day of classes, with double Charms, Transfiguration and Herbology. Harry kept his head down, focused on his work, and ignored any and all gossip he heard around him. Myrtle was a bit flustered by all the whispers at first, but the more Harry kept his calm, the easier it became for Myrtle to ignore all the gossip as well.

After classes they met in the library, where Lukas and Annabel were already seated at a table with Ben and Arnold the Hufflepuffs. Just as Harry took a seat, Tom entered the library, his face lighting up with a smile the moment he spotted Harry. Without waiting for an invitation, Tom sat down across from Harry, not even bothering to give anyone else a greeting.

"I've got news," Harry told his friends, drawing everyone's attention away from Tom's innate rudeness. "Dippet's given me permission to start a self-defence club. Anyone interested?"