The first Friday at school had been a quiet September third. Harry had waited all day to see if Snape was going to reschedule his detention but it didn't happen. He'd also sent off a letter with Hedwig for Moody and Shacklebolt warning them of what had happened so far. This morning Hedwig flew in with the rest of the owls to Harry's surprise. He took the letter and opened it at the table, very few were up yet.
The letter was short. Moody had spent Friday morning in Hogsmeade in disguise. He had been waiting for a letter from Harry. Dumbledore had also sent a letter and Moody was meeting him in his office after breakfast today. The two were to go and try to repair the blood wards on Privet Drive. Which of course couldn't happen with the tampering Moody had already done, not to mention the Dursley family should be unavailable by now. Shacklebolt, meanwhile was coming to talk to Ron and George to confirm their description of the attacker at the burrow.
Ron and the twins managed to make it down while he was still reading and took seats around Harry, "Morning."
"We're going to have a visitor today." Harry whispered, "Kingsley is coming for a talk while Moody and Dumbledore go to Privet Drive."
"Where are we going to talk?" Ron asked.
"ROR." Harry grinned as it dawned on the other three.
"So less talking and more searching." Fred grumbled.
"The sooner the better." Ron pointed out.
"I know." The twin agreed reluctantly.
"It's not that bad." George bumped him, "We're finding a lot of cool stuff."
"That's true." Fred agreed again sounding better, "When?"
"After breakfast." Harry took a bite of toast and motioned for the others to get a move on.
Dumbledore was already leaving the room by the time the others had fixed their plates. They quickly dove in. Within a few minutes Hermione and Neville arrived and joined them. They had just begun to eat when Harry bumped Ron.
"He's here." The other five looked up.
"Who's that?" Hermione asked.
"Auror Shacklebolt." Ron whispered, "He's here to talk to the four of us about something that happened over the summer. We're not allowed to talk about it yet."
Hermione looked over the four of them and then back to Neville, "Do you want to study in the library this morning?"
"Sure." He agreed readily, "You guys can probably find us there when you are done."
"It's going to take some time." Ron added as the four of them stood, "We'll find you or see you at lunch or something."
"Morning boys." Kingsley waited for them at the door.
Harry led the way up to the seventh floor and had the room of junk open up. They entered and shut the door behind them before they began to talk.
"What's going on?" Harry spoke first.
"If you'll remember I told you I turned your case over to the muggles." Kingsley's deep voice was as soothing as normal, "The Dursleys were arrested at ten on Thursday in a live media event on their lawn. Muggle Aurors showed up at seven and a nosy neighbor called the media trying to find out what was happening in number four."
"How much media?" Harry asked.
"Enough that no one in Surry is going to forget the large man shrieking about the freaky eleven-year-old who was framing him." Kingsley shook his head, "It's been in the paper and on the tele for two days now, Albus isn't going to get this covered up."
"I'm surprised Mrs. Figg didn't say anything to him." Harry scratched the back of his head.
"That would be because her tele mysteriously quit working and someone stole the poor woman's newspapers." Kingsley grinned, "The tele began to work again this morning before the repair man arrived but she's dreadfully behind on the news."
"Couldn't happen to better people." George gave Harry a one-armed hug, "Are you going to help look Kings?"
"Yes, we'll have a few hours." He replied.
It took another two hours before Harry spoke up, "I think I've found the right area."
The rest marked their spots before converging on him and Kingsley asked, "How can you be sure?"
"See this, when I ran across it last time there was a cabinet there." Harry pointed to another spot as he sifted through the junk, "I put this wig on that statue, the diadem was in this area. Here it is."
"This is the last piece isn't it?" George asked watching Harry hand over the diadem with some relief.
"This and the piece in Quirrell." Harry agreed, "How are we going to do this?"
Looking at his watch Kingsley gave them instructions, "You four are to go to lunch and act normal. I'm waiting until Moody returns. Then we will corner Quirrell and take care of both."
"I may need to be there." Harry jumped in, "The prophecy says I have to kill him. Besides if Dumbledore knows I was a horcrux then I don't want him to kill me before you can explain it to him."
"Wait a minute." Ron stopped them both, "Harry, I thought the power he knew not was the deathly hallows. You don't have them."
"I have the ring in my vault." Harry shrugged, "I don't have the cloak in possession but I know where it is and that it's mine. All I have to do is disarm Dumbledore and I'm ready."
At that moment Moody's patronus took shape beside them, "Head to Dumbledore's office and bring the boys."
"Maybe I can get them both." Harry shrugged and headed for the door.
Kingsley and the four teens made their way to Albus' office and knocked on the door. It was opened by Moody who escorted them all in. Harry looked between an angry Moody and a Dumbledore with a blank face. He took a seat next to Ron and waited for the explosion.
"Auror Shacklebolt." Albus spoke first, "I didn't expect you to be here today."
"I am here on a case that began this summer." Kingsley replied, "I didn't need your permission to speak with the witnesses as I already have their guardian's permission."
"You did not have my permission to speak to Mr. Potter." He stated.
"He didn't need it Albus." Moody turned, "When Mr. Potter was found to be abused by the people you left him with, the goblins removed your guardianship and took over."
"Why were you checking on him?" Albus growled, "Did anyone see you?"
"He popped into the alley right in front of me, I didn't know the injured boy was Harry Potter." Kingsley stated, "It became my responsibility to take over his care and get the muggle aurors involved. The fact that he was Harry Potter didn't factor into it."
"Albus, at this moment we could arrest you for at least fifteen violations of the law." Moody grumbled, "Only our friendship is keeping you here, so explain to me right now why I shouldn't arrest you."
"I had no idea he was being abused." Albus began.
"Lie one." Moody narrowed his eyes at the man, "I've known you for years and I'm trained to spot lies."
"I don't think it's as bad as everyone is making out." He huffed.
"Tell that to Andromeda Tonks." Kingsley stated, "She's already turned her assessment in to Madam Bones and muggle ready copies are in the hands of their aurors."
"Surely, it's not all that bad, Harry?" Albus turned to the boy.
"Do you know that Privet Drive has four bedrooms upstairs?" Harry asked, "One was the master bedroom for my aunt and uncle. One was the guest bedroom his sister always used during her visits. One was Dudley's room and the last was the junk room they tossed his broken toys into. My bedroom was the only one down stairs."
"There are no bedroom's downstairs." Albus thought back to the layout he had just seen.
"Mine was." Harry kept his face blank, "You see the door as you walk into the house."
"No." Albus shook his head, "There was a doorway into the living room and one in the kitchen."
"Did you see a third door Mr. Moody?" Harry asked.
"Only the one to the cupboard under the stairs." He answered.
"Right, my bed room." Harry nodded.
"In case you didn't understand that, Albus." Moody pointed out, "He was locked into the cupboard under the stairs he did not get one of the four bed rooms."
"Andromeda said it was malnutrition on the verge of starvation." Kingsley added as Albus' face finally showed some shock, "She also pointed out that Mr. Potter is not a picky eater. Yet his uncle and cousin are the size of erumpets."
"But…" Albus started.
"We cannot allow you to do this anymore Albus." Moody frowned, "Andromeda is getting custody, Amelia already has the paperwork filed."
Harry happened to be looking at Albus when the man turned his way. He felt the legelamancy probe and his anger got the best of him. He pushed back and found the man was thinking that perhaps the spirit possessing Quirrell might move to Harry. The little wizard had his wand out and disarmed the man before anyone could blink.
"Mr. Potter!" Albus reeled back.
"Stay out of my head." Harry hissed back holding a wand in each hand.
"Moody you need to disarm him I think he might be possessed." Albus glared, "He blocked my legelamancy."
Harry frowned at the man, "Moody, Shacklebolt I release you from your vow."
"We're not done yet boy." Moody frowned.
"He knows about Quirrell." Harry growled, "I don't want his thoughts to continue on that line."
"How much do I tell him?" Moody asked.
"About my scar and the other items." Harry nodded.
"Riddle is staying alive because he created Horcruxes." Moody turned to Albus, "We've figured out how many and what they are. We have the last one with us and we're getting ready to take him out."
"Harry's scar was one as well and we've removed it." Kingsley added.
"I thought he had to die!" Ablus spluttered out in shock.
"You were raising me like a lamb for slaughter." Harry sat back heavily.
"No." Albus vehemently denied that accusation, "You see there is…"
"A prophecy, I know." Harry said glumly.
"You know?" Albus was puzzled for a moment but went on, "Then you surely know only Voldemort can kill you! Putting you at your aunt's house has made you stronger."
"No, it didn't." Harry stood defensively, "It weakened me. The first time my physical health was half of what it is now. I've had two months of potions, good food and proper care. That is the only reason I'm not throwing up after every large meal."
"The first time?" Albus was thrown again.
"That's right Alby." George spoke up, "We're time travelers. An accident with some time sand tossed us back and we're doing it right this time."
"No! You'll mess everything up." Albus went to pull his wand only to remember it was gone.
"Accio my Christmas present." Harry waved Albus' wand and his cloak in its gift paper soared from its spot. Harry ripped the paper open and put on the cloak. Albus looked on in shock, "I already know what your plans are. They suck. I am doing this my way and Voldemort won't get a chance to return our world to war. Death eaters are not going to get the chance to hurt anyone and little death eaters need to learn there is a new order to things. We will not fall to the Greater Good you and your pal Grindlewald devised."
"His what?" Moody yelled.
Harry stunned Dumbledore and watched him slump to his desk, "I shouldn't have said that."
"They would have found out eventually." Ron patted his shoulder.
"His what?" Moody asked again.
"In his youth, right out of Hogwarts, he met and fell in love with Gillert Grindlewald." Harry explained, "They planned to take over the world in the name of the Greater Good for wizards and subjugate the muggles. His sister was hurt by muggles and his father died in Azkaban because he hurt the boys who hurt her. The night his sister died his brother Aberforth tried to stop him and Gillert from their goals. The three-way fight ended with Arianna's death and Gillert running away. It only took him so long to face Grindlewald again because he didn't want to be told it was his spell that killed his sister."
"He spent the rest of his life fighting for the greater good but we're not sure who's good was greater." Ron finished.
"I'm going to have to obliviate him." Harry sighed.
"Maybe I should…" Kingsley started.
"No, we'll make it look like Quirrell did it." Ron said, "Call him up to the office to discuss his protection for the stone. We can make it seem like Moody found him obliviating Albus and we arrived, with Kingsley, during the fight."
"In truth we'll get him up here and stun him." Harry reasoned out, "Then kill the horcrux and see what happens with the other piece. Use Quirrell's wand to obliviate him and make it look badly done."
"I can copy Albus' hand writing." George offered.
"Comes in handing for faking notes for Filch." Fred grinned.
A letter was written and a house elf called to deliver it. The five of them hid leaving Albus looking asleep on his desk. They waited quietly after Moody left the door slightly ajar. A few minutes later the door creaked open.
"H..h..h..ead..d…d…mas…s…s…ter?" Quirrell's head peeked around and found Albus slumped at his desk. A quick look around had the man pulling his wand, "Avada Kedavra."
Moody's stunner slammed into the man at the same time the killing curse hit Albus. Kingsley moved to check the old man as the four teens stared on in shock.
"Dead." Kingsley sighed.
"I..I.." Harry stuttered.
"Not your fault!" Ron turned Harry to face him and said it again, "Not your fault. None of us though he would do that. We all agreed to leave Dumbledore stunned rather than awake and petrified."
"If it's anyone's fault its mine." Moody growled as he waved his wand over Quirrell, "I'm paid to know how dark wizards think. He is possessed."
"Portraits." Harry finally stated weekly.
"Locked in sleep mode." Moody grumbled, "He does it all the time."
Kingsley pulled the diadem out of his pocket and put it on the desk. A few minutes later the soul piece was out and gone. They all breathed in relief until Quirrell jumped up and grabbed Harry.
"Back off or I'll kill the kid." He growled and put his hand on Harry's throat and squeezed, all traces of the quibbling professor were gone, he didn't seem to notice his hand beginning to smoke.
The turban had fallen off when Moody had stunned him and, while being held by the throat, Harry heard Voldemort's voice yelling for Quirrell to kill him. Because of his increase in magical levels Harry had already been having issues with his temper and magic and at the sound of that voice he lost control and sent out a pulse of magic strong enough to knock over everyone in the room. Quirrell hit the wall and slid to the ground, his body convulsed once before a black cloud began to rise from the body.
Harry faced the black cloud, "You're finished."
"No." the mass twisted and began to slowly move across the room, "I will take you next."
"You can't." Harry grinned as he watched it begin to dissipate, "You're too weak."
"I am strong enough for this." The cloud was getting smaller.
"You are not." Harry smirked at him, "Goodbye Tom."
"No!" it rasped before the last remnants were gone.
"It's gone." Moody had his wand out, "It didn't leave it dissipated."
"Thank goodness." Harry sunk to the ground and his three friends gathered around him and put hands of comfort on his shoulders and back.
Minerva arrived within a few moments, "Albus?"
"I'm sorry Minerva, he's gone." Moody slumped against the desk, "Shack call Amelia."
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Wait until she gets here." He waved her off, "This is an auror matter now."
"What are you four doing here?" she turned on her students.
"We were supposed to be here to discuss the attack on us over the summer." George explained, "The rest happened while we were here."
Kingsley pulled back from the fire and it flared admitting Amelia Bones and two aurors. She took a look around the office before sending the others back.
"Well, what happened?" she demanded.
"I arrived to find Quirrell there sending a killing curse at Dumbledore." Moody explained, "I stunned him and went to check on Albus, he's dead."
"I arrived with the four students as he was checking Albus. The students and I were going to discuss the altercations over the summer with Albus and Moody." Kingsley added, "I didn't see Quirrell and he jumped Mr. Potter when he entered the room. Mr. Potter let off some accidental magic that threw Quirrell into the wall. The wraith that was under his turban left him and dissipated. He is also dead but I think the combination of hitting the wall and the possessing spirit leaving killed him."
"That would explain his odd behavior." Minerva sighed, "He's not been the same since he returned from his sabbatical. He had said he ran into a vampire. I would have thought that Albus would have known about it through the wards though."
"It's possible that we interrupted the discussion about that." Moody alluded.
"Do you know anything about the wraith?" Minerva asked.
"That's classified." Moody answered.
Amelia picked up the wand laying by Moody and tapped it twice. First a slip of paper spit out followed by the green curse that was unmistakable, "The wand belongs to Quirinus Quirrell and the last spell was the killing curse. We need to get the bodies to the Ministry. This is a crime scene until further notice."
"Do you need my students?" Minerva asked, "I'd like to take them to be checked over by Poppy."
"I don't think we need them for anything." Amelia smiled down at them, "Except an award ceremony at some time in the future."
Ron knew Harry was out of it when he didn't squash that idea right away. Fred and George helped Harry get up as Minerva motioned for them to go through the door.
Just before he left Ron turned back, "I never answered your question, I left Scabbers in his cage in my dorm."
"Thank you for reminding me." Kingsley nodded, "I'll check him before I leave."
"What's wrong with his rat?" They paused as Minerva asked.
"We're looking for an Animagus." Moody answered, "We found some evidence that their kidnapper was one and we're checking all the pets in the family. The owls have been cleared. We were going to discuss the possibility here to warn him and then go get the rat to check."
"I had just asked him if he knew where it was when we walked in." Kinglsey added, "If he's not a rat he'll be gone."
"Can you find it on your own?" she asked.
"It would be best if a teacher accompanied me to help with the students." Kingsley shrugged.
"I'll send Filius up to you." Minerva agreed.
"If he's not a rat then I don't want him around." Ron added for Minerva's benefit.
"Too right Mr. Weasley. Let's head to the hospital." She nudged him and they left the aurors to their business.