A/N: Yeah, this chapter took quite a bit longer than expected to say the least. I'm sorry for the long wait, but in my defense, I just broke a record that I never hope to break again, that being the most rewrites a chapter has undergone. Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and that it was worth at least a little of the wait.
Chapter 32 Shocking Discoveries
A few minutes later, Harry returned to the much-emptier common room with a silvery fabric draped over one of his shoulders. Hermione and Ron's eyes widened in recognition and they hastened to meet him at the base of the stairs.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," said Harry.
Moments later, the map sprung to life allowing Harry a glimpse of what lay ahead on their quest.
Hermione and Ron peered around Harry to get a glimpse of the parchment as he pored over it. "Look," he said, pressing his finger to the parchment. "McGonagall's no longer outside the portrait hole, we can go now."
"All right," said Ron.
Harry unfolded his cloak as far as the fabric would go, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was just large enough to fully cover the three of them. Fitting Ron in was a bit of a tough squeeze thanks to his recent growth-spurt, he was now an inch taller than the twins and only three inches shorter than Percy. They then shuffled together over to the portrait hole, pushing it open, and then departing Gryffindor Tower.
"Where are we going?" Hermione hissed, trying to peer over Harry's shoulder to see the map.
"She's not on the map just yet," said Harry. "But when she turns up, we'll find her and bring her back."
Thanks to the cloak and the map, the trio deftly avoided all prefect and staff patrols. They made their way through the castle from floor to floor, Harry checking the map every so often for signs of Ginny, eventually, her name popped up in a place he hardly expected to see it. "She's in Myrtle's bathroom!" he whispered intensely.
"Moaning Myrtle?" Ron asked, shocked. "What on earth is Ginny doing there?"
"I dunno," said Harry, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "But whatever the reason, that's where she is."
"Think there'll be enough space for her under the cloak?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't know. If there isn't, then I'll let you three use the cloak to get back to the tower and I'll use the map to avoid any prefects or professors."
"Sounds like a plan," said Ron.
"We're with you, Harry," Hermione chimed in.
With a shared series of nods, the three Gryffindors hastened towards Myrtle's bathroom. Deftly dodging Prefect and Faculty patrols, they arrived at Moaning Myrtle's bathroom on the second floor. Usually deserted thanks to Myrtle's presence, Harry and co. were stunned to not only find Ginny there of all places, but that she hadn't moved. They arrived at the door to the bathroom but as Harry raised his hand to turn the knob, Hermione shook her head 'no' and pressed a finger to her lips. She pressed her ear against the door, with the boys copying her a few moments later after seeing what she was doing.
No…No more. I can't. I won't let you—
Silence. Then.
Stop it! Get out of my head, Tom! This has…no—it's gone too far! No more!
Another voice joined the first, it was higher-pitched and rather nasally-sounding.
Would you please pipe down? I'm trying to enjoy my peace and quiet.
Then the first voice again, sounding quieter and contrite.
Sorry, I—I've got to—
Having heard enough, Ron shoved open the door. It swung open all the way, hitting the wall with a loud bang, and in strode Ron looking equal parts flustered and angry. Harry and Hermione hustled in after him hoping to calm Ron down before he did anything else. Two loud shrieks greeted them, one coming from the girl sat on the bench just in front of them with her head in her hands, the other coming from the phantom floating a few feet above their heads.
"Ginny!" Ron gasped. "Where have you been? Everyone's been looking all over for you!"
"Ron," Ginny said hastily, her hands outstretched. "I can explain—"
"—and why are you here in Myrtle's bathroom of all places!" Ron thundered, continuing as if he hadn't even heard her.
"There's no time, Ron. We have to go now," Harry hissed urgently.
Ron glared at Ginny, but beckoned Ginny closer. "Under the cloak, Ginny. We'll get you back to Gryffindor Tower."
Ginny nodded numbly. She hadn't yet seen Harry's invisibility cloak, but she'd heard about it before from Ron and the twins.
"Are you all right, Ginny?" Hermione asked concernedly. "You've got…you're looking a bit pale to me."
"'m fine," Ginny muttered as she walked towards them.
"Oh, Ginny!" Myrtle called, her voice sickly sweet. "Do visit again soon! It's been so terribly lonely without your company!"
"All right," Ginny said tiredly. Harry scooted out from under the cloak, making room for Ginny, then moved to the door and cracked it open ajar.
"I'll have the map, so just follow me, a'right?" Harry said.
"Lead the way, Harry," said Hermione.
Ginny was still trembling like a leaf in the wind when Harry last saw her, his invisibility cloak being draped over her. Giving his friends a thumbs up, he began the trek back to Gryffindor Tower with his friends following close behind. Harry kept his eyes glued to the map, and was relieved to see that McGonagall had left her post at the entrance to Gryffindor tower. Sooner or later, word would get out that he, Hermione and Ron were missing; so he hoped to get back before anyone other than the twins noticed that they were gone. He heard the faint sound of teeth chattering behind him, but chalked it up to Ginny feeling rather cold. Having successfully evaded the prefect and staff patrols, they arrived back at the entrance to Gryffindor tower whereupon Harry hurriedly whispered the password to the Fat Lady. The Fat Lady gave him a disapproving stare, but obediently opened and allowed Harry and his hidden friends' passage into the tower. Thankfully, the common room was only sparsely populated when they entered, allowing Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny to safely make their way back to their dorms.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle; Albus Dumbledore was pacing in his office between his sitting area and Fawkes' perch. He'd recently got back from visiting Justin Finch Fletchley's parents and explaining to them what'd happened to their son. He was grateful that both of Justin's parents were Muggles, since he suspected that much of what he told them regarding their son's condition went in one ear and out the other. They were nonetheless relieved to hear that Justin's condition was easily fixable; and that he'd make a full recovery from his 'incident' as Albus phrased it. With Justin's parents informed of their son's condition, that left only one item on Albus' agenda. Informing Draco Malfoy's parents, a task he knew would be far more daunting. He'd floo-called the Malfoys requesting an audience with them; and asking them whether they'd want to meet at their manor, in his office, or in some neutral location. Upon hearing that it was news concerning their only child, the Malfoys agreed to grant Albus an audience and said they'd floo to his office to meet with him. That happened five minutes ago, and now, the Malfoys were due to arrive at any moment. He was of half a mind to ask Severus to join their conversation, hoping that it'd help his guests feel a little more at ease, for the news he was about to share with them concerning their son wouldn't be easy to digest in the least.
Albus wandered back over to his desk and sat down. As he rubbed his temples, the orange fire in his hearth turned green. Before the Headmaster could so much as welcome them through, a wizard and witch strode out of the flames one of the other into his office. As the Malfoy parents entered his office, Albus couldn't help but chuckle internally as he recalled their quick change in demeanor just five minutes earlier. He'd floo called them a moment ago when they were in their parlor; and as his aged face appeared in their ostentatious fireplace, to no one's great surprise they both regarded him with aloof annoyance. When he got to the part telling them that said important news informed their son, their demeanor changed in an instant from cool contempt to alarming concern. It didn't take long from them to arrange a hasty meeting in Albus' own office from then. Five minutes on, as Narcissa and Lucius stepped out of his fireplace, Albus wasn't surprise to see that they'd regained their cool, composed exterior. Lucius and Narcissa made a few casual glances around Albus' office before their gazes settled on the man himself. While Narcissa regarded the Headmaster with a mix of concern—for her son, and annoyance—at Albus himself; Lucius' gaze was far colder.
"Dumbledore," he droned.
"Lucius, Narcissa," Albus said in kind, nodding at both of them. "Please have a seat on—"
"—Spare us the pleasantries, Dumbledore," Lucius drawled witheringly. "Tell us what happened to our son."
Albus sighed in acquiescence. "Draco is currently recuperating in the hospital wing," he explained calmly. "There was an incident a few hours ago in which he and another student were attacked. As of now, we have yet to discern the identity of your son's mysterious attacker, but I'm sure you'll be relieved to hear that Draco was unharmed…physically, and is currently resting in the hospital in Madam Pomfrey's capable hands."
Narcissa gasped with shock, her hands clasping together over her chest. But when Albus glanced over to Lucius, he hadn't betrayed even the slightest hint of surprise on his face. "And he is well?"
"Physically, yes," said Albus. "He is in a state of shock, and Madam Pomfrey is working to bring him around as we speak. As for the other student…Draco was very fortunate to avoid sharing his fate. For he was petrified."
"Petrified?!" Narcissa shrieked. "And you have no culprit, no suspect? Leads? Anything?!"
"Rest assured, Missus Malfoy, my staff and I are working diligently to identify your son's attacker. As soon as I have any news regarding Draco's condition, you two shall be the first to know," he said calmly.
While Narcissa seemed somewhat appeased, Lucius' expression of stony indifference had morphed into a cocky smirk—his lip curling upwards just a fraction. "Why, Dumbledore…with multiple of your own students petrified under your watch. I'm afraid I'll have to bring this up at the next board meeting," he said sneeringly.
"As you should," said Albus. "You wouldn't be doing your diligence as a board member of this school if you didn't."
Lucius' cocky smirk vanished, anger rising to the fore. "I'd be more worried about doing your own job rather than mine, Dumbledore," he snarled waspishly. "My son was very nearly petrified, two other students were petrified, and yet you worry about how I carry out my job as chairman of the board? Spare me, Dumbledore; by the looks of things you're hanging onto your own post by a thread and nothing more."
Before Albus could so much as open his mouth to respond to Lucius' statement, Narcissa cut across him. "I wish to see my son, Dumbledore. I want to make sure he is all right."
Albus bowed his head in acquiescence. "Severus is watching over him now, Missus Malfoy," he replied. "You may visit him at your own leisure, of course."
Narcissa fixed Albus with a cool gaze, her cerulean irises harsh and unyielding as she gave a tiny nod of her head. "Fine." She pivoted on her heel and strode over to the fireplace. "Coming Lucius?"
"I'll be just a moment. You go on without me and I'll see you there," Lucius said to his wife before turning back to face his former Headmaster.
Albus met Lucius' cold gaze calmly; his blank expression causing the Malfoy patriarch's eye to twitch in annoyance. "See to it that my son's attacker is found soon, Dumbledore," he said threateningly. "Or you may find your tenure as Hogwarts' headmaster to come to an abrupt end."
Albus didn't flinch. "The culprit behind these attacks will soon be brought to justice, Lucius. Of that I can assure you."
Lucius' eye twitched, before his mouth curled upwards in a slight sneer. "That'd better be so, for your sake." Fixing Albus with a contemptuous stare, Lucius pivoted on his heel and headed for the fireplace to floo to the Hospital Wing.
All the while, Albus watched Lucius Malfoy's retreating back like a hawk, so did Fawkes; whose cloudy eyes hadn't left the man's form once since he entered the office. Once Lucius was gone, Albus turned to Fawkes and stroked the top of his head. "What do you think, old friend?"
Fawkes trilled and flapped his wings once. Albus gave his phoenix a crooked smile and chuckled. "I was afraid you'd say that…but I must agree. Something is on young Mister Malfoy's mind, indeed."
As Albus sat there stroking his beard in silent contemplation, the Malfoys stepped out of the Hospital Wing's hearth, and without giving the Matron so much as a glance, hustled to their catatonic son's bedside. Draco Malfoy was silently still, lying on his back as he stared up at the ceiling. Other than the rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his skin, and the occasional fluttering of his eyelids; Malfoy gave no outward indication that he was even alive. Compared to the petrified Justin Finch-Fletchley in the bed right next to Malfoy who hadn't so much as breathed since his attack, Malfoy looked as healthy as a spring chicken. While Narcissa bustled to her catatonic child's bedside, Lucius kept his distance while his cold, grey eyes swept over the pair of them swiftly. He shook his head in annoyance as Narcissa fussed about with Draco's blanket, tucking it up against his chin; before straightening the corner of one of his sheets. Lucius sighed under his breath, careful not to let Narcissa hear it. Thankfully for him, she was so preoccupied with ensuring that Draco's linens were in order that she hadn't heard it. With his annoyance building, Lucius stalked over to his son's bedside for a very different reason than Narcissa had.
"He's breathing, his eyes are moving…he's fine, Narcissa. Let's go," Lucius' said coldly.
Narcissa glared heatedly at her husband. "I'll be the judge of that," she replied, before turning back to Draco.
Lucius cast his wife and son another look, before sighing and turning around and heading for the fireplace. If Narcissa noticed her husband's departure, she paid it little mind and kept her attention focused solely on her son. Seeing the state of the boy in the next bed over was a big relief to Narcissa, yet at the same time, she lamented the fact that Draco had been caught up in the attack even to begin with. She'd have a word with Lucius and Severus about it later; and maybe then they could make some headway as to finding out who her son's attacker is.
She departed the Hospital Wing through the fireplace, flooing right to the downstairs parlor room of her manor. As she cleared her robes of soot she heard Lucius' voice coming from his downstairs study. Thinking that he was calling out to her, she opened her mouth to reply, but the words died on her tongue as she realized that Lucius wasn't talking to her, but someone else through his fireplace.
Sensing some intrigue, Narcissa pointed her wand at her feet and cast a sound-muffling charm; then crept along the downstairs corridor to her husband's study. As she crept closer, his voice grew louder, and when she pressed her ear up against his door his voice was crystal clear to her curious ears.
"Yes, but she'd throw a fit if she knew I had a hand in all this," said Lucius, chuckling to himself.
What?
She heard another voice, too muffled and disjointed to make out, but undoubtedly coming from Lucius' fireplace.
"No…now that the old nincompoop is on the way out, I'll find a way to reign it all in…but a part of me doesn't want to do that. That utter disgrace, Weasley has it coming, and what better way to get back at such a family oriented man than through his family," Lucius cackled.
The other voice laughed too, but Narcissa hardly noticed. Rage boiled within her veins, her fists clenching so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. Before she could act on her rage and anger, her husband was speaking again and she forced herself to remain still
"Yes, but considering Draco's near miss…I think we have enough to go on to boot Dumbledore out of Hogwarts, and bring some shame to the Weasleys. An anonymous tip to the DMLE that it's none other than first-year Ginevra Weasley behind these petrifications later, and Arthur will be out of a job, and his precious daughter will be expelled…if not, locked up in Azkaban for her actions. I think it's quite fitting personally, don't you agree?"
More laughter from Lucius and more of that muffled voice, Narcissa had to call upon all her skills in her mind arts to prevent her abject anger from bubbling over and manifesting in her blasting open the door to Lucius' study, before turning her wand on the man himself.
How dare he? How dare he endanger our son! I'll…oh, you'll pay for this you bastard!
She turned to leave, but just as she did, Lucius' laughter ceased and he was soon speaking again.
"Yes, but Narcissa would have my head if I didn't call off the attacks now…and if she found my involvement in this—" damn right, you bastard. "—she'd be furious. For all that she lacks in bed—"
What?! "—She has been a good mother to Draco. Besides…I think little, Ginevra Weasley has sowed enough mayhem for both our goals to be accomplished; not to mention that Draco's near miss definitely wasn't something I had planned or hoped for. In an hour's time, the board shall convene to decide on Dumbledore's fate as headmaster."
It was a miracle that Narcissa's wand didn't shatter under the pressure of her vice-grip, such was the enormity of her anger. Still, she only just managed to keep a cool head about her, reminding herself that she wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. As much as she'd have enjoyed blasting open the door to Lucius' study and hexing him six ways from Sunday for nearly petrifying their son, she knew she couldn't do that for Lucius would likely overpower her rather quickly, not unless she put him down for the count immediately. And no, she couldn't go to Azkaban for killing her soon-to-be ex-husband, for that'd leave poor Draco parentless, and she wasn't about to let that happen. As she stormed away from Lucius' study, she put together a plan in her head to deal with Lucius' recklessness. It was something she'd turned a blind eye to before, ignoring it in favor of viewing his better qualities. But now that said recklessness had endangered their son, quite nearly petrifying or even killing him…she would grant no mercy to her scheming husband.
"Dumbledore's office, Hogwarts!" she yelled into the air as she hurled a pinch of floo powder at her feet. In the blink of an eye, she was enveloped in green flames.
Moments later, she gracefully stepped out of Dumbledore's fireplace into his office; surprise registering on her face as she spotted not just the Headmaster, but Severus as well. Any surprise Dumbledore felt at her sudden appearance was quickly masked as he gave her a polite smile. Even Severus' calming presence wasn't enough to subdue her rage, as she stormed over from the fireplace, her face and robes still caked in soot she hadn't bothered to wipe off. Severus' expression of mild amusement at her appearance quickly morphed to concern as she stormed past him to the Headmaster's table.
"Missus Malfoy," he greeted. "What brings you here—"
"—My husband," Narcissa hissed, her eyes narrowed into sharp slits as rage contorted her beautiful features. "Is what brings me here. I have some important news for you, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose up his forehead slightly. "You do? Well then, by all means do share it."
Narcissa sat down, only then bringing out her handkerchief to wipe down her soot-caked face. "We'll have to act fast. Lucius is planning to convene the board in an hour to petition for your removal. I intend to submit a report to the DMLE before he has a chance to—"
"—Convene the board? Department of Magical Law Enforcement?" Dumbledore asked, his voice eerily calm. "I'm afraid I don't follow."
Narcissa met her former Headmaster's calm gaze. "What I'm saying, Dumbledore, is that I know who is responsible for these attacks, and that I'd only found out who was responsible a short while ago. I quite literally chanced upon a conversation between my husband and one of his associates."
Dumbledore's eyes widened imperceptibly, Narcissa took some modicum of pleasure at that, having elicited some surprise from the usually-calm, cool and collected Headmaster.
"Lucius is behind these attacks, and I've got the proof right here—" she tapped her head with a soot-caked finger. "
Beside her, Severus inhaled sharply, while Dumbledore's gaze, previously light and calming—now radiated a fierce intensity Narcissa had hardly seen before. "And you're sure of this?"
Narcissa briefly glanced over at Severus, who stared down at his lap in shook, then back to Dumbledore and nodded. "Absolutely. I just eavesdropped on a floo-call in Lucius' study, he was telling…someone, of what'd happened. His plan to cause chaos at the school to get you removed from your post as Headmaster…potentially from your position as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot as well. After that fiasco at Diagon Alley, Lucius has been hellbent on destroying your reputation in any way he can…I confess, I never thought he'd do something such as this—" Narcissa shook her head, "—but by endangering our son, Lucius is dead to me. I want to see him gone."
"This is can't be," Severus said disbelievingly, shaking his head. "I was with Lucius when the second attack occurred, the one on the Creevey boy, and Miss Bergman. It…it can't be Lucius."
Narcissa swiveled about in her seat to face her disbelieving friend. "Lucius himself hasn't attacked anyone," she said. "But he has enabled, or coerced someone else into carrying out these attacks. He's been using the Weasley girl. Ginevra Weasley—"
"—but that's impossible!" Severus insisted. "She's a…a first year! Petrification curses are all but impossible for any wizard or witch to learn, let alone a first year!"
Narcissa's eyes flashed with anger and she rounded on him with a snarl. Severus didn't flinch away, but his eyes did widen with surprise at the sheer anger her gaze held. "Do you want to check my memory yourself, Severus? Do you? Do you have such little faith in me that you'd believe I'm lying when this concerns the safety and wellbeing of my son. Do you think I'm lying?" she hissed contemptuously.
"Narcissa," Severus said slowly, his tone almost but not quite apologetic. "I hadn't meant for—"
"—If you think I'm lying then get out," Narcissa snarled, her teeth bared. "Better yet, if you're so keen to defend him, then you can join Lucius in Azkaban when I'm through with him."
"Missus Malfoy," Dumbledore interjected calmly. "If you continue to level unfounded accusations against my staff members, then I'll have to ask you to leave. Severus' concerns are valid, in the sense that accusations you make…particularly against one of our students—a first year girl at that…are astounding. Petrification is something only a handful of wizards in the world are capable of…and yet you believe that Ginevra Weasley is one of that handful."
"I don't know how she's doing it," Narcissa bit back. "All I know is that she's the one carrying out the attacks, and that Lucius is responsible in some shape or form, that's all I heard." She slammed her palms down onto the arms of her chair. "Argh! We're wasting time just sitting here! If you don't believe me; cast Legilimens and see it for yourself—if my word isn't enough for you!"
Narcissa rounded on Severus, the vitriol in her gaze stunning the man in his seat. "You should know better than most that I'd do anything for my Draco, Severus…even if that means putting away the man who helped bring him into this world…who also almost helped him leave it. You should know, Severus, that when it comes to my son, nothing matters more and I wouldn't dare lie about something such as this. So, help me Merlin if you, of all people, refuse to have faith in me," she snarled. Narcissa's cool, blue eyes were like hardened sapphires; glaring holes through Severus as if try to turn him into Swiss cheese.
Severus didn't meet Narcissa's gaze, but he felt her presence in the periphery of his mind, silently begging and pleading for him to believe her—to see that she was telling the truth about Lucius, and his involvement in the attacks. Severus sighed quietly and lifted his gaze to her face.
"Dare I say…Madam Malfoy is telling the truth, Headmaster."
Narcissa mouthed the words 'thank you' and then turned back to Dumbledore, her brief expression of gratitude forgotten, with unyielding fortitude taking its place.
Dumbledore held her gaze evenly, his stony expression not giving away a hint of what he was feeling. Then, he exhaled a heavy breath and said; "If what you're saying is true…then we'll have to act quickly. I will accompany you to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Narcissa, to submit your memory. Severus, I want you to contact Minerva and have her conduct a room-search in the First Year Gryffindor girls' dorm. Then, I want you to send word out to the other heads of house to keep everyone in their dorms until supper. If all goes well at the DMLE, I shall be back in time to deliver my address. Time is of the essence."
Severus stood to his feet and bowed. "Headmaster," he said, then turning and leaving the office.
"Missus Malfoy, follow—"
"—It's Miss Black, if you must," she said contemptuously.
Despite her venom, Dumbledore's smile only grew. "Very well, Miss Black. Do follow me please."
As Severus left the Headmaster's office, Narcissa followed Dumbledore over to his opulent fireplace; one after the other, they flooed away to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. The sight of Hogwarts' Headmaster appearing through one of the many fireplaces present followed in short order by Narcissa Malfoy turned many heads among the ministry workers crossing through the entrance atrium. Dumbledore paid them no mind, however, Narcissa couldn't help but meet a few of the more intrusive stares with her own gaze.
Dumbledore and Narcissa swiftly strode over to one of the entrance kiosks, manned by a young wizard a few years out of Hogwarts, Dumbledore realized.
"Good day Mister Hawkins," said Dumbledore, smiling genially at the young wizard manning the kiosk.
"Uhh—good day Professor," said Hawkins. "What brings you here?"
"Not a social visit, I'm afraid," Dumbledore replied, wearing a sad smile. He handed Hawkins his wand, and Narcissa did the same, allowing the young man to inspect them both. Hawkins hurriedly inspected Dumbledore and Narcissa's wands, before nodding and then handing them back to their rightful owners. "If all is in order, we'll be along," Dumbledore continued as he pocketed his ridged wand.
"Umm—yes, everything's in order," Hawkins stuttered. He scribbled away furiously on a piece of parchment before tucking said parchment away in one of the many cubbyholes in his kiosk.
"Good day, Mister Hawkins," Dumbledore smiled, before bustling past the kiosk with a flustered Narcissa in tow.
Hawkins gawked at the Headmaster's retreating form, shaking his head in disbelief.
A short trip in one of the many Ministry, subterranean elevators later; Dumbledore and Narcissa were stood just outside of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's office. Beside Dumbledore, Narcissa wrung her hands together and stared nervously up at the imposing door to Bones' offices. Amelia Bones had been a few years ahead of Narcissa at school, a contemporary of her soon-to-be former husband Lucius; but considering the circles that she and Lucius ran in, she and Bones never saw eye-to-eye to say the least. And now, she found herself staring up at Bones' door, with her own fate as well as that of the Headmaster resting in her hands—though Bones hardly knew it yet. Dumbledore wasted no time stepping up to the door and rapping his knuckles sharply on it.
"Come in," came a female voice from inside, presumably belonging to Bones.
Dumbledore opened the door, and Narcissa hastened in after him. Amelia Bones was sat at her desk perusing a piece of parchment when Dumbledore and Narcissa entered her office. She lifted her gaze from said parchment and eyed her two visitors cautiously.
"What's this about, Albus?" she asked.
Albus smiled, and ushered Narcissa forwards. "Her," he said flatly. "Miss Black here, has evidence of a plot orchestrated by her husband, who is allegedly responsible for the attacks occurring at Hogwarts. Said plot is an effort to oust me as Hogwarts' Headmaster, which the attacks and the ensuing chaos were supposed to bring about."
If Bones felt any surprise, she didn't let it show. Her expression remained as impassive as ever. "I see," she said to Dumbledore, before her gaze shifted to Narcissa. "Madam Malfoy, you have proof of these allegations?"
Narcissa didn't flinch under the older witch's gaze. "I do. I eavesdropped on my husband conversing with one of his associates via floo…at which point I heard him reveal his involvement in the events at Hogwarts, and how he'd orchestrated the attacks."
"And did he carry out these attacks himself?" Bones pressed, leaning forward slightly.
Narcissa shook her head. "According to what Lucius said…no, he wasn't. I think he was being truthful—he was very candid about his involvement in the attacks, after all. He was acting through a proxy, who he'd coerced, or bewitched into carrying out the attacks for him."
Bones digested Narcissa's information slowly. "I'll need some proof in order to verify that what you claim is true," she replied eventually. "For that to occur, I'll require either your memory of the events you witnessed, rather, eavesdropped on; or to testify under Veritaserum to prove the legitimacy of your allegations."
"I'd be willing to do either, even both if that's what it takes," Narcissa volunteered, holding the older witch's gaze evenly. "Veritaserum, memory, either will do fine—I have nothing to hide, after all. All I want is to see Lucius punished for his actions, and if you require further proof to proceed, I'd be most willing to facilitate that."
A flicker of surprise registered on Bones' face, but it didn't remain there long as she regained her mask of impassivity. "Tell me, Madam Malfoy…why are you accusing your husband of being the perpetrator behind these recent attacks?" she asked pointedly.
Narcissa's lip curled in an indignant snarl. "Firstly, it's Miss Black, or Madam Black—I no longer consider myself married to that man. And secondly, the result of his actions lead to an attack on our son. I can't stand for that, and neither can I stand by a man that would so recklessly endanger his own flesh and blood," Narcissa growled. "I'm through with Lucius—I loathe, no, I despise him… for what he nearly did to my son…I'll never forgive him for it—and I won't rest until he receives his just desserts for nearly killing my Draco." The intensity of her voice had petered off to a mere whisper, but there was no mistaking the sorrow in her tone at what'd nearly happened to her son, nor the sheer contempt she now regarded Lucius with.
Bones' gaze flittered between her pair of visitors, before she reached beneath her desk and pressed a button. "I think your Veritaserum testimony will suffice for now, Miss Black," said Bones, wearing an expression that bordered on compassion. "With some luck, I'll have a warrant ready to file against your ex-husband within the hour, so long as your testimony is valid."
A few seconds after pressing the button, the fireplace flared a bright green and out shot a vial from the hearth containing a clear liquid. "Veritaserum," Narcissa breathed.
"Indeed," said Bones, as she snatched the vial from the air and held it gently in her palm. "Three drops ought to suffice."
Albus, do you have Miss Black's memory perchance?"
Dumbledore nodded, reaching into one of his many robe pockets before producing a small vial containing a wispy, white strand of Narcissa's memory.
"If it's required, I shall share it; but considering the effectiveness of Veritaserum I shan't believe it shall be necessary," said Dumbledore.
Bones eyed her former headmaster for a moment before nodding. She pushed back her chair and stood to her feet, coming around her desk to stand by Narcissa's side.
"Open your mouth please," Bones asked the younger the witch.
Narcissa nodded, opening her mouth slightly and extending her tongue as Bones let three drops fall onto her tongue. Narcissa swallowed the three drops, a slightly fuzzy feeling coming over her only to be replaced by an eerie sense of serenity. She blinked open her eyes and found Bones peering intently at her. For the next hour, Narcissa's mind was in a daze, she could hardly recall what was said, what was done, only that the attention of Dumbledore and Bones were firmly affixed on her. A quick glance over at the clock told her an hour had passed, just then, the odd sense of tranquility began receding as she slowly regained control of her faculties.
"Miss Black," said Dumbledore, snapping her from her stupor. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," she said assuredly. "I…was that Veritaserum?"
Bones nodded. "I've never ingested it myself, but supposedly it induces lightheadedness, woozy feelings and tranquility," she answered. "I trust that's how you felt?"
Narcissa nodded.
"In any case, I believe I have all the evidence I need to file a warrant against Lucius Malfoy. With any luck, we'll be able to apprehend him as he leaves the Hogwarts' Governors meeting."
"Which should be taking place right as we speak," said Dumbledore as he glanced over at Bones' grandfather clock.
Bones nodded, then rose to her feet. "If that will be all…I'll ensure to keep you both up to date as the case develops."
Dumbledore nodded at Bones and stood to his feet. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement Boss and her former Headmaster shared a handshake, before Dumbledore turned to Narcissa and said; "Come Narcissa, we should be going now."
Narcissa's hesitancy betrayed her as her gaze darted to Bones, who nodded back. "Rest assured Madam Black, your husband shall be brought to justice. In the meantime, I advise you keep your distance from Mister Malfoy, until he has been apprehended, at least."
Narcissa nodded coolly, and then gestured that she was ready to leave. With that settled, they departed Madam Bones' office and made their way back to the Entrance Atrium to floo back to Hogwarts post haste. As they flooed back to Hogwarts, Bones descended to the Auror Office and tasked four aurors to accompany her to Malfoy Manor. With their arrest warrant in hand, they hoped to catch Lucius as he returned home from his meeting with the board of Governors. If he had his way, he'd have successfully petitioned for Dumbledore's removal from his post as Hogwarts Headmaster for his failure to put a stop to the attacks on his students. So, while Narcissa, Severus and Dumbledore waited in the latter's office for news from Bones; she led her team of Aurors into Malfoy Manor to apprehend Lucius upon his return home from the meeting. Fanning out, Bones along with Aurors Mobley, Dawlish and Merrin fanned out across the parlor room. Though Malfoy had been cleared of all charges when faced with prosecution for siding with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Bones had always harbored suspicions that the man hadn't really fallen under the Imperius Curse, and that he'd joined Voldemort of his own will. She didn't trust Malfoy as far as she could throw him, and the instructions she gave her fellow aurors reflected as such. All they could do now was sit and wait patiently for Lucius Malfoy's return.
A/N2: Up next, Lucius' confrontation with the law, Narcissa coming to terms with what she's done, and Dumbledore and Ginny have a difficult discussion. I'll do my best to ensure the wait for Chapter 33 isn't nearly as long as it was for this. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!