Severus walked down the hallway towards Minerva's office. Even though he would rather have a glass of whisky, or three, he still had things to do. Remembering the reactions of Neville and Augusta Longbottom, he wasn't willing to let it go. He didn't survive being a spy for so long ignoring the subtleties. It was a shame that he hadn't been able to catch her before Minerva left the will reading, but watching Harry interact with Lupin and Black and then going to his account manager took longer than expected. Knocking on Minerva's door, he walked in to see her going over some essays. That reminded him that he had to grade sixth and seventh year potion essays. Severus had a feeling his usual weekend night cap would be pushed back.

"Severus, I didn't expect to see you so soon after the will reading."

"Believe me, Minerva, I would be back in my rooms if I didn't need to talk to you."

"Yes, it was surprising that we were both named guardians of poor Harry. Just thinking that Dumbledore prevented him from being raised by one of us is disturbing on many levels."

"Actually, that's not what I wanted to talk about at the moment."

"Oh." Minerva blushed at this. This was one of the times that Severus would usually tease her about being a Gryffindor, jumping into things.

"Sorry about that, Severus. How about I order us some tea and we can go over what you wanted to." Severus nodded his head at this. His smirk at Minerva let her know that he caught her Gryffindorish behavior. They sat in silence until their tea was brought and they prepared it to their liking.

"The reason that I came here, Minerva, is because of Neville Longbottom."

"What does Longbottom have to do with anything? He was too young to remember anything relating to the Potters. Of course I let him know that my door was always open to him, but I doubt he will come." Severus let out a small sigh.

"When Potter, James that is, made the commit about Neville having the backbone to stand up to his grandmother, his reaction concerned me."

"How so, Severus? You can't think that she abused the boy do you? Augusta is many things, but a child abuser is not one of them."

"There are other ways to abuse a child than physically, Minerva. I think that she may have emotionally, or at least mentally, abused the boy. We all know that Augusta took the attack of her son badly. It was pure luck that Neville wasn't attacked as well since he was in the house. Minerva, what if Augusta was trying to make Neville into another Frank. Since the death of her husband, we all know she focused her attention on Frank." Minerva pursed her lips. She didn't like it, but Severus made some good points.

Neville did close himself off from others. Even if he was friends with Harry and the others, Minerva did realize that he was still shy around his year mates. Letting out a sigh, Minerva took a sip of tea before responding.

"What do you suggest, Severus?"

"I suggest that when the healers come, alert them to look at Longbottom closely. Just to make sure that nothing else has happened. I'm not saying that Augusta has done anything, but I have dealt with extended family doing questionable things to any child in their care." Minerva flinched at that. She almost forgot that most of the abused kids ended up in Slytherin.

"And if there is no physical damage?"

"I would suggest talking to him, and then all your first years, to make sure there isn't anything to worry about. Many of your students are muggleborns, and some of their families might have taken their signs of magic just as well as Potter's relatives." Minerva paled at that and Severus nodded. He didn't like to think about it, but his own experiences with his father left him with the understanding that blood-relations didn't always save you.

"After that, I would go over your records to see how many of them stay over all of the holidays. It may be nothing, but those that always stay for the holidays for multiple years might have a reason for that."

"I'll do that and I'll talk to those who come up."

"I would suggest sending them a note during the morning when everyone gets mail. That way they aren't singled out. You might not get everyone, but you'll get a few."

"Have you ever been mistaken?"

"Of course. Some parents are out of the country or extremely busy, not to mention the child having some projects they want to finish in silence. But remember, Minerva, I deal with wealthy purebloods and half-bloods. The families are able to have nannies and house elves to look after the children, or at least trust them to behave at a friend's house. That is why I keep a close eye on the first and second years. They usually aren't that comfortable going to other's homes. It's how I catch many of the troubled ones and take action when needed." Minerva let out another sigh before taking another sip of tea. Severus let her have the time to reorient herself.

Even he didn't like to think of some of the children he helped. Nothing as severe as Potter, but most used spells to torment their children. And unfortunately, the wizarding world was mostly focused on physical abuse than psychological. Only the cases where the child hurt themselves, or was about to, that most did anything. Severus was brought out of his dark thoughts by Minerva.

"You know, Severus, I think you coming in here to talk about the will reading would have been more preferable." Severus snorted at that. Minerva smiled a little before refreshing both of their teas.

"I was there the night Dumbledore left Harry on the porch. I told him that those muggles were the worst of the worst, but I still let him leave Harry on the doorstep. Even if I felt bad, I never once checked to see if I was wrong or not."

"Dumbledore did say he was growing up loved and spoiled by them."

"Yes, but still. Even watching them for the short time I did, I knew something was wrong. I will always carry the guilt that I listened to Dumbledore over my instincts. Now, to also know that I was one of the few entrusted with Harry's care…I not only failed him, I also failed Lily and James. No matter what you or anyone else says, I will always carry that guilt." Severus couldn't argue with her. He knew about caring guilt better than anybody.

"You learn to live with it, Minerva. But try to move forward with it. I don't want to lose my reputation to you." Minerva let a laugh out at that.

"I doubt anyone would confuse us on that front, Severus. Being severe and strict yes, but dreary is another matter." Severus let himself have a small smile to let Minerva know he wasn't offended.

"Let's finish the tea, Minerva. You are not the only one who has to finish the first week of grades." With a nod, they both finished their teas in a comfortable companionship.

00000 Harry Potter, Unused Classroom 00000

Harry sat in one of the unused classrooms in the dungeons. Not only did he have to think about the riches that he's received, but also moving his parents to the family crypt. That wasn't even counting the properties that he had to inspect over the holidays to see how they were and the possible repairs they needed. He may not be able to live in any of them yet, but getting them in working order for when he could was a good plan. The Potter Manor was the main concern at the moment seeing that his grandparents died of a rare strain of Dragon Pox. The manor had to be locked down for at least 15 years or run the risk of it spreading. Ragnorock told him the last time that strain of Dragon Pox was seen, it happened in the United States during 1861-1865, the American Civil War.

An elderly witch contracted Dragon Pox and secluded herself to insure none of her family got it as well. Even though she took the logical steps, her family didn't believe that she was as sick as she was. When they went to her manor, and forced their way past her wards, they found her dead. Unfortunately, when they took down her wards, they also took down the protections to prevent the spread of the disease. It spread fast and hard threw magical and muggle populations. It wasn't so bad in magical communities after they went behind wards and waited out the disease, but with the Civil War going on with the muggles, hundreds of thousands died. Harry shivered at the thought of something like that happening again. It was the only reason that his parents didn't go behind the manor's wards when they were hiding from Voldemort.

His grandparents had already passed four years earlier, along with the house elves that lived there. The manor was quarantined afterwards and his parents lived in one of the London townhouses until they moved to Godric's Hollow. Harry had to wonder if Potter Manor wasn't in quarantine, that his parents would still be here. If that happened, then Dumbledore wouldn't have ruined his life further.

Because of Dumbledore, his parents' wills weren't read and he was forced to stay with his aunt and uncle. Ragnorock said that he would be facing extra charges because of that, but that still didn't change the fact that Dumbledore caused him to live with people that hated him. Harry couldn't imagine living with people who were supposed to look after him. Of course there was the possibility now.

Two people who were named to look after him worked at Hogwarts and the other happened to be related to one of his new friends. Harry couldn't help to be scared at the possibility. Sure, he had the chance to get to know them as well as Sirius, even if he wasn't healthy enough at the moment to take care of him, but there was still the fear of no one wanting to take care of him after they got to know him. He couldn't help to remember the things his aunt and uncle would yell. Saying that he was worthless and a burden. Even if they were lying to him, a part of him couldn't help believing them. Harry groaned, wrapping his arms around his bent legs. He blamed all of this on Dumbledore. Not to mention everything that old man stole.

Thankfully Harry was able to go to his trust vault to pick up the Invisibility Cloak and his parents' journals as well as his grandparents' from the main vault. Harry decided to start with his parents' journals before getting others to read. Dumbledore had to have a reason for stealing them, even if he was only able to read his mother's journal. She had protective charms on it, but Dumbledore was able to get threw them. The Potter journals on the other hand were blood-warded. That meant that only his blood could open them. If someone else managed to open them, the books would have destroy itself, and possibly take the offender with them. Harry shivered at the smile Ragnorock sported. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the classroom door opening. He was surprised to see Theo, Neville and Blaise coming into the room. They sat beside him on the dusty floor.

"How did you find me?"

"Simple 'Point Me' spell. Take out your wand, say 'Point Me' and who or what you want to find. Only good for short range, but good in situations like this." Blaise said with a smirk. Harry couldn't help to smile at him and his theatrics, although Theo's words made him snort.

"So, how bad are you feeling?" Neville said. He had a look of sympathy and understanding without the pity most people looked at him with.

"I spent hours going over my accounts, I heard my parents' wills, and I just found out that my Head of House was named as a possible guardian along with Professor McGonagell. That is not even counting that Dumbledore stole personal family journals. He was able to get into my mother's but my father's and grandparents' journals were protected by blood-magic."

"So you either want to cry or break something? Although living with our Head of House might be cool."

"Blaise! Focus on Harry, not having another scary parent." Theo cuffed Blaise on the side of the head. Both Neville and Harry snickered at the pair.

"Sorry. Just saying. Anyway, we're here for you. We can sit here in silence or you can spill all you're woes."

"Thanks you guys." The four sat in silence before Harry spoke again. "Did someone slip something into Blaise's lunch today? He's a little bit more comical than normal."

"Hey. Not funny." The other three couldn't help to laugh harder at Blaise's reaction. Harry felt good being able to laugh. No matter if he was able to talk to them today, Harry felt good having Neville, Blaise, and Theo by his side.

00000 Dudley Dursley 00000

Dudley was sitting in the room that his Aunt Marge gave him. It wasn't as big as his old one, nor did it have as much toys as he was used to. Not to mention it always smelt like dogs. Some of Aunt Marge's pit bulls were kept here, but she cleared them out for him, although the smell didn't follow. It wouldn't be so bad if he was able to have friends to hang out with like at home. But the new school that he was sent to didn't treat him like his old one.

Before, Dudley would be able to take other kid's money, or at least bully them into giving him what he wanted. Now, that wasn't the case since he already served detention. Aunt Marge didn't like it either and forced him to clean cages the entire weekend. The hard work was something Dudley never experienced before, unless he counted chasing his cousin around the neighborhood.

Thinking of his cousin made Dudley scowl. This was all the little freaks fault. He had a happy family until that giant came up to take him to his magic school. He just gotten the tail removed when the people came to arrest his parents. They did nothing wrong in Dudley's opinion. They were trying to stop him from learning magic. His parents might have tried to hide it, but Dudley heard them talking one night about magic and wizards when they thought he was asleep. And seeing what he was able to change the teacher's hair and appear on roofs with just a thought, beating the magic out of him was obvious to him.

So what if he was kept in the cupboard under the stairs. That he didn't eat as much as them or had to do all the chores. It was the least Harry could do considering his parents had to take care of him and all the trouble he caused. Not that it mattered at the moment. He wasn't able to tell his aunt. Another one of those wizards came and did something to him to prevent any discussion about wizards and magic and everything else. The only one he could talk about it was a therapist that already knew about magic. That didn't seem to help though since she kept telling him that his cousin wasn't a freak. Dudley would think she would have similar thoughts as his mother since the therapist's older brother and younger sister had magic. But apparently that wasn't the case and he had to see her three times a week. Dudley huffed at the unfairness of it all.

There was also the issue of Aunt Marge not letting him talk or write to his parents. He didn't even know what was going on or when they would be able to pick him up from here. Dudley didn't like Aunt Marge anymore. She would make Dudley do housework, his own homework and pretend that what they did to Harry wasn't good. She seemed to forget that Ripper would chase Harry up trees, it he didn't get bit first. If what they did to that little freak was bad then she should be in jail with his parents. The only reason he didn't tell his therapist about it was because he didn't want to be shipped to an orphanage. His parents would always tell Harry about the orphanages if he didn't do his chores good or fast enough.

Dudley had no reason to experience it considering what his parents said was true. He would probably be sold somewhere, or have his organs harvested on the black market. No way was he going to risk that.

"Dudley, get down here. You have homework to do before dinner." Dudley grumbled before heading downstairs. He hated doing homework.

00000 Bartemius Crouch Sr., Ministry Cell 00000

Bartemius Crouch Sr. sat in his Ministry Cell worried. Not only was he going to be in Azkaban, but he was going to be tried under Veritaserum. If asked the wrong question, he would reveal that he broke his son out of prison. That alone could get him life in prison. The fact that he's been using an Unforgivable to control his son could have him Kissed. Crouch shivered at that thought. And all this happened because he sent Black to Azkaban without a trial.

Crouch regretted ever listening to Dumbledore. He may have believed Black was guilty, but that didn't mean he should have just thrown him into Azkaban. He gave his own son a trial for Merlin sake. Now he was possibly going to be Kissed because of said son. If his wife hadn't made him promise on her deathbed, Crouch would of left Barty to stay in Azkaban and see about climbing back up the political ladder. He was once in the forefront of being Mister once, Crouch was sure he would have gotten to the point again if he wasn't hiding his son. Now, he just had to hope that Winky would be able to handle his son, especially if the Imperious Curse wore off.

Noise outside of his cell brought Crouch out of his thoughts. He could also see Dumbledore across from him and couldn't help the sneer he threw at the man before turning to the approaching guards and with another man approaching.

"Bartemius Crouch Sr., you are being taken to your trail. You are charged with sentencing an innocent Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House and possible other crimes under questioning. The right to refuse Veritaserum is waved considering the severity of your crimes. Your lawyer will meet you in the courtroom. Is there anything you would like to confess before going to trial?"

"No." Crouch was going to walk into the courtroom with his head held high. The two guards came forward and opened his cell before putting the magic suppressing cuffs on. Two guards lead him towards the courtroom he once dominated over. Before he entered, Crouch heard the lead guard interact with Dumbledore and couldn't help the little smirk before entering the courtroom. Nice to know someone slap the old man down.

"Dumbledore, here is your lawyer to review your case for tomorrow. You have an hour and I will be waiting out here to insure nothing happens. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my boy, although what could I do from inside here?"

"I am not your 'boy', Dumbledore. Nor did I ever fall for that grandfather façade." The guard let the lawyer into the cell and stepped to the side. It made his skin crawl think of everything he did and let happen. He remembered Dumbledore letting the Marauders loose on Hogwarts and never punishing them when their pranks caused harm. But he wasn't going to let that cloud his judgement. He was going to do his job and then celebrate the downfall of Dumbledore after his hearing tomorrow.

00000 Courtroom 10, Ministry of Magic 00000

Cornelius Fudge sat in his seat waiting for the trial to start. After the Sirius Black trial, he was hoping that this one was at least straight forward and didn't reveal anything else. Dumbledore's trial was already looking like a circus and hasn't even started yet. Even Bartemius' trial had caused problems. The amount of people he sentenced to Azkaban caused a review of everyone. The law department was swamped with all of it. There were already a couple of people to be retried already.

"Everything alright, Minister?" Madam Bones asked before sitting in her seat.

"Just thinking about everything that is happening. I don't think we've been this busy since the fall of You-Know-Who. I'm sure your department is feeling the brunt of it."

"Yes it has. Thankfully there have only been a few instances that required Auror presence. The main things we have to watch out for at the moment are trials this weekend. Oh, before I forget, the goblins have sent over the paperwork to have the Potters moved to their family crypt as well as the additional charges facing Dumbledore. I also have a list of the guardians Mr. Potter was to go to if Dumbledore hadn't sealed the wills." Fudge looked at the list. He was surprised that Amelia and Snape was on there, but the last notation made him sputter.

"This says that he wasn't supposed to go to his aunt and uncle."

"Yes. It seems that Dumbledore didn't like the people named in the Potter's wills. Strange considering he was a witness to the wills. You should see that among the additional charges." Fudge let a breath out trying to figure out how someone could do this.

"Make a list of questions to be asked and I'll add them to mine. After Dumbledore's trial, I will also be calling a closed Session, so you will have to attend as the Bones' Regent. We are going over how something like this happened and correct it. I'll also be putting forth a bill to help other abused and orphaned children. Maybe put the Muggleborn Registration under that umbrella to watch them more closely. I'm sure there are other muggles like Mr. Potter's relatives."

"I'm sure that you will get much support if worded the right way. Will Dolores be in charge of that or will someone else be placed as Head Director?"

"I think I'll reassign someone to the department." Amelia let a relieved sigh. She never liked that witch and always wondered how she got her position as the Minster's Undersecretary in the first place. Amelia knows she's does things that are against the law, but without any evidence or witnesses, she couldn't even get Fudge to fire her. Hopefully the person in charge of the new department wouldn't be a bigot like Dolores.

"I'm sure that we can talk about this later. It looks like they're bringing in Crouch right now."

"Yes. Let's get this over with. Are the aurors in place in case something happens?"

"Yes. We even set some up in the audience to be sure."

"Good." Fudge stood from his seat and waited until Crouch was in the defendant chair before starting the proceedings.