Amelia Bones was in her office coordinating the several ongoing cases that came about after Albus Dumbledore's trial. If she could kill the man with his overly long beard she would. The more prominent cases at the moment were the Baltimore and Smith cases.

Thankfully they were able to get Perry Stonewell nee Smith and his children separated from the Stonewell family before the newspaper came out today. The Healers confirmed that the children were clean from any affects from the love potions being fed to Mr. Perry during pregnancy. The only worry now was the current pregnancy and flushing the potions safely. Lord Jasper Stonewell, his parents Flint and Pearl Stonewell and sister Amber Stonewell on the other hand were all in the Ministry holding cells, along with Lord & Lady Smith, awaiting their trials.

From what she was able to figure out from the evidence collected, Lord Smith owed the former Lord Stonewell gambling debts that he was unable to pay without losing land and face. To prevent that from happening, Lord Carlos Smith promised his only son and heir to Lord Flint Stonewell's son, then Heir Jasper. It seems Mr. Perry found out about it and tried to find help in Albus Dumbledore. Unfortunately, Dumbledore betrayed that help and handed over the young heir for his own version of the Greater Good. Amber Stonewell, as a Potions Mistress, was able to brew the love potion to insure the Mr. Perry went through the wedding and stayed. Thankfully the potions she used over the years were ones that didn't poison the user or unborn children when continually ingested. Amelia was never more thankful for that and suspects that kept unprotected personal journals.

The Baltimore case on the other hand wasn't as cut and dry. Mr. and Mrs. Baltimore never knew the reason behind their daughter's suicide or that she was even raped. Since the rape happened two months before the school year ended Dumbledore was able to keep Ms. Sarah prisoner and fake letters home to keep suspicion away until Dumbledore could fix the situation he backed himself into. Unfortunately, that was the only information they were able to get out of Dumbledore during the second half of his trial.

The Wizengamot meeting still needed to be taken care of and neither herself or Minister Fudge believed Dumbledore told them everything. The trial continuation would be closed today and Veritaserum would be continued. After that they'll be able to pass judgement and ship Dumbledore to the heart of Azkaban at the very least and through the Vail of Death at best.

Amelia took a deep breath and focused on the paperwork in front of her. She still had so much to do and Amelia would like to go home and not sleep in the barracks again. Although looking at the mountain of paperwork, she wasn't sure she'll be able to see her bed for the next fortnight.

Thankfully Susan wasn't home to worry about. Looking out of her office, she knew that the Aurors with younger children to care for weren't so lucky and were barely getting sleep between seeing their families at dinner and then returning here to follow up on the cases or go over the paperwork the trainees' thought were important. After this, vacation time and overtime pay was going to be a pain in the ass. A knock on the door brought Amelia out of her thoughts.

"Enter." Kingsley Shacklebolt came in and closed the door behind him. "What can I help you with Auror Shacklebolt?"

"I just returned from Hogwarts. Here is the interview of Potions Master Snape-Prince. I have also informed the inheritance department that his paperwork might be coming in the following weeks." Kingsley sat the report in front of her before sitting in the only free chair that didn't contain files.

"Is there anything in the interview that requires our immediate notice?" The resigned tone of voice made it pretty clear that Amelia thought there would be more added to their already strained workload. Some of the Senior Aurors were talking about liberating a few Time-turners from the Department of Mysteries to help catch up with the workload. Kingsley couldn't blame them. He was thinking about joining in with the scheming considering the very limited amount of sleep he's been getting. But he wasn't going to think about that at the moment or torture Amelia further.

"No ma'am. Most of the information was reveled at his trial and the things not can be looked over at another time."

"Thank Merlin for small miracles. Is there anything else that needs my attention?"

"There were reporters camped out in front of Hogwarts. I managed to remind them that the harassment of minors can carry a hefty fine and possibility of jail time. And considering how overworked the Auror Department is at the moment, them getting released before the month was out was improbable." Amelia couldn't help the laugh that escaped her mouth. Reporters were the bane of all aurors and the thought of arresting them sounded like a stress relief for most of the department. Smothering her laugh, Amelia reclined in her seat.

"Did they leave after that considerate warning?"

"Yes ma'am. They quickly left and Headmistress Doris knows to inform us if they come by again." Nodding in agreement, Amelia hoped they took the warning to heart. With the number of Heirs and Heiresses at Hogwarts, her niece included, they would be in a load of trouble. "The Headmistress also wanted to know if she could have a point of contact with the Auror Department. There is going to be a health check soon and she wants to make sure that those that have concerning results gets the help they need." Amelia pinched the bridge of her noise.

"Could you be the point of contact and liaison with the required departments. I would put one of the Senior Aurors on this but they're making sure the trainees aren't overlooking anything."

"That's fine, Madam Bones. I'll let Headmistress Doris know to ask for me if something comes up."

"Knowing our luck and Dumbledore's willful negligence of abuse we will be called." Rubbing her eyes and wondering if another Pepper-Up Potion could be taken, Amalia put her monocle back on and straightened back up. "Keep me informed of anything that comes up with that. The way things are looking I'm going to assign you to be the point of contact until the end of the semester. Is there anything else I need to be worried about?"

"Headmistress Doris was informed about the possible acromantula colony in the Forbidden Forest. She is going to talk to Hagrid to see if anything was done to relocate them."

"Hopefully she'll get back to us and allow us to move forward."

"True. At least if something does come up we can pass it to a different department." Amelia smiled at the thought. With the 'Dumbledore Cases', as they were being called, as well as the backlash from Crouch's secrets coming to light and the everyday rulebreakers, dealing with an acromentula colony would have been put on the back burner unfortunately. Especially since there hasn't been any whisper of one being in the Forbidden Forest and considering a bunch of gossiping teenagers and hormonal boys looking for 'adventure' was saying something. Amelia really hoped that it meant Dumbledore did a somewhat reasonable and responsible action concerning the situation. "I'll get back out there and help the others wade through everything going on out there." Kingsley said before standing. "I'll also update you with Hogwarts."

"Thank you." Kingsley nodded in understanding and made his way to the door. Before opening it, Amelia's voice made him pause. "And Shacklebolt, please inform the aurors planning to raid the Time Room that I will put them on prison duty for the next three months before there time off if they try anything. I have enough paperwork without adding Stupidity to it."

"Yea, ma'am."

"You may leave then, Auror Shacklebolt. I'm sure your desk is as cluttered as mine at the moment." With a chuckle Kingsley left the office to continue his work. Everyone was working off of coffee, Pepper-Ups, and 'food' from the cafeteria, and if they found themselves purposely on the next prison rotation before being able to take time off, the Senior Aurors wouldn't be the only ones retiring.

000000000 Hagrid's Hut 0000000000

Headmistress Doris was on her way to Hagrid's hut after Auror Shacklebolt left her office. The thought that a XXXXX colony was so close to the school was horrifying to her and made talking to Hagrid all the more important. If she wasn't so worried, Doris would have waited until after dinner if Hagrid hadn't come to the school. She was willing to leave him alone for the day considering he wasn't a teacher and he was up-to-date on his duties around the school. But that plan was discarded considering the safety of the castle's inhabitants overruled any social niceties.

Doris came to Hagrid's hut and nocked on the heavy wooden door. Hearing some barking and shuffling behind the door, Doris remembered that Hagrid had a friendly, and large, dog. She really hoped that she didn't have to change robes. Getting slobber and fur out of fabric was hard, even with cleaning charms.

Hagrid opening the door partway brought Doris' mind to more important issues than appropriate cleaning charms.

"Hello, Hagrid, may I come inside? There are some things we have to discuss that can't wait." Hagrid seemed to hesitate a moment before opening the door further and moving out of the way.

"Sorry for the mess Headmistress. I wasn't expecting anyone now." Doris looked around the small hut, which surprised her considering the size of Hagrid, and saw used tissues, wood shavings and what looked like a half done hide coat. Fang, Hagrid's bloodhound, was surprisingly quiet and laying on a bed of furs that Doris realized was Hagrid's bed. The space was taken up by an old wardrobe, a table and four chairs, cured and packaged meats, pelts and furs hanging from the raptures, a fireplace on the opposite wall from the front entrance, and two doors on either side of it. The door closest to the bed lead back outside while the other door lead to a bathroom, although it was closed at the time so Doris couldn't see what it looked like.

"That is fine, Hagrid, and any other time I would of left you to your thoughts about what has come to light during Dumbledore's trial, but some information has come up that needs some clarification before anything can happen." Hagrid looked a little worried before he seemed to remember something.

"Where are my manners? Would you like to sit and have some tea? I think I still have some rock cakes."

"Thank you for the seat and tea would be fine. I'm still full from breakfast so the cakes won't be necessary." Not to mention several of the professors warned her how Hagrid's rock cakes had the consistency of bludgers if you didn't soak them.

Doris sat down while Hagrid made them tea and try to clean up a little without her noticing. She let that slide considering he had no warning she was coming, and a lot of her male friends would do the same thing in similar situations. When the tea and Hagrid was settled, Doris prepared herself for an interesting conversation.

"Let me first say that I am sorry that you learned such terrible news about someone you held in high regards. I can't imagine what you are going through and if you need any time off, please let me know so the proper steps can be taken to cover your duties." Hagrid brought an oversized handkerchief from somewhere and blew his nose while looking like he was a second away from crying. Considering Hagrid's eyes were red rimmed, him crying since yesterday was a possibility.

"Thank you, Headmistress. That is very kind of you, but I wouldn't know where to go or do if I took some time off. Just give me a day or two and I'll be back to my duties." Doris nodded before taking a sip of her tea. It was very pleasant, and she made a note to ask for the blend sometime down the road.

"I am happy to give you the few days. If you need longer, please let me know. The curse breakers will be here on Wednesday and Healers will be arriving today through the infirmary's Floo, so we'll need you to at least let the curse breakers in when they arrive."

"Of course. Anything I can do to help I will."

"Thank you, Hagrid, and that is also why I'm here. The aurors going through some of Dumbledore's paperwork found mention of acromantula that you released twice within the Forbidden Forest. The first a male released during your third year and then a female approximately a year afterwards." Hagrid seemed to stiffen, and his eyes became shifty. Clearly, he knew what she was talking about and she was going to be talking with the Ministry, again. Taking another sip of tea, Doris continued. "Hagrid, you are not in trouble with the school or the Ministry. We are just trying to figure out what happened and if there are any safety measures being taken if the acromantula are still in the forest."

Hagrid was nervous. He knew that Aragog and his family were still in the Forbidden Forest. He wasn't sure if Dumbledore did anything, but Aragog promised him that none of his children would attack the school or students. Hagrid wasn't that worried about himself, but about the possibility of the Ministry killing Aragog and his family. Looking at the new Headmistress, Hagrid wasn't sure if he could trust her. He trusted Dumbledore only to find out that the reason he didn't have a wand was because Dumbledore didn't see a reason to help him. Sure, he made him the grounds keeper and keeper of the keys, but that didn't mean that he was always happy about it. Hagrid had plans after graduation. He was always good with creatures thanks to his giant blood and the possible job opportunities were numerous. Hagrid knew he wasn't the smartest person out there, and he did love working here at Hogwarts, but he never had the chance to choose.

"Hagrid, the Ministry already knows about the two that you released. You telling me about the colony won't change the outcome of them finding out. But what will change is their response. If they believe that there is no chance of safely letting the acromantula stay or move them someplace else, then the destruction of the colony is guaranteed. Hagrid, from everything I've learned about you from the other staff and from your file, I know that you have a big heart and you care about creatures and students alike. The information you give me will insure that all parties remain safe." Hagrid sagged in defeat.

"When I released Aragog into the forest, it was so the Ministry wouldn't kill him. I never let him out of the room he was in when I first brought him to Hogwarts. He was only able to move out of his box a week before Tom Riddle found us due to his injuries, and it took me most of the school year to get him to that point, but the aurors didn't believe me. After I was expelled and had my wand snapped, I had no idea what to do, so I released him to the forest. After Dumbledore talked Headmaster Dippet into training me for the grounds position, I was able to visit Aragog to make sure he was alright. He was still young and could be killed by the other creatures and beings in the forest.

"Even though I visited him when I could, I could tell that he was lonely. I was able to get another acromantula from a smuggler that was going to kill her since the previous buyer got arrested days prior. Aragog was happy and promised me that none of his children would attack Hogwarts. Please Headmistress, don't let the Ministry kill them. They've never hurt anyone all the time they've been here." By that time Hagrid was crying and worrying the handkerchief in his hand.

Doris stared at Hagrid in shock before she snapped out of it.

"Hagrid, did Dumbledore know about the colony?"

"Yes, but I assured him that Aragog or any other acromantula wouldn't attack anyone and they haven't. Aragog has kept his children in line, even after his mate died." Doris closed her eyes in disbelief. She had a feeling that she wasn't going to like the answer to her next question.

"Did Dumbledore ward the area that the acromantula stay in or do they roam free? And how big is the colony?"

"There are about two hundred of them and they roam free. The forest is their home and they have a good territory that supports them."

"The forest is also home to other Creatures and Beings that acromantulas will eat without a care. That is not to mention any child that might stumble across one acromantula while walking the forest or Merlin forbid stumble across the colony. Hagrid, there are Masters in various fields that go into the Forbidden Forest to get ingredients from the plants or inhabitants. That they are roaming free means that they are encroaching on territory that was never theirs and possibly killing endangered species that call the Forbidden Forest their home. There is a reason that areas involving acromantulas are warded against them leaving a set area as well as preventing people from going anywhere near them." Hagrid seemed to blanch at that, although it was hard to tell considering so little of his face was seen with his long hair and bushy beard. Doris took a cleansing breath before she said something she'd regret. "Hagrid, I want you to map out where the colony is, the approximate territory they cover and if you know where they hunt. After that, we are going over the appropriate response when you come across something endangered or above a XX rating. We are a school, not a reserve. Is that understood?" The steel in Doris' eyes and words had Hagrid agreeing immediately.

"Good. After that, we'll go over the education you missed so you'll be able to take your O.W.L.s and eventually your N.E.W.T.s down the line. The ministry will be sending you a notice of when you will be getting a new wand, reparations for the missed education and how to take said O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s when you're ready. All of this will be arriving in the next couple of weeks."

"Thank you, Headmistress." Hagrid still seemed nervous and Doris was about to ask why before Hagrid opened his mouth again. "Will I also be receiving a notice about the acromantulas I set free. Like a fine or something. I would like to be prepared if it came to that." Doris quickly realized the 'or something' to mean Azkaban time, and she couldn't blame him for being worried about that.

"You will not be fined, jailed or anything else of that nature. You were a minor at the time and Dumbledore as Headmaster should have taken care of the situation since it was on Hogwarts' grounds and he had knowledge of the situation. Now, that doesn't mean that any other creature without the appropriate licensing and approval found on or in Hogwarts will be given a free pass." Hagrid seemed to sag in relief.

"That's good. At least Fluffy won't be a problem then."

"Who or what is Fluffy and why should it not be a problem?" Hagrid stiffened at that before giving Doris a nervous smile. Dumbledore was going to regret not having Hagrid sign the same non-disclosure agreement like the other professors and Doris was already regretting allowing Auror Shacklebolt to leave before she came here. It would have saved him an extra trip.

0000000 Madam Pomfrey, Hospital Wing 0000000

Poppy Promfrey, Hogwarts' Healer, was waiting for Healer Kathy Grain, the Medi-Healers and Trainees that she was bringing along. She was glad for the school wide check as well as nervous. If she had missed anything, she would feel guilty. She knew that with the number of students, she would have missed something, even with Severus catching most of them, followed by Pomona. Even then, it wasn't a guarantee, especially since both were busy and could have missed someone in their House let alone any of the other students not in their House. And considering Poppy herself usually didn't do a deep scan unless someone came to her or one of the regular scans came up with something that required further investigation, it would be understandable if she missed something, even if she didn't like it. Unfortunately, for her to perform the required scan to show everything, she would have to scan hundreds of students by herself in the first three to four weeks to catch any lingering harmful magic, and she didn't have the magic reserves or time to do something like that.

The sound of The Floo activating brought her out of her distressing thoughts. Healer Kathy Grain came out first followed by two Medi-Wizards, one Medi-Witch and six Trainees. Kathy was a woman in her mid-fifties with salt and pepper hair cropped below her chin. She was the lead instructor when Poppy was getting her Medi-Witch accreditation to take up the Hogwarts post after the previous Medi-Wizard decided to retire to travel the world. Kathy was known as one of the most knowledgeable Healers and one of the toughest. She never suffered fools under her command considering they could kill just as badly as those wishing harm. The Medi-Healers behind her were looking around the Hospital wing in nostalgia. She never healed them as students considering they were in the same Medi-classes as she was, or older than her, but she could understand their nostalgia considering she sometimes felt the same way after coming back from her summer holidays. The Trainees on the other hand looked nervously at her and some of the beds. Poppy had to remind herself not to smirk at them considering she treated all of them for one reason or another. Three girls and three boys were in their final year of Medi-Healer training. It'll be interesting if they went further in their training to be Healers.

"Medi-witch Promfrey, I hope you are well?"

"I am, and you Healer Grain?"

"Very well considering why we are here. Is everything prepared for our stay here?"

"Yes. The beds and privacy screens are set up. I will allow assess to my files to you and the Medi-Healers, although your Trainees will not be able to look at them since they haven't taken their oaths. Rooms for you to stay at have been prepared and will be shown to you after you've set up here but before we start screening the students, which will start after lunch today." Kathy nodded before introducing those she came with.

"The Trainees will be doing the preliminary scans and myself and my colleagues will do the deeper scans for anything they find, as well as those already noted for either abuse or already existing medical conditions. Is there anything that we don't know that we should?"

"Some of the Muggleborn and raised will need shots that I usually give in the first two weeks that they're here. Some are unable to go and get them either by living too far away from St. Mungo's or unable to pay for them. Since the school covers a set number, and we have an in-house Potions Master that can brew them, I have them already set in the potions' cupboard. I'll make sure to include you and the Medi-Healers into the ward. The Trainees of course will need one of you if they believe anyone needs potions."

"Of course. The this is mostly training for them to see what a waiting room/triage could be like. Any treatment will be approved and overseen by us." Poppy nodded in agreement and started helping them set up before showing them their rooms for their stay. It would take them two weeks to get everyone checked, and if any of the Trainees showed promise, she'd ask if they could spend some days here for their training. The amount of different, and usually non-high trauma cases would be good for them when they work on the general floor of St. Mungo's during their first year's rotation as Medi-wizards/witches.