Thanks again for everyone's kind words and feedback. Once more Thank you Mr. Beta. -Without his assistance this fic would not be near as good as he has helped make it.
A couple of notes- Not required but it may help you understand what Luna is referring to when coming out of the woods. Go to and see Cameo's wordup.
**** This is the important one ******* Below there is a section about Snape that my Beta - Rob4133 and I spoke of -It is very suggestive. This is as far as I am comfortable going - concerning adult content- We debated on including it- but I decided that Harry and Neville are incensed with the jerk, and this would be the type of sophomoric humor that 15 year olds would do.
You have been notified.
The French written below has either been translated for you before - in prior chapters - or is easy to decipher.
The spells - some of which are my creation - are also easy to figure out based on content, or listed in Wikipedia or Google translate.
Please enjoy. We are almost caught up to what I have written.
Thanks again .
b.
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The kids left the kites flying in the darkening sky. Once more they asked Susan to send a message to her aunt. Rather than get some junior auror involved, might as well let the boss know one of her aurors attacked a lord. They sat together at Gryffindor table. Everyone was seated and the other schools were mixed in with all of their friends, scattered throughout the hall.
"Welcome back," the headmaster said addressing everyone. "Before we begin the feast, it is my stern duty to unfortunately begin the new year with a punishment." His smile seemed cruel, though the words he spoke sounded regretful. "Mr. Potter, please stand."
Harry stood, wondering what the issue was. "It has come to our attention that you used magic on the express here. You were seen by a prefect. Is this not correct?"
"Someone attacked me."
"I will take that as an admission of guilt. Ten points from Gryffindor and a detention tomorrow with Mr. Filch. Be seated."
Harry's eyes blazed with anger, Hermione and Luna tugged on his sleeve and whispered to "calm down," while the rest of the school looked on in shock. Harry sat/was pulled down and submitted to them whispering in his ear as the conversation around the hall picked up surprised; the golden boy got in trouble.
While Harry was being whispered to, Minerva was whispering in the head master's ears. "Do you really want the houses mixed together at the feasts? That Lovegood girl is there as well."
"And I notice that he is without his hat which is also required for feasts." Filius looked angry. "He is too full of himself. I should have dealt with him in September."
Dumbledore stood again, his hand slapped the podium instant silence. "Mr. Potter. You continue to flout authority. I have just been made aware that you are not properly attired. For feasts you are required to wear your hat. Additionally, people near you are not at their house tables. That's 2 more nights detention and another 20 points from your house."
Harry stood and willed daggers with his eyes. "According to 'Hogwarts a History' that is only required on opening and leaving feasts. And I see plenty of others without their hats as well."
"That's another night of detention and a further 20 points for your attitude. It is not adult to point out others shortcomings to excuse yours. I am very disappointed in you Mr. Potter."
"You are right on the wearing of hats," Harry conceded. "My apologies for that." Now angry at himself, he hated to admit it but the old bastard was right. He took a deep breath and tried to focus in order to keep his temper in check. "However, I disagree on the seating. You cannot change the rules because it suits you!"
Dumbledore once more slapped the podium. "I am Hogwarts! It is mine to control. Get out! Hogwarts elves are forbidden to feed you tonight. We'll see how you fare without eating."
Harry stood and moved to leave. The four girls and Neville standing to go with him. More than a couple from all of the others tables stood in support as well. Harry nodded, noting who had his back, but Dumbledore wasn't done. "Anyone who leaves with Mr. Potter with also loses house points and serve a detention."
Harry waved for the others to sit down, but Hermione and Luna refused with a soft but firm, No."
Even in his anger, they brought a smile to his face. "I will stand my ladies detentions. I am responsible for them."
"As I am for my ladies. Do as you will headmaster. Hogwarts is yours,... today." Neville's firm voice had more than one person shiver at the intensity.
They were met by Madam Bones and an Aurors Shacklebot and Dawlish. "Not even through dinner and already in trouble?"
"The headmaster decided that I was wrong in defending myself from an attack from Snape and your rogue auror."
"So you turned them into kites?"
He shrugged, "I didn't kill them. I didn't throw them off the train. We were bored."
"Would you turn them back?" She asked already knowing she wasn't going to get cooperation tonight.
"I'm sorry Madam. I have just received a week's worth of detentions. I don't wish to earn any more."
Luna piped in, "You heard the headmaster. He is Hogwarts. Let him have a crack at it." She was angry, they upset her Harry.
Hermione had to add, "Tell Billy Goat Gruff and his 2 bookends to help him. Harry, Luna and I did one kite; Neville and his girls did the other. Certainly the powers of Hogwarts can undo what some 3rd and fourth-year students did?"
Dawlish started to yell at their receding backs, but was stopped by his boss. "Really Dawlish? What do you recommend we do? They're spoiling for a fight. I really don't want to tell everyone I got my ass kicked by a 15-year-old."
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The Granger's had just gotten home. The kids had just left for school the day before. Emotionally fatigued, it was hard letting your daughter leave you for 9 months of the year. She has not even graduated and already engaged, to a young man and another woman! To tired to cook, they had gotten take away. Dan loved his fish and chips.
"Tomorrow I have that root canal in the afternoon. We may have to eat out tomorrow as well."
"What about the crock pot. We.." The alarms had been set. Harry and the girls had impressed on them the need for safety, and the run in with that twit Malfoy had given them a healthy respect for safety.
"Should we call for the elves?"
"Not yet. It may be nothing but a stray setting off the motion alert."
Dan grabbed his shotgun while Emma pulled hers from that marvelous bag that Hermione had charmed.
Adrenalin pumping, the Granger's sat with their safeties off. They had only 2 lessons under their belt, but they were now grateful for those lessons.
Part of the security system had automatically alerted a private company. If the Granger's don't call the company and use the proper code word then a call is made to the local constabulary.
Dan watched the front as the door knob was turned, while Emma tried to watch the back.
At some prearranged signal both front door and rear were kicked in within seconds of each other. Dan didn't wait, as soon as a face appeared in the door, he pulled the trigger. Behind him he heard Emma also fire. They each had another shell in place, as each door was now decorated with the evidence of their firepower and blood. Neither wanted to be the hero. They had no way of knowing how many now waited right out the door.
"Dobby, Winky emergency!"
Dobby and Winky had direct orders, no matter what else transpired, when the Granger's called emergency they were to go and get them to safety.
Less than two seconds later, as each had to fire again, the two Grangers disappeared. As they were leaving Dan faintly heard the sound of a siren in the distance.
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Harry was on his knees scrubbing toilets while Filch rambled on about whips and chains. The hated feline had it's back arched and spit continuously at the unoffending student.
"Master Harry sir!" Winky popped in. "We's took the Grangeys. Someone was at their house."
Harry stood up, and was already running for the door. "Tell the girls and Nev. I'll bring them in through the wards."
Winky popped out as Filch complained, "Where are you going, you ain't done yet!"
Harry spared a moment to stare at him. The green eyes scaring even the cat. "Family emergency. I will finish this tomorrow."
"You'll be expelled!" Filch yelled to his back.
"Go ahead!" He heard.
Already on the first floor, Harry was the quickest outside. Pushing open the gate he gathered both Granger's in his arms. He could faintly smell the recently fired shotguns. "Are either of you injured?"
"No we're fine. As soon as they tried to break in we protected ourselves and called for the elves."
"You did the right thing. Come on, let's go tell the girls you are okay. I'm sure they're worried."
He had each of their arms and hadn't even made it through the huge double doors when they burst open and Hermione ran out and threw herself at her parent's. Luna was only a second behind her, she didn't want to lose another mother. Tears were evident on both faces.
The parent's hugged and kissed the girls, while Harry ushered the parent's in the doors where Neville and his girls waited.
Smiles broke on the worried faces, "Good. Everyone was concerned." More Hugs exchanged, and once more the story told.
There was quite a crowd forming. "What are filthy muggles doing here! Potter you sullied yourself with a mudblood, and now you bring those filthy animals here?"
"Flint. You have exactly five seconds to apologize."
Flint shrugged, "I have nothing to apologize for Potter. You are obviously to puffed up with your self aggrandizement. It's time someone put you in your place. We will duel here and now. "
Already people were backing away. There were the "oohs" after Flint's diatribe. Normally this was the time for things to start quieting down around the castle, but the paintings and suits of armor had relayed everything to the headmaster and deputy. Individual students had also told other heads of house, everyone once again believed, "Potter's causing trouble."
"I see Davies standing there next to you. Is that how you feel Roger? Didn't I just see you at the head table with Fleur?"
He shrugged, "She's a pretty tart, but not human. Not worth getting excited over."
Luna laughed, "You couldn't stop drooling. You embarrassed yourself. I saw her kiss you goodnight, you shuddered when she did. I bet you had to change your shorts!"
"You shut up you little bitch, you are not human either."
Emma was still upset, thinking she was going to a place of safety only to come into another hostile environment. When Davies insulted Luna, Emma reloaded and snapped her weapon together, closely followed by Dan. "Is it always like this honey?"
"Not normally this bad, but yeah Harry and Neville seem to draw a lot of ire."
Harry laughed, "Good instincts Emma, but you won't need those again tonight. I've got this."
Dan murmured, "Both of them? At the same time?"
"Yeah, they're not much. Harry's got this." Tracey jumped in.
But Neville was focusing on the other students and professors, "No I don't think so Harry. I realize Lady Luna is your betrothed, but in this as in all things, I am your brother."
"Mr. Potter causing trouble again? You left detention to socialize?"
"Professor McGonagall. Did no one tell you that Hermione's parents were attacked?"
"Then they should bring it to the muggle authorities. They don't need to bring their troubles here. And that's another week's worth of detentions for you Mr. Potter."
"Nev. This is getting past the point of no return here."
"It really is. We may be ending our schooling early. Let's see what happens in the next few minutes."
"Agreed."
Flint misreading the conversation as fear, decided to push. "What's the matter Potter? Now that the teachers are here are you afraid that you won't be able to cheat? Just like you did to get into the tournament?"
"Flint, don't be in such a hurry. I'll get to you in a moment."
"I've got your back, Theo."
"Oh that's very good. Actually though you'll be watching his front. Because Harry is going to pin loudmouth to that wall." He pointed to an empty spot 12 feet above the floor; "While I pin you to that one." He pointed to the opposite wall."
"No one will be 'pinning' anyone. At least none of my students." Filius strode forward, his eyes ablaze wand in hand. "I've had it with you two. We will duel. I should have taken you up on your challenge in September. Now we'll see how you fair against a champion."
"And I will stand in for Sinestra," Minerva said.
"Fine," Neville answered the two teachers. "We have 48 hours. We will meet you 2 on the Quidditch pitch at 9:00 am. Harry and I had so much hope for you two. We are disappointed in you. But first, you will note that both of the students in question are over 17 and therefore are of age. That duel will take place here and now."
The two teachers suddenly were hesitant, they asked themselves, "Where is that sudden anger coming from?"
"Nev. Plan 'C'?"
He thought of it for a moment, "Yeah. I agree. Misty, Winky, Dobby. Plan 'C"
"Aye Lord Longbottom."
The three elves that had appeared at his call. Disappeared just as suddenly. The girls heard the plan, and immediately spread out, Daphne standing near the Granger's.
The staff didn't know what had happened. They had been in the process of preparing a platform in the middle of the entranceway.
Harry took over, "Here's the plan, professors." He had spit the last word out like it was a filthy word, unfit for use in public. "Lord Longbottom and I are going to defeat these two losers in our honor duel. None of the allies of house Longbottom or Potter will be in school for the next two days."
Her voice was clipped, despite her questioning herself she still couldn't help it, her anger came forth. "And where will you be?"
"Since you are no longer a friend or ally, I have no desire to tell you. Let's get this duel over. I am suddenly sick of this place."
"A moment Harry." Hermione interrupted. She spoke to the crowd, "The last time we were in this situation someone interrupted Lord's Potter and Longbottom and only suffered a stunner. The kid gloves are off. We were just insulted and challenged by peers and some we respected. Interference will be met with injuries requiring Madam Pomphrey's intervention."
There was some murmuring about this, but not a lot. Everyone knew this was serious. Every school was represented, no one had been impressed with Hogwarts so far.
Albus stood by himself, disillusioned from view. This had been the most fun he had in months. Potter and Longbottom wouldn't get their comeuppance tonight, but in 2 days time...
Fleur stood stony faced, she hated this place and this tournament. Friends were hard to come by in the first place, but now it was even worse. She had hoped that Davies fellow could have resisted her allure. She had been looking forward to a nice time. The entire night he was an octopus his hands everywhere. She had ended the date early and thought to save him embarrassment. She knew her goodnight kiss to his cheek had caused him to climax. She didn't think anyone else had seen.
Suddenly a hand was in hers. The pretty blonde smiled sweetly at her. "You do have some friends here. Don't let the cochons get to you."
"Zhank you."
She smiled sweetly at the elder blonde. "The shows about to begin, enjoy it."
"Will your men win?"
She waved the question away disdainfully, "Please. A pufferminx has a better chance surviving a snowstorm than those two ruffians. No, the real show is afterward when all of the "masters" will try to take them off the wall. Make sure everyone makes fun of them, neither one of them is a nice boy."
Roger and Theo stood side by side at the end of the raised platform. There were some heavy protection wards up, the occasional flash of reflected light shining on the edge of the ward.
The rules given, Flitwick signaled the start of the match with the landing of a dropped towel to the floor. Before the towel had even hit the floor both Roger and Theo had fired a curse. Flint shot a bonebreaking curse while Davies came out with a standard bombarda.
As if they were psychically linked (they're not), the two youths snorted and stepped to the side and started to run at their opponents. Neville yelled, "Densa caligo!"
Harry yelled, "Lapides Pluere maximus!"
The two older boys were looking for powerful spells to their front. Suddenly a thick fog sprung up around them and before they could finte incantum a heavy shower of stones started hitting them. The shower of stones had them losing their focus, more than one rock had hit them in the head. A quick homenum revelio showed exactly where they stood in the fog and two quick stunners took away their consciousness.
It wasn't even a challenge. The two young lords had hoped they would have gotten closer. They were looking for some physical confrontation. They let it rain rocks on the lads for a few seconds longer before stopping that and the fog. As promised they each used a "Colloshoo Maxima," and really over powered it. Waking the guys up they cast one more spell, "Cantis."
Before walking out the door, Neville called back, that last spell was just for your entertainment. They could hear the two guys each starting to sing. Of course they each chose a different song.
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Without prompting, the elves appeared as soon as they left the gates.
"You sure you don't mind Nev?"
"Nah. Grandmum will love the company."
"Mum and Dad, we had best go to your home first. I'm sure everyone is going spare looking for you."
"That's a good idea Honey. How are we going to explain our disappearance? And our sudden reappearance?"
The kids looked at each other, "Ahh, we'll wing it."
"Now that's a Harry plan."
Everyone found it just humorous enough to relieve the tension.
Daphne dropped her wand in her hand as she suddenly remembered, "Oh Tory! I can't leave her there!"
"It's fine mistress," Misty answered. "She went first. She is waiting on us at Master Nevy's.
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Splitting up, Misty took two trips as did Dobby and Winky to get everyone where they were going. The Potter's and Granger's were dropped in the small stand of trees in the back yard away from the police. There were lights flashing and at least five men in the back alone. Harry sent Dobby to Director Bones to let her know they may need an assist here.
Dan called from the small copse of trees, "Hello the house!" He didn't want to get shot walking into his own backyard.
Immediately the police alerted to the call. "Who is there?"
"It's Dr. Granger. I'm with my wife and daughter."
"We were worried about you folks. Come forward."
"I have my shotgun. It's currently broke open and unloaded."
"Very good Dr. Granger," suddenly there were a lot more people in the back yard, they were all certain each and every one had a weapon pointed at them. "Come forward slowly, hands up. Your weapon in one hand away from your body."
Everyone moved very slowly with hands raised. Luna started chanting, "Put your hands in the air like you just don't care."
Despite the situation, Hermione just had to ask. "Just how much TV did you watch?"
One of the constables answered, "Word up!"
The senior Detective introduced himself, "I'm DCI Tibbs."
"Really?" Emma couldn't help herself. It was a favorite movie.
He smiled. "You have no idea how many people react the same way. So tell me what happened?"
The detectives had separated everyone, the kids admitted they arrived afterward and were here for support, while the parents told the tale.
"You don't appear to be too upset over it?"
Both Granger's explained how they were still acting on adrenalin and would feel it soon.
"How many were there? Did we kill anyone?"
"There were eight of them Dr. Granger. Your close circuit TV system showed four each in the front and at the rear. Now it's possible that you were able to escape out the rear just as you said without them seeing you, but something isn't adding up here. The other thing I want to know is your involvement." He had been looking at the Granger's when he turned and looked at Harry. "We checked and cross referencing turned up that your relatives were jailed for abusing you. Isn't that right Mr. Potter?"
20 minutes earlier
Amelia sat nursing a scotch. It had been a long day and she was drained. "Saul are we getting older, or are those kids just more powerful than I remember being?"
It had taken 3 Unspeakables all morning to undo the "kites" and then all afternoon to grill them. They were both disgusted at the crimes the two had committed. Snape was a loyal death eater playing Dumbledore for a fool. Clark-Smythe was unmarked but a sympathizer but had been on the take since he had sworn his oath.
He chuckled, "Both I imagine. Don't fret about canceling those spells. First, all of them are powerful and second, and this is their major advantage, being bonded they automatically act in concert. It's like trying to undo a Merlin enchantment."
She snorted again at the tattoos on Snape. He had been forced to show his tattoos all day long. He had demanded that they get someone competent enough to remove them. However, he was disappointed when he was told that the spells were too well done.
Croaker knew what she was smirking about. It made him smile as well. "It will be a long time before you find anyone that can cover or even glamour those tattoos."
"Why is that? You would think a glamour would at least cover them."
"Can't." He said shaking his head. "I could tell right away, that's a Lovegood family magic. You might get Xeno to remove it, but I doubt he would consider it."
Once again they laughed as they looked at the picture of a very angry Severus Snape. He had been restored to human, (again as close as he was before). He was bare chested and on his chest written in neat bright green iridescent ink was a tattoo that flashed every 20 seconds. "Wand polishing around back."
After he turned, his back also had a tattoo. Also flashing but this time in bright orange, "Insert wand there." Followed by an arrow pointing down. In smaller script, flashing yellow, "Pay the man a sickle."
They were going to toast the kids again when an elf popped into her office. "Madam Bonsey?"
She sighed, her day wasn't over yet. "Yes. Wait I know you don't I?"
"Yes'm."
"Wait you're Lord Potter's elf."
Saul turned, suddenly interested. "Wait you're Dobby Potter? You're the one who shut down Gringott's and is trying to repopulate the house elf nation by yourself?"
Dobby stood a little taller. "I is."
"Wait. What? Why don't I know about this?"
Dobby shook his head, "Gots no times for stories. The great Harry Potter's Grangey's boom boomed some bad mens. Then The Great Lord Potter and Lord Nevy stuck some bad boys on the wall."
"I'm tired Dobby. Your master keeps me busier than a one eyed kneazle watching two rat holes. What does Lord Potter need?"
He cants tell muggle aurors that house elfs took his Grangeys to safety."
"Oh, yes. I can see how that would be a problem. Want to take a road trip Saul?"
"Your boy has been entertaining me all day. I think I would like to meet him."
Present time
"Harry?"
"Yes Luna love?"
"I know it's been a not a fun day, but it's a very important day. Some good things are going to happen in the next five minutes."
"Thank you for telling me."
"Excuse me miss. Who are you?" The detective asked.
"I'm Luna Lovegood. I'm Harry's fiance'."
"What are you, 13?"
Offended, she answered, "I'm 15 thank you very much."
Mr. Tibbs was getting confused. I see an engagement ring on your finger miss. Who are you engaged to?"
"I'm engaged to Harry," Hermione answered matter of factly.
Dan and Emma buried their face in their hands. They were sure they were going to jail or a mental institute.
He turned to Harry. "You can't be engaged to two girls. They're too young, so are you."
"Sure I can, and we're not getting married tomorrow."
"It's against the law to be married to two women." He said matter of factly.
DCI Tibbs realized he was going off on a tangent, but there was something not quite right here. With his experience, he could tell that weren't guilty of a crime that he knew of, but his nose was leading him somewhere. And wherever it was it was giving him a headache.
"The laws could change between now and when we get married, besides if they decide to marry me, what's it to you?"
He pointed his pen at the young man, " You can't ..."
Three people walked in together after each showing credentials at the door. "Okay this day is getting stranger by the minute. I have disappearing reappearing victims that claimed to have come from a copse of woods that was thoroughly searched twice. A young man engaged to two underage ladies, and now three strangers with credentials high enough to enter a secured crime scene. Oh and wait for it. I have five suspects who disappeared right in front of the cameras. can anyone explain this?"
As if on cue the three newcomers and Harry exclaimed, "Shit."
Dan jumped to his feet. "Colonel Markum?"
"Captain Granger. Good to see you."
"And you sir. What brings you here?"
"You do."
Mr. Tibbs interrupted, "Excuse me, colonel. Why are you here? And who are your associates."
"Quite right. Here are my bona fides. As to who they are, well I drove up. My driver waits outside, these folks seemed to pop in from nowhere."
The twinkle in his eye showed Harry and anyone else paying attention that he knew more than he let on.
"Hermione," Luna interrupted. "What was that word you used to try to explain seeming unexpected good fortune or coincidence?"
"Serendipity?"
"Yes. Exactly. Thank you. Well this is not that. This is supposed to happen and it was always going to happen. Now what happens from here forward depends on how good you do your job Harry."
He sighed. "Luna could you have given me some warning?"
"Oh Harry no. Do you know what would have happened had I told all of this ahead of time?" She almost looked scared.
Everyone suddenly was nervous, "Neither do I, but it wouldn't have been good."
"Luna," Hermione chided. "Harry, get the ball rolling."
"Yes love."
"Excuse me. I'll conduct the interviews if you don't mind." He was getting a little testy.
"We can wait but your way will only confuse you. Trust me, just for a little while. Maybe we can end this before midnight."
"I knew I should have taken vacation this week. Go ahead, if it will clear things up."
"Everyone, this is Madam Bones she is a representative of... the police as well. Do you have documents?"
"I do.." She said giving them to Tibbs. "This is Saul he is an associate of mine."
"Are you a monk?" Tibbs asked.
"You are not the first to ask that, and the answer is no. Let the lad go. He's doing fine. I suspect from what our little seer is saying, everything will be clear soon."
Luna nodded her head.
"Colonel, Are you here for Mr. Granger?"
"No Lord Potter. I'm here for you."
Except for Luna, you could have knocked everyone else over with a feather.
"Lord Potter?"
"Yes sir."
"DCI Tibbs. Call your supervisor. Have him run my name through the computer. Here's my card, on the back is today's code word make sure you give it to him."
"Yes sir." After getting permission to use the phone. He made his call while Harry continued.
"I'm afraid I don't know who you are."
"Of course you do Harry. Who does he look like?"
"Little girl you say Santa and I'll turn you over my knee."
Everyone got a chuckle. "I am Saul Croaker. That was some fine transfiguration you three did on Snape."
"Thank you. That git deserved it."
Luna stage whispered, "Even his initials are S. C.!"
"Colonel, how does the military even know about me?" Harry asked ignoring Luna's observation, for now.
"I work for MI5. We keep an eye on your community. Our computers are keyed to alert us with certain high profile names appear."
"Like Granger?"
"Certainly. Anyone involved with Lord Potter is going to have some scrutiny on them."
DCI Tibbs came back in. "That was fairly clear. I am to render all assistance to you, You will be the final authority on anything associated with this case."
"That came from your supervisor?" Emma was curious.
"No, it came from my bosses boss. And he got it from his. What do you want me to do?"
"Well for now, we are going to get you caught up to date. We will go from there. Lord Potter? You had the floor."
"Okay Colonel. One question. How much can we tell him? Can he be trusted?"
This really was a strange day. Not only was his supervisor okay with the colonel, he was almost obsequious about it. Then he turns the interview over to the boy. Tibbs got himself under control. "To be fair," he told himself, "you did it too."
"Yes he can Lord Potter."
"Okay, let's start with that. We'll be here all night if have to go through that. I'm Harry. DCI Tibbs can you tell your people not to come in or even look in the windows for the next 30 minutes. By then the majority of your questions will be answered."
"Madam Bones the colonel obviously knows about us, with your consent I'm going to tell Tibbs."
She nodded as he came back. "Tell me what?"
"How the Grangers got away. Most likely how the criminals got away, and what it is all about."
"That would be wonderful. And all of this is covered under the official secrets act?"
The colonel nodded. "Go ahead lad, surprise me."
Everyone laughed, "Okay. If you're sure. Winky. How about tea for everyone?"
A short grayish something appeared and answered, "Okay Master Harry. Tea for everyone."
"Not me Winky. I want pudding."
Hermione and Harry snorted, "Of course you do."
"What was that?" Tibbs pointed.
"That was a house elf," Saul explained. "Let me take over Harry I've been at this a little longer than you."
"Works for me, but first. Dobby."
"The Great Lord Harry Potter. What cans I do for you?"
"Seal the windows and doors for us please. I am trusting DCI Tibbs, but I don't know his men. I don't want sound or anyone able to see anything if they look in."
Saul went through the abbreviated version of the history of magic. Harry spied Hermione she was intensely watching and listening. He knew she wanted to take notes and ask questions. Tibbs took it well, asking pertinent questions. Especially what his officer should do if they were confronted with a wand.
The colonel added information in as well surprising everyone with the depth of knowledge that the crown possessed.
For his part Harry aided both the colonel and the inspector. They were not aware that Sirius was not guilty and that Pettigrew was alive and the real culprit. Harry offered to get a picture to the Colonel. "The picture will be 15 years out of date, but he still looks almost the same."
It took closer to an hour, but Mr. Tibbs had all of his questions answered and a number to report any findings to.
The Colonel asked, "Any saved rounds?"
"Huh?"
"He means Harry is there anything else we should know before the meeting breaks up?"
"Yeah I guess. Now is a good time to go into it." He briefly told them about the confrontation at Hogwarts. Harry mentioned how Filius and Minerva had challenged them to a duel in two days time. The girls told everyone how Harry and Neville had stuck the students on the wall and dared the professors to remove them.
"What about Dumbledore?"
Harry shook his head. "I'm not sure if he's evil. He sure is acting like it with all of the detentions, and now all of the professors are after Neville and me. Dumbles power is fading fast and he may be slipping into his dotage. But there is still plenty of power and experience."
"We'll have to take another road trip tomorrow Amelia. Sounds like the staff has been dosed with something. Those two on the wall. Take them off or not?"
Harry's eyes got intense. Even Tibbs could feel the spike in power. "Take then down if you want. You can tell them, say what you want about me, but speak badly about my family again and people will be cleaning up what's left of them with a sponge. One of them is a Death Eater in training, the other is leaning that way."
"Two final rounds. Firstly. Captain. Your commission is as of this moment reactivated. It comes with a promotion. Congratulations Major Granger."
That was a surprise. He had thought he left that world behind him. He blinked once and then a second time before his brain engaged, "Your orders sir?"
"In the next couple of days. Get to this address." He handed him another card. "They will kit you out, and requalify you on with your pistol. Keep that shotgun handy, too."
"Are you folks staying here?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "As soon as we are done here. The elves will seal the house. We're going to Longbottom manor today and going to look at my house sometime tomorrow."
"Take this then. He said handing him a phone. It's a satellite phone. It will work anywhere on the planet as long as there is a satellite somewhere in space above it."
"What do we do about power and won't magic destroy it?" Hermione asked.
"It's shielded against the magic. Took us a few years to work that out, as far as power is..."
"I'll take care of that," Saul said taking the phone. A couple minutes of concentration, "Here. Now it works off of ambient magical energy. Just like the wards do."
In a deep breathless voice, Hermione demanded, "You have got to teach me that spell!"
"After Hogwarts, come to work for the unspeakables and you girls will both have good jobs that will teach you a lot."
"What will Harry do?"
"Don't worry about me sweetie. You and Hermione can earn the gaellons and I'll raise the babies!"
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
A very tired Amelia met Saul at the gates at 09:00.
Saul looked fresh as if he just returned from a nice weeks vacation.
"You look fresh."
"And you look like hell. My schedule isn't quite as rough as yours. I have a potion that will keep me going for another eight hours, but after that, I'll be out for a full day or more. You don't have that option."
They pushed open the gates. Both knew the headmaster would be coming to greet them.
"I see you are wearing your monocle today." Normally the staid inspector just lets it dangle from the tether.
"I reconfigured it last night. It's very handy but somewhat limited as well. If I know what I'm looking for I can set it," she showed him the tiny runes along the inside edge. "Six hours charge gives me about eight to ten hours of use. Something Potter said struck a chord with me. He mentioned the professors suddenly being against him. When I know for a fact that Minerva was trying to help him as recently as a month or so ago."
"So you suspect potions?"
"I do."
Saul laughed, "You know you're going to have 3 schools worth of hormonal students there. I'm sure that most of them have had one kind of potion or another recently."
She didn't sound happy about that. "Yeah I know. Good thing that this has a color indicator that will indicate which type of potion. "I'll have a hell of a headache tonight though."
They had just reached the front doors when they opened of their own accord to be greeted by the headmaster, Deputy, and Professor Flitwick. Madam Bones gave a Saul a significant look and a nod as she let her monocle drop from her eye.
Amelia, a trained investigator with over 25 years of service in the DMLE took the entire scene in a single glance. As her friend and associate predicted, her monocle displayed an impressive amount of colors and color combinations.
The entranceway was designed for many people to use at one time, and this was no exception. Her sweep of people provided a host of information for her to sort through. Her self-fulfilling prophecy immediately started to take hold. With a sigh she put her monocle back in, and once more remembered why she hated the thing. A necessary "evil", it had helped provide clues that had solved many a case.
Her second glance showed students from 3 schools, most of which were laughing with their friends at the two helpless students hung high on the wall.
Their chins resting on their chests, a lot of displeasure over the treatment of the guests was taken out on the two young men. Professors from every school were in attendance, most of them consulting with one another, a few still casting 'finite incantum' without any success.
While that occurred, Bones watched as a beautiful young lady, not affected by any potion, she noted. Almost everyone else excluding educators from other schools had some potions in them, the other notable exceptions, she saw was Hagrid who was standing near Madam Maxime with a surprisingly potion free Professor Trelawney standing in the middle of the two except she was standing on the third stair to be more their height. The monocle dropped again as she saw the three holding hands.
"Auntie!" Amelia was impacted by a not so young Susan. She smiled, she looked so grown up. She too had a couple of potions swirling around her. One she knew about, the soft pink was evident in most of the young ladies around. The other an unfamiliar orange color.
The monocle had been handed down from Bones to Bones, her niece would receive it next. It was capable of many things depending on how one turned the different rings to align the runes. Many different types of vision were possible, but each had its limitations and the time to reset from one ability such as spying potions within people; to say for example, switching to infrared or invisibility view.
She hugged her niece back and was about to speak when a voice rasped from high on the wall.
"What is zat Roger dear? You are thirsty no? No doubt due to your marvelous performance. Your voice is magnifique. Here you poor dear, let me give you zhis drink, 'Augmenti." She pointed her wand at the hapless aggressor.
"Oops. Je suis désolé, I missed again. How disappointed you must be in me. I keep hitting you in ze groin."
Susan giggled, "Those two have been singing all night. They finally managed to cancel that spell. Fleur has been doing that at least once an hour. Hagrid told me the headmaster is quite put out with her and has asked her to stop but since she from Beauxbatons can't really do anything to her."
"I understand Lords Potter and Longbottom dueled them."
She nodded, "I didn't see it, from what I've heard it wasn't much of a duel. But everyone is saying how Potter and Longbottom have to face Flitwick and McGonagall tomorrow in another duel."
Croaker walked up to the Bones' girls. "Well?"
"Almost everyone. Including the head. Notable exceptions are the pretty young lady washing the front of Davies pants, Madam Maxine, Hagrid, and surprisingly Trelawney."
"Dumbledore?"
She nodded, "Him too."
Saul nodded, "Makes sense." To Susan he asked, "Tell me young lady. What do you think of Harry Potter?"
She snorted, "That cheater? He finds a way to cheat to enter the tournament, then once he's in makes a mockery of it. No one likes him except his sluts and Longbottom."
Aunt Emilia said dangerously, "Susan..."
"Sorry Auntie, but it's true."
"I think that answers that question. But if you ladies will excuse me, I have to have a word with the headmaster."
Saul left them while Susan and she hugged one more time. She had to have a conversation with Flitwick and McGonagall. If what she suspected is true, it would explain why two dedicated educators handled the whole situation so poorly.
She paused amused as a house elf levitated a cup and a straw to a waiting Davies, right before he was going to sip the liquid, Fleur hit him in the groin again further spreading the stain.
"Oops!" Her hand covered her mouth in faux surprise, "I am of course desole. But I am naught but a creature."
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
She found the two of them together. "Damn that Potter," Flitwick exclaimed as he tossed back a shot. It didn't matter that it was Wednesday morning and he was supposed to be in class.
"Really," she said plopping down in the chair uninvited. "I expressed similar sentiments yesterday. But you know Filius as much trouble as Potter is causing me, he's not the root of it. Now will one of you two educators tell me why you feel you had to challenge two 15-year-olds to a duel? Is this a new teaching method?"
Minerva had been sitting quiet, a mixture of emotions plain on her face. Anger, guilt and a twinge of fear each fought for dominance. She finally spoke, "I'm so angry at them. Both of the boys, but I'm even angrier at myself."
Director Bones was known as being tough, a no-nonsense girl. This required a defter touch. "Have you ever felt like this towards any student?"
She stopped and thought of it. Amelia saw Filius thinking it over also.
"No, I've been angry before. Angry enough to spit venom. But I've never felt like this before. At least I don't think so."
"Me either."
So what does that tell you two?"
It didn't take the two of them to reach the same conclusion. "How many," the diminutive professor asked?
"Almost everyone," she answered letting the monocle fall for dramatic effect.
"What about Albus?"
"He has the same affliction. Why don't we go and see what Poppy says."
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
Saul greeted the headmaster who was in conversation with Septima Vector, "... and the spell will impact them."
"Pardon the interruption Headmaster, Professor Vector. I believe this is a case of not seeing the forest for the trees."
"Unspeakable Croaker. Welcome. What do you mean?"
"You are looking at the problem of getting the boys off the wall."
A little short from being up most of the night, "Of course. That's why we are all here."
Saul held up a hand stopping him in mid-rant. "You didn't let me finish. If you already know your spell won't impact the boys, you should not be asking what's wrong with the spell, but what's stopping the spell."
Dawn began to break.
He continued, "I know the background of both Longbottom and Potter, and I am hearing the both of them have told everyone they are the heirs to Godric Gryffindor."
Vector and Dumbledore nodded, finally making headway here. "The problem headmaster is you have been fighting Hogwarts all night. You're the headmaster, touch the wards."
Dumbledore cursed inwardly. He didn't like an unspeakable showing up at his school and lecturing him like he was a pupil. Even though he suspected the grizzled cowled man was right.
It was harder to touch the wards today and than it had ever been. He attributed most of this to being tired. None of what the two young lords had said registered with him, the age old difference between hearing and listening. After less than a minute after he touched the wards and "felt" Hogwarts unhappiness, he in effect commanded the wards to let them go. If only he had humbly asked...
The two distressed bullies slid down the wall to the general applause and laughs of the students. There wasn't a lot of compassion there right now.
"Roger," Fleur said softening the "g" to a "j" sound, She stood over the boy who started to rise. "Here let me give you that drink." "Augmenti."
This time the stream of water hit him full in the face. She bent down and said, "I was told I have friends here. I believe them. They were kind when it was natural to be antagoniste to moi. Should you insult me again I will meet you with spells and none of them will be a simple lavage de visage, comprendre?"
Meanwhile ...
Poppy had been inventorying all the potions. Even with wards and traps and locks, potions can disappear from here at an astounding rate. The door opened, she expected the two "victims" at any moment.
"Amelia? Everything alright? Where are Mr.'s Davies and Flint?"
"Still hanging around Poppy," Filius answered entering last.
"I would like you to check these two for illegal potion poisons."
She sounded surprised, "Which do you suspect?"
"I'm not sure. My monocle indicates the type of potion affecting a person and it does so by color. Birth control soft blue or pink, lust, a bright green, anger and hate are red. This one is an orange. But there are indications of some kind of hate potions. By the way matron, you have the same orange indicators."
A trifle offended, "I routinely check myself for exposure to potions."
"Are there any other spells that you can use? Outside of the normal ones I mean."
Poppy didn't hesitate, she cast three separate detection spells, first on Minerva. After the third one, she paused and cast the same spell on Filius, and then on Madam Bones as a control. Finally, she cast it on herself. Sighing, she dragged them into her office and waved at the chairs there. There several bookcases each on filled with books laying on top of the other books. Two windows provided natural light and she had the standard lights as well.
"Okay, there's both good news and bad news here. The three of us have been affected by a special type of hate poison. Which is why it didn't show red. This one is called "Antipathy."
"Antipathy? I've never heard of it?"
"I'd be surprised if you had. It's fairly rare because its of limited use."
Amelia was intrigued, she'd never heard of it. "Why is it limited?"
"Because unless one is dosed fairly regularly it can wear off quickly and strong emotions can break it. Also once the potion is applied you have to draw attention to the subject fairly quickly. Its benefit is that it is difficult to diagnosis. You almost have to be looking for it, as in this case. Now that you know, you can let this pass normally as long as you, (and me), aren't potioned again it will weaken soon."
Filius was adamant, "No we need to purge this now. We have an appointment tomorrow and I for one don't want to be under the influence of anything tomorrow morning."
"I almost forgot, Merlin's marbles those boys have had their share of misfortune. They don't need a couple of professors trying to kill them as well."
Filius's eyes were alight with intensity, his heritage and many years of dueling were coming forward. "I've never dueled anyone near as powerful as those two. It would be quite the ... battle."
