Chapter 24
Hogwarts
Headmaster's Office
The trio of crying people hugged each other for what seemed hours. Their cries for justice for Ron and retribution to the monster who wronged him filled the air almost like an unspoken chant.
Poppy was the first to break the hug and speak what was on her heart.
Poppy: Arthur, you need to let the authorities know what happened here. My hands are tied until then. I have spelled some dreamless sleep potion into Ron's body in the hope of giving him peaceful sleep until we can get to a more permanent solution.
Arthur: Yes, of course. Excuse me for a second please.
Arthur stood from his chair after giving Harry a last hug and moved to his fireplace. He took a pinch of Floo powder and threw it into the flames. His voice was still broken from grief, but he spoke the destination loud and clear.
Arthur: Department of Aurors; Amelia Bones
It took less than a minute for somebody to answer his call and connect him to her office.
Amelia: Arthur, how can I help you today?
Arthur: Amelia, I need you and two Aurors to come through to Hogwarts as soon as possible please. It is urgent and I do not feel safe discussing it in this manner with you. Please Amelia, please hurry.
Amelia: Stand back; I am coming through right now.
Amelia shouted to two of her on duty Aurors to follow her to the school and exited through the Floo connection in her office.
Arthur: Thank you for coming through so quickly Amelia. Please have a seat and listen to what Poppy has to say. I… I just can't…
Poppy: A few hours ago Arthur brought his stunned son to my door. He begged me to run all manner of scans I knew and I did just that. It took me the better part of an half hour to run what I knew and almost exhausted myself from it.
Poppy took a few seconds to calm herself and organize her thoughts about the situation.
Poppy: My diagnosis found runes carved into his bones. Timed runes that would activate when in the presence of a certain person and in a specific setting or circumstance. Arthur has it in regard that that person is none other than Mr Potter here and that those feelings are jealousy, anger, resentment and … hate.
The office was quiet for a few seconds as everybody cleared their minds to adjust to the new information.
Amelia: I know this is a tender subject and I ask forgiveness in advance, but will it be possible for me to run my own tests on your son Arthur? And then to have him transferred to St. Mongo's for a professional diagnosis?
Amelia spoke in a professional voice as to make the request an official one.
She received nods from Arthur and Poppy and stood to leave the Headmaster's office to go to the infirmary.
Outside the office stood two of her on duty Aurors, waiting for their next duty.
Amelia: Follow me.
It took then less than a minute to reach the infirmary, since it was moved to be closer to the Main Hall to give better access to all the students.
Soon Amelia was sitting in her own conjured chair cursing softly to herself about inhuman monsters and some more colourful images on how she would DO things to the thing that could do this to a child at that age.
The Aurors who were standing there when the list of runes began to read off a piece of parchment next to the young man's bed, were both stunned into silence.
It took a further minute or so for Amelia to get her self under control enough to speak to anybody.
Amelia: I find myself unable to class this in less a manner than an official crime scene. I am truly sorry that something like this had to happen to somebody like you Mr Weasley. Please follow one of my Aurors outside and please give him a detailed explanation of what happened up to the point where you stunned the young Mr Weasley.
Madam Pomphrey please follow my other Auror and give a detailed explanation of what happened from the moment Mr Weasley brought his son to the infirmary up to the point when I was summoned.
Amelia stood back to allow everybody to move to where they were needed and sighed a deep breath before she took out her Department Head badge and tapped it two times with her wand.
Amelia: Attention please. I am in need of four Aurors to assist in a crime scene at Hogwarts. Attendance is high priority. That is all.
Amelia tapped her wand against the badge again to clear it before she tapped it again three times to connect to St. Mongo's directly.
Amelia: Attention please. We have a medical emergency at Hogwarts and need the attendance of a Senior Healer. Attendance is High priority. That is all.
Amelia tapped her wand against her badge again and cleared it for the next use before she put it away into a pocket in her robes.
By the time she turned away from the bed which Ron was sleeping on, everybody stood behind her including those she had summoned.
Amelia: Thank you all for your timely response. We are here under the call of a terrible crime. Behind me lies a young man of 11 years. In his very bones lie runes carved with a VERY knowledgeable hand. Runes timed to act when in a certain setting. This setting was already recognised as being in the presence of Mr Potter.
Mr Higgs and Mr Jones have the official statements from Headmaster Weasley and School Healer Madam Pomphrey.
My own diagnostic of young Mr Weasley will be added to the official report.
As of the moment I stepped foot into the infirmary, it became a crime scene.
Senior Healer Adams, will you please step forward and run your own set of diagnostics on Mr Weasley Jr.
An elderly man with bright brown eyes and short black hair stepped forward with a nod of his head and began running his own set of diagnostic spells. True to the minute, just under a half hour later, Senior Healer Adams stood back from the bed and sat heavily on his own conjured chair, his hands shaking from energy usage and anger.
Healer Adams: I find myself in need of a very large drink right about now. I have been a Senior Healer for more than 30 years and this is the first time I have ever seen runes carved into the very bones of a person, let alone into the bones of an infant! Your guess of between 1 and 2 years was off. The runes were done a few weeks after birth.
The silence that filled the infirmary was total.
Arthur: A… A few we… weeks? Are you sure?
Healer Adams merely nodded his head. He did not trust his mouth at this point to say anything less than curses onto the person who did this to an infant.
Amelia: Thank you Senior Healer Adams for your professional statement. Headmaster Weasley, I ask of you now to please sign the official release forms, allowing us to transport Mr Weasley Jr to a special ward in St. Mongo's for further examination.
Arthur nodded his head and walked over to the Auror who called for his attention.
Harry stood to the side and listened to every word spoken. His mind was running away with plans of retribution for a young man's life.
Harry: MAGIC has deemed me responsible for the welfare of young Mr Weasley. For this I pledge his medical treatment to be of the very best as all bills shall be paid in full by me. Furthermore, no matter what happens after this, his name shall remain cleared of any wrong doing. His actions has been cleared as not his own. So say I, So shall it be!
Harry nodded his head to all present in the infirmary before he turned on his heel and walked to the Main Hall's doors. Sliding his sword into the indent for it, Harry drew his courage to him and called to the magic of the school.
Harry: Your attention please, all students and Castle staff. This is a call for attendance to the Main Hall. Attendance is High priority.
Harry removed his sword from the wall and walked into the Main Hall. He climbed the steps and stood behind the podium on the stage.
The Hall filled rather quickly after his announcement and soon everybody who was in the castle was in attendance, even the ghosts and Castle Elves.
Harry stood for a few minutes to allow everybody to settle down and then spoke in a clear voice.
Harry: Today plays host to an awful crime. A crime so criminal as to have been done against a mere infant a few weeks old. Mr Ronald Weasley was transferred to High Care at St. Mongo's a few minutes ago after it was made clear by no less than 3 different authorities that he had multiple runes carved right into his bones when he was but a few weeks old.
There were multiple gasps of horror and even a few people were sick with the information. Yet Harry simply waited for silence again before he carried on.
Harry: The situation has now turned to a criminal investigation headed by Madam Bones from the Department of Law. We will not rest until this matter has been brought to justice.
The Great Hall erupted in whispers and accusations, silent glares and open resentment.
{WHISPERS}
In his bones? How aweful!
His poor family!
He always seemed alright to me.
I can't believe this!
I wonder what they are doing about all this?
Is he the only one?
Serves him right. Filthy blood traitors!
And right there Harry zoomed into one singular voice and froze the person to her seat.
Everybody fell silent faster than a pin drop.
Harry stepped forward and called on the magic in Hogwarts to transport the girl in question to the stage.
Her eyes were wide open and everybody could see a mixture of fear and hate flashing in them.
Harry: Miss Andersmore, why pray tell would you be condoning such a crime as to engrave runes into a baby's bones?
Miss Andersmore: I condone it because they are a filthy blood family. Sins of the father never fall far from the family. I simply stated the obvious!
Harry: So you think yourself better than the Weasley's?
Miss Andersmore: My ancestors go back further than them and we have UNDILUTED blood. We know every person by name who called our name their own. I wonder if they can even remember their own cousin's names?
Harry: You know every member of your name by their name. Interesting to know. Yet you do not recall my name, or that of the person standing to your side? Tell me Miss Andersmore, who am I to you?
Miss Andersmore: Nobody to my knowledge.
Harry: Such a shame then. To brag about one's knowledge and then to stand in public and falter.
Miss Andersmore: What game are you playing at Potter?
Harry: According to your own words, you know of EVERY person in your name line. Is this true?
Miss Andersmore: I just said so.
Harry: Then by all means you should know more than half of us in attendance here by our names.
Miss Andersmore: Are you mad? None of these people are even remotely related to my name!
Harry: Would you like me to prove you wrong Miss Andersmore?
Harry said this with a very unhealthy sneer to his voice. He absolutely hated single minded braggart people. The reminded him so much of Diamond Fist.
Miss Andersmore: BY all means Potter, go ahead and prove me wrong.
Harry simply gave the girl a forced smile and waved his wand at a wall behind the teacher's table where a Family Tree materialized.
Harry: Trace Family name, Andersmore. Starting name Annabelle Mary Andersmore. Age 15.
The girl's name appeared at the bottom of the tree and slowly other names appeared as the Name line flowed up to the top of the tree where it was shown that her name is linked to that of Mary-Antionette and then it stopped.
Harry: Not a very long name of ancestors if you ask me Miss Andersmore. Yet there right before you is all the proof you could ask for that you are indeed related to most of half the people in attendance here today. INCLUDING the Weasleys through the blood of your Paternal aunt.
Miss Andersmore simply stood there and shivered with pent up anger. She did not appreciate being put to task in such a manner as this. Irrefutable evidence that proved that she was indeed related to THOSE people. It was just too much for her to bear and she pulled her wand on Harry intent on cursing him with the ugliest curse her family possessed. Her words died on her lips as her magic was forcibly ripped from her. She slumped to the floor in tears, clutching her hand to her chest.
Miss Andersmore: What have you done to me!
Harry: I have done nothing. Your magic was stripped from you because you have brought the wrath of MAGIC on yourself. Your oath worked against you when you tried to curse me. You bought yourself enough time to leave the grounds of Hogwarts before you get expelled like a common criminal.
Go now Miss Andersmore and save the little dignity you have left.
Miss Andersmore got to her feet with as much grace as her shaky form allowed her. She drew a few calming breaths and pulled her robe tighter around her body.
Miss Andersmore: Many people have died for less than a few spoken words Mr Potter. Today you have made an enemy of more people than even you know of. This discretion against me will not stand well with my family. I was the last heir to our family name and you took that away from me. I will see you burn in the pits of hell for this.
Harry: I did nothing more than play a silly little girl's game. It is your own carelessness that cost you your magic. MAGIC gives and MAGIC takes. No mere mortal man, woman or child can claim that honour. My hands are clean from your ordeal this day.
Your family can lay no claim against me for your stupidity.
Leave now Miss Andersmore, while you still can get to your room and pack what belongs to you. You have until sunset to leave.
With that said, Harry turned around and walked back to the podium.
Harry: Today we say farewell to two students. One by her own accord and one by the evil will of another.
Let it be made clear to all who stand here today. Magic WILL protect Her own with a vengeance that befits that of a protective Mother. None will stand in Her way to protect Her children. You have been warned that the school has changed. There is no more place for bigotry and silly Pure Blood ideals. Here magic holds the upper hand. YOUR magic holds the upper hand.
You can be the lowliest born person to our world or the highest and richest child to our world. It matters little to who you are in the eyes of Magic. You still bleed the same blood and breathe the same air as everybody else.
Your place in society holds true to the core of your Magic, NOT the depth of your bank vault or the rooms in your manor.
Today holds shame and sadness like no day should ever hold.
A good father lost his son to evil. A family lost their heir to bigotry.
Do we really have the leisure to just wipe away at our history?
I task you all today to bring quiet to your hearts and look inside you for that answer.
This is not a test to be handed in and to receive points for, but a test in your own humanity to see where you want to stand in it.
Harry stepped away from the podium and nodded to the teachers behind him before he turned and walked off the stage.
Today was a sad day indeed.