Chapter Five

Discovery

Headmaster's Office

Dumbledore was livid. He was furious. He was really, really pissed off.

Yes, Albus Dumbledore was mad.

After Sirius had defied him in the Ministry, Dumbledore marched right over to the DMLE and demanded to speak with Amelia Bones, the Minister right behind him. She sat quite calmly, with a little serene smile on her face, as they threatened her with arrest and prison for breaking a Wizengamot Order with no cause. As Dumbledore thought back to the confrontation, he felt his anger rise again.

Amelia, I thought better of you! That Will was sealed and not to be read until Harry Potter comes of age! You could go to prison, lose your job and reputation," Fudge sputtered while Dumbledore remained practically speechless with rage, only managing murmurs of agreement, "Well, what do you have to say for yourself!"

Amelia smiled and opened the Potter Will, which was still lying open on her desk. As she started to read, the Minister became more and more shocked, and his anger redirected at Dumbledore, who he realized had known this and tried to manipulate him. He drew himself up to his full height (Still short though), and fixed Dumbledore with an icy stare.

As he left the room all he said was "You will be investigated over this, if it's the last thing I do as Minister."

Dumbledore picked up an object off his desk and threw it across the room. His plans were falling apart. Now the Ministry knew that he had circumvented the Potter's Will illegally, and had used his positions to have it sealed and himself named Harry's magical Guardian. He would soon get a statement from Gringotts, and then he would see that Dumbledore had been skimming off his vaults for the last 14 years. That was, of course, if the Ministry didn't find out first. Damn it, Dumbledore thought to himself, why that crazy Death Eater couldn't just have killed the Mutt. Then everything would be so much easier.

Dumbledore continued to pace.

Hospital Wing

"Hermione? You're awake?" Harry stared at Hermione with wide eyes, barely able to believe he wasn't dreaming. She was awake. Before he could ask anything else, Madam Pomfrey came rushing over, pulling out her wand and waving it over the girl before sighing in relief. "Excellent, Ms. Granger, though you've been unconscious for the last two weeks, you're fine. You can be discharged tomorrow morning."

Unable to contain himself at the news that Hermione would be fine, Harry launched himself at the brown-haired girl, gathering her in his arms and kissing her soundly on the lips while he held her, as Neville and Luna looked on, smiling, and Ron and Ginny froze, looking furious. Glaring at Hermione, who had started kissing Harry back; they turned and left, talking in hushed tones.

Harry broke the kiss first, apologies falling from his mouth before he could even think about what he wanted to say. "Hermione, I'm so sorry, I didn't think, I should have listened to you, you could have been killed, I'm sorry I'll understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore…"

Hermione put a finger to his mouth, silencing him with a smile. "Harry," She started, "Just be quiet and come hold me. I've been unconscious for two weeks, Madam Pomfrey said, so tell me what's happened."

"I think I can help with that."

Moments earlier, in the corridor

Sirius was hurrying towards the Hospital Wing, to see Harry. After he had gotten custody from the Ministry, he had come back to tell Harry, but harry was solely focused on Hermione. He really hoped the young girl woke up soon, for his godson's sake. Sirius, of course, suspected that Harry and Hermione had feelings for one another for quite some time, especially when he had seen the pair of them at Grimmauld Place over the summer. He heard angry voices coming from up ahead, and slowed, recognizing the two youngest Weasleys. He quickly Disillusioned himself as he heard what they were saying.

"I can't believe them! Granger knew Harry was supposed to end up with me, and now she's in there snogging him from her bed! I bet the stupid bint went and got herself hurt at the Ministry on purpose!" Ginny's voice was getting higher and higher.

"Yeah, well, what about stupid Potter! He knows I like Hermione, and he's in there all over her. That prat always has to have everything. I can't stand him! If it wasn't for his money and the fact that he's the precious Boy-Who-Lived, I would have dropped him when he made me go with him to save that stupid Know-it-all in first year. But we can fix it. Did Mum send the potions?"

Ginny nodded, smirking. "Yeah, she sent them. Amorentia and Locutus Fidelitas. All we need to do is add our hair to them and the potions will be bound to us. Once we give them to Harry and Granger, they'll forget all about each other. I told Mum about how Harry's been sitting at her bedside for the last two weeks, and she sent along the Abscido potion. If we bind it to Granger and give it to Harry, he'll distance himself from her."

Sirius was appalled and horrified. Mixing those potions together would essentially strip Harry and Hermione of their free will. They would be willing to do anything that the younger Weasleys even hinted at. He was furious at Molly Weasley for having taken part in this. If he wasn't sure that Dumbledore was in on it too, he would drag those two up to his office and rat them out. But he wasn't, so first he had to find Harry.

He hurried to the Hospital Wing and noticed that Hermione was, indeed, awake. And kissing Harry. He smiled and canceled the Disillusionment Charm on himself as he heard her ask about what had been going on.

"I think I can help with that." He said with a smile. "Hermione, I'm so glad you're awake. You gave us a scare, especially Harry." He smiled wider as Harry blushed lightly. Sirius looked pointedly at the pair's hands, which were still entwined with one another, "So, I guess you two have decided to catch up with everyone else and get together then, have you?"

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and after a moment, smiled and nodded.

"Wonderful!" Sirius exclaimed as he pulled up a chair. "Now, first of all, Harry, You never have to return t the Dursleys. I went to see Amelia Bones two weeks ago, and took along the original of your parent's will. Dumbledore had brought in a copy, and used his positions in the Wizengamot to have it sealed until you are of age. I showed the original to Amelia, who used her powers to unseal it, based on what was written. You were never to have gone to the Dursley's in the first place. There were five other people and families, in addition to myself, that were to have received custody of you. So, Amelia unsealed the Will and awarded me custody. We have to go and inform your Aunt and Uncle, but aside of that, you don't have to go back there ever. On my way out, I was approached my Fudge and Dumbledore who basically told me to back off, but it was too late. I recently learned that the DMLE is investigating all of his activities regarding you since Lily and James died."

He took a deep breath, knowing that no one in this room would like what he was going to say next. "I came up here to tell you as soon as I got back, but you were so focused on Hermione no one else could get your attention for even a second. But, I have something very, very important to tell you all and I need you to listen closely. On my way back up here just now, I passed Ron and Ginny. They were angry and talking about having just seen you two kissing. They are under the impression that you belong to them, and had Molly send some Amorentia and Locutus Fidelitas." He saw the horrified expression on Hermione's face and knew that she understood how serious it was. Harry looked disturbed, but likely didn't know what the other potion did. He continues, "They are going to bind the potions to themselves and give them to each of you. They also have an Abscido for Harry, since they dislike how often he has sat here, waiting for Hermione to wake up."

Hermione gasped in horror, and Harry turned to look at her. "I know about Amorentia, but I've never heard of the other two potions, and you obviously have, so what's up?"

Hermione's voice wavered as she spoke. "Oh, Harry, it's horrible. Abscido translates into 'Separate from'. If they were to bind that potion to me, and all they would need is my hair, then it would cause you to distance yourself from me. The Locutus Fidelitas, when mixed with Amorentia, causes the person to lose their free will entirely. Locutus Fidelitas translates into Declare Loyalty. The potions were never meant to mix because of the volatile reaction. This is far worse that simply using love potions, mixing those potions are like a liquid form of the Imperious! Oh, Sirius, what can we do?"

"Luckily, we can buy a neutralizer potion and you can drink that. One is good for a month, so you'll be covered. I think that there is something in the Black Vault that will allow potions to be detected to avoid poisoning. I'll teach you the detection charms you can do yourselves as well. "

Luna and Neville still looked angry, but now Harry and Hermione were relieved. Harry spoke up, "Sirius…Do you think the Headmaster knew about this?"

Sirius was quiet for a moment. He knew the Headmaster was obsessed with Harry, and more than a little manipulative, but would he go as far as acquiescing to mind control and potions? "I don't know, Harry. I wish I did."

Harry was quiet. He was thinking. The obvious betrayal of Ron and Ginny and Mrs. Weasley hurt, dramatically. He saw the Weasleys as the family h never had, and knowing that at least three people felt this way threw him and made him feel like he was going to be sick. Yet, at the same time, he was furious that they would do the same to Hermione. If she wanted to be with Ron willingly, and was happy, then Harry could understand that and step aside and be happy for her. But he would not tolerate taking away the will of the girl he loved.

"We have to find out. We need to know if Dumbledore knew, as well as the rest of the Weasleys. I don't know how we can find out, but we need to know."

At that moment, Dumbledore walked in, looking confused. "Know what, dear boy?"

Stiffly and a little coldly, Sirius and the others filled him in. Dumbledore was furious, to say the least. "I assure you, Harry that I had nothing to do with this. What can I do to prove it? Say the word, and it will be done."

It was Hermione who answered, "Would you be willing to take Veritaserum, as long as we restrict our questions to this specific situation and don't try to use it to get information about the Order, or anything like that."

"Yes, I will. Whenever you wish, no matter when it is. I'll even have a specialist from St. Mungos come in and scan me to show that I don't have any antidotes in my system. I'll also help you get the neutralizer potion, Severus can brew one, or Madam Pomfrey, if you prefer."

"Given how well Snape and I get along, I think I would prefer getting it from Madam Pomfrey."

Dumbledore nodded, choosing, for once, to overlook Harry's lack of a title when referring to the potions master, and beckoned the MediWitch over. He quickly relayed the basics of what was going on. She looked pensive before answering, "I can provide Mr. Potter with a potion. Ms. Granger, however, cannot have a neutralizer for another week. The potions that she took to heal her are still in her system and a neutralizer would neutralize those potions as well, which we obviously do not want."

Sirius stood, "In that case, I'll get to the Black Vault and get those devices out. They look like regular watches, so it won't be obvious. Until I get back, be careful about what you eat and drink. I wouldn't put it past those two to use those potions as soon as they get the first opportunity. The Black Vault is fairly large, so it could take me a few hours."

Dumbledore stood as well, looking at Harry as Sirius left, "Harry, what do you wish to do about the rest of the Weasley's? I think we should talk to them all at the same time. Perhaps when school lets out tomorrow, and they are all at Headquarters?" He nodded his thanks at Madam Pomfrey, who came over with the neutralizer potion for Harry, who drank it quickly.

"Yes, we'll do that. Professor, can you teach Hermione the detection spell, so she can do it on her food while Sirius is gone?"

"Of course, of course, Ms Granger, watch me now." As Hermione sat up straight and gave Dumbledore her undivided attention, Harry, Luna and Neville smiled. It was so quintessentially Hermione. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and said "Ostendo" while jabbing his wand sharply down to the right. Hermione copied him. Dumbledore conjured a set of tea and biscuits, and obviously poured a potion onto it before performing the spell again. The biscuits briefly glowed a light blue. "That is the result you are looking for. Try again, please, so we can see if you can do it. If not, feel free to keep these and practice." Hermione performed the spell again, achieving the same result. She smiled at the Headmaster, "Thank you, Sir."

After the Headmaster left, the four students sat quietly, each one thinking about what they had just learned. Years of friendship based on lies. Two of their own were planning on taking the free will of others away for their own personal gain. Hermione was hit hard. She spent the majority of her summers with the Weasleys, and considered Ginny a best friend as well as Ron. The fact that Ron was willing to go this far to have her scared her, and made her angry at the same time.

Harry was just worried that the rest of his family was just as involved, and wondered what he was going to do if they were.

The Kitchens

If one bothered to look at the House-elves that worked in Hogwarts, they would see quite an unusual sight. One particular House-Elf was wearing many mismatches socks and hats and other odd articles of clothing. He was also glaring hatefully at two red-haired persons who thought they were being sneaky in their attempts to contaminate two plates and goblets of food and drink. The house-elf was Dobby, and it was a shock to the other House-elves to see his normal cheerful disposition replaced by such a scowl. Dobby seemed to be fighting the urge to reach over and hurt the two students who were pouring the potions on the plates.

He had heard them talking, and he knew who the potions were for.

Dobby was not happy. As Ginny and Ron Weasley left the kitchens, certain that their plan had gone off without a hitch, Dobby continued to glower at them. He decided that he would bring Harry his food and tell him before he ate that the bad Wheezy's had done something to it.

Author's Note: So, there is is, Hogwart's Chapter. Resident Evil next. The next Hogwarts chapter will have dealing with Dumbles, Weasels and all that stuff. I haven't decided which of the other Weasley's, if any, I'm going to have knowing about Ron/Ginny/Molly and their little scheme.

Translations of Latin used:

Locutus Fidelitus: Loosely translates to Declare Loyalty.

Abscido: Seperate From

Ostendo- Reveal