Pt 7: The Guilty and the Innocent

Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, appeared at the secret passage from Honeydukes, just inside the school. He would have to be careful not to be seen other than by the particular people he needed and no more. And they would have to then be hidden as well until the right time.

Thinking back, he knew the only person that could help him was one he had upbraided just a few hours earlier. He didn't like it, but it was necessary. He sent his Stag Patronus with a message to the Deputy Headmistress and then sat down and calmly waited.

Very soon, a cat padded down the hallway and turned back into the stern visage of the Deputy Headmistress. "Mr. Potter. May I ask why I have been summoned here with the strict request to not be seen? The last I heard you were … entertaining … Ms. Delacour's Grandmother in the Room of Requirement that we saw earlier."

Harry nodded. "It's less entertainment and more allowing her to pay an Honor Debt as her people see proper. Her ways are not yours, but it is best that you accept that and not judge. Otherwise, you might offend those best left unoffended."

Professor McGonagall sighed. He was, as was annoyingly true earlier as well, right. "Very well."

Harry grinned. "Also, to be truthful, I am still actually with her right at this moment – even if you see me here."

The Professor gasped. "Time turner?"

"No. Natural ability. But effectively the same. This is why I asked you ensure no one sees you. There will be a horrible act committed against a student tonight and, while we cannot stop it, we can find the culprits and ensure it doesn't happen again."

Concerned now, she asked, "Which student?"

Harry sighed. "Luna Lovegood."

Several things happened at once. There was a gasp behind them, McGonagall pulled her wand, and Harry cast a homenum revelio. Neither Professor McGonagall or Harry Potter were surprised that they were now faced with the Weasley Twins who had been trying to sneak out to Hogsmeade. While the Three Broomsticks was a bad choice this late at night, they knew that the Hogs Head would sell, no questions asked.

Harry stood. "Well boys, you've seen too much. I think we're going to have to … take care of these two. No witnesses. Their Mum and Dad will be upset, but the Greater Good and all of that."

The twins' eyes widened and McGonagall looked horrified. "Mr. Potter!" she strangled out.

Harry couldn't hold it anymore and laughed. "Sorry. Your faces were priceless."

One twin looked to the other and said, "Gred?"

"Yes, Forge?"

"I think we've just been pranked."

"I think you're right."

They turned and said, "You know this …"

"means war."

"Right?" together.

Harry suddenly became serious. "Not tonight lads. While a prank war with you would be a joy, we're after justice tonight. And we can use your help."

The twins looked at each other in amazement and back to the adults. "Our help?" One asked.

"The bane of teachers"

"And prefects"

"The Chaos Twins of Hogwarts"

"And you ask for help?"

The two looked at him suspiciously. "Are you under a confundus charm?" they asked together.

Harry chuckled, even though his demeanour was still serious. "Yes. Because I know something that most people don't."

"And what"

"is that?"

Harry gave a smile rather than a grin, "I know that despite appearances you two are, above all very good people. While many of your simpler pranks are for fun, your most vicious pranks are almost invariably in revenge, seeking justice for some harm done when the system refuses to punish the guilty. You stopped being truly malicious when you accidentally went too far and traumatized Ron when he was a kid with that spider. You promised yourselves that you would never go that far again.

"Unlike the Marauders who at times took pranking to the level of bullying, you two have a finely honed sense of justice. Despite what your Mum, McGonagall, or Hermione think."

The two took on an alarmed and then sheepish look, even as McGonagall took on a look of amazement. She had never sussed this out.

"We would prefer"

"You not bandy that about."

"We have reputations to uphold"

"And people knowing"

Together: "Could ruin us."

"Mum's the word – if I get your help. Otherwise, I'll tell your mum."

The two stood at attention: "Gred and Forge, Reporting for Duty!"

"I need you to go and ask Harry to borrow the map. Promise to keep it safe and return it tomorrow."

"Map? What map?"

Harry sighed. "The one that Harry's Dad and his friends made when they were called the Marauders."

The twins' eyes went wide again. "Harry is"

"the son of"

Together "a Marauder?"

"Yes. But don't bring that up that you know for a week. There is too much going on that needs to happen before you can realize your dream of learning their identities. It's important, boys. I cannot say more. Meet us at McGonagall's office."

The two saluted and quickly retreated. McGonagall started leading Harry to her office, avoiding other people. "Their parents should really know that if what you say is true. Perhaps we've all been a bit harsh on them."

Harry laughed quietly. "Their Mum is exactly who they don't want to know. Their Dad already does. Arthur is not afraid to take his kids out to the shed to punish them if needed, but you've never heard of the twins getting punished for what they do here. That's why."

In irritation McGonagall asked, "Why wouldn't they want their mum to know?"

"Because if they got the grades that actually reflected their knowledge and skill and she knew the true nature of her children, she would almost invariably force them into working at the Ministry, which she considers the proper thing to do. The Prewetts were very big on Public Service and to Molly, her children working there is a dream come true. Even if she knows her kids are individuals, she still would like them to spend some time working in Public Service. Most people think she's trying to force her kids to be respectable. She's actually driven to have her kids help others. It's just that she has a limited vision of public service which creates the problem."

Minerva thought about that. "I've never looked at her attitudes in that light."

"Yeah, I know. It's not as obvious as I'm making it. But think about this: The most overly protective mother in Magical Britain would be perfectly fine with her youngest son becoming an Auror and facing dangerous criminals every day. I know because I've lived it. How can you reconcile those two facts? If you understand exactly what she wants for her kids. It's the only thing that actually makes sense. It's why she harps on Bill about the earring – she's still hoping that he'll get over the wild life and settle down to a Ministry job. Charlie too."

The two had to hide a time or two to avoid prefect patrols or other Professors but eventually they made it to Professor McGonagall's office. The twins showed up rather quickly after.

"Okay boys, you're staying until this plays out – we don't need another two wands stirring the cauldron tonight." The twins, resigned, sat down.

Harry looked at McGonagall and said, "Your word of honor: You will not take this from Harry as it is one of his only family heirlooms that he has."

McGonagall paused and then nodded even as she sighed. "My word."

Harry pulled the parchment onto the table and said, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Professor McGonagall was shocked as the blank parchment in front of them suddenly started filling out. She was amazed to see that it now had a accurate representation of the Castle. She looked and saw that there were names apparent and they moved.

The Traveler then controlled the map until the Ravenclaw dorms were visible and those watching could see Luna Lovegood's name.

"Boys, I need you to write down every name that goes near Luna, every name that her name passes by, etc. And see who leaves the Common Room before she is moved out of the tower – there has to be someone or someones who they avoid when bullying her and knowing those names would be valuable too."

The Weasleys came forward and did as the Traveler asked. As a matter of fact they seemed to be recording on parchment every move they noticed in the tower.

Everyone saw something peculiar: There was a name down from the tower which was a Seventh-Year Slytherin student. The Weasleys frowned when they saw the name: Barbara Stansberry. She was one of the more unpleasant purebloods. The saw the name Mariatta Edgecomb exit the room and meet up with this name. After a few minutes, the Map showed the Ravenclaw prefects moving down the hallyway and it was curious that the two names avoided them.

The prefects went in and up to the dorms, and the Seventh Year prefects did as well. The sixth year prefects also followed – but then, after a moment they turned around and came back.

Marietta Edgecomb came back and the Sixth-Year prefects seemed to congregate outside of the door with her.

"What are they doing?" the Deputy Headmistress asked curiously.

"If I don't miss my guess, they are charming the entranceway to not allow passage back inside with the normal questions."

They then watched grimly as the two females went into the dorms and, instead of going to their own, they went to Luna Lovegood's. Within one minute the name of Lovegood seemed to be floating between them and out the door into the hallway.

Down the passage, the two females plus the one male prefect seemed to turn around and the name Luna Lovegood stayed. "Stunned," Harry growled.

After the Ravenclaw students retreated, the Seventh year Slytherin arrived and, after a moment retreated.

The name Lovegood soon started moving and appeared once again at the doorway to Ravenclaw – before moving down the corridors and away.

The group had to watch in horror as Luna, not able to get inside, walked over and out until she found the area behind the tapestry, was found, rescued, etc.

Knowing that Luna was now being cared for, the Deputy Headmistress went through all the notes with the twins, along with Flitwick who was contacted as soon as he left the Room of Requirement, and a list of miscreants was made up.

By the end of the meeting, the punishments were set: The one of age student who was found to be a party to Luna being attacked was going with the DMLE who would be in the Great Hall tomorrow. Those sixth years who were part of the assault who had completed their owls would be expelled and told to find an alternate school to finish their training. Minerva and Filius quickly sent off postals owls to urgently require the parents presence. The fifth years and below who were part of the assault and/or who were party to the theft of Ms. Lovegoods things were either to be suspended or accept an alternate punishment.

The suspension would carry a permanent stain on their records but the alternate punishment would be … inventive. Harry himself knew that he might prefer the suspension if it were he.

The twins were thanked for their part and let go.

Harry finally made it back to Lady Hyacinth after the very, very long errand was completed.

A/N: I know it's short. But I really wanted to get Harry met back up with the timeline. Hogwarts is going to have a very interesting Saturday.