Hey everyone,
So this chapter – is probably going to be a TON of fun to write. Why? Because Kingsley is going to go a little overboard in proving he's proper Godfather material to our new teenage guardian. He's not just going to go to Hogwarts, get the required items and then head to Madam Bones to report, he's going to do WAY more!
And I love it,
Venquine1990
Chapter 08
Taking A Test
25th of December 1995
Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts
Kingsley Shacklebolt's POV
"Good evening, Albus." I say as I step out of the fireplace in the Headmaster's office, slightly amused as I notice that Phineas Nigellus, who I know is assigned guard duty over Harry, is grumbling in his portrait. "Kingsley, good evening. What brings you here?" The gentle elder man asks, smiling at me as I take a seat and I say:
"I'm here on a test –." Yet before I can say more, does the man frown and ask: "Please tell me your position in the Ministry's still secure." And I roll my eyes as I say: "Albus, it's Harry and Sirius that are testing me. And you could have known that if you had listened instead of interrupting me with your concerns."
The man looks startled, but then he chuckles and asks: "I see. My apologies, Kingsley. But what could you consider important enough when it comes to those two that you would come here?" And I answer: "I have been put on an important test, Albus. One that can prove my loyalty to Harry, prove him he can trust me and help London."
The man looks shocked and intrigued and then I get evidence that the Man In The Moon – or Manny as I always called him – is on my side as Dolores Umbridge and Minerva McGonagall actually both storm into Albus' office, the two glaring at each other, Minerva in annoyance and Umbridge in superior pride.
"Albus, can you –?" Minerva wants to, but then Umbridge proves that she has been putting herself above the teachers quite often as she asks: "Auror Shacklebolt, what brings you to Hogwarts? Has the Ministry perhaps –?" Yet while the woman leaves the sentence hanging, do I send a quick wink of reassurance Albus' way before I say:
"I'm afraid not, Madam Umbridge. But I do come with important information. You see, Madam, it would appear that the Department of Mysteries is up to their old shenanigans again, causing harm to a member cared for and trusted by both low-ranked workers and Albus himself. In fact, Arthur Weasley only got released earlier today."
"Has he now? And I assume that this is the reason the Weasleys and Harry Potter have been Missing In Person for some time now?" Umbridge asks and I nod as I say: "Yes, Ma'am. Albus here was lucky enough that the attack happened in front of Headmaster Everhard's portrait, so he was able to inform the Weasleys as it happened.
And well, I – ehem – I do owe Albus for a bit of help here and there in my past and I have been working closely together with Arthur in my need to see Sirius Black apprehended, so I decided to be the one to investigate the case when he asked me and well – because it happened at the Ministry, you can understand my secrecy, right?"
And while Minerva is now looking at me with her eyes wide and while I can clearly see how Albus is trying to hide his smirk in his beard, does Umbridge hum before she says: "Yes. Yes, I can see that. And I assume you are here to report your results to Albus and then myself?" Yet I shrug at this and tell the overly pink woman:
"Actually, Madam, I'm here because, after seeing that Arthur hadn't been released too soon and whatnot, I ran into both his kids and Harry Potter. And because Potter knew from last summer that I worked on Black's case, he decided to do something he didn't have the chance to do then. He provided me some intriguing evidence."
This seems to startle both of the other teachers and Umbridge gleefully asks: "Anything incriminating?" But I shake my head and say: "Just an old letter Black apparently send him just after Black's own escape from Hogwarts. Apparently the lad holds onto it when he worries for those he cares about being hurt."
At this I turn to Minerva and says: "Which brings me to why I'm here. Professor McGonagall, do you still have the report on the Firebolt from when you and the other teachers striped it down? I'd like that. It's an important part for the future of my investigation, you see. It could be what makes the difference between my success or failure."
And here I notice Albus' eyes widening for just a fraction, only just long enough that my years as an Auror allows me to spot it. "Minerva, you heard the man. You better –." Yet before Umbridge can actually belittle the woman, does a pop sound at Albus' desk and the man says: "Seems like the House-Elves decided to aid us."
And he happily hands me the scroll that now lies on his desk, yet I pull my wand and cast a spell to make us all wear gloves as I say: "Standard procedure. Fingerprints can be considered evidence. Sorry, I didn't inform you in time, Albus." The man nods, while I notice Umbridge smirking gleefully and I take the scroll.
I open it, having already read the letter Sirius sent Harry all those years ago and because I managed to get an account of what happened at the First Task from Ludo last year, do I already know that there is probably nothing wrong with the broom in question. Yet at the end of the scroll, I spot something off and I ask:
"A spell to increase positive emotions of the flyer? You actually found that on the broom, Minerva?" The woman nods and says: "Right at the end of our testing. Filius decided to just cast every last testing spell Goblins teach their kin and one of them spotted this. It didn't harm Potter, so we kept it on, especially considering the situation."
At this I nod, mostly because both Albus and, before him, Amos told me what had happened at Harry's first Quidditch match of that year and I say: "Very well, this further confirms my suspicions. Black may have shown his true colors the night after Halloween, but it seems there is still something left of his persona."
At this Minerva nods, but then Umbridge asks: "Hold on a minute, what does Black have to do with Potter's broom?" And while I think: "She really didn't get it yet after I told her that cover story?" And I calmly answer: "It's in the note Potter offered me for evidence, Madam Umbridge. It had Black confessing he gave Potter the Firebolt."
The woman looks shocked and then turns to Minerva and shrieks: "AND YOU LET ME KEEP THAT IN MY OFFICE? HOW COULD YOU, MINERVA! I WILL –!""Madam Umbridge. First of all, this is an official report that proves there is nothing wrong with the broom. Second, the First Task is further evidence confirming this."
And while it's obvious that the woman wanted to dismiss my first statement, do I obviously silence her with my second as she knows she can't call all of the witnesses to that event liars, not without insulting people like Bagman, the late Crouch and other important Ministerial members, I nod at her and then say:
"Next to that, you won't be keeping the Firebolt for much longer, Ma'am. I will be needing it in my investigation. Now that I have the evidence given to me through this letter and this report, I will need the Firebolt as the final piece to the puzzle. Would you be so kind as to escort me to your office. I'd rather leave from there."
And like a kid that is being complemented for making a pretty drawing, does Umbridge smile at me as she says: "Of course, Auror Shacklebolt. I can completely understand. Please, do come with me." At this I nod, but then I decide to play her a little more and cover my bases, something I've learned to do over the last few months.
"Would you be opposed to joining us, Albus, Minerva? Considering this is the possession of one of your own and your interest in the boy in question." At this Minerva looks at Albus and the man smiles at me, even if I can see the sneaky smirk hidden behind the smile as he says: "Yes, Auror Shacklebolt. We'll be happy too."
And so the four of us travel through Hogwarts, the castle herself making it so that the moving staircases get us there faster than usual and this actually makes Umbridge start to strut more and more and I think: "Surely she doesn't believe that a thousand year old, magical castle is bending to her will, does she?"
Yet because I know just what kind of woman Umbridge is and how she thinks, do I already know that that is probably indeed what she believes. We then reach her office, where I feel like vomiting if not for my ability to keep up a façade as the office itself is more pink than her wardrobe of the last year and has too many cat pictures.
"You can find the Firebolt over there, Auror Shacklebolt. Right next to my glass cabinet, containing my detention items and the stuff I confiscated from unruly students." I nod at her and move over while I notice the woman herself moving over to the fireplace, which actually has a frilly pink cloth covering most of its top and sides.
"That woman needs to change her wardrobe tastes." I think to myself as I say: "You know, Madam Umbridge, I actually wasn't planning on doing anything. But you know, because most of the lower Ministry knew of Arthur's injury and because I figured Hogwarts knew of the missing Weasleys, I didn't think this could be covered up."
At which the woman hums and says: "Well thought, Auror. How many exactly in the lower Ministry knew of this? I don't believe I've heard Percival mention it at all, you know?" Yet at this I shrug and say: "Well, the people in the know aren't exactly working for the Departments he needs to concern himself with and –."
But by this point I have reached the cabinet and am just about to reach for the Firebolt when my eye falls on something inside the cabinet and instantly I tense up, my gaze dropping straight to the item in question and every emotion and instinct that drove me to becoming an Auror coming up within me with a furious rage.
"Madam Umbridge?" I ask, my whole body tense in order to make sure I don't do anything that isn't part of Auror protocol and it seems as if the woman is obvious to my stance as she sweetly asks me: "Yes, Auror Shacklebolt?""What did you say was in this here cabinet?""My detention equipment and confiscated items. Why do you ask?"
"Because it seems I will need to do more than investigate why Sirius Black send Harry Potter a broom through which he won the First Task. It seems I will also need to arrest a wayward student for owning a level XXXXX Dark Item." The woman looks shocked, but then I turn my face to glare at her as I hiss: "Or is that Blood Quill yours?"
And finally does it seem as if the woman gets the situation she is in as she whitens, confirming my suspicions right away, but then she infuriates me as she snarls: "Now listen here, Auror. That item –." But I glare her silent and try to keep my cool as I hiss: "You are both right and very, very wrong, Madam Umbridge."
And finally does the woman realize that I have been calling her by her old title this entire time before I say: "You see, upon finishing my investigation, I am to report all of my findings to Madam Bones. And all my findings include anything and everything I find upon any location where I locate, gather or retrieve evidence – such as this broom."
And the woman glares at me before she snarls: "This is all your fault, Dumbledore. You set him up for this." But while I notice that the fireplace has turned green, do I say: "My reason for being here, Madam Umbridge, was to gather evidence on why Black would give Potter a perfectly fine broom. Nothing more, nothing less."
And the woman glares at me, but then I say: "Now, as I was saying before. It falls within my duty as an Auror, within the rules the Ministry set up for the DMLE to follow, to arrest anyone found to be the owner of an item that is classed XXX or higher. However, you said that this cabinet contains two different kinds of items.
Your detention equipment and confiscated items. Because of this, I will need to determine whether it will be either you or a student here at Hogwarts that I will have to arrest for the ownership of this item. Luckily for all of us, Aurors are taught several spells that allow them to check for the necessary evidence to confirm this."
And as the Minister himself actually steps through the floo, do I smirk at the woman and say: "And, as Head Auror, I am actually exempt from several laws prohibiting dark and blood magic. Comes with the job, you know." And the woman whitens before I start casting spells, the first of them providing Fudge with gloves of his own.
The man looks startled at this and I say: "Just a standard safety procedure, Minister. To keep you from being considered a suspect by having your fingerprints found where they shouldn't be, you know?" And the man nods before I use an opening and a levitation spell to open the cabinet and levitate the quill over to the desk.
Yet upon seeing it, does Minerva actually gasp and she mumbles: "Writing lines." And I look at her as I ask: "Is there something you'd like to add to this new investigation, Madam McGonagall?" And the woman answers: "In the second week of the school year, Potter told me that his detention with Umbridge concerned writing lines."
And instantly I send her a disbelieving look and I ask: "And you just accepted that? Knowing what the stance of the Ministry in regards to Potter was? Knowing how much the Minister and those working for him wanted to discourage Potter to stop his statements? You truly believed she would keep it at just writing lines?"
And the woman turns red before I mutter: "I will have Madam Bones bring you in to question you further later. And Madam Umbridge, if you do anything to that quill, I will be forced to send you straight to a containment cell for disrupting a Head Auror's investigation." At this the woman glares at me and shrieks:
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" But then I glare at her and say: "Remember what I said about Arthur? About his injury, the missing Weasleys and how it was all connected? That all connects to this investigation, my investigation into the Firebolt. Meaning that, because of the investigation, rules I am ordered by law to do this to you."
And the woman seems to shake with fury over the fact that I am using logic, the Ministerial grapevine and already existing facts to trump her and then Percival asks: "Wait, what do you mean Missing Weasleys?" And I answer: "Your brothers and sister left Hogwarts after Albus informed them of your father getting injured.
It just wasn't reported until we knew what had caused the injury. Now, however, no one at the Ministry – especially those with kids at Hogwarts who know the Weasleys visited their father at St. Mungos and who know that Arthur was released today – can keep this news to themselves, so all of this will be public and soon."
"And now for me to do my job." I think as I walk over to where the horrid item is lying untouched on the desk and I cast the two spells I know will determine everything. The first allows for the feather to move just enough a single thread of pink fabric falls from between two bits of the feather and another writes a name in blood red ink.
Harry Potter is shown to the group standing in the office, yet I focus on the thread and say: "It was really dumb of you to change your wardrobe so completely and so drastically, Madam Umbridge. Had you picked red instead of pink, I could have been led to assume that this feather belonged to a Gryffindor student. Now however –."
And I turn to glare at the woman as I state: "I don't just have the evidence linking you to this object, I also have evidence proving that you committed two crimes in one act. Or did you forget Ancient Law #27662. A Blood Quill, object classed as a Class XXXXX Dark Item, is never to be used on a member of House Potter unless by Gringotts Bank."
At this the woman twitches, but continues her glare as I state: "A law, Minister Fudge, that can only be changed if accepted by all members of the Potter Alliance, Heir Potter himself included. And that is something I sincerely doubt will ever happen." At which I can tell that the woman wants to rage if not for the trap I laid out for her.
I then turn first to Albus and then to Percy as I say: "However, seeing as I got to have a bit of time with Potter when he gave me the evidence that led me here, I do wonder – and feel concerned – over one thing. Potter seems to be a very caring individual, especially over others getting hurt. Why didn't he report his own injuries?"
And both men that I gazed at look troubled at hearing this question, yet when neither seems able to come up with an answer, do I notice that Umbridge has a twitch in her eye that has nothing to do with the anger she must be feeling. Instantly I feel suspicious and say: "You seem to know the reason, Umbridge. Care to share it with us?"
But when the woman presses her lips firmer together, do I shrug and say: "Very well, any Auror worth his career knows there are more ways than one to gather evidence and answers to questions left open." And with that do I turn to Albus, who seems to get what I want and nods in acceptance before I strongly state: "Eltris."
And an elf that looks quite healthy, even if it is wearing horrible rags, appears, bowing to me as it asks: "Honorable Auror Shacklebolt called for Eltris. How can Eltris be of servicing to Honorable Auror Shacklebolt?" And I state: "Please fetch me the DADA study book belonging to one Harry James Potter, Eltris."
And while I know that Albus probably worries over Grimmauld and its secrecy, do I feel confident that Eltris is loyal enough to him and myself not to disclose where he got the book from. And indeed the elf pops out, yet pops back in so quickly that it would almost make one believe he traveled to another part of the castle.
And while I am wearing gloves, do I still use my wand to levitate the book over to the desk and lie it next to the quill, my eyes quickly spotting how Umbridge has now gained a bit of a sweat alongside her twitching eye getting worse. "That blasted, self-centered, no-good demon of a woman. What has she done with this book?"
I think this as I don't just cast the two simple spells to trace the evidence I need, I cast every detection spell I have learned in my years as an Auror and the results, that appear in my mind as I cast, but also on a scroll of parchment that I keep in a back pocket of my robes infuriate and enrage me the more they get revealed and written down.
I finish my spellwork, feeling slightly drained as casting so much detection magic can really do a number on any experienced Auror and yet I don't show this as I glare at Umbridge, the woman glaring back at me as if daring me to reveal her dark work. "You're glaring at the wrong Auror, lady." I think as I furiously ask her:
"A hex to make the pain Potter feels over the Blood Quill usage more extreme than usual. A curse to block his instinctual knowledge of this kind of item being illegally used against him. A curse to keep Potter from confiding in those responsible for him. A curse connected to this to have authority figures take his words at face value.
A curse to entice him to do whatever you can use to get him in detention whenever you desire, which is basically a modified version of the Imperius Curse. A Curse that makes his mental abilities weaker the longer he uses the Blood Quill. A curse that blocks his core the more he, again, uses the same Blood Quill.
And a curse hidden under both to keep those close to Potter from investigating? I don't just have evidence to arrest you for two crimes, Umbridge, I have evidence to arrest you for a solid half a dozen.""YOU HAVE NO SUCH THING!" The woman shrieks, but I show her my parchment, unroll it and read:
"Illegal ownership of a Class XXXXX Dark Object. Usage of a Class XXXXX Dark Object on a person protected against this usage by law # 27662. Illegal Mind control of a Minor and Heir to a Noble and Ancient Line. Mental Manipulation through Magical Means of Authority Figures. Mental Manipulation of innocent minors.
Dark Magic used to destroy the core of an Heir to a Noble and Ancient House. Dark Magic used to block the mental abilities of an Heir to a Noble and Ancient House. Magical usage to worsen the effects of a Class XXXXX dark object. Mental Manipulation to keep an Heir to a Noble and Ancient line from his rightful knowledge.
And then I'm not even taking into account the possibility that you could, somewhere inside this office, have other Blood Quills or items of Forbidden Classes hidden which you could, potentially, be using against other Heirs or Heiresses of Noble and Ancient Houses. And trust me, Madam Bones will take that into account."
The woman seems on the verge of breaking and I think: "Good. If she does that, it will work against her later. Now to make sure Fudge won't try to support or cover for her." And I furl the roll back up before I turn to the Minister, who is looking at all this with his mouth gaping like a fish out of the water as I say:
"As for you, Minister Fudge, I say this out of respect. Just the crime of the second line of my report is enough to get Umbridge half a lifetime sentence in Azkaban. Add everything else and – well, if it is then discovered that, after hearing all this, you still tried supporting her, you will be considered guilty by default and join her."
The man whitens and he mumbles: "Are – are – are you sure?" At which I nod and say: "Umbridge has committed too many High Class crimes, Minister. Too many that have a sentence ranging between 20 years to half a lifetime Azkaban. Supporting a person like that, by law, makes the person supporting guilty by default."
And when Umbridge and I see the man looking at her with an uncertain, doubting gaze, does the woman indeed snap as she screams: "YOU'LL –!" But before she can do more than put her hand where I know she hides her wand, do I cast a chain of consecutive spells that Aurors are taught when detaining high-classes criminals.
The woman gets disarmed, gets flung against the wall and gets chains growing out of the wall, one pair wrapping her wrists together, another wrapping her ankles and knees together and the last wrapping itself around her in such a way it contains her against the wall. And the final spell silences the woman entirely.
"Don't underestimate an Auror who got his Headship for fighting in the Voldemort war, Umbridge. It will just add to your list of crimes. Attempting to disrupt a crime scene and escape justice and captivity by Auror forces. That's another two crimes respectively. Minister, what is your decision and what are your orders?"
And while I wonder if getting all this done will be considered as me passing the test as well, does Fudge seem to regain himself and ask: "How fast can you get a trial set up, Head Auror Shacklebolt?" At which I smirk and ask: "Depends." And as if he read my mind, does Eltris appear with a bit of parchment of his own.
Fudge is the one he appears to and because I have no doubt of what is on that parchment, do I ask: "How fast can you get this whole thing in the Daily Prophet? Arthur Weasley's attack leads to new investigation in the case of Sirius Black, which results in the arrest of Dolores Jane Umbridge for various crimes against Harry Potter.
A bit of a lengthy title, but I'm sure the Daily Prophet can make it work. And if they can make it work, I can get a copy send to Tibet, luring Black out of hiding and capturing him. After that, it's only a matter of investigating why he send Potter that Firebolt, which I'm sure I can do alongside the trial of Umbridge. With your permission, of course."
And while I can barely believe how easy it is to sway this man, does Fudge seem to gain more and more confidence as I talk and he says: "This will be a special Evening Prophet edition, I'm sure of it. Auror Shacklebolt, ensure that this criminal gets no chance at acquittal and seize Black the minute you get the chance.
I want that double trial before midnight, you hear me?" And while I think: "You do realize you're voicing my suggestion back at me, right?" Do I just leave it for what it is and say: "As you wish, Minister." Before happily sending a special Auror Port Key at Umbridge, the Port Key activating the minute it touches the woman.
This shocks those in the room and I say: "Special Port Key. Activates only when in touch with someone other than the Auror it is assigned to." And those in the room with me nod before I turn to Minerva and say: "Head for Madam Bones, McGonagall. Your compliance was fabricated, but it was still a questionable act."
The woman nods and as she, Fudge and Percy leave, do I turn to Dumbledore and ask: "You think I passed my test?" And the man actually starts to laugh, making me smirk myself as I think: "This isn't over yet, but I do consider that a pretty good sign." And with that do I turn back to why I came here in the first place, the Firebolt.
Well done, Kingsley.
Damn, that was enjoyable. I may not have gone into too much detail when it came to the magic Kingsley used when investigating, but I still think I kept it nice and serious and really set the tone for this chapter. I also enjoyed it quite immensely, especially the parts of Albus' subtle reactions and Umbridge's obviousness.
Also, I'm thinking of changing the Title of this story. It was supposed to be about Harry voicing how badly he wanted a family and the Guardians doing what they can to help him with this, but the new storyline I have planned works way better, just not with this title about Harry's wish. Do any of you have ideas for A Guardian('s) …?
Next chapter: We go on where we left off as Kingsley heads first to Madam Bones and Head Auror Scrimegeour – for reasons that will become known later – and then to London to pick up Harry. But when he hits a bump in the road, who is there other than our newest guardian to help the Auror through a rough patch.
Hope you enjoyed,
Venquine1990
title suggestions are welcome. Read the second paragraph of the bottom AN for more details.
