Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not my creation but belongs to J.K Rowling.

A/N: Sorry for the wait in updating! Sometimes life just gets in the way such as throwing out my back. I haven't had a chance to respond to all the wonderful reviews yet but I will. We hit a milestone with reaching over 200 hundred reviews! Thanks so much you guys are awesome!

Well the Poll is closed and with only a 3 vote difference Ginny will be in on Molly's scheme, but to what extent? There may be redemption for the young redhead; we'll have to see where the story leads. Now, on with the story.

Chapter 12

Amelia Bones was having a bitter sweet moment of reflection as she sat in the Minister for Magic's Office. Fudge had been cast out of office and she had been sworn in as interim minister until a full session of the Wizengamot could be held and a permanent Minister sworn in.

The hard as nails former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was confident that she would be the next minister and only needed to wait for the coming vote.

The fiasco in the Department of Mysteries involving known and suspected Deatheaters fighting against six school children, one of which was none other than her godson Harry Potter, had caused uproar throughout the wizarding world against Fudge.

To make matters worse for Fudge was the appearance of Voldemort himself. Fudge had adamantly denied the rumors of the Dark Lords return and had launched a smear campaign against Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter for trying to tell the truth.

Now that proof of the Dark Lords returns was established, the people looked to Amelia Bones to bring her no nonsense approach to law enforcement to the highest office in the magical world.

Although grateful for the confidence of the people, she couldn't help but feel the loss of her godson and the hero of the Wizarding World Harry Potter. She was chastising herself for ever listening to Albus feckin Dumbledore. He had told her that Harry was safe and she should not try and contact him because it would bring unwelcomed attention to the boy.

She had accepted Dumbledore's reasoning and had never contacted him. Her niece Susan would give her updates on what she saw of Harry. It disturbed her when her niece told her that Harry appeared extremely thin and small for his age and how he had a hollow and tortured look to him at the beginning of every school year.

Amelia had confronted Dumbledore on many occasions about Harry's well-being but had been reassured time and time again that he was fine. During his sham of a trial she was appalled at Fudge's actions and did her best to aid Harry by being the voice of reason. She had successfully swayed the majority of the Wizengamot to clear Harry of all charges.

She wanted so much to introduce herself to Harry and let him know that she was there for him. Instead, a glare from Dumbledore made her keep her silence. But she continued to clandestinely keep tabs on him through Susan.

But now all she could think of was the tragic loss of her godson and the weight of guilt she felt for never being a part of his life. She knew that she would have to answer to Lilly one day and somehow beg forgiveness from her dearest friend.

Amelia tried to shake all those thoughts from her mind; she knew she would dwell on them later. Right now she needed to get the ministry back on its feet and start preparing it for the storm that was to come.

She immediately doubled the budget for the DMLE and informed the new head Kingsley Shaklebolt to begin a hard recruiting drive. To win this coming war she needed Aurors and a lot of them and they would need to be trained fast. She was not sure of the size and strength of the enemy but she knew she needed to be prepared.

Voldemort had a year free of molestation to train and recruit his own forces. It was now a race to see who would have the better trained army. Amelia learned from the mistakes of the past, she had lost many friends and family members to this bastard and his followers.

The Aurors will be trained to meet deadly force with deadly force. No war has ever been won by handicapping yourself and Amelia was taking the proverbial gloves off. During the last war Voldemort had spies everywhere even within the ministry.

Amelia was going to propose harsher penalties for those who give aid or comfort to known supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named. Just this morning, she finished a proposal that would levy heavy fines and possible prison time for any person aiding and abetting the terrorist organization known as Death Eaters.

'-knock-knock-knock-'

"Come in." Amelia called out.

"Excuse me Minister, but you have received an urgent letter from Gringotts." The young receptionist said.

"Thank you Angela." Minister Bones stood and took the letter from the blonde girl. "Anything else?"

"No mam, just the letter. Oh, your niece will be here in about 15 minutes."

"Thank you Angela that will be all." The blonde receptionist then returned to her desk.

'Curious why would Gringotts being sending me a letter.' She queried.

Amelia read the letter which was not from the goblins but from Andromeda Tonks who was requesting an immediate meeting. The two had gone to Hogwarts together but did not run in the same circles. In their respective careers they had worked together often, Andromeda in prosecuting the bad guys and Amelia catching them.

Although not close friends they had a mutual respect for one another. After all it was difficult for a woman in the magical world to rise to the levels that they had. It was a sad commentary on just how hard the Wizarding World or at least the Pureblood bigots that ran the magical world fought to hold on to archaic dogma surrounding gender.

The letter was vague only stating that some startling evidence has come to light over the recent incidents surrounding Harry Potter and other issues as well.

Amelia wondered if Andromeda had discovered who was involved with the murder of her godson. The very least she hoped that she had some leads that would point her in the right direction. Amelia grabbed her cloak and exited her office.

"Angela I will be out for the next hour or two. I need to run over to Gringotts for a quick meeting."

"Of course Minister Bones."

"Hello auntie are you off somewhere?" said the cute sixteen year old redhead who had just entered the reception area.

"Susan! I completely forgot about your visit."

"If you need me to come back later auntie I can."

"Nonsense Susan, I'm just heading over to Gringotts and I don't see any problem with you accompanying me."

Susan gave a large smile. "Brilliant!"

The two last members of the House of Bones walked out of the Minister's office and walked across the hall and came to a door that was being guarded by two red robed aurors. They both stood aside and allowed the interim minister to pass.

"What's with the guards' auntie?"

"Well this is a secure apparition room. Only the minister and the minister's guests can use this room."

"Nice little perk there!" Susan smirked then giggled at her aunt.

"Well, it's more for security reasons. If I was to use the public floo's or apparition points in the atrium I would be swarmed by everyone who wanted a word with the minister or approached by others with less than good intentions."

"OOOOhhh…I see your point. I guess there are some who would love to hurt you if they could."

"I try not to think about it too much. But your right it is a nice perk." Smiled Amelia. "Okay hold on and I'll apparate us to the nearest apparition point in Diagon Alley to Gringotts."

With a loud pop Amelia and Susan materialized at an apparition point right next to the large and formidable looking Gringotts Bank. With a quick look around to make sure all was well, this being a habit that had been ingrained in her from her auror days she and Susan walked up the marble stairs and entered through the large double doors leading into the bank.

oooOOOooo

Severus Snape entered the Headmaster's office an hour after the meeting of Voldemort's inner circle. He had much to report to the aging wizard not that he cared about what was going to happen tomorrow night.

"Ah Severus, how was your meeting? Has Voldemort regained his strength yet?"

"The meeting was very informative, and the Dark Lord's health continues to improve although at a slower rate than I would expect. It seems that his encounter with Potter has affected his ability to heal as quickly as he used to."

"I actually have a theory about that." Dumbledore began. " It seems to me that the connection that Voldemort shared with Harry was not only a mental link but a physical one as well."

"How so?" The greasy haired potions professor asked.

"I believe that he was able to actually draw from Harry's magic and use it to strengthen his own including the ability to heal himself." The old man theorized.

"If so then this would be the best time to attack him and end this." Snape added.

"Unfortunately he is still quite powerful, not to mention he still commands a large number of Deatheaters. No, we must still wait for a more opportune time."

"Well, that opportune time had better come soon. He plans on exterminating three old pureblood families and a muggle family tomorrow evening." Snape spat.

"Which families Severus!"

"The Longbottoms, the Lovegoods, and the Weasleys, and I'm to kill the parents of Granger. All are to be killed except those that went with Potter to the Department of Mysteries. The Dark Lord has special plans for them before they are killed and then hung from the gates of Hogwarts. "

Albus Dumbledore sat back in his chair with his hands steepled in front of his face. After a few minutes of thought he came to a decision.

"Very well Severus, we will let the attack on the Grangers and Lovegoods go unchallenged. The two families have no real value to me or our cause. I kept Granger around just as a means to keep Harry under my thumb if needed. But with Potter dead I have no more use for her."

"And what of the other two families?" An emotionless Snape asked.

"The Weasley's are still quite useful and we will need them and the money they should get from the Potter and Black vaults if everything goes as planned."

"And what of the Longbottoms?"

"I have need of young Neville; he is to be the new boy of prophecy, a banner to rally the masses to my cause. And if Lady Longbottom happens to die in the attack… the better control I will have over the scion of House Longbottom." Spoke the so called leader of the light.

Severus Snape was beginning to wonder if there was any difference at all between the leader of the light and the leader of the dark. They both used people as pawns in their twisted games of domination. It did not seem to matter to either if their allies died or not as long as they were useful and it advanced their own agendas.

"I will send Fawkes to rescue the young Longbottom heir soon after the attacks begin and have him brought back to Hogwarts. I at the same time will be conveniently at the Weasley's and perhaps have young Bill Weasley help me in setting up some surprise wards for Tom." Dumbledore smirked.

"And should the Dark Lord question me as to how you knew of the attack?"

"With his success at the other two attacks I'm sure he will think it just happenstance." Dumbledore dismissedly replied with a wave of his hand. Although Severus had his doubts but kept it to himself.

oooOOOooo

Harry and Bellatrix Potter were nervously pacing back and forth in conference room number four. Andromeda had sent a request to Amelia Bones to meet her here at Gringotts on an important matter concerning Harry Potter.

Andromeda could only think of appealing to the new interim Minister in person as a way of keeping her baby sister from being killed on site should she enter the Ministry itself. There was still a rather large bounty on her head that would make the most reluctant witch or wizard throw caution to the wind in an attempt to bring her in.

The plan was to soften Amelia up by producing a very much alive Harry Potter and then somehow approaching the rather unbelievable truth that Bellatrix was an unwilling pawn in the Dark Lords service.

Andromeda admitted it was a long shot at best. Amelia Bones was fair but as the new prospective Minister for Magic she could not show leniency to anyone suspected of being a Deatheater. To do so in the current political climate would be professional suicide.

Andromeda had explained this to her sisters and to Harry. Bella understood the risk but felt that the chance to have her name cleared and be able to step out into public again with Harry at her side was well worth it. Harry on the other hand had suggested that they just leave England all together and move to the continent.

Bella informed Harry that even there they could still be in danger from not only bounty hunters but those who might be in league with Voldemort. She wanted a life free of looking over her shoulder and she wanted to help bring an end to Voldemort once and for all.

It was the only way where she would feel safe to really live and start the family she had always dreamed of. This had been the key word that swayed Harry more than any other 'family' for it was also the desire of his own heart. Harry realized that for their desire to come true they would need to accomplish two things: clear her name and destroy the two beings who threatened their very happiness; Tom Riddle and Albus Dumbledore.

It had been agreed that Bella would remain hidden while Andromeda, Narcissa and Harry would first speak to Minister Bones. If they felt that Amelia would be willing to listen without prejudice and hear her story then Bella would show herself, if the opposite were to happen she would remain hidden and they would have to think of another way to clear her.

There was a rapping on the conference room door, Bella quickly cast a disillusionment charm over herself and faded back into the shadowed corners of the conference room. Harry pulled the hood from the dark green cloak he was wearing over his head and cast a wandless obscuring charm over his face.

The door swung open and a short squinty eyed goblin entered and announced the arrival of Interim Minister for Magic the Lady Amelia Bones. Amelia cautiously entered the room and immediately took note of three people in the room. She also took note of the shadowed corners of the room all her auror instincts kicked in and her body tightened in preparation for fight or flight.

Amelia ever the cautious one had asked Susan to wait in the lobby as she saw to her meeting. She was glad she had when she noticed Lady Malfoy and a cloaked individual who had the stance and build of a young man. She could also feel the raw power rolling off the cloaked individual which did not make her feel at ease in the slightest.

"Minister Bones, I'm so glad that you came and I assure you that no ill will is meant here…" Andromeda spoke as she saw Amelia's gaze fall on Narcissa and the cloaked Harry. "In fact I hope it will be a most enlightening if not informative meeting." Andromeda finished.

"I must confess that your note intrigued me, but my time is short Andromeda I have a very busy schedule."

"Of course Minister. I'm sure you know my sister Narcissa Malfoy." Andromeda said motioning her hand toward Narcissa.

"But of course. A pleasure to see you again Lady Malfoy." Amelia offered a tight smile.

"The pleasure is mine Minister Bones." Narcissa greeted with a slight curtsy.

Amelia began to wonder if they planned on 'donating' money to her much like Lucius Malfoy had 'donated' galleons to Fudges coffers. If this was their intent they would be greatly disappointed.

"And this gentleman here…" Andromeda continued motioning toward the still cloaked Harry. "Is the main reason I asked for this meeting." Andromeda said a little dramatically.

"And who might you be good sir?" Amelia asked while she surreptitiously tightened her hand around her wand in her cloak pocket.

Harry slowly walked closer to her and while slowly pulling back his hood said…"My name is Harry Potter Minister Bones…or may I address you as… godmother?" Harry gave her a warm smile as he stepped fully into the light.

A stunned Amelia looked into the face of James Potter, but no that couldn't be James was dead and then she noticed the bright green eyes… Lily's eyes. The eye's she had seen in the one year old gaze of her godson.

"H..H..Harry?" she gasped.

Harry smiled and nodded his head. "Yes it's me. The rumors of my death have been greatly…hmm… exaggerated."

With a speed that took everyone in the room by surprise Amelia had removed her wand from her cloak and leveled it right between Harry's eyes. In a low threatening voice the hard as nail auror spoke. "Who are you? You can't be Harry. Harry is only fifteen and you look to be in your twenties. I don't know who you are but I'll have you arrested for impersonating my godson!"

"Amelia please listen to him!" Andromeda quickly spoke trying to diffuse the situation. "This IS Harry Potter."

"I don't know what your game is Andromeda or why you're in league with the Malfoys but this ends here. I will not have you insult or use for any evil purpose the memory of Lily's son!" Amelia spat now pointing her wand between Andromeda and Narcissa.

In the split second that Amelia was focused on the two older Black sisters, Harry had wandlessly summoned Bella's wand to his hand.

"I can prove that I am who I say I am." Harry quietly spoke.

Amelia glanced back at the 'Harry' imposter. "And how are you going to do that?" she challenged.

"If you will allow me." Harry slowly lifted his hands Bella's wand being in his right the other brought palm out showing her he had no other weapon. Amelia flexed her hand around her wand and readied a curse to strike the man if he made any sudden moves.

Harry raised the wand up and said…"on my life and my magic I swear a wizards oath that I am Hadrian James Potter, the son of James and Lily Potter, so mote it be." With the oath made a white light surrounded Harry. "Lumos!" Harry cast the light spell which shone brightly.

Amelia was gobsmaked, she knew that the man had told the truth or he would be lying dead on the floor his oath would have assured that. But how could this young 'man' be Harry. Amelia slowly lowered her wand and gazed at the young man before her.

Her brain worked furiously try to make a coherent sentence but all that came out was a stammered "h…h…how?"

"It's quite the riveting story Minister. If you have time I'd like to explain it to you." Harry stated.

Amelia could only nod her head in acceptance of the offer. She sat in one of the large fabric covered chairs and continued to stare at her 'miraculously un-dead godson.'

Harry took the chair directly in front of her as Andromeda and Narcissa sat on a sofa nearby. Harry looked deeply into Amelia eyes and saw the willingness to hear his story. Harry sat back in his chair and began his story.

"It all began on the first day of the summer holidays…"

oooOOOooo

Amelia had already downed her third glass of Fire Whiskey and working on her fourth before Harry finished his tale of near death, rescue, healing and then betrayal of those he thought of as a mentor and friends. It was a little too much for her to come to grips with. Harry left nothing out including his friendship and eventual bonding to Bellatrix Lestrange now the Lady Bellatrix Potter nee Black.

It just sounded impossible. But he had sworn an oath again that everything he had said was true. She did not know how to process the thought that the most feared Deatheater in Britain was actually an unwilling hostage forced to do her husband's will. And if that were not enough she is also newly married to the Boy-Who-Lived!

Amelia could just envision the firestorm that knowledge would provoke. Not to mention all the broken hearts of the young witches who had dreams of capturing the heart of the young boy hero, including her niece Susan, who had carried a torch for the young man since third year.

"Harry…I don't even know where to start." Amelia began. "Even if what you say is true…and I believe you…" Amelia quickly put in. "I can't just pardon her. She would have to stand trial and there is no guarantee that she would be found innocent." Amelia looked apologetically at Harry.

"Minister…" Harry began but was cut off be Amelia.

"In private Harry you can call me Amelia or Aunt Amelia. Your mum and I were very close…like sisters. I was honored when she asked if I would be your godmother. I apologize for not being there for you Harry. It was on the word of another that you were being cared for and that my involvement could endanger you that I was not a part of your life…"

"Dumbledore!" Harry spat with all the venom he could put into the name.

Amelia nodded her head sadly. "Yes. Dumbledore was the reason I was not involved in your life. And for my part of not ignoring the old fool I sincerely apologize. I wanted desperately to be a part of your life Harry, but Dumbledore had me convinced that I would cause more trouble for you."

Harry could feel the deep sincerity in her words and could see in her eyes the sorrow she felt and a small spark of hope that she would be allowed into his life now that everything had come out. Harry rose from his chair and reached out his hand to his godmother. She took and stood the offered hand and she was gently pulled into his arms.

He held her tight and whispered. "I would love for you to be a part of my life." Harry said somberly. "I have so little in the way of family, how could I turn my back on one that was so close to my mother…Aunt Amelia."

Amelia tightened her embrace around Harry and he swore he felt the moist drop of tears on his neck. "Thank you Harry." She managed to whisper.

The veteran auror straightened up, her eyes slightly red. "Well…" she embarrassedly started. "Yes, well… Bellatrix then… If she is willing to turn herself in Harry, I will personally guarantee her safety. I can call for an emergency session of the Wizengamot and with her testimony under veritus serum and pensieve memories she stands a good chance of being cleared. But the final decision is of course left to the court."

"She will of course have one of the best attorney's around to be her council." Andromeda said in a mock dignified air as she winked at Harry.

"Do you think she will be willing to turn herself in Harry?" Amelia asked.

"Well Aunt Amelia you could just ask her yourself." Harry said with a mischievous look in his eyes.

With that Bella Potter walked out of the shadows toward Harry. Taking his hand in hers she stood before the Minister for Magic and with a quavering but resolute voice said. "Minister Bones I turn myself, my freedom and my life over to your custody. I will testify and submit myself to whatever questioning you see fit."

A/N 2: Next chapt. Will be Bella's trial (I'm a little nervous) also Death eater attacks looming. Albus is turning out to be a real piece of work. I didn't plan on him being so callus its just how the story is flowing. Please Read and Review. Have a great Weekend!