Chapter 9:
In the weeks that followed Ron's expulsion, rumors about what had happened ran wild in the school. Harry heard everything from Ron being not a 'true' Weasley or to being a traitor to his family and the Wizarding world in general. Another Rumor was that he was being hidden away so that he couldn't tell anyone the things that he knew. As if anyone would trust Ron with state secrets.
The only ones in the school that knew the truth were Dumbledore, McGonagall, the twins, Harry, Neville, Ginny, and Draco. The latter knew only because he had to be present when Amelia searched Ginny's trunk for suspected love potions. Thankfully she found none. Either Ginny hadn't made the potion or she had gotten rid of it after the disaster at the Will reading.
Neville knew only because Harry felt that he had the right to know and he took it upon himself to tell him. After all he had risked a great deal to tell Harry in the first place as a true friend would.
Harry hoped that things would get back to normal soon.
While rumors flew around Hogwarts as to why Ron had been expelled, Arthur was finally making himself known in his own home. For years he had allowed Molly to do as she wanted simply because it was easier than arguing with her about it. But enough was enough!
Arthur was forever grateful that his older children turned out the way they had. Bill had a very promising career with Gringotts. Charlie enjoyed the work that he did with the dragons. Percy, while pompous, still had some moral values and wasn't a total loss. The twins were too much like Molly's brothers to be corrupted. But he had failed his youngest two.
Ron, now, would never know the pleasure of using magic as it was meant to be used. His quest for fame and fortune had led him down a path that he could never return from. Ginny, too, had started on this same path but hopefully with the Malfoys, she would have a brighter future.
Then there was Molly. She was no longer the woman that he had married. He knew that she had used a love potion on him when they first started dating. How could he not? But the use of it had allowed him to overcome his shy nature and do what he had always wanted to. Kiss Molly Prewett until her toes curled.
He had thought that they had had a beautiful marriage built on love and trust. But this made him wonder if any of it was real.
Halloween was approaching and it was Harry's least favorite holiday. The only bright spot was that Umbridge's trial was being held that day. Meaning Harry wouldn't be able to attend the feast at Hogwarts. Thank Merlin for small miracles. In fact he sent all of his classes to the Library, where under the supervision of Madam Pince, they were to work on their spell presentations. The first couple of hours Harry was in there with them, helping where he could.
At the appointed hour Harry, left Hogwarts for the Ministry. Thankfully, Amelia sent her assistant to the Atrium to find him when he arrived. The courtroom was packed as several people wanted to see first hand the downfall of Delores Umbridge. He sat in a designated area so that he could reach the witness stand quickly and without interference.
Harry watched as Umbridge was led in by six Aurors. Obviously Amelia was taking no chances with the arrogant witch. Said witch had a huge smirk on her face. It was as if she was expecting to be acquitted and would receive some sort of compensation for her wrongful imprisonment.
A wizard that Harry didn't know banged the gavel onto a table, bringing the room to order.
"Delores Jane Umbridge, you are here to answer to the charges filed against you. They are as follows: Use of an illegal device, namely a blood quill. Using said device on a minor, 155 counts. Abusing Ministry authority in a non Ministry setting, namely Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Use of an illegal substance on a minor, namely Veritiserum, 15 counts. How do you plea?"
"Not Guilty."
"So noted. Prosecution you may begin."
Amelia stood. "Thank you Chief Warlock. I would like to call Lord Potter to the stand."
Harry stood and went to the empty seat.
"Please state your name for the court."
"Lord Harry James Potter."
"Lord Potter, what is your current occupation?"
"I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts1st through 4th years at Hogwarts."
"Can you tell the members of the Wizengament about your interaction with the defendant?"
"Ms. Umbridge has refused to accept my posting to the school. She has tried to have the Minister order me to return to the position of a student, not believing that I had already taken my OWLS and NEWTS. When that failed she then tried to 'persuade' me to follow her prescribed text in my classes. When I told her 'no' she told me that what would happen 'would be on my head'."
"Did something happen?"
"Yes. Over a week later she assigned detentions to every student in my classes. At first I didn't think that anything was wrong as I saw that they were writing lines. Then I saw that they were in blood. She had every Professor save Snape and Dumbledore, bound to their chairs unable to move. After an exchange of words, I used my Patronus to summon you and your Auror team."
"Thank You, Lord Potter."
Umbridge's barrister stood up.
"Mr. Potter."
"Lord Potter."
"Yes, of course, Lord Potter. May I ask how you came to have your title at such a young age?"
"I hardly think that it has anything to do with this."
"Oh but it does."
Amelia stood up. "How?" she asked.
"I find it rather surprising that a mere boy has been given the title of a very influential family but the fortunes of two as well? The Potter one I can understand but the Black one? No somehow this child has maneuvered his way into gaining that one. If he can do that then he may think that he can do anything, including his being above the law because of who he is."
Several members and spectators voiced their outrage. They were finally silenced by the new Chief Warlock.
"Lord Potter you need not answer that question. Mr. Huron, please keep your questions to the matter at hand. Your client is on thin ice now. Do not make it worse for her by using questionable tactics."
"But Chief Warlock! I must ask the witness these questions! If I can not then why are we having a trial in the first place? Simply sentence her guilty and let the innocent go to prison."
"I will answer the question."
Every eye looked at Harry in surprise. Umbridge seemed to smirk at that. She seemed to think that Harry's own words would condemn him. Was she in for a surprise!
"Very well, Lord Potter. But when you wish to stop we will do so."
Harry nodded. "My emancipation was granted to me by the Goblins after they discovered the cover up that Dumbledore or tried to do almost my entire life. He lied to them and me over the years. My title came from that."
"And those details?"
"That I won't tell you."
The barrister grunted softly. He obviously didn't like that answer. "How did you get most of the Black fortune? It should have gone to the next male in the family, namely Draco Malfoy, who is Lord Black."
"Sirius had no children. Also I was his godson, the closest person that he considered family to him. Due to a forced signing of a marriage contract with the Weasley family for what they assumed was with me, Sirius came to Gringotts and changed his will. It was a calculated risk on his part."
"But the money still should have gone to the Malfoy heir! The current lord Black is a blood relative!"
"Why? None of the estate was entailed. Sirius had every right to give his things to whom he wanted to. You and I shouldn't argue with that. The fact that Draco is what he is, sealed his fate over the family fortune in the first place."
Several heads nodded in agreement. The man knew that he couldn't continue in that line of questioning. Too many before him had also done the same thing.
"Very well then. I suppose that answer will suffice. Now I would like you to explain how you were given the posting of the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher?"
"Madam Bones came to me as a representative of the Board of Governors offering me the post."
"I see. Why?"
"They felt that the last few teachers that Dumbledore had hired were less than stellar."
Someone snorted over that statement.
"But why you specifically?"
"I have no idea."
"Could it be that you offered them a bribe to give you the posting?"
Harry got rather angry. "NO!"
"Do not lie Lord Potter. I have here a statement from Gringotts that shows a rather large withdrawal by you for Hogwarts. That certainly looks like a bribe to me."
"That was the purchase of the textbook that I planned on using."
"One that wasn't approved by the Ministry?"
"Yes. I read that drivel that they wanted to use. It was worse than reading about Lockhart." he shuddered.
Several chuckles were heard before they were covered up.
"Books that you charged Hogwarts for then?"
"No. My goblin accountant merely noted what I was using the money for, for the accounting records. He knew that I wasn't going to get the money back and didn't pester me about it, unlike some people I know. I provided the books without charge. They can be reused each year, saving the parents several Galleons on books."
"A little presumptuous of you isn't it, thinking that you will be the Defense professor next year?"
"My contract is for five years, unless it is breached."
"So if what you say is true then why attack my client's character? She was only doing her job and trying to help you."
"She's a vicious bitch! She cares for nothing other than for herself and her reputation. This would include the Ministry, because if it looks bad than so does she."
"Isn't that a little strong?"
"No. Anyone who can torture students and children with no remorse, are some of the worst people that I know."
"I see. I see that when Harry Potter says someone is guilty then everyone assumes that he's right."
Now Harry was really angry. So were several others. But Harry's next words stopped them all cold.
"That's right I'm nothing but an attention seeking prat. I won the Tri-Wizard Tournament by a fluke all because I fought Voldemort at the end of it, causing the death of a fellow champion and classmate. If I remember correctly, the Minister refused to believe me and most of the populous followed that dictate until they realized that I was right all along. DO NOT question my integrity again."
"I….."
"You what?"
"I merely meant that you are accustomed to getting what you want."
Harry snorted loudly. "Too many of you believe that. I, who didn't know that I was a wizard until I turned eleven. I, who was a virtual slave to my so called 'family'. The same family that Saint Dumbledore placed me in so that I would forever be under his influence and control."
Several were staring at Harry at this point.
The new Chief Warlock regained his composure first. "Do you have any more questions for the witness?"
"No."
"Very well. Madam Bones do you have any other witnesses?"
"Yes. I call Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt to the stand."
Ginny spent the day in seclusion. Her life was spiraling out of control, with no hope of finding a safe landing with the one that she loved. Each day she watched Harry slip further and further away from her. She couldn't take much more of this. Silently and slowly she made her way to the Astronomy tower.
As she reached the top, she went to the edge and looked down. Slowly she climbed onto the wall. Looking towards the darkening sky she whispered "I love you Harry" and stepped off the edge.
The Halloween Feast was in full swing when a much shaken first year came running into the room. Professor McGonagall reached the girl first and quickly followed the child out of the room. Soon several other staff members joined her.
At the base of the Astronomy Tower lay the broken body of Ginny Weasley. Professor Snape personally told Draco the bad news. He in turn sent the news on to his mother. The event didn't bother him one way or another.
Harry and Amelia arrived together at Stonehill. Both were tired and wanted nothing more than to have a quiet dinner and relax. That was something that neither would get. The moment that they arrived Susan pounced on them, wanting details of the trial.
"Umbridge got a hundred years in Azkaban. One for each student that had to use that vile quill."
"Good. She deserved it the…"
"Susan!"
"Sorry Auntie."
"Believe me I do understand but remember that you are a lady and should act as such."
"Yes Auntie."
Amelia winked at her. "Now is supper ready?"
"Waiting for you in the dining room."
The three of them moved towards the room when the floo chimed. Amelia went over to answer it. Kingsley Shacklebolt's head appeared in the green flames.
"Kingsley?"
"Sorry to interrupt your evening but something's happened at Hogwarts."
"What?"
"Ginny Weasley's dead."
The Headmaster's office was crowded. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were there, along with the Malfoy's, Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Shacklebolt, and Tonks.
Harry and Amelia walked into a shouting match.
"You promised to take care of her! Now she's dead!" shouted Molly.
"If she wasn't a blood traitor then she wouldn't have killed herself." sneered Lucius.
"SHE DIDN'T KILL HERSELF! SHE WAS PUSHED! MY GINNY WOULD NEVER DO THAT! SHE KNOWS OF THE CONSEQUENCES INVLOVED! NO! SHE WAS MURDERED!"
"Molly calm down."
"NO! MY BABY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF EITHER THAT BOY SHE WAS BEING FORCED TO MARRY OR POTTER PUSHED HER OFF THAT TOWER!"
"Molly!"
"ONE OR BOTH OF THEM ARE GUILTY! I WANT THEM ARRESTED AND SENT TO AZKABAN TONIGHT!"
"Mrs. Weasley, I wasn't even here." Harry said. Practically every eye turned to where he and Amelia were standing.
"A convenient excuse! If you hadn't forced my Ginny to acknowledge her life debt to you then she wouldn't have been forced into a betrothal with someone that she didn't love!"
"Like you were trying to do to me."
"NO! I know that you would have been happy with my Ginny. You just had to throw all those years of planning away for a couple of whores!"
Harry heard Amelia's gasp beside him. An invisible wind began to swirl around Harry.
"You vicious bitch! Hermione and Susan are and have always been better women than you and your precious daughter could ever be! It was you who filled her head with dreams and ideas that she was the one and only for me. Never mind what anyone else's dream are! You and you alone are the one to blame for her suicide!"
Molly stood up and placed herself in front of Harry. Arthur tried to get her to move back but she shook him off.
"HOW DARE YOU! So this is how you repay us for taking you in and treating you as one of our own! We fed, housed and supported you for what? Betrayal and death in the end! If I ever see or hear from you again I'll curse you so much that you'll wish you were dead!"
"Is that a threat?"
"Yes!"
Amelia stepped in between them. "Molly Weasley! I'll take into consideration that you are upset and not yourself, but threaten Harry again and I'll arrest you. Understand?"
Both Harry and Amelia saw the woman's mouth moving but no sound was coming out. Harry saw Mr. Weasley putting his wand away.
"I'm sorry about that. I offer my apologies to you both. Ginny's death has hit us all hard."
Harry nodded and stepped around the silently yelling witch. He noted that Dumbledore was watching him closely.
"What happened?"
"It seems that Ms. Weasley was unhappy and decided to jump from the Astronomy Tower during the feast."
Harry rounded on Draco. "Where were you at during all this?"
"Eating like any sensible person."
"Did you even notice that Ginny wasn't there?"
"Not really. She had a habit of avoiding the Great Hall during the main meal times."
Harry grunted. He felt slightly guilty over what Ginny had done but not enough for it to really bother him.
"Did she leave any sort of note?"
Dumbledore handed him a sealed envelope. "Only to you my boy. It seems that her heart wanted you to know hers. Perhaps this could have been avoided if you had accepted what you should have back in August."
"I doubt that. Still trying to control me old man?"
Dumbledore said nothing. His planned release of the girl's death to the press would help him and make the boy look like the bad guy. He hoped that the outcry from the public would bring the boy back to him for advice. Once that happened the boy would follow where ever he led him.
Harry looked at the envelope for a few seconds. Ginny had addressed it to him, calling him her love. He shook his head at her stubbornness until the very end. Refusing to satisfy anyone's curiosity, he put the envelope into a pocket.
"Aren't you going to read it, my boy?"
"Not here where everyone can see how disturbed she was."
"I highly doubt that Ms. Weasley was what I would call 'disturbed', my boy."
"I don't. She was a stalker thanks to her mother. One that has cost her the ultimate price, her life. If she had and if Malfoy had put a little effort into being with her then I doubt that she would have jumped. I pity her now more than ever."
Dumbledore frowned. "Do you not think that you share some of the guilt?"
"Not really."
"How did you come to that conclusion, my boy?"
"Why should I feel guilty about what Ginny has done to herself? She was the one who couldn't accept what life has thrown at her. She whined, cried, and complained, hoping that like always she would get her way. When I brought the Life Debt into the picture, I think she finally realized that she wasn't going to get what she wanted. But then I wasn't supposed to do a lot of things was I Headmaster?"
"I think that you have wandered off the topic my boy. Ms. Weasley loved you. She was willing to accept that your life would be a hard one. She had every right to dream of being married to you. Only you had to crush those dreams and ignore her until she took her own life. Because of that I will always feel that you are the guilty one."
"Think what you will. I can't and won't change your mind. But remember when all is said and done and you're facing whatever deity that you believe in, could you still say that and expect to get into heaven?"
Dumbledore refused to answer. The boy refused to back down. So be it. The public fallout will soon send him hurrying back to his side. He could wait.
The following morning, Harry found that Dumbledore was pulling no punches when he read the Western Wizard article, who sent him a free copy. Apparently he tried to place it in the Daily Prophet. However they refused to after they noticed that the article was based not on facts but on one opinion, his. Harry gave the staff a bonus for that.
Boy-Who-Lived ignores former flame! Flame jumps to her Death!
Last evening tragedy struck Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when Ginerva Weasley, daughter of Arthur and Molly Weasley, jumped from the top of the Astronomy Tower to her death. Ms. Weasley was betrothed to Lord Black and heir to the Malfoy fortune, Draco Malfoy.
It was confirmed by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore that Ms. Weasley was not happy as of late due to the sudden cold attitude of Lord Potter, who is betrothed to Ms. Susan Bones. When asked, the Headmaster admitted that Ms. Weasley did leave a note but to Lord Potter and no one else. This begs the question why? Why should a young woman who is to marry into an Ancient and Noble house such as the Black one, leave a death message for another?
We, at the Western Wizard, have learned that Lord Potter demanded the acknowledgement of a Life Debt owed to him by Ms. Weasley and that she 'marry Lord Black or forfeit her life'. How can someone have that much power over someone else? We demand an investigation into this and other possible abuses of power by the Boy-Who-Lived!
We offer our deep felt condolences to both the Malfoy and Weasley families over this troubling manner.
Dumbledore was pleased with the article. Even though the article was well written, the Western Wizard wasn't very well known in England. It wouldn't do the damage to the boy like he wanted. Still enough received the paper, enough to help spread the rumors. Soon the boy would be running to him for help with the fallout. Soon he would be under his control again.