After a decent night's rest, thanks to the dreamless sleep potion, the boys awoke ready to face the day ahead. After receiving their dose of dampening potion, the Slytherins headed down to the dungeons to change before heading to breakfast in The Great Hall. However, the Gryffindors had opted to eat in the head dorms, and Harry was then going to go and grab them some stuff from their rooms.
Conversation was also starting to turn to how they were going to spend the day, and as he left, Blaise had been adamant that no love potion was going to keep him from spending the day with his girlfriend. However, after the Slytherins had departed, Hermione noticed that Ron seemed worried about something.
"Are you okay?" she asked her best friend, wondering if his dose of dampening potion hadn't yet started to work and the effects of the love potion were proving too much for him.
"I was just thinking that I should be doing something special with Lavender today," Ron sighed. "Instead, I'm stuck here fighting a disgusting attraction to my sister."
"You can still spend time with Lavender," Hermione argued.
"And how is that fair on her?" Ron asked with a shake of her head. "It's Valentine's Day, I should be focused on her, not Ginny."
"Maybe being around your girlfriend will help," Draco offered. Since his friends had been heading to the dungeons before breakfast, he'd yet to leave. "I know it's helping me being with Hermione. It keeps your mind even more focused if you're with the person you genuinely care about."
"And you think it might work with Lavender?" Ron asked hopefully.
"It can't hurt," Hermione replied. "Did you have any plans for today?"
"No, we were going to see how we felt," Ron said.
"Then how about you join Draco and I," Hermione suggested. "We've already asked the elves to sort us a picnic lunch, and we're going to spend the afternoon down by The Black Lake. We can get them to sort you two a picnic as well, and we can set up close enough to each other so that Draco and I can be there if you need our support, but far enough away to give us all some privacy."
"Would that be alright with you?" Ron asked Draco.
"Yeah, I'll head down to the kitchens after breakfast and arrange for two picnic baskets," Draco replied.
"And I'll talk to Lavender," Hermione offered. "I can explain what's going on."
"Good luck with that," Ron snorted. "How the hell do you explain this mess?"
"I'm sure I'll manage somehow," Hermione said as she and Draco got ready and headed down to The Great Hall for breakfast.
None of the other Slytherins had arrived when Hermione and Draco entered The Great Hall, but they arrived within a few minutes and joined Draco. From across the room they all seemed to be coping with the effects of the love potion, so Hermione wasn't too worried about moving her attention away from the boys when Lavender entered with her best friend, Parvati Patil.
"Lavender, can I have a word?" Hermione asked, waving the two girls over to where she was sitting.
"Of course," Lavender answered brightly, although Hermione could see the wariness in her eyes as the two of them had never been close and Hermione didn't think she'd ever instigated a conversation with the other witch.
"It's about Ron," Hermione began.
"Have you seen him this morning, or was he in the head dorms until late?" Lavender asked with a laugh. "He better not be hung over for today. I don't know what we're doing, but I do want us to spend the day together."
"He's actually still up in the head dorms," Hermione said, explaining the best she could about the current situation.
"Have I just heard that right?" Parvati asked with a frown. Since she'd been sitting right next to Lavender, she'd heard the entire conversation. "Ginny has dosed half the boys in our year with a love potion, including Ron."
"That's about the size of it," Hermione replied with a nod of her head. "The potion will be wearing off this evening, and until then all the boys have taken some dampening potion that helps dull the effects of the potion."
"My poor Ron," Lavender gasped. "He must be tearing himself apart."
"Obviously, it's harder for him than the others," Hermione admitted. "And I think it'll help him to have a few hours with you Lavender, so he can truly take his mind off things. If you don't mind, I've suggested you join Draco and I down by The Black Lake for a picnic. Obviously, we'll be separate enough for some privacy, but Draco and I can be on hand if Ron needs some support."
"That sounds good," Lavender said. "Is it hard?" she asked quietly after a slight hesitance. "Knowing your boyfriend might be thinking of another witch when he's with you?"
"It helps knowing it's not his choice," Hermione replied. "But yeah, it can be hard. A few times last night I could see Draco's attention was elsewhere, and I was pretty sure he was thinking about her. But I know he didn't want to be thinking about her, and Ron certainly doesn't want to be thinking about her."
"Is Ginny being punished?" Parvati asked.
"She will be when I get my hands on the little trollop," Lavender hissed.
"She'll find out her punishment later today," Hermione answered, chuckling at Lavender's reaction as it pretty much mirrored what she felt about what Ginny had done.
"I hope it's a good one," Lavender stormed. "I'll be furious if she gets off lightly."
"I think a lot of people will be," Hermione agreed.
Once they had finished breakfast, Hermione arranged for them to meet Lavender at midday in the front hallway, before she quickly checked on the Slytherins. Satisfied that they were all coping, and wouldn't be going running up to Gryffindor Tower in search of Ginny, Hermione headed back to the head dorms to check on her friends. When she arrived, she found Harry had returned from Gryffindor Tower and was filling the others in on his run-in with Ginny.
"Do you think she's genuinely sorry?" Hermione asked.
"Sorry her wicked little plan went wrong more like," Ron snorted. "Well, I for one will not be forgiving her anytime soon. In fact, I don't even want to see her. Well, I do, but I am stifling that sick thought."
"It'll be easier this afternoon," Hermione promised. "We're meeting Lavender at twelve, and I'm sure she can help keep your mind on more important matters."
"She usually can," Ron replied with a small smile as he and the other headed off to get dressed.
"Was she genuinely sorry?" Hermione asked Harry once they were alone. "Or is Ron right? Is she only sorry because it all went wrong?"
"I think Ron's hit the nail on the head," Harry replied. "She was still trying to justify using the potion on me. I don't think she views using the potion as wrong. She's only sorry because she screwed up and other people got involved. What do you think will happen to her?"
"I have no idea," Hermione admitted. "But this is pretty serious, so I would expect more than a slap on the wrist and few detentions."
"I guess we'll find out later," Harry remarked, unaware that even as he and Hermione were talking Dumbledore was making arrangements to head back to Hogwarts, ready to deal with the problems Ginny had caused.
As she'd vowed to do the previous evening, McGonagall connected Dumbledore down in London and alerted him to the situation with Ginny once she'd had her breakfast. Like her, Dumbledore felt the matter was sever enough to warrant her parents being called to the school. Promising to be back by late morning, he asked McGonagall to arrange a meeting with Molly and Arthur for early afternoon.
After doing as Dumbledore requested, McGonagall paid a visit to the affected boys in the head dorms. Not all of them were there as some of the Slytherins had opted to spend the day with their friends, but she was assured that the dampening potion was helping them all immensely. That wasn't to say they weren't all still having to deal with unwelcome feelings, but at least it was more manageable than it had been the evening before. She was also pleased to see Ron was making plans to spend time with his girlfriend and wasn't letting the situation get on top of him.
After checking on the boys, she headed down to the dungeons to check in on Severus. Unlike the boys he'd refused the dampening potion as he hadn't wanted his magic to be affected, but he had taken some dreamless sleep draught, so at least he'd had an uninterrupted night's sleep. Luckily Severus was pretty strong willed and although he admitted to struggling with his feelings he had enough control over himself to stop from acting on them.
When McGonagall informed him Dumbledore was heading back to deal with the situation, Severus insisted on joining her for the initial meeting with the headmaster. Knowing it was safe since Ginny was confined to Gryffindor Tower, McGonagall accompanied her colleague up to the headmaster's office, where they awaited Dumbledore's return. When he did return, he expressed his shock at the situation and checked Severus was coping with what he knew must be very unwanted, and very inappropriate, feelings.
"So how do things stand at this moment in time?" Dumbledore asked McGonagall as the three Professors shared a cup of tea.
"The affected boys have all had a dose of dampening potion to supress their feelings," McGonagall explained. "It hasn't eliminated the problem, but it is bringing them some relief. As for Ginny, she's confined in Gryffindor Tower. I also changed the password, so none of the affected boys can get up there. Currently they're using the head dorms as their base."
"And she's admitted to lacing the chocolates?" Dumbledore checked.
"Yesterday evening when Hermione and I confronted her," McGonagall answered.
"Why?" Dumbledore asked with a confused frown.
"Harry," McGonagall replied. "The chocolates were aimed at him. I guess she took her crush on him a bit too far."
"That is putting it mildly," Severus snorted. "Did you ask her about the love potion, and where she got it?"
"She said she found the recipe in a book and brewed it herself," McGonagall answered. "Why?"
"She can't have," Severus said with a shake of his head. "The reason I asked is because when you gave me the remaining potion yesterday evening, I ran some preliminary tests on it to confirm it was the same potion that was used in the chocolates. And it was, by the way. But an anomaly showed up."
"What sort of anomaly?" Dumbledore asked, leaning forward with anticipation.
"The potion is old," Severus answered. "At least twenty years old, possibly nearer the thirty year mark. I would need to run additional tests to get the exact age of the potion."
"So she couldn't have made it herself," McGonagall mused. "But why lie about it?"
"Maybe to avoid admitting she's bought it somewhere untoward, like Knockturn Alley," Dumbledore suggested.
"Is there much difference admitting to brewing a love potion, rather than buying one in a shady shop?" Severus questioned. "Besides, I don't believe the potion was bought in a shop. At least not any time recently."
"Why not?" Dumbledore asked.
"Firstly, there are no labels on the bottle, and even the shops in Knockturn Alley label their products," Severus explained.
"She could have decanted the potion into another bottle to hide what it was," McGonagall suggested.
"The potion had been in that bottle for a long time, you could tell by the stains it left behind," Severus said with a shake of his head. "In my expert opinion that bottle is the original bottle the potion was stored in when it was made. And that is another reason, I find it hard to believe it was bought in a shop, even an unreputable one. About a decade ago, a new law was passed ordering anyone who sold potions to label them with the year of manufacture."
"Why?" McGonagall asked, recalling no such law being passed. But then again, she paid very little attention to the Potions business as it wasn't really an area she held much interest in.
"I remember that," Dumbledore said. "There had been complaints that potions weren't working correctly because they were too old."
"It can be an issue with some potions," Severus admitted. "Most last for years, but some are best used fresh. Anyway, this law required sellers to date their potions. There was a time frame for the changes to come into place, giving the shops a chance to sell their old stock, but unless anyone kept the most meticulous records imaginable, I can't imagine they would know exactly when a potion as old as the one we're dealing with was made. The Ministry also took potions that couldn't be dated off the sellers hands, as well as ones they deemed too old to sell. Most places got rid of any potions over ten years old, as they worked out that being able to boast about a freshly brewed potion helped with the sales."
"So, if she didn't brew the potion herself, which we know she didn't as she's not old enough. And she didn't buy it, which is looking very unlikely. Where did she get it from?" McGonagall asked, looking at the two wizards she was in conference with.
"I have no idea," Severus said as he rose to his feet. "But I trust you can get to the bottom of it. Now, if you excuse me, I think I should be getting back down to the dungeons."
"Do you not wish to stay and have your say with the Weasleys?" Dumbledore checked.
"I assume you would also be talking to her, and I don't think it's a good idea that I see her," Severus admitted. "While a large part of me would happily throttle the young chit, I am still under the influence of the potion and I fear that coming into contact with her will prove too hard to resist."
Agreeing with Severus, that it wouldn't be good if he came into contact with Ginny, Dumbledore allowed the Potions Master to return to his own quarters. He then ran through punishment options with his deputy, and the pair had agreed on what they thought of a suitable punishment when the floo lit up and Arthur Weasley's voice floated through the air, asking if it was okay for them to come through. Leaving Dumbledore to greet the Weasleys and explain a bit about what was going on, McGonagall left to go and bring Ginny to the meeting.
When they heard what was going on, Molly and Arthur were shocked and horrified. Molly instantly collapsed into a chair, too stunned to speak, while Arthur ascertained the facts. Dumbledore had just finished explaining matters to the Weasleys when McGonagall entered with a shaken looking Ginny.
"Is everything alright?" Dumbledore asked.
"I think Ginny is just realising what she's done," McGonagall said. "I forgot I'd told the boys it would be safe to leave the Head Dorms, and we've just ran into Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Upon seeing Ginny, they started declaring their undying love for her. I sent them back to the head dorms to take another dose of dampening potion, but I rather think they might just be hanging around outside, waiting for us to return."
"They were so intense," Ginny whispered with wide eyes. "I don't think they've ever looked at me twice, and now they're both looking at me as though I mean the world to them."
"Love potions can be very consuming, and therefore very dangerous," Dumbledore said sternly as he beckoned Ginny to take the empty seat beside her parents. "And I sincerely hope you can see the damage you have done, and the trouble you have caused."
"I do," Ginny admitted, clearly still shaken by her encounter with two people under the influence of the love potion she'd used.
"But why Ginny?" Arthur demanded. "Why would you do this? Professor Dumbledore said the potion was meant for Harry, is that true?"
"Yes," Ginny answered quietly. "I just wanted him to like me."
"Using a potion to get someone to like you is a horrid thing to do, Ginny," Arthur scolded. "I can't believe you would even think of taking away Harry's free will. If he has feelings for you, he needs to discover that for himself. And if he doesn't, then all you're ever going to do is hurt him. And yourself. I can't believe you don't have more self-respect. Why would you want to be with someone who is only with you because of a love potion. I just don't understand."
"I love him," Ginny argued.
"You've got a funny way of showing it," Arthur snorted. "You don't drug people you love. I am so ashamed of you right now."
"Sorry," Ginny choked out as the tears slowly began to roll down her face.
"I don't think we should drag this out any longer than necessary," Dumbledore said, feeling uncomfortable in the presence of a crying girl. "As I'm sure you can understand, this is a very serious incident and we can't just let it pass with a few harsh words and the odd detention. It's also an incident that could have lasting repercussions for some of those involved, your son included. I think what is needed here is some time and space."
"What are you saying?" Arthur asked, even though he suspected what was coming next.
"I think Ginny should return home with you and Molly," Dumbledore answered.
"You're suspending her?" Molly cried, speaking for the first time since discovering what had happened.
"Until after Easter," McGonagall confirmed. "We will send work home for her, but we think it would be for the best if the boys had a chance to recover without her being around."
"I also think she should use this time to think about what she's done, and how it's affected those who ate the drugged chocolates," Dumbledore continued. "I would like you to write a letter of apology to everyone who was affected by the chocolates."
"Is that it?" Ginny asked.
"We can discuss the need for further punishments when you come back after Easter," McGonagall said.
"I would like to know one more thing though," Dumbledore said. "The love potion, where did it come from?"
"I made it," Ginny said, repeating the lie she'd given the previous evening.
"No, you didn't," McGonagall said. "Professor Snape says it's an old potion, made twenty to thirty years ago. So where did you get a potion that old from?"
"Emm, mmm," Ginny stammered, her eyes flicking to her right, where her mother was sitting with her head bowed. "I bought it," she offered, not sounding at all convincing.
Dumbledore watched Ginny's response in bewilderment. It was very clear she was lying, but it was equally clear that something was going on between mother and daughter. Molly had been unusually quiet since her arrival, and now she was refusing to look her daughter in the eye. However, before Dumbledore had put the pieces together, Arthur jumped in and asked his wife was going on.
"Why is she looking at you like that?" he asked his wife. "Like the pair of you have got something to hide. Did you know about this idea of hers? Did you know she had this love potion?"
"I…I…" Molly stuttered, slowly raising her eyes to her husband as she tried to find an excuse as to why she was so shell-shocked.
"No," Arthur gasped, reeling back as the truth hit him like a thunderbolt. "It was you, wasn't it. You gave her the potion. A potion that was brewed, twenty to thirty years ago. And we've been together almost thirty years. Tell me I'm wrong, Molly. Tell me I have gotten this all wrong."
"I can explain," Molly whispered.
"Not here," Arthur said in a tight voice, the pain he was feeling evident in his face. "I think we need to talk in private. Take Ginny home, and I can wait here for her things. I would also like to see Ron, if that is okay."
"That would be fine," McGonagall said, hardly able to believe what was now happening.
"I want to see Ron," Molly said.
"You will take Ginny home," Arthur snapped, being firm with his wife for possibly the first time in their marriage. "Right at this minute, I don't want to look at either of you."
Knowing they were in the wrong, a shame faced Molly and Ginny headed home to The Burrow, leaving Arthur to wait for Ginny's belongings and to check on Ron, and see how he was faring thanks to the devious nature of his sister and mother.