Over the Edge

by Espeon Master Espo

When you choose to sacrifice someone for the Greater Good, you should never take half steps. However, humans tend to make mistakes, and with magic and soul bonds, no plan is fool proof. Pity those who stand before fools like a controlling Dumbledore. High rating for implied attempts, though no seen character deaths.

2. Chapter 02 Freefall

Chapter 02 Freefall

Emma and her husband Dan Granger were no strangers to a bit of stress, or even to lesser degrees odd things. While being a dentist was not an overly stressful job, or filled with tons of oddities, they did crop up from time to time. Raising their own daughter had taught them that rather well, especially when she had first shown signs of magic. Which for a family without a magical background had caused all sorts of headaches and more than a few sleepless nights as they tried to figure out what was going on.

When they had found out she was a witch, and these things while rare were considered normal. It had eased a lot of their worry. At least at first. As she spent a year at the school however, they worries began to grow. They made it quite clear to her, she was not to hide anything, if she did they would pull her from the school. Hermione as such had told them everything, and everything was enough to worry them. But as they told themselves, most of the issues was from a lack of context, or some case how odd or rare the events were.

There were of course good moments. Hermione becoming friends with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, the Quidditch World Cup and a few other odd things. There were funny moments as well, such as Hermione's changing herself into part cat in a potion's accident. Something they still teased her about on and off now that they could laugh about it. While other things worried them, the troll, the basilisk, the dementors. Still as they figured it, like with anything it would be better if Hermione learned to equipped herself to face such things than being blind to them. And as Professor McGonagall assured them when she had told them about their daughter being attacked, stuff like this was very rare indeed even considering the entire wizarding world.

The most surprising thing they had found was not all odd adventures. Rather a soul bond that had begun to form between Harry and Hermione. It was still early on, and the pair could only really feel the more extreme emotions of the other. It both worried and pleased them to see how Harry and Hermione had acted about it. In short, they acted like young teens going through their first crush. True, their first crush and love would be the only one they ever likely had, but it was still cute to see them write to each.

As for completing the bond, at the moment, Harry and Hermione had felt it was best to hold off. As it was not a step to be made easily or lightly, and once taken they could not go back. As they would be partly living inside each other's head once the bond had finalized, a thought which both thrilled and scared the pair. For now, they could let the bond form slowly, till they were ready to finalize it.

It had been going well to, till yesterday when Harry had shown up with a shaking and in tears Hermione on their doorstep. Their girl had run to them, and broken while holding onto them with a fever that reminded them each of her most passionate hugs yet this time she was far from happy. While this was going on Harry told them what had been happening. His voice held a cold fury that seemed almost out of place in the normally reserve boy. Yet this cold fury was one they soon understood fully. Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of the school, had been using compulsion and memory charms to keep them in line with some sort of plan he had had. He never told them what the plan was, but they knew there was one because how he spoke about what they were "Supposed to be doing."

Hermione had gotten to close to Harry, and it would have stopped him from completing what he had to do. As such Dumbledore, seeing that his normal easy and safe methods were not keeping them apart, had went for the final solution. Get rid of her forever. It seemed the soul bond had been blocking his attempts before that point. And had once again broken enough of the compulsions and memory charms on Harry that he had escaped in time to save Hermione. Though it had been a close call, even by Harry's standards.

Even if the Grangers had been willing to let the pair return to the school, it was quite clear already that neither Harry or Hermione wish to return. They had no idea how Dumbledore had found out they were getting so close, even if that had not been precisely hiding it. Nor did they know who they could trust in the school with what had happened. Very few people they knew where magical or politically powerful enough to keep them safe. Neither would ever return to Hogwarts, out of simple fear of the life of the other.

Harry had been given the guest room originally after the pair had shown up. But after a sleepless night for both him and Hermione, the pair had taken to sleeping together in one or the other bed. Both Emma and Dan had been against it, but only enough to give the two teens a warning. It was not hard to see neither teen was in the mood to experiment sexual, but rather needed the comfort of the other after nearly losing their other half.

This was no better illustrated than the one-time Hermione had fallen asleep while at home a few days later. Harry had gone out with Emma to get some things from Daigon Alley, as he had a few things that had to be done. They had come home to Hermione having a near panic attack, while tears streamed down her face. She had had a nightmare, and awaking to find no one home was enough to leave her panic. Harry and Emma had spent the next two hours calming her down. It was quite clear, Hermione and Harry could not be apart for every long till they had worked through their trauma.

What did not help things was the ticking clock. The first task was coming rapidly towards them, and Harry utterly refused to return to the school, let alone take part in the task. And based on what was said about breaking magical contracts, the best thing he could hope for was loss of his magic. The worse, he would die. This meant a lot of problems for them, the worse of which could be the destruction of the soul bond they shared. It was only in its beginning stages, but it was still there made by their magic. They could complete the bond, but in doing so, might cause Hermione to be caught up in the backlash. Something Harry simply refused to allow.

With this in mind, Harry had written up several letters. One to the Ministry of Magic, and more correctly the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, one to the Daily Prophet, several for other news groups, and one to Hogwarts each with different messages purposes and details. The Ministry one was to let them know everything that had happened to him, and Hermione. He hoped it would send them after Dumbledore, and get the man arrested, but by itself he doubted it. That was where the next few letters came in. The one to Hogwarts which would call out those who had done what they did in a big public statement, swaying the public opinion hopefully in favor of Harry, while the ones to the Newspapers would have a bunch of details Dumbledore nor a fair number of other people would like going public. If all three reached even close to their intended marks, Harry was sure he or at least Hermione would be safe from Dumbledore.

The day of the task the small family got a room at the Leaky Cauldron. Tom, the bar owner who become a good friend with Harry during the summer he spent there during his third year, offered a room and a silent tongue. As he said, a bartender rarely revealed what was said to them without a good reason. The reasons they gave for him keeping silent were more than good enough for him.

Harry went up to the private room and sat alone waiting for the time to ticked over for when the task would take place. Tom would check on him every fifteen minutes, while Hermione and her parents were supposed to sit down in the private dining room. Hermione had wanted to be with Harry, but he had refused. As he had said quite simply.

"If I die today… I cannot let you see that as it happened. It is going to be hard enough on you seeing the aftermath, I rather not let you see the event itself," Harry had explained.

Hermione had all but clung to her mother since Harry had gone up. He was now faced with the prosect he would be spending the last minutes of his life alive that day. He did not look scared, only resigned. Hermione on the other hand was scared, and Harry could no longer be by her side to calm those fears. The Grangers each knew, that if Harry died today, they would not be out of the woods when it came to tragedy. They knew Hermione likely would follow Harry to an early grave, as even breaking the early stages of a soul bond was filled with dangers, and that was for someone who was emotionally stable.

Seconds felt like minutes to Hermione as they slowly moved by. Each minute an hour, and the hour felt like a lifetime. She had turned in on herself, and was lost in her own mind and feelings, trying to feel and holding onto the feelings that came from Harry. She could feel them, still there, but they felt so distance compared how he normally felt. She wanted to cherish her last moments with him, hold his hand, feel the warm of his body holding hers. But she could not have that. She knew Harry was right, the slight of his life fading from his eyes, as they became glassy would leave her destroyed, and would haunt her for years to come. At least. If, she lived that long.

Tom checked on them, each time informing them Harry was still fine, still able to use magic. He and Harry were also listening to the Wizarding Wireless Network to the task. Hermione and Her parents had decided not to listen in, feeling such a thing would not do their nerves any good at this point. Nor did Hermione want to remember the last words she heard from Harry spoken with anger, even if they were not aimed at her. But instead, she wanted to remember his voice as he spoke the three words that anyone in love would want to hear before they passed on.

"I love you."

Three little words, that Hermione knew would haunt her dreams and give her strength should she get pass the end of the day. How much strength, she had no clue. She knew her parents hoped it would give her the strength to move on, but even she could see her parents did not believe that. They wanted to hope, but their hopes were tempered by the reality of the matter.

Hermione could have sworn the clock had stopped, as she glanced at it again. The first task had started she knew. And twenty minutes had passed so far. Tom had already stopped by once, saying Harry was still good. But now ten minutes left till he would stop by again. She watched the second hand as it slowly moved across the clocks face, a feeling of dread closing around her. She knew she was about to lose Harry, and there was nothing she could do or say to save him. Not anymore.

Thirty Minutes passed since the task had started, and Tom did not reappear. Not right away. Hermione was sure it was time. Harry time in the task had to have come up already. Tom's appearance at the door cut that thought short, as Tom said everything was still well, and Harry's turn had not come up yet. It would be soon though, he warned, only a few minutes till judgement would come.

If the minutes felt like an hour before, they had grown even longer. Each minute now seemed to take a lifetime. Each second a year as thoughts raced through her mind. Hermione tried to calm herself. To think that this would somehow turn out well. But the logical part of her mind would not allow her that kindness, she knew all too well where this would end. No false hopes allowed.

Tom missed his next fifteen-minute check-in. Hermione's heart fell as she realized why. Harry's task had begun. They were waiting for the Judge's to call time, and the Goblet to judge Harry. Tears began to flow from her eyes as she buried her face in her mother's shoulder, holding tight to her. Her mother wrapped Hermione in her own arms, and rubbed her back in a soothing manner. She could not stop the pain and fear, but she would be there for her daughter.

Thirty minutes passed before Hermione and everyone else near the Leaky Caudron heard it. An unearthly scream that seemed to fill the air. It froze Hermione's blood, acting like a lance through her very core. She was sure she felt something pulling at her magic and at her mind. Hermione was near panic and beyond the means of being controlled. She leapt from her mother's arms and bolted for the door. She had to see Harry! Had to know he was okay.

She reached the room before she even realized what she was really doing. The scream had faded, as she yanked open the door and dashed inside. A pair of arms caught her as she entered, but they did not stop her from going forward but rather encircled her in a loving hug. A face swam before her tear filled eyes, one she knew. Harry was standing before her, holding her close comforting her.

"It is okay, I am still here, I did not die," Harry said, soothingly as Hermione broken down crying into his chest, though this time it was in joy.

She barely noticed her parents appear in the door behind her moments later. All that mattered was that Harry was still alive. She could even feel his mind touching her own, the bond was still intact as well. Beyond that, she did not care, he was still here. He was alive, what more could she have asked for.

"Is it over?" Jessica asked.

"Yes," Tom answered as Harry was too busy comforting Hermione to answer.

"He is still alive," James noted, "Does he still have his magic?"

"We did not have a chance to check before Hermione showed up," Tom answered before sighing, "But I would guess no. I might not be able to see and sense magic, however, Harry glowed for several moments, and I am guessing that was the Goblet of Fire judging him for leaving the tournament."

"Being without Magic is not so bad," James pointed out.

Tom nodded, "I would agree, and considering the other choices, and his young age. I would say Harry can learn to live his life just fine without it. As long as him and Miss Hermione are together, I think the loss of magic will forever be an afterthought."

"Thank you for sitting with him," Jessica said with a watery smile.

"Someone had to," Tom said solemnly before nodding at Harry and Hermione, "And he was right about her staying away. That was rough... I will go and get something to drink for all of you. A shot of something strong I think as well. You all could use it I think..."

Emma and Dan nodded and Tom left the room. Moving forward, they drew the two teens into a hug. Harry was alive, and that was all they could have hoped for. They spent much of the rest of the day and into the night just talking about the task, what had been on the radio and the creepy scream. Harry, they found out, had indeed lost his magic. His Holly wand now felt like a dry twig under his hand, and he could barely feel Hermione's emotions anymore. The bond, they hoped would grow again, but he likely would never have access to his magic.

They spent the night at the Leaky Cauldron. They would head home the next day, but for now felt like at least paying back Tom for some of his help. And the rooms were cheap enough not to worry them. Emma and Dan had a room, while Harry and Hermione slept in another one. Harry and Hermione slept wrapped in the other's arms. They needed the comfort once more only the other could really give. Hermione had calmed down quite a lot by the time they went to sleep, but it was only Harry's nearby presents that kept the nightmares from taking a firm grasp of her dreams that night.

Each time one would begin taking shape, Harry's presents seemed to be felt in her mind. And the slowly forming horror filled images would fade, leaving the dreams as they had been. Harry was in all her dreams that night, walking with her, swimming with her, flying through their combined dreamlands. Amazing things they saw in those dreams, and things that would have been impossible otherwise. Yet the only thing they remembered when they awoke of the nights dreams, was the comforting presents of the other.

Harry awoke and looked at Hermione, as she slept, and wondered about the bond, and his dreams. He still felt her, he was sure of it. But he was not sure how long it would be till that feeling faded. He had no more magic after all, and the bond required magic to be formed. The idea of losing Hermione's presences from his mind scared him, not quite as much as his possible death had yesterday, but it still was not something he wanted to consider.

Hermione had explained to him once how the bonds could be formed. It was one part an instinctual part of their magic, and another part a stress response. People's magic tended to connect with others around them as they moved through their lives. It gave them a sort of sixth sense of the person if the bond became strong enough. These bonds were often seen among couples, or others like the Weasley twins. That was the instinctual part of the bond, as it was made to protect both themselves, and each other.

But they could grow stronger, stress could cause the bond to grow stronger. Harry had saved her life a few times, fought for her, and was her first true friend. Each time, they had pulled through, the bond had grown stronger till near beginning of their third year, the bond had formed fully into a soul bond. Harry had begun to grow closer to her, and to the point, it was clear to everyone that they were almost a couple.

Harry had at first been annoyed, but then slowly came around to the idea of Hermione and him being bonded. He had not wanted to tie her to him, as he felt it was wrong. But the more he had felt her in his mind, the feelings including love she had for him. It helped that she never questioned him not wanting to enter the tournament, and had defended him both from others, but also from Ron's own jealousy. Now, he wanted to bond to reach its peak, to be there for her in all the ways she had been and was still there for him.

But Dumbledore had not wanted that, during Christmas of their third year, he had made his first moved. Compulsion and memory charms. They had had their biggest fight and nearby broke apart. Yet the bond had not let them stay as mad as Dumbledore would have wished. He tried again, and seemed to use Ron's anger to his advantage to keep them apart. Yet, like the first time, it began to fail though this time they were a little more weary of someone placing something on them again. Sadly it was not enough to stop what had happened.

"Harry," Hermione said, her voice soft, "You ready to leave this all behind?"

Harry answered just as softly, "Yes. Once we get the others, it is time to go. Only question is where? I know you like visiting France, but I am not sure if that is any safer, and I am not sure we can trust the Ministry or Dumbledore being so close by."

"We should talk to our parent's, I am sure Mom and Dad will have ideas," Hermione said.

"I should look at the Wills again, and check what Sirius has to offer as well. Maybe we own a private island or something we can live on," Harry said.

Hermione laughed, the first real laugh she had had since her near-death experience. The laugh brought a small smile to Harry's face and he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. He wanted to kiss her lips, but held back. Hesitation still in him, scared the Triwizard Goblet would still do something to him. And worried the bond would not be formed from the kiss. No, he would wait to kiss her till they were safely away, and had recovered from the trauma of these last few weeks.

"Harry," Hermione said, when Harry had laid silent in favor of just cuddling with his closest friend.

"Yes Hermione?"

"I love you. Yet, I hate you for what you did yesterday. That was so cruel, you to left me unable to even see you. It was so hard, knowing you might die, knowing I might never see you again," Hermione said, her voice laced with pain.

"I know," Harry said, his voice holding its own pain and sadness, "I was facing possible death. I wanted to spare you that pain. I… I am not sure if you had been there, if I would have the will to keep from kissing you, just to feel your presence in my mind. I am not sure if I could have lived with myself knowing we gained a full bond, only to have it stolen away because someone has a death wish for me."

"I know," Hermione said, as tears slowly formed, "It was cruel, but it had to be done. Just please never do that to me again. If we face death again, I rather be at your side, than waiting to feel the bond snap, or some news saying you did not make it."

"I will try and do that. Promise."

Amelia Bones was not the only one staring at the list of events, details, and crimes that had taken part at Hogwarts. But she was the one that was about to do something about it. It detailed every event that had taken place since the time one Harry Potter had first gone to Hogwarts till up to a week ago when he had vanished from the school. Some were odd or a problem that should have been dealt with long ago, such as the rampant bully that clearly was taking place. Other things, just as their time travel mission, was completely against any number of laws.

Susan Bones, her niece, had mentioned several rumors that had floated about the school. Some of the rumors ranged from innocent, to down right insane. But based on the paper she was now reading, some of those rumors, even the most insane ones had been nearer the truth than she would have ever wanted to believe. Which worried her greatly as up till then she had never had a good reason to take on the power that was Hogwarts and its Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Hogwarts was one of the few legal gray areas when it came to England's wizarding world. Due to the power of the wards, and the fact they defaulted to the Headmaster of the time, created a lot of issues. Simply put one could not simply walk into Hogwarts if the headmaster did not wish it. Not without preparing for a siege on the wards themselves, which would not only be very costly but would likely damage them in the process.

Now, however she had a readymade reason to enter the school and Dumbledore would not be able to block them. If he blocked general access to the school at this time, without a genuine threat to keep out. The Goblet of Fire could see it as a means of sabotaging the Champions, or interfering with the other judges. The end result was almost the same either way, the wards would return to their normal general access levels only Dumbledore would be robbed of his magic, and no longer Headmaster of the school.

"Oh, this is going to rock the boat," Kingsley Shacklebolt, one of the senor Aurors in the room, said, his low tones easily filling the room, "Look at these, all done by Fudge without contacting us. Or following proper procedure."

"Rock the boat? More like tip the boat over," Tonks, Kingsley's first year in training Auror said looking at the list carefully, "Professor Dumbledore and Minister Fudge hold more power between them then any other two groups out there."

Amelia was about to say something when another Auror came into the office, "Madam Bones, you need to turn on the radio! Harry Potter did not show up to the First task. They think he is going to refuse to partake in it!"

"What!" Was the response nearly everyone gave as Amelia turned to the nearby radio, and flicked it on.

It squawked as it adjusted itself, causing everyone to hush and turn towards it as it adjusted itself. Soon a voice came on, though Amelia did not recognize it. It was someone clearly talking about the first task, and they were sounding rather worried if not panicked by what was going on.

"It is now fifteen minutes, and Mister Potter has yet to show up. I am beginning to fear that he will refuse. The tension is so high in the stands it is almost hard to believe. Even I can feel it, a tension so strong that it is like a miasma over the Judges and students here. I hope he does show up soon however, it would be a sad day indeed if the boy-who-lived lost his magic…"

Though the person speaking had started strong, by the end, his voice petered out. Clearly the tension was affecting the commentator just as much as it was the others in the crowd. That same tension was already felt among those in room, as they realized just what was going on. What was at stack here. If Harry did not complete and lost his magic, it would create shockwaves not seen since the fall of Voldemort all those years ago. Unlike then however, it was hard to see who they would impact.

The commentator tried a few more times to speak, but seemed to have lost the ability to get out more than a few words. However, as his mutterings over the radio announced the twenty minute mark, a gasp was and the man actually spoke clearly again.

"Albus Dumbledore is standing, it seems like he is about to announce that Mister Potter has failed to arrive in time…"

The speakers voice cut off as another voice was heard, Albus Dumbledore's, "IT is with a…"

Yet Dumbledore voice stopped a few moments later. For several seconds no one knew what was going on till the original commentator spoke two simple sentences.

"Howler. Dumbledore got a howler from what I believe is Mister Potter's owl."

A wave of noise than washed over the room as they realized the Howler had opened itself up. And even over the radio, they could hear the cold anger in Harry's voice. As calm as it was, the anger in it gave even the Aurors and Amelia chills. This was not the voice of a child, this was the voice of someone who had reached their limit, and was going to do something extremely drastic.

"To Albus Dumbledore. Judges, Teachers, and Students.

This is the end.

I hope you are happy with yourselves. For three years I called this place my home, but now no more. You have made this place worse than hell. More so than even living with the Dursley's my abusive relations. I hope you are happy that you made the idea of me living without magic preferable, to dealing with you lot for another day.

To make it all clear to everyone. Since the so-called professors seem incapable of doing anything or just plain hate me. I did not enter my name, nor did I ask anyone to enter me. You bullied a fourteen-year-old student who was forced to compete against his will in a tournament that was stopped because of its death count. A student I might add, had no need for more fame or money.

Ask any so-called pureblood the average worth of a Potter, and we would be right up among the top earners. As for fame, why would I want it? I am THE BOY-WHO-LIVED. I am the literally the only person to ever survive the killing curse. My fame is such that even foreign witches and wizards know who I am. Why would I want more fame, when the fame I already have would eclipse it? And the fame I have, what good has it got me? Stares, whispers and the death of my parents, a day you celebrate while I am left mourning my lose for something you take for granted. Parents.

You have no idea how much I wish I could be like any of you. Sitting in the stands, and happy to see my mom and dad when I got home from school. That is not the lot I was given. I hope you are happy with yourselves. I left the school; I shall no longer compete. This is what you wanted; I hope you thrilled about it.

As for you Dumbledore," Harry's voice suddenly became filled with a hatred that caused even those in the room listening to it over the radio to flinch.

"You have taken everything from me. You! You, who was supposed to protect me. You left me with an abusive family where I was treated as little more than a slave! And never once checked up on me! You have hidden from me my family's wills! You have never aided me nor let me stay at Hogwarts when I asked to get away from my abusive relations. When I finally found my soul mate, you actively worked to stop me and her being together! Memories wipes and compulsions were too quick to your lips! And your last act against us was to have my soul mate kill herself! And force me to forget her name till the end of my life!

I despise you. I loathe you. I curse you very name, Albus Dumbledore. Should we ever meet again, magic or no. I will do everything within my power to make sure you suffer as I have suffered. Then once you have understood the pain you have caused me, and your name carries less importants than of a burnt chicken. Then, and only then, when you have been brough low, I Will Kill You! Pray God has mercy on your soul, for I shall not."

Silence fell for a few moments, and everyone stared transfixed at the radio. But before they could react, the letter spoke one last time.

"I will say this one last thing, then. As my loving Godfather has so happy has said, Mischief Managed."

The commentators voice could be heard, saying "My god." Before a second bang was heard, and he added, "The Goblet is here… to judge Harry…"

The scream that came through the radio was long, loud, and unearthly. Even if it was only coming from the radio, its shrill tones filtered through much of the Ministry of Magic. Even those not near a radio still heard it as several other people were listening into the event. A cold chill seemed to sweep over everyone who heard it. Noone was left unshaken by that scream. They heard Professor McGonagall telling everyone to return to the castle, though it was still almost a minute before anyone even spoke.

"What have we done…" Auror Dawlish said, looking like he had just downed a vial of rotten potion.

"My… Harry…" Tonks was saying looking rather in shock with tears leaking from her eyes.

"Tonks?" Kinglsey said questioningly, quickly looking at her clearly taken aback by this sudden change in the normally bubbly Auror.

"Boss… Amelia, I need to leave and sit down," Tonks said, and then left the room without another word.

Amelia gestured for Kingsley to follow her. Amelia knew or at least guessed her reason for this more extreme reaction. Though Amelia herself had not been close to the Potter before they had died, both the Sirius Black, and the Tonks family were. Which would have included a young Nymphadora Tonks. Judging by Tonks reaction, Harry still held a close place in her heart.

The door opened moments after Kingsley left, and Cornelous Fudge entered. And the man looked worried. No. Amelia realized a moment later, he was not worried, the man was scared. She realized he was holding a folded piece of paper, and the little she could make out made her wonder if it was the same as her own.

"Yes Minister Fudge?"

"Amelia, we are in for a nightmare. I got a letter from young Mister Potter this morning, a list of things going on at the school. I got around to reading it just before the task started… did you hear that?!"

Amelia sighed and nodded, "Yes, we all did. And I think I got that same letter as you did."

"Did it mention he sent a similar letter to the Daily Prophet, Quibbler, Weekly Owl, and Fleet Owl News? Along with two foreign presses?" Fudge asked, looking like he was on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

"No, not in mine," Amelia said, though she saw that part in Fudge's letter for what it was, a threat.

"We are in trouble, once word spreads. We are going to look like utter fools on the world stage," Fudge said sounding bleak before he gestured to her radio which had fallen silent, "The first task was being broadcast to not just every witch and wizard in England, but those all over Europe. The backlash if Harry losing his magic, and those attacks made by Dumbledore are going to ruin us."

There was only a touch of anger in Fudge's words. Yet it was heavily overshadowed by the fear and regret that was also in them. Fudge knew his time in office was likely at its end. Depending on how things went, he would not have his job for much longer. If he was lucky, he would be able to ride this out with others taking the majority of the blame. But Amelia could tell he had already seen the parts of the letter than pointed blame and mistakes directly at him, Fudge was going to have to defend his own actions very soon here.

"I don't care what it takes, but investigates all those claims in these letters. Even the ones made against me. If I am lucky, I will be only accused of overstepping my power, and stripped of my job," Fudge said, shaking his head, before he looked fully at her, "That is my last order as your boss. Clean up this mess if you can, and quickly. We don't have much time."

Amelia nodded as Fudge's words registered in her brain. He was more than smart enough to see the way the tides were turning. The public was highly in favor of Harry right now due to the flavor piece Rita Skeeter had written only a few weeks ago. Combined with what was heard over the radio, and likely to be in the coming papers, Fudge would be lucky to even be working as a clearer in the ministry in a few weeks. His words and actions were both a plea and sign that he hoped would save him from some of the worse backlash.

"Auror Dawlish, take Fudge to holding Room 1. I want you to get his statements from him regarding the events regard the last two years at Hogwarts. I also want that letter to him on my desk when I return," Amelia barked, as she worked herself up into a stiff fury, "Everyone else, gather all the Aurors you can, we have a school to visit."

Professor Albus Dumbledore was feeling every bit of his years right now as he stood in the Great Hall. While it was only Professor McGonagall that was having a go at him. He could tell it was only because the other three felt too ashamed at their own behavior and that of their house to lay into him. Even then the Head of Gryffindor house was quite enough to make up for the lack of attack from either of the other houses.

And it was only good sense that kept him from drawing his wand out to keep himself safe. As the moment he drew his wand, he knew the other three would no longer be so idle. The fact that all the other teachers were there as well, definitely made it seem like a wise idea not draw his wand unless he had to. Undefeatable wand or not, he was not sure he could stand an onslaught from all of them without having his wand already out.

Dumbledore also could not decide how much he could savage of this situation to begin with. He was not sure if he could regain any control, or let alone save face. It was going to take nearly all his tricks and favors to keep him from just spending time in Azkaban. If that was even possible. He also knew that though he was still viewed as a hero by most for his defeat of Grindelwald, this would only make people hate him more for his apparent betrayal of a new national hero. And it would stretch what good will he had from the people very thin, once everything came to light.

The only thing he knew for sure was that running would have made things much worse for him. He had been the one to suggest broadcasting the event so the other schools could listen in since most of their students would not be allowed to watch. While he might have been able to get them to call off the broadcast, it would have only saved him for a short while. Assuming he had guessed Harry was going to pull a stunt like this. Right now, it was safe to assume people as far east as Russia, and as far south as Africa already heard the news. That was of course, if they only had made the signal strong enough to reach the other schools. More than likely, it was a worldwide broadcast aimed to drum up attention for the event, as well as good press for the UK Ministry. Meaning, in short, there was a good chance everyone already knew what he, Dumbledore, had done.

Dumbledore also wondered as he listened to McGonagall shout at him, how he had not realized Harry and Hermione had been soul bonding. It was obvious now had he paid attention to what they were doing, and not just his plan. They had broken each attempt he had made to get the pair apart. Light memory charms had not worked, nor had compulsions. Even when he had up the strength the second time the third year, they had still gotten back together. Had he not gone through with his plans to just remove Granger, he would have tried potions if he knew he could trust Ron enough to potion Harry. But with the bond forming, not even those would have continued working for very long.

Soul bonds, did not take too long to form either. Or at least the beginning stages. A few months at most, and the willingness to be completely open with someone else. Just like Ginny had with Tom Riddle's diary, it did not take much for that connection to form, and then grow. Completing the bond could take years, as could the removal of such a bond. Dumbledore knew that all to well, that breaking one took years, as he had formed a basic bond with his one-time friend Grindelwald.

Had he known he might have tried to break the bond, using potions. Though even then there was still a fair chance the bond would have not been broken but rather hidden. It could take several decades for the bond to fade, and to force one to vanish, required some of the strongest potions out there. To do so he would have had to trust the Weasley's with parts of his plans, and hoped Ron and Ginny might have gone along with them to potion Harry without the boy noticing it. And even then, the potions could still fail. Not getting a potion on time could cause Harry, Hermione, or both to realize something was not right.

But that was all in the past now. He could guess, that whether Hermione survived or not, Harry would end up at the Grangers house. Assuming Hermione was dead, Harry would likely take his own life, and Dumbledore's plan would be fulfilled to a certain degree. Even if he didn't the Horcrux Dumbledore suspected lay within Harry's scar would kill him, as Harry's body would not have enough magic to keep both him and it alive. It honestly did not matter, if he wanted to track down the boy anymore it would be a matter of months, maybe a year before Harry was dead.

What concerned Dumbledore now was how Harry's link back to Tom, and Tom's other horcruxes had been affected. With a bit of Tom's soul stuck within Harry, it was entirely possible that he two had been judged by the Goblet of Fire, and his magic taken. Even his Horcruxes, could have been drained of all their power, and the soul fragments within them vanishing. Assuming the bond was strong enough, the same could be even true for his marked Death Eaters. All drained of their magic.

It would be quite the irony that Dumbledore greatest mistake could lead to the defeat of Voldemort and his followers. Simply because Harry chose to not to complete in the first task. And while the country would mourn Harry, it would throw not just the book but the library at Dumbledore for his actions. Dumbledore could remember a line, though he could not remember the source that rather reminded him of the situation he was in. He was the Hero, sort of, and if he lived long enough, he would be seen at the villain. Two sides of the same coin for one simple action.

Dumbledore refocused his attention of on Professor McGonagall, who seemed to be winding up for another long-winded rant, with the doors to the Great Hall swung open. In came a column of people, with Amelia Bones Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement leading them. Over fifty people came into the room, all wearing long red robes and each with their wands drawn looking like they were ready for a fight. At this point, Dumbledore knew any chance to run that did not involve Fawkes was out of the question.

Professor McGonagall had fallen silent as Amelia approached the group. She looked ready to tear him apart even more than Professor McGonagall already had. However, unlike the Professor, Amelia could truly make him pay for what he had done. She stopped ten paces from Dumbledore, her wand drawn and at the ready as the Auror's who were with her fanned out around the room. Wands were pointed at each of the Professor and himself. The message clear. As of that moment the school was in the hands of Amelia Bones, all students, teachers and staff where under her charge.

"Professors," Amelia said, speaking to the group as a whole, though her eyes remained fixed on Dumbledore, "You are to hand over your wands, and go with the Aurors. Should you try and fight you will be stunned. Until we find out how far this cancer has spread, you and all your students are suspects."

Professor McGonagall was the first to move, and sat her wand on the table nearby, before sitting down on the bench. She was across the aisle now, far enough that it would be impossible for her to grab her wand should the Aurors chose to stun her. A clear sign she was not going to put up a fight. One by one each teacher did the same thing till only Moody and Dumbledore remained standing with their wands.

Moody, looked oddly worried, but even he could tell that fighting would not do him any good. Slowly he drew his wand, and carefully set it down on the table. Taking a swing from his hipflask, he sat down glancing about the group, his magical eye whirling about studying each of the Auror's carefully. Hardly surprising considering his history, that he barely even trusted his own department. But even he knew when such a fight was pointless and would cause him more trouble.

Dumbledore was now the last person of the staff still standing in the Great Hall, neither having moved nor drawn his wand. He had not done so, for a few reasons. The first was his own pride. He could not quite let himself just be taken in not after all these years like a common criminal. The second and possibly more important, was that the moment he drew his wand and set it on the table. He would no longer be its master. Dumbledore only carried the supposed Master Wand, Death Stick, or Wand of Destiny with him. And the moment someone else touched it, his claim on the wand would likely cease.

Still, he knew that even if he tried to fight back, he would be stunned before he could even drew his wand. Calling Fawkes might let him keep the wand, but he would never be able to show his face in the public again. Still, if it kept the wand from slipping into someone's hands that was probably for the best. He made the signal with his magic to summon Fawkes to him, as he slowly raised his hand to draw his wand out.

The room's tension grew as nearly everyone focused their wands on Dumbledore. He moved slowly, carefully. Knowing one mistaken movement and he would be stunned before Fawkes saved him. He slowly drew the wand from its resting place within his robes. The tension could almost be cut with a knife as his wand came fully into view, everyone waiting to see what he did next. Dumbledore paused for a few moments, expecting for Fawkes to swoop in and help him, but the phoenix never appeared. And with a dawning bit of realization, Dumbledore realized he might have gone finally to far. In his efforts to control Harry, Dumbledore had overstepped his bounds of what the Phoenix would tolerate.

This shock of a realization, was enough to make the older man sag in defeat. Slowly he lowered the wand and set it on the table as well. The wand almost seemed to thud against the wood as it was set down, before Dumbledore clearly defeated sat down across from his wand.

Amelia moved forward and carefully picked up Dumbledore's wand, noticing an odd warmth under her fingers as she did so. She however, put it to the side as she focused on what now had to be done. They had interviews to run with each of the staff. Once that was done, she was going to speak to the students, and find out just how dark the supposed bright school of Hogwarts had really become. Had she known the mess that had grown in the school, she might have just sent all the children home then, as she was far from ready for the near war that would soon break out.

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(Hi all, Espo here.

As a surprise to likely no one who knows me. I cannot leave well enough alone. Before you ask, yes, i already had this chapter, and what might be a chapter 3 planned out before i had finished chapter 1. Though i will be quite honest with you, i never really thought to much of these parts as chapters. Like the first part they are rather self-contained that only add to the first, but without needing a definite ending.

I am not sorry if you do not like that i did not keep up my end and kept Hermione alive. Do not get me wrong, I have debated about doing just that, but decided against it. However, keeping Hermione and Harry alive would not change the events that we would see play out in the wizarding world at large. And likely would only affect an ending scene i have debated about adding in chapter three or four, for Harry and Hermione's epilogue.

As you can no doubt see, also by this. I am not pulling my punches either when it comes to the reactions of everyone. No one, is getting away scotch free in the next chapter. The Ministry, Dumbledore, Professors, Voldemort, Death Eaters, Fudge or students. Each as you can guess and as hinted above will be dealing with the the near nuclear fallout of Harry's last statements and letters.

Oh well. For now, i do hope you enjoyed, what is still one of my darkest fanfictions, even if Harry still saves the day.

Till next week, no updates here. Probably. But another one of my short idea stories. Leave your reviews down below. Bye)