Chapter 23: Ruinations and Ascensions

The tension in the office was as clear as day, with Fudge, Umbridge, Percy, and Marcus still bound in chains and rope. Delores looked like a volcano ready to explode, given that her face was red with anger. She had been so close to getting Dumbledore and Potter arrested, but the latter had been several steps ahead of her.

"All right, let's get these imbeciles to a holding cell," Rufus could barely conceal the smile etched on his lips. He had been waiting for a long time for this moment as Fudge and Umbridge were finally about to get what was coming to them.

Just when John was about to move, Harry cut in. "What do you think you're doing, Dawlish?" He noticed the man's subtle glances at Fudge and Umbridge, body language, and the micro-expression he gave his soon-to-be ex-Auror colleague.

"I'm gathering the evidence, Potter, and you have no further business in playing Auror. This is now a Ministry matter and beyond your jurisdiction," he self-righteously said.

"Don't be so sure of that, Dawlish, as we are not at the Ministry, are we?" The man glared at Harry as he walked over to get in his face, even though he was three inches shorter than Potter. He looked him dead in the eyes. "And I check your tone if I was you. You were right in saying that this was Auror, so maybe you can tell me what the hell happened to Ludo Bagman as you were present when Fudge had the Dementor suck his soul out?"

The man's eyes went wide. But, Harry continued, "you and Ridgeback were present when he ordered the creature to have Bagman kissed. I find it interesting as you so easily stepped aside to allow him to have the man kissed before the day of his trial."

"He was the Minister of Magic. His duty is to ensure that all of this country's citizens are safe, and like any Auror, we serve the Minister of Magic."

"No, you serve the people in this country and uphold law and order. Not a gutless greedy politician or a corrupt government. You took an oath the day you received your Auror badge. Yet, in spite of that, you did what was easy for you to move up in the ranks of your office by answering to this worthless piece of shite."

"Are you accusing me of treason?" John angrily questioned. Who did Potter think he was to question him. A senior Auror. "I have been an Auror since before you were a twinkle in your mummy's eyes, boy. I scored high in my NEWT exams and was one of the top cadets at Auror Academy. After years of service, you dare question my loyalty!"

"There are only a few people in the Auror and Law Enforcement office who I trust. . .and you are not one of them. In other words, you are too slippery and easily influenced by those in power."

"That's enough, you two," Kingsley separated them and gave a stern look to his colleague, "remember your place, John." Dawlish may be a good Auror, but his level of character was questionable, was questionable. He then looked at Harry. "Lord Potter, I understand you do not trust easily, but Dawlish is still an Auror."

Harry gave Kingsley a look as he noticed the subtle disgust in his voice. Then, deciding to play along, he reluctantly nodded, collected the packets filled with evidence, and shoved them into Dawlish's chest. "If you mess this up, then the consequences will be on your head. Now get out of my castle!"

A furious John murderously glared at the teenager and looked ready to retort but stopped after receiving a look from Alastor and the teenagers, who had their wands trained on him. Furiously and grudgingly, he used the Headmaster's floo network and returned to the Ministry with Rufus.

"Want to explain?" Arcturus asked, wondering what Harry was doing, though he had an idea.

"One minute," raising a finger, he waved his wand, conjuring four burlap sacks around Fudge, Umbridge, Ridgeback, and Percy's heads, adding silencing and ear-buzzing spells so they couldn't say or hear anything. "Now we can speak freely. It is well known that these two," pointing at Cornelius and Delores, "have eyes and ears in the Ministry, and Dawlish is one of their biggest supporters. So tell me, Auror Moody. Do you trust him to do his job and not say anything about what happened here to others outside the Auror office?"

"I'd soon kiss the hem of the murdering bast' Voldemort," he grunted in response.

"Now, what do you think would happen if people like Lucius Malfoy and Walden McNair found out that their two puppets are being brought up on charges. How do you think they'd react?"

"Mm..." a devilish smile crossed his lips, "nice thinkin'. They'd do everything possible to get them off or go into hiding."

"Why?"

"Because they'd be aware that whatever information those two have would become public knowledge and be used as evidence against them."

"Excellent work," Harry started clapping. "For an old man who is paranoid and distrustful of several people, you still got it."

"But if you know that Dawlish is more loyal to Fudge and Umbridge, then why give him all of the evidence?" Kingsley asked.

"Did I? Or did I give him a copy?" Asked Harry with a sly smile before nodding to Adrian, Daphne, and Aaron, who reached into their watches and pulled out three identical packets. "Be prepared for anything and everything, and, most importantly, know who you're dealing with."

Arcturus looked at him with pride in his eyes. "Smart, cunning, and resourceful. Impressive work!"

"Well, I am a Black, aren't I?" Meeting the man's smile with one of his own. "Now, let's get this show on the road and remove this trash from the school, and to make sure that nothing funny happens, Miwa and I will be going to the Ministry." He then turned his head to Septima and McGonagall, "Professor McGonagall, would you kindly take the students who are not cursed and jinxed back to their common rooms?"

Minerva agreed, leading the students back to their common rooms. "Professor Vector, please take these two to the hospital wing with the other students from the Inquisitorial squad. No one leaves that hospital wing!"

Miwa smiled as she walked to stand beside him, "ready to go, partner?"

Harry chuckled, "I got your six." Then looking at the Supreme Mugwump, "sorry, our meeting was interrupted. I will have Lord Black finish in my place."

Akingbade nodded and followed Lord Black and Captain Stevenson out of the office. With that done, Harry and Miwa lifted the prisoners up to their feet and used the floo network to transport them to the Ministry. This was followed by Kingsley and Moody, who gathered the evidence and followed behind. Group by group, they flooed to the Auror office, where they met Scrimgeour and a frowning Dawlish. The latter demanded to know why the four had sacks over their heads. Miwa just glared and told him to take them to the hold cells. John did not like being ordered around, especially by a teenager, but complied. Heading to the elevator, they were taken down, and immediately the temperature decreased; the cold entered their bodies. Arriving at their floor, they walked past the entryway and reached their destination, which had no less than fourteen Aurors present.

Fortunately, one of them was familiar. "Wotcher Harry, Miwa, what are you two doing here?"

"Just here to deliver this garbage. Are there any cells available?" He whispered who they were into her ear, and she grinned.

"Follow me," she led them past a door to where the holding cells were. "This has been a long time coming," using her Auror key, she unlocked the cells individually.

Harry took Fudge and Umbridge, while Miwa took Percy and Ridgeback. Then, taking the sacks off their heads, he grinned; he removed Fudge's wand from his pocket and threw him hard onto the ground against the wall. "This is only the beginning, as the worse is yet to come." Dora locked the cell when Fudge started screaming threats at the top of his lungs.

"Dora, would you like to do the next one?" Harry smirked at her, which she returned.

"Happy to," grabbing the collar of Delores's fluffy pink outfit, she removed her wand from her pocket and sack from her head. "You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do this."

"You filthy—" Nymphadora cut her off by jabbing her fist in the woman's neck and kicking her into the cell.

The two cousins high-fived before Dora closed the cell. "You won't go anywhere, right?" Harry snorted in amusement at her quip.

Miwa approached the two, handed Dora the wands she took from Percy and Marcus, and followed them outside when the metamorph put them in her pocket. She walked over to Mad-Eye when Dawlish left the room with the other officers. "Better keep an eye on Dawlish. He might have something up his sleeve."

"Believe me, lass, if he tries anything, then it won't be Rufus he answers to," Alastor promised. He knew what the girl was thinking and sympathized with her; Dawlish was not someone he trusted nor would confide in.

Meanwhile, Harry was speaking to Rufus. "Please keep an eye on the Wizengamot during the trial, for I have a feeling that some may be absent."

"No need to tell me twice," Rufus grinned. "If you ever change your mind about being an Auror, let me know, and there will be a position for you."

"I appreciate the offer, and thank you for your help," he held out a hand which Rufus accepted, and the two shook hands. "There's also one more thing."

"What would that be?"

"I know this is not protocol, but I have a powerful friend that would like to interrogate the four of them before the trial."

Rufus lost his smile and looked deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons of Lord Potter's request. This was against the regulations and not normally authorized, though if it weren't for Potter, he would have never gotten so much dirt on Cornelius and the others. Thinking for a couple of minutes, he came to a decision. "Tell your friend to be here at 11 o'clock tonight. Their trials will be on the fourth of this month."

"A pleasure doing business with you," giving a respectful nod, he went to say goodbye to Dora and followed Miwa as she left the room. They entered the elevator and rode it up to the Auror office on level one.

"You think your friend will want to be present during the interrogation?" Harry looked at her.

"I want to say yes, but she is busy with other responsibilities and will be too occupied." They walked until they were outside of the main office. "See you soon," the two hugged and teleported away.

Arriving back at Hogwarts, Harry landed outside of the hospital wing where Dumbledore, Vector, and Madam Pomfrey were in the middle of a discussion while the members of the Inquisitorial Squad lay in beds, obviously asleep thanks to a mild sleeping draught along with Seamus and Marietta. ". . .This year has been one that nobody will ever forget. The sheer audacity of having that horrid woman teach and granting her so much power was nothing short of a mistake."

"My dear, Poppy," Dumbledore looked like he had aged twenty years but also more relieved. "Believe me, you were not the only one who was against Delores being here for so long. Trust me."

"That's a given," Harry made his presence known, walking inside the hospital wing. "Headmaster, I think it would be wise if you summoned all of the professors to the staff room. . . There are a number of things that need to be discussed."

Albus used the school's wards to convey a message to the professors and told them to be in the staff room in fifteen minutes. "Shall we go?"

He and the two younger professors left the room and went to the staff room to wait for the others. Not ten minutes later, all the professors were in the room, with a few of them wondering what was happening as two people were missing. "Headmaster, what is so important that you summoned us tonight? I was in the middle of brewing some headache options and calming draughts for Madam Pomfrey." Severus did not seem pleased at being summoned while he was obviously busy.

The Headmaster could see the looks of anxiety from the professors who were not present during the meeting. "Earlier today, Professors Delores Umbridge and Percy Weasley were arrested along with Cornelius Fudge and Auror Marcus Ridgeback," he answered bluntly, much to their surprise. "Their crimes include using blood quills during detentions and illegal use of veritaserum and memory alterations on the students. As such, we are now short a DADA professor and need a replacement."

"But before we get into that, I have a couple of things to say, Headmaster," Harry raised his hand, to which Dumbledore gave a gentle nod telling him to go ahead. "One, I believe it prudent to have this returned to Professor Snape," handing a familiar green bottle to the school's Potion Master. Severus took the bottle and attached it to his belt.

"Now that the ugly bitch is gone, we can finally overturn those decrees and disband the Inquisitorial Squad."

"Here, here. You will get no argument from me," Filius squeaked.

"The same with me," Burbage vehemently agreed. She hated Delores with a passion and would've liked to be present when she was arrested. But, at least the woman was finally gone. "What about the members from the Inquisitorial Squad? There were six Slytherins and two Hufflepuffs who joined. Three of them were Prefects. Are they not going to be punished?"

"No, they will be punished. All of them!" Harry said. "They have abused their positions and tormented several students by assigning too many detentions and have taken a ridiculous amount of points. None of them are getting off scot-free, especially not Mr.'s. Malfoy, Goyle, Jenson, and Ms. Parkinson. I say we expel the four of them along with Mr. Finnegan and Ms. Edgecombe."

"Hold on," Dumbledore interjected as some of the professors nodded in agreement. "Mr. Potter, I understand what you are saying, and the students need to learn that their actions have consequences. But expulsion is a little too much. Mr. Finnegan and Ms. Edgecombe have already been dealt a severe punishment, and the other four are merely children who have been led astray. I think two months of detention will suffice."

"Can the pacifist dribble," narrowing his eyes at the man. "What is the real reason you do not want to expel Mr. Malfoy and his friends?"

"I just think that -"

"Don't lie, Albus," Septima glared at him. "You have a reason for keeping them here. Spill it."

Everyone looked at him with a similar expression. Seeing no way out, Albus sighed, "the reason why is because Voldemort will be severely angry should he learn of what has happened here today. You all recall the last time they were sent home. . . well when they returned, I saw a small amount of his magic around them and knew that they had been repeatedly tortured with the cruciatus curse. They are still children regardless of what they did this year and who their parents are. Should we send them home, Voldemort will either torture or kill them."

"So they get off with a slap on the wrist and don't learn anything," Pomona objected. "I have watched them strut around this castle like they're more important and terrorizing anyone knowing they won't get in trouble."

Harry then added, "not to mention that Goyle almost killed the Head of the ICW. That boy absolutely needs to go."

"Never before have I ever been so ashamed of one of my own," Minerva was angry. "To think that Mr. Finnegan would sell out members from his house just to get with a girl who wants nothing to do with him is infuriating. His actions would not have benefitted anyone but himself, and the other students would have been subjected to Delores' torture."

Filius was of the same mind about Marietta Edgecombe as she had gone too far this time.

"Would you all please look past your angers and consider the cost of what could happen? Yes, they must be punished, but they won't learn anything if they're dead." Albus looked at them with pleading eyes. "I give you all my word that they will receive a steeper punishment if we allow them to continue being students here."

"Their punishments must fit their crimes," Roxanne said, disagreeing with the Headmaster's wish to give the students a lesser punishment than they deserve. "Your desire to be merciful with them will only tell them that they will be able to get away with another form of bullying and bring consequences to those we are trying to protect. As educators, it is our responsibility to give proper punishments to those who break the rules and abuse their fellow students. What happens outside of this school is not our concern unless it affects the student body as a whole."

For three hours, they talked about the students' punishments, and it was clear that Albus would be outvoted by the majority of them. The only thing he was able to accomplish was convince them not to expel Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, and Billy Jensen, yet that didn't mean they wouldn't be held accountable for what they did while working for Madam Umbridge. While he hated the woman for a multitude of reasons, he could not deny that she and her Inquisitors had gone too far this year. If he had to admit one thing: then it would be that he would definitely not be sorry to see her punished by the Wizengamot. Her and Cornelius. But there was a real chance that Mr. Finnegan and Ms. Edgecombe would be arrested and tried before the Wizengamot for nearly causing harm to their fellow students. Likewise, Mr. Goyle would almost certainly be brought before the ICW for the attempted murder of Babajide Akingbade, and he seriously doubted they'd be lenient with him. Eventually, he was forced to concede with their decisions. When the topic of having Argus remain as the school's caretaker, they all said.

"No!"

"Is there anything else we need to discuss before getting to the topic of hiring a new DADA professor?"

"Just that we lock Finnegan, Edgecombe, and Goyle in the dungeon for two days before expelling them," Severus suggested.

"Then let's take a vote," Albus sucked in a breath. "All those in favor of putting the three students in the dungeons show of hands.

Everyone in the room except for Albus raised their hands. "It has been decided. As soon as the three of them wake up, they will be placed in the dungeons for the next two days. We'll inform the students of what's happened on Tuesday."

They then shifted the conversation to who should be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor...

(0^0)

Later that day, at 10:55, Auror Nymphadora Tonks was attempting to get information out of Delores Umbridge, who was being very uncooperative, while Rufus Scrimgeour and four others observed from the opposite side of the window. "Bitch you really testing the limits of my patience, and I am very tempted to jump out of this chair and start kicking your arse. Now your gonna give me some answers."

"I won't give you shite," Delores vehemently denied. "You're just a fuckin' half-blood slut who can only get with people by changing your appearance. I've heard how you slept with multiple people in the Ministry to get where you are as a First class Auror."

Since entering the Auror Academy after finishing Hogwarts, she has been ridiculed and subjected to different levels of discrimination for being a metamorphmagus. Some of her colleagues and others from outside the Auror department have tried hitting on her because she could alter her appearance at will. They didn't care about her. They only wanted her for her ability to change her body to suit their needs. However, they were all lies as she earned her position as a First Class Auror through hard work and determination.

"But that won't last because the minute after I'm cleared of all these ridiculous charges, I will see that you are fired, that werewolf you've been seeing is dead, and your entire family is given the Dementors kiss."

That was not something Umbridge should have said to the young Auror as she grabbed the woman's hair and slammed her head down onto the steel table twice. Delores groaned in pain as her nose was bleeding and once again broken. Nymphadora then stood up. "I'm gonna need a cup of coffee," leaving the dimly lit interrogation room.

"Fifteen minutes, a new record," Rufus grinned at her after checking his watch. "I thought you would have snapped after seven minutes of being in there with her."

"Believe me, I was tempted to after the first five minutes. That woman has pissed off a lot of people in this building, and you do not threaten my family." Dora poured some coffee into a plastic cup. "She'll crack. It's only a matter of time."

"Maybe I can speed things up," a deep voice was heard.

Everyone had their wands drawn and ready to fire a spell. Rufus looked around to find the source. "Who said that?!"

"Me." The Head Auror turned and jumped away from the masked man. For his life, his heart was beating so rapidly that he felt it would jump out of his chest. Except for Tonks, the Aurors were visibly trembling with mixtures of fear and anger. Mostly fear.

"Nice entrance," Dora drawled, sipping her coffee.

Rufus held up his hands. "Stand down," he ordered the Aurors, who had their wands raised. Slowly they did as he said. "Your Shadow. Lord Potter mentioned you were a powerful friend, but I didn't expect it to be you."

Shadow dismissed what the man's words and showed his badge. "If you want her to talk, then Imma need three things. One: you darken the screen so no one on the outside can see what happens. Two: All listening and recording runes and crystals are to be absent."

"And number three?" Kingsley asked.

"Ms. Tonks will be the only present!"

Some of the Aurors looked about ready to piss themselves. Rufus himself was sweating. "You're positive you can get her to talk?"

"She will give me the information willingly, or I'll take it by force!

Stilling his resolve. "We need her present for the Wizengamot. You have ten minutes."

Shadow nod in understanding. "I only need seven. Let's go, Auror," he strolled inside the interrogation room with Auror Tonks behind him, and Rufus darkened the screen until it was pitch black and shut off the recording spells and crystals.

Delores froze in fear when she saw the familiar black uniform enter the room. "Wh-What are. . .y-you do-doing. . .here?" She nervously asked when the Auror closed the door and stood by the wall drinking some coffee.

He waved his hand, releasing her hands from the handcuffs. "You have information I want, and your gonna give it to me," gliding over to her as she backed up until her back hit the wall.

"I won't tell you anything! You don't scare me," she tried to conceal her fear by putting on a faux brave face. Though on the inside, she was trembling as he towered over her.

"Wrong choice of words..." in one swift motion, he grabbed her by her pink outfit and threw her against the brick wall. She didn't get a chance to say anything or get to stand up as he picked her up again and slammed her against the magic-proof window and then onto the table.

"Y-You ca-can't. . .do this t-to. . .me. I ha-have. . .ri-rights," she groaned in pain and spat out some blood.

"You gave up those rights when you swore allegiance to Voldemort, tortured countless people, and made their lives suffer. All so you could gain power," grabbing her by the neck, he continued slamming her against the walls, window, ceiling, and table.

Though that was only the beginning of her torment as he ripped off her only remaining arm and started electrocuting her with high-voltage lightning. He was determined to make her life as miserable as possible. People like her would only talk if they were scared or after experiencing a significant amount of pain. For the next six minutes, Delores felt more pain than she had ever experienced. A cruciatus curse from the Dark Lord and his other torture spells paled in comparison to this man's. And she felt his anger and rage. What was worse was that she was sure he was only getting started.

He raised his wand at the badly beaten woman. She was so frightened that she couldn't even speak. "Legilimens!" Her mind felt like it was on fire as he brutally entered her mind and shifted through her memories. Every dirty and illegal thing she did was revealed to him, and he exited once he got what he needed. Lying on the ground was a gasping Delores Umbridge, who was bleeding from her eyes and nose. Then reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a vial of potion and shoved it down her throat.

"In about five minutes, she won't remember speaking to me. More than enough time for you to return to her cell." He walked out of the room to speak with the other Aurors. "You all better grab a cup of coffee and whatever Auror necessities you need for this will be a long night."

Shadow proceeded to interrogate the other three by persuading them to speak. The levels of persuasion used on them varied as some received lighter methods than others. Needless to say, they were left broken and in fear. When the Aurors saw the state of the prisoners and room, they didn't know what to make of it, but whatever he did, it made them sing like canaries, and they got a lot of information. Tonight might have been scary, but it was a necessity.

(0^0)

Two days later, in the Great Hall, the students asked where Professors Umbridge and Weasley were, along with Goyle, Seamus, and Marietta. A few of the students tried asking the teachers, but none of them would say anything. The members of the D.A. were furious to learn that they were betrayed. But by who? They didn't know. Hermione tried to find out by looking for the parchment they all signed but discovered that it was missing. That was when she knew that Professor Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad had the names of those who signed the parchment. But the one thing she couldn't figure out was why none of them had been called to the Headmaster's office.

The bushy-haired Gryffindor was pulled out of her thoughts when Ginny nudged her arm. "Look, Dumbledore is about to say something," watching the Headmaster go to the podium.

"May I have everyone's attention, please?" All chatter in the Hall was stopped as the students looked away from their breakfast to see what Dumbledore wanted. "As I am sure many of you have realized, a few people are absent from the Hall. To begin let me start by saying that Professors Percy Weasley and Delores Umbridge were arrested and removed from the castle. All of the Ministry Educational Decrees have been revoked, the Inquisitorial Squad has been disbanded, and Sybil Trelawney has been reinstated at this school's primary Divination professor."

At hearing that, cheers and yells of excitement were heard as the students jeered at the news. Fred and George were the loudest when it came to cheering, while Parvati and Lavender were openly crying tears of joy. Unfortunately, those who joined the Inquisitorial Squad did not share the same optimism.

"For reasons why they are not here will be revealed tomorrow at the Wizengamot." The students were talking as they assumed it must be serious if those two were being brought before the entire Wizengamot. However, many students were bouncing in their seats as they desperately wanted to know. "Now, Professor Potter would like to say a few things."

Harry stood from his chair, rounded the Head table, and walked over to the podium, "thank you, Headmaster. Like what you have just heard, Professor Delores Umbridge has been arrested, and the Inquisitorial Squad has been disbanded. That said, some deserve special attention. So when I call your name, please stand: Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Billy Jensen, Millicent Bulstrode, and Cassius Warrington. The six of you became members of Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad and have abused several students. And all for what? So you could gain a small amount of power over everyone else. You six disgust me and will therefore be punished severely."

Draco glared murderously at Potter. "What you can't. . ."

"Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you shut up before you find yourself in more trouble." Harry talked over and sent him a cold hard glare that made him freeze.

"Um, Professor Potter," a nervous Billy spoke, "I think you miscounted as there were originally nine of us. Vincent Crabbe is dead, but Gregory Goyle and Argus Filch also joined. So why are we being singled out?" He shrank away when Potter's dark green eyes narrowed on him.

"Their punishments will come in a few short minutes." The great doors opened; all twelve members from the board of governors, three Aurors, one ICW officer, Mr. and Mrs. Edgecombe, Lady Goyle, and Mrs. Finnegan entered. The four adults were torn between angry and distraught. "I have been expecting you four. I'm so glad you were able to come." All traces of niceties was absent from his voice.

"I don't care about that. I want to know where my daughter is," Mr. Edgecombe's expression was more severe than his wife's.

"Fine. She, Finnegan, Goyle, and Filch will have to be brought up from the dungeons."

"You put my daughter in the dungeon?!" The man roared. While the other parents seemed shocked.

"Your daughter endangered over forty students," retorting while he snapped his fingers and retrieved a piece of parchment from the pocket of his robes. He looked at the lion's table for a certain bushy-haired fifth-year. "Ms. Granger, I believe you like to have this back," with a wave of his hand, he switched the parchment for the napkin she was using. "I'm sure you know what the circled names mean."

Hermione was angry when she found out who betrayed the D.A. She passed the list around to the others as the house elves brought Seamus, Marietta, Gregory, and Argus. Marietta's red eyes indicated she had been crying for the last two days. Meanwhile, the boy looked crossed between angry and miserable.

"What have you done to her," Mrs. Edgecombe demanded while looking over her daughter's appearance.

"Your daughter triggered the defenses around the D.A. list when she attempted to sell them out to Umbridge," Harry said in a neutral voice. The same with your son, Mrs. Finnegan. Though his crime is much steeper."

"What could my son have done to deserve such a punishment?" Mrs. Finnegan tried to get her son but was flown back by a shield Harry had erected earlier.

"We will get to that in a minute. But first, there's something that needs to deal with sooner than later." He gazed at the chained-up caretaker and at the board of governors. "I believe you lot have received the forms?"

Augusta Longbottom replied with a serious voice. "We have read all of the complaint forms and thus have decided that Argus Filch will no longer be employed as a caretaker at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Argus screamed when the silencing charm and chains fell off his wrists. "No! You can't do this to me! I have spent my whole life working in this castle and have earned my place among the staff!" He then looked pleadingly at Dumbledore. "Professor Dumbledore, please don't let them do this."

Albus closed his eyes in sadness, "I am sorry, Argus, but too many students have filed complaints against you. You have until the end of the day to collect your personal belongings and vacate the premises."

"Lord Potter, please give me another chance," Argus pleaded to Harry, who showed no visible sympathy towards him.

"Mr. Filch, you were warned twice already. What you tried to do when the D.A. was exposed has earned you your last strike." Raising his head toward the board of governors, "take him to his quarters so he can collect his things and see that he is gone by this evening." Two of the governors dragged a resistant Filch from the Hall.

Then looking at the lone Slytherin. "Gregory Goyle," his cold voice sent shivers down the boy's spine. "You are perhaps the dumbest student to ever walk these halls. On multiple accounts, you have bullied, threatened, and assaulted too many people in this school. Furthermore, you nearly killed the Supreme Mugwump." There was a collection of gasps from the students. "As of now, you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mr. Walker, he's all yours."

The ICW agent said. "Gregory Goyle, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of the Supreme Mugwump, Mr. Babajide Akingbade."

"You cannot arrest my son! He is a minor," Lady Goyle cried.

"I didn't know it was the Supreme Mugwump," Goyle struggled to get the shackles off, but they wouldn't release his hands. He tried to hit the officer, but the man whipped his wand out, putting a stunning spell on him, and the gorilla-like boy fell on his back.

When his mother attempted to pull her wand out, he aimed his at her neck. "If you attempt to revive your son, you will be charged with aiding a criminal. He is already being charged with attempted murder and resisting arrest."

She had little choice but to comply as he waved his wand over the boy, levitating him in the air and taking him away.

"As for you two," Harry looked at Seamus and Marietta. He regarded them for a minute before waving his hand and giving them back their voices. "The two of you are also expelled. Mr. Finnegan, though you are still considered a minor, you will be tried for attempted child endangerment and attempted use of a love potion on Ms. Patil."

"What?!" Screamed Parvati. Her voice echoed throughout the Hall.

"It is like you heard." Harry looked at the fifth-year Gryffindor. "He struck a deal with Umbridge. If he gave up the location of the D.A. and all of its members, then she would see that you would receive a pardon and be given to him. However, if that didn't work, she gave him a love potion. Professor Snape can verify this?" pulling out another vial of potion and using the switching spell to exchange it for the fork he was using.

Snape uncorked the vial and sniffed the potion. "Amortentia. It's keyed to Mr. Finnegan. I recognize that awful scent of his anywhere."

"That is the strongest love potion in the world, and despite its name. . .it doesn't cause actual love. But a powerful obsession. Meaning that whatever feelings she would have had for you would have been fake. Parvati would be nothing more than a mindless drone. How do you think that would have turned out?" Harry's green eyes burned.

"The ends justify the means; she would have learned to cope with it." Said Seamus.

Parvati walked behind him and slapped him when he turned to face her. A red handprint was left on his face. Before he could register the sting on his face, Katie grabbed him by the collar of his robe and slammed him against the table with her wand aimed at his neck and a spell on her lips. Several of the other Gryffindors also had their wands pointed at the Irish boy.

"You traitor! You were one of us." She glared at him. "After five years, you betrayed us just to get into Parvati's pants!"

"Ms. Bell, stand down. He'll get his punishment, and I imagine Lord Patil will be interested to learn what he attempted to do to his daughter." Reluctantly, Katie complied with Harry's wishes and through the Irish boy to the Aurors. "Thank you."

"It's your turn, Ms. Edgecombe..." shaking his head at the girl. "Since you are seventeen. You are a legal adult and will be tried as one."

"Professor Potter, please wait," someone from Ravenclaw spoke. Everyone looked to see that it was Cho Chang.

"Something you wish to say, Ms. Chang?" Though he had a feeling she would come to her friend's defense no matter what.

Cho seemed hesitant, as everyone had their eyes on her and not in a good way but replied. "It was only . . . Well, I just wanted to say . . . I never dreamed Marietta would tell. . . ."

"I don't know how you thought that," said Harry shifting his gaze from Edgecombe to her.

"She's a lovely person, really," said Cho. "She just made a mistake —"

Harry looked at her incredulously. "A lovely person who made a mistake? She sold out her classmates and friends, including you, to Umbridge!"

"Well . . . we all got away, didn't we?" said Cho pleadingly. "You know, her mum works for the Ministry. It was really difficult for her as Umbridge was putting pressure —"

"On whom? Her mum? In case you have forgotten, she's not the only one with relatives working in the Ministry," cutting her off. "Everyone who was in the D.A., raise your hands if you have a relative working at the Ministry."

Around twenty or thirty students raised their hands. "You see all their hands raised. . . all of them have parents or family members who work in the Ministry, and they didn't snitch. Furthermore, no one forced her to join. She could have left the Hog's Head at any time. By betraying her comrades to please a vile loathsome bitch like Delores, she proved where her loyalty truly lay. A corrupt government that was run by a weak man whose only interest was saving his own skin. Did it even register in her mind of what might have happened to the other students if Delores had not been removed?"

"Well. . . I imagine she. . .would have given. . .detentions." Cho seemed really nervous now as she looked at Marietta, who had her head down.

"And do you know what happened during the detentions?" Cho shook her head. "She forced the students to write with blood quills. Over and over again."

"I didn't know," Marietta said, tears threatening to come out of her eyes.

"You're a weak-willed coward," everyone looked at Luna, who walked over to the older girl. Her sky-blue eyes were devoid of their usual dreamy warmth and replaced with ones of ire and disgust. "In addition to being a selfish bully, the only thing you've proven is how weak your character is. None of us would have betrayed you. And also..." she struck the sixth-year in the face with her left hook and followed it up with another punch to the mouth, breaking two of her teeth and a kick to the girl's stomach. "That was for the times you've bullied me and stealing the only picture I had of my mum."

"That's enough, Ms. Lovegood. But good strikes," Luna gave him a nod and went to stand by her friends. "Aurors, the girl is all yours." One of the Aurors approached the girl as her shackles unclasped from around her wrists.

In a last-ditch effort, Mr. Edgecombe looked at Albus. "Professor Dumbledore, please don't let them do this. I agree that our daughter messed up, but expulsion and being arrested is too much for punishment."

"I'm sorry. But the decision has been made, and my hands are tied."

Everyone in the Hall watched as the Aurors escorted Seamus and Marietta away; their parents and school governors following close behind.

"Now, as for the six of you," he looked at the ex-members of the Inquisitorial Squad. "Let me state for the record that you are only allowed to remain here because the Headmaster wishes it. . . I'm against it." No one dared to contradict him as they knew he spoke the truth. "After much deliberation, we have decided on some alternative punishments. For starters, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, and Billy Jensen are stripped of your positions as Prefects and will have no chance of becoming Head Boys or Head Girl. You will hand your badges to your Heads of House before classes."

"Now you all as a whole: You all have lost your houses ninety points each, will be under house arrest until the end of term, and have detentions for the rest of the term and a month and a half at the start of the new school year. You will assist the house elves when cleaning the Great Hall and the bathrooms or helping Professor Hagrid on the grounds. Without using magic! I'll let Professor Vector decide your duties. Malfoy, you are permanently off the Quidditch team, and your father won't be able to get you back on it! Furthermore, all the points Umbridge and you lot took from your fellow students will be immediately returned."

There were rounds of applause and cheers from the students and a few of the professors. Not only were Malfoy, Parkinson, Jensen, and others cut at the knees they had no idea that this was only part of their punishments. The hourglasses for the four Houses changed drastically, with the Slytherins now being in last place as their hourglass now had negative one hundred and fourteen points. This was just punishment in the eyes of many. Even Professor Snape, who pretended to be angry, was smiling on the inside as some of the students in his House needed to be punished. He could see it now: Lucius and the Dark Lord would be furious once they learned of what happened.

"And lastly, to Mr.'s. Fred, George, and Ron Weasley, your Quidditch bans are removed."

"Yes!" The three Weasley boys yelled. Fred and George looked ready to run up and grab Harry into a tight hug while professing their undying loyalty to him.

"Also, Fred and George," the two stopped bouncing on their feet. Though they found it hard to contain their joys. "The professors and I have considered the request you two made last week and have decided to grant you permission to have a party in the Great Hall tonight. But on two conditions: it must be open to everyone and the party must end at midnight. Agreed?"

"Yes, sir," they said in unison. Then, the two raced out of the Hall and went to start planning for tonight.

"That will be all everyone. Your classes start in fifteen minutes, so eat what you can and leave," he returned to his seat by Filius, and the two started talking.

The atmosphere within the school had done a one-eighty as most of the students and professors were in high spirits. Minerva, who usually wore a stern expression, couldn't help but smile, and the best part was that she didn't give any homework. In fact, none of the professors did, especially not Severus Snape, who was normally cold and cynical—had not once criticized any of the students' work. Having Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad removed had been a godsend to everyone, as they were in high spirits. Hell, even some of the students who saw Dumbledore walking through the were noticeably happier. The twinkle in his blue eyes shined brightly and threatened to blind those who looked at him. In short, the day was eventful.

In the evening, during dinner, the students headed into the Great Hall for dinner but were amazed to see that it had been a total makeover. The four long tables were replaced by several rows of round tables filled with party foods, punch, and butterbeer bowls, and dangling in the air was a banner that read: Freedom. Fred and George outdid themselves as the music started playing, and the students and the professors started enjoying themselves. This was the biggest party the school had ever seen. All traces of exhaustion from today's classes were washed away as the students chatted merrily with one another.

"Now, this is a party," Blaise had gone to get him and Tracey some butterbeer, handing her a glass.

"You're telling me," Lilith said. "With Umbridge gone, her decrees revoked, and her Inquisitorial Squad getting their just desserts, we should celebrate."

"Speaking of celebrating, look who's coming," Susan pointed to Cedric, who was approaching them from the dance floor.

"Hello, everyone," the Head Boy looked like he was having a good time. When his gaze fell on Lilith, he momentarily froze before composing himself. "Ms. Moon, may I have a dance?" The way he asked made him sound like an heir.

"Of course," she put her drink down and took his hand so he could lead her to the dance floor. The smile on her face was visible for her friends to see."

Daphne and the girls giggled. "Those two are about to hit it off. Lilith wouldn't say it, but she's been stealing glances at him for a while now."

"Better hope Ulrich doesn't find out," Adrian commented. "The minute he does, Cedric will find himself being questioned about his intentions with her."

"Cedric's a good bloke," Harry and Daphne (who finally got to ditch the bracelet as her magic had finished maturing) came into the conversation. "He's one of the best students in his year and has never cheated, done anything underhanded, or harassed anyone. However, you are right in saying that Ulrich would have the big brother talk with him."

"You do the same to any of the boys who tried to ask Emily out," Astoria quipped.

"Better believe it," he nodded his head in absolute then looked at her sister. "They try to make a move on you, then they better be ready to speak with me first. If I'm not present, then Blaise is next in line."

"How did I get dragged into this?" The dark-skinned boy asked in confusion.

Emily hugged him, "thanks, big brother, but I doubt any of them would be brave enough to ask me out if you're around."

"Why is that?"

"Seriously?" Susan looked at him like he had grown a second head. "You're a legit badarse, and with your reputation. None of them want to risk getting on your bad side, as it would be disastrous for their health."

"I do not know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult," he sighed. Then turning his head at his girlfriend, who was trying to conceal her amusement, "Daphne, d'you want to dance?"

She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the dance floor, where they started dancing amongst the other students. "I can't put my finger on it, but this school suddenly became a lot more tolerable," a sly grin formed on her lips as they danced to the music.

"Probably having that filthy cunt arrested and her group of degenerate enforces punished isn't hurting the mood either."

She stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips. "Now, now Harry, you're a professor. You shouldn't be badmouthing the students," playfully chiding him. "It is unbecoming of a person like yourself."

He laughed, "perhaps there's a mischievous or rebellious side to me that you've never known about." Pulling her close.

"Oh, I've seen your mischievous side many times before, Mr. Potter." She replied with a knowing grin. Leaning down, he captured her lips with his, and she reciprocated.

The party in the Hall ended with a bang as the Weasley twins decided to end things by setting off different magical fireworks and sparklers. Professor Flitwick himself even set off some- the last firework he set off exploded into the air and turned into a dragon that flew into the air. This was definitely a night everyone will remember for years to come. Most of the students wanted to continue partying, but the professors pushed them all out of the Great Hall and sent them to their common rooms.

(0^0)

The next day at the Wizengamot early in the morning, the Lords, Lady's, Department Heads, Order of Merlin holders, and Chief Warlock were waiting in courtroom 10. Reporters from the Daily Prophet and International Press and the viewing crystals were active and streaming to everyone worldwide. In the visitors section were Arthur and Bill Weasley, Molly Prewitt, Harry, Daphne, and Sirius, who was looking at his wife, who sat in her seat as the DMLE. Try as he might, he couldn't keep his wife from coming. Thankfully, Remus agreed to watch the twins while they were here for the trial today. Standing near the walls were six Aurors led by Rufus and Alastor. The former surveyed the entire courtroom and noticed that Lords Malfoy and McNair were absent. They must've learned that Fudge, Umbridge, and Ridgeback would be put on trial and decided to miss the trial out of fear for the information they might reveal.

Madam Griselda Marchbanks took her position as Chief Witch, "settle down everyone so we may get the trials of Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Delores Jane Umbridge, Percy Ignatius Weasley, and Billy Eugene Ridgeback." Everyone took their seats. "Aurors, bring in the first accused."

Kingsley and Dora brought an extremely angry Cornelius Fudge into the courtroom. They then shoved him onto the chair, and the chains tied around his arms to keep him bound. "I demand that you let me go this instant! I am the Minister of Magic! You cannot do this to me!"

"Shut it!" Griselda silenced him. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Rufus passed her a folder with the list of crimes Fudge had been involved in. "The trial of Cornelius Oswald Fudge will now begin," opening the folder and pulling out the files. "Cornelius Fudge, you are charged with treason against Magical Britain and Ireland, espionage, tampering with evidence, misappropriation of funds, embezzlement, interfering with this country's national security, abusing your position as Minister of magic, being an accessory to child endangerment, selling classified information to others, defying the terms of your suspension, and endorsing the use of veritaserum on minors. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty of all charges," Cornelius shouted angrily.

"So noted. We will now vote on whether or not veritaserum should be used. All those in favor show of hands," it was a unanimous decision as everyone raised their hands. "Very well. By a unanimous vote, veritaserum will be used on Mr. Fudge. Aurors administer the potion."

A delighted Moody took a vial out of his pocket, forcefully opened Cornelius' mouth, and poured three drops down his mouth. His eyes then became glassy as the potion started to take effect.

"Let's see if the potion is working. Mr. Fudge, did you or did you not authorize your Senior Undersecretary to use blood quills and veritaserum on the students of Hogwarts?"

"I did."

"Did you defy the terms of your suspension from office?"

"Yes, I had Percy Weasley deliver letters with instructions to Delores so I could get control over Hogwarts. Potter has gained too much power and popularity within the school, and Dumbledore is a senile old man. That's why I had Delores watch them closely so I could dig up any useful information on them. It didn't matter if any of the students got hurt; I wanted them out of the way."

Feeling her ire rise. "Last question: the classified documents you stole. Who did you give them to?"

"My friends Lucius Malfoy and the other imperiused Death Eaters. They came from wealthy, well-respected families and obviously knew more about how to run a country better than I ever did. I was also able to make some additional money on the side."

Pandemonium broke out as the people hurled insults at the man and demanded that he be given the Dementors' kiss. Griselda banged her gavel a couple of times to quiet them down, but it got nowhere, so she took her wand and released a cannon fire. She then proceeded to ask Fudge questions on whether he was involved in any other illegal crimes. Cornelius sang like a canary as he admitted to spying on multiple Department Heads and Ministry employees, diverted funds from the Auror budget at Lucius Malfoy's request, took money out of the Ministry's account, denounced You-Know-Who return as it was easier for him to be the leader of a country that was in peace rather than war. As it would be easier for him. He used his position as Minister of Magic to pass laws so he could obtain things that were normally frowned upon, threatened multiple employees, and had Ludo Bagman's soul taken before his trial, as he didn't want the man talking about the possibility of Voldemort being back in June. This was followed by revealing that he had been in possession of dark illegal objects kept in his vault at Gringotts, naming his other crimes, which he explained in great detail. And if his activities were ever revealed, then he would have the information destroyed, provide false evidence of that person to have them locked away in Azkaban, or pin some of the stuff on his secretary Weasley if it were discovered that he did something wrong.

"I think we have heard more than enough. Aurors administer the antidote," Griselda ordered. Alastor, who had been resisting the urge to curse Fudge within an inch of his life, complied.

Once the antidote took effect, Cornelius's eyes returned to normal, and his angry expression was replaced with pure fear. His face was ghostly pale; for he knew he was done for.

After taking a vote, Griselda went to deliver the verdict. "Cornelius Oswald Fudge, you are hereby found guilty on all accounts and are sentenced to the Maze of Tartarus." This was a much worse fate than the Dementor's kiss, life in Azkaban, and being pushed into the veil of death. It was used on the worst of, the worse criminals in the magical world, where they would be slowly tortured by the most horrific things imaginable. But death would not come so easily as the effects of the maze would violently tear a person's mind, body, and spirit apart and make them experience a horror worse than hell. All in all, Fudge would be dead within a week, and his name will forever be blackened.

The Aurors dragged a sobbing Cornelius away and brought Delores in. "Next order of business. . ." No one in the Ministry liked Delores, and several of them filed complaints against her. Griselda read out the charges: attempted murder of Lord Hadrian James Potter and Heiress Emily Stevenson, stealing top secret information and passing it to You-Know-Who, tampering with the country's national security, spying on multiple Department Heads, Lords, and Lady's, murdering muggles, witches, and wizards as a Death Eater, stealing family heirlooms and priceless treasures from other countries, falsifying documents, using blood quills on minors, illegal use of veritaserum and memory alterations, tax fraud, and bribery. Like Cornelius, she sang like a canary when questioned under veritaserum. She explained how she helped the Death Eater during the World Cup by sending the Aurors away and helping them launch an attack on the Hogsmeade village in February. This was followed by revealing a list of moles in the Ministry.

"Chief Witch, permission to beat Delores Umbridge within an inch of her life?" Lord Potter asked after the antidote was administered to the woman.

"Request denied, Lord Potter. If we were not in court now, I and several others would be more than happy to tear this vile filth apart. Instead, she will have her magical core removed and be sent to the Maze of Tartarus. Take her away!" Nymphadora was the first to get near Delores, but instead of removing the woman from the chair, she punched her dead in the face.

"Consider yourself fortunate, as you deserve far worse than this." Dora and two others removed the chains and dragged the woman out of the room.

Percy came in after a ten-minute recess was allowed. The redheaded man was visibly shaking and dangerously pale. Griselda regarded him briefly while Bill, Arthur, and Molly looked at him with shame. "Mr. Weasley, is there anything you like to say before we begin?"

"Please, I'll tell you anything. Just don't bring Shadow in here, please," remembering the last time he came face to face with the man. He had never been more scared in all of his life, not even when Lord Potter sent him mental images before the staff meeting at Hogwarts. Despite only being with the man for less than ten minutes, it felt like years as he felt the man's wrath when he entered his mind. The things he made him see scared the daylights out of him.

Meanwhile, everyone looked at him with strange expressions, wondering what could have happened. "All right then," Griselda banged her gavel. "Percy Ignatius Weasley, you are charged with being an accessory to multiple counts of child endangerment, helping the former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, break the rules of his suspension set by the Wizengamot, and aiding Delores Umbridge question people under the influence of veritaserum. How do you plead?"

Lowering his head in shame, "guilty of all charges."

"What?! My son would never do such things! I want this Shadow or whoever he is brought up on charges as he has clearly bewitched my son." An angry Molly stood up.

"Molly Prewitt, you will sit back down and let me do my job. And you cannot have Shadow charged, as he is a Magus. Their authority exceeds the Ministry's and ICW's." That got everyone talking, and it piqued Dumbledore's interest as well. If Shadow was a Magus, then that means so was Hakugarai. Those two were the bane of his existence- what's worse is that they were a part of the Magus Order. This was not good. "Also, your son has been in a holding cell and been repeatedly checked for any spells or potions in his system by Aurors Scrimgeour and Moody."

A red-faced Molly reluctantly sat back down when both Aurors produced documents of Percy being checked for any magical and foreign substances. Griselda resumed, "Mr. Weasley, why did you help Fudge and Umbridge break the law?"

"I didn't know that she was torturing the students with blood quills during her detentions nor that she was using veritaserum on them until the 31st of March when the arrests were being made," he answered. "When I assigned the students detentions, I took them to her office and walked out after she said she would oversee to the detentions and that my work was done. Whenever I would come across them in the corridors or observe them during class, they would rub their hands while crying. I would see their hands leaking blood a few times, but I never asked why they were bleeding out of fear of what might happen to me should Umbridge find out. Her using veritaserum and obliviating the students was unknown to me as I only brought the students to her. The only thing I knew was that they seemed lost and were in the hospital wing. As for helping Fudge while he was suspended, I only delivered letters to Umbridge for him. He also told me to keep a close eye on Lord Potter and his friends." Percy swallowed hard. "However, looking back on it now, I realized I was being a selfish coward only interested in saving his own skin. I put my feelings and self-interest ahead of doing what was easy rather than right. Even when it came to violating the laws and rulings of the Wizengamot."

"Is that all you wish to say?" Griselda asked.

"Yes," he said in a barely audible voice.

"Very well. Since you have admitted to being guilty of the crimes against you. You are fired from your position as Junior Undersecretary, will never be hired within the Ministry again, am sentenced to serve thirteen years in Azkaban, followed by twenty years of banishment from all magical communities worldwide and muggle Britain and Ireland. Lastly, you will be sterilized." She banged her gavel, and the Aurors came and took Percy away.

The trial of Marcus Ridgeback went by quickly. He was found guilty of multiple counts of murder, aiding Umbridge so she could torture students with a Class B dark object and slipping classified information to Voldemort. Therefore he was sentenced to life in Azkaban. A few of the members of the Wizengamot thought that was it, but Madam Marchbanks held them, stipulating they had additional business to discuss. This business concerned the Death Eaters who pleaded to be imperiused, their family's dark histories, and their list of every criminal activities they'd been involved in. Harry found it difficult to keep a straight face as he had copies made and sent them to Rufus and Griselda, every magical government they'd crossed, and the ICW. It took almost three hours to review all the information, but it was done.

"Merlin, help me. I'm gonna need a bottle of scotch tonight," there were rounds of chuckles from the people present. "This evidence has been shared with the ICW and several magical governments, and all have agreed to find the Houses of Nott, Parkinson, Goyle, Crabbe, Carrow, McNair, Malfoy, Selwyn, and Yaxley to be guilty of breaking several national and international laws. They will be stripped of their standings within the wizarding world and never be welcomed back, and they will forever be known as traitors to the magical world. Finally, I issued the arrest warrants for Lucius Abraxas Malfoy and Walden Maxwell McNair. They are to be brought in either alive or dead.

The Death Eaters who pleaded to be put under the imperius curse were revealed. Their families are now and forever have lost all prestige, removed from positions of power, considered blacklisted, and traitors to the entire magical world. There will be no place for them to hide, as every magical community will be after them.

(0^0)

Hours later, in the dead of night, Shadow and Hakugarai appeared five klicks away from Malfoy manor. Earlier today, after the trials at the Wizengamot, they had a meeting with the Magus council. They were given the green light to silence the Death Eaters in the manor and remove everything they could use to disappear.

"...You sure the intel we got was right?" Hakugarai looked at her partner.

"Positive. According to my informant, there should be twenty or so Death Eaters in the manor." In exchange for ensuring that Draco stays alive, he had Narcissa give up all the information she had on the manor: entry points, wards, Death Eaters who took up residence there after Voldemort returned, etc. "Remember the plan," she gave him a nod, and the two sprinted towards the entry point.

Since coming back, Voldemort personally set up wards around the manor to make it inaccessible to anyone without the dark mark. Only he, the Death Eaters, and their children (if they have permission from him) could enter the house. Otherwise, the alarms will alert everyone that they've been breached, and the Death Eaters will instantly descend upon them. However, there was a way to infiltrate the manor without setting off the wards. . . there was an old hollow tree two clicks away from the manor, and if they put three drops of Malfoy blood on it, a secret passage to an underground tunnel would be presented. This was a closely guarded secret by the Malfoys in case they ever needed to make a quick exit.

When the duo arrived at the tree, Shadow poured a vial full of Lucius' blood into the hole. A second later, a passage was presented. The two then applied the silencing spells and disillusionment charm onto themselves before heading down the stone steps. By the time they reached the last step, they had entered a torch-lit tunnel and went right. From there, entering the manor was a breeze; they pulled one of the torches and entered the dining room. Surprisingly the place lacked any warmth and was a little dark. But then Hakugarai nodded to the trunks in the corner. They all had the Malfoy family crest on them. This meant that Malfoy was preparing to leave. Well, not if they had anything to say about it. With one final nod, they split up to find and capture the Death Eaters.

For nearly half an hour, the duo would stealthily sneak up on their prey, stun, bind, and remove their wands or any portkeys they might have on their persons. So far, things were going smoothly until a pale and angry Lucius Malfoy came out of the Lord's study looking worse for wear, along with a furious McNair and three others.

"Damn it all to hell! This is a bleeding nightmare," Lucius gripped his cane angrily.

"You're not the one who has suffered, you know," Walden sent him a withering glare. "All of my assets will be seized-"

"What the hell?!" One of the Death Eaters behind them said when they entered the large drawing room. She pointed to the bound Death Eaters lying around the floor.

"Someone else is here," another Death Eater said.

Lucius took his wand out, "show yourself! Do you know whose house you are in?"

"You are a two-face murdering Death Eater," the disillusioned Hakugarai said from behind them. She slashed her wand at one of the unsuspecting Death Eaters, and the woman screamed in agony as her organs were incinerated. She was dead the next second. Shadow took out another with a piercing curse to the chest.

"Only three of you left. Who should be next?" The disillusioned Shadow asked.

"Show yourselves! What are you two afraid of a fair fight?" The fear in McNair's voice was covered by his anger. The three remaining Death Eaters tried to use the Homenum Revelio charm but got no results.

"That's funny coming from someone who only fights if he's in a group. Oh, and Malfoy, I believe you'd want these back," Shadow tossed a pair of familiar white gloves next to the man's feet.

Lucius' anger soared to new heights as he picked up his wife's gloves. "Where is Narcissa? What have you done to my wife?"

"We had a chat with her..."

"It was a more one-sided chat. The only thing you need to know is that she is in a better place now."

Anger and vengeance soared within Lucius, and he roared. "I will make the both of you suffer if it's the last thing I ever do!"

"Then, by all means, give it your best shot." The disillusionment charms fell off them, and all hell soon broke loose as Lucius and the two remaining Death Eaters engaged them in a duel. Lucius was hurling spells after spells at Shadow while McNair and the other Death Eater fought Hakugarai.

Unlike the usual Death Eaters, whose styles were aggressive and vicious, Malfoy's style was comprised of elegance and refinement. Little did he know that Shadow had studied Lucius extensively: dueling style, history, and philosophy. Lucius might have been an extremely powerful and gifted wizard during the First War, but after his master fell for the first time, he hardly practiced or trained. As a result, his skills with a wand became rusty. Something Shadow was quick to exploit when he ducked under blood boiling curse and put a tagging spell on him at the same time Hakugarai put one on his two companions. He followed it up with intadole and four black darts that paralyzed them.

"You won't get away with this. The Dark Lord will kill you both." Lucius spat.

"He is welcome to try," Hakugarai gathered their wands and walked over to her partner. She then snapped them. "This was surprisingly easier than I thought it would be."

"Who are the two of you?" The Death Eater, who was Travers, demanded.

The two laughed. "None of you will live long enough to say anything, so we might as well tell you."

"Or better yet, how about we show you," Shadow was the first to remove his mask, much to their shock. Hakugarai did the same.

"No, it can't be. Potter and Kawada," Lucius cried out in rage. He couldn't believe his eyes. The two of them were Shadow and Hakugarai all along.

Miwa smirked at them. "What? Don't look so shocked. Did you really think you or your friends would be untouchable?"

"Just so you know, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. . . But before we send you scumbags off to the afterlife, your gonna give us what we want." Harry said.

"Go to hell, Potter. We won't tell you two anything." Travers protested.

"We weren't asking."

The two teens brutally entered their minds before the three Death Eaters could say anything. The pain they endured during the duel softened their occlumency shields, making it easier to enter their minds. None of their memories were safe from them as the two shifted through each one, bringing back some of their worse ones.

After getting the information they wanted, the two exited, leaving their captives on the floor with bad headaches. Harry looked at Lucius with disgust; raising the top part of his uniform, he let Dayvee and Naga out of their tattoo forms. He then called Dobby.

"What can Dobby do for young Harry Potter?" The elf asked when he apparated before him.

"There are ten more elves within this manor, Dobby. Can you bring them here?" Dobby nodded his head before setting off to get the elves, and in five minutes, they were all standing before him. They wore the same potato sacks Dobby did years ago and had injuries. He could tell they'd been subjected to the cruciatus and other torture curses. They also looked half-starved. "My name is Hadrian Potter, and this is my sister Miwa Kawada. At this point, we have defeated Lord Malfoy and the other Death Eaters who have wrongfully abused you. Henceforth, we are prepared to offer the ten of you a better life than you have lived thus far. One where you will not be abused or tortured any longer."

Dobby stepped forward and took control, "my friends Lord Potter speaks the truth. You no longer have to suffer the indigenous abuse of bad Master Malfoy, his friends, or Dark Master. A better life can be granted to us."

The ten elves looked at Potter and Kawada like they were their saviors and bowed respectfully to them and the heavenly beast. "We accept," they said in unison.

The two gods got to work severing their bonds to anyone related to the Malfoy line. Though the process was painful, it was well worth it as they were now free. When Harry and Miwa offered them a chance to get some payback, they immediately said yes.

Three hours later, Harry and Miwa were outside with the house elves watching as the flames of fiendfyre destroyed Malfoy Manor and everything inside. The former had the elves remove all of the Malfoy family jewelry, heirlooms, and treasures stolen over the years. He performed some mind-altering spells to make Lucius sign over everything his family had save for a flat in Diagon Alley and fifty thousand galleons. Miwa did the same spells but took everything from McNair and Travers. Even the former house elf.

"Looks like our job is done," Miwa handed the parchments to the elves and asked them to deliver them to Gringotts. Harry did the same but also asked one of the elves from Potter Castle to put the Malfoy family grimoire in a secure place back home.

"Agreed. I say the goblins will need a couple of days at best to get everything organized." Harry replied. The two agreed to split everything down the middle and teleported away.

A half-hour later, Voldemort returned to see that Malfoy Manor had been reduced to ashes and some words floating in the air: Voldemort, your end is nearing!

Voldemort screamed in absolute anger and rage before apparating away.

(0^0)

A week later, Arcturus Black had called a Black family meeting. Why? He wouldn't say. Only that it was important. So at eight o'clock in the evening, every member of the Black family, even honorary members, was seated in the dining room. All but one member was present: Arcturus.

When he did come in, he was in formal black robes with the Black family crest on his breast. He walked to the head chair. "All rise!" Everyone did as they were told as he surveyed the occupants present. Be seated!"

They all did as he said and retook their seats.

Arcturus sucked in a breath, "while I'm sure all of you are wondering why you have been summoned this evening, so let me explain. For years the House of Black has stood as one of the most powerful Houses in Europe. Though we may be a dark family, we were taught to be honorable and to uphold the values and traditions of this family. I have done my best to lead and guide this family to something we can be proud of. There have been successes, failures, and mistakes on my part. Some small. Some large. Not a day goes by in which I wish I could undo the mistakes I've made in the past." Passing glances at Andromeda and Sirius.

"Though that cannot be done as I am too old, too tired, and my mind is not as sharp as it once was. Therefore, I am announcing my retirement effective immediately." He then looked at Harry. "Hadrian James Potter. My nephew. My Heir. You have proven yourself numerous times and have shown honor, integrity, and loyalty to this House and its family members. I have watched you grow, and you've proven to be a better man than I could have imagined. Therefore, I, Arcturus Orion Black, hereby name you my successor as the Head of this family. Do you accept?"

Harry stood up from his seat. "I do."

Arcturus slid the Lord's ring from his finger and handed it to Harry. "You know what to do?"

Accepting the ring, he slid it on his ring finger. "I, Hadrian James Potter, grandson to Dorea Alexia Potter nee Black and godson of Sirius Orion Black, hereby swear to uphold the honor and traditions of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. So, mote it be." The Blacks family magic soon engulfed him in a blinding white light accepting him as the new Head of the family. He then said the family motto when the light diminished. "Toujours Pur."

"It is done," Arcturus took a seat.

A pale Narcissa, who had been watching, soon found her voice. "My Lord, what does this mean for me?"

Harry looked directly at Narcissa and regarded her for a minute. "You have provided me with the information I wanted, and thus I will honor my part of the agreement. Draco will be spared, and I will do my best to keep him alive. You will also be awarded protection within the House of Black."

"Thank you, my lord."

"But a final word of warning: If you betray me or anyone sitting here in any form or way, then you will join your husband in the afterlife. Clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I have left your son fifty thousand galleons and a flat in Diagon Alley. He has to learn the value of hard work and how to survive without extravagance. For too long, you and Lucius have spoiled him rotten and given him everything he wanted without instilling the values of hard work, humility, and proper understanding of the world around him. That will no longer be the case as he will know what it is like to be like everybody else."

Narcissa knew her son better than anyone and knew he would not take the news well. But she felt he needed to learn this as he had been given things others would kill for and has become the person he is today. Hopefully, he will grow out of it and become a better man than his father.

(0^0)

Over at the Burrow, Arthur Weasley sat on one of the sofas before the fireplace, drinking a glass of Firewhiskey. Since Percy's trial, he had taken two weeks off work to stay in his house and think about things. Percy may have had his faults and did questionable things out of his arrogance and pride. He was still his son, and Arthur loved him dearly.

He remembered his talk with Lord Potter and Amelia. The two said that Percy would be placed in a cell away from the Dementors and that Arthur may write to his son if that was what he wanted. That was all they were able to do.

Finishing the rest of his drink, he was about to head upstairs to grab a shower when two eagle owls came flying in from the distance. This was odd, as who would be sending letters so late? Opening the window, he allowed them in and untied the letters attached to their legs. What caught his attention was that one came from Gringotts and the other from the Ministry. The two owls then left, and he opened the Gringotts' letter first:

Dear Arthur Septimus Weasley,

You and your family are to appear at Gringotts for a summons on the 14th of April 1996, at nine a.m. to discuss your finances.

Sincerely, Ragnok, King of the Goblin Nation and Manager of the British Isle Gringotts Bank.

What's this about? What finances? Why was he being summoned?

He then opened the letter from the Wizengamot:

Dear Mr. Weasley,

We at the Wizengamot request your presence to attend a mandatory meeting to remove the Blood Traitor status on your family and your ascension to a Lord of a Noble House.

New evidence has been presented to us regarding the crimes against your great-great-grandfather Reginald Octavian Weasley. To our shame, we did not fully investigate his crimes and would like to extend a heartfelt apology.

Please arrive at the Wizengamot on the 15th of April 1996, at ten a.m.

Sincerely, Griselda Marchbanks, Chief Witch of the Wizengamot and Head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority.

Okay, now Arthur felt like he had drank one too many glasses of Firewhiskey. He took his wand from his pocket, applied the sobering charm to himself, and waved it over the two letters to ensure they were authentic and not some prank. After a minute of analyzing them, he read them again to see if they were real, and to his surprise, they were.

Feeling like he was about to have a heart attack, he put the letters on the table, made a mental note to write to his boys tomorrow, and went to bed.

A/N: Those people who like to cause pain and get fat at the expense of others have been brought down. The members from the Inquisitorial Squad have been cut at the knees and given a fitting punishment. Harry has succeeded Arcturus as Lord Black and Arthur is being granted the rank of Lord. The latter deserves it.

I will be spending time on my other stories the next chapter might come later than expected.

Next Chapter: Returned and Surprises