Author note: We learn a lot more about possible motivations. A groundwork is laid for some big changes to the magical world. And young love can be so rough.
Begin Chapter
It was a Saturday afternoon and Severus Snape was walking through the rainy, gloomy, mid September day towards the Hog's Head pub. He had the hood of his cloak up ensuring that the numerous students milling about moving from store to store and being loud and annoying did not recognize him.
Entering the dingy building Snape was glad he had rubbed some stringent oils under his nose to try and protect himself from the strong goat urine aroma the building held. Trying to avoid disturbing too much of the sawdust on the floor he made his way to a back corner booth like he had been told to do.
Sliding into the booth he stared across the table at his former employer. Albus Dumbledore reclined with a large glass of dark beer in front of him. Seeing Snape he copied the glass and slid it across the table.
"You know that I do not drink." Snape said banishing the glass wandlessly.
"Ahh yes. An alcoholic father will do that will it not?" Albus chuckled darkly.
Snape's eyes narrowed but the rest of his expression did not change, "You did not call me here to remind me of childhood woes."
"No I did not. I need to know what is going on with Harry and that Granger girl, how close are they?" Albus leaned forward eagerly.
Snape shrugged, "They seem to be boyfriend and girlfriend. They go about holding hands and mooning over each other like simpletons."
"Damn. Have they become intimate yet?" Albus demanded.
"Albus they are barely old enough to know what their genitals are much less how to use them." Snape countered sourly. The thought of sexual relations either his own or others performing it made him ill.
"She is old enough to bleed. That is old enough to be bred." Dumbledore frowned, "And you know how lusty the Potters are. I am certain he would be able to figure out how to perform quickly enough."
Snape looked at him disgustedly, "Albus of what concern is it whether the boy has plucked her flower or not? The worst that can happen is another generation of Potters maybe unleashed upon the world."
"It is a concern enough. Find out if they have been intimate. If they have not do all you can to break them apart. It is vitally important to my plans that he remains untouched, I do not care about her."
"I thought you had the Weasley lad under your thumb." Snape observed.
"Ronald Weasley is no longer my tool so put the Malfoy boy on it. He's a sneaky little shit." Dumbledore said with a sneer.
Snape snorted in derision as he shook his head, "You managed to lose the loyalty of that little dunderhead?"
"Miss Granger's interference has rendered him unsuitable for my purposes." Albus vented angrily.
Snape chuckled, "How unfortunate. Although I still do not see why it matters if Potter gets into her knickers or not. Much less why I should be concerned about it."
Albus sipped his beer, "You forget yourself Severus. You are still my man no matter what. Your oaths will be upheld, so what concerns me should concern you."
Snape snorted sharply as he glared across the table at the placidly smiling tormentor. "I may have given an oath to assist you in your plans but I am not your man."
"If that is what it takes to let you sleep at night." Dumbledore said, "Just get Granger away from Potter, by any means, and do not allow them to become intimate."
"If that is what you desire." Snape nodded as he rose, "Although it would improve our relationship if you would confide in me your reasons for these demands."
"Our relationship is satisfactory as it is Severus." Albus said dismissively, "You have had your directions given. Now carry them out."
Snape growled but left without saying anything, pulling his cloak tighter he thought how he could manipulate this to his own benefit.
That whelp Potter had managed to find his weakness somehow and manipulate him into feeling sorry for him so he could get out of detention early. Manipulate him into almost revealing his deepest secrets. How dare he.
As he stalked back towards the castle he wondered about why Albus would be so adamant about preventing them from becoming intimate. Granger would probably know what she is doing from some book, but Potter would be a fumbling fool at best. Although without any precautions they might even manage to reproduce.
He paused in his musings as he considered that thought. A child. Could that be what Albus is worried about? If they had a child what would be the results?
Her parents would no doubt push for them to marry, removing him from availability as the magical world only permitted one wife. She would still be in the school as the charter did not say they could refuse a student for being pregnant or having a child. She wouldn't even have too much health risk due to magic, even at her young age.
Snape nodded to himself, that had to be it. Albus had plans for Potter to impregnate some other girl of Dumbledore's choosing. Who would it be though. Someone Albus had been grooming for the role. Someone Albus could control like he did so many others.
Starting to walk Snape had his suspicions on who it was. The young Weasley girl would be the most likely subject. Albus had a strange fondness for that a family. The only reason any of those children attended this school was because he had pushed for them to receive a discount. Not a single one of the boys had impressed Snape with their skill. The smartest one of them was a complete ponce, the twins were a menace that should have been drowned at birth and the youngest boy was so incompetent that he could foul the simplest of potions.
So why would Albus want Potter to join that family. Potter's bloodline was not sufficiently powerful, wealthy, or special enough as far as Snape knew to improve the Weasley bloodline that much. That was something Snape would have to consider more.
There were other reasons for wanting to keep someone a virgin, dark rituals that made even Snape's spine tingle. Snape scowled as he considered the other possibilities.
…...
Hermione nodded to the adults as she sat at the table in the hospital wing. Madam Bones, Healer Bricker and Francis Muldoon smiled or nodded back to her.
"Good afternoon Miss Granger. I hope your week has gone well." Madam Bones asked politely.
"Its been okay. I'm sorry but I'm not sure I remembered anything important." she said.
""Well we'll be the judge of that. There might be something you're not quite aware of." Muldoon said with a smile, "Plus maybe what we discus will jog something else."
Hermione nodded as she flipped open her notebook, "Well I remembered something about her personal life, she had two children with Ron. Rose and Hugo. Harry didn't have any with Ginny before they divorced but he had three with Luna. Celeste, Serina and Phoebus."
Madam Bones made note of that with a nod. Muldoon chewed on his pipe, "Right. You said Mr Potter had divorced young Miss Weasley for some reason."
"Uh because she was a lesbian who wanted to be with another girl named Abigail Perkwith. They eventually got married when it became legal." Hermione explained.
"So this war had survivors. Who found peace." Muldoon said.
"It was close. Abbie was tortured when the school was taken over, and that's how her and Ginny fell for each other. She had comforted her." Hermione explained with her eyes closed.
"The school was taken over? By the Death Eaters?" Muldoon softly asked.
"Yes. Snape became the headmaster. The Carrows were professors and tortured students. They made students perform the crucio on other students," She shuddered.
"Where was Dumbledore?" Madam bones asked sharply.
"He was. He was dead." Hermione said faintly, "He had been killed."
"Okay dear. No need to dwell on that." Bricker said sympathetically.
"Although how he got killed might prove interesting so we can prevent it." Muldoon pointed out.
Hermione shook her head, "I don't know. He was already sick though. His hand was all withered and blackened."
"Okay. Let's change subjects. I have a question, from what I learned this week. If you don't mind?" Bricker asked.
Hermione nodded, "Okay. That is what we are here for."
"Okay. I had a visit from one of the Unspeakables. They seem to already be aware of your travel through time but are not going to react or interfere."
"They aren't allowed to." Hermione quickly said, "They have to stay neutral."
Madam Bones nodded. "So what did they say?"
"Well the one I spoke with seemed rather interested in Miss Granger's love life. She asked if you and Harry have been intimate." Bricker said sheepishly.
"Excuse me?" Hermione scowled, "What does that matter?"
"I don't know. But they were quite adamant about it." Bricker shrugged.
Muldoon made a thoughtful hum. Madam Bones looked at him curiously, "Francis? You have a thought."
Muldoon nodded, "Aye that I do. It might be one of the keys to explain why she came back and why there was so much meddling."
Hermione was frowning, "I see no reason how whether I have or have not done anything with Harry is anyone else's business."
"Just relax young lady and let me ask a few things. It'll become clearer maybe." Muldoon said sitting upright and looking at Hermione carefully.
Sighing Hermione pursed her lips with a nod. "very well."
"Now you and Mr Potter in the future never got together. You were just close friends right?"
"Right. We could talk about anything. From my periods to his troubles with the kids and how Luna would become insatiable in bed when she was pregnant." She said with a laugh.
"And the future you never had fantasies of going to bed with him?" Muldoon asked.
Hermione blushed, "Well he does grow up to be a rather good looking man so I had a few minor fantasies. But I never acted on them. It wouldn't have been right. And then by the time I was available he was dead."
Muldoon made a curious hum again, "Interestin. When you talk about the future you and her relationship with Harry you refer to her as I. But when you talk about things she did otherwise you say she or her."
Hermione looked thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "I guess I do. It just feels more right thinking about that."
Bricker looked from Muldoon to Hermione, "Wait a second. You're not considering that it could be one of those are you?"
"It might be. " Muldoon said nodding.
"Might be what?" Madam Bones requested firmly.
"A couple more questions if you mind." Muldoon said holding his hand up. Madam Bones raised her eyebrow but nodded.
"Now the you of here and now. How do you feel about Mr Potter?" Muldoon asked.
Hermione hesitated a moment. "He's. Okay. Kinda nice. I could get to like him."
"And these are your feelings not hers?" Muldoon asked.
"I think so. I'm not sure. Its kinda hard to separate them." Hermione said with an indifferent shrug.
"Of course they might be." Bricker said, "And have you kissed him on the lips yet?"
"No of course not!" Hermione exclaimed emphatically. "I've kissed him on the cheek and held his hand and that's it."
"Gentlemen. I think its time for you to explain what your theory is." Madam Bones ordered directly.
"Amelia. I think these two had a soul bond and Dumbledore prevented it from occurring." Muldoon said.
"I agree. That's why she was so driven to send the knowledge back to fix this. The longer a soul bond is denied the more desperate magic becomes to overcome the obstacles." Bricker said.
Bones looked at them incredulously, "A soul bond? I think the two of you have been reading far too many tawdry romance novels."
"No. It is a real but rare thing. Magic itself can find two souls that are so right for each other that the universe itself bends to join them together. Now it is a real rarity to have a full fledged magical soul bond but when it does happen the pair of them become incredibly powerful. They can work together without even having to talk about it. They move like two halves of a whole. They can sense each other's health among other things." Muldoon explained.
Bricker nodded, "There have been a sum total of three recorded in the last hundred years..They are very rare but they do exist."
"And you think Harry and I have one of these?" Hermione frowned, "Okay. But why prevent us getting together?"
"Because once you seal the bond you will be monogamous with that person for life. Your heart will never need the love of another. The physical pleasure is outside anything humanly expressible. The term husband and wife doesn't even go far enough to explain the togetherness of the pairing. They literally live and die for each other." Bricker emotionally explained with a slight tone of wistfulness.
"She would burn up the Sun for him." Hermione said in realization.
"They're barely old enough to understand kissing and everything going on with that. And You're talking about a lifelong bond?" Madam Bones frowned.
"Really. I mean I like Harry but I'm not ready to do anything about it." Hermione protested.
"No one is saying ye need to bed the boy right now." Muldoon said with a cheeky grin as Hermione blushed. "But if Dumbledore found out about this bond. If the two of you started showing it even more as you grew up, and he had a plan for someone else to reap the benefits of Mr Potter's attentions, he might meddle."
Bricker looked like he thought of something, "You said Ginny, his first wife, was a lesbian? Why did she marry Harry then?"
Hermione looked at him carefully, "Because she said it felt right. It felt like the right thing to do because she loved him."
"And why did the future you marry Mr Weasley?" Muldoon asked.
"Because." Hermione said then stopped looking blankly, "I don't know."
Muldoon stuck his tongue into his cheek and nodded, "Aye. So what did Harry wear to his wedding with Luna?"
Hermione laughed, "The first one was in the summer and it was skyclad. Mum and Dad about had a fit over that. I was Luna's matron. It was rather. An interesting party."
Muldoon grinned, "It seems your memories involving Mr Potter are a wee bit stronger and easier to surface than your memories of her own husband Ron."
Hermione frowned, "Except for the ones where she is angry at him."
"So Dumbledore meddled with a soul bond. As far as I know there is no criminal offense involved in that." Madam Bones sounded rather disappointed.
"No. But if love potions or other spells and potions are involved. Like say making a lesbian suddenly want to get married and have kids with a gentleman?" Muldoon said. "Last I checked a confirmed and committed follower of Sappho does not enjoy those sorts of relations."
Madam bones made a few more notes, "Interesting. And Dumbledore was already dead by the time they got married which means I may still have something to loo into Molly Weasley over."
Hermione looked from one adult to the other in confusion, "But if they haven't done that yet what can you do about it?"
"Conspiracies like this do not form over night dear." Muldoon gently said, "Which means that if Molly Weasley and Albus Dumbledore are not already in league they will soon be."
Hermione said, "oh. I see."
Madam bones scowled, "That might go along with something I learned from Xenophilus Lovegood. Who by the way Miss Granger, had figured out you were from the future or a seer at the very least."
"He was a rather smart man, he kinda lost it when they threatened Luna with rape and torture and stuff." Hermione said swallowing hard. "Luna took it hard when he died after the war."
"Right. Well I hope you do not mind but I brought him into our little circle."
"I was going to ask Harry if we could tell Luna when she came to school next year. So Its alright." Hermione said lost in thought.
"Very well. Muldoon what do you know about the Thyrsus Club?"
Francis shrugged, "I'm afraid I was never enough of a gentleman to frequent such places."
"I've heard of it. They've got a bit of a reputation." Bricker said distastefully.
"Dumbledore is president of the club. And apparently a long term member. Along with multiple prominent members of the Wizengamut, the Ministry and magical society in general." Bones said.
Hermione frowned, "Thyrsus? That was the wand of Dionysus."
"So that might explain how he has kept such a control over magical Britain. The number of skeletons that could come dancing out of those closets." Muldoon observed.
"Exactly."
Hermione listened as the three adults discussed the possibility of Dumbledore blackmailing Fudge or other key Ministry personnel and what he would get out of it. How that would relate to Harry having his life meddled with from the very beginning.
Finally they agreed to continue to investigate the connection between Dumbledore, the club and Molly Weasley. Muldoon smiled at Hermione after the conversation, "Sorry about that. Now one more thing. Who is Thomas Riddle?"
Hermione looked blankly at him as the name did not spring any doors in her mind open. "I'm sorry. I don't know. It's not ringing any bells."
"Alright. No matter. What about Hokey?"
"That sounds like a house elf name but other than that." Hermione said shaking her head.
"Okay. So what else do you have in your notebook?" Madam bones asked.
"I have the name Teddy Lupin written down. I don't know if that's someone related to Mr Lupin or not." Hermione said with a shrug.
"Okay. We can look into that." Madam Bones said.
"And there is this room with long rows of shelves filled with glowing crystal balls. Its all shadowy and dark except for them. I don't know what they were doing there but it was later on. She was older than I am now but still a teen." Hermione described wonderingly.
Madam Bones recognized the Hall of Prophecy and made a note about that. She would look into it promptly.
"Anything else?" Madam Bones asked without sounding pushy.
"No. I'm sorry. I don't think this is very useful." Hermione apologized.
"Oh far from it. This has been a very enlightening visit." Muldoon said. "I look forward to seeing your mind at work in class."
"Thank you sir. Uh. Do you mind if I ask what would happen if I were to kiss Harry on the lips?"
Bricker chuckled, "Well not much really. It would just begin the process of aligning your magical auras and energies. You would become more comfortable and able to understand each other. Any crush or desires you might have for someone else should fade a bit. But other than that you should be fine."
"So there won't be any irresistible desire to become intimate with him?" She asked blushing brightly as she asked the last bit of her question all as one word.
Bricker shook his head, "A soul bond does not really take you free will away. You still retain full control over yourself. Its just the partner in the bond is the focus of your love and affection and the two of you go through life as comfortable as a hand in a glove."
"And a kiss can cause all of that?" Hermione looked curious.
"We're not entirely certain since there are so few on record miss. So understand that this is powerful ancient magics you are playing with. Might not want to just go jumping into the pond without checking the depth first." Muldoon suggested.
"Right. Yes., Well I guess I'll see you next week?" Hermione asked like she was already halfway to the library.
"Yes. Thank you Miss Granger." Madam bones said as Hermione practically bolted from the room.
"Perhaps we should mention to Poppy about offering her a monthly prophylactic." Bricker said with a chuckle.
"I think a girl with the willpower to burn down the Sun for her man will be just fine enough on her own. Let's just stay out of the way." Muldoon countered.
"Besides we don't want to start meddling like Dumbledore has apparently." Madam bones said crossly.
…...
Hermione was thinking and not watching where she was going. She wanted to learn more about these soul bonds. She had been having some interesting dreams about Harry and was trying to figure out if it was her or her future self behind them. She did not mind the idea of being Harry's girlfriend as she did like him.
She was almost to the library when she walked into someone and bounced off.
"Watch where you are walking you dunce!" Snape hissed.
"Oh I'm sorry sir!" Hermione rapidly apologized. "I was thinking about something."
"At least you were thinking, which is more than I can say for your classmates." Snape scowled looking into her eyes.
Hermione was about to say something when Snape staggered slightly grasping his head.
"Sir? Are you okay?" Hermione asked worriedly.
Snape growled something then staggered towards the stairs to the dungeon. Hermione watching him go in confusion. Not wanting to follow him she resumed her walk to the library.
…...
Snape had impulsively decided to look into the mind of that Granger girl when he encountered her in the corridor. He had just touched her mind when there was a backlash of energy that had felt like being punched by troll. His left eye was blurry and he could tell his nose was bleeding. Fortunately that seemed to be the only injury he had suffered.
Taking a potion from his private stocks to heal himself he thought about what happened. A child should not have had the mental shields to throw him out so forcefully. A common child should have been like an open book to him.
Snape sat in his chair wondering how she could have developed such powerful shields. No wonder Dumbledore had taken such an interest in her. Her and Potter working together could throw a spanner into any of Albus' plans.
Snape wondered if it would be more useful to befriend her or to do as Albus asked and disrupt her association with Potter. Whichever way he would not be able to gain anything from her mind.
Closing his eyes Snape decided a quick nap would be a good idea to let his head stop pounding.
…...
Hermione had found a book talking about magical bonds and was shuddering at the slave bond concept. The life debt was an interesting concept and she was wondering if the future version of her had owed Harry one from the troll. Shaking her head she wrote that memory in her notebook with a sigh.
It was no less confusing to have a sudden flash of a memory from something she hadn't experienced yet, but she was getting used to it. She hoped that the troll incident would not occur since Minerva had removed the third floor things.
Hermione and Harry had snuck up to the third floor a few days ago to confirm that the obstacle course had been dismantled. Finding the entire area empty and cleaned up she felt very relieved.
Dumbledore had done everything except send Harry an engraved invitation to the obstacle course in the previous incarnation. She had helped of course try to keep Harry safe but had not questioned anything either. She frowned as why should she. What responsible adult would purposely put the children under their care in danger. It was years later when she had discovered Dumbledore's schemes. Harry's death had been the last straw that made her start questioning everything.
She felt a hand touch her shoulder causing her to jump and spin. "Glah!"
Harry had jumped back quickly, "Sorry. You didn't hear me I guess."
"No. I was lost in thought." She quickly apologized.
"Ah. Good thoughts?" Harry asked sitting beside her.
"No, not entirely." She said.
"Anything I can do?" he asked with a friendly smile.
She looked at him intently. Wondering what would happen if she kissed him. Shaking herself from those thoughts she said, "Uh no. Not right now."
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She looked around the library biting her lip, "Uh. Harry. Do you mind if I ask you something personal?"
He shrugged, "I don't guess so. You've had pretty good reasons so far."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." She hesitated a moment as she felt her cheeks flush slightly. "Uh how do you really feel about me. I don't mean future me but me."
Harry looked at her. "Uh. I like you. You're a pretty neat friend."
Hermione sighed, "Oh. But um. Romantically. Do you feel anything?"
Harry looked at her with an odd grin. "Uh romantically? I dunno? I'm starting to hit puberty so I guess I'm feeling things."
Hermione huffed, "I was not just referring to base physical attraction. I mean anything emotionally or beyond that?"
Harry shrugged, "I dunno. I guess. I mean. I haven't exactly analyzed my feelings that much. I like you. I like being around you. Is there more I should do? More you want me to do?"
Hermione sighed deeply, staring at Harry with a wry smile she shook her head, "No. You're doing just fine Harry. I was just wondering why she would do what she did for you."
"Maybe its something I will grow into?" he suggested.
Nodding as she patted him on the arm, "Maybe that's it."
"Well I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough." He said happily. "Wanna hear about the neat plant Neville showed us today?"
"Yeah sure why not?" Hermione said closing the book on bonds and wondering if her and Harry really did have one of those soul bonds they are so worried about. If so it must happen later in life.
…..
Amelia returned to her office to find her chief Auror Scrimgeour frowning. As he always frowned she did not get too concerned.
"Rufus? What brings you to my office?" she asked hoping it was something minor.
"I have some very unfortunate news." he tiredly intoned.
"Oh? Someone run over your kitten?" she chuckled.
Looking blankly at her he said, "No. We were transporting the Weasley twins back here and they escaped."
Amelia looked at him in blank annoyance for a moment before saying, "I could have sworn you just told me that two thirteen year olds managed to escape from a team of fully trained aurors."
Clearing his throat he started to say something, stopped and then started again, "I did. We seem to have underestimated the creativity of the gentlemen."
Amelia walked around her desk to sit down. She knew Rufus was a highly effective auror and had a long and successful career so he must not have been the one on charge of the team. "Who did you put on this?"
"Constable Dawlish." Rufus said flatly.
"Dawlish? You put Dawlish on this? I wouldn't send him out to get my coffee. Who did he take with him?" She declared angrily, sitting heavily in her leather chair.
"He is a rather capable auror." Scrimgeour asserted, "I did not think it would need a full squad of hit wizards to handle two teenagers."
"Given the results it would appear that you did." she growled making notes.
"It was very surprising to discover that they had the ability to not only cast wandlessly but silently." he explained.
She looked surprised, "That is troubling knowledge."
"Yes, it would seem they had been trained quite well by someone." Rufus pointed out.
"Have their personal belongings been returned to their family?" she asked standing.
"No they are still in storage." he explained.
"Good. I'm going to see if there is anything to explain this. Get Dawlish to explain what happened and send another team out after them. One prepared this time."
"If he gets out of the hospital I shall have him report." Scrimgeour replied.
Amelia paused in her exit, "He's in Saint Mungo's? What happened?"
"They summoned a hive of bumblebees into the van. It turns out Dawlish is allergic to bees. After being stung almost two dozen times he is in a coma." Rufus said with what might have been a sadder than usual tone.
Amelia took a deep breath. "Lovely. Was anyone else injured?"
"No. Not badly. The driver broke their wrist when the van went into the ditch. Otherwise multiple stings. All personnel were treated and released."
"Find those twins and bring them in. I want their hides nailed to my wall." She spun and stalked off.
Scrimgeour sighed as he began to head for his office. Days like this could be so annoying.
…...
Amelia reached the evidence storage office and pulled the list of what the twins had on them when they entered custody. She frowned as it looked like the normal sort of detritus that a pair of 13 year olds would have.
She noticed they had several muggle toys and comic books in their possession. A fondness for muggle devices gave her a strange idea.
Opening their school trunks she began to touch, press and probe the sides and bottoms. A small click from one of them made her recoil in case she had activated a trap. When nothing happened she used her wand to probe the bottom and lift a hidden lid off of a false bottom.
Smiling she saw a old piece of folded parchment. What Miss Granger had described the Marauder's map as in her notes. Taking that she slid it into her pocket for analysis and to send to Mister Potter. A bit of muggle money, some sickles, knuts and a couple of Galleons were in a small pouch. Some other pieces of parchment were rolled up underneath that.
There were four pieces of parchment. One of them was a log of monies they were owed by people, as well as people they owed money to. Another was a list of events with odds posted beside them, lists of names and which way they bet underneath each event. One of the events was Harry Potter joining the Quidditch team had no names listed underneath. But considering how they had made this list before Potter had done so was an interesting thing.
The other two were written in some strange code. She did not recognize it as the letters, assuming that was what they were looked like thin scratches on the parchment. Sliding the items into her pocket she replaced the lid and put the rest of their belongings away.
She wondered if Lovegood would have any idea what those scratches were.
…...
Arriving at the Rookery she was ushered in with a less formal greeting. Apparently that was only for first time guests. Young Luna gave her some lemon cookies then happily went back to her painting while Xeno and Amelia retired to his office.
Xeno looked over the strange pieces of parchment curiously, "Interesting. There is some pattern here. I don't think its a code though. It looks more like a language."
"Can you translate it?"
"Without context? I doubt it. I could run a few analytical spells over it, run some translation matrix algorithms. Might get the basics in a month or two." Xeno said laying the parchment on his desk. "A full translation maybe a few weeks later."
"Months? This could have information I need now. I have two fugitives who may be involved in this case up to their ginger eyebrows!" she hissed through clenched teeth in frustration.
"Oh yeah. I heard about their escape." Xeno confirmed with a shrug.
"How did you hear about it? It just happened this morning."
"The wind whispers secrets far and wind for those who will listen." He enigmatically stated.
Amelia sighed, "Great. So any whispers on where to find these two?"
He frowned, "Sadly no. They seem to have gone to ground."
"Wonderful." She called the parchments back to her before she rolled them up. "Make sure the whispers do not get out about these." She reminded him.
"My dear Madam Bones. Unlike Cyrus Greengrass I am quite judgmental at how the information I acquire is disseminated and distributed, if at all."
"And Cyrus is not?" Amelia asked, although she knew the owner of the Daily Prophet was rumored to have multiple fingers in multiple pies.
"Ahh. Sire Greengrass is a businessman, if you have the gold, he has the goods or services for you." Xeno said with a knowing nod. "The source of that gold or the usage of what he sells is not his concern."
"I see. Its amazing what I have not been being told by my investigators." she grumbled.
He nodded looking unhappy, "That is by no accident. You have been isolated on purpose from a great many things. The entire inability of the Ministry to function, except in a few cases, is due to being infiltrated by the enemy agents."
"I don't suppose the wind would have whispered any evidence of this into your ears would it?" Amelia sarcastically asked.
Xeno chuckled as he reached into his desk to produce a large folder, "What do you think the Rot-fang conspiracy is all about. I couch my warnings about the infiltration of the Ministry in somewhat more fantastical terms to avoid retribution."
Amelia frowned as she accepted the folder, "Retribution from whom?"
"Dumbledore, and his pet Fudge. Malfoy and his pet Greengrass. Those are the big two." Xeno said leaning back to steeple his fingers.
Flipping through the folder quickly she felt her monocle fall out of her eye as she looked up at Xeno in shock. "According to these notes most of the Ministry is either working for Dumbledore or Malfoy."
"Yes rather sad isn't it? I wonder which team gets better health benefits. Do you think Dumbledore gives dental coverage?"
"I wouldn't know. Neither side has approached me." She scowled.
"Upset about that?" Xeno asked cheekily.
Glaring at him she protested, "No! Of course not."
"And that right there is why you have not been approached. Your stubborn adherence to ethics and integrity." Xeno chuckled again this time with a tone of polite admiration.
"And yet I am the head of the DMLE." she countered crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh yes. They had to allow you to have some control and leeway. That way the people could look at the Ministry and go, ahh yes at least our courts and our DMLE are working fine. Even if the rest of the Ministry is corrupt and mismanaged. And the Auror Division has a serious disconnection from the leadership to the men and women on the street." Xeno grinned sympathetically, "I'm sorry to say but you are a distraction. Have you tried to move against anyone of power? Do anything significant?"
"I helped pull Harry Potter out of his abusive home, and helped provide evidence that caused Dumbledore to resign as headmaster." she said.
"Ah yes his least influential role in our society, and Potter was only 3 weeks ago. What has been the results of all of that?"
"Sirius Black is free and getting treatment in Saint Mungo's, Pettigrew is in prison, and Potter is a ward of Minerva."
"So Black has one prison traded for another, softer one. Pettigrew is still where Dumbledore can find him at leisure, and so is Potter." I do not see how very much has changed.
Amelia started to argue but closed her mouth as she realized Xeno was right. "There is something bigger than that at stake here."
"Yes there is. We have two forces, each having worked very hard to gain and solidify their power base. Have you been keeping up with the paper?" He slid a Daily Prophet across the desk to her.
"No, I've been trying to research the information Miss Granger brought us." Amelia admitted taking the paper.
Reading the headlines she saw a smiling Dumbledore standing next to Fudge as they outlined a program to contact, monitor and protect magical children so that circumstances like Harry Potter's would not be able to occur again. The article further went on to say that the underage magic office would be rearranged and reconfigured to help do so. Mafalda Hopkirk and several others would be retiring from Ministry service as a result.
"Interesting isn't it." Xeno asked, "Dumbledore puts Potter with the Dursleys, never checks on him, yet manages to move the blame to Mafalda Hopkirk in the Underage Magic office. Saying she never paid attention to any instances of accidental magic from young Harry. Removing her and some of the enemies forces while no doubt placing those loyal to him in those newly created positions."
"Why is it every time I talk to you I get an even more disturbing feeling in the pit of my stomach?" She asked.
"Oh don't worry. That's a common side effect." he enthusiastically said.
"Great. So I am going to have to take down a massive conspiracy as well as help deal with what's going on with Potter and Miss Granger." Amelia declared with much vexation.
"Look at it this way. If you survive it's going to be great job security."
Looking at Xeno with a sly grin she said, "Yes it will."
Looking at her in sudden realization he said, "Wait a second, what are you planning?"
"Well Dumbledore has his conspiracy, You-know-who has his conspiracy. I do believe its time I formed my own eh?"
Xeno relaxed a moment then smiled broadly, "When you take down the government you're going to need to have a blueprint to rebuild it. I have a few ideas that could come in handy."
Amelia looked at him in shock, "Take down the government? What are you talking about?"
"Look how corrupt and decayed the Ministry has become. How easy it is for two egotistical, Machiavellian beings to manipulate things around to benefit their side. How we act like we are our own country with no oversight by the mundane government or crown. The Ministry actually ensures it is illegal to hold magicals to mundane laws. We are the master race, the superior being, according to he blood-supremacist dogma. So why should we kneel before baser animals." Xeno's eyes glittered in the light from the window. You will have to take this government down and rebuild it before one or the other group takes it down and rebuilds it in their image."
Amelia wanted to argue with him, to disagree and protest the government she served was not lost. She could not do so though as she had been having an unsettled feeling growing in the pit of her stomach for the last few years. When she had been promoted to this position by Minister Bagnold she had been the compromise choice. She had tried to modernize and make reforms in the department which had limited traction.
Leaning forward so he could speak in a low tone of voice, Xeno whispered"I can see in your eyes you are starting to realize the truth. Just remember when you commit to this you will have to be all in, there is no halfway in this. No half measures from here on out."
Amelia frowned, "I'll have to talk to the others, see what they think."
Xeno shook his head, "No Amelia. Every revolution needs a leader, the avalanche has already begun, it is too late for the pebbles to vote. Be that leader."
Amelia took a deep breath as she looked at the blonde man who was staring intently at her. "And you think that I am that leader?"
He nodded slowly. "Yes. And I am sure everyone else will too."
"I would really rather not lead a revolution." She protested.
"See even more proof you are the leader we need." Xeno countered eagerly, "The best leaders are usually the ones who don't seek it."
Amelia frowned, "This is madness."
"All life is madness, all the sane may do is find the calm at the center." Xeno intoned sagely.
Amelia sat quietly thinking for a long moment before nodding, "You say you have some plans. Let me hear them."
"Iacta alea esto." Xeno declared as she reached into another drawer of his desk.
…...
Hermione entered the hospital wing sheepishly. Finding the matron busy with another older student she waited quietly. Looking at some of the pamphlets on a rack beside the door. "Flies spread disease, so keep yours closed." was the title of one that had a smiling young man looking out happily from the cover. Another showed a young boy and girl covered in boils read, "Practice safe hexing."
She was reading one about the health benefits of fiber in the magical diet when the matron cleared her throat, "Miss Granger?"
"Oh. Uh. I was wondering if I could speak with you about something. Its sort of personal." Hermione blushed slightly.
"Ahh. Well come along." The matron said leading Hermione into a quiet sitting room. "So does this have to do with the soul bond idea Adam and Muldoon floated earlier?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes ma'am. I don't think I have one with Harry as he doesn't seem to feel any major feelings towards me."
"And you have feelings towards him? I mean you, not memories of those feelings from your future self?" Pomfrey asked as she put a kettle on.
Hermione took a deep breath, "I think I do. Or at least might be."
"I see." Poppy nodded, "I take it you spoke with him about this?"
"Somewhat. He seems so immature." Hermione observed.
Poppy gave a rueful chuckle, "He's only eleven Miss Granger. Of course he is going to be immature."
"But I'm only twelve. That's not too much older than him." Hermione protested.
"You also carry within you the life experiences of a woman who grew up, had a life, and I'm sure there is some emotional weight behind those memories." Poppy sympathetically said, "So you feel differently than Mr Potter."
"I guess. Its all just so confusing." Hermione sighed.
"I know. Growing up under normal circumstances can be quite confusing and troubling. Your circumstances are far from normal, although I must compliment you on how well you are handling them." Poppy said getting up to get the kettle. Floating two cups and related accouterments for a tea to the table.
"Thank you. So what about this soul bond?" Hermione earnestly asked, "Why would your healer friend bring it up?"
Poppy poured the tea as she thought for a moment, "Mainly because they are wondering if those who wanted to meddle in Mr Potter's life, and by extension yours, believe it. Not so much advocating that you actually have one."
"Mr Muldoon and Healer Bricker seemed to think it was highly possible." Hermione argued.
Poppy smiled gently at Hermione, "I know. And it is possible. I read up on them after the meeting"
"So why would he not be drawn to me if we have one?"
"What makes you think he isn't? What a soul bond does or does not do to the people involved is rather unknown as rare as they are. He seems to be a very close friend which would be age appropriate for the two of you. So don't try to rush things, or push too hard. It will happen naturally when it happens." Poppy declared reassuringly.
"Mum says I overthink everything and get far too anxious." Hermione blurted out after sipping her tea some.
Poppy nodded, "Understandable. When I was a young girl I worried a great deal what I would do with my life. And there was this one young gent in the village that I found myself making sure my crinolines were quite starched for."
Hermione smiled, "Really? What happened?"
Poppy looked sad for a moment, "Oh life happened and things didn't work out for us."
"Oh. I'm sorry." Hermione said biting her lip in embarrassment.
"Don't be dear. It happens that way for some people. You and Mr Potter have a great deal of time to allow things to develop, so try to relax. At least as much as being a young lady on the cusp of womanhood can allow you to be." Poppy wisely said.
Hermione sighed, "I'll try."
"That's all any of us can do dearie." Poppy smiled.
…...
Fred and George were walking along a narrow road not far from John O Groats. The northern Scottish weather was damp, cold and cloudy. The sky had not begun to drop anything but the clouds seemed very grumpy and ready to do something.
"Well that was fun but now what?" George grumpily demanded of his brother.
"Now we figure out how to get to Diagon Alley." Fred declared.
"You mean the Burrow?" George countered.
"No. Diagon Alley." Fred countered.
"May I point out dear brother that we just escaped from Azkaban by attacking a squad of aurors?" George sarcastically stated.
"Gnarly indeed. What of it?" Fred countered laughing.
"That they are probably going to be looking for us. With wanted posters and everything." George pointed out. "We need to get to the Burrow so Muma and Dumbledore can help protect us."
"Bah. They didn't exactly prevent us spending time in Azkaban. Or hadn't you noticed that?" Fred crossly growled.
"Well what's your plan then? We don't have any money, we don't have a whole lot of skill or power. I don't think you-know-who has a apprenticeship program." George argued.
"Not that I'd want to work for them anyhow." Fred asserted, "We'll be fine. I have a plan."
"You have a plan. You have a plan. So far that plan is not doing us very much good you know." George turned and shoved his brother.
"Don't shove me." Fred angrily demanded as he shoved his brother back.
"I'll bloody well shove you if I want to." George yelled as he cocked his fist back to strike his brother.
"Calm yourself Iago. Fighting each other is not going to get us food, shelter or transport to London." Fred declared, "You have made a good point about the wanted criminal part."
George relaxed as they began to walk again, "Fine. So what are we going to do about that? I still say calling Dumbledore is a good idea."
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Shout his name three times?" Fred huffed angrily.
"We go home to the Burrow and talk to mum." George repeated. "She can get him to help us."
"Mum and Dumbledore are out. They left us to swing in the breeze. You-know-who and his followers are out. They'd skin us as much as help us." Fred considered, "We are going to have to take care of each other dear brother. That's the way the fates have decreed it."
George looked skeptically at him as they continued to walk. Wishing he could apparate for about the hundredth time in the last five minutes.
"Ahh. Divine providence has provided." Fred grinned as they came across a car parked near a particularly popular vista. Fred jogged to the driver's side and touched the door lock, "Alohomora."
Unlocking the other door he slid behind the wheel while George slid into the passenger seat.
"When did you learn to drive?" George asked idly.
"I've been watching dad. It doesn't look that hard you know." He said sticking his finger against the ignition switch and pushing some magic into it. "Just try not to hit anything, and keep the speed indicator on the same number as the sign along the road."
"Right. Well if you get me killed I am not going to be a very friendly ghost." George declared warningly.
Dropping the car into gear and setting off in a rather jerkily motion Fred grinned, "Be calm my dear brother. I have a plan."
…...
Review Responses
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HermioneJMalfoy: Fear not. This will be a Harmony story. To be honest no-one will wind up with a polyamorous relationship in this one.
Kimjo2: Oh I'm sure others may turn up as we go along. Both canon, and not. The circle had to grow just big enough to give some room to work, we are there now. Thank you for reading.
Kr0n0s00: This story is not going to be a ployamorous one. Until they get a bit of an age up it won't even really be amorous between the student characters. I have a few others that are poly and a few ideas for the future.
Sparky40sw: Yep. I am hoping to get them all tied up by the end of the story. So we'll see. As for Ron let's just say that his girlfriends invest in a lot of batteries for some reason...lol.
Katmom: Yep. Thought I'd go down this path for a change instead of handing them the idiot ball like canon did.
Kgfinkel: Ahh. Those are human errors. Oops. Frank Lovegood? That might be a pet name for him from Alice. "Oh Frank you love so good..." As for the rest of it there are reasons. And thank you for noticing the reference.
Honeybear84: Okay I won't tell you. And yes it is very gross. Here's the next update. Hope you find it interesting.
Yaw613: I'm working on it.