Hey everyone,
Two chapters and only ten pages on Word. I'm not entirely happy with that, but I am glad to get this story off my chest. I've been imagining, fantasizing and thinking about how this story would go for almost all of May (2019). And while it may seem as if I am breaking Harry from everything he loves, I do plan to solidify both old and new bonds, like with Pomfrey, later. Though even that won't be without some consequences.
Oh well,

Venquine1990


Chapter 03
A Ministry Divided

27th of September 1995
Matron's Office, Hogwarts
Poppy's POV

As Sirius seems to state the magic word to close off the call, do I sense something happening in my office. I turn to this, noticing from the corner of my eye that the gem in the center of the brooch has turned emerald green again and say: "Someone just entered my office through the Floo. You three stay here. My permission for you to use magic remains active." The three nod, Mss. Granger now sitting on Mr. Potter's other side.
I leave the three of them to themselves and head for my office. And while I was already expecting it, do I still frown as I see Dolores Umbridge, in all her horrid pink glory standing beside my Floo-grate, letting in the Minister for Magic, his annoying assistant and even Madam Bones of the DMLE and several high-ranked Aurors. "What exactly is going on here? Dolores Umbridge, surely you don't think anyone with a criminal record would enter my Hospital Wing?"
And while the woman glares at me as I have yet to address her under anything other than her name, does Fudge state: "Apparently someone did, Madam Pomfrey. I just received word from Dolores that Harry Potter can now be considered a criminal. And because I don't feel like getting Minerva McGonagall on my neck, again, did I decide to use Aurors this time instead of Dementors." I silently thank my Occlumency Skills as I calmly ask:
"And what are the charges?" I make sure to add as much disbelief to my tone as possible to prove to those around me I consider this nothing more than a joke and a waste of time. "Harry Potter has proven himself a Dark Wizard, Pomfrey. He was spotted using Dark Magic to transfer the child of a Noble and Ancient and well respected family over to his own form. And we are here to arrest him for it – as well as anyone who dares to support him."

At this I spare a short glance at the assistant, wondering how Percy Weasley would react to seeing his youngest brother do just that, and then decide to just get things over with. I smirk at the woman and ask: "Speaking of Dark magic, Amelia, do you perhaps know the law concerning the Dark Artefacts sold at Knockturn Alley? What makes it legal to sell these artefacts?" And while Umbridge looks confused does Fudge ask:
"What does that have to do with anything?" To which Weasley states: "Potter must have bought something in order to get that child, Minister." And while Fudge mutters: "Yes, yes, of course, that makes sense." Do I roll my eyes and ask: "Yes, and you would know all about such purchases, wouldn't you Percy Weasley?" The boy – as I refuse to call someone as childish as him an adult – looks confused and snarls:
"I would never –!" But I snap my fingers, casting a spell I have been preparing since finding out about the words on Mr. Potter's hands. Instantly a magical shadow seems to fall over my office, making me glad I closed the doors to my office behind me as I don't feel like subjecting either of the three young adults in my wing to this. I glare at Weasley and ask: "Are these your and Umbridge's magical Signatures hidden within this magic, or not?"

Yet while the boy seems too terrified to do anything other than squeak as he must be sensing the full extend of the dark magic, does Umbridge shriek: "How are you doing this?" And Madam Bones has the answer as she states: "Through the law she just mentioned. A law that should be known to all those working above my station, Dolores.
Law #5461, section B12, paragraph 4. Objects sold at Knockturn Alley and other shady locations may only do so if the seller equips them with a spell to recognize, register and document the magical signature of the buyer. This to ensure that, if said object is found at the scene of a crime, the Aurors may use the registered signature to locate the buyer and ascertain whether or not he or she used said object for the cause of dark magic or a crime."
And both Umbridge and Weasley seem to gape at the woman at this, while I just roll my eyes and mutter: "That law's known far wider than just those above your station, Madam Bones. Everyone in the Healing Industry knows about it too. It's to make sure they can be of help to the DMLE in case their patients come in contact with the item in question that hurt them." Before I snap my fingers again, undoing my earlier magic.

This calms down Weasley, while Umbridge is glaring at me and she actually simpers: "I hardly see the problem here. I am merely using these objects for educational purposes, to ensure that Mr. Potter finally learns his lesson and stops his insistent lying. My reasons are righteous and just." To which I roll my eyes and say: "And your knowledge is flawed and your empathy is lacking. Blood quills drain the magic from a wizard to the point they can die from blood loss.
And Mr. Potter's medical records show various signs of fatigue, which can be considered child abuse. And you may think that you are the leading force here, but I'm afraid that, as of five minutes ago, that is no longer the case." And to the shock of everyone in the room, do I smirk as I hold up my hand, showing the handsome ring now on my finger.
"I am Poppy Pomfrey, Regent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter and de facto leader of the Great Alliance. And the minute that Augusta Longbottom, Amos Diggory, Cheyenne Chang, Dayenne Spinnet, Marcus MacMillan and the others hear that a Blood Quill has been used in the presence of their Heirs, you are –!" But then I suddenly twist to the side, just as the woman screeches the curse: "CRUCIO!"

And while it misses, do the others all seem too stunned and horrified to act. Yet at the same time I feel horrified myself when I suddenly hear a voice behind me yell: "EXPELLIARMUS!" And a spell shoots from my right side at Umbridge, who blocks it, before Harry actually comes to stand in front of me, casting several other offensive spells at the woman, who blocks them all with a shield. And then one final shock hits me.
"STUPEFY!" Minister Fudge shouts, actually being the one to hit Umbridge in the back instead of Madam Bones or one of the Aurors as I had expected and shooting her past the Aurors standing in the room. He then summons her limp body and says: "That was beyond uncalled for, Dolores. What were you thinking? You're under arrest. You may be my secretary, but I do not work with people who willingly cast Unforgivables, especially within a school."
And while I'm sure that Lucius Malfoy is now on the minds of many of those in the room, does Fudge turn to me and say: "I will use some of Amelia's Aurors to take Dolores with me to the Ministry and into custody. If you would be so kind as to stay here with Percy and give a full report on that medical report and your findings on that Blood quill – wait a second –." And the man turns to his assistant as I nod and say:

"Indeed, Minister. And to make it worse, I was able to track the registration spell. It told me that Percy's signature came upon one of the quills used by Mr. Potter on the 30th of August, only two days before Dolores came to Hogwarts. Now there is, of course, the chance that Percy was just stupid, didn't think his purchase or the strange date through and was just following orders, but –." And while the lad glares at me, do I leave my sentence hanging.
Fudge sighs and says: "Weasley, stay here. Madam Bones will question you on this and you are dismissed as my Assistant until such time where we can determine your motives behind this ridiculous act of yours. You are not to take any acts in name of the Ministry until this has been decided. Once it has been, I will decide whether to fire you or just let you out on a paid leave." And before Weasley can object, does the man leave through the fireplace, Umbridge and Aurors in tow. And the fact that two of the three are smirking doesn't escape me.

"YOU NO-GOOD STINKING LITTLE –!" Weasley then tries to yell at Potter, but while I grab his shoulder and push him behind me, does another form move itself in front of me. And Ronald Weasley proves that he has his mother's voice as he out-yells his brother: "YOU DARE TO INSULT HARRY WHEN THIS IS ALL YOUR OWN SORRY FAULT! YOU DISGUST ME, PERCY! I HATE BEING A PREFECT! I HATE EVERYONE COMPARING ME TO YOU! I AM NOTHING LIKE YOU AND WILL NEVER BE LIKE YOU!
YOU ARE NO BROTHER TO ME! I HATE YOU AND I TORE THE LETTER YOU WROTE ME TO PIECES AFTER I READ IT! YOU ARE A COWARD, PERCY! A COWARD AND A TRAITOR! YOU THINK WE NEED YOU? THAT WE NEED YOUR MONEY, YOUR REPUTATION TO BE SOMETHING! WE DON'T! IN MY EYES, WE'RE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU!
WE'RE NOT THE ONE EMBARRASSING YOU! YOU'RE THE ONE EMBARRASSING US! AND THE FACT THAT YOU DARE TO BLAME YOUR ACTIONS OF BUYING SUCH A DARK AND PAINFUL ITEM FOR SOMEONE YOU KNEW WAS GOING TO BE AROUND US, AROUND YOUR OWN BROTHERS AND SISTER, IS DISGUSTING, WORTHLESS, STUPID, JUST PLAIN WRONG AND – AND A MILLION OTHER THINGS!
YOU NEVER DESERVED ANY OF THE TITLES YOU GOT! YOU WERE NEVER THERE AS A PREFECT, YOU NEVER DID ANYTHING FOR THE FIRST YEARS, NOT FOR US OR GINNY AND COLLIN, YOU ONLY STATED YOU WERE HEAD BOY, BUT NEVER EVEN JOINED IN ON THE PATROLS! AND YOU WERE STUPID ENOUGH NOT TO NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR OWN BOSS! YOU'RE NOT A WEASLEY! NOT IN MY EYES AND NOT IN THE EYES OF ANY OF US!
WHEN YOU WALKED OUT ON US, TURNED YOUR BACK ON US, JUST BECAUSE DAD DECIDED, FOR ONCE IN HIS LIFE, TO ADVICE YOU AGAINST SOMETHING INSTEAD OF HIS AND MUM'S CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT, YOU SHOWED US WHO YOU REALLY ARE! A WORTHLESS, SELFISH, ARROGANT, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING, EGOCENTRIC, OBNOXIOUS WASTE OF SPACE AND LIFE!"

And while I feel quite amazed at the fact that the young man can yell and scream for that long without tearing his vocal cords to shreds, does everyone gape at the panting fifteen year old. Yet then Harry sighs and actually moves away from where he is standing behind me again. He walks over to Ron and lies a friendly, supportive hand on his friend's shoulder, making Ron grin at him. Harry then turns to Percy and with a cold tone of voice says:
"You made a mistake, Percy. The mistake of a lifetime. You think Fudge cares for you? He doesn't. Not the way a parent does. He won't support you if you decide to change careers. He won't open his doors to you if you stop being able to pay your rent. He won't stand by your side if you ever decide to get married to someone. And he definitely won't jump between you and a curse of any kind if it's shot by someone with a dark history or a need for murder.
But you know who will, even now that you are proving unworthy of it? Your mother, Percy. And the fact that you don't even realize or appreciate how big that heart of hers is, that you consider a bag full of hard, cold gold more important than her hugging you and comforting you and supporting you when you're down or need her – that's just sad." Yet Percy just keeps gaping at him and while I wonder if any of that registered, does Harry turn around.

He makes Ron do the same and walks over to me. I myself also lie my hand on his shoulder and whisper: "I originally had a set of private rooms ready for you on the Sixth floor, just a few portraits to the right of the wall opposite of the Fat Lady. But considering the current situation, take the one on the Fifth floor, five portraits to the right of the Fat Lady, also the wall opposite of hers." Harry nods at me and I say: "I'll meet you there later."
And watch him leave, Mss. Granger following behind him and softly telling him: "Let's head for the Gryffindor common room. Professor McGonagall actually gave us all the day off of classes and I heard that there was a party being thrown there while we headed back here after – well, our attempt to make sure Dumbledore wouldn't get the wrong idea about your pregnancy." And while I think: "That is his fault, not theirs." Do the three of them leave.


Heading into more trouble.
Yeah, I know, this day is just one problem after another. But this will be the last confrontation of the day, I promise. And there will be a positive twist and ending to this last confrontation. I will also, probably, include Dumbledore and Sirius into the story later and plan to give Sirius a more permanent role in the story. He may have transferred the Regency rights, but he is still going to remain Harry's godfather, don't worry about that.
So Umbridge has been arrested, Percy made the huge mistake of being the scapegoat that bought one of the quills in order to give Umbridge someone to blame for them, except she seems to have forgotten which one he bought and just used others as well. I'm probably going to dive deeper into that, but later. Also Amelia is going to play a role in future chapters, alongside Lucius Malfoy. No, I don't plan to arrest him, I have other ideas in mind.
Intriguing ones,

Venquine1990