AN: I do not own Harry Potter.

Asbestos testing started in the USA in the 1970's.

Evacuation From Grim Auld Place

Harry didn't know what was going on, but it appeared that Ron had no idea what was going on either. The meeting before, which none of the children had been able to properly get a listen to, had ended with everyone being sent to pack. The two of them seemed to be in the same boat as the rest, but maybe Hermione had an idea? They guessed back and forth at each other as they quickly, and sloppily, (I mean, these are two fourteen year old boys) stuffed everything of theirs into their trunks. Then they joined the stream of people lugging heir packing downstairs and into the parlour right by the entry way, where the human inhabitants were gathering.

Harry asked her in the huddle of people that was forming.

"I wonder? I mean, I wonder if they were using the house and thinking everything was all fine without testing anything, and maybe someone found asbestos? I mean, it was only started getting tested for ten years ago..." was her thoughts. "I remember it was big news in my street because one of the newer residents on my street found it in their house and they had to get the inspectors in, and then they had to get a whole bunch of people in and move out while that was taken care of, and seriously it was such a huge mess."

There was a sharp rapping on the door frame, disrupting the various conversations between the group, and gaining their attention. It was Snape and Kingsley standing there.

"LISTEN UP!", shouted Kingsley, "We have found that there is a problem with staying in this house, and all of us, yes, including you Sirius, will be leaving. We have arsenic in the all the rooms with all the Slytherin green wallpaper, and all of us have been dealing with minor poisoning, even if we aren't noticing it yet, or as Sirius, you probably just associate that feeling with the house. Because of this, before you leave, you will be taking a potion from Snape to counter the poison in your systems, and once you get to the Weasley's and other places, you will have to shower because the potion will make you sweat it out and use the toilet. You will also be washing everything that you brought with you that can be wiped down. Books and parchment and other incidentals that would not survive being dunked will be left outside while it is sunny, and left under a water proof lean-too when not for the next three days to air them out. We will be meeting at the Weasleys'. First group will be heading to the Weasley's. Everyone got that? Arthur, lead the way?"

The normally cheerful man was less cheerful as he stepped forward, grabbed one of the potion vials, and swallowed it as fast as he could. He handed the vial back to Snape, who dropped it in a bucket, picked up one of the trunks and shrunk it and grabbed another, grabbed a handful of floo powder, threw it in the active fireplace, yelled "the Burrow", and walked into the fireplace, and disappeared.

Everything happened after that in orderly fashion. The next three people followed him. The next group of four headed to Shell Cottage. The las group, the largest by far, landed at Hogwarts, where there was an abundance of bathrooms, the Headmaster having opened up the premises. Each group had a coordinating adult who could cast a patronus and were able to coordinate with others that way. Those that had stayed in the house longer, aka Remus and Sirius, and those that had spent long close to the poisonous metal unprepared for what was in those walls, had to take a second dose immediately. Madam Pomfrey was called in, even though it was nearing the end of summer, to test to make sure they each had what was needed and keep an eye on her sudden influx of patients.

Once everyone had showered, and were wearing clothes from their luggage that had been spelled clean - with the help of the Hogwarts elves at the castle who were so excited to see somebody during their summers, they took themselves and their luggage to the Burrow. Once they got there, the adults were in the midst of building a lean-too to put the stationary and other easily spoiled belongings, while Mrs. Weasley was in the process of doing everyone's laundry. Because part of the process had been sped up by magic, there was already one load of laundry hanging on the line, and another line was being set up by her boys.

"You know, Hermione," said Harry once he caught up with her at the Burrow, "You may have jinxed us."

"No," Hermione shook her head, "I am pretty sure that we were caught up in another case of trouble finding us when we weren't looking for it. Well, I still wonder if the black madness had something to do with surrounding themselves with poison without realizing it."

"Or," as she hit a thought, "they thought that Muggle science wasn't something that would impact them because they're wizards, and nothing that would impact a muggle would impact a wizard."

"That sounds very unrealistic of them, Hermione," stated Harry.

"Well, that sounds like someone who has no hitch to life outside their manors would say," harrumphed Ron.

"It's unlikely it escaped them as it didn't escape us, just like we might have things better somewhat, but we still can't make the weather change. We still have to deal with getting water, otherwise aquamenti (AN: I think?) wouldn't be a spell," said Hermione. "Anyway, how far did you get your homework before we had to come here? I hope I have enough time to look it all over and do my edits before it's time to head to the train."

Lucius Malfoy looked at the short letter, in reality a memo, that had been tied to the ordinary owl that had flown in and flown out.

To: Malfoy et al

From: Severus Snape, Potion Master

Concerning: Poisonous Wallpaper

It has been discovered in an older wizarding property that the green walls hold arsenic, as they were celebrated Slytherins, and some of the other colours. It is something that I have not previously checked in wizarding houses. As it is poisonous just to breath in the rooms where the wallpaper is, this is something that needs to be checked in all our celebrated old houses. The madness in some lines might be attributed to this.

Check yours, see The Book of Natural Poisons, which I know you own. The potion antidote is in L. Prince's book Common Poisons At Court and Antidotes.

Strip the affected areas of all movable items in the locations ,and block them off. Wear: masks to prevent you breathing it in, gloves to protect your hands, full length clothing, and a head covering. Wearing such protective garments, strip off the poisonous wallpaper. All cloth items must be washed, treatment of books and other soluble items are standard for treating a contaminated dry item of the sort. Fans and laying them to blow in the breeze, unless you are willing to sit and wipe each page by hand with a dry cloth sprayed with a decontaminant that would not spoil your treasury of books, and let them lay for three days. Weights to hold such light materials would be wise.

It would be wise to pass this on to others of the old crowd.