[a/n]Adding to the darkness of Salazar seen in #73 & #75

Harry Does Different CDXCg

The Truth is Worse III

"I'll not have the greatest Founder slandered, Potter!" the furious growl filled the Burrow before the squeak of the door closing faded "You will retract this pile of hippogriff shit or I will have you in detention until you're old and grey!"

This was met with loud objections, the loudest had been Harry, but he was cut off by Mr. Lovegood "You are, then, inferring I am a liar for publishing the story."

"If it wasn't for Potter's undeserved celebrity you could drop that so-called paper of yours in a hole no one would miss." Snape sneered at him.

The published attacked another angle to add to the tension "Is that why you call my moonbeam a bubbleheaded ditz?"

"Now now, Xenophilius, there is a time and place for education related issues." Said Dumbledore.

Luna glanced up from cutting into an orange "It's alright, Daddy, sometimes my observations are a cycle or two out of phase."

"It will cease, Professor." The angry father rested a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder "I may not have a huge readership, at least until recently, but there are a number of voices opposing you. Do you really need another?"

Changing subjects, he went on "We can quibble over Severus' methods later. His valid concerns over what was claimed in your article. The alleged contents of The Chamber of Secrets, for instance."

"Alleged! Did you maybe check with your own phoenix?" snapped Harry.

Mrs. Weasley grunted at him "Careful with your tone, young man."

"It doesn't exactly translate." Ginny answered the confused looks everyone gave when Harry hissed and stormed out, bursting out in giggles. "But *hehe* ummm, he went to get something."

A not-remotely-grown boy managed to ruin the relatively light mood of a roomful of mostly-adults with a glare. He flung one of the books he'd brought at the Potion Master and snapped rapid-fire "You think we're lying? Do you? WELL! That's got a potion in it we put into the first article. Hermione? You remember the key ingredients, don't you?"

"I'd rather have forgot, Harry." She swallowed nervously and sat back in her seat.

After giving an apologetic look, Harry went on harshly brandishing the second book "THIS is what's going in the NEXT article. Seems Slytherin wanted immortality too. Like Voldemort!"

"DO NOT SAY THE NAME!" Snape shouted.

This time it was Ginny who hissed. It took a couple seconds and silenced everyone, she translated "I just suggested he wrap his tongue around his tonsils."

"Bloody genius Gin!" came from three of the Weasley boys. There was a congratulatory slap on the shoulder from Harry. "Yours was funnier."

Again raising the second book, Harry went on "What's in here has what he called improvements on his invulnerability potion. Instead of skinning a person, it has …bit of trivia here, Slytherin invented the Imperius especially for this one… Getting the victim to cut off their ***ahhh***" the words wouldn't form in his mouth, so Harry gestured at his groin and to Mrs. Weasley's ample frontal assets "Using that as an ingredient it would stop aging. And he thought using little kids would even reverse aging."

"A fascinating horror story, Harry." Began Dumbledore in an even tone "It is, whether fortunate or not as may be, a fact that none of that has any verifiable evidence. Your and Miss Weasley's unsupported word is simply inadequate. As no one else can read these - -"

The girl cut off the Headmaster "There were dozens! Hundreds! Of these Parselscript books down there! Me and Harry could die of old age before we're done putting them out!"

"Ginevra! Enough of that talkback to Professor Dumbledore!" commanded Mrs. Weasley harshly.

After the youngsters exchanged hisses Harry spoke "Fine. Our next article, Mr. Lovegood, will be all about the dead bodies I saw in The Chamber."

"To what are you referring, Harry?" the questions of the adults, except for Xenophilius, overlapped. Though Snape's was not even pretending politeness "More of your attention seeking, Potter! Like your swine father!"

It took the adults a solid minute to restrain him, panting Harry cursed "Fuck you! You rat turd!" A brief hiss from Ginny wiped away his anger "As I was just reminded, we have a deal with the goblins to harvest the body of the basilisk. Wonder what potions can be made from it? Mr. Lovegood, can you tell them to make sure Snape gets not even one scale?"

"I find that unacceptable, Harry." The Headmaster's tone went cold "Anything on Hogwarts property is Hogwarts property. Severus, stand down. Harry, disrespect for your prof- -"

Ginny shrugged off her mother's hand to add "I agree with Harry. More, he forgot that poison he took for me. Every last peck of that venom belongs to Harry. HE killed that monster. Not you, Professor, and not that awesome DADA teacher you hired."

"Ginevra, your tone with your headmaster." Mr. Weasley chastised his daughter "Apologies Albus."

Xenophilius kicked back in melodramatic fashion and propped his feet on the table "The Quibbler has long been a joke. Now, thanks to my Moonbeam's friendships, I have a very loud voice. I will publish everything Harry and Ginny translate from what is in Slytherin's chamber."

"Then, I regret to say" Dumbledore began, then he was forced to stun his underling "That was unhelpful, Severus. As I was saying, Xeno, access to Hogwarts during the summer is hereby terminated. When the semester begins, access to the girls' bathroom will be barred."

Hermione had spent the whole time merely soaking up what was said. Her observation now shook everyone "With an announcement we'll risk a most painful death?"

"Not good, brilliant." Ron was worshipful. Though he had to flinch at a swat from his mother.

Luna interjected "I do not know that story, Daddy. Is it possibly related to the Ratfang Conspiracy? Can we do another expose?"

"I should think we all need to review our positions. Have you stopped to consider how this might disrupt our society?" asked Dumbledore, showing great concern. The kids could only grin when their last sight of their Potions Professor was that he blankly followed the headmaster out the door.

Abcij

In the next three weeks, The Quibbler published three more articles, this with a couple spells that were actually positive. Though an explanation that they were only really effective when cast by a Parseltongue. Mr. Lovegood did go along with publishing Harry's description of the bodies he saw in the experimental laboratory. There were over a dozen, lacking details both in consideration of a young reader and the fact Harry's own brain rejected some of the sight. When tensions started to rise, a thought-provoking statement by the main instigator kept the situation from exploding in violence but drew the attention of the Wizengamot.

"We are here to discuss the inflammatory articles everyone in Britain has read. Internal Security Committee now in session. Amelia Bones, chairwitch, presiding." The stern looking witch looked down from the podium upon the participants "This is an inquiry, not a - -"

HemHem

"As I was saying, the comm- -"

HemHem "Thank you Amelia, it is Minister Fudge's position we are looking at sedition and possibly treas- -"

"The members are reminded" Madam Bones overrode the speaker "that the chair controls both the time and the agenda. And to address the chair accordingly."

A burst of magic punctuated the offended retort "How dare you! I am Delores Umbridge! Deputy Undersecretar- -"

"Silencio!" the wand was drawn and put away as the spell flashed across the podium "The next offender will be removed from this hearing." What happened next caused a restrained laugh.

Harry filed away the witch's name, given how amused most people were at the treatment, for future inquiry. Hermione whispered, equally outraged and excited "Is that legal! What was that spell!?"

"Shhhhhhhhh!" both George and Ron nudged her to silence from opposite sides.

Madam Bones took no official notice of that and began "I recognize myself for such time as I may consume. The Wizengamot's concern here is, first, keeping the peace. There have been minor outbreaks of fighting, some possibly related to the series of articles The Quibbler. Though this is not yet confirmed. Of only slightly lesser importance, is a possible threat to the integrity of our education system. Stories about the Founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have circulated for centuries. The committee acknowledges there are more dark rumors of Salazar Slytherin than of the other Founders. That said, no one has ever claimed this as fact. The Quibbler allegations do exactly that. It is worth noting, not all negative, but many are the stuff of nightmare." She paused briefly to catch a breath, no one dared speak however "There are a number of issues. Factually, are they true? Can it be verified? More, to the satisfaction of all? True or not, should this be permitted to continue? Even if we determine it may be in society's interest, do we have the right to suppress even speculation, if that's what it is?"

"Madam Bones, if I may?" came the silky tone from the slick blond haired wizard Harry was quite familiar with. And he was recognized "While I claim no real authority to speak for all Slytherin alumni, many and perhaps most, would like to see a slanderous publication lose its franchise. Certainly a child is not entirely responsible for his beliefs. A chastisement would be appropriate. It is the adults in young Potter's life that leave me incensed."

The Chairwitch nodded "Your concerns and suggestions, Duke Malfoy, are noted for the record. The committee is empowered today only to gather information. The Ministry is not even empowered to dissolve corporations, never mind the effect it would have on several fiefs. Of more interest, at the moment, is what the people before us, here without need of subpoena, have to say. I would certainly not sentence anyone before there is a verdict, much less a trial. Which this is not."

"I did not mean to imply otherwise, Madam Chair." Said Lucius smoothly.

She resumed "Mr. Lovegood, your publication is the source, so please? Your motivations, intentions, and sources?"

"As a general rule, Madam Chair" the quite tall blond man stood easily "is aware a journalist is not obligated to reveal sources. The situation here is different. From the outset, Mr. Harry Potter and Miss Ginevra Weasley have disclosed their identities. The Quibbler was approached thanks to Ginny's friendship with my daughter, Luna. We and the Weasleys are close neighbors. Our source material for each article is diaries and research material in Salazar Slytherin's own hand. As requested, one book was provided to the committee, before this hearing."

Lucius allowed another member, also a Slytherin alum, to address this "This book has nothing readable in it. Lines and squiggles that may have been childish drawing."

"Modern Gobbledeegook and Parselscript have a common root." Xeno continued "In the same way English and Italian are related through Latin. While they cannot decipher the version in our books, an occasional word is recognizable to goblin scholars."

Lucius emitted a snort "And we are to accept their word? And further, the word of two children with axes to grind against Slytherin. Even assuming we are looking at Parselscript, it proves nothing of the content, or the author of the work."

"Perhaps if our authors tell their tale?" suggested Xeno, as if making a great concession. Though this was exactly what was planned "Arthur and Molly are here to confirm permission for Ginevra. Harry, well, his situation is no mystery."

Madam Bones glanced down both sides of the podium "I think the dust jacket version of the children's story is admissible."

"There is something we'll need to get back to, Madam Bones, but that's after Fawkes took all of us …and Lockhart… out of the Chamber." Harry smirked at Lucius, who retorted with a silent stony expression "A crack or seam was right over the head of the basilisk. We climbed up, following Fawkes, and it turned out to be a door. A smaller room, behind the Slytherin carving, but still real big. Tons of books."

Ginny added "At first we didn't think anything of it. It was only after showing them to Ron and especially Hermione, we realized the books were all written in Parselscript. Everyone knew Harry could speak it, so could I after having Voldemort in my head."

"Ginevra!" Mr. Weasley scolded his daughter in a harsh whisper "Don't use the name."

Ginny shot her father a glare, but meanwhile Harry got in his jab which had been postponed "I don't get it. It was Mr. Malfoy who told me you had to be real brave or real stupid to use the name. It's not even a real name. Voldemort is just a jumble of his real name. Tom Riddle. Cute enough, I guess, we played games like that back in school in Little Whining. After Tom's ghost out of the diary showed it to me, Mr. Malfoy's meeting with us at Flourish and Blotts clicked. He slipped Tom's diary into Ginny's book cauldron that day. He also tried to curse me before Dobby blasted him across the hallway."

"I move Potter's entire testimony be stricken from the record as slanderous." The infuriated wizard sneered "Further, I vote this entire affair be closed without any further acti- -"

Madam Bones cut him off "Duke Lucius Malfoy, you are under arrest, for suspicion of assault. No votes, or proposals, you presented in this session shall have any authority. House Malfoy's votes will devolve to Narcissa as regent for your heir. Please follow the Auror to a holding suite for further processing. Nymphadora, if you please, take charge of the suspect."

"She's got pink hair!" exclaimed Hermione, deeply surprised "Why didn't I notice her before?"

The Chairwitch's wand popped sharply for order and the remaining members at the podium consulted and voted "By a six-two vote, with two no votes, the committee will recommend the full Wizengamot lift the injunction on The Quibbler's ongoing series exploring the history of Salazar Slytherin. We do request, in the interest of public safety, that all such contain disclaimers that the Parseltongue translations have not been verified by independent analysis, and lastly, especially assuming the trend of stories will continue to be dark, are not intended to reflect on any specific member of the Hogwarts house …whether current student or alumnus."

"That is entirely agreeable, Madam Bones." Mr. Lovegood accepted for the group "In fact, thanks to the existing injunction, we have built up a backlog of translations. The Quibbler intends our next publication to be, as the children have returned to classes, to be the diary of one of Founder Slytherin's earliest years. He was not yet, himself a fully trained wizard. Meantime, there will be brief excerpts in our paper, and will include the suggested disclaimers."