Chapter 20
The Fall Of A Potions Mistress
Author's Note: In the Author's Note at the end of the chapter, there is a SPOILER for the future of this story below the "Next Chapter" preview. Do not read below the preview if you do not want to be spoiled. It has to do with Dumbledore, and some of the events that happen in this chapter.
Warning: Dumbledore, Ginny, Ron and Molly Weasley Bashing
(Tuesday, December 15th, 1994)
Molly Weasley hummed along with Celestina Warbeck, as the singer crooned "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love" over the wireless. She was currently stirring a long metal spoon around a Cauldron, which was in the process of brewing the latest batch of Love Potion. Her husband, Arthur, was in his garage tinkering on various Muggle objects. Molly had placed a Compulsion Charm on her husband to keep him in, or near, his garage, for a couple hours, so he wouldn't walk in on her brewing the various Potions she would be working on
An hour ago, Pigwidgeon – the miniature Scops owl who belonged to her son, Ronald – had delivered two letters. One of the letters was personally addressed to her, whilst the other was written for both her and her husband. The second letter was simply a cover letter, so that her husband wouldn't want to read the first. Molly's explanation that the first letter mostly had to do with Ginny's feminine issues had put her husband off of reading the letter, rather quickly.
The letter, penned by Ginny, was actually much more serious than a letter asking for a care package to deal with her latest feminine problems. No, this letter had to do with the big secret plan that her husband had no knowledge of, and had no business knowing about. The secret plan that would eventually lead to her daughter, Ginny, being pregnant with the Heir and future Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. This would also see the Minor House of Weasley escalated to a Noble House, and owners of the Potter's vast fortune.
This plan had run into a few complications recently. Last Saturday, Molly had woken up to a new edition of the Daily Prophet, whose headline had a very interesting article. Arthur had been quite happy with the news, saying the two deserved such happiness. Molly had ignored him, while doing her best not to give him a scathing reply.
She had originally scoffed at Rita Skeeter's article boasting about Harry Potter and Hermione Granger being a couple. She had originally thought the hag was lying about the information. After all, Skeeter had been writing many scathing articles recently about Harry Potter, including one where she had mistaken his age as twelve instead of fourteen! The article about their supposed romantic relationship even had misnamed Hermione as Harmony! She simply thought the journalist hag was spouting off rumors and lies.
Then yesterday morning, Skeeter had another headlining article about the upcoming Second Task which would take place in February. There was another mention of Harry Potter and his girlfriend, Hermione Granger. The original article also had a reprint in the newspaper as well. Molly had begun to get quite concerned about the entire thing. She had attempted to contact Albus Dumbledore through the Floo but he had been out of the castle. Then this morning's newspaper had another damning article. Rita Skeeter had theorized that Harry Potter was Emancipated! This could not be true! Molly had tried to contact Albus again, but he was once again out of the castle!
Molly was about to try to contact Albus again, when Pigwidgeon had entered the Burrow's kitchen. She had read Ginny's letter and had been just as upset as her daughter sounded in the letter. Rita Skeeter had not been lying! Harry Potter had not only asked Hermione Granger to the Yule Ball, but the pair was a serious couple who had been snogging in the middle of the Great Hall, as well as broom closets. Ginny and Ron had witnessed the couple going into a broom closet just that evening! What had happened to the original plan?!
Ginny had explained that too. Harry had asked Granger to the Yule Ball only a few minutes after the Ball had been announced to Harry by Minerva McGonagall. Ron hadn't even been near the pair when Harry had asked Granger! If he had been there, he could have asked Granger first, or interrupted Harry's attempt somehow! But he had not been there!
Ginny had requested to Molly that she speak to Albus, and ask him to Obliviate the couple of any knowledge of their relationship and even attraction to each other. But Molly had decided against doing such a thing. After all, with Rita Skeeter's article out there, it would look suspicious if Harry and Granger suddenly broke up unexpectedly. It would likely be noticed by students first, if Ginny's hints about how public Harry and Granger had been with their displays of affection!
Molly had hoped she wouldn't need to use Love Potions until the following summer. She had hoped Ron would ask Granger to the Ball, and her son could convince Harry to ask Ginny. With this evidence of their date at the Yule Ball, Molly could then give Harry and Granger Love Potions keyed to her children, and when it came out that the two were dating Ginny and Ron respectively, it wouldn't come out as strange. Nobody would suspect the Love Potions then! It would simply be a natural romantic relationship that had evolved during the summer due to their date at the Yule Ball.
Now Molly had to change her plans. Before she could even give Harry and Granger Love Potions, she needed to give them dosages of other Potions that would gradually make Harry and Granger break up their relationship – and make it look believable. This Love Potion she was currently brewing would not be keyed to Ginny or Ron. She planned to deliver the Potion to Ginny with implicit directions to summon a hair from another student – an attractive male – and put it in a dose of the Potion. Ginny would then give this Potion to Granger. Granger would be found publicly snogging this attractive male, and hopefully Harry would see them. Neither Ron nor Ginny would be suspected of this, since they would have no connections to whoever Ginny chose as the scapegoat.
This would begin rumors of the troubled relationship between Harry and Granger, and the many students around Hogwarts would no longer believe the pair was a 'serious couple'. Then she would give Harry and Granger other potions that would separate the two further and further until they were no longer best friends. Once that worked, she could then direct the pair toward her own children. At the very least, she would direct Harry toward Ginny. Granger was only a slim possibility, depending on how her friendship with Harry ended up. If Granger was still in Harry's life – which meant she would be in the Weasley's life - then Molly would direct her toward Ron.
Unfortunately, this won't work in time for the Ball, Molly sighed, But if Harry and Granger are seen accompanying Ginny and Ron on a date or two to Hogsmeade, then their relationship beginning next summer – due to Love Potions – would be seen as more believable. While I would hate for Ginny to be pregnant before she takes her OWLs, unfortunately it might have to happen. So that would mean Lust Potions should be given to both Harry and Ginny the summer before Ginny's OWL year begins.
Molly was so lost in her thoughts, and the wireless' music was so loud, that she did not hear the sounds of a Portkey's arrival at the top of the long driveway.
Her husband, however, did.
(A couple minutes prior…)
Fierce gusts of wind whipped around Amelia's head as the Portkey transported her, Senior Auror John Dawlish, and Auror Hestia Jones. Fortunately for the three law enforcement officials, they were all quite used to Portkey travel, and all of them were able to land smoothly on their feet on the gravel road as the trip ended. The Portkey – which was a two-way Key – would also be used to transport Amelia, the Aurors, and anyone else that might accompany them, such as someone under arrest. The Portkey calmed down and went temporarily inert until activated again.
Amelia pocketed the jump-rope Portkey in her robes, then looked around at her destination. They were standing on a gravel road at the beginning of a long gravel driveway that led to one of the most peculiarly-built houses Amelia had ever seen. It seemed to be built with magic, and Amelia momentarily wondered if a powerful Finite would knock the entire house down. As Amelia and the two Aurors started off down the driveway, she saw Arthur Weasley walking toward them. Then, he did a rather peculiar move, and turned around and walked back toward the small building that neighbored the larger house.
"Auror Dawlish," Amelia said, "Check up on Arthur Weasley for any negative Charms and other spells. He seemed to wish to greet us, but he then turned back around. His behavior seems strange."
"You're right, boss," Hestia Jones said, "I did expect him to greet us and welcome us into his home, at the very least. Arthur has always been a courteous gentleman, for as long as I've known him. For him to not greet us is certainly odd behavior."
"I'll see what's wrong with his behavior, boss," Dawlish said.
Arthur once again walked out of the smaller building and walked in their direction. This time Amelia saw the peculiar look on the man's face as he stepped a few feet away from the building, before he attempted to turn back around. Dawlish cast a charm that made Arthur remain where he stood.
"Apologies, Arthur," Amelia said, as Dawlish started running diagnostics around the Head of House Weasley, "You were behaving rather peculiarly, and I couldn't ignore it."
"There seems to be a lot of negative spells and other things affecting Weasley here, boss," Dawlish said, "However, the most recent seems to be a Compulsion Charm. If I were to guess, it is a Compulsion keeping the man in or around this building here. Someone didn't want him going back in the house."
"His wife, perhaps?" Hestia suggested. "Which makes me wonder. Where is she? I thought she would have noticed our arrival now. She's always struck me as a busybody. I would have thought she'd come out and demand to know what we were doing. Where could she be? And what could she be doing?"
Amelia wondered the same thing. She also wondered if Molly Weasley had been doing something inside the Burrow, and was trying to hide it now.
"Jones, remain here with Arthur!" Amelia said, "Dawlish, with me. Wands out!"
Amelia and Dawlish hurried down the driveway and through the front door of the Burrow. Molly Weasley was currently standing in the middle of the kitchen levitating a Cauldron in the direction of a closet of some type.
"Freeze, Molly Weasley, DMLE and Auror Department!" Amelia ordered.
As Molly turned toward Amelia and Dawlish, the Cauldron she had been levitating had nearly crashed to the floor, along with the contents inside. Amelia, however, used her wand to levitate it and bring it back to the table. The contents sloshed in the Cauldron, but none had dripped out. It was odd that the contents were still there. Why hadn't Molly Vanished it?
"What are you doing in my house?!" Molly shrieked. "You have no right to barge into my house, Amelia Bones! I know my rights!"
"Do you?" Amelia asked. "So if I were to tell you that you Breached the Statute of Secrecy, would you be able to tell me exactly when such an event happened?
"I would never!" Molly shrieked.
"September 1st, 1991, King's Cross Station," Amelia said, smirking when Molly's eyes widened in obvious panic, "You led your children across toward Platform Nine-And-Three Quarters talking loudly about the place being crowded with Muggles. You also seemed to be rather confused about where the Platform was, Mrs. Weasley. Had you recently been Obliviated of such information? Why did you have to ask your daughter where the Platform was? Why were you speaking loudly about such things in a platform while surrounded by Muggles, who wouldn't know these terms, therefore risking a breach of the Statute of Secrecy."
Molly had collapsed onto one of the chairs at the kitchen table halfway through Amelia's statement.
"What has you so quiet, Mrs. Weasley?" Amelia asked, "Wondering how I could possibly know of such information? Thinking you were in the clear about such an event, as you trusted that your children would never turn you in."
"They didn't!" Molly growled, "Did they? Who was it? I bet it was Percy! He's been trying to get a step up in the Ministry. Would he be desparate enough to betray his family just for a good promotion?"
"None of your children told me," Amelia said. "They'll be in trouble for that, however. They should have reported such a Breach to the proper authorities."
"You can't do this!" Molly cried. "They're children!"
Amelia ignored her. "There was one other witness there, however. Somebody who, on that day, didn't know that what you were doing was illegal. He had very little knowledge about the wizarding world, and the legal ins and outs, that he wouldn't notice anything strange about you yelling about Muggles and the Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters. No, he was just so relieved that someone just so happened to be yelling out a couple of words that he actually recognized, so he could finally get on the Platform, and get on the train to Hogwarts."
Molly's eyes widened again, as she realized just who Amelia was talking about.
"If you ask me, that seems a little suspicious," Amelia said. "I mean, there is one reasonable explanation for you asking about the Platform. Before September 1st, 1991, I am sure you used the Floo Network to get onto the Platform like most normal wizarding families do. So perhaps you might have been a little confused about where to go. But how would your daughter know something you wouldn't? Why were you asking her?
"And why did you continue to use the Muggleborn route the following years, unless you were trying to keep up some kind of charade? Is that why you're always nearly late onto the Platform? Because you're not used to getting onto the platform the Muggleborn way? But you can't use the wizarding route anymore, otherwise Harry Potter would question why you didn't do that in '91? You probably didn't want him to become suspicious of your… motives… for being there on the Muggle side that day in the first place.
"Oh, don't worry about explaining those motives right now. You can explain that back at the DMLE Headquarters."
"You have no real reason to bring me in!" Molly growled. "All of that is speculation and hearsay!"
"Actually, Mrs. Weasley," Dawlish said, grinning malevolently, "We do have a reason to bring you in."
Molly's expression turned aghast as she turned to the Senior Auror, who was standing over the Cauldron on the table.
"Director Bones, this is Love Potion – a Restricted Substance," Dawlish said. "And that closet behind me? Warded with charms, spells and even runic enchantments that hide the area from anyone who isn't looking for it. It has several ingredients, as well as vials that are, I suspect, filled with several various illegal or restricted substances."
"You searched that illegally!" Molly shrieked, "I will have your jobs! You shouldn't have been in here in the first place! You wouldn't have found any of that if you hadn't illegally come in here!"
"What about the Compulsion Charm on your husband to keep him from coming in here while you brewed these Potions?" Dawlish asked, "Think we wouldn't have found that?"
"You wouldn't have known about it if you hadn't been here in the first place!" Molly said, with a smug smirk.
"Your suspected Breach of the Statute of Secrecy is the reason we're here, Mrs. Weasley," Amelia said. "Even suspicions of breaking the most important law we have in our world gives us reason to be here. I also have evidence – of which I will receive physical proof tomorrow – of an Illegally Created Betrothal Contract penned back in '81, for your daughter, Ginevra, and Harry James Potter, dated less than a week after his parents' deaths! Their bodies were barely buried when you decided to make decisions with their son's life!"
"How did you – that Contract is not illegal!" Molly growled, "It was legally penned between a Parent of one child and a Magical Guardian of another!"
"Albus Dumbledore isn't Harry Potter's legal Magical Guardian, Molly," Amelia said. "If Albus told you that, he lied to you. Molly Weasley, you are under arrest for Breaching the Statute of Secrecy, Illegal Creation of a Betrothal Contract, Possession and Conspiracy to use Illegal and Restricted Substances, and the use of a Compulsion Charm on one Arthur Septimus Weasley. More charges may be laid against you in the future. Anything you say will be used against you in front of the Wizengamot, for all your peers to hear."
"Fine! Arrest me!" Molly growled, "Albus Dumbledore will get me out! Then he will make sure you no longer have a job!"
"We'll see about that," Amelia said, "We're going to be speaking to him soon enough. Oh, by the way, we're also going to Hogwarts to speak to your children."
Molly growled and stood up. "You leave my children alone, bitch!"
She whipped out her wand, but Amelia was quicker. Molly Weasley crashed to the floor with a heavy thud, due to a Stunner.
"Well, looks like we can add Attempted Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, boss," Dawlish said, grinning malevolently.
"Yes, it does," Amelia said, shaking her head at the unconscious body of the stupid woman, "Collect all the evidence of the illegal substances, Senior Auror Dawlish. You now have a reason to search for the Illegal Betrothal Contract. If you can find it, bring it to the DMLE. If you happen to find anything else here that might be illegal, please collect it too."
Dawlish smirked. "Yes, boss. I'd be delighted to."
"I'm going to collect Molly Weasley," Amelia said, "And Auror Jones and I will bring her and her husband back to the DMLE Headquarters. Arthur needs a check-up for those negative effects his body has been placed under. Report to me about your findings when you return, then you can report back to Auror Scrimgeour."
"Yes, ma'am," Dawlish said, then proceeded to do as ordered.
Amelia levitated the unconscious woman and brought her outside where Arthur Weasley was sitting down against the wall of the smaller building, whilst being watched by Auror Jones.
When Arthur saw his unconscious wife, he broke down and started crying.
(Half-an-hour later)
Amelia Bones sat across from Molly Weasley, whose arms and hands were shackled to the table they were sitting at. They were in one of the Interrogation Rooms located in the DMLE Headquarters. Hestia Jones was standing a few feet behind Molly, while another Auror, Proudfoot, was standing at the door of the Interrogation Room. Arthur Weasley was now a patient in the DMLE's Hospital Wing, being checked over by a Healer specially registered with the DMLE.
Senior Auror John Dawlish had met with Amelia a couple minutes before Amelia had entered the room and had given her a preliminary report on what he had found at the Burrow. He had also found the copy of the Illegal Betrothal Contract. He had also found a Gringotts Key inside the closet – he was quite sure it did not belong to Molly.
"The Contract and the Key had been in that same closet where the various Potions and ingredients were stored," Dawlish reported. "The closet was littered with various runes that prevented anyone from even knowing about it, if they didn't have permission to do so. There was a Permission Ward. Molly Weasley and, oddly enough, Albus Dumbledore were the only names written on the Permission Ward list."
Amelia placed a large bag on the table and opened it. She removed her notepad, a roll of parchment, and Dictation Quills which also had Self-Inking Charms. She set the Quill on top of the parchment.
"Test," she said clearly.
When the Quill wrote the same word on the parchment, Amelia vanished the word with her wand. She then brought out a couple vials filled with Potion. She lifted one of the vials up and waved it in front of Molly.
"Recognize this?" Amelia asked, "I am sure a Potions Mistress with your vast knowledge in the subject should be able to figure out what this is. Veritaserum. The Truth Serum. I know what you're thinking, Molly. Statements given under the influence of Truth Serum aren't admissible in front of the Wizengamot. That is true. But so is this: you've already committed enough crimes that will see you in Azkaban for at least a few years. That is alright with me.
"The Veritaserum is only necessary because I need to know your whole plan. I need to know who is involved in this plan, and who the plan endangers. I need this information to protect people. I don't need it to place any more charges against you.
"Auror Proudfoot, point your wand at Madam Weasley, please. Auror Jones, use your wand to open her mouth and keep it open while I give her the Truth Serum."
The two Aurors did as asked, and soon Molly's mouth was forced open. Amelia uncorked the vials and placed three drops of Veritaserum on Molly's tongue. When Amelia backed away, Hestia released the enchantment, and Molly's mouth closed with a snap.
Amelia removed her pocket-watch from her pocket and opened it up, then glanced at it.
"It is nine-forty-seven on the evening of the fifteenth of December in the year nineteen hundred and ninety-four," Amelia said. "Interrogation Room B. Interrogator: Director Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Prisoner is Molly Matilda Weasley 'nee Prewett, Matriarch of the Minor House of Weasley. Aurors Hestia Jones and Derek Proudfoot are witnesses of the Interrogation. Molly Weasley has been given three drops of Veritaserum. The three questions to confirm Veritaserum is working will begin now. Question one: Molly Weasley, what are the full names of your eldest and youngest child?"
"William Arthur Weasley and Ginevra Molly Weasley," Molly said.
"Question two," Amelia said, "What is the affectionate name of the residence in which you live?"
"The Burrow," Molly said.
"Question three: lie to me, Molly," Amelia said, "What is the date of your birth?"
"30 October 1950," Molly said.
"Molly Weasley has answered all questions truthfully," Amelia said, "We will now move onto the main portion of the Interrogation."
Amelia took the Gringotts Key – which Dawlish had given her – from her pocket and showed it to Molly.
"This Gringotts Key was found in your hidden supply closet," Amelia said, "Who does it belong to?"
"Harry Potter," Molly said.
"Why do you have it in your possession?" Amelia asked.
"I asked Harry if I could do his booklist shopping while he was with my family at the Quidditch World Cup," Molly said.
"That was in August," Amelia said, "You did not give Harry his Key back? Why?"
"He did not ask for it," Molly said. "Not until a few days ago. Albus Dumbledore wrote me a letter and asked me to give Harry Potter his Gringotts Key back. I have not arranged to do so yet."
Amelia sighed. She made a mental note to return the key to Harry Potter tomorrow.
"You did not offer to give it back in August," Amelia said, "Why?"
"I decided to keep it in case I needed to take more money from Harry's Vault," Molly said.
"How much money did you steal from Harry Potter since August that wasn't used for Harry?" Amelia asked.
"Five thousand Galleons," Molly said. "I did not steal it! Albus Dumbledore said I should feel free to use some of Harry Potter's money, because he is Betrothed to my daughter! The money will be ours eventually."
"Yes, this Illegal Betrothal Contract," Amelia said, "please describe the events that led to the Illegal Creation of the Betrothal Contract between Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley, created on 5 November, 1981."
"On 5 November, 1981," Molly began, "Albus Dumbledore spoke with me at the Burrow. He told me that James and Lily Potter had named him Harry's Magical Guardian. He also said that James and Lily Potter had been planning on arranging a meeting with me and Arthur to discuss a possible Betrothal Contract between Harry and my daughter, Ginevra. Albus asked me if I would still be up to such a Contract. I agreed almost immediately. Albus then told me Arthur did not need to be involved in the creation of the Contract. Albus and I penned the Contract on that very day. We did not fill out any provisos, which I thought was peculiar at the time. Albus then promised he would take the Contract to Gringotts to meet with a Goblin and make the Contract official. He gave me an official copy of the Contract two days later."
"Did Albus explain his reasons behind the Creation of the Betrothal Contract at that moment in time?" Amelia asked.
"He did not explain his reasons for nearly ten years," Molly said.
"Explain the details of the conversation when Albus explained his reasons behind the Creation of the Betrothal Contract," Amelia said.
"Albus Dumbledore visited the Burrow on August 11th, 1991, during Ginevra's tenth birthday party," Molly said. "Albus wished to speak to me in private. I agreed. He asked me if I still had the Betrothal Contract between my daughter and Harry Potter. I told him I did. He then told me if everything worked out, then in a few years, Ginevra would be pregnant with Harry Potter's Heir, but Ginny would never marry Harry. Albus said Harry would be dead by his seventeenth birthday. With Ginny as the mother of the Potter Heir, she would gain the Potter Fortune. However, when the Heir was born, Ginny would be underage, and therefore I would have control of the Potter Fortune until Ginny's seventeenth birthday."
"Did you agree to cooperate with Albus Dumbledore's plan?" Amelia asked.
"I did," Molly said, "It was too good a deal to pass up."
"When you agreed to the plan," Amelia said, "What did Albus Dumbledore ask you to do after that?"
"Albus told me that Harry Potter had recently returned to the wizarding world on his eleventh birthday," Molly said. "He said Rubeus Hagrid was in charge of introducing the wizarding world to Harry, and that he had helped Harry with his booklist for his first year at Hogwarts. Albus said that Hagrid had made a big mistake. Hagrid had not told Harry how to get onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Albus told me that it would be my job to make sure Harry got onto the Platform. Albus assured me that Harry would be near the portal to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, trying to figure out how to get onto the Platform. If I helped Harry get onto the platform, Albus said it would make sure Harry would begin to trust me and my children."
"How were your children involved in this plan?" Amelia asked.
"Albus told me that my son, Ronald, would become Harry Potter's best friend," Molly said, "All Ron would need to do was find Harry on the Hogwarts Express, where Ron would ask Harry if he could sit with him. Ron simply needed to tell Harry that all the other carriages were full. Ron would also be required to convince Harry to join Gryffindor House, and also keep other students from wanting to introduce themselves to Harry. Albus said if Harry met any girls, then such friendship may risk the future relationship between Ginny and Harry.
"A few days before the first of September, I asked Ginny if she would like to meet Harry Potter. Ginny was quite happy to agree. I told her that I had heard rumors she would be able to meet Harry on the Muggle side of the portal to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. All Ginny needed to do on the first of September was answer 'Platform Nine and Three Quarters', when I asked her what the Platform number was, and do so quite loudly, so Harry would hear her. Then he would find her and meet her."
Amelia checked the parchment to make sure the Quill was recording the whole conversation. After verifying that it was, Amelia continued with her questions. Even though she would soon discover, through the DMLE Healer, what exactly was wrong with Arthur, she asked Molly what she did to Arthur. The answer: dosed with various Potions, and enchanted with Compulsions and other various enchantments for several years.
This discussion would lead into Molly being asked what Potions she was brewing and had been planning on brewing that evening. Which lead to the revelations of Molly's plans for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, when it came to Ronald and Ginevra Weasley. This lead to another question:
"Did you have anything to do with the Secrecy Enchantment Jewelry Ronald and Ginevra currently wear?" Amelia asked.
"Albus told me he feared that Ronald and Ginevra – both of whom knew all about the plans for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger – would give up the secret plans without meaning to," Molly said, "He then told me he knew of a way to prevent it."
"So you were knowledgeable about the jewelry," Amelia said, "but had nothing to do with their creation?"
"That is correct," Molly said.
Amelia smiled. There was verification of the of the Conspiracy to Use Class Seven Restricted Enchantments – two counts. She continued the interrogation for several more minutes, getting Molly to spill all her plans she had for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, including the back-up plans she had if the first plans did not work.
By the time she was finished, she had plenty of things to discuss with Ronald and Ginevra Weasley, and Albus Dumbledore. Molly Weasley would be spending a few nights in the Holding Cells while Amelia arranged for a trial the following weekend. She was quite sure Molly Weasley would soon be a prisoner of Azkaban for a few years. Now she just needed to make sure Albus Dumbledore didn't discover the Weasley Matriarch was behind bars.
But first, she needed to meet with Arthur. She needed to get his permission to speak to his four youngest children and also, just in case, use Veritaserum on the youngest two.
"Give her the Antidote and let her stew in here for a little while," Amelia said. "I'm going to arrange for a private holding cell that even Albus Dumbledore won't be able to find."
Aurors Jones and Proudfoot both smirked at this declaration, then nodded in acknowledgement of the order. Amelia then walked out of the office in direction of the DMLE Hospital Wing.
(Wednesday, December 16th, 1994)
Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his golden throne at the Head Table in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, enjoying his usual breakfast, when the flocks of owls flew down from the rafters. Praying he wasn't about to receive another edition of the Daily Prophet with more bad news from Rita Skeeter, he glanced up at the owls. He saw an owl flying in his direction and he sighed in frustration.
However, a new edition of the Daily Prophet did not drop in front of him. What did drop in front of him was far more disturbing: a black envelope from Gringotts. Albus' hands trembled as he picked up the envelope and broke the Gringotts seal. The envelope transformed into a piece of parchment. Albus steeled himself as he read the letter.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,
I, Keeper Ragnok the Sixth, Account Manager of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, find you culpable of theft, in the amount of G250,000, from the Vaults of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. It is believed you have transferred portions of said money to the Private Vault belonging to one Molly Matilda Weasley 'nee Prewett.
You are also accused of using Griphook, an employee of Gringotts, to spy for you, and betray Gringotts and the Goblin Nation under your orders. Under your orders, Griphook betrayed the Ancient and Noble House of Potter by not informing one Harry James Potter to meet with I, Keeper Ragnok the Sixth.
You are also accused of blocking communication and correspondence between Gringotts and Harry James Potter.
If you do not step into the London Branch of Gringotts by ten-o-clock this morning to answer to these charges, you will forever be banned from stepping into Gringotts or Goblin Soil ever again, and your Gringotts Account will be forever closed. I will make sure your entire fortune be given to Harry Potter.
May your feet guide you on your necessary path,
Keeper Ragnok the Sixth
Account Manager & Vault Keeper of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter
It was only Albus' mastered abilities in Occlumency that kept him from blowing his top right there in the middle of the Great Hall. How dare that filthy beast do this to him? Him! The Leader of the Light! It was thanks to him that the Ministry of Magic hadn't marched into Gringotts and destroyed the damnable Goblin Nation! The Goblins should be bowing on their knees in front of him, and thanking him for all he had done for them!
Albus knew exactly who this Ragnok the Sixth was. Not only was he Harry Potter's Account Manager, but he was also the son of the Goblin King. Well… if Ragnok did not drop every single one of these charges, the Ragnok line in Gringotts would be extinct by the end of the day! He would strike down every Goblin that stopped him from destroying the King if Ragnok the Sixth denied his demands!
"I am going to be away from Hogwarts for a while," Albus said, to Minerva, "I do not know how long I will be away. I hope to return by lunchtime."
"I will handle everything until you return," Minerva said. "Safe travels, Albus."
Albus did not reply, as he stood up and marched out of the Great Hall, keeping his head high. This time he did not go up to his office. He would step out of the Hogwarts Gates and Apparate onto the front steps of Gringotts just to prove he could.
He marched out through the large front doors of the castle, and made his way over to one of the carriages. It did not have a Thestral attached to it, but he did not need one. He waved the Elder Wand at the carriage, then stepped into it. The carriage started moving down the long driveway. When it arrived ten minutes later, he stepped out. He was so focused on what he was about to do, he did not notice Hagrid preparing a carriage for apparent guests. He didn't even hear Hagrid when the large man called for him. He simply walked through the gates, then Apparated.
He arrived on the steps of Gringotts, landing on both feet. Immediately, he realized his mistake, as the two large Goblin guards, shocked by his sudden arrival, approached him and pointed their large halberds at him. Before Albus could say anything, they stepped toward him, and he backed up down the stairs and onto the cobblestone path of Diagon Alley. One of the guards whistled and the doors of Gringotts opened. Suddenly, eight more large Goblins stepped out and quickly surrounded Albus.
Before he could say anything, one of the Guards threw a large chain at him. The chain wrapped around Albus before he could counter it, then all of a sudden, Gringotts and Diagon Alley vanished in front of his sight, soon to be replaced with stone and rocky walls and floors.
And several iron bars on one side of the room. He immediately knew where he was. He had visited the Goblin Holding Cells a few times over the years. But he had always been on the other side of the cells.
"Let me out of here!" Albus growled as he stepped up to the bars. "Do you know who I am! I am Albus –"
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," a voice said, "Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and world-famous 'Leader of the Sheep!"
Albus' eyes widened as a Goblin walked up to the other side of the bars. He knew who this was.
"Do you know who I am?" the Goblin asked, "I am Keeper Ragnok the Sixth, the reason you are here in this cell."
"I demand you let me out now!" Albus growled.
"Oh, I apologize, but I will not be doing that right now," Ragnok said, "It is Gringotts policy for any unruly guests of Gringotts to spend a couple of hours in our Holding Cells cooling down before they will become more cooperative. If they become angry or unruly whilst inside the Holding Cell, we add another hour onto their time. How long will you be in there, Mr. Dumbledore? I do not know. However, I will tell you this. It will be a lot longer if you continue to threaten me, my family and my father, the King of the Goblin Nation if I do not drop the charges against you."
Albus' eyes widened. How did the infernal Goblin know about that?! He reached to his robes to grab the Elder Wand… and found bare skin. He glanced down at his body and found that he was completely naked, bare of any clothing.
"Your clothes and Wand will be given back to you when your time in here is finished, Mr. Dumbledore," Ragnok said.
"Fawkes!" Albus shouted.
Nothing happened, aside from the Goblin laughing harshly.
"Did you really believe we wouldn't enchant the Cells against Phoenix Travel?" Ragnok asked. "These cells were built to keep someone like you inside them."
"I'm honored," Albus said, through gritted teeth.
"Don't be," Ragnok said, "Another hour has been added onto your 'sentence' for your attempt to escape through Phoenix Travel. I will see you in three hours, unless you add more time onto your 'sentence'. Then we can talk about why you are here. I will see you soon, Albus. If you are good."
The Goblin cackled as he walked away from the cells. Albus growled under his breath and turned around. There was a metal can in one corner of the cell – a toilet, he realized. There was also a raised stone formation built into a wall. A bed… a very uncomfortable looking bed. Albus sighed and walked over to the bed, then gingerly sat down on it. He shivered at the ice-cold feeling of the stone beneath his bare skin.
"Damned rotten inhumane Goblins!" he cursed; then his eyes widened when he realized he had said that loudly.
"That's another hour, prisoner!" a Goblin – who wasn't Ragnok – growled, "That's four!"
Albus pouted. He wasn't going to make it back to Hogwarts for lunch. It was Shepherd's pie day.
Albus Dumbledore loved Shepherd's pie.
I very much hope you enjoyed this chapter!
I was going to add a final scene with a very short Rubeus Hagrid PoV frowning as Albus vanished, and saying he was going to tell Albus about Minerva's expected guests. But I decided against it.
Next Chapter: Amelia, Kingsley, Tonks and Arthur Weasley arrive at Hogwarts, where they talk with the Weasley children and Harry and Hermione.
SPOILERS ABOUT DUMBLEDORE'S GRINGOTTS DILEMMA BELOW! DO NOT READ IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED!
Do not expect Ragnok to do much against Dumbledore in terms of any charges for crimes… yet. His letter was mostly to get Dumbledore out of Hogwarts. Dumbledore will be quite confused about Ragnok's motives. But Ragnok wants Dumbledore to be paranoid of the Goblins for now. He wants the old man to feel fear toward Gringotts. Ragnok wants to see what the Ministry can do against Dumbledore first. If they can't do much, then Gringotts will go after Dumbledore. I have a funny scene in mind similar to what happened to Dumbledore here with the security goblins. But we'll see what happens.