Chapter 22
Aurors At Hogwarts, Part 2
Author's Note: Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you my favorite fanon relationship in the entire Harry Potter fanfiction fandom! (Harmony is canon, not fanon, of course! You won't hear different from me!). Sirius Black and Amelia Bones are absolutely perfect together, and I will not listen to any argument against it. That goes especially for you, Sirius/Remus Moonstar shippers!
In my universe, Amelia Bones went to Hogwarts in the same year as Lily and the Marauders. Deal with it. I really love her backstory in this chapter.
Warning: Dumbledore, Ginny, Ron and Molly Weasley Bashing
(Wednesday, December 16th, 1994)
"Mr. Potter," Amelia said. "I apologize for what I am about to request. But I must ask you to contact your godfather. I would very much like to speak to him. Now."
Director Amelia Bones watched as Harry looked uncertain for a moment, before a look of resignation crossed his face and he nodded.
"I need to speak to Sirius in private, ma'am," he said. "I need to explain what is going on. I've already told him that I had plans to speak to you about him. So he shouldn't be too surprised… or concerned."
"Very well, Harry," Amelia said.
Harry stood then walked across the room and over to a private corner, and removed a small, compact mirror from his pocket. Amelia sighed as she relaxed in the chair and rubbed her forehead. When she had planned to speak to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger today, she had never suspected she would be getting information about Sirius Black.
Thinking about Sirius Black was painful for Amelia Bones. She had been in the same year-group here at Hogwarts as Sirius Black, James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans and Severus Snape. Even though she had been the lone Hufflepuff in a group of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, Amelia had been a part of an all-girl study group with Lily Evans, Pandora Pressley, Illiana Blishwick, and Alice Smythe, among others.
These four aforementioned witches were all in serious relationships with their boyfriends halfway through their seventh year, and would go on to get married to their respective lovers just a few months out of Hogwarts. Amelia remembered thinking she would be the next one to get married. She had been seriously dating Sirius Black starting in their seventh year, after he had asked her to Hogsmeade for that year's Halloween Hogsmeade weekend.
During James and Lily's wedding reception in August, three months after finishing their Hogwarts education, Amelia asked Sirius if he ever considered getting married. Sirius, of course, knew what she had been implying. He said he wanted to wait until the war with Voldemort was over. Amelia also realized he wasn't going to propose to her until after the war was over. She remembered thinking at the time that he might have been afraid he wouldn't make it out of the war alive, by the time it was over, and he didn't want to give her too much hope. Amelia also remembered thinking why she and Sirius couldn't be like their friends and get married because they might not make it out of the war alive. She never voiced this thought, however.
The war continued. Soon, her friends had gotten pregnant: Lily Potter, Illiana Greengrass, and Alice Longbottom. Even her brother's wife had been pregnant with her niece, Susan. Pandora Lovegood would be the last to become pregnant, but only several months after her friends' babies were born.
But not Amelia. But that had been her fault, mostly. She could have gotten pregnant if she really wanted to. Miss a Contraceptive Draught one month, it would have been that easy. But due to the war, she and Sirius were dedicated to their roles. She had decided it would be too risky for her to wind up pregnant and not be able to fight in what could be the most important months of the war.
Sirius was dedicated to the Order of the Phoenix, something she refused to join, because she didn't want it to interfere with her job as an Auror. Alastor Moody had been in the Order, and he had tried to convince her to join. But because Sirius, and even James, had decided against becoming Aurors, and simply just be a part of the Order, Amelia didn't join for the exact opposite reason.
Even though the Auror and MLE Departments never collaborated with the Order, Amelia's relationship with Sirius still flourished, even as their friends married and started families. They were still lovers – as close to husband and wife, or engaged at the very least - without the actual titles.
Then that Halloween in 1981 came. Before she knew it, James and Lily Potter was dead, as was Peter Pettigrew – though Amelia had doubts about that one even now - and Sirius Black was in Azkaban for Pettigrew's murder, and betraying the Potters to their deaths. Amelia had been distraught. So distraught, she hadn't even been paying attention to what happened to Sirius Black between the death of James and Lily, to the time he had gone to Azkaban. Sirius had been in Azkaban before she knew it. She had been forced to take a paid holiday from her job as an Auror because she was too close to all the terrible events.
Now she couldn't even recall if Sirius had been given a proper trial.
Then Frank and Alice Longbottom had been attacked and tortured into insanity at Longbottom Manor. A couple months later, Susan's parents had been killed while Amelia was babysitting Susan. Her babysitting job had turned into a full-blown job as Susan's guardian. Amelia had resigned as an Auror and decided to join the DMLE instead. She would go on to become the youngest Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
But Amelia Bones had never forgotten about Sirius Black. Something had always rubbed her the wrong away about Sirius being in Azkaban. He and James were like brothers. Family. Sirius considered James' parents as closer family to him than his own parents had been. How could he have betrayed them? Sirius had been accused of being a Death Eater. But… how was that possible? Amelia had made love with Sirius two nights before that Halloween and… there was no Dark Mark on his arm.
Yet there had been no other proof of his innocence. No Dark Mark wasn't proof. There were rumors of several unmarked recruits in the final years of the War.
Now here was proof she could have used a long time ago. Proof in James and Lily Potter's Final Will and Testament that should have been released thirty days after their deaths.
Amelia's eyes narrowed as she looked down at the bottom of the Will.
"That bastard," Amelia snarled. "Albus Dumbledore knew Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper. Knew Sirius Black was Harry's sworn godfather. He was witness to this very Will. Yet, he was responsible – along with Millicent Bagnold and Bartemius Crouch – for putting Sirius in Azkaban."
"Sirius and Remus Lupin believe there is a conspiracy here," McGonagall said, nodding. "They believe Albus put Sirius in Azkaban so he couldn't be Harry's guardian. Look at that list of guardians, Amelia. You're on it! So am I! The Dursleys were never supposed to be his guardians! And yet he's lived there since James and Lily's deaths! Albus Dumbledore sealed the Official Will so nobody would discover any of this information!"
Amelia snarled as she looked at the list of Guardians. Oh, yes. Albus Dumbledore was going to pay dearly. Not just for what he had done to Harry Potter. But for what he had done to her and Sirius Black. Amelia had never been in another romantic relationship since Sirius had gone to Azkaban. She was still faithful to him. Now she blamed Albus Dumbledore on her never having been able to have a proper family, outside of her niece and ward, Susan.
Her musing was interrupted as Harry walked back over to the desk.
"Director Bones," Harry said, "Sirius has agreed to talk to you. He's – erm – rather nervous about speaking to you, though."
"I don't think he's nervous about the whole fugitive thing, Mr. Potter," Amelia said, with a smug smirk. "He's nervous about speaking to his old lover. We would have been married if things had gone better."
Harry and Hermione's eyes widened comically. Minerva merely smiled, as if she had known all along. Harry then chuckled and gave the mirror to Amelia.
"That is why I would have called you Auntie if things had gone differently," he said.
"Correct, young man," Amelia said, with a smile. "Sirius was as good as your Uncle, as well as your godfather."
"How about we give Amelia some privacy?" Minerva suggested.
Minerva stood up and conjured a table and three chairs in the middle of the empty floor between the desk and the door. Her two students joined her as she sat down at the table.
Amelia inhaled and exhaled, then looked into the mirror. She blinked back tears as she saw Sirius Black's face looking at her. He was unrecognizable. No longer was there evidence of that roguish, young face she had fallen for so many years ago. Twelve years of Azkaban had done its damage to Sirius, but he seemed to have regained back some of his health, and she thought he still looked handsome.
"Amelia Bones," Sirius said, obvious emotion in his voice, "You are a sight for sore eyes. Aside from the memories of Prongs and Lily, my godson, and Moony, memories of you kept me sane in Azkaban, love. I have never forgotten you."
"Hello, Sirius," Amelia said, "Why haven't you ever contacted me since you escaped Azkaban?"
"I thought you considered me guilty, like everyone else did!" Sirius muttered.
"Sirius," Amelia said, frowning, "I –"
"What was I supposed to think, Amy?" Sirius asked. "You're the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement! You did nothing to make sure I got a trial! I thought, out of everyone, it would be you that would visit me in Azkaban, tell me you knew I was innocent, and that you had finally gotten me a trial. But you never did!"
"I didn't you know you didn't have a trial, Sirius," Amelia said. "You must understand. I wasn't allowed in the Auror Department for nearly a month after that Halloween. I was completely distraught and depressed during that month. My friends were dead. The love of my life was in Azkaban, apparently responsible for betraying my friends. Alice and her husband was attacked only days after that Halloween… and then my brother and his wife. I've been raising my niece for the past twelve years, Sirius. I… believe me, Sirius, if I had any inkling of your innocence, I would have done something. Unfortunately, it seems that the proof was well hidden. Until now. James and Lily's Final Will and Testament. It should have been opened a month after their deaths."
"But Dumbledore had it sealed," Sirius growled, "Because the bastard wanted me in Azkaban! He didn't want me anywhere near my godson! Harry was never supposed to live with Lily's sister! He had several preferred guardians, if I couldn't do the job!"
"I know this, Sirius," Amelia said, "I'm looking at James and Lily's Will. I was on a list to be his guardian. But I never knew."
"How could you?" Sirius asked. "You and I weren't married, or even engaged. Which is completely my fault and one of my biggest regrets. James and Lily were almost always behind a Fidelius in Godric's Hollow. My cousin, Andie, Andromeda Tonks, she's a Healer, and they had her over at the cottage at a few times so she could check up on Harry. They wouldn't risk going to St. Mungo's.
"They only left the cottage once. To go to Gringotts to apparently pen that Will. They thought, if they had died, the Will would have been opened. Their son would be living with me, unless I died. Then there would be others who could raise them. James and Lily had plenty of allies. You were one of them, of course. So I suppose it isn't a surprise you're on the list of Guardians along with many of those Allies."
"The Great Alliance," Amelia said, nodding.
"Harry told me I was supposed to be the Proxy Leader in James' place if he died," Sirius muttered. "Why me? Augusta Longbottom or Castor Greengrass seemed like the better choice. Certainly the two most mature members of the Alliance."
"He trusted you more than anyone, Sirius," Amelia said, then she sniffled. "Merlin, I am sorry, love. I should have known you would have never betrayed him! You considered him your brother! You loved him more than you loved me!"
"I forgive you, Amy," Sirius said. "If I can't forgive you, who can I forgive?"
"Sirius, I need you to tell me everything," Amelia said. "I need to know so I can get you a proper trial."
"I suppose I should start a couple weeks that Halloween," Sirius said, "Even though they had been living in Godric's Hollow, James and Lily didn't use a Fidelius on the house until it was nearly too late. They decided to go through with it two weeks before that Halloween. Wormtail, Dumbledore and I were invited to the cottage. Remus wasn't invited because –"
"You thought he might be a traitor," Amelia said, "I remember your theories back then."
"Remus has forgiven me for that, but I still feel horrible for it," Sirius said, "If I hadn't accused him – never mind. Anyway, James and Lily wanted me to be the Secret Keeper. I kind of figured this was going to be what they wanted of me, so that is why I brought Wormtail along. I suggested that bastard be the Secret Keeper! Thought it would be safer if it was him. Nobody would suspect him, everyone would think it was me. Yeah, that worked out a little too well. Wormtail did seem a little too eager to accept the role, now that I think on it."
"That must be why James and Lily blamed him for their deaths in their Will," Amelia said.
"Oh, Merlin," Sirius sniffled, "I didn't know they had doubts! Why didn't they tell me?! Unless… Amy, what if Dumbledore knew Wormtail was shady even then? What if he had something to do with me encouraging Wormtail to be the Secret Keeper? What if he had something to do with James and Lily accepting Peter as the Secret Keeper?"
"If he influenced James and Lily, they wouldn't have voiced their issues about Peter in their Will, Sirius," Amelia said, shaking her head, "They certainly wouldn't have voiced their issues with Albus in the Will, if he had any influence over them."
Sirius sighed. "So many questions. Anyway, before I left Godric's Hollow that night, I placed a runestone underneath the welcome mat on the front step of the house. It would warn me if there were nefarious spells or curses, or whatever, in the vicinity. That Halloween, the alarms keyed to the runestone went mad."
Amelia listened as Sirius struggled with the rest of his tale. Everything from confronting Rubeus Hagrid who was already at the cottage – which Amelia found strange. Especially when Sirius said Hagrid refused to give Harry to him, which he should have done, as Sirius was his godfather. Amelia found it quite suspicious that Dumbledore wanted to see the boy, when his rightful guardian was already there. Sirius then continued, describing watching Hagrid leave with Harry on Sirius' old motorbike.
Then he described going after Peter. How he had confronted Peter. How Peter accused him, then cut off his finger, blew up a pipe – which caused the explosion that killed all those Muggles – and transformed into a rat before he scurried down a sewer.
"Oh, Merlin," Amelia sighed, "It all makes sense now. If Pettigrew had lost his finger due to the explosion, there would certainly be a lot of other body parts there from the explosion as well! Yet his finger was the only thing found! How the bloody hell did the Aurors or the DMLE investigators not figure this out?! This sounds like gross negligence and…"
"Conspiracy," Sirius growled. "Conspiracy between Dumbledore, Crouch and Bagnold! Voldemort was gone, they needed a living scapegoat, Amelia. They chose me! I was in the Holding Cells for three hours. No Interrogation Room, no questions asked. They gave me a glass of water, and I took it, thinking they were about to ask me questions, and I found it was a Portkey to the beach where the boat to Azkaban was docked. I was then Stunned on arrival and woke up in a cell in Azkaban. No trial. No interrogations. Nothing!"
"Oh, Merlin," Amelia muttered. "I am so sorry, Sirius."
"You were a low-level Auror back then, Amy," Sirius said, "Sounds like you were given paid-time-off by Crouch himself, because he knew you and I were close. He didn't want you interfering in anything!"
"Fuck!" Amelia growled, making Minerva, Harry and Hermione look over at her, concerned. "It all makes perfect sense now. Heads are going to roll, Sirius. But it won't be yours! I'm getting you a trial. I promise you. If it is the last thing I do, you will be free before the New Year!"
Sirius smiled. "Thank you, love. I knew I could count on you. I've never lost my trust in you. I figured you were being blocked in every direction until now."
"I'm sorry I lost trust in you, Sirius," Amelia said. "I will make it up to you. I promise."
"I know you will," Sirius said, "I forgive you, by the way. Do not worry about me being angry at you. I've lost too much to lose you just because of anger. I should have gotten off my ass, married you around the same time Prongs and Lily did, and we could have had a baby of our own when the rest of our friends were having babies. I made many mistakes back then, and that was one of worst, putting off everything until the war was over."
"We can discuss that more after you're free," Amelia said, "What is the runic array for your mirror? I'm going to add it to my own mirror so I can get in touch with you without having to use Harry's mirror again."
Sirius quickly went through the array information as Amelia jotted it down.
"Thank you, Sirius," Amelia said, "I must say goodbye for now I have too much to do to just sit and talk with you. I will contact you as soon as possible, though."
"I'll be waiting impatiently," Sirius said, grinning.
Amelia smiled. "See you soon, you old rogue."
Sirius blew a kiss at her then vanished from the mirror.
I should have told him I still loved him, Amelia thought, unaware Sirius was thinking the very same thing.
"Alright," she said loudly, to Minerva, Harry and Hermione, as she closed the mirror, "I'm finished with Sirius."
Minerva, Harry and Hermione quickly returned to the desk.
"Albus Dumbledore has a lot to answer for, I'll say that right now," Amelia said. "I need your permission, Harry, to meet with your Account Manager and get a copy of this Will from him."
Harry nodded, then took writing material from the desk and wrote a message, then passed it to Amelia. She read it, and her eyes widened at the signature.
"You're Lord Potter and Lord Peverell?!" Amelia asked, "How?!"
Amelia's eyes widened as Harry held up a hand, and two Lord's Rings appeared on his finger.
"Did you see Rita Skeeter's article yesterday?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Amelia said, "She said – you're Emancipated?!"
"Everything she said was right," Harry said, "Of course it was. I told her all the information she wrote in the article. Told her to speculate the information and not to actually verify it. But everything she said was true. Because Dumbledore, Crouch, Bagman and the Goblet of Fire all agreed I was to be the fourth Champion in the tournament, it was decided I was old enough to be of age. Therefore, I am Emancipated."
"I certainly never expected that," Amelia said. "I assume you only learned this on Sunday, even though you should have learned it during the week after Halloween?"
"Yesterday morning, after Rita's article came out, Dumbledore called me to his office," Harry said, "Then he proceeded to lie right to my face. He said Rita was completely wrong, and if I was Emancipated, he would have told me during the week after the Choosing Ceremony."
"Then he left the castle and went to the Ministry," McGonagall said, "Where I firmly believe he attempted to stop Harry's Emancipation."
"He wouldn't be able to do it without…" Amelia said, then her eyes widened, "Of course! The Winter Solstice Session in the Wizengamot! It takes place next Monday! He's going to try to convince the Wizengamot to override your Emancipation next Monday!"
"He thinks he's going to succeed anyway," McGonagall said, a smug smile crossing her face, "I've put a certain amount of thought into this. Albus does not know Harry knows about his titles. He does not know Harry's already taken possession of his Lord's Rings."
"You want Harry to reclaim his Wizengamot seats on Monday at the start of the Session!" Amelia said.
Minerva nodded with a smirk. "Heiress Dagworth-Granger, here, could also use her Heiress Ring to claim the Dagworth-Granger chair. They would simply need to assign proxies for all three seats."
"You have a seat, don't you, Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked.
"I do," Minerva said, "I usually only attend the Solstice Sessions, unless I am summoned for any other important sessions. The Solstice Sessions are when all the big laws are created, disbanded and debated."
"Would you be willing to be the Dagworth-Granger Proxy?" Hermione asked.
Minerva blinked, then smiled. "I would be honored, Heiress Dagworth-Granger."
"I assume you have a seat on the Wizengamot, Director Bones?" Harry asked.
"I am Regent in place of my late brother until my niece reaches majority," Amelia said, then her eyes widened, "Harry – Lord Potter, I – are you asking –"
"I wish for you to be the Proxy for the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Harry said, "And the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell. I know you are one of my family's Allies. I know all about the Great Alliance."
Amelia sighed and cleared her throat. "I will accept for the role of the House of Potter. I cannot for the House of Peverell. I'm afraid the Great Alliance would not approve of me holding two Proxies belonging to the Leader of the Great Alliance. We already have a rather shaky foundation, as a proxy Leader has never really been decided."
Harry nodded, then he took on a look of concentration. "What about House Longbottom? Neville's a good friend of mine."
"While I would normally approve of this, because Augusta Longbottom is a masterful politician," Amelia said, "I'm afraid she might not accept. House Peverell is a Neutral House. We only have one other Neutral House in our Alliance: House Greengrass. I would suggest asking Lord Castor Greengrass. He is Lord of one of the three original Houses of the Great Alliance, aside from Peverell. Potter, Longbottom and Greengrass. Your grandfather originally created the Great Alliance with these two Houses."
Harry nodded. "I will consider this. If he doesn't agree, I can always ask Neville's Gran."
"How many students are you close with, in the Children of the Great Alliance?" Amelia asked.
"Neville, Padma Patil and Luna Lovegood," Harry said, "Though the latter two is a newer friendship. Why do you ask?"
"Because I would suggest thinking about holding a meeting with all the students here who are in the Children of the Great Alliance, Lord Potter," Amelia said. "You need to let them know Houses Potter and Peverell is officially back in the Great Alliance, so they can contact their families about it."
"Do I need to ask Daphne Greengrass if I can speak to her father?" Harry asked.
"Not for a Proxy request," Amelia said, "Message him directly. I would suggest doing this before this weekend, so you can exchange a couple letters back and forth to confirm Proxy. I would also suggest holding a Children of the Great Alliance meeting this weekend too. I will contact Lord Greengrass before Monday to tell him I am Proxying for House Potter."
Harry nodded. "I will write to Lord Greengrass, and consider the Children meeting for this weekend. However…"
"You're thinking about Dumbledore, aren't you?" Minerva asked; Harry nodded. "I will find you a good room to hold the meeting in. We might be able to use the Den, if the elves can resize the Private Common Room. It will be risky bringing so many students into the Den, however."
Harry nodded. "I will consider this by the end of the day."
"Well, unless you three have anything else I need to know about – aside from our other discussion, Minerva," Amelia said, "I need to go meet with Ron and Ginny Weasley. If you do not have a class, Minerva, perhaps you could be there too? Arthur is there as their chaperone, though."
"I will go with you," Minerva said, then grimaced, "In case I need to expel Mr. and Miss Weasley."
Amelia ignored the gleeful and hopeful looks on Harry and Hermione's faces.
"We have nothing else, ma'am," Harry said, "You can keep those copies of the Blood Tests, though. I am sure you'll find a use for them."
She thanked him, then collected the two Blood Tests, and placed them, and the letter he had given her earlier for Ragnok, in her bag. Then she stood up, as did Minerva and her students.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," Amelia said, "I will certainly make good use of all of this information."
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, Director Bones," Hermione said, and Harry echoed her.
"Yes, thank you," Minerva said, "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, you are excused. I believe your first class this morning is Charms?"
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said.
"Professor Flitwick won't mind if you're late," Minerva said, "but I'll write an excuse for the both of you just in case it is necessary."
Minerva wrote two quick notes on slips of parchment, then handed them to her students and excused them. Harry and Hermione said their farewells and left the office hand-in-hand.
"Am I the only one who sees James and Lily in them?" Amelia asked. "Even though she looks nothing like Lily, she's so much like her in personality."
"Several of my fellow staff – and myself – have said the very same thing," Minerva said, smiling. "I believe that young lady is the future Lady Potter."
"Good, it isn't just me then," Amelia said, "Let's be off, Minerva. We still have much to do."
Minerva nodded and the two ladies headed off out of the office.
(Ten minutes later…)
Amelia and Minerva entered the unused classroom, where her Aurors and the three Weasleys currently were. Ronald and Ginevra Weasley were looking rather angry, but also nervous, as they sat at a pair of desks. Arthur Weasley was leaning against a wall behind his children, and he looked rather emotional. Minerva walked over to Arthur, while Amelia walked over to her Aurors.
"Any issues?" Amelia asked Kingsley.
"A couple," Kingsley said, "Miss Weasley was rather – disapproving – of having to be removed of her necklace, but her father convinced her. Once she gave up the necklace, her brother followed easily and gave up his ankle bracelet. We have them in evidence bags here. Several minutes later, Arthur wound up telling them that their mother was in a DMLE Holding Cell, and will probably end up in Azkaban. They didn't react very well to that. Tonks and I had to stun the pair when they stood up and started ranting. We only woke them up a couple minutes ago. They've been sitting there quietly ever since."
"What about their twin brothers?" Amelia asked.
"Here is the report and transcribed interrogation," Kingsley said.
Amelia took the offered piece of parchment and looked at it. "They reported the incident but never got a response back about it?"
"I believe Albus Dumbledore blocked the letter from ever leaving the castle," Kingsley said, "But I have no proof of that."
"Believe me, I think you're quite correct with your suspicions," Amelia said. "We can't legally do anything to them if they tried to give reports of the incidents to authorities. That is exactly what they were supposed to do. It isn't their fault, if the reports were intercepted. This sounds like they were fully cooperating, and weren't hiding anything. I can easily confirm all of this with their mother anyway. We'll leave Fred and George alone for now unless something else comes up that counters their statements."
"I believe that is the correct path, boss," Kingsley said.
"As do I," Tonks said. "I know those two. Even though they were a few years behind me, we were friends, because I was friends with their elder brother, Charlie. I got to know them through Charlie. They seem like a good pair of young men. I believe their statements to be the truth."
"Very well," Amelia said; she cleared her throat and turned to Ron and Ginny. "Ronald, Ginevra, please come up here and sit in the center of the front row."
The two Weasley siblings stood and walked to the front row where they sat down. Arthur and Minerva sat down on either side of them.
"We know our rights," Ginny said, "You have nothing on us!"
"What an ironic coincidence," Amelia said, "Your mother said those very words to me last night. She now resides in a Holding Cell until her criminal trial. Do you honestly think I'm going to accept such a defense from you? It seems to me you're parroting what your mother told you to say in a situation like this."
Ginny winced, then caught herself and changed her expression to a glare.
"We already have the both of you on two charges," Amelia said. "Possession and Use of Class Seven Restricted Enchantments – one count for each of you. I am sure you recall the jewelry you were using. The enchantments on them are only legally used by the highest level Ministry representatives. I am only speculating here, but I believe Albus Dumbledore placed those enchantments on the jewelry, and ordered you to wear them so you wouldn't give up any information of any secret plans you had. The Headmaster has permission to use those enchantments. He does not have permission to allow you to use those enchantments."
"We didn't know that!" Ginny defended herself and her brother.
"Then you should have gone to your father, or Professor McGonagall about the jewelry," Amelia said, "Your mother would have simply told you to use the jewelry. She has already admitted to agreeing to Dumbledore giving the jewelry to you. I wonder what information your mother and Headmaster wanted you to hide so badly? We'll get to that soon. Because you agreed to use the jewelry, and benefitted from the enchantments, you are charged with Possession and Use of Class Seven Restricted Enchantments.
"The second charge – the breach of the Statute of Secrecy."
"You can't charge me with that!" Ron said, "I had nothing to do with it! If you let Fred and George go, you have to let me off of that charge!"
"You benefitted from the Breach more than Fred and George did, Mr. Weasley," Amelia said.
"What do you mean by that?!" Ron demanded.
"'Can I sit here? Everywhere else is full.'" Amelia said. "Do you remember saying those words?"
Ron's eyes widened comically.
"But you lied to Harry Potter, didn't you?" Amelia asked. "There were open carriages. According to statements I've heard, there were two in that very car Mr. Potter was sitting in. Your year was smaller than normal. Not all the carriages were filled because of this. Also, if you had not gone through with your mother's plan to manipulate and trick Harry into meeting your family, you would have been on the Hogwarts Express, before Harry would have gotten onto the train. You would have already been sitting with somebody, Mr. Weasley. You benefitted from your mother breaching the Statute of Secrecy, therefore you are guilty of breaching the Statute of Secrecy."
"How the bloody hell do you know all of that?!" Ron demanded. "Did Potter tell you!"
"Of course he told her, Moron!" Ginny exclaimed, "How else would she know?"
"Yes," Amelia said, "He told me. He told me everything. He didn't realize until recently exactly how you and your mother fooled him that day at King's Cross. He didn't realize until recently he was set-up. But he knows why you and your mother set him up!"
"It wasn't a set-up!" Ginny growled. "Mum wanted to introduce him to his Betrothed and his future family!"
"Betrothed?" Amelia echoed; she removed the Betrothal Contract from her bag and set it in front of Ginny. "Do you mean this Betrothal Contract?"
"How do you have this?!" Ginny demanded. "There are only two copies!"
"Your mother's and Albus Dumbledore's I presume?" Amelia asked. "Wrong. Harry Potter also owns a copy. He owns the very copy that – if destroyed – will destroy this one. This is your mother's copy by the way. One of my Aurors found it last night, in your mother's private stash, along with Harry Potter's Gringotts Key, and a large stash of illegal and restricted substances and Potions."
Ginny was stuck on one part of her statement. "How does Harry Potter have a copy of this?! He wasn't supposed to know about it yet! Not until he and I were a couple for a few months! Then Mum and I would let him know about it!"
"After a few months of being dosed up on Love Potions, I assume?" Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow. "Let's not forget the Lust Potion your mother would eventually use on you and Mr. Potter, so he would impregnate you so you would have his Heir after he died before his seventeenth birthday!"
Ron and Ginny's eyes widened comically.
"Wondering how I know about that?" Amelia asked. "Did you know there are counter-enchantments to that jewelry you were wearing?"
"Do you recognize the room we are sitting in, Mr. and Miss Weasley?" Minerva asked.
"I told you that wasn't a coincidence, Ginny!" Ron growled, "We're in the same room we were in last night when –"
"When you discussed your entire arsenal of secret plans with each other," Minerva said, smugly.
"How do you – no one could hear us!" Ginny growled, "We had the jewelry on!"
"Harry Potter and Hermione Granger knew about the jewelry, Miss Weasley," Minerva said. "They had bracelets on with counter-enchantments, so they could get past your enchantments and hear all your secrets. Last night, you fell for their trap. Remember that broom closet they went into? They were there, because they knew you were following them. They followed you here and listened to all of your plans. Then they told me all about them."
"Then they told me," Amelia said.
Ginny shrieked loudly and stood up. "Harry Potter and I are destined to be with each other! He saved me in the Chamber of Secrets! We are Betrothed! You cannot break that! If I am guilty of anything, it is planning to get that bitch away from my Betrothed! She shouldn't even be with him! The Mudblood is guilty of Line Theft and stealing from a Pureblood! I order you to arrest her, Director Bones!"
Amelia pointed her wand at Ginny and placed a Calming Charm on the irate girl. Ginny calmed down instantly and sat down.
"First of all, Miss Weasley," Ginny said, "That Betrothal Contract. Illegally created. James and Lily Potter expressly forbid Albus Dumbledore from ever becoming Harry Potter's Magical Guardian. Therefore, he had no right to pen that Contract! Therefore, the Contract was void from the beginning.
"Second, if anyone is guilty of Line Theft, Miss Weasley, it would be you, your mother and your brother."
"Me?!" Ron asked. "I wasn't planning on marrying Potter!"
"You were planning on dosing Hermione Granger with Love Potion, Mr. Weasley," Amelia said. "Not only is Miss Granger the leading candidate for Lady Potter. She is also the leading candidate for Lady Peverell. She is also Heiress Dagworth-Granger and future Lady of the Noble House of Dagworth-Granger."
Ron and Ginny's eyes widened at this news.
"In our society, Miss Weasley," Amelia said, "Heiress Dagworth-Granger has more of a right, than the seventh child of a Minor House, to marry a Lord of an Ancient and Most Noble House. She is descended from a Pureblood, by the way. One of the most famous Purebloods in our society."
"Arthur, I have enough information to charge your son and daughter. They will be coming back to the Ministry with Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks. You are, of course, welcome to go with them."
"Of course, Director," Arthur said.
Amelia steeled herself and cleared her throat. "Ronald Bilius Weasley, you are under arrest on the charges of Breaching the Statute of Secrecy, Possession and Use of Class Seven Restricted Enchantments – one count. Conspiracy to Use Illegal and Restricted Substances, and Conspiracy to Commit Line Theft – three counts.
"Ginevra Molly Weasley, you are under arrest on the charges of Breaching the Statute of Secrecy, Possession and Use of Class Seven Restricted Enchantments – one count. Conspiracy to Use Illegal and Restricted Substances, and Conspiracy to Commit Line Theft – three counts.
"Anything you say will be used against you in front of the Wizengamot, for all your peers to hear. Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks, put them in manacles. Mr. and Miss Weasley, I would not attempt to resist arrest, or you will be charged with assaulting a law enforcement individual on top of your other charges. I am not afraid to Stun either of you. Stand up, Mr. and Miss Weasley.
"Minerva, if you will help escort them from the castle, we can have the other conversation afterward."
"Of course, Amelia," Minerva said.
Amelia watched as her two Aurors placed magic-blocking manacles on Ronald and Ginevra's wrists. Ron looked resigned to his situation, but Ginny still looked defiant.
"You still believe Albus Dumbledore can get you out of these charges, don't you, Miss Weasley?" Amelia asked. "You're right, he might be able to do it. But that would show that he is worried about what would happen if the charges got out to the public. He wouldn't want to risk that. Besides, the next time he sees me, he isn't leaving the Ministry, unless it is on a boat to Azkaban to join you two and your mother.
"March you two. You're lucky class is still in session or you'd be going on a walk of shame in front of the whole student body."
Arthur led the group as Ron and Ginny walked out of the classroom. Kingsley and Tonks followed just behind them, their wands pointed at the pair of siblings. Amelia and Minerva followed behind the group.
(Twenty Minutes Later…)
Minerva McGonagall stepped out of the castle with Amelia Bones, following the Aurors and Weasleys as they walked toward a carriage. She still had one last thing to say to Ronald and Ginevra Weasley. Just as the group reached the carriages, she spoke up.
"Wait a moment, please!" she called out.
The entire group stopped in their tracks. Minerva walked up to the chained Weasley siblings.
"Ronald and Ginevra Weasley," Minerva said, "I, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - in my position of Proxy Headmistress in the Headmaster's absence - expel you from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for the Breach of the Statute of Secrecy, our most important law."
She then physically ripped the Gryffindor and Hogwarts crests from Ron and Ginny's robes and threw them on the ground.
"If I could snap your wands, I would," Minerva said, "But that is up to the Wizengamot – of which I have a seat on. So I would be happy to witness such an event!"
She turned and walked back over to Amelia, leaving her windswept former students staring at the Gryffindor badges on the ground.
Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks nudged the siblings, and the two Weasleys stepped into the nearby carriage.
"Place them in a Holding Cell together," Amelia said, "Rookie, I want you to watch them, but remain outside of their room. They might talk if they don't know anyone is listening."
"Yes, ma'am," Tonks said.
"Arthur, you're allowed to remain with them," Amelia said, "However, I advise you not to enter the room with them. They're likely very angry with you."
Arthur cleared his throat. "Of course, Director. Thank you for allowing me to remain with them."
"My pleasure," Amelia said. "I am sorry for all of this."
"Don't be, Amelia," Arthur said, "None of this is your fault. You're doing your job."
Amelia smiled. Arthur returned the smile, though it was weak, and he followed the Aurors into the carriage. Amelia pointed her wand at the two Thestrals, who neighed and started off down the long driveway, pulling the carriage with them.
"Do you really believe the expulsion will stick, Minerva?" Amelia asked.
Minerva grimaced. "No. Albus would never allow it. I just wanted to terrify them for betraying two of my favorite Lions. Do you believe you can put them in Azkaban?"
"I don't know," Amelia said. "They're minors after all. But I will do my best to see they never step foot back in that castle. The Statute of Secrecy Breach should see their magic bound and wands snapped at the very least. I would consider that a victory if I can get it."
"Me too, Amelia," Minerva said. "Come on, then. Back to my office. I have a very long story to tell you. You'll probably find a few more charges to stick Albus with by the time I finish. However…"
"Yes?" Amelia asked.
"I fear you may stick me and my fellow staff members with charges too," Minerva said.
With that grim statement, she lead Amelia back into the castle, which was short two students.
For now, especially if a certain Headmaster had his way.
I couldn't resist that last line. Relax, at the moment, I have good idea about what I'm going to do to Ron and Ginny. But Dumbledore is a tricky individual, and he has never expelled a student before. Newt Scamander and Hagrid were expelled by other Headmasters. I don't think he wants to start the trend now.
So which scene satisfied you more? Sirius and Amelia's discussion? Ron and Ginny's arrest? Ron and Ginny's expulsion? Seeing this wretched, cliched chapter end? Have to include that last option for the flamers and trolls, of course!
Next Chapter: Albus Dumbledore returns from his stay at Motel Gringotts, and gets some rather bad news. Then Molly Weasley makes a deal when she realizes what has happened to her children. And more!