Raffle

Severus was sitting as far away from Dumbledore as he could get in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore had been attempting to explain how and why Granger was arrested. "it's not right, she was just protecting Harry." Molly Weasley whined.

"She broke the law. Kidnapping and imprisoning a person is a crime." Kingsley Shacklebolt was getting tired of explaining the law. "We can't expect to be exempt because we are on the light side. If someone is involved with any other faction, you wouldn't be protesting or even making excuses. You and your youngest would be cheering them as they were escorted to Azkaban."

"I would not and certainly wouldn't encourage my children to do so either."

"Funny, didn't you just finish commenting on how Lucius and Narcissa should be sent to Azkaban before they do anything to Harry?" Minerva glared at the woman. She had seen the abuse report that Severus had taken and wasn't happy with what she had learned. She still couldn't talk to Dumbledore without cursing him in some form. "What is good for the goose is good for the gander, Molly. I have also given your two youngest detentions for those same types of remarks that Kingsley just mentioned."

Arthur sighed as he took Molly's hand. "Molly, you know you have spoken those types of words as well as Ron and Ginny. What Hermione did is a very serious crime. We should be grateful that Ron didn't think she was telling the truth or he might have been arrested."

"Harry as well. From what we saw of the memories, neither of the boys believed her and neither of them expected her to keep a bug for a year in a jar. She only released her because she wanted Rita to write an article that was pro-Harry." Tonks was wondering why she agreed to join the Order. A headmaster who permitted and condoned abuse, justified kidnapping and false imprisonment, and didn't see an issue with breaking the law. How was the Order different than the Death Eaters? "It hasn't helped that she has been running her mouth about the yearly events at Hogwarts. Madam Bones is going to investigate Hogwarts."

"What yearly events?" Minerva wondered what Dumbledore had covered up now.

Severus wondered how many memory charms that woman had on her. "Well, during Harry's first year a possessed defense professor who attempted to steal the Sorceror's Stone, second year, a Basilisk, third year, Sirius Black and they are now looking for Peter Pettigrew, fourth year-how Harry got entered into the tournament and why Mad-Eye spent a year in a trunk with Barty Crouch Jr. able to take his place, and I heard rumors of a Black Quill being used." Kingsley glanced at Severus. Severus nodded his head to indicate that those events had happened and a Black Quill was being used. "On students."

"Merlin, Albus, tell me none of those events happened." Minerva had her wand in her hand. She found it was becoming a normal occurrence to have her wand in her hand when she addressed Dumbledore.

"I am unclear on what they will investigate." Dumbledore jumped up and dodged a spell from Minerva. "I do believe some issues need to remain a secret to protect Hogwarts and the students."

Minerva started cursing in Gaelic as Molly started stretching about what events. Severus glanced at Lupin. He was aware that Black was being drugged to keep him from attending the meeting or going after Harry. Lupin looked shaken. They were very aware of what happened during Harry's third year. "Well, perhaps you should get her youngest son so we can learn the truth of the matter." Kingsley cast a silencing spell as he spoke. "Arthur?"

"I agree. It would be nice to hear the truth for a chance and not it's a slight misunderstanding or there is nothing to worry about, Hogwarts is safe." Arthur stood up and left the room as Minerva and Molly were forced to return to their seats by Tonks and Doge. Neither woman was willing to release their wands as Dumbledore returned to his seat. Minerva and Molly glared at Dumbledore.

Severus wanted to hear the answers to the questions about the yearly events. He was going to Malfoy Manor later and he wanted to see what Harry's version of events would be. He was sure Harry would provide the memories if asked. Ron was led into the kitchen by his father. "I explained to Ron we want to know the truth of the yearly adventures the three have done over the years. The complete truth."

Severus doubted they would get the complete truth given to them by Ronald Weasley given that the boy was more about seeking fame and glory. "Perhaps a mild truth serum would ease many people's minds?"

"Yes, a mild one would." Kingsley wanted the truth.

"I am sure-" Dumbledore had Minerva's wand pointing at his face.

"No, Albus, we want the truth." Arthur didn't let the headmaster finish his sentence. "I want to know what has been happening at Hogwarts especially since I have gotten different stories from my older children versus the two youngest."

"What? Why?"

Weasley tried to protest as Severus opened his potion pouch. Severus decided he wasn't going to use a mild version but he didn't want to use Veritaserum, so he settled for his tried and true truth serum that wouldn't permit half-truths and wouldn't force the truth either. It didn't need a counter but it did last for an hour. He set the timer as he handed the vial to Kingsley. Kingsley read the label and nodded his agreement. Tonks filled a glass with water and he added the potion.

Two hours later:

The attending Order members were shocked by what they had learned. Weasley had described each adventure from Granger stunning Longbottom to Harry's refusal to go and them forcing him with spells, and worst of all was Weasley admitted that Dumbledore was aware of everything and had helped them guide Harry on the adventures as well as the books being removed from Harry's vaults.

Dumbledore had tried to stop the truth from being revealed but with wands drawn and pointing at him, he remained seated as Weasley supplied the truth. Mad-Eye had arrived during Weasley's explanation of their first year. The three Aurors had numerous questions as well as Severus and Minerva. Minerva was looking a bit sick as she listened to the yearly events. It was the Black Quill that was getting the attention currently.

"You are going to attempt to tell me you have no idea that Umbridge is using a Black Quill on students, Albus?" Mad-Eye's magical eye was spinning like a top as it was scanning Dumbledore.

"I was unaware but will handle the situation as soon as possible."

Everyone recognized what Dumbledore meant. He was going to make it a yearly event and wouldn't do anything until such a time as it was convenient for him to do so. Severus was thankful that Lucius, Narcissa, and the Dark Lord were already working on it because Harry wasn't going to let Umbridge carve sentences into any more children's hands. "I want to know why the wards aren't alerting you to these events." Bill Weasley was leaning against one of the kitchen counters. Fleur was on the chair in front of him.

"I agree. They should have alerted him to the possession, the fake Mad-Eye, and the Black Quill." Minerva paled a bit as she remembered Harry coming to her and her telling him to keep his head down. She remembered Harry coming to her about the stone. She had been thinking about her roles at Hogwarts and this was another mark to show she needed to step back and assign some of her duties to someone else. She wasn't helping her lions as she had believed.

"Everything will be fine. We must stay united and focus on defeating Voldemort. We can't let ourselves forget why we are here."

"I am sorry but to me, abuse, kidnapping, those yearly events, and the lack of protection makes me very concerned. Yes, we need to be on guard regarding the Death Eaters and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named but those are some serious concerns." Tonks looked at her two mentors in the Aurors corps.

"I have to agree. We are here to uphold the law, not excuse or forgive someone for breaking it because you say it's fine. Sirius, for example, should have presented himself at the Ministry after writing a letter with his memories of the events from that night as well as a demand for a trial." Mad-Eye wasn't very happy about endangering his pension or his life for someone willing to make up excuses for keeping him in a trunk for a year.

"Everything will be handled. Our priority currently should be getting Harry protected. Lucius and Narcissa are unfit to be his guardians and we need to find a way to get Harry's custody returned."

Severus wanted to roll his eyes. "You lost custody because of the abuse. I do not believe anyone associated with you will be able to regain custody of Harry as Narcissa is his closest magical blood relative." Arabella Figg seldom attended Order meetings but she made sure to be present for this one. "It will also be hard given that the goblins were the ones who selected based on truth parchment to convince anyone it is a bad arrangement." Arabella had thought Harry's idea was brilliant and was the one who suggested the truth parchment. Lucius and Voldemort were the ones who suggested the goblins be in charge of the raffle. Harry and she discussed this after Vernon almost killed Harry because of the Dementors. She was sick of watching the divide in their world as Dumbledore removed more and more magic.

Dumbledore ignored Figg. "Severus, you will need to see if you can get close to Harry. I know you won't be able to provide him with an escape but perhaps inform him we are working on a solution and will have him returned to our care as soon as possible."

"You do realize they aren't going to be keeping him a prisoner nor remove him from Hogwarts? It is only the Yule break. He will be back for the new term." Severus wondered if the lemon drops rotted the man's brains. You don't take public custody of one of the biggest names in the magical world, keep them prisoner, or remove them from Hogwarts without a lot of questions being asked.

"We will have to scan him to make sure there aren't any compulsions." Dumbledore ignored Severus' questions as he continued. "Ron, you will have to watch him closely. You and your sister to make sure no one in Slytherin turns him against us. Harry needs to return to his relatives' house. It is for his relatives' safety as well as his. It is for the greater good." Most in the room had forgotten the boy was still present. Molly looked a bit surprised as she remembered her son's presence.

Severus stood up. "I am leaving. I have no desire to be part of this plot to control Potter. He will not return to those muggles. Abuse is abuse, Albus."

"I agree. I do not want to be part of this either." Kingsley stood up. He removed the Order pin. "I quit."

Tonks rose and placed her pin on the table as well. "I can't back anyone willing to return a person to a house to be abused. They almost killed him. I don't want to know what they will do after a visit from the Ministry about this mess." Several minor members followed suit.

"I am withdrawing my family as well. I will not support someone willing to permit what you have done, Albus." Arthur put his pin on the table. "Go and get your brothers and sisters, we will be leaving soon."

"Arthur, you can't." Molly looked surprised. "You know how important it is to fight against evil."

"I agree, it is. I am sure we can find another way but I can not condone supporting someone who is also willing to break the law."

Dumbledore was a bit stumped for a second but he gave Molly a slight nod to follow her husband. He would speak to Arthur later. The meeting broke up after the Weasleys left.

Meanwhile:

Lucius was in a meeting with Madam Bones. He showed her the memories of Umbridge's detentions. Harry had gotten several of the students to visit Gringotts and have the goblins remove the memories as well as treat their hands. "As you can see from the goblins, she has targetted those she believes has no one in the Wizenagamot or Ministry to stop her. They are muggle-born or half-bloods. I have also taken photos of the educational degrees she has issued. None of them are acceptable but the Board can handle that aspect."

Madam Bones was reviewing the paperwork. "It is an item that is strictly controlled. I do not see any authorization for her to have one never mind using it on children for detention. I shall have no problem charging her. I will speak to the students listed after Yule but before the new school term. Perhaps a member of the board might wish to also attend to assure the families we are handling the situation and working on preventing something like this from happening in the future?"

"I believe Augusta and I will be willing to assist. I will write to her as soon as possible. I am a bit concerned about what Albus might do."

"As am I. He has to be aware of this as the wards should have warned him. I am also concerned since the raffle gave custody of Harry Potter to your wife. He is going to do whatever he can to obtain control over the boy, again." Madam Bones had already pulled the wills of the Potters and wasn't happy that Dumbledore had sealed them and prevented them from being fulfilled. "I will fulfill the Potters' last wishes as well."

"I am aware he will try. The goblins were the ones who deemed my wife as the acceptable person for guardianship. The truth parchment made sure that Albus can't claim fraud."

"Yes, I agree. He wasn't happy with the arrest of Hermione Granger. I had him in my floo almost hourly after the arrest and I expect him to arrive tomorrow to start his campaign to gain her release. Her parents have been informed and were a bit surprised to hear about what their daughter has been doing at Hogwarts. I would suggest perhaps a visit to them as well. They will need a barrister."

"I will make arrangements to have some names submitted to her family. I can't represent her because Albus will claim biased if she is convicted."

"I am aware. I am just grateful tomorrow is the last day we are open so I can have a few Albus free days to enjoy my Yule." Madam Bones wasn't looking forward to the new year. Dumbledore was going to harass her until the trial and Potter was returned to his custody. Honestly, she wasn't going to do a thing to help the man. Susan had been very informative about what happened each year. She had never been able to do anything because Susan was only passing on gossip and hearsay didn't get a warrant.

Lucius bid Madam Bones a good night and headed back to Malfoy Manor. Draco would be home tomorrow night.

While they were at meetings:

Harry and Voldemort were plotting their next move. Umbridge was going to be arrested. Dumbledore was going to want to regain control over Harry. Granger was also facing a trial. "Molly, Ronald, and Ginny Weasley, next?"

"Yes, they are next. The twins have installed some listening devices at the Burrow for us. They discussed several issues with their father and oldest brothers. They will let me know how the Order meeting went."

"I am sure Severus will as well. He will want to see your memories of the yearly events as well. I am sure Dumbledore didn't provide anyone with the truth about those events." Voldemort looked like an older version of the diary Tom. He had a bit of grey around the temple, a few lines around the eyes, and was a bit more filled out than his sixteen-year-old self. "Perhaps a few stories should be leaked out to the press regarding the events after Umbridge's arrest?"

"Yes, I was thinking perhaps one year each month with our favorite reporter." Harry was sure Rita would love the job. "A few photos taken while the memories are being reviewed in a pensive will assist in lowering the trust factor regarding Dumbledore."

"I should. People love to read that rag for some reason. We will always have those die-hard Dumbledore fanatics."

Harry smirked. "Oh, come on, I got Figg and most of the Weasleys. I think we can convert more than you think. I do not believe Molly, Ron, or his sister will convert because they are more about fame and money, not magic itself or honor."

"Yes, I have to admit, Arabella Figg was a bit of a surprise. I did like her ideas as well, crafty old woman."

"People underestimate her because of her cats and status as a squib. If it wasn't for her, I most likely wouldn't have been alive to attend Hogwarts." No one but Harry and Mrs. Figg knew the truth of their relationship. Harry wasn't ready to share that much information about himself.

They heard the floo. "Lucius must be finished at the Ministry. Let's have some tea and we can discuss plans once Severus arrives after the Order meeting."

"It should be an interesting meeting," Harry smirked.

"You know something."

Harry skipped out of Voldemort's office.