Chapter 41
Chapter 41
(1 week after school resumes, the day Arthur returns from Romania)
‘Mr. Longbottom. Come with me.’
Neville begins walking with Professor Snape. ‘Where are we going, Sir?’
‘We need to have a meeting with your Head of House.’
‘Is this about that potion sir?’
‘You are aware of the severity of the situation then?’
‘Yes Professor, I became concerned but I needed proof so I could help stop it.’
‘You do know that if you had approached any teacher with these concerns we would be able to run diagnostics to prove validity?’
‘Yes Sir, but now you have the vial from who gave the dose, it will minimize guessing who did it as well as preventing him from hiding any evidence.’
‘Well thought out Mr. Longbottom, almost Slytherin of you.’
‘Thank you, Professor.’
They walk the rest of the way in silence. Once they arrive at Minerva's office they take a seat. A moment later Augusta Longbottom arrives through the Floo, shortly after a member of the Board joins them. Neville looks at him curiously.
‘Tav Travers, from the Board of Governors, nice to meet you.’
‘Likewise, Lord Travers.’
‘Do you know why we are here?’
‘I think I can guess.’
‘Neville, what’s going on?’
‘I asked Professor Snape to help me identify a potion just before holiday break. I’m guessing the potion was not a basic potion that would be at school normally and we are all here so they can question me about its owner.’
‘The potion you asked me to look into is illegal and you can be sentenced to Azkaban just for having it in your possession. You said it was not yours. Now is the time to tell us what’s going on, we have already contacted the Aurors.’
‘I understand. Am I old enough for my memories to be submitted for evidence in a trial?’
‘Why would you-?’
‘Gran please. I figured it would come to this and I need to know.’
‘You are 16 still?’
‘Yes, Sir.’
‘Then as long as your grandmother consents?’ Augusta nods slowly in agreement, ‘the court will be able to use your memories.’
‘One of my dorm mates was dosing another, I accidentally startled him into dropping the vial. He was acting suspicious. Afterwards I kept an eye on my other dorm mate. He was experiencing symptoms consistent with the potion wearing off or reacting to things differently. I’m suspecting that was when he was properly dosed.’
‘Who specifically are you referring to?’
‘Ronald Weasley was dosing Harry Potter, I think he didn’t want Harry spending time with Hermione? I’m not too certain on the intent but Harry was having more trouble focusing then normal.’
‘Thank you Mr. Longbottom. You can go, don’t speak of this to any of your peers.’
‘Thank you Professor, for looking into this, I hope we can get this resolved.’
Neville left the room swiftly.
‘Madam Longbottom thank you for coming. We will need to continue this investigation at this time. May we call you when the Aurors arrive so Neville can give his statement as well as submit his memories?’
‘Yes, I will wait by the floo all day if I must.’
‘Thank you.’ Augusta floos back to Longbottom Manor.
*.*
Harry arrives in McGonagall's office next. Madam Pomfrey arrives after him.
‘Mr. Potter over the holiday break Poppy did a checkup to see if you were in proper health. Do you recall the results?’
‘No ma’am. I can barely remember what happened over holiday.’
‘That’s not good, I will perform another check up now. With any luck we can determine why you can’t seem to remember.’
Lord Travers has been taking notes since he arrived and Snape is standing near him. Minerva is becoming increasingly worried.
‘The results appear to be about the same. The unknown that is in your system is stronger than it was over the holiday. Professor Snape, is this the contents of the potion you examined?’
Snape looks over the diagnostic parchment. ‘Yes, that is the potion that I have been examining.’
‘Mr. Potter, have you noticed anything abnormal lately? About yourself or who you have been interacting with?’
‘Ron and I have been playing chess when we are not on our brooms.’
‘What about Ms. Granger?’
‘I think she prefers Lestrange now.’ Harry spat in response.
‘Are you and her not friends?’
‘Haven't been in months, why do you ask?’
‘No reason. Thank you for your time Mr. Potter. Please see Poppy tomorrow after classes. Have a nice evening.’
Without another word Harry leaves the room.
*.*
Dumbledore arrives just after they summon Ronald but he has not arrived yet.
‘What is the meaning of this?’
‘We are investigating a serious matter.’
‘I gathered that as the Aurors are on their way up from Hogsmeade. What is this matter?’
‘A student brought an illegal potion to school and has been drugging at least one classmate.’
‘Allegedly.’
‘No, we have proof, and a witness.’
‘That is not possible. The wards would have prevented-’
‘Yes they would have if they were at maximum power. Unfortunately they are around 30% right now because we did not have the strength to raise them fully.’
‘Thank you for that admission, I'm sure the ministry would love to hear that.’ Dumbledore murmurs with a grin.
‘We will discuss this matter later, gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today, Ronald. Please take a seat. We are almost ready to begin the meeting. Would you like some tea and biscuits while you wait?’
‘Thank you Professor.’ Ron begins piling the tiny plate with as many biscuits as he can stack before sitting down and starting to inhale them two at a time. When Ron has emptied his plate he stands to grab more. He is halted by the arrival of Arthur Weasley.
‘Dad? What's going on?’
‘Sit down Ronald.’ Arthur sighs. ‘It's been a long day. Can we get started?’
‘Of course, this is Tav Travers he is on the board. We are here to discuss some illegal actions your son has taken.’
‘What did he do now?’ Arthur sounds exhausted.
An elf pops into the room and places a small box on McGonagall's desk. ‘Where did you find this?’
‘Trunk labeled Weasley in the 6th year boys' dorm.’
‘Thank you, Opal, you may go. Lord Travers, please note that my elf found these vials in young Mr. Weasleys trunk.’
‘Of course, Madam.’
‘Severus, please check the contents.’
‘I don’t think that is necessary-’
‘Of course this is necessary, Albus. Let us conduct this investigation or I will have to ask you to leave.’
Anger rolls off Dumbledore as he purses his lips. Arthur has not acknowledged the wizard he had seen in his home just a few short hours ago.
‘This is the potion we have mentioned several times today.’
‘Thank you.’ The Aurors knock when they arrive.
‘Welcome. We have a written transcript for you detailing the events surrounding why you have been summoned. Take a moment to read it before we proceed. Albus a word?’
With a scowl on his face he follows Minerva to a corner far enough away that he is unable to glimpse the parchment.
‘Tell me the meaning of this meeting.’
‘I already told you. You were unavailable this morning and this was not a matter that could be put off. Action had to be taken.’
‘If you had just sent your patronus I would have returned to handle this matter.’
‘You specifically told me not to disturb you that you had some very important meetings to attend and you could not be pulled away from them. Normally that means you are dealing with a trial of some sort. I am able to conduct these types of matters without your presence.’
‘I have no doubt but I still don't know what's going on.’
‘Try to catch up then. Looks like the Aurors are ready to proceed.’ She says to end their whispered conversation.
Speaking normally again, McGonagall asks, ‘do you have any questions? Or shall we proceed?’
‘Proceed, we can ask questions at the end.’
‘Thank you. Arthur may we question Ronald? When he nods she turns to the teen. ‘Ronald. Did you bring a potion into the school that is prohibited?’
‘No.’
‘Did you give any potion to a classmate with or without their consent?’
‘No.’
‘Do you recognize this box?’
‘No.’
‘Severus, can you and Ronald step into my private chambers for a moment.’ Without a word he strides forward, grabs Ronald’s arm and pulls him from the room before closing the door.
Auror Bones frowns. ‘You have all this evidence and he still lies?’
‘He probably doesn't realize the amount of evidence we have.’
‘He will be charged. Arthur, will you be able to have him at home while he awaits trial?’
Arthur says nothing as he begins to think things through.
‘If I say no, what will happen?’
‘He will be locked in a holding cell until trial.’
‘If he is home, how will I work? I can’t bring him to work with me, and i dont have the ability to take that much time off work.’
‘What about Molly?’
‘She is unable to watch over him as well. Let me think for a moment.’
Mcgonagal walks to the door and opens it.
‘Severus, bring him back in here.’
‘Ronald, you have been accused of dosing a classmate with an illegal substance. What do you have to say for yourself?’
‘That's a lie I would never. Besides, it's not like I'm that good in potions class. Just ask Snape.’
‘That's true but it just means someone is working with him.’
‘Who gave you the potion?’
‘I dont know what you are talking about.’
‘Arthur, have you made a decision?’
‘Actually, I recently learned Ronald is not my son. From this moment I renounce him from the Weasley family. He will not bear my name any longer, he will need to petition Lord Prewitt if he wishes to claim that name. Ask his father if he can care for him to keep him out of a cell until the trial.’
‘Who?’
Looking at Dumbledore for the first time since entering the room, Arthur says, ‘I hope he is everything you wanted in an heir.’
No one says a word for a full minute.
‘Minerva can you send an elf to find Ginevra? There are things she needs to hear from me. I will wait for her in your classroom if it is not too much trouble.’
‘Go ahead, she will be found.’ Arthur nods and leaves the room not looking at Dumbledore or Ronald.
‘Will you keep an eye on him? Or are we officially arresting him?’
‘He can stay in his dorm.’
‘No, he cannot because of the illegality of his offense he is to be expelled immediately.’
‘I’m sure we can find a better solution than that.’
‘There isn’t one. But if you insist-’
‘I insist we continue this conversation later. He is not suspended; he will stay in his dorms until trial.’
‘In that case, arrest the boy, Auror Bones. Albus I regret to inform you that you are suspended until further notice pending an investigation. You have 24 hours to leave the school or we will return to remove you.’
‘You cannot do that.’
‘We already have. This conversation was supposed to be private but you are intentionally endangering at least one student right now. We have no idea who else you may be endangering at this time.’
‘Why can’t he stay with his mother?’
‘We will try to contact her when we reach the ministry.’
Ronald is arrested and hurried through the floo. Albus is left standing in McGonagall’s office alone as everyone has walked out.
*.*