52
CHAPTER 52
‘Minister?’
‘Yes Percy.’
‘Are you ready for your first meeting?’
‘Remind me, who am I meeting?‘
‘The Head Auror wishes to discuss some things she learned in her questioning of Dumbledore.’
‘Alright.’
‘She is waiting for you as we speak.’
‘Let her in.’
A moment later he asks, ‘Auror Bones. How are you today?’
‘Could be better I suppose.’
‘How bad is it?‘
‘You have no idea.’
‘Did you use veritaserum?’
‘I think I should just show you the entire memory. It's what I will need to do for the trial as well.
‘Alright. Percy please bring the pensieve. Percy will join me to ensure I don't miss anything.’
‘I will wait here, Minister.’
Percy and the Minister enter the pensieve to see Albus in the interrogation room while Auror Bones is outside observing him through a monitoring charm.
*.*
Outside the room Tonks approaches her boss, Head Auror Bones.
‘What can I help with?’
‘I need your metamorph abilities.’
‘Who am I to become?’
‘First me, then a new recruit that can suck up to Dumbledore.’
‘Alright…. Why?’
‘Can flattery get him to talk?’
Tonks finally catches on and begins to smile. Rather than respond, Tonks morphs into her boss.
‘Dumbledore, would you care to answer my questions regarding these charges?’
‘We already discussed this, none of that is true.’
‘Student endangerment?’
‘Preposterous.’
‘Kidnappings?’
‘I have no knowledge of those.’
‘Blackmail?’
‘I have no idea what you mean.’
‘Thank you for your time.’
Bones leaves the room.
Outside the room Auror Bones stands next to herself before morphing into one of the newest recruits, Jane Finch-Fletchley, older sister of Justin.
With a nod she turns and enters the interrogation room.
‘Hello Mr. Dumbledore.’
‘Hello Miss -?’
‘Finch-Fletchley, I went to Ilvermorny.’
‘Ah nice to meet you.’
‘I can't believe that the famous Albus Dumbledore was arrested. How could they think that you would do the things you are accused of.’
‘Someone must be out of their mind.’
‘What can you tell me about Hogwarts? My little brother says that the school may not be as safe as the papers report.’
‘Poppycock, no one actually believes the papers.’
Jane leans in hoping to encourage Dumbledpre to talk more about the school.
‘Honestly, how can anyone say that about Hogwarts? There has not been any danger to the students, as long as they follow the carefully set rules I implemented.’
‘Rules?’
‘Simple, really stay away from this specific hallway, don't enter the forest, and so on.’
‘How clearly marked was the corridor?’
‘If it were clearly marked everyone would have gone over to it.’
‘So no misdirection wards?’
‘I know my students, None of them would need anything of the sort.’
‘And the forest?’
‘Why would anyone want to go into the Forbidden Forest?’
‘What about detentions?’
‘Those were carefully chaperoned by teachers,’
‘I heard about some kidnappings, any truth there?’
‘Even if someone could prove my involvement, can anyone seriously tell me that raising more children to be followers of the “Dark Lord” is a good idea?’
‘How would someone choose what children to -for lack of a better term- remove?’
‘I would assume that someone could gain entry in an attempt to be social than anything else that happens could be covered up.’
‘Interesting. I have heard through an interdepartmental memo that Moody has been saying all kinds of things about you.’
‘He is mad, I barely have any contact with him. I only communicated with him about his teaching position a few years ago.’
‘Must be another thing the papers got wrong, they said you and he were close.’
Dumbledore scoffs, ‘hardly.’
‘How well do you know the previous Ministers? Some of them don't seem to know much about politics.’
‘Sometimes the Ministers needed guidance, I merely offered to mentor them.’
‘I bet that was challenging.’
‘A few of them were more trouble than they were worth but I think my guidance was invaluable to them.’
They shared a look of derision about the incompetence obvious in the previous Ministers.
‘I was told to ask, what does ‘the greater good’ mean to you?’
‘Between us?’ She nods, ‘sometimes situations call for delicate actions, sometimes those actions are unconventional. It is always better to ask forgiveness than permission.’
‘And the issue about the mail?’
‘I have no idea what issue you are addressing.’
‘Thank you for your time, Sir. I'm sure someone will be here to take your official statement.’
‘Thank you my dear.’
After exiting the room Tonks retakes her own form and looks at her boss.
‘That was a horrible experience. But I think I was somewhat successful. He thinks it's all a misunderstanding.’
‘Please share your memories for the Minister.’
‘Of course.’
*.*
Percy and the minister exit the memory knowing that anything more detailed is likely futile.
‘Minister? Is this enough to convict?’
‘It’s enough for a trial and a closed one at that. First things first all associated memories need to be compiled for evidence as well. Send a team of unspeakables to attempt legilimency, maybe they will have better luck.’
‘Of course, Minister.’ Auror Bones leaves the office at a pace that warns everyone to get out of her path. This effort they will later learn is in vain, nothing new will be learned.
*.*
Notice in common rooms: Students please be advised that we will be reinstating the dueling club. On Thursday evenings there will be a meeting to discuss and learn defensive spells as well as practicing these spells. If interested please contact your Head of House to be advised of the specific time slot you may attend. These will be led or observed by professor flitwick and board member travers.
*.*
Luna looks up to see 3 brooms heading toward her and her gargoyle companion.
‘Are you interested in meeting some new people?’
‘I'm not sure, miss. No one ever really stops to talk to me, until you that is.’
‘Maybe we can change that. Hello, Theo.’ she calls out.
‘Little Luna, where have you been today?’
‘Nowhere and everywhere, but today, I wanted to visit a good friend.’
‘I would love an introduction.’ Blaise and Draco look questioningly between the 2.
‘This is Jay, the gargoyle.’
Theo lands on the roof and gives a small bow. ‘A pleasure to meet you, sir.’
The gesture is returned. ‘And you as well. I see you have a nice broom there.’
‘It is a fair model. Would you like a closer look at it?’ Theo extends the broom, intending to hand it over.
‘Not at this time.’ Theo nods and brings the broom close again.
‘Luna, how did you end up here? it's a bit far from the halls you normally frequent.’
‘Sometimes the halls become stairways, you know that. I just follow the castle's requests. I also sometimes fly here on a thestral friend.’
‘Good to know. I shall keep apples nearby should I find you airborn.’ They both smile.
Blaise clears his throat. ‘Um, I'm still confused.’
‘The Gargoyles have little to no visitors and I spend my time talking to anyone and everything that is lonely. How is it that there are so many students out on brooms every year but none stop to say hi to their most supportive viewers?’
‘I - I - what?’ Blaise sputters.
Draco finally finds his voice. ‘You watch all of us?’
‘We do. I love watching you all fly. I wish I could join you.’
Draco and Blaise begin discussing the sights they have seen while flying. Luna climbs onto the back of Theos broom and he flys them toward the ground.
*.*
‘Madam? You needed to see me?’
‘Come in, Harry, dear. We have much to discuss.’
‘I don't understand.’
‘Let's start with some diagnostics, have a seat.’
After a few moments of wand waving and a small light show the healer cleared her throat.
‘It would seem that you are finally free of the influence of that potion.’
‘Madam?’
‘Not to worry, Harry. You are well and your body is responding to the nutrients your guardian has instructed to be added to your meals. You should be in proper health by the end of term.’
Rather than ask any questions, Harry nods and asks to be excused, he then heads to the owlery to request a meeting with his godfather.
*.*