Harry sat next to Hermione in the infirmary, she was finishing up the meal that the elves provided since they wouldn't be making supper in time. They had arrived in the hospital wing almost an hour ago and their head of house still hadn't shown up. Harry was positive that Dumbledore would be sorry for keeping any items that belonged to him, he was also sure the headmaster's ears could very well be bleeding by this point.
In his hand Harry was twirling the eleven-inch mahogany wand that was his fathers, he felt the warmth as soon as he held it, this wand would work well for him if he ever lost his holly wand again in the future. As wands go, he had to admit his own was rather plain when compared to the people who he loved most, his fathers had an awesome looking web design on it, pulling the other wand he received today out from his pocket he noticed his mums ten and a quarter inch wand had a twisted handle with a butterfly etched into the base, his mum had told him she had initially etched LP in school but became embarrassed so changed the LP into a butterfly. Even Hermione's wand had vines wrapping around the whole wand.
Harry was also pleased to find out his mum's wand would work well for Hermione when he had her test it out a little bit ago. Smiling as he thought of his parents, Harry thought back to their time spent together, as the memories floated thru his head, he felt Hermione grab his hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
Harry was going to ask Hermione what was next on their agenda when McGonagall walked thru the doors muttering to herself, Harry couldn't understand the full tirade but did catch bits and pieces, including whiskered wanker, and crooked nosed conniving bastard were just a few of the colorful names she was grumbling.
Oh, someone got a good talking toHermione said thru their bond. Nodding to her Harry asked his head of house rather cheekily, "Good meeting Professor?"
Minerva tutted and then shook her head, she wasn't angry at the children, she reminded herself. No, she was royally peeved at the so-called Leader of the Light at the moment, but she wouldn't let that bleed over into her conversation with her students. "Very funny Mister Potter" she let out a small smirk as she said this.
"Now, did Poppy get you both squared away?" Minerva asked while looking at a much calmer Hermione.
"Yes ma'am, thank-you for that, it was the first time I heard in detail about Harry's imprisonment at Private Drive, as you can expect it was quite a shock to the system." Hermione answered truthfully.
"Yes, well … I found out a bit more information from the Headmaster after you both left." Reaching into her robes she pulled out several other items that she had absconded from Albus. "As it turns out he actually had quite a number of items that were your parent's possessions, I'm confident that I now have all items but would suggest you have Sirius take inventory or at the least have the Goblins run an inventory check on your vaults. I hate to say it, but I no longer trust Albus to tell us anything."
FINALLY! Harry sent mentally over to Hermione, she nodded in response to him which Minerva incorrectly thought was in response to her statement. Harry then looked at the small pile of items that she had handed to him and gasped in shock.
"Professor, are these my Grandparent's wedding rings?" Harry held out the pair to inspect them.
Minerva answered with anger in her voice, "Yes, as well as your fathers pocket watch that was handed down to him from your grandfather, and your mothers' locket that James gave her when you were born. All of which should have been handed over to you the moment he was able to, if I didn't push him to hand over any other items, he might have never given them to you."
She then softened her voice, "How did you know they were your grandparent's rings and not your parents?"
"Two things really," Harry said while the pair held up their left hands, "These are my parents rings they magically found their way to our fingers when we bonded."
Minera nodded and waited for the second bit.
"Also we have a portrait of them in my home, they are wearing them in it and we talk to them regularly when we were home."
He never gave them to me last time, none of them I wonder why? Harry asked Hermione.
He wanted you weak and dependent on him love, something he had no need to ply you with guilt to get in the last timeline. I am rather curious however to how McGonagall got him to hand over even more, enough for her to feel confident enough that she believes she got all of what he had. Hermione's mind was racing with different questions, Harry picked out the ones he felt he needed answers to.
"Ah that's understandable then, sorry to be nosey." The professor said hastily.
"No worries Professor. What makes you believe you got everything he took?" Harry asked curiously.
"Dumbledore isn't the only one with tricks up his sleeves" the professor said with a smirk, "He may be able to fool some with his twinkling eyes and light legilimency probes. Oh yes I know about them," Minerva could see the shock in her cub's eyes so hurried out an explanation. "Many aurors use the same technique when questioning suspects, it's not illegal so long as you don't dive into the mind, a passing glance at people broadcasting their thoughts for anyone with even basic skills to read is not illegal."
That's a good point Hermione thought though it's still rather rude.
"I have a skill that the headmaster doesn't know about, one I hope you won't discuss with anyone else." Waiting until she got nods from the teens she continued, "There is a special trait that flows thru my bloodline on my mother's side that allows certain witches in the family to be able to sense when something isn't right or in this case a hundred percent truthful." Minerva paused to take a sip of tea that the house elves brought to them.
"That's how you knew about our knowledge" Hermione said while blushing.
"Yes, that is also how I knew Dumbledore had more items in his possession, I asked point blank if he had any further items and he tried to bullshit his way out. Pardon my language."
Both Potters were shocked that their head of house would even tell them this secret, to add swearing on top of it to say they were surprised was an understatement.
"That being said, I don't believe he has anything else of your parents, however he is still harboring secrets that he doesn't want uncovered, it wouldn't surprise me if he had Potter family heirlooms. He showed very common signs of redirect and avoidance techniques, he might not know of my gift, but definitely doesn't trust anyone and purposefully avoids certain topics."
"Don't worry Professor, we are aware of several things he is attempting to keep hidden, and I can also say we have taken care of several items on his to do list that he is not aware of yet." Harry wasn't surprised at Minerva's shocked face, he did say more than he was meaning to, "Don't look so surprised professor, I do have access to my parent's portrait and Remus and Sirius at my beck and call to talk things over."
Nice! She won't pick up on that because it's the truth! Her gift also explains how she knew a lot more than what she gives off and possibly how she knows the story behind our passwords. Hermione was always proud when Harry used his head when coming up with answers rather than blurting out the first thing that came to his head, she worked hard to get him out of that which he learned from Ron.
"Yes well, if you should ever have any questions about your parents or would like to hear stories of their time here in school, I will always do my best to answer or find the answer for you. Now Mister Potter, did Poppy get a chance to look you over and see if there is anything, we can do to help your well-being?" Minerva asked point blank.
"Mister Potter will be taking nutrient potions to counter act several years of neglect and I'll be vanishing and regrowing a couple bones in his arm tonight due to them not healing properly." Madam Pomfrey said while walking up to the group.
Minerva and Poppy went back a long way, she could tell something else was bugging her. "What else is wrong Poppy?"
"I'm just wondering how I overlooked so much, it's obvious that Harry is nowhere near the picture of health, comparing him to his father at the same age he should be a little taller but not by much so that wouldn't give much away I'd probably put that off to the height of his mother. It's the lack of nutrients and bone injuries that I seem to have overlooked that concerns me. Even if we can't approach the child due to the rule's that purebloods have in place, I don't have it documented anywhere in my file either." Poppy said while looking Minerva straight in the eye. "It's just not like me to overlook such injuries nor not to at minimum bring them to your attention being the head of his house."
Dumbledore? Harry questioned over to Hermione.
It's a good possibility that he messed with her to keep you weak. Hermione sent back.
"Ma'am," Harry started out, "It has recently been brought to my attention that the Headmaster has kept a great many things to himself lately. I have a really bad feeling that this maybe another secret that no one was to find out." Turning to face Minerva now, "Professor is it possible that the Headmaster could have messed with Madam Pomfrey to make her intentionally overlook things such as this, I know it wouldn't be hard for him to mess with the files."
Both adults were shocked but for two different reasons, Poppy had no doubts that the Headmaster could have done something such as Mr. Potter had described while Minerva was now thinking back to Harry's childhood. Why didn't she ask about him after they dropped him off? She was furious the day she found out they were going to be leaving him with those muggles, she watched them all day.
The Potters could see Minerva struggling with something, Hermione thought she might know what it was. "What's wrong Professor?"
Looking towards her charges she shook her head then looked toward Poppy "Poppy, would it be too much to ask for you to do a scan to see if I have any compulsion or memory charms placed on me?"
Poppy was shocked, "No, it wouldn't be too much to ask, however if I find them on you, I myself will need to request the afternoon off to go to St. Mungo's to get checked myself." After seeing Minerva nod in agreeance Poppy performed the scans.
I bet a galleon that they both have at minimum memory charms Hermione told her husband.
That's a fool bet love, it is Dumbledore that we are talking about here. Let's just see how bad this is.
Off in a different part of the country, Barty Crouch Jr. was caring for his Lord in a safe house the death eaters used back in the day. From the outside it looked like a run-down shack, it had extensive muggle repelling charms on it as well as heavy duty notice me not charms. You also wouldn't be able to remember the location once you left it if you didn't have the dark mark on your arm, a tricky bit of magic that the Dark Lord did to the fidelis charm.
"Barty my potions" The deep, dark voice of Lord Voldemort came from the wee babe sat in a chair. The baby the dark lord possessed was no older than nine months old, he had the capability to sit up and move about a little bit if needed, but that was about it.
The potions Barty brewed for him allowed the body to maintain enough magic to keep him alive, but barely. Any damage to the weak form and Voldemort would once more be a shade of a human and would have to go thru the ritual once more and the Dark Lord didn't think that he would get lucky enough to have another follower with a father who would be as expendable with as much knowledge. Not that he could die, no he himself had done more than most to ensure that he wouldn't have to meet death anytime soon, but it would still be quite a pain.
"Yes master, right here." Barty said bringing in the cup full of the brownish thick potion.
"What else have you learned about our plans?" the dark lord asked weakly while he drank down the potion.
"Potter remains behind powerful wards my Lord, he would be unattainable at the moment, as you advised I have not reached out to anyone and I haven't purchased any of the key ingredients to your potion together." Barty said with a tick.
"The same goes for my Polyjuice potion, no one suspects anything my Lord." Barty finished with a bow. He was currently impersonating one of the muggles in the village so as not to raise suspicion in magical world.
"And my ring from my mothers' hovel?" The dark lord asked.
"Right here my lord" Barty was once more bowing while handing over a ring box made of mahogany. "I followed your instructions to the letter and had no problems retrieving it."
"Good.. Good, this body can sustain me for a while, but it will not be useful to bring me back to full power. For that to work I need you to gather me the following items." Voldemort then rattled off a long list of potion ingredients and objects he would need for the revival ritual. He didn't like the fact that he would be using one of his horcrux's to fuel said ritual, but he knew he couldn't wait for Potter to finish school to regain a body and he wasn't fool enough to think anyone a bigger enemy than Potter, not even Dumbledore would work.
Barty bowed deeply and left to carry out his Lords commands. Just as he opened the door to leave a giant snake slithered into the room and wrapped around the armchair that seated the dark lord, Barty shivered he would never tell his master, but he really wasn't a big fan of snakes.
Unbeknownst to him Barty was being followed, just not by someone he would expect the moment he stepped out from the cloak of the heavy wards Winky was there following his every move. You can't fool a house elf with a potion or a glamor, they see thru those disguises, Winky had no issues tailing her former master's son.
"I can't believe Albus would stoop so low!" Poppy growled out to no one as she waited for Minerva to finish up with the mind healer to see if they could remove the many compulsions and memory blocks that have been placed on her for the past several years.
Poppy herself only had minimal alterations performed on her but Minerva's mind was almost competing with itself given the number of charms placed on her from the whiskered old wanker. She heard Minerva use that term to describe their headmaster and she found it appropriate, especially after they found all the charms and memory blocks.
I'm glad we thought to call Filius to watch over the students while we are gone.Poppy thought to herself.
Back at Hogwarts the diminutive professor was having a chat with the Potters when Dumbledore walked in. "Filius what a pleasant surprise, I was just looking for Minerva have you seen her? I have already checked her office and the ghosts last saw her here speaking with Poppy."
Albus didn't notice the look between the Potters and his charms professor. "Her and Poppy had to step out for a few minutes to grab some things for Mr. Potter here, I am to understand he has to have several bones vanished and regrown due to neglect on your part." Filius challenged. His hand was already prepared to draw his wand in defense if the elderly wizard decided to try anything.
"I'm not quite sure what you mean by that statement Filius, but I would rather discuss any issues you may or may not have with me in private and not in front of the students." Albus responded back not missing his professors' hand ready to cast at a moment's notice.
What is going on here? Why is everyone acting so hostile all of a sudden, first Harry, then Minerva and now Filius. Dumbledore thought to himself, never once suspecting that they found the many times he had to alter Minerva's mind because she became too nosey or suspicious of Harry's home life.
"I appreciate the information, when Minerva gets back could you pass along a message that I need to speak with her?" Albus asked setting his eyes to twinkling in hopes of dispelling the hostile air that swamped the infirmary.
"Of course, Albus, it shouldn't be too much longer they stepped out quite a bit ago." Filius stated, still keeping his defenses up.
Albus Dumbledore might be known as the strongest wizard with a wand but Filius was the fastest, winning many dueling competitions in his past before taking up his post as Hogwarts Charms Professor and then later head of Ravenclaw.
Albus locked eyes with his charms professor one last time before taking a quick glance at Harry and Hermione, once again feeling the hostility radiating off them in waves. With a quick nod of his head the headmaster turned and left the infirmary, this required a trip to speak with the portrait of Armando Dippet in his office, perhaps he could gleam some information from the other paintings that could help put together some of the pieces of the puzzle.
Meanwhile at the Ministry, Amelia Bones was getting ready to leave for the day, she was heading home early after working late for almost the last month, with nothing changing too much on the Voldemort front and no other horcrux's to hunt she was going to take advantage of having a rare night at home. She had just closed and sealed up her filing cabinets ensuring that no one would be able to enter them when the tiny elf popped into her office.
"Missy Bones you must hurry! Young ex-master is in the alley disguised as a muggle and buying potions!" Winky said quickly.
Amelia shot out of her chair and immediately took action, calling out to Shack she yelled to get a team together and meet her at the apothecary in the alley, then reached for Winky's hand and she was gone.
Kingsley Shacklebolt was not slow when answering a direct order, he grabbed a handful of aurors that were standing around, Carrick, Bolton, Mac, and Tonks were just getting out of a training routine and within minutes they were in the lifts heading for the exits.
Right up the alley Minerva and Poppy were entering thru the Leaky Cauldron after leaving St. Mungo's, Filius had sent a patronus telling them about Albus' visit, so Poppy wanted to make sure to pick up a few things to corroborate with his explanation of where they have been. They were a store away from the apothecary when Madame Bones appeared out of nowhere via elf apparition. The moment the duo had landed the elf pointed to a person then popped away. Minerva got a bad feeling in her gut that something big was going to happen, it was almost as if she could feel it in her magic. Madame Bones had calmly walked up and tapped the gentlemen that the elf had pointed out on the shoulder to speak with him. The man got a manic look upon his face and started yelling at Amelia, they couldn't hear what he was saying but they could tell it wasn't good. Suddenly before anyone could even comprehend what was going on curses began to fly.
Poppy and Minerva exchanged a brief glance at each other and nodded, they both knew where their talents lay. Minerva headed off to assist with Amelia while Poppy headed straight to the person on the ground who was hit by a sickening yellow curse.
Amelia was starting to worry, she didn't think Barty would start a firing off curses right left and sideways, in fact it took all of her efforts to physically block the killing curses pouring from his wand from hitting innocent bystanders, she really wished her backup would hurry, where the hell could Shack be?
Amelia had just blocked another killing curse using a wooden crate from the neighboring shop when she saw two things at the same time, one was a deadly green curse heading straight for her, the other was the barrel that came flying to block it from up the street.
Amelia sighed in relief Shack must be here, however she couldn't take her eyes away from Barty to look just this second, in retaliation Barty started to double his efforts in maiming and killing both herself and the fleeing witches and wizards. She shrieked in horror as she saw a purple entrail curse head straight towards a small child only to be blocked by a shield from her right, what on earth was Poppy Pomfrey doing in the alley?
From her left she saw more curses fly towards Barty, he had to set up quite a strong shield charm in order to block them, Amelia could see him struggle to protect himself from the curses flowing towards him at a high rate of speed.
Amelia added to the string of curses throwing in several body binds and stunning spells to try and catch their opponent off guard when she noticed several normally inanimate objects spring to life and start to push bystanders out of the way or block them from curses. This all happening while there was a steady stream of curses hailing down on Barty who continued to block them, there was no way one or two people could be doing all this, they would have to be a transfiguration master in order for the number of objects that were turning animated would take.
Taking a chance to glance towards her left she noticed that her back up did in fact arrive, Kingsley was throwing everything he had into Barty's shield along with Tonks, the other three were in the process of putting up shield charms and anti-apparition wards. What really threw her for a loop was Minerva McGonagall continuing to alternate between setting animated objects loose towards the threat and sending curses. What in the world?
Suddenly there was a scream coming from Barty's direction, Amelia whipped her head back to see a long spear sticking out of Barty's left arm from one of Minerva's transfigured guards, followed by a bone breaking hex to his other arm Barty was effectively out of the fight, or so they thought; with a wild gleam in his eye Barty Crouch Jr. ran towards the group of aurors and turned suddenly, clipping Tonks across the face with the spear handle and knocking her back into shelf.
He then grabbed his wand with his left hand and banished the spear towards Mac who had just finished setting up the wards and was turning to jump into the action when the spear clipped him on the side of the head taking his ear with it and ended up sticking in the door of Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
Barty's wand tip was glowing green when Minerva took him out with stunner, she then summoned his wand and wrapped him up in conjured shackles just to be on the safe side. Huffing from the extended effort it took to transfigure and fight Minerva looked toward Amelia who gave her a nod.
Amelia wasn't taking any chances, she ordered Shack and Bolton to each stun Barty once more and then placed a security portkey that would take him into a secured holding cell at an undisclosed safe house that only she knew the directions to, she sent Shack along for the ride with instructions to not remove anything and to let him wake up naturally on his own, she would be along momentarily, but had to get the Alley back under control.
"Amelia, what on earth?" Minerva started.
"Minnie, I will explain everything eventually, sadly right now I can't say much due to the laws that govern, but I promise you will understand everything eventually." Amelia waited for her to nod before adding, "And I can't say how much it means to me that you stepped in to help, I didn't think he would do something so stupid."
"Who was that Amelia I didn't recognize him at all?" Poppy asked as she walked up with Tonks, who she had just healed the cut across her face and mended a broken jawbone.
"At the moment Poppy, I cannot and will not release that information until I can verify it myself. I have gotten a tip from a dear friend about a strange man in the alley who I have been looking for in order to question. Like I told Minerva, I promise to explain everything eventually, but legally I can't right now." Poppy nodded in response to Amelia's statement.
"What are you two doing in the alley? Not that I'm not grateful that you were both here, but shouldn't you be at Hogwarts?" She asked curiously.
"Well funny you should mention that Amelia, I was actually going to write you a letter once I got back, we both need to speak with you privately when you get done with this mess." Minerva said with a little bit of her baroque accent peeking thru, a sure-fire tip that she was peeved.
"Oh? What about…or can't you say in public?" Amelia got nervous, Harry didn't plan to tell anyone else about his time travel, but she was aware that they had advised her in a sort, about their classroom knowledge,
"It's about the Headmaster, however I would like to speak with a colleague and a student before I speak with you, I think it would be most beneficial to gain their additional knowledge of things." Minerva stated plainly.
Amelia didn't know who the colleague was, but she felt pretty sure she could guess the student, which gave her a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Is anyone in danger Minnie?" Amelia asked grimly, Harry's time in school in the other timeline flashing thru her mind.
"At the moment everyone will be fine, I promise. However, I would like to see you as soon as possible."
Amelia felt like she once more fell back into the role of Hogwarts student with a quiet "Yes ma'am" that made Minerva chuckle.
Amelia glanced at Tonks, Bolton and Carrick. "You three will head into St. Mungo's to get checked out, Carrick I know you didn't take much as far as injury, but I want you on guard to watch these two as they get fixed up. Then take the rest of the night off, that's an order."
"Excuse me Ma'am, Madam Pomfrey healed me up just fine, and I have an assignment I need to get to tonight, would it be alright if I just head back with the Professors?" Tonks asked shyly, still a bit nervous around the big boss lady.
"I'd like for you to follow up with the healers at the hospital for a report and some rest. You just threw about a lot of magic. Then yes, you may head towards the school for your assignment." Amelia smiled towards one of her favorite aurors.
A chorus of "Yes Ma'am" made her chuckle a little as Amelia headed off towards her office to gather a few things she will need for the interrogation.
She had arrived at the safe house to find that Barty had yet to wake up from the stunners placed on him, Shack had added a health tracker and had him placed in the highest security cell.
"Amelia, who the hell is this?" Shack asked pointing towards the muggle disguise that he was still transformed into. "I don't recognize him at all, but I would bet my salary he's a death eater, just from the way he was throwing around killing curses."
"I have the answer to that question right here" Amelia said holding up a potion that reverses the effect of Polyjuice potion.
"You think they took Polyjuice? How did you know where they would be? You called from out of your office and then you were gone?" Shack asked. Amelia knew he was just doing his job; it was one of the many reasons he was so good at his job.
Making up her mind Amelia called for Winky, once the tiny elf popped in and bowed to Amelia. "Missy Bones found bad old master! I'm so glad!" Winky cried.
"Yes Winky, thank-you so much for your help. I'm very proud of you! You are a wonderful elf, could you please inform your masters that we got him and that I will visit them after my interrogation?" Winky nodded to Amelia then popped away once more.
"Amelia that throws up more questions than answers, but I guess it does explain how you knew this guy was in the alley" Shack said while staring at the spot where Winky left. "Was that Crouches' elf?"
"Yes." Amelia stated matter of fact. "But before you follow up on that question let's get this potion down this man's throat." She motioned to the unconscious man lying in the cell.
"Sounds like a good plan ma'am" Shack said while placing charms around the building as a security feature that would prevent exiting then proceeded to help Amelia open the suspects mouth and massage his throat to make him swallow the required potion.
The effects were almost immediate, the skin started to bubble and change, the skin tone went from a deep tan to a pasty almost ghost like white coloring. The man's once dark black hair color turned into a sandy blonde and the eyes changed from the vivid blue to a toned-down deep brown.
"That's impossible Amelia!" Shack yelled more out of shock then the anger that his voice depicted. "That man died! I carted the body out myself, what in the name of Merlin is going on?"
Amelia could understand Shacks shock, but it was time to lay down a few truths that she learned… from Harry, but he didn't need to know that side, she would explain how she quietly dug into the reason that Crouch Sr. and the reasons on why she investigated herself.
"When under the effects of Polyjuice potion if you die you die as that identity, your magic is intimately entwined with your soul, when that same soul leaves the body so does any magic that can then be used to change you back into the person you used to be." Amelia was shocked by this when Harry explained it to her so she could understand Shack's weariness.
"I was quietly investigating into the Crouch murder when I noticed the home was set up for two instead of just the one. Barty Sr. I knew lived alone, his wife had passed around the same time as his son, his wife didn't have a funeral, it was a quiet affair which we didn't think anything of at the time, the war had just ended and there was so much grief." Looking down Amelia saw that Barty's transformation was complete.
"However, when we buried Crouch senior his wife's grave was empty, this lead me to follow up with his son, who we all knew was a fanatical follower of …"Amelia paused she needed to get over saying his name out loud. "Voldemort"
To Shacks credit, he didn't gasp his only reaction was his pupils dilatating.
"We did pull bones from his sons grave" at this Shack let out a breath but then raised an eyebrow as he looked toward Barty Jr. "Remember when I said the body doesn't change back when you pass away polyjuiced?" Amelia questioned.
Shack simply nodded following along.
"Well, like I said magic plays a huge role in the transformation that Polyjuice puts you under, your bones however are still yours as is your tissue and DNA. The bones we found in Barty Crouch Jr. were those of Madam Crouch. We had them analyzed both the muggle way and magically."
Shacks eyes widened while putting the pieces together. "The Crouches were allowed to visit their son in Azkaban because of her illness," Shack shook his head, "Amelia do you know what this could mean if others found out about this?"
"I already thought about that Shack, there will be no visitors to the high security wing of Azkaban again, and any deaths that happen will go thru an autopsy, I have already tightened the security and have had all the prisoners checked for Polyjuice." Amelia answered right away, Shack nodded with appreciation and instantly calmed down. There were far too many death eaters that should have gotten the kiss verse being a threat to society.
"So, Crouch's wife swapped places while polyjuiced to die for her son, and what, Crouch brought his son home? This happened close to 10 years ago how could he keep a maniac like Barty quiet that long?" Shack asked.
"Imperious." Amelia said simply. "That elf you saw was once Crouch's personal family elf before he was forced by Barty to give her clothes. She has new masters now who got the information from her and passed it along to me which started my investigation."
"Forced?" Shack asked while he eyed Barty who was starting to stir.
"Yes, Crouch was sick, his magic was weaking from his illness creating a weaker hold on Barty who eventually broke the hold his father had on him and in turn placed his father under the imperious curse. He didn't trust the elf to not tell someone so had his father give her clothes." Shack shook his head at Amelia's explanation as he could see a giant hole in the plan.
"Obviously the elf told her new masters, and must have known it was Barty and not Crouch? Wouldn't it be easier just to kill the elf?" he asked, not exactly liking what he was saying but had to put himself in the mindset of the suspect.
"You would think, however I believe his mind was so warped from the dementors, considering even before he went to Azkaban, he was psychotic. His mind definitely doesn't seem to be there if he opened fire in the middle of the alley."
By this time Barty's eyes were open and searching around frantically, he couldn't hear them thanks to the protections around the cell, he also couldn't move the bindings were tight around his arms, legs, and chest.
"Let's get this show on the road" Shack said while preparing to administer the truth serum.
The pair went thru each question with a dictaquil running to record the questions and answers given. They had walked thru his incarceration, his mom's dying wish, his control and ultimate murder of his father and the dismissal of Winky. Amelia was feeling good about all the information given, thankfully things worked fairly similar to the events of the other timeline, a prospect they were worried about due to all the changes the Potters have made.
Now however, they were getting to the part of the investigation that made Amelia nervous. Harry had told her of how paranoid Tom Riddle could be, she had to make sure they didn't trigger any unbreakable vows in the process of asking questions.
"Have you, since your release from the imperious curse your father placed on you, been in contact with the Dark Lord Voldemort?" Amelia asked as Shack looked from Barty to her and then back to Barty.
"Yes" was the only reply given.
"Have you assisted Voldemort in regaining a body since you have been in contact with him." Again, Shack looked from Barty directly at her with a nervous expression in his eye and the refocused back on Barty.
"Yes."
Shack was now hyper focused on Barty, determined to not let him even think about trying to escape.
"Have you, under your own freewill taken any unbreakable vows that would kill you for answering questions?" Amelia asked while a bead of sweat slid down the side of her face.
"Yes."
Shite! Amelia thought to herself. I can bet the location of the safe house would fall under that vow. How else are we going to be able to do this…?
At that moment Shack spoke up and asked a question, Amelia trusted him implicitly, so she wasn't worried, he was an excellent interrogator with a great sense of knowing how to frame questions.
"Will the Dark Lord die if you are not there to take care of him?" Shack questioned.
Barty looked Shack right in the eye and gave a one-word answer with an evil smile.
"No."
It was solid and strong, one word given with intent and meaning behind it. Barty believed in his answer fully, leading Amelia to believe that there was an additional person helping.
"Are you aware of anyone else helping Voldemort with his plans?" she asked cautiously hoping it wasn't under the vow.
"No."
I wonder if he knows about the Horcruxes… that would definitely fall under the vow. However, he may not be aware of anyone else helping but there very well could be. Shite, I wish Hermione and Harry were here.
Thinking to herself for a bit longer Amelia went off what she knew. She wrapped up the interrogation with a few basic exit questions, then placed Barty back in the cell with full restraints.
"Shack, I'll need to you stay watch tonight, I'll try and get the trial for first thing in the morning, I have already had the letters written up in preparation, Fudge isn't going to like this. Even though I trust you with my life, I need a secrecy oath for the legal side of things tonight, I hope you understand."
Shack nodded his consent and gave the oath willingly, he understood the protocols in place, and the necessity behind them.
Amelia thanked Shack for his help and advised she would send someone else in to relieve him later that night so that he may get some rest for the trial that will hopefully start in the morning.
Amelia then headed to Hogwarts, she could wait to go but with Harry, Hermione, and Susan all in the castle she needed to know what was going on inside that place so bad that would cause Minerva AND Poppy to reach out to her.
Amelia apparated to the Three Broomsticks and then walked thru Hogsmeade to the gates of the school. She had sent off a quick patronus to Sirius to meet her at the gates, once more thankful that he was inside the castle on a more frequent basis. The full moon was coming up so Amelia assumed Tonks would be making her way back to Hogwarts to prepare rather soon. That young woman was dedicated that's for sure, in everything she did.
Amelia smiled as she thought of the pair, they really were quite suited for each other, Remus didn't want her to have to change to please him, and she didn't care about his need to change. Thinking back, she often laughed at Lily's turn of phrase calling it his "furry little problem", she also remembered Deidre Sprite being overly fond of him as well.
They were definitely not suited, she didn't know about Remus' condition, not many had in school, and had gotten overly jealous at the amount of time he would spend with James and Sirius, she viciously spread rumors about him about the castle. Everything from being half troll to being in a gay three way with the other two. Deidre was lucky that Lily got to her first... or maybe she was unlucky.
Lily, who was always fiercely protective of Remus, came raging into the library after catching wind of several 'comments' being spread around, all of which sourced back to Deidre. The ferocity in her demeanor was such that Madame Pince didn't even scold her.
"A galleon for your thoughts Ames." Sirius said noticing that Amelia was so deep in thought she didn't even realize he had walked up.
"Galleons? Isn't the going rate normally a knut?" Amelia asked, snapping out of her thoughts of Lily hexing Deidre.
"Your thoughts are worth WAY more than a knut my dear." Sirius reached out to grab her hand. "Not that I'm not pleased as punch to see you, but why are you here?"
"I ran into Minerva and Poppy in the ally today, they assisted with the arrest of a certain death eater we've been after." Amelia shook her head when she saw Sirius starting to ask some questions.
"Not here! Later." She said while giving his hand a squeeze. "They said they have somethings they would like to discuss with me and advised that I should swing by. I got nervous with the kids here so wanted to follow up right away."
"Understandable, and you wanted to see your charming boyfriend in the process I suppose." Sirius said cheekily.
"Actually, I need you to relieve Shack tonight so that he may get some sleep. I'm hoping to have the trial in the morning if all goes to plan." She looked towards Sirius seeing him nod then raise one of his eyebrows.
"Okay, okay, I was also thinking back to our school years when Lily tracked down and unloaded on Deidre Sprite." She couldn't help with the little chuckle that came thru.
Sirius just nodded while smiling fondly, "Yes, she always had a soft spot for Remus, protected him ferociously after she found out about his condition. Kind of similar to how Hermione does now."
"Very true, that girl is wicked smart, she could probably give the Marauders a good run for their money." Amelia laughed as the approached the front doors to the castle.
Sirius, thinking that Amelia said a very true statement, simply kissed her cheek as he led her to the infirmary to speak with Minerva. "Both of them are in here with Harry and Hermione, I'll go grab a bag of things to entertain me while I watch our prisoner tonight, I'll need to be back in the morning so that I can get the handoff from Moony for his class the following day, full moon and all, you understand."
"Of course, Shack will stay there with you, a room has been made up for sleeping quarters. He should be fine to take watch early and then you can head back here get your report and pass out for a few hours." Amelia gave Sirius a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek before saying goodnight.
Sirius turned around to start heading towards his quarters when he turned back around sharply, "Say hi to the kids and let them know where I'm off to so they don't worry please, it isn't all Moony who that girl mothers."
Smiling Amelia nodded in response and entered the hospital wing.
"I swear she came in spitting tacks; trust me I wouldn't want to get on her bad side if I were you!" Ronald Weasley was finishing up a rousing story when Amelia got to their bedside, everyone was roaring with laughter.
"And what pray tell did you two do to wind up in a hospital bed? I thought we agreed you would all stay out of trouble." Amelia said with a frown seeing who was in the beds and who was simply visiting.
"We have stayed out of trouble Amelia it just so happens that Harry here needed a bone re-grown to fix how it healed to begin with." Hermione said with a harumph sound to her voice.
Looking over to Harry, Amelia raised her eyebrow waiting for an answer to why Hermione was peeved and why she was in a bed.
"Blimey, you look like Sirius when you do that, I feel like I'm being interrogated but you haven't even said anything yet!" Harry said while chuckling a little.
Amelia just smiled and continued to stare.
"Alright, alright, Ron would you give us a moment with Madame Bones, I'm sure she's going to be looking for the sordid details on my night, and I could really use a hand polishing my broomstick for tomorrows match, wouldn't trust anyone but you with that job!" Harry said with a smile.
Ron's chest puffed up as he stood tall, "Sure thing mate! I'll get right on it."
Hermione just shook her head as she watched Ron hurry out of the hospital wing. "It's so much easier to get him to do things when you know how to motivate him." Harry laughed.
"Okay Amelia, now that we are alone, there isn't much to tell. Dumbledore found it fit to hand over some of my parents' things that he nicked from their house after their demise. Stuff he didn't see fit to give me," Harry lowered his voice so that only the three of them could hear, "the last go around."
Harry then pulled out his parent's journals and wands to show Amelia.
"That whiskered wan…"
"That's funny Amelia, McGonagall called him that same name, with many more I might add." Harry said while looking past her.
"And with good reason Mr. Potter, the slimy git placed so many memory charms and attitude adjustments on me it took St. Mungo's best three straight hours of unworking spells to get me halfway done! Most of my summer will be spent getting the same done to ensure I have my complete memories back." Minerva said in a huff.
"HE DID WHAT?!" Amelia whipped around nearly falling out of her chair that she was sitting in.
"It's true Amelia, I did the initial scan, the reason we were both in the alley way for that fight was because I needed to get checked out as well. I had several memory modifications done to me as well, same magical signature." Poppy said while walking out from behind Minerva.
"And you think they were both done by Albus?" She questioned as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Could today get any worse?
"I know they were both done by Albus, I would know his signature anywhere." Poppy said with confidence.
"Why though, what was he trying to cover up?" Amelia asked curiously.
"What tipped us off was Poppy questioning why she wouldn't take care of Harry's injuries prior to today. He was in her care several times last year, thankfully not so much this year." Minerva said while eyeing up a blushing Harry.
"That lead to me thinking back on why I even agreed with Albus to leave Harry with those blasted muggles. I sat and watched them all day, I knew what kind of people they were, you could just see it." Minerva took a seat near Harry.
"If I had known earlier or would have ever assumed that you were being mistreated as badly as you were, I would never have left you with them. I regret that night so much, I'm so sorry Harry." Minerva tried so hard not to cry, but before she even realized it a tear was streaking down her cheek.
Hermione knowing that Harry, no matter how old his mind may be, was still uncomfortable with the thought of hugging someone, even if it was getting easier for him to accept them. She got up from her bed and made her way over to McGonagall to hug her.
As she hugged her professor she whispered, "Thank-you for caring, he hasn't had much of that before this year." She felt McGonagall return the hug and squeeze her a little tighter.
With tears in their eyes the group sat down at a table for some tea. "You never did tell me why Hermione was in a bed." Amelia asked.
Blushing Hermione answered for herself. "Well, I sort of had a break down listening to Harry describe his childhood in more detail than he has ever given before."
"I didn't intend to let some of that stuff out, I was just so mad over the fact that he kept things from me, and then had the audacity to say that he kept me safe at the Dursleys. I lost it, and I figured words were better than letting my magic go." Harry said with a shrug.
"Well, you're not going back to them this summer, we will be returning to our home and you'll be surrounded by family." Hermione said firmly.
"Agreed" Amelia said, "And Sirius wouldn't allow you to return to those horrible muggles even if Dumbledore wants you to."
Harry nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed with the love being shown.
"Now," Amelia wanted to pull the attention off Harry and onto something she needed to figure out. "What are we going to do about Dumbledore?"
Like clockwork the doors to the infirmary opened and in walked the whiskered wanker himself, "Ah good evening Amelia, you being here saves me the trouble of having to reach out to you myself. I just got an owl from the Wizengamot for an impromptu hearing tomorrow and I would like to go over it with you before we have it, I was going to recommend tomorrow morning but since you're here, that is to say if you have time, I'd like to go over a few things with you."
"Sure Albus, I have a few things I would like to go over with you as well." Eyeing Minerva and Poppy warily, she noticed the slight nod from Poppy, confirming she would check her out afterwards.
"Yes, very good. I have however been looking for Minerva all day to go over a few school details would it be too much to ask for a moment of your time Minerva?" Albus not seeing the look that she was giving to Poppy and Amelia waited for her reply.
"Sure Albus" Minerva stated while standing up and moving over to a corner of the hospital wing. Poppy watching them like a hawk, unbeknownst to Albus.
It only took a few minutes for Albus to go over some of the schools financing and updates on the new students for next year, after he was done and Minerva was safely back in her seat amongst the group, Albus bid farewell and advised Minerva to show Amelia up to his office when she was done 'interviewing' them from the fight that happened in the ally earlier.
"It was in the papers already." Minerva said after the old coot had left, "Special edition from Rita Skeeter."
Rolling her eyes, of course that wretched woman would have been in the ally way. Although she was very knowledgeable on the rules of an active crime scene/investigation she toed the line quite a bit to get a good story, she also wasn't afraid to stretch the truth a bit.
"I don't understand how, I didn't see her at all during the fight nor afterwards?" Poppy questioned with distaste.
Hermione tried to catch Amelia's eye to let her know they had information on the wretched woman. Amelia noticed and nodded.
"Okay you two, how would we like to proceed with Albus and his hobby?" Amelia asked. "Currently I need him in his place for several things going on behind the scenes at the Ministry, at least for the next few days."
Minerva was the first to speak up, "Although he messed with quite a bit of my mind it seems it was only in correspondence to when I asked about Harry, nothing else was messed with. I suppose to keep me quiet; I wasn't supposed to be at Private drive after all, Poppy's was to have her overlook old injuries pertaining to Harry. It seems the headmaster has an unhealthy attachment to the boy."
That's the understatement of the century. Harry sent over to Hermione that made her nod.
"I would hazard a guess that he wouldn't see the need to intervene any further currently considering Harry isn't going back to the Dursleys. However, if anyone is spouting nonsense about him needing to go back or anything that seems out of character please alert someone." Minerva looked towards Amelia, then towards the Potters.
"I'll hold off on prosecuting for now, as I have much more on my plate than usual. Harry is safe, and the headmaster should have no reason to need to alter any memories about anything. We shall keep this between us for now." Poppy said while grabbing the bottle of Skel-o-grow, making Harry shiver.
"Amelia, before I start my treatment to help heal my bones correctly would it be too much to ask for a private audience?" Harry asked still eyeing the bones on the bottle Madame Pomfrey held.
"Sure Harry, ladies if you could give us a few moments, then Minerva I shall follow you to the headmaster's office." Amelia said while taking a seat next to Harry's bedside once again.
"Absolutely Amelia, we shall be in Poppy's office, just come get me when you need me." Minerva said while leading Poppy out of her domain.
As soon as the pair were out of earshot Hermione erected some heavy-duty privacy charms, one that included animagus detections. Amelia, who thought she was getting used to Hermione's degree of knowledge, was still shocked by this impressive display of magic.
"Okay you two, let me start before you both take the show. We apprehended Barty Crouch Jr. today, he started a firefight in the middle of Diagon Alley, luckily no one was seriously hurt, considering he was throwing around killing curses like they were quaffles."
Hermione gasped.
"Thankfully Minerva and Poppy were a couple of shops up from my location and came to my aid. Minerva is a frightening witch when she wants to be."
At this both Potters just nodded agreeing fully, they remembered the witch in question taking on Snape and two death eaters and winning.
"I currently have Barty hidden away until tomorrows hearing so that no one can get to him or allow him to be turned loose. We are still unaware if anyone else is helping Voldemort as Barty himself admitted to being under an unbreakable vow. He did say he was not aware of anyone one else helping his master but that could also mean that Voldemort didn't put all his eggs into one basket."
Amelia paused for a minute to let all the information sink in as well as take a sip of tea that she had brought over with her from the table they were sitting at a few moments ago.
"I currently have Kingsley Shacklebolt guarding him, you should remember him Hermione, he was the one you got when Harry was in trouble in Flourish and Blotts."
Once more Hermione nodded, and so Amelia continued.
"I have Sirius heading over there tonight with me when I get done here, that way he can take over for Shack so that he can get a few winks in before the trial tomorrow. He told me to tell you both so that you wouldn't worry. I'm assuming it has something to do with the map you all have on your watches."
"I didn't think Sirius told you about our maps yet." Harry said in shock.
"Oh he didn't, I figured it out on my own. They had a similar item when we were all in school, I figured it out then too, I understood it was a map of some sort, most likely of the school, I just don't know how it works." She said with frustration evident in her voice.
"I think Sirius was just trying to avoid getting your hopes up, it is a map of the school, but it's tied to the wards. Something he wouldn't be able to do with the Ministry or St. Mungo's due to the nature of the magic surrounding Hogwarts. The castle herself is what makes the map work." Hermione said rather quickly hoping to spare Amelia's feelings on them not telling her.
"I figured it was something like that. Anyway, I'm not upset with Sirius, I understand him better than you think." She laughed a little. "I hope to return tomorrow afternoon with good news. Now I saw the look earlier Hermione, what do you know?"
Hermione blushed, she had no idea why, she was an adult for heaven's sake. I think it's beautiful Harry sent over their bond making her blush even more.
"The bit about Rita, she's an unregistered animagus, she turns into a beetle, quite convenient for when you want to be someplace unseen. We caught her in fourth year last time, she was writing some horrible stuff about Harry, Viktor Krum, and I. I put her in an unbreakable jar, at one point I do believe Ron rolled her down a hill." Hermione laughed out.
"If we can catch her again, we could definitely use her to our advantage." Harry added while laughing himself.
"Hmm …. Well, that is definitely something I would be interested in asking her about." Amelia stated with a wicked smile.
"Now what do you two think about Albus?" Amelia asked, "We no longer need him for the horcruxes, and he seems intent on causing more harm than good. I think his 'greater good' spiel has run out. I can't leave these actions go unpunished."
Amelia started playing with her monocle again as she waited in what she was getting used to as the Potters silent way of communicating.
He really has outdone himself Hermione thought over to Harry.
I'm just surprised we didn't think about this in the last time frame, I mean it is super suspicious that both Pomfrey and McGonagall didn't say anything. We know he knew Sirius wasn't the secret keeper, we also know that he was the sole reason why Snape got off so his 'my hands were tied' about Sirius nonsense doesn't flow either.
Hermione just nodded.
What do you think Hermione? Harry asked.
I think I would like to throw his wrinkly arse off the astronomy tower. However, I think we still need him to answer a few truths. I wonder…. Do you think the room of requirement would make it so one would be compelled to tell the truth? Hermione asked while biting on her lip.
It should I would think. Harry was now deep in thought himself on ways to test it. We obviously couldn't test it on ourselves, we wouldn't be embarrassed or need to be compelled to tell the truth because of our connection… What about Sirius?
Hermione ditched that idea immediately, he's suffered enough with Azkaban. I say our best bet would be Fred and George. We know we have dirt on them, and they would avoid spilling anything of their mischief nature.
Harry was smiling now, That's brilliant Hermione! Perfect test subjects if I do say so myself.
Harry then looked towards Amelia, slightly embarrassed that they had left her out of the loop for that whole conversation.
"We talked it over, sorry about leaving you out like that, sometimes we don't even notice we are doing it. We think we have come up with a way to get the truth out of Albus Dumbledore, however we would need to test out our method on a pair of menaces first."
"What are you going to be testing out on the twins? Is it safe? Do I have to worry about a pair that turned my hair rainbow?"
Harry laughed at Amelia's thought process, "No, they will be perfectly safe, I do believe this is a prank my DADA teacher would approve of."
Harry tried to pick the Marauder who he thought was the tamest, however Amelia's laughter was not what he expected.
"That makes me even more worried, Remus was always the quiet one of the group, however he was also the brains behind eighty percent of their pranks, even some of the retaliation, as I was telling Sirius earlier, your mum had a soft spot for Remus, protected him fiercely, as he did her. Even at the expense of his best mates sometimes."
Everyone had a good chuckle at that, Hermione then dispelled the wards around them, and the pair bid Amelia good night. Just as she had risen from her chair the door to Pomfrey's office opened and Minerva walked out.
"Oh good … I was just coming to see if you were ready, otherwise I would have asked you to meet me at my classroom, I have several papers to grade tonight and need to get a jump on it." Minerva said tiredly.
"Oh and Mrs. Potter, I have the book you had requested from the restricted section, I trust you will act responsibly with it and not try any transformations without myself or Sirius present. Preferably myself." McGonagall said with a smile towards Amelia, "No offense Amelia"
Amelia just laughed, "Hey I'm just as concerned as you Minerva." Then she looked towards the Potters, "And please advise me of your status' I'd like to get you both registered on the restricted list, that way it's not public knowledge, but your still legally safe, much like your father and Sirius were."
Amelia bid the two good night and headed out of the infirmary with Minerva.
"I never did get to say thank-you for earlier today Minerva, I don't think we would have come away as lucky as we had without your prowess." Amelia was truly grateful.
"Oh you're most welcome dearie, I'm just glad no one got seriously hurt. Well, here we are." Minerva pointed to the giant golden griffin with her wand. "Sherbet Lemon"
The griffin started to turn in place as stairs formed a spiral staircase up to Dumbledore's study.
"You know no matter how many times I've seen this it still awes me."
"I do know, I see it frequently and still the magic behind it amazes me. Stay safe Amelia." Minerva said as she turned and started towards her classroom, brandy would be her choice of additive to her tea tonight.
Taking a deep breath Amelia started climbing the stairs to Albus Dumbledore's private study.