14. The Investigation of the Black Hole
The following morning Harry and Hermione awoke with a feeling that this day, something special was going to happen. Rather, many things were scheduled. They entered the great hall in time for breakfast in a mood of anticipation.
"Harry, you can see that the teachers are as exited as we are. Usually, they sit each one to themselves, reading a newspaper and sipping at their cup of tea. Now they chatter like a group of first years."
"Yes. What I'm thinking about though is what Professor Dumbledore said about having some students expelled. I think we may find someone or other from Slytherin among them and that wouldn't be such a big deal, but I fear we will have some nasty surprises as well."
"Harry, sometimes I think you are too pessimistic for your own good."
"Not pessimistic. We must realize that our happiness will mean obligations as well."
"Ok, you are too good for your own good. Harry, allow yourself some happiness!"
"Actually, I experienced pure happiness yesterday evening. Sitting by the fire with you sleeping with your head in my knee, reading a book. That was a moment I will cherish for years to come."
"Harry!" Hermione reached out her hand to take Harry's hand in her. Silently she gave him a squeeze, wiping away a tear in her eye.
---
Tonks came up to their table, asking if Hermione were ready with her breakfast. Together they left for St Mungo's hospital.
They were shown into a small room where a man with a typical Indian appearance was sitting close to a table. The table was filled with binders and loose pieces of parchment. Obviously he used the room only as a temporary office. He greeted Hermione warmly.
"How do you do, Miss Granger. Normally I should not present myself, being an unmentionable, but you would recognise me in due time anyway. I'm the father of two of your fellow students, Parvati and Padma. They have naturally mentioned you several times and of course Harry Potter as well."
"I've requested your help today because we have a man in custody with an ailment I'm sure you will be able to help us with," Mr. Patil continued. "Furthermore, he refuses to tell us how he got this ailment, so we have to do this in a somewhat formal way. You have no doubt already heard that he is attached to a door handle - with both his hands. I will emphasize that there is no charge against you. Will you please tell us what you may know about this door? We will record your answer."
Hermione looked around, watching this benevolent gentleman, finding new similarities with her friend Parvati while he was talking. She saw also the self-recording quill and parchment set up to take down her testimony. She composed herself briefly:
"There was a New Years party in the house at 12, Grimmauld Place. We had received information that Lord Voldemort and his Death-Eaters would launch an attack against those in the house. Our counter measures assumed an intrusion through the front door, so I was asked to make the back door as fast as possible. I used an ordinary locking charm, with some enhancements of my own." Hermione saw the quill taking down her statement. When it was done, she continued.
"I added an attachment charm to the door handle. I thought that by so doing if anyone were foolish enough to touch it, they would be severely hindered if trying to force the door by magic. I also integrated a code charm, so the counter charm will need that code."
Hermione mouthed a question to Mr Patil, asking if she should include the code in the statement. He nodded affirmatively.
"The code digits are 0731, being the date of Harry's birthday."
"Thank you, that will do I think." Mr Patil took the parchment from the automatic quill, added some notes on the top and filed it in one of the binders.
"You know, I have met Mr. Dolohov before. He tried to kill me half a year ago," Hermione told Mr. Patil.
"Oh, I didn't know. I've heard about the affair in the Department of Mysteries, naturally, but no details. I must say that I think that affair should have been thoroughly investigated at the time. Now, it would be very difficult to reconstruct what actually took place there." Mr. Parvati led the way into the ward where Hermione saw the man sitting with his back towards the door. He had a blanket over his arms.
When they entered, a medi-witch took off the blanket, displaying his both hands fastened, one above the other, to a door-handle protruding from the grip of his hands. The man raised his eyes and gave a start when he recognised Hermione. She saw a sequence of emotions pass behind his gaze; hatred, shame, fear and defiance were some of them. Seeing his reaction somehow increased her strength.
"Good day, Mr. Dolohov," she said with a strong but neutral voice. "I see you got caught by my little experiment."
"You know, Mr. Dolohov, that Miss Granger here has told us such details of this spell that has afflicted you, that the success of the counter-spell will clearly bind you to the time and place where you acquired that door-handle. A voluntary though late confession will always look better in your record than being proved guilty."
"You may talk as you like. The Dark Lord will set me free in the end."
"Your Master has kept a very low profile of late," Mr. Patil answered him. "You may have to wait a long time for him."
"I shouldn't count too much on him, if I were you," Tonks added, her first words for several minutes.
"OK, please Miss Granger," Mr. Patil said, nodding towards the hands still clutching the door-handle. Hermione drew her wand and after a quick glance towards Mr. Patil, she briefly flicked her wand, muttering a lengthy incantation in a low voice.
Nothing happened. Hermione saw a reaction of disappointment in the eyes of Tonks, the medi-witch and Mr. Patil. Although Antonin Dolohov actually should be the one really concerned, he was the only one to smile. For a brief second, Hermione's brain was racing. Could she have done something wrong?
"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. "Your muscles should be rather stiff by now. You have been holding onto that handle for nearly one and a half day. You may need some help." Hermione bent forward. Taking the free end of the handle in her right hand, she gently pulled it out of the grip of Mr. Dolohov's paralysed hands. She gave the handle to Mr. Patil, smiling.
"I assume you would like to file it as 'Object H' or something." To Mr. Dolohov she said. "Your nurse will certainly be able to recommend some useful exercises for your sore muscles. Be careful to use them for something good next time." She received only a hateful glare as response.
"That settles it, I think." Mr. Patil declared. "Mr. Dolohov, now we know for certain where you have been, and when. You will be escorted back to the dungeons to wait until the time of your prosecution."
"I will have to dictate a short report. I will need your signature, Miss Granger, and Tonks you will come in handy as witness. Please wait a minute." Mr. Patil busied himself with the automatic quill. When the report was finished and signed, Hermione and Tonks returned to Hogwarts.
---
Harry remained seated after Hermione and Tonks left, thinking of what to do. In a quarter of an hour, he was to meet with Professor Dumbledore to discuss the tactics in the meeting with Lucius Malfoy and minister Fudge. His inclination was to tell as little as possible, but of course some information could be gained by openness. As Harry was contemplating these questions, a huge owl came soaring with a big envelope clutched in its claws. It landed in front of him on the table, let the envelope go and reached out one leg. A small bit of parchment was attached to it. He removed it and saw that it was a receipt he had to sign. He did so, refastened it and nuzzled the owl on its neck.
"You have travelled far. Can I offer you something?"
Somehow, Harry got the impression that the owl glanced at a half-eaten sausage on his plate. He took it in his hand and offered it to the bird. It nibbled his finger, took the sausage and took to the air, soon vanishing through a window high above.
Harry examined his envelope. It was from Gringotts, as he had assumed from the look of it. It contained a letter saying they were so happy he was taking an active interest in his affairs. They congratulated him to his decision a week ago to sell his interest in the housing project. The real estate market had started to decline and was expected to continue to do so, according to latest market outlooks, they said. He had hit the top exactly, they thought. They also asked for his decision regarding a dilapidated factory building close to the village on the far border of his country estate. The authorities demanded a restoration or a demolition of the building. In the latter case the land had to be restored. 'Please see attached map and situation drawings'.
Harry's first thought was that he didn't care, but on second thought, 'Why not take Hermione on a trip and go there and investigate?' Now that they could do things together, other responsibilities didn't seem too bad to him any longer. He contemplated his new outlook on life. He nearly forgot his meeting with his headmaster.
---
"Harry, we still have problems to discuss, but they are not as severe as before," Professor Dumbledore greeted him heartily. "First we will meet with Lucius Malfoy. Clearly, the remaining Death-Eaters are anxious to know what has become of their former leader. Obviously they know less than we do and we want to keep it that way. I suggest that you tell what you know when I direct a question to you, but we should not volunteer any information. We will make Lucius Malfoy pay for what we tell him, if possible in the form of who participated in the assault on us. Minister Fudge will be present. It is essential that he feels that he or at least his ministry has been involved in the operation. He will try to take credit for it as much as possible, but in the long run, we will gain by letting him do so. He's a politician, and will try to play the political game."
"Professor, for how long do you think Voldemort will be disappeared? Last time, everyone thought he was gone for good but he came back. Can't he do that again?"
"Good question, Harry. I do think his physical form is gone, but his spirit will try to escape. As you saw, I tried to arrange so that no living thing with any type of soul will come in contact with that stone. You felt there was something in it calling for attention. I will make it clear that finding his spirit will be a very difficult task indeed."
"Trying to discourage those who want him back, and making it easier and less risky for those who want to leave his old organisation." Harry said.
"Precisely! Harry, I expected you to know what today's meeting will be about. I just wanted to make sure. - Other questions?" Professor Dumbledore made an eye towards the envelope in Harry's hand.
"Well, I got this letter from Gringotts. No problem, I can handle it, but I would like to go to that country estate and have a look around. They are informing me of a problem with an old house. Can I take Hermione on a trip there, one of these days?"
"Yes, by all means, but you are not quite ready to go there wizard style yet. I mean you don't know how to apparate there the first time. Going like muggles would be too slow. I suggest you ask Remus and Tonks to accompany you there. You observed yesterday that I think it best that you have some sort of guard until some of these uncertainties have been solved. Besides, I think they both like you and they need some time on their own as well as you and Hermione do."
"OK, I'll talk to them."
"Do. Lucius Malfoy and Cornelius Fudge will arrive through the main door. Be prepared to meet them there slightly before eleven. With Hermione of course."
---
When Harry left Professor Dumbledore's office, he reckoned he had maybe an hour to spend before Hermione would be back. For the first time, he realised what importance Hermione was beginning to be for him. He had been alone many times before, in fact he was accustomed to it. There was always something to do; even laying on his back watching the ceiling was something to do. It allowed the thoughts to wander. Harry was not afraid of being alone; he rather cherished it from time to time.
Now was different though; he was alone because Hermione was doing something that he was no part of. She would have something to tell when she returned. Well, Harry had had a talk with Professor Dumbledore, and then he had … 'I have to do something,' Harry thought. During his musings, he had mechanically reached the Gryffindor tower and actually without thinking passed into the Common Room. He continued up to his dormitory.
A thought passed his brain; they were to move to their new rooms within a few days. He had to prepare. Harry started by sorting out some clothes he no longer used, they were too small. He also sent some clothes he had used only once or twice since last cleaning to laundry - it was the simplest way to move them. He would get them back to his new room. He then knelt before his trunk. Hermione had taught him some self-organising spells, so the contents were in fairly good order, but honestly it contained some rubbish he somehow had been reluctant to throw away. Now, he found some incentive to do that. A thought caused him to smile inwardly. 'If Ron saw me now, he would tease me no end for being henpecked.'
Some ten minutes later, Harry heard someone at the door. "WHAT, are you doing?" Hermione stood open-mouthed looking at him.
"Preparing to move to our new rooms, one of these days," Harry answered.
"You are tidying up your things. Harry, you don't cease to astonish me." She gave him a hug. Harry hugged her back, so she told her story in a low voice close to his ears. "It was nothing much to tell. I met the investigator. Actually he was the father of Parvati, and Padma - He told me although he was an unmentionable because of the great likeness. I gave my testimony and I met Dolohov. He just glared at me. I spoke the counter spell, and that's about it. He will be kept in custody until his prosecution."
Hermione held on to Harry and their kiss deepened. "When should we be back downstairs?" she asked huskily.
"We should meet Lucius Malfoy and Cornelius Fudge shortly before eleven."
"Hurry up then. We have time for a quickie!" Hermione urged him, tearing at his clothes. In a few moments, they had by united efforts discarded their clothes and Hermione was on Harry's bed ready to be mounted. She grabbed Harry's still rising erection and guided him into her. She was already wet and quite ready for him and they both gave a sigh of pleasure when he filled her.
Hermione closed her legs around Harry, him still with his feet on the floor, and urged him on in a breathtaking rhythm. In a short flash of sanity, Harry saw himself pounding into the body of this naked girl, her breasts bouncing in the same rhythm and with her head thrown backwards with closed eyes. In the back of his brain, he marvelled not only in the sight but in the fact that this actually was Hermione Granger. He was the only one that knew this side of her personality. A wall of love and tenderness rose up within, and he took care to lead them together up the crest and into the valley of bliss and fulfilment.
After a few minutes to regain their breaths, a short shower to freshen up, and after putting on the clothes again in a neat and orderly fashion, Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand along the corridors to the main entrance to welcome Professor Dumbledore's guests.
"I needed that to remove the ugly feeling of Mr Dolohov," Hermione said in a whisper.
"I'm always there to oblige," Harry answered with a smile.
"You can be my house-elf," Hermione joked back.
---
The first to arrive was Lucius Malfoy.
"How do you do, Mr. Malfoy. Please let me help you with your cloak. Mr. Filch has prepared for you to hang your clothes in this little room. Without thinking, Harry had used his wand less magic to take off Lucius Malfoy's cloak and put it on a hanger. Harry only found out when he caught his astonished expression. Meanwhile, minister Fudge had arrived, greeted by Hermione.
"Oh no, Miss Granger, I can handle my coat by myself," he exclaimed when Hermione moved to help him. Percy Weasley accompanied him, looking embarrassed the whole time. There was something unnatural in his appearance that Hermione couldn't figure out.
Professor Dumbledore greeted his guests before the stone gargoyle and they went together up the narrow stairs to his office. In the background, Harry saw Remus, Tonks, Professor McGonagall, Snape, Professor Moody and many more of his teachers. To his regret he found Kingsley Shacklebolt missing though. After some thought, he began to understand why. The close connection Professor Dumbledore and Harry had to him wasn't something neither minister Fudge nor Lucius Malfoy should know.
"We meet here because as it seems, The Dark Lord has vanished." Cornelius Fudge started a short speech. "In a raid yesterday morning, precisely at the beginning of the New Year, the Ministry aurors managed to capture or in some cases kill a band of Death-Eaters. During the skirmish, Lord V-Voldemort chose to vanish. His initial presence on the scene is evidenced by many witnesses but can since then nowhere be felt. Much credit should indeed go to Harry Potter and the backing from his teachers here at Hogwarts, especially since he this time worked through the official channels at the Ministry. My intention was to have a press conference this morning to give the public this news as soon as possible. The details could then be released as they became known. Lucius Malfoy and Professor Dumbledore however pressed me into having this unofficial hearing first. I have made an effort to reschedule my agenda to suit your demands."
"Good, Cornelius, that you could make it. I am pretty sure we should have this meeting before the press conference, you know. It is better to have our less pleasant problems out of the way before we go public," Professor Dumbledore answered. At the same time Hermione was the first to see the change to Percy Weasley's face. It was visibly scorched on one side and some of his hair was missing, both from his head as well as from his eyebrows. Hermione made a low squeak. Following her gaze, minister Fudge was the second one to react.
"Good heavens, Weasley. What has happened to you?"
Lucius Malfoy was the first to comment. "It seems Albus chose this moment to explain what he meant by 'less pleasant problems'."
"Deception charms do not work as easily in my office as maybe in other places," was Professor Dumbledore's comment. "I suggest you sit in that chair over there, Percy." He indicated a chair by the wall. When Percy sat down, the armrests discreetly moved to prevent him from getting up again. "We might want someone else to take notes. Miss Granger, please. Can you take notes for us? There is an excellent quill and ample amounts of parchment at my desk."
Cornelius Fudge moved his mouth like a fish; no sound came out.
"We take the explanations in due order. Lucius, please, we let you begin." Professor Dumbledore had the natural authority to take the initiative.
"Let me start with a personal declaration," Lucius Malfoy began. "I have been advanced with a question to act as a leader for the Death Eater association, awaiting the return of the Dark Lord. I have declined of personal reasons. My present imprisonment has made me realise that I am not willing to take that risk. I want to spend my remaining years in freedom. I still think that the rights of the old wizarding families have been unduly infringed, but I will in the future work for our cause through other channels." His words caused some grunts and nods of approval, but also signs of disbelief among those present.
"I have however consented to act as a spokesman in this crisis. I will advance information at my disposal, also expecting back some answers to the questions we have. I know you have ascertained my whereabouts. I was at home as you already know, as was my son Draco."
"Now tell me about your plans for this assault," Professor Dumbledore urged him.
"Well, I was not in the centre of the planning, but I understand that the Dark Lord got to know there would be a New Year celebration at a certain London address. A great many of our adversaries were to be present. Much of the planning was done by my cousin Bellatrix."
"Now we would like to know who were in this. Names please." Professor Dumbledore said. "What you have told us up to now, we already knew."
"I will want something in return. Obviously you were warned of our attack. I must know how. I also want to know exactly what happened. What was your counter-weapon?" Lucius Malfoy clearly wanted to trade information for information.
"You will be told, Lucius," Professor Dumbledore told him, "but you begin."
"Well, apart from Bellatrix, old Notts took part together with his son. Both are missing. My old friends Crabbe and Goyle are also missing. Their sons, schoolmates of Draco, are both in hospital with severe burns. Nothing a good care couldn't cure, I'm told."
"Pray continue. You will be told what you want to know," Professor Dumbledore urged him on.
"OK. Antonin Dolohov has not reported himself. He lives alone, so no one has been missing him. The same goes for Walden McNair. He had his eyesight damaged recently, so his task was to supervise the transportation of our new recruits." Lucius Malfoy stopped again, obviously thinking he gave too much information away too cheap.
"McNair surrendered without a fight; we have him in custody," Tonks said. "Dolohov was caught in a spell Hermione devised. She went with me to St. Mungo's today to free him from that spell. He's also in custody."
"Lucius, don't haggle. We will give you the information you want. So far we have heard little new. The recruits please."
"I have mentioned three who went with their fathers. The fourth could apparate on his own, Percy Weasley." Here Lucius Malfoy made a satisfied smile when he saw the horror on the faces of several of those present. Cornelius Fudge seemed ready to be sick. "Three were transported to the site by McNair with the help of a portkey. Pansy Parkinson, Marietta Edgecombe and Justin Finch-Fletchly."
"Why, Hogwarts students!" The cry came from several mouths in the room.
Again Tonks added to the information. "Miss Parkinson just tried to run away, Miss Edgecombe fought like a cat, but forgot all her magic, so she was an easy catch, and poor Justin peed in his pants when he was caught. What made them take part in this assault, I don't understand."
"Easy, Miss Parkinson was trying to impress my son. I'm afraid he's more impressed by some of the Gryffindor students like you two, Harry and Hermione, if I may call you by your first names. You will find him a different character next term. Miss Edgecombe and Mr Finch-Fletchley both had an aversion towards you, Miss Granger. That's what I have been told."
"What could possibly induce you to take part in this, Mr Weasley? How long have you been playing this double-play?" Cornelius Fudge had difficulty speaking the words. Percy Weasley didn't answer. He sat staring at the floor seemingly unaware of the world around him.
"There are a lot of details. Now, Lucius, you will have some of your questions answered. As to how we knew about the attack; you have a scar, Harry, have you not?" Professor Dumbledore addressed Harry who took the hint.
"Yes, first of all, we had the problem with Kreacher, the house-elf of 12, Grimmauld Place. Some of my friends lived in the house as my guests. Though I was the master of the house, having inherited it when Sirus d-died, we had on several occasions understood that Kreacher's true loyalty still remained with the Black family and with Bellatrix Lestrange in particular. Only a couple of days ago, I had to remind him rather forcefully of his duties. - So when we, Hermione and I, received our invitation to the New Year party, I was at once uneasy because I feared that the information about the party and its participants would fall into the wrong hands." Harry at the start of his tale cast a quick glance towards Professor Dumbledore. Receiving a discreet nod as encouragement, he continued with confidence.
"Somehow, when I got this scar on my forehead, a link was formed with Lord Voldemort. Only very few people were told about the true nature of this link and some that were, probably didn't believe it. This link worked so that I felt his mood. If he was particularly happy, or most often particularly spiteful, my scar hurt. Very often, the pain was almost paralysing."
"This must have been a very well guarded secret," Lucius Malfoy said.
"No, actually many people knew my scar hurt at times, but most of them just considered me nuts," Harry answered with a quick glance towards minister Fudge. "Anyway, the very night after we had received that invitation, I felt my scar hurt again. I hadn't felt much for a couple of days, so the significance seemed clear. At least I was convinced that Kreacher had informed Bellatrix who in her turn had passed the information to Voldemort. In the morning I informed Professor Dumbledore and I told him I had a plan."
"Let me get this straight because it is important to us. You, Harry, has all these years been able to as you say 'sense the mood' of The Dark Lord." Lucius Malfoy put his eyes to bear on Harry.
"Yes, I have mainly sensed his mood through the pain in my scar. Not reading his mind. Sometimes I have had dreams at night as well. As an example, I recognised that graveyard from my dreams, the one where he killed Cedric Diggory, and were I met you among others."
Lucius Malfoy continued. "That means there has not been some form of treason involved?"
"Disregarding Kreacher; that is correct, Lucius. To be explicit: We have not got information of that attack from any double agent," Professor Dumbledore stated solemnly. Harry didn't move a muscle in his face and after a quick thought understood that the theory that Peter Pettigrew might have something to do with his recent dream was only a theory. Any hints of him being a possible source would mean instant death for him.
"If Harry had that ability you claim, you didn't need one. We had heard rumours to that effect. It was a big mistake on our side, not taking those rumours seriously," Lucius Malfoy said clearly shaken. After some thought, he continued. "What plan did you have Harry?"
Professor Dumbledore answered for him however. "It was a beautiful plan. His plan relied on your greatest weakness, Lucius. You and your band of Death-Eaters detest the muggles to the extent that you are not only uninterested in their achievements, but also ignorant. Through the official channels of the Ministry of Magic, we got help to install the muggle type of moving photographs; I think they call them 'video'. So when you attacked, the house was empty. Those moving video images fooled your comrades to think they attacked an unprepared New Year party."
Lucius Malfoy sat speechless, looking from Professor Dumbledore to Harry and back to Professor Dumbledore.
"And when your cousin and her boss entered the house, helped by the treacherous Kreacher, Harry released part two of his plan, what you called the bo-bo something trap." Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry for help.
Harry continued explaining. "We had installed a booby trap, i.e. a hidden muggle expl - a type of muggle power, close to the entrance, controlled by a remote device. So we, Hermione, Professor Moody and myself, lay hidden some distance from the house. When we saw Voldemort enter, we - I - pressed the button. I'm sorry; those close to the building must have been burnt and badly shaken."
Now, every listener in the room sat silently listening to Harry's narrative. Also the persons in the pictures along the walls of Professor Dumbledore's office were excited. Everyone knew they would now come to the explanation of the greatest mystery of all.
'What had really happened to make Lord Voldemort disappear?' This question was on everyone's lips.
"Now we come to the part of the story where we don't know exactly what happened." Professor Dumbledore continued without anyone asking the question. "As far as I understand, the house at 12, Grimmauld Place, was created in an old-fashioned way. Normally when you don't want a house or location to be known, you make them invisible and/or unplottable, like Hogwarts for example. Another, more primitive and also maybe more straightforward way, is to use an 'appearance charm'. In that way, a room or even an entire building is made to appear out of a small and insignificant object. It could be a household object or something in nature. In this case I think it was one of the foundation stones in the base of the chimney." Everyone in the room was listening intently, even poor Percy in his chair.
"The danger with the appearance charm is of course that if something happens with the 'mother object' so that the charm is broken, the things within the charmed space will be lost. I think this is what happened with the house at Grimmauld Place. That muggle power Harry let loose must have destroyed the appearance charm or its 'mother object'. This fits well with the testimony of those witnessing the event. They all said the house was being blown up from a fire within, but then it suddenly shrunk into nothingness. Those who entered the house were either blown out through the windows like those fortunate and stupid boys, or trapped within the flames of the dying house. That's what happened to your cousin and your master, Lucius. - And to the other missing persons as well."
"Albus, did you consider an attempt to rescue those trapped within that foundation stone?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
"Lucius, I honestly think those within the house perished instantly, at least in their physical form. The flames from the muggle power had as I understand from the reports a yellowish colour, but there were also violet flames seen. If the destruction of an appearance charm gives any coloured flames, I simply don't know, but I know - as you know - that a broken shield often gives away violet light." Professor Dumbledore paused in order for his words to sink in. "It might be that Tom Riddle - Lord Voldemort - was powerful enough that his spirit survived and hence is trapped within that stone. I know you were there looking yesterday morning."
"Yes I was there and I saw the stone. I frankly didn't know if or how to approach it." Lucius Malfoy answered.
"To be on the safe side, it was imbedded in concrete and transported to a landfill area. The muggles that did the job had their memories carefully altered. This was expertly organised through the Ministry."
After a while Lucius Malfoy said. "To conclude, the spirit of the Dark Lord, if it still exists, is now captured somewhere in an unknown muggle garbage dump."
Lucius Malfoy sat thoughtful for a while. "I'm thankful for your openness. I believe what you have told me Albus - and Harry. I'll try to convince my comrades of the truth in this report." Lucius Malfoy started to get up from his chair.
"Wait Lucius. There is one more thing you should understand." Professor Dumbledore gestured to him to remain seated. "Harry, may I tell about your prophesy?"
Harry had been watching Hermione writing down the conversation, admiring her speed with her quill. She happened to look up and her eyes met his. Harry was for a second caught by her brown eyes and a short hint of her beautiful smile. Did she really put out the tip of her tongue to him? His concentration was elsewhere when Professor Dumbledore's question hit him. He hadn't given the prophesy any thought and was caught somewhat unprepared. Some seconds had moved away before he found his answer. "Of course - it is fulfilled - I hadn't thought about it."
"Lucius. You have to understand why Tom Riddle - Lord Voldemort - at his height of power tried to kill a one year old baby, and why he failed. Also why he continued to try to kill Harry, still failing at every attempt and why he tried to steal that prophesy from the Department of Mysteries. Hasn't it occurred to you that those things were rather below someone with his great power and ambitions?" Professor Dumbledore directed his attention towards Lucius Malfoy.
"Uh … " was the only answer he got.
Professor Dumbledore walked up to his Pensieve in the corner of his office. After a while everyone saw the pearly figure revolving above the instrument, hearing the curious voice "He with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born …. ." At the start of the fourth time, Professor Dumbledore stopped the show. "This was the prophesy Tom wanted to hear in its entirety, and which he feared. He had heard through a spy only the first two lines. It was given to me, and I have told no one except Harry who has told no one - except Hermione of course."
Lucius Malfoy sat down in his chair, ready as everyone in the room, to hear Professor Dumbledore explain the meaning of the words.
"Acting on the first lines, Tom tried to kill the baby he feared to grow up and overpower him. He only succeeded in making the second part of the prophesy to come true; marking young Harry as his equal. Harry survived with that well-known scar, and Tom lost most of his powers. As Tom's power again increased, so did Harry's; they had several encounters, all ending in a draw, so they remained equal for many years. - We now know the meaning of the power Harry knew but Tom didn't, viz. the power of muggle technology, - and we understand why Harry had to be the one pressing that button. Now the prophesy is fulfilled."
"So you mean that the Dark Lord all the time was pursuing his own interests in his fight against Harry and those who backed him?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
"Of course, Lucius. Tom Riddle had his own reasons to create a myth around himself as the Dark Lord - Lord Voldemort. - And the prophesy talked about vanquishing him. Someone didn't like the notion of a Dark Lord." Professor Dumbledore said. "By the way, it's a bad idea to try to avenge the outcome of a prophesy."
"Why would that be? And who is that someone you mentioned?"
"That," said Professor Dumbledore, "is beyond my knowledge, but true prophesies are brought to this world somehow. Don't ask me how or by whom. - - - - Lucius, I see you are preparing to leave. Please check these notes Hermione has been taking for us. It could be of value later on if we both sign this document."
Lucius Malfoy sat for a while scanning through Hermione's notes. Then he put down his name and stood up. "Good work, Hermione. Thank you for your openness, Albus - and Harry. Good bye. I'll find my way out on my own, thank you."
After Lucius Malfoy had left, everyone in the room rose from their seats (with the exception of Percy Weasley). Some started talking with others close by; some remained silent in their own thoughts.
Harry walked over to Hermione when Lucius Malfoy had left. He massaged her shoulders gently, reading her notes. "You have been very busy. Looks great though."
"These should be revised. I tried mainly to have all words put down," she answered apologetically.
"You have done a very good job, Hermione, thank you. I can do any adjustments myself, if there is a need, which I doubt." Professor Dumbledore had come up to his desk where Hermione sat. "I see you have numbered the pages as well. I will take care of these, don't worry; and again thank you". He put down his own name below Lucius Malfoy's.
Hermione stood up and took a step towards Harry. He wrapped his arms around her, nibbling her ear with his lips. They shared a brief private moment, before joining a discussion around Percy.
"We have to take him to headquarters for interrogation," they heard Tonks demand.
"This will have to be handled discreetly. I can't have my personal assistant publicly accused of being a Death-Eater," minister Fudge said.
"Cornelius, you can not very well keep him in his current position after this?" Professor Dumbledore intervened.
"You will not tell me what I do at my ministry. I will … ," minister Fudge began. He stopped mid sentence when he saw the expression on Professor Dumbledore's face. He remembered their last encounter after the events in the Department of Mysteries.
"Mr Weasley! Why did you take part in this?" Professor Dumbledore directed his question directly to Percy. His entire countenance seemed to ask a question that was to be answered according to 'the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth'.
"I was approached - by former senior undersecretary Umbridge - asking if I were interested to take part in some meetings. The purpose was to form a counterweight to what she considered a Hogwarts junta, aimed at overthrowing Minister Fudge." Percy Weasly started, sending anxious glances at his boss.
Minister Fudge brightened considerably at this statement, which visibly relieved Percy. To Professor Dumbledore's next question regarding the events of New Years Eve, he gave a more self-assured answer.
"We were summoned to take part in a raid to catch evidence of a conspiracy against Mr Fudge. The commander was to be Walden McNair who I recognised as a former ministry employee. Until right now, I considered the rumours of the return of the Dark Lord as rather far-fetched. I had no idea of the connection with the Death-Eaters, and I am still not quite certain what to think."
The faces of those listening showed different emotions. Minister Fudge was relieved, others were merely confused; some were still not convinced of his good intentions.
"He's slippery as an eel," Harry whispered in Hermione's ear.
"Yes, but think of how Molly would feel if he was found guilty of being an active Death Eater. We should rather find ways for him to come back to his family." Hermione had turned around and was facing Harry. "They are still away, visiting Charlie," she whispered.
"I think Fred and George stayed after all. They couldn't leave their business over Christmas."
"We should send them an owl, so they can take care of Penelope and their boy," Hermione said. Harry brushed his fingers through her hair.
"Just now you do a lot of female thinking, but there will be no problem. Fudge will see to it that Percy is cleared immediately."
"No Harry. Look at Tonks and Professor Dumbledore. They are not going to let him off the hook that easily. And there is no way any minister can have his own secret security committee; not known by the prime minister, I mean." Hermione was proven correct immediately.
"Minister, we will have to take young Mr Weasley into custody, for interrogation." Tonks stepped up to Percy with an official look. "He obviously knows a great deal of what is secretly going on at the ministry. You will have to plan for a couple of weeks, I'm afraid. This investigation surely will take some time. - Percy Weasley, you are under arrest. You will accompany me to headquarters. I will keep your wand and you are not allowed - in fact able - to perform any magic."
"But this is impossible. It will cause a scandal if this comes out. People will ask for Mr Weasly. What can I tell them?" Minister Fudge was as uncomfortable with the outcome of the affair as he had been enthusiastic at the beginning.
"Cornelius, you will of course conduct your own investigation into the loyalty of your staff at the ministry. Loyalty to the law, I mean. You will have to expect other cases like this; I don't envy you your job, as I know you think I do." Professor Dumbledore looked at him in his partly jovial, partly intimidating manner.
"Minister Fudge, I have a suggestion. Percy's wife Penelope has been home with their one year old child. Ask her to work for you and you will still have a P. Weasley around you. If anyone should ask, you can say Percy is at home taking care of his duties as a father." Hermione's words made everyone silent for a while.
"Thank you, a clever idea. I'll be in contact with her as soon as possible. - I will now have to prepare the press conference. Goodby." Cornelius Fudge gave a nod to those present and a special smile to Hermione and left. He avoided looking at Percy Weasley.
At a nod from Tonks, Percy left the room a minute later, in close company with Tonks and Remus Lupin as jailors.
"You understand that Fudge is digging his own grave, don't you," Professor Dumbledore told those left. "He's actually appointed minister of magic by the muggle prime minister. If it becomes known that he allows - or indeed supports - some loyalty committee of his own, his political days are counted. This investigation Tonks alluded to is coordinated through the national security agency, MI5. You will meet a well-known personality this afternoon Harry. You met him before but he didn't introduce himself, I believe." The eyes of Professor Dumbledore was twinkling.
"Yes, I met a man that was peculiarly familiar, yet I couldn't place him. Who is he?"
"You have seen him on that 'Television' the muggles love so much. Hermione will recognise him immediately. You will have to wait Harry. Enjoy the suspense. - Let's have lunch and some rest. I will go to the press conference with you two, so let's meet in my office at 2.30 pm."
The meeting in Professor Dumbledore' office dissolved.