Lord Marcus Flint was reading the evening edition of the Prophet. Dumbledore had finally been arrested and was now on the run from the law. Apparently, the Auror office was interviewing known associates of Albus Dumbledore which hopefully would mean that it would only be a matter of time before the Weasley girl’s secret was revealed. That was when the wards at the entrance of his property went with a simple knocking charm.
Marcus apparated to the edge of the grounds where he found Amelia Bones and Senior Auror Jamieson Tuckett. Tuckett who was the lead investigator on the Whitehead line theft case … which meant that the line theft had been discovered.
‘Ah, I think you had better come in,’ Marcus said.
Marcus allowed them in through the wards and lead the two of them through the grounds and into his reception room. There was a large ornate mahogany fireplace on the back wall, which was dark green, the other three walls were pale grey. There were two dark green couches with grey cushions pattered with the crossed wand and spear that was the Flint family crest. One would think it was decorated in Slytherin colours but in actual fact it was the Flint colours.
‘So, you know why we are here?’ asked Bones.
‘Auror Tuckett is lead Auror for the Whitehead case,’ Marcus said. ‘I was unaware that Whitehead Practice had handed my details to the DMLE.’
‘They didn’t,’ Bones said dryly. ‘We questioned an underaged associate of Albus Dumbledore. The DoMC became concerned about her guardians so did a full medical scan, and we found out she had been artificially inseminated. Under questioning she has admitted that she committed line theft.’
‘So, it was your semen that was stolen?’ asked Tuckett.
Marcus frowned, ‘I thought you were already aware of that fact.’
‘It was unclear whether it was yourself, or your Heir,’ explained Tuckett.
Marcus nodded understanding, ‘yes it was. My son has been travelling since graduating last summer.’
And spending his trust vault with a worrisome speed, so much so that Marcus had made it quite clear that if all the money was spent, he would not be getting anymore. His son had naturally complained and begged but Marcus had refused to budge on this matter. Still Marcus would not be his Heir for much longer.
‘You should know you were not the intended target,’ Tuckett said.
‘That hardly helps the situation,’ Marcus said.
‘No,’ agreed Tuckett. ‘May we ask why you had donated semen?’
‘I don’t think that is any of your concern,’ Marcus said coolly.
‘You don’t have to answer us, but the defence will do so,’ Bones said.
Marcus sighed, ‘I was attempting to use a surrogate to sire a second heir ... and we were having trouble, on her part as it would turn out. I was looking for an alternative, trustworthy surrogate … but this can be an unconventional option. May I ask who the mother is?’
‘Ginevra Weasley,’ Tuckett said.
‘Arthur Weasley’s daughter?’ asked Marcus.
‘Yes,’ agreed Bones.
‘Good breeding, despite being a blood traitor,’ murmured Marcus. ‘Can I request the mother being released into my custody until she gives birth?’
‘That is within your rights,’ Bones said.
‘I know, after the theft I looked into my options should the line theft be successful,’ Marcus said.
‘She’ll likely be tried and sentenced before she gives birth,’ Bones warned.
‘I am aware,’ Marcus replied. ‘I shall collect her after the emergency Wizengamot session tomorrow.’
Bones nodded, ‘I shall see you then, then.’
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Severus was waiting in the interview room after being arrested when the Senior Auror who had arrested him and Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour entered. Severus had turned down the offer of legal counsel. The Dark Lord had already planned for this eventual outcome; he just had to play along for long enough.
‘Formal interview of Master Severus Tobias Snape, charged on suspicion of conspiracy to commit line theft,’ Scrimgeour said. ‘Conducted by Head Auror Rufus Adam Scrimgeour and Senior Auror Jamieson Theseus Tuckett. Interview started on the sixth of August at 23:19. Master Snape has turned down the offer of legal counsel. Would you be willing to undergo questioning by veritserum?’
‘No, I would not,’ sniffed Severus.
‘Where were you on the between the hours of nineteen-hundred-hours on twenty-second of June 1995 and nine hundred hours on the twenty-third of June 1995?’ asked Scrimgeour.
Severus frowned as though he was thinking, ‘I’m not sure … but Hogwarts was still in session so I would imagine I was either in bed or patrolling the corridors.’
‘Can anyone vouch for that?’ asked Scrimgeour sharply.
‘You’d have to ask the other professors,’ Severus replied. ‘I cannot seem to recall that particular day.’
‘Have you ever heard of Whiteheads Healing Practice?’ asked Tuckett.
Severus wrinkled his nose, ‘some of my wealthier students are registered there, and I heard they had a break in back in June.’
‘After closing time on the 22nd – 23rd of June to be precise,’ Tuckett said.
‘Ah, and you are under the impression that I was responsible for the theft,’ stated Severus.
‘Miss Ginevra Weasley testified that you supplied her with a vial of semen on the twenty-third of June,’ Tuckett said. ‘Given the circumstances the Wizengamot will allow us to use veritserum on you – with or without your consent. Or you can talk to us now.’
‘That stupid girl,’ muttered Severus.
‘So, you admit it,’ Scrimgeour said.
‘Why?’ asked Tuckett aghast.
‘Dumbledore requested it of me,’ Severus said simply. ‘He wanted the Potter brat’s semen so that when he both father and son killed that the Weasley girl would become Regent, and naturally the Weasley girl would go along with everything he said so he might have control of the vaults and seats, but he would control them.’
‘So, in the end it all comes down to power and money,’ Tuckett said darkly. ‘Why did you go along with it?’
‘Dumbledore saved me from Azkaban a long time ago, I owe him,’ Severus said simply.
‘But no vows or oaths exist?’ asked Tuckett.
‘Not as such,’ Severus said.
‘Do you know where Dumbledore is?’ asked Scrimgeour.
‘No,’ Severus replied. ‘I am surprised he did not take the Weasley girl with him.’
Scrimgeour leaned forward, ‘what is Dumbledore planning?’
Severus scowled, ‘he wants to have Potter and his sire killed. But he also wants the child Potter is carrying as a back-up option. He’s planning on leaving Potter long enough that the infant can survive without its bearer. Then kill Potter and cut the infant out of its bearer.’
‘And you were planning on helping him,’ Tuckett said disgusted.
‘They should have thrown you in Azkaban all those years ago,’ sneered Scrimgeour. ‘You didn’t change, you just changed masters. Interview terminated at 23:58.’
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
‘I’m going to miss you,’ Draco murmured and then blushed.
Lucius pulled his teenaged son into his arms, ‘I’ll miss you too, Draco. But you’ll have a great time in Greece.’
‘Eryx, and his children are very excited to have you staying,’ smiled Narcissa.
‘And Harry’s going to be alright?’ asked Draco.
Lucius nodded, ‘he and the baby will be fine. Healer Whitehead says he can come off bedrest today, which Harry is more than ready for. He passed on his regards and asked if you wanted to be at the scan on the seventeenth.’
‘You want me there?’ asked Draco softly.
‘Of course, we do,’ Lucius smiled. ‘Harry wants you to be a part of our family. And I’ll always want you to be part of my life no matter what.’
Draco smiled and nodded, ‘I’ll be there then.’
Draco and Narcissa used the International Ministry Portkey that would them to the Magical Border Control Office in Athens. Lucius too left by a Ministry Portkey to the Wizengamot council chambers for the emergency session. He had no doubt that it would be about Dumbledore (what wasn’t these days) who had escaped arrest.
Of course, when he appeared there were a lot of mutterings given that his scandalous affair with Harry Potter had just been revealed. It was almost lucky that Dumbledore’s arrest warrant and escape had been reported at the same day as it had regulated their affair to second page news. Still most people knew and were now keen to gossip or condemn.
‘Lucius,’
The Dark Lord appeared at his arm having Portkeyed in just after Lucius, and they were quick to take their seats. They were some of the first people there, always preferring to be a good fifteen minutes early. Lucius was sure that combined with the early time and short notice (especially in the summer holidays) that there would be a low turnout of members today. And those who did arrive were wiping sleep out of their eyes and muttering mutinously about having been dragged out of their beds so early. And indeed, when the meeting did start only half of people had turned up – thirty Dark siders, seventeen Light, and thirteen Neutrals, Greys and others.
‘Commencing, the 7521st Wizengmamot meeting, emergency session,’ Fudge called.
The difference between an emergency session and a normal session was that new seats could not be claimed, nor were votes on laws called. It was all criminal cases, and only the most serious of all cases like murder. Dumbledore’s actions since Harry had been conceived certainly fit that bill.
‘I think we’d all like to know why we have been called here at this time,’ sniffed Lord Smith.
‘Yesterday Sturgis Podmore and Dedalus Diggle were interviewed under Veritserum,’ Madam Bones said standing up. ‘They confessed that their actions at the Three Chasers were masterminded by Albus Dumbledore.’
Elphias Doge stood up, ‘that is an unfounded accusation.’
‘It is not at all unfounded,’ Bones said sharply. ‘I have the testimonies of Sturgis Podmore, Dedalus Diggle and Mundungnus Fletcher that Albus Dumbledore had directly masterminded the attempted assassination of Heir Hadrian Salazar Slytherin.’
‘Did I hear you say that you gave Mr Fletcher veritserum?’ questioned Doge. ‘I do not recall you getting permission for that.’
‘Mr Fletcher voluntary gave permission for veritserum to be used on him, as his right,’ Madam Bones returned equally coolly. ‘Anyway, the Auror Office have worked around the clock to interview any known associates of Albus Dumbledore,’ Bones continued.
‘Professor Flitwick, Headmaster of Hogwarts, has found during his takeover of Hogwarts has discovered that Dumbledore has been embezzling from Hogwarts. That Dumbledore instead of providing a standard of education to our children, has instead been filling his own coffers.
‘The stolen money was then used to purchase precious gems and metals from Gringotts which was delivered to the Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon – the residence of Arthur and Molly Weasley and their children.’
‘Well, those they have left,’ snorted Lord Bobbin.
Bones ignored this interruption, ‘Molly Weasley, who has already been charged with one case of embezzlement, drugging a minor and abuse of a minor. Upon interviewing both adult Weasleys refused to answer questions. I suspect that they might have knowledge of Albus Dumbledore’s location.
‘Dumbledore who is responsible for four people’s death and attempted to have another killed. The longer that Albus Dumbledore is free, the more likely he is to try again. For this reason, if the Weasleys have any information on the whereabouts of Albus Dumbledore they should be interviewed under Veritserum,’ finished Bones.
‘I concur,’ agreed the Dark Lord said. ‘Dumbledore has caused much harm to-‘
‘-to your plans, you mean,’ Doge said darkly.
‘-to the Wizarding community here and Britain, and of course my own family,’ the Dark Lord said raising his eyebrows.
‘And you want him out of the way so you can claim uncontested victory of the Wizarding World,’ snarled Doge.
‘Lord Doge,’ snapped Fudge. ‘Watch what you are implying.’
‘What I want is for my son to be able to socialise with his friends without risking be killed celebrating with his friends!’ the Dark Lord said sharply.
‘I concur,’ Lord Smith added. ‘Dumbledore has become a menace to society, and should we leave him to roam free may leave to more deaths! And if his co-conspirators know anything of value – they should be questioned with all the powers of the DMLE.’
Doge scowled, ‘so you would seek to see our liberties destroyed-‘
‘Since when is questioning criminals – destroying our liberties?’ demanded the Dark Lord. ‘I would say making it unsafe for our people to attend a Quidditch match is far more of a destruction of a liberties.’
‘They would have been under no danger if your son hadn’t been there,’ Doge snapped back.
‘Are you blaming my son for being attacked?’ demanded Marvolo.
Umbridge hem-hemmed, ‘excuse me, I might have been mistaken but it almost sounds as if you are supporting of the attack upon Heir Slytherin. But of course, a wizard from such an upstanding line such as yours would never have been involved in such a heinous plot against one of our Heirs.’
Doge grimaced, ‘of course not, I was just pointing out that if Heir Slytherin’s presence there that had the suspects attack him.’
‘And if Marlene McKinnon had not been in her home when You Know Who had attacked then the McKinnon family would not have been wiped out,’ the Dark Lord said harshly. ‘Does that mean Marlene McKinnon is responsible?’
‘Of course not,’ McGonagall said giving Doge a quelling look. ‘What happened at the Three Broomsticks was undoubtedly tragic but that does not mean we should lose our heads and take away the rights of those who have done no wrong.’
‘I would hardly say no wrong,’ muttered Smith, ‘considering they have been profiting off embezzlement and abuse.’
‘I concur,’ said Lord MacMillan.
‘I think,’ said Fudge, ‘we should put it to a vote.’
It was almost immediately clear to Lucius that there were far more white votes than their red votes. Doge and McGonagall saw it too, and both looked unhappy. That did nothing but make Lucius happier. Soon the Weasleys would be out of their hair, and hopefully they would lead them to Dumbledore.
‘Forty for use of veritserum, and twenty-one against,’ Fudge said. ‘Madam Bones you are cleared to use veritserum on Arthur and Molly Weasley.’
Lucius smirked glad that it had gone through. Hopefully they were lying about not knowing where Dumbledore was, because the longer Dumbledore was out in the open the larger the chance of him harming Harry and his child again. That was not something Lucius could stomach after having come so close to losing him.
‘So is there more or can we go back to our beds,’ sneered Smith.
‘Does he realise he’s harming his chances of being elected,’ murmured Marcus.
‘Honestly, no, Smith has all the foresight of Epimetheus,’ snorted Lucius.
Madam Bones stood up, ‘this comes to the second and more serious crimes. Yesterday, after Mr and Mrs Weasley were apprehended their children were placed under the care of the DoMC. Naturally, given their crimes the Mr Ronald and Miss Ginevra Weasley were questioned about their upbringing … and a full medical scan was done. Here were found that Miss Ginevra Weasley was pregnant due to artificial insemination, when questioned she admitted that she had committed line theft.’
Immediately the hushed sound of horrified whispers filled the chambers. Several members went pale or had looks of disgust, revulsion, fear (sometimes all three at once). Elderly Lady Vivianne Streona actually clutched her heart and looked like she was about to faint.
‘SILENCE!’ booked Fudge. ‘Madam Bones if you would continue.’
‘She has so far claimed that she acted alone,’ Bones continued.
‘Use Veritserum on her!’ shouted Lord Brunt.
‘You can’t!’ Marcus said sharply. ‘At least not until she has given birth. Veritserum is a very potent potion it can cause untold damage to the foetus.’
‘Indeed, hopefully, her parents’ questioning will yield some further information because I somehow doubt a thirteen-year-old thought up and carried this out on her own,’ Bones said darkly.
‘Hear, hear,’ agreed Lady Streona.
Bones nodded, ‘however, she did say that Master Severus Snape was the one who supplied her the Veritserum! On questioning he has claimed that Albus Dumbledore put him up to it.’
‘Albus, would never do something like that!’ shouted Doge.
‘Oh, because he has never committed line theft before,’ the Dark Lord said sharply. ‘Unless you are forgetting that he hid my child from me so he could gain control of James’ seats and vaults!’
Bones nodded, ‘thank you, Lord Slytherin. Yes, that is what Master Snape has said is the reasoning behind Dumbledore’s plot. Unfortunately, he has also claimed that he does not know where Albus Dumbledore is. Therefore, I request the use of veritserum on Master Severus Snape to find Dumbledore’s whereabouts and any other co-conspirators there may be.’
‘Well, I certainly think that is the least that should be done to him,’ sniffed Lady Streona.
‘I agree,’ the Dark Lord said. ‘We need to find Dumbledore before he attempts anymore atrocities, and if anyone else is in league with this plot to commit line theft we should know it.’
‘But Snape is cooperating,’ Doge argued.
‘Appearing to cooperate so he is not questioned under veritserum, maybe,’ said the Dark Lord darkly. ‘Are we forgetting he was a good enough liar to fool even the Dark Lord. Possibly playing both sides of the war so no matter who won he would survive. We cannot trust anything he says to be true!’
‘Hear, hear,’ agreed Lord MacMillan.
‘I think,’ said Fudge, ‘we should put it to a vote.’
This time only twelve members voted against Veritserum being used. Lucius assumed that those were Dumbledore’s most loyal members who still followed him despite all he had done. The Dark Lord had ordered them to vote for Veritserum. Lucius didn’t understand why because Severus Snape knew far, far too much to be allowed to be questioned under Veritserum. However, Lucius was sure that the Dark Lord had a plan, he always did, even if it may take a decade and a half for it to be shown.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Rufus, Jamieson and Healer Coote returned to the interview room that a Junior Auror had brought Snape to. Amelia was overseeing the transfer of the Weasley girl to Lord Flint and overseeing the continued search for Dumbledore. Rufus had taken over from Amelia when it looked like she was going to collapse after working for fourteen hours. Naturally, Amelia had been back only a few hours later to start preparing for the Wizengamot session.
‘Master Snape, do you have any allergies?’ asked Coote.
‘No,’ Snape said gruffly.
Coote placed a drop of Veritserum onto Snape’s tongue, but instead of the faraway, distant, emotionless look he should have gotten Snape immediately began to shake and spasm. His eyes rolling into the back of his head as he collapsed onto the table. Coote quickly administered a bezor that he kept for just this eventuality. But he could already tell that it was too late.
‘Severus Tobias Snape deceased at 09:03 on the sixth of August 1995,’ declared Coote.
Rufus couldn’t believe this could have happened on his watch. A suspect dying like this, coming out at the same time that it was revealed that now Lord Sirius Orion Black had been thrown into Azkaban without a trial. The investigation into him would be awful. His career could very well be over. Rufus had been planning on running for Minister of Magic when Fudge’s term came to an end in two years, but now he would likely be shunted into the Department of International Cooperation just like Crouch had been all those years ago.
‘What the hell happened?’ demanded Rufus.
‘He must have had a bad reaction to the Veritserum,’ Coote said grimly.