Saturday, October 31st, 1994
Director Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, stepped out of the Floo Network, turned and glared at Albus.
"Albus Dumbledore!" Amelia Bones screamed, "Why did I have to hear about the events of this evening from my niece, Susan?! Why didn't you tell me about it, immediately?!"
"I'm afraid I've been extremely busy since those events took place, Madam Bones," Albus said, "I've been entertaining my guests. In fact, Minerva was just about to contact you about everything that has happened. Weren't you, Minerva?"
"I was indeed getting ready to stand and contact you on Albus' Floo," Minerva said, "But you made your timely appearance."
"Also, Madam Bones, I'm afraid your dear niece didn't tell you everything that has happened this evening," Albus said, "Partially because she wasn't witness to the latter half of the events that have taken place, right here in this very office."
Amelia huffed. "Fine, I believe you. For now."
"Thank you," Albus said, "Now, for my benefit, can you please tell me what dear Susan informed you of?"
"She told me a fourth name came out of the Goblet of Fire this evening, Albus," Amelia said. "Four! There were supposed to only be three! And then… well…"
Amelia's eyes widened as she saw two of the older people that were in Albus' office with her.
"Then I assume she told you exactly what happened after Mr. Potter's name came out of the Goblet," Albus said, "Only… you were rather skeptical, right?"
"She told me that… that a portal of some kind opened in the air in the middle of the Great Hall," Amelia said, "And two people fell out of it. They revealed themselves as… Lord Harry Potter, and Lady Hermione Potter… and she said they were two older versions of her classmates! Of course I didn't believe her. After that I told her I'd come to Hogwarts to find out what really happened myself!"
"Well then, I think this is a most appropriate time to introduce our two guests," Albus said.
Lord Potter stood up, quickly followed by Lady Potter. Amelia's eyes widened, as she looked at the two figures.
"J-James?" Amelia stammered, as she gazed at Lord Potter.
"Madame Bones, it is a pleasure to see you again," Lord Potter said, "I am Lord Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell, and Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Gryffindor."
"I am Lady Hermione Jean Potter," Lady Potter said, "Lady of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, and Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Dagworth-Granger."
Amelia's jaw dropped as she looked at the pair.
"We're from the year 1998," Lord Potter said. "Halloween of 1998, precisely."
"N-nice to meet you, Lord and Lady Potter," Amelia said, "And – and you're the older versions of…"
Lord Potter looked at Harry and Hermione. Hermione stood up immediately, then Harry hesitated and stood up moments later.
"Hermione Granger, ma'am," Hermione said.
"Er… Harry Potter… ma'am," Harry said, shyly.
Amelia looked back and forth between the pair of Doppelgangers. She then walked over to Albus' desk, conjured a chair on the side of the desk, and sat down. The two pairs of Doppelgangers sat back down.
"I owe Susan an apology, it seems," Amelia said.
"Indeed," Albus said.
"I assume you've already figured out why these two are here, Albus?" Amelia asked.
"Given that the portal appeared moments after Mr. Potter's name appeared," Albus said, "And these two fell through it, I must assume the Goblet summoned Lord Potter, so he could compete instead of Mr. Potter. Mr. Potter is only fourteen years old. Lord Potter is eighteen, therefore…"
"It would be equal competition against the other three competitors," Amelia said, "if Lord Potter was chosen instead of Mr. Potter."
"Indeed," Albus said.
"And why were you Summoned too, Lady Potter?" Amelia asked.
"My husband and I were on our honeymoon," Lady Potter said, "We were just married yesterday, our time."
"Congratulations," Amelia said, "I'm guessing you believe your marriage vows are to blame for you being Summoned with your husband? Magical vows, I assume?"
"Yes," Lady Potter said, "They were made too recently. They're still connecting us, bonding us for life. We barely consummated our marriage, so…"
"Yes, I can see how that might have caused you to be Summoned with your husband," Amelia said; she then looked at the younger Harry. "So… I'm sorry, but I must ask. Mr. Potter, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"
"I did not, Madam Bones," Harry said.
"Actually, we've discovered who the culprit is that put Mr. Potter's name in the Goblet of Fire, Madam Bones," Minerva said, "Which is part of the 'latter half of this evening's events' that Albus alluded to. The part that your niece knows nothing about."
"Oh?" Amelia asked, "And who is the culprit?"
"Bartemius Crouch," Albus said, then paused dramatically, and finished, "Junior."
"Barty, Junior's dead, Albus!" Amelia exclaimed, "He died in Azkaban!"
"Unfortunately, he did not," Albus said, "I do not know how he survived, but I am sure you can get those answers out of him this very evening. You see, he was posing as Alastor Moody, using Polyjuice Potion, and has been doing so since at least the first of September."
"A convicted Death Eater has been posing as a Professor of this school since the first of term!" Amelia shrieked, "He's been in close vicinity to hundreds of students! And that wasn't the first thing you informed me of when I got here!"
"Er… technically two Death Eaters have been in close vicinity since September first," Lord Potter said, "And one of them has been here much longer than that."
"She said 'convicted' Death Eater, dear," Lady Potter said.
"You were distracted by our wonderful guests, Madame Bones," Albus said, "And also by screaming at me for not contacting you earlier."
"Which you should have done!" Amelia exclaimed, "Where is Crouch, Junior? And please tell me his father is still in the castle?!"
"After Crouch, Junior was revealed, Professor Snape escorted him down to the cells in the dungeons," Albus said, "He was requested to find Crouch, Senior, and also discover where Junior has kept the real Alastor Moody imprisoned."
Amelia mouthed the name 'Snape'. Obviously she wanted to yell at Albus for trusting Snape with those tasks, but she likely knew what Albus would say. She'd obviously had the very same conversation about Snape with Albus before.
"Both Crouches better still be here, Albus," Amelia said, "Or you're going to be looking for a new Potions Master, because this one will be in Azkaban, TONIGHT, if Crouch, Junior escaped custody!"
"I'm sure you have nothing to worry about on that matter, Amelia," Albus said, calmly.
Amelia closed her eyes and made herself calm down. Then she opened her eyes again.
"Is there anything I need to talk to you two immediately about, Lord and Lady Potter?" Amelia asked, "Anything that I need to know, immediately. Anything that can't wait until – say – tomorrow when we can formally talk in a sit-down meeting just between the three of us?"
"Er.. what about Sirius?" Lord Potter asked, "She might be able to help us get him free."
"We can discuss that with her tomorrow," Lady Potter said. She's too focused on the Crouches tonight, so it isn't as if she'll be able to do anything immediately about Sirius if we tell her now.
"Not immediately, ma'am," Lord Potter said, "However, we do look forward to a sit-down meeting, tomorrow if you can."
"Tomorrow then," Amelia said, then turned to the Headmaster, "How long do you believe these two will be residents here, Albus?"
"That all depends on tomorrow evening," Albus said. "The Goblet of Fire is still active, because it hasn't confirmed which of these two young men – Mr. Potter or Lord Potter – is the fourth Champion. We will discover that tomorrow evening in the Great Hall. If Lord Potter is chosen as the Champion, then he and his wife will be residents here until, at least, the Third Task is finished. If not… they are free to go wherever they wish. There will be nothing else they need to do here at Hogwarts if Lord Potter is not Champion."
"Yeah, fuck you too, Albus," Lord Potter said, "If my Doppelganger is chosen, I'll be his Mentor for this Tournament. And you can't stop me."
"Of course he can't," Lady Potter said.
"I'll be here for that event then," Amelia said, "How about we have that meeting afterward, Lord and Lady Potter?"
"Of course," Lord Potter said.
"Do you know where they will be staying?" Amelia asked.
"The Head Students are not Gryffindors this year, much to my chagrin," Minerva said, "Therefore I was going to let them reside in the Gryffindor Head Boy's Room. I was going to escort them – and their counterparts – myself there, after the meeting."
"Sounds good to me," Albus said.
"Am I to understand Mr. Potter and Miss Granger will be staying with their Counterparts?" Amelia asked. "Why?"
"At least for this evening," Minerva said, "We do not want them to be interrogated about Lord and Lady Potter by the other students. Not before we can get the information out to the students ourselves."
"Yes, that does seem like a necessary precaution," Amelia said.
"Like all Head Student Rooms, and other Guest Quarters," Minerva said, "The Gryffindor Head Boy's Room can adjust for the user's needs. So in addition to Lord and Lady Potter's bedroom, I can request two additional bedrooms – temporary, of course – for Mr. Potter and Miss Granger this evening."
"A fine idea," Albus said. "Since I am sure you are anxious to meet our prisoner, Madam Bones, I think we can finish this meeting now. Thank you, Lord and Lady Potter, for the discussion we've had and the trust you've put in myself and Minerva for giving us such information. I look forward to any additional tidbits of information you'd be willing to give us in the future.
Lord Potter noticed that Amelia looked most curious of this 'information' the time-travelers had given Albus and Minerva.
"You're welcome, sir," Lord Potter said.
"Minerva, please escort Lord and Lady Potter, and Mr. Potter and Miss Granger to the Gryffindor Head Boy's Quarters," Albus said, "Madam Bones, if you will come with me. We will use my Floo Network to get down to the prison cells, post haste."
"Hold on, Albus," Amelia said, "I need to get in contact with a couple of Aurors to help me escort the prisoner to the Ministry, before we leave."
Albus looked ready to argue, but instead he just nodded. Instead of going over to the Floo, Amelia pulled out a communication mirror.
Meanwhile, Lord and Lady Potter, and Harry and Hermione stood, and followed Minerva out of the office, then headed off toward the Grand Staircase. Five minutes later, they were heading down the Seventh Floor Corridor in the direction of Gryffindor Tower.
"I'm sure, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, you have many questions for Lord and Lady Potter," Minerva said, "But I request that you hold off on those questions until tomorrow. It has been a very long evening, and I imagine Lord and Lady Potter wish to get settled in. When we reach the Head Boy's Quarters, I wish for you two – Mr. Potter, Miss Granger – to go into your selected rooms and remain there for the rest of the evening. Don't pester our guests until tomorrow. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said, and Harry echoed her.
"Do you, by chance, Lord and Lady Potter, know where our destination is?" Minerva asked, "Were you the Head Boy and Head Girl in your Seventh Year?"
"I'm afraid we weren't here for our Seventh Year, Professor," Lord Potter said.
Harry and Hermione gasped, and Minerva looked at Lord Potter.
"We can't give you all the details yet," Lord Potter said, "But extenuating circumstances kept us from Hogwarts during our Seventh Year. We were needed elsewhere."
"I see," Minerva said, "I look forward to hearing all about that at a later date. Well then, you can have the opportunity you should have had, had you been here for your Seventh Year. I certainly would have made sure the two of you were Head Boy and Head Girl, after all. I brought up the idea for you to stay in these very Quarters, because I had assumed you had already used them before."
"Thank you, ma'am," Lady Potter said.
Soon, they reached a T-Cross in the corridor. Down one direction was where the Gryffindor Tower was located. Down the other direction was the portrait of Barnabus the Barmy, the Room of Requirement, and also another way to get to or from the Grand Staircase. However, Minerva McGonagall came to a stop and so did the two pairs of Doppelgangers. Across the corridor, there was a red-and-gold (Gryffindor colors) tapestry hung on the wall.
Minerva waved her wand, and the tapestry folded itself up toward the ceiling, revealing a door behind it. The two sets of Doppelgangers gasped at the sight of the door. They had never known this was here, even with the Marauder's Map.
Minerva muttered something under her breath, and they heard a mechanical sound. The Professor opened the door and led the couple inside. Lord Potter expected to enter a room, but found another corridor, this one narrower than the one they were just in. There were four doors along the walls of the corridor.
"The two doors on the left of the corridor," Minerva said, "lead to the Head Girl's and Head Boy's Private Quarters respectively. The Head Boy's Quarters, where you will be residing in for the foreseeable evening, Lord and Lady Potter – and for this evening at the very least, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger – is the door on the left at the end of the corridor. Percy Weasley enjoyed said room last year, although I'm sure his version of the Room looked quite different to what yours will look like. Across from the Head Boy's Quarters, a common room is used for the Head Boy and Head Girl and their guests to hang out together, since they are usually not given permission to go into each other's private quarters.
"This door here to our right used to be one of my two offices, back when I was merely the Head of Gryffindor, and not the Deputy Headmistress. Now, as you know, my only office is next to the Transfiguration classroom, even though I am still the Head of Gryffindor. Follow me, please."
Minerva led the two pairs of Doppelgangers down the corridor until they reached a portrait. The portrait had a knight (not Sir Cadogan, thankfully) riding – not a horse – but a Lion!
"This is Leon, and his trusty steed Leo," Minerva explained, "They are the guardians of the Gryffindor Head Boy's Private Quarters. He also has an identical portrait inside the Quarters. Leon, this is Lord and Lady Potter, and Mr. Harry Potter, and Miss Granger. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger will reside in your Quarters, at least for this evening and tomorrow. Lord and Lady Potter will be residents of your Quarters for the foreseeable future. I, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, ask you to change the inside of your Quarters. I want one bedroom fit for a married couple, and two separate bedrooms, one for a male student, and one for a female student."
"Accepted, Professor McGonagall," Leon said. "The Quarters have now been modified for your request. I believe the Lord and Lady Potter will find their bedroom to be most welcoming. I believe they will feel right at home."
"Thank you," Minerva said, then turned to Lord and Lady Potter, "What shall your password be?"
"Harmony," Lady Potter said.
Lord Potter smirked. "Harmony" was an inside joke between the pair. Luna Lovegood referred to them as such when she spoke of the two of them as a couple.
"Accepted!" Leon said, "Enter and be welcome, guests!"
The portrait swung open, revealing a doorway. Minerva motioned the two pairs of Doppelgangers inside, and Lord and Lady Potter entered first, followed by Harry and Hermione, then Minerva. Immediately they stepped into a large sitting room that was roughly half the size of the Gryffindor Common Room. Four comfortable chairs and a loveseat sat around a coffee table. Above the fireplace, another identical portrait of Leon and his noble Lion steed, Leo, was seen. Nearby, a beautiful fireplace had a lovely, roaring fire already lit. Situated around the room, four doors were built into the walls.
"Hello!" Leon said, from his portrait, "Be welcome! This is the sitting room for your Quarters. Around the room, are doors that lead into a bathroom and the three requested bedrooms. The bathroom is located through the door on your direct left. It has a sink, toilet, and combined bathtub and shower. The door next to that is the bedroom for young Mr. Potter. Directly across the room, the furthest door is Lord and Lady Potter's bedroom, fit for a married couple. It also has an en-suite bathroom. The last door is for Miss Granger. Enjoy!"
"Thank you, Leon," Minerva said. "Has Mr. Potter and Miss Granger's belongings been moved here for the remainder of their stay?"
"They have indeed!" Leon said, "Also, Professor McGonagall, I have become somewhat aware of the fact that Lord and Lady Potter had the misfortune of having none of their belongings brought with them. I believe they will find suitable clothing and other belongings in the drawers and closets in their bedroom. It is only temporary, for a few days, I believe, until Lord and Lady Potter can obtain new belongings."
"That is very generous," Lady Potter said, "Thank you, Leon."
"You're very welcome, m'lady," Leon said.
"Thank you, Leon," Minerva said, then turned to the two pairs of Doppelgangers. "Is there anything else I can do for you four this evening?"
After the other three appeared to have nothing to say, Lord Potter spoke up.
"I think we're set, Professor," Lord Potter said.
"Then I will leave you," Minerva said, "Remember, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, no more questions for Lord and Lady Potter this evening. If they allow it, you may ask them questions tomorrow. Head straight to your bedrooms, please."
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said, and Harry echoed her.
"Good night, all of you," Minerva said.
She immediately turned and left the Quarters. Harry and Hermione looked at their older Doppelgangers, and for a moment, looked as if they wanted to disregard Professor McGonagall's orders. Then Hermione sighed and spoke up.
"Good night, Harry, Lord and Lady Potter," Hermione said.
The three bid her good night, and she headed across the room, then vanished into her bedroom. Harry shyly said good night, and retreated into his own bedroom as well.
"Shall we head to our room and see what awaits us?" Lady Potter asked.
Lord Potter agreed and followed his wife into the bedroom.
Saturday, October 31st, 1994 ("Harry" = Lord Potter; "Hermione" = Lady Potter)
As Harry followed his wife into the bedroom, his eyes widened as he looked around.
"Bloody Merlin," Harry breathed, "How is this possible?"
Hermione didn't scold her husband for his language, because she too was dumbfounded. The room they had walked into was an exact copy of the Master Bedroom (their bedroom) at Potter Manor, located in Northampton, England.
"When Minerva said she could adjust the decorations and architecture of the Private Quarters," Hermione said, "I wondered if that meant these Private Quarters (maybe all the Private Quarters around the castle) have enchantments similar to the Room of Requirement. The rooms meet the user's needs. And since we wanted a bedroom fit for us –"
"It somehow created our bedroom at Potter Manor?" Harry asked.
"Leon did say we would feel right at home," Hermione said. "He was somehow available to recreate our bedroom, so we will, indeed, feel right at home."
She walked across the room, and opened the other door, which obviously led into the bathroom.
"It's as I thought!" she exclaimed, "The bathroom is identical to the en-suite bathroom in our bedroom at home, Harry!"
"I'm afraid to look in the closet and dresser now," Harry said, jokingly, "We might find our actual clothes in there."
Hermione walked over to the closet and opened it.
"Nope," she said, "Just some dress robes, and casual wear. Nothing I'd want to wear for too many days. We certainly will need to go shopping."
"And to do that, you know what we're going to have to do," Harry said.
Hermione sighed and looked at Harry. "We're going to have to go to Gringotts and meet with Keeper Ragnok, aren't we?"
"Yeah," Harry said, "We'll have to verify who we are, but after we do, and explain what happened, I think Keeper Ragnok will have no problems allowing us into the Family Vault. I don't think we'll be able to bring my Doppelganger there immediately, but… well, maybe during Christmas Break."
"Yeah," Hermione said, "I guess we could go to Gringotts on Monday. Our Doppelgangers will be in class, so we'll have most of the day to do some shopping before we're missed by them or the rest of Hogwarts."
"Yep," Harry said.
He sighed, walked over to the bed and sat down on the end of it.
"We're going to get a lot of questions tomorrow from our Doppelgangers, aren't we?" Harry asked.
"Probably," Hermione said; she walked over to the bed, and sat down next to her husband, "Harry? I think, if they ask any romance questions about us, how we became a couple, I think we need to tell them about the Soul-Bond."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Hermione said, "We don't need to encourage anything when it comes to them, the Soul-Bond, or even the romance department. We can advise them that they talk amongst themselves about their… feelings for each other. However, we warn them. The first time they share a kiss on the lips, the Soul-Bond will begin its first stage. As soon as they kiss, they need to seek us out… immediately."
Harry nodded. "I agree. I just hope they don't think such a discussion is an open invitation for them to kiss immediately and form the Soul-Bond. I'm not ready for the aftermath of that to happen tomorrow!"
Hermione laughed. "I don't think we have anything to worry about. Your younger self is much too shy to kiss mine immediately. And mine is… well, she's still hoping your younger self will initiate the first kiss. Which is why it took us so long to get together."
"I remember," Harry said, smiling, "You kissed me, and then broke into tears. Even though you said it was happy tears, and also sad tears because you should have kissed me years ago, I was so worried about you, and you were so emotional that we didn't even feel the Soul-Bond settling into the first stage!
"It wasn't until the following morning when I started ranting internally about Ron and Ginny, and their mother, and Love Potions and… all that… blaming them for preventing us from getting together years ago."
"And I told you to shut up because you had woken me up with your screaming," Hermione said.
"Except I told you I wasn't screaming," Harry said, "I wasn't even speaking. I was thinking all of that, and that there was no way you could have read my thoughts. And then you called me an idiot in your head, and I said 'I heard that! Don't call me an idiot!'"
"And I said I didn't say anything," Hermione said, "I thought it… and that was when I realized we could hear each other's thoughts… and soon discovered we could speak telepathically."
Harry laughed. "Are we going to tell our Doppelgangers all about that when we discuss the Soul-Bond, or let them discover their telepathic powers for themselves?"
Hermione giggled. "Let them discover it for themselves. It brought us closer together, didn't it? Certainly got us past that damn awkwardness of our first kiss."
"And second, and third," Harry said.
"Our first kisses that first night," Hermione amended, then smiled. "And our first dance."
"Our Doppelgangers will not wait for three more years to have their first dance!" Harry said. "I will make sure he asks her to the Yule Ball. We're not dealing with Viktor Krum this time!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, love. Behave around him, please."
"I will if he leaves you and your Mini-Me alone," Harry said, through gritted teeth.
Hermione gave a resigned sigh. "I'm going to go take a bath. Would you like to join me?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Harry said, "And then…?"
"Yes, my love," Hermione said, rolling her eyes again, "Then you can shag my brains out."
Harry grinned, stood up, and raced into the bathroom. Hermione smiled and hurried after him.
Saturday, October 31st, 1994 – Several Minutes Earlier
Madam Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was down in the deeper part of the dungeons of Hogwarts, in a place that no students were allowed to enter. This was the prison block of Hogwarts Castle, used on the rare occasion that a criminal was caught on the Grounds of Hogwarts. There was also a prison cell in the tower above the Charms Classroom, but that one was rarely ever used (Amelia had no idea – yet – that Sirius Black was temporarily placed in that cell, a few months ago, before he… broke out).
Sitting in neighboring cells (although the solid walls prevented the two prisoners from seeing each other) were Bartemius Crouch Senior, and his son, Bartemius "Barty" Crouch, Junior. Along with Amelia and the two prisoners, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and two Aurors, Kingsley Shacklebolt and his partner, Rookie Auror Nymphadora Tonks were also in the prison block.
Amelia had just finished interrogating Bartemius Crouch, Junior (using Veritaserum that had been brought from the Ministry by Kingsley Shacklebolt, and not one of the samples that Severus Snape had in his storage. Amelia didn't trust Snape at all, so she wasn't going to use his Potions) Unknown to Albus Dumbledore or Severus Snape, Amelia had asked Kingsley Shacklebolt (who had skills in mind-magics and Obliviation), to check whether or not the two Crouches were recent victims of Obliviations or similar magic.
"I want to know if Severus Snape interrogated either prisoner before we arrived," Amelia told Kingsley, "and if he Obliviated either of them of some of the information he received."
Fortunately for Snape, Kingsley confirmed that neither of the men were victims of Obliviations. However, Bartemius Crouch, Junior had been a victim of the Imperius Curse, placed by his own father, for several years, only having gotten free of it in late August. At the same time Bartemius Crouch, Junior was freed of the Imperius Curse, the same Curse had been set on Bartemius Crouch, Senior, by two people: his son, Junior, and a very much alive Peter Pettigrew.
Amelia had asked Bartemius Crouch, Junior about Pettigrew, to confirm that he was alive. The man confirmed it, and said the only damage Pettigrew had was that he was missing one of his fingers. Amelia quickly realized several things at once. One, Peter Pettigrew, had faked his death. Two, Sirius Black was innocent of killing the man. Three… she wondered what else Sirius Black was innocent of. Amelia wondered how much Snape (and therefore Dumbledore) knew about that revelation concerning Peter Pettigrew.
However, the news that Peter Pettigrew was alive was not the most shocking she had received. Lord Voldemort was still alive… barely. He was currently using a Homunculus for a body, and if Bartemius Crouch, Junior had succeeded in his plans, then Lord Voldemort might have returned to full power by next summer! Unfortunately, due to the annoying enchantments of the Fidelius Charm, Bartemius Crouch, Junior could not tell Amelia where Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew were hiding.
A thought had occurred to Amelia at one point. If Lord and Lady Potter are from the future, I wonder if they know where Voldemort and Pettigrew are currently hiding. I wonder what they know about Sirius Black. And that is just two of the many things I'm wondering what they could tell me.
Bartemius Crouch, Junior had confirmed that he was the culprit behind, not only putting Harry Potter's name in the Goblet of Fire, but also he had cast the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup Campgrounds. And he also confirmed his father knew that he had done it. In the forest, near the Campground, had been Stunned and under an invisibility Cloak near a group of Aurors, other Ministry officials, his father, and – interestingly enough, Harry Potter and his friends. And his father had collected him after the group of people had left. It was that group of Ministry workers and Aurors who had Stunned him, and none of them knew it because of his father. They just thought they had Stunned the Crouch's house-elf Winky, who Bartemius Crouch, Senior had framed for casting the Dark Mark (after, of course, he had accused Harry Potter too, of doing the same thing).
After that interrogation, Amelia asked Albus about the current status of Alastor Moody. Albus informed her that Alastor had been found in the bottom of a deep well-like compartment in a seven-compartment trunk. He had been there since at least the start of September. He had looked pale, malnourished, and some of his hair, his magic eye, and his wooden leg were missing (Severus had collected those latter two objects before escorting Crouch, Junior to the prison cells, and had given them back to Alastor.) Alastor was now in the Hospital Wing under the care and watchful eye of Poppy Pomfrey, beginning his recovery.
Now, Amelia was standing at the door to the prison cell where Bartemius Crouch, Senior was currently residing.
"Auror Shacklebolt," Amelia said, "Come with me, and make sure Bartemius, Senior doesn't make any moves, except for his head and mouth. Rookie Auror Tonks, make sure Dumbledore and Snape get nowhere near either of these prison cells. If they do, arrest them."
"Yes, ma'am," Kingsley said.
Tonks nodded, though her eyes were wide at the idea of arresting Albus Dumbledore.
Amelia turned and looked at Albus and Snape, who were leaning against a wall, staring at the proceedings.
"Don't test me, either one of you," Amelia said, "Or you'll find yourselves in the Ministry cells this evening."
Albus and Snape made no move or reaction to Amelia's words. Of course, that might have been because she had already given them the same warning once or twice already.
Kingsley opened the door to the prison cell, stepped into the room, and Amelia followed. Bartemius Crouch, Senior was sitting against a wall, with his knees raised to his chest. He was staring at nothing in front of him.
"Bartemius Crouch, Senior," Amelia said, "Earlier this evening, Severus Snape lifted an Imperius Curse that had been placed on you repeatedly over the last two-plus months. Auror Shacklebolt here is going to give you a Potion. It is a combination of Pepper-Up Potion, and Reinvigoration Draught. It will temporarily relieve you of the after-effects of the Imperius Curse you are currently feeling. Does Auror Shacklebolt have permission to administer the Potion?"
Bartemius nodded, then opened his mouth. Kingsley walked over to the man, removed a vial from his person, uncorked it and emptied the contents into Bartemius' mouth. Bartemius swallowed, and immediately color returned to his pale face, and his eyes looked brighter. He blinked several times and looked around. He then looked at Amelia.
"Madam Bones!" Bartemius said, "Amelia! You must help me! My son, Bartemius Crouch, Junior, he's alive! I'm sorry! I've made a terrible mistake."
"Calm yourself, Bartemius," Amelia said, "Your son has been captured. He is currently in the room next to this one."
"Oh, thank, Merlin," Bartemius gasped. "Peter Pettigrew! Amelia, Pettigrew is alive and I think – I think I made another terrible mistake years ago. Amelia, I think Sirius Black might be an innocent man. I think I sent the wrong man to Azkaban… without a trial."
"Without a trial?!" Amelia demanded.
"Yes," Bartemius said, "Dumbledore… Albus… Albus and Minister Bagnold. They were… we all did it. We needed a scapegoat after that Halloween night, after You-Know-Who… I agreed. I thought Black was a Death Eater. Albus assured me he was, but now… I mean, he didn't have a Dark Mark, but neither did many of his servants. Now with Pettigrew alive – I – I'm not so sure."
"Thank you, Bartemius," Amelia said, "I will do my best to remedy your mistake."
"Mistake," Bartemius said, then laughed, "I made so many mistakes, Amelia. So many. My wife… she was dying, and she loved our son. She wanted him out of Azkaban. So… she plotted. She wanted me to switch her with our son. She would spend her last days in Azkaban, Polyjuiced as our boy. I supplied her with enough Potions, and swapped her with my son. She died a few days later. It is her body buried in that grave at Azkaban. I… I placed the Imperius Curse on my son, and did so over the last several years. A mistake… I'm sorry, Amelia. A terrible mistake."
"Rest, Bartemius," Amelia said. "I need to know nothing else. We will bring you and your son to the Ministry shortly."
"Thank you, Amelia," Bartemius said. "Whatever sentence you, and the Wizengamot, give me. I will do it. I promise, I will do it. I deserve life in Azkaban, as does anyone who uses an Unforgivable Curse. I… I might deserve death for breaking my son out of Azkaban. So… whatever you and the Wizengamot choose. Do it. Don't worry about me, Amelia. You're a better Director than I ever was."
Bartemius then turned his head, and simply stared at the wall. He was finished speaking. Amelia blinked back tears. Bartemius had been her mentor, back when she was an Apprentice in the DMLE. Seeing him now like this… it almost broke her heart. She cleared her throat, and looked at Kingsley.
"Speak nothing of what you just heard, Shacklebolt," Amelia said, "To nobody. Especially Dumbledore."
"Yes, ma'am," Kingsley said.
Amelia and Kingsley left the room, and returned to the main area.
"Albus," Amelia said, "My Aurors and I need your permission to Portkey the two prisoners out of Hogwarts and into cells at the Ministry. We need to Portkey them through the wards."
"You have it, Madam Bones," Albus said.
"Thank you," Amelia said, "If you're willing to indulge me, I do have a suggestion for you, Albus."
"I'm listening," Albus said.
"Unfortunately, I must advise you not to keep Alastor Moody on as Defense Professor, Albus," Amelia said. "When the students realize that a Death Eater Polyjuiced himself as the man and taught them for two months, none of them will want Alastor Moody as their teacher. Neither will the parents."
Albus sighed. "I suppose you have a good point, Madam Bones. What is your suggestion?"
Amelia looked at Kingsley, who nodded. She had spoken with him about this earlier this evening.
"I'm offering Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt as the replacement for Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor until the end of June next year," Amelia told Albus, "And his partner, Rookie Auror Tonks, who he has been mentoring for the last few months, will be his Assistant Professor."
Albus looked at Kingsley, then Tonks, then back to Amelia. He gazed at her for several moments, obviously thinking about her proposal, then he finally nodded.
"If they wish to have the job," Albus said, "I will gladly accept."
"You have your new Defense Professors then," Amelia said.
"Aurors Shacklebolt, Tonks," Albus said, "Please meet with me tomorrow evening at five-o-clock. We can discuss your new jobs, and hopefully by the time dinner begins, I can introduce you both as the new Professors."
"Yes, sir," Tonks said, and Kingsley merely nodded his acceptance.
Amelia turned to Tonks. "Auror Tonks, I believe you are capable of Portkeying Bartemius Crouch, Senior by yourself. He will be cooperative, I assure you. You know where to take him, I believe?"
"Yes, ma'am," Tonks said.
"Kingsley and I will join you shortly with our prisoner," Amelia said, "You may go, Auror."
Tonks bowed her head slightly and headed into the cell of Bartemius Crouch, Senior.
"I will return tomorrow evening for the second half of the Choosing Ceremony," Amelia announced, "Good evening, Headmaster, Professor Snape. Come, Auror Shacklebolt. Let us remove the threat of Mr. Crouch, Junior from this Castle and its students forevermore."
"Yes, ma'am," Kingsley said, in his deep voice.
Amelia and Kingsley stepped into the prison cell of Bartemius Crouch, Junior. Due to the unruly nature of the prisoner after his interrogation was over, Kingsley had given the man a Sleeping Draught. He was still under the effects of it, and would be for several more hours. Kingsley walked over to the man, pulled him up to his feet, and took one of his arms in his. Amelia walked over to the prisoner, took his other arm in one of hers, then snapped her fingers. The 'snapping motion' caused the bracelet Portkey around her wrist to activate, and the Director, Auror, and recently-believed-deceased Prisoner away from Hogwarts, and into the private prison block in the DMLE that only a few members of the Department, and the Auror Department, could access. Tonks had been given temporary permission from Amelia when she joined this mission with her mentor, Kingsley.
A few minutes later, Amelia left the prison block, and headed to her office. It was very late in the evening, and Amelia's evening wasn't over. She needed to prepare for her meeting with Lord and Lady Potter tomorrow.
But how could she prepare for a meeting with two time-travelers, when she didn't even know what questions to even begin to ask?