Sunday, November 1st, 1994
"Alright then," Amelia said, "I have a few questions for you, Lord and Lady Potter. But I think I'll let you begin."
"Thank you," Lady Potter said, "We prepared for this meeting earlier today, Director. We decided that, instead of telling you the entire story of what happened between our version of Halloween of 1994 up to the day we came back in time – which would take hours – we placed several copies of memories in vials. All the memories we've chosen are ones we believe will be very important for you to see."
"Well," Amelia said, looking impressed, "I can most certainly agree that a bunch of memories for a Pensieve is much better than what I am sure would be a very long story that would take hours, or several visits between the three of us to get through."
Lady Potter opened up her purse, and removed a box.
"This is one of Lily Potter's inventions that she never released to the public," she said, "It is called a Secret Keeper Box."
"I'm very familiar with several of Lily's inventions," Amelia said, "But I've never heard of this one. Though I do know that she was keeping a few of her inventions secret from the public's eye because of the war."
"Like several of her inventions," Lady Potter said, "This was in the Potter Family Vault. We had a house-elf loyal to my husband – even in the current time – retrieve this object for us. When it comes to the Secret Keeper Box, only those who wear the Lord and Lady Potter Rings can allow others to open this box."
"And the Lord and Lady Potter Rings aren't going to let just anyone wear them," MInerva said, "Quite ingenious of Lily! I always did say I considered myself lucky that she was a Gryffindor. She deserved to be in Ravenclaw."
"We're going to give you official permission, Director," Lady Potter said, "To open this box. Inside it are vials with several memories of the future. However… only you will be able to open and close the box, and anything you remove from it will return to it an hour after its removal."
"Quite the invention," Amelia said, "Merlin knows I could have used such a thing over the years, especially during my job as Director."
"Me too," Minerva said, "Much was lost when we lost James and Lily Potter, but I am glad that many things of theirs survived, none more so than their son."
Lord Potter smiled, then turned to Amelia. "We'll give you permission for the Box before you leave, Director. In addition to the memories, we're also going to give you some other information and, of course, will do our best to answer any questions you have for us. Some of the information we'll give you will likely be seen in the memories, making it redundant. However, the stuff we will tell you, we believe you need to know immediately."
"For example, we were going to start off our conversation by telling you about Sirius' innocence," Lady Potter continued for her husband, "But the events of the evening made that unnecessary."
"Indeed," Amelia said, "Any topic you wish to begin with will be fine with me, especially if it is something I need to know immediately."
"Alright then," Lord Potter said, "We'll begin with Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley. Molly Weasley basically broke the Statute of Secrecy on September 1st, 1991, and that is just the start of the crimes that she has, or intends, to commit, and most of those crimes have to do with Harry and Hermione. Some of the crimes she has plans to commit, she succeeded in committing when it came to my wife and I in the future. And also Ronald and Ginny Weasley are complicit in those crimes as well."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Molly Weasley broke our most sacred law over three years ago, and I'm just hearing about this now?!"
"To be fair, Director," Lord Potter said, "I didn't know about the Statute of Secrecy when I witnessed her breaking it. And by the time I even realized she had broken it… I was seventeen years old."
Amelia rubbed her forehead again. "Alright. Please continue, Lord Potter."
"As I said, it all starts on the day of September 1st, 1991," Lord Potter said, "Though I'm sure there was a bit of planning and conspiracy happening beforehand to set up what I am going to talk to you about. Scratch that, it might have started on my eleventh birthday. You see, Rubeus Hagrid - who wasn't a Professor at the time - was responsible for my orientation into the wizarding world. I learned in my future that that was a bit of a strange phenomenon. Hagrid shouldn't have been the one who helped me with my orientation."
"Indeed, you are correct, Lord Potter," Minerva said, "I got furious with Albus when I learned Hagrid was responsible for your orientation! I had volunteered to do it!"
"Yes," Amelia said, "Minerva or another Head of House should have been responsible for that. Plus, when you add in the fact that Hagrid isn't exactly someone who should be seen around Muggles, given his inhuman size and stature. Risking the Statute of Secrecy."
"Indeed," Minerva huffed, "Filius can pass in the Muggle world, though he needs to use glamors, of course, to hide some of his features, but people of his stature do exist amongst Muggles, so his appearance alone wouldn't break the Statute."
"We believe Albus asked Hagrid to do my orientation," Lord Potter said, "Why? Because we think he gave certain instructions to Hagrid. Dumbledore didn't want me to meet with my Account Manager in Gringotts, for example. I didn't know I had an Account Manager until I was seventeen years old – three months shy of eighteen, to be precise. Post-Repelling Charms on my person stopped me from getting most of my post, you see. Albus was also responsible for that. Hagrid also didn't tell me how to get through the Muggle-side Portal to get onto Platform Nine-And-Three-Quarters. It is that latter point where my story truly begins."
"Post-Repelling Charms?" Minerva asked, "That does explain why I never saw Mr. Potter get much post, aside from stuff from the Weasleys, perhaps."
"If Albus was behind those Charms," Amelia said, "Then he would have power over giving permission to which post from whom can be sent to Harry."
"And of course, he wanted me to be close to the Weasleys," Lord Potter said, "Because they are some of his biggest Allies. They definitely are some of his most supportive as well. Which is probably part of the reason behind what I'm telling you."
For the first time, Lord Potter noticed Amelia had a writing pad and quill in her hand. She had been writing things down during the conversation
Lord Potter continued. "So there I was, September 1st, 1991, standing between Platforms Nine and Ten, completely lost, wondering how I was supposed to get onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. I didn't know there was a magical Portal, you see."
"You didn't read about it in your copy of the 'The Muggleborn and Muggle-Raised Introduction to Magical Society.' handbook?" Amelia asked.
"I never got that book," Lord Potter said, "it wasn't on my booklist."
"I swear it was on your booklist when I checked it," Minerva muttered, "I wanted to make sure you would know to buy that book so you would have all that information you should have had years beforehand. Albus must have removed it."
"Continue, Lord Potter," Amelia said.
"Well, I was trying to figure out what I was missing," Lord Potter continued, "When I heard a shrill, female voice. It was Molly Weasley, marching her five youngest children through the Platforms toward where the Portal was located. She said, and I quote - 'Every year, packed with Muggles!'"
Amelia stared at Lord Potter. "She used the word 'Muggle'? I assume there was a crowd of Muggles that day, as there usually is?"
"Yeah," Lord Potter said, with a smirk.
"You're right – breaching the Statute of Secrecy," Amelia muttered, writing more notes down. "Happened three-plus years ago. Why have I never heard about this until now? Hmmph!"
"Sorry," Lord Potter muttered, sheepishly, "As I said, I didn't know about the Statute at the time -"
"Because nobody gave you instructions to buy the Handbook," Amelia said, "I know. It isn't your fault. It would seem that the Ministry needs to organize some type of stricter security outside the Portal at King's Cross in the future. If we had implemented this before, a representative of the DMLE or Auror Department would have been able to help you through the portal. Continue, please."
"Then Molly asks her daughter - her youngest child - Ginny," Lord Potter said, "What the number of the Platform is. Ginny answered her 'Nine-And-Three-Quarters!' Once again, out loud in a crowd of Muggles."
Amelia huffed. "Involving her own daughter in the breach. Wait a second. Lord Potter, obviously you knew the number of the Platform. Did you know what the phrase 'Muggle' was?"
"Yes," Lord Potter said, "Hagrid mentioned both phrases to me."
"I see where this is going now," Amelia said, "The two phrases you knew were mentioned loudly in your vicinity either by Molly, or by her daughter when she answered Molly's question. She was luring you to find her, wasn't she?"
"My wife and I think so, ma'am," Lord Potter said, "We think I was set up to find the Weasleys. Manipulated into meeting them."
"Manipulated by Molly Weasley and Albus Dumbledore," Lady Potter added, "The Weasleys being Albus' staunch supporters."
"Right," Amelia muttered, writing more notes down. "Not exactly a crime, mind you. But If this is going where I think it is headed, this is good information to know if Molly Weasley and Albus Dumbledore ever go to trial. Useful as evidence and to explain how it all came together. Well, Molly Weasley will be going on trial in regards to her Breach, so I'm mostly referring to Albus, here. Continue please, Mr. Potter."
"It might not be too important, but before Molly met me, she urged her son, Percy Weasley, to go through the Portal," Harry said.
"I wonder if Percy is still here," Amelia muttered, then shrugged, "If not, I can get in touch with him. I see where this is headed. He follows rules explicitly. Knows all the rules in the book. Let me guess. You believe Molly influenced Percy to get onto the Platform so he wouldn't witness Molly manipulating you into meeting her family?"
"Correct," Lord Potter said.
"Very good theory," Amelia said. "More evidence. Question is… why didn't he react to his mother breaching the Statute? Something to ask the young man. Is there any more to this story?"
"Yes," Lord Potter said, "Fast forward to when I was sitting on the train. Ronald Weasley comes in, and the first thing he says: 'Can I sit here? Everywhere else is full!'"
"Obviously lying," Amelia said, nodding, "But you didn't know at the time that if he was looking for a place to sit, a compartment would have literally popped up near him before he got close to your compartment. The handbook would tell you that information as well. If you had the handbook, you would have seen how bad each of these events were. Obviously, somebody - Molly and Albus? - wanted to keep you oblivious to their set-up. And they used Ron Weasley as a tool in their games."
"Right," Lord Potter said. "When I introduced myself to him, the first thing he asked was if I had the scar."
Amelia huffed. "Yep, he was used as a pawn. He was likely instructed by his mother to meet you, and become your friend."
"I think he was also instructed by Albus Dumbledore to convince me to become a Gryffindor," Lord Potter said. "Kept praising Gryffindor on the Hogwarts Express. Didn't comment on Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff at all, but I know he thought Hufflepuffs were all duffers."
Amelia grumbled. "I was a Hufflepuff, thank you very much."
Lord Potter blushed and stammered. Thankfully, his wife rescued him before he had to apologize.
"I feel sorry for Ron when he meets you, ma'am," Lady Potter said, grinning.
Amelia gave Lady Potter a mischievous grin.
"For Slytherin," Lord Potter continued, "Ron said 'There was no witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin.' I think Hagrid actually said that same thing as well the day I met him. Huh, Ron and Hagrid both said the same thing - because Dumbledore wanted them to tell the message to me? I know it's a lie now. Peter Pettigrew was a Gryffindor. And several others, probably."
"Didn't Hagrid see Sirius as a bad guy too, at the time?" Lady Potter asked, "And he obviously knew Sirius was a Gryffindor? Yep, he was definitely parroting Dumbledore's lies."
"Yes, I know now how wrong Ron was," Lord Potter said, "Obviously he was trying to do his best to make me hate Slytherin even back then. Dumbledore didn't want the Boy-Who-Lived being a Slytherin, obviously. He needn't have worried, though. Once Malfoy got Sorted into Slytherin, it was the last House I wanted to be in."
"Yes, I would say Ron and Hagrid were used by Dumbledore to manipulate you into choosing Gryffindor," Amelia said. "If you went into another House, it would have been more difficult for Ron to keep up a friendship with you. Statistically, most students find their good friends in their own House during their first year at Hogwarts."
"And like his parents and siblings, Ronald Weasley was always going to be Sorted into Gryffindor," Minerva said, "So Albus would have known that Mr. Weasley would have been Sorted there."
"I'm guessing you want our theories on motives, Director Bones?" Lady Potter asked. "We have more evidence for you, but I think motives are the next important step."
"Sounds good to me," Amelia said.
"First, we'll go to Ron Weasley," Lord Potter said, "Albus Dumbledore could have easily promised Ron Galleons and good grades on his assignments and exams, in return for Ron spying on Hermione and I. Ron was not the greatest student."
"He never wanted to do homework," Lady Potter said, "And he always wanted me to help him do it. Basically, I am shocked he passed all his exams, especially end-of-term exams. He hated homework, hated studying, et cetera and so forth."
"Spent his free time playing Chess instead of doing homework," Lord Potter muttered. "Always wanted me to play Chess with him, when he knew I could be doing my homework at the time too. Dragging me down with him."
"Dumbledore would give him good grades, and if you didn't do your homework, you'd get bad grades," Lady Potter said. "Something Ron could use to brag that he was better than you, even though he knew he wasn't. Getting one over on the Boy-Who-Lived… one of his life's passions, obviously."
Lord Potter groaned. "Bloody bastard… er, oops, sorry Director."
"Don't worry about it - I understand your reaction," Amelia said, waving a dismissive hand, "And I agree with all of you with this. Promising good grades to Ron Weasley, who hates homework, would be an easy trade for Albus Dumbledore to offer, in return for asking Ron to spy on the two of you. First you, Lord Potter, then you Lady Potter, when you became a part of the group. My niece did comment on how the two of you and Ronald Weasley were like peas in a pod, as Muggles like to say. The Golden Trio, she called you."
"We thought he was our friend," Lord Potter muttered. "Truth is, he might have never seen us as friends. We think he was conning us. Acting like our friend."
"Alright," Amelia said, "I can see that this is only the beginning of the story. What happened later on between you two, and Molly, Ron and Ginevra Weasley?"
"What we're about to tell you," Lord Potter said, "We didn't discover any of it until much later. But we'll tell you what we learned. Molly, Ron and Ginny's original plans were to dose Hermione and I with Attraction Potions to Ginny and Ron respectively, and Revulsion Draughts to each other. This would have originally taken place next summer, before our fifth year. Molly would send us sweets and other food, spiked with these Potions.
"However, as you'll learn thanks to our memories, something happened at the end of the Triwizard Tournament that basically made me and Dumbledore 'Undesirables No. 1 and 2."
"I'm guessing Voldemort somehow returned at the end of the Tournament?" Amelia asked.
"Given that you interrogated Barty Crouch, Junior, I'm not surprised by your guess," Lord Potter said, "And yes, you're right. Junior's plan succeeded. Voldemort returned to a full, strong form. I was lucky to escape that night. However, the first thing I said when I was back with Albus and others, was that Voldemort had returned. Of course, Cornelius Fudge was there, and he didn't believe me, or Albus, so he basically made me and Albus Enemy Number One and Two. Dragged our names through the mud known as the Daily Prophet. Even though Albus and I told everyone that Voldemort had returned, by the end of the summer very few people believed us because of Fudge and the Daily Prophet. Suffice it to say, I became unpopular amongst the Magical society, and Molly Weasley decided she couldn't afford to go through with her plans yet."
"'Yet' is the key word," Lady Potter said.
"Molly went through with her plans the following summer," Lord Potter said, "By then Voldemort had shown his face in public, and Fudge was there to witness, and couldn't refute it. I was vindicated, and became a hero again. My popularity was back, and Molly Weasley decided it was time to begin her plans. So, by the end of that summer, I started to feel little feelings inside my tummy about Ginny Weasley, whenever we were in the same room. The Attraction Potion was beginning to work."
"The Revulsion Draughts began their work when we were at Hogwarts," Lady Potter said, "We were fighting with each other, acting out of character, not just with each other but with others. But we never stopped being friends."
Amelia looked up from her notes and glanced back and forth between the time-travelers. She raised her eyebrows and nodded, as she came to a conclusion.
"You two are part of a Soul-Bond," Amelia realized, "Right? That would explain why the Potions and Draughts were weak enough to keep you being friends, even with Revulsion Draughts."
Neither Lord or Lady Potter, nor Minerva, were surprised that Amelia had come to that conclusion. It was obvious that she was using the same skill-set she had that allowed her to become one of the youngest Directors of the DMLE in the history of the British Ministry of Magic.
"Yes, but our Bond didn't form for roughly a year and a half after we were dosed," Lord Potter said. "Anyway, Ginny was dating Dean Thomas at the time. She later told me – after her plans were revealed – that she had wanted to be a 'practice girlfriend' before she became my girlfriend. She didn't want our relationship to look so fake."
"Ron got together with Lavender Brown, later that year," Lady Potter said, "But not because he wanted to practice being a boyfriend. He just wanted to bag the other girl he was fancying before he – as he later confessed – 'got stuck with me'. Of course, even after I was dosed with Love Potions, they didn't actually work on me."
"Because you already knew you were in love with Harry," Amelia guessed, "Your Bond was protecting you long before it formed."
"Indeed," Lady Potter said.
"I, on the other hand, was still doubting my feelings for Hermione, and had no idea that she fancied me," Lord Potter said, "So the Love Potions worked on me. Ginny broke up with Dean later that year, and a few weeks later, her and I became a couple. We kissed and snogged every day after that. Then it moved on to – well, basically we did everything but have sexual intercourse. All while I was under these Potions."
"Oh, Merlin," Minerva gasped, as she held a hand over her heart.
"You name it, we did it," Lord Potter trudged on, "mutual masturbation, hand jobs, oral sex – everything but sexual intercourse. I later learned that was why Ginny wanted to date Dean. Everything she did with me, she practiced with him beforehand. She did confess later on that she'd never had sex with him. Well, not during the first time they were a couple, anyway. Not before we became a couple. She had hoped we'd have sex, and she wanted to save herself for me – she wanted to be able to say 'I've had boyfriends before you, but I've always been in love with you – I saved myself for you!' It was all just part of her fantasy of being the future Lady Potter."
"How did I, nor any of the other Professors, not discover any of this taking place?" Minerva asked. "That you were under the influence of Potions?!"
"Albus knew, didn't he?" Amelia asked, "He knew it was happening."
"He knew," Lord Potter said, "Once again, something his portrait confirmed when Hermione and I interrogated him. He told us that it was the Hogwarts House Elves who were responsible for placing some of those Potions inside our drinks during meals. Albus allowed Ron and Ginny to control a couple of the House-Elves so they could accomplish their tasks."
"Albus could have also visited Molly Weasley at her residence – perhaps through his Floo?" Amelia suggested, "And retrieve any Potions he needed to get from her, and bring them inside Hogwarts without anyone else knowing."
"Of course," Minerva huffed, "Albus could smuggle such things inside Hogwarts without anyone becoming suspicious of such things."
"Why was Albus supportive of Molly, Ron and Ginny's plans?" Amelia asked, "Aside from the Weasleys being his Allies? Did he know about your Soul-Bond?"
"No," Lord Potter said, "In fact, he was shocked when we told his portrait about our Bond. No… it was all about Hermione and her influence on me. Hermione's always been my rock, Director. During the original Triwizard Tournament, when everyone else thought I was a liar, a cheat, and a fraud, who somehow put my own name in the Goblet of Fire when nobody else under seventeen could do so, Hermione was my only supporter and friend for nearly an entire month.
"Up until the First Task, it was just me and her. Disregarding what Crouch, Junior helped me with when it came to the First Task, I wouldn't have survived the Task, without Hermione helping me. Albus' portrait told me he thought Hermione would turn on me during the Tournament. He thought I'd be alone, and desperate for his help. When I didn't ask for his help, and still got through the tournament. Hermione became that much more dangerous to him. He started doing everything he could to stop her from being my friend."
"Including, I believe, using Potions to set me and Viktor Krum up," Lady Potter said, "Viktor Krum asked me to the Yule Ball, and I accepted. I was fifteen at the time, Viktor was eighteen. I was in love with Harry. I wanted him to ask me to the Yule Ball. I had dreamed of such a thing when I first heard the Ball was happening. And yet when Viktor asked me to go to the Ball, I immediately said 'yes'.
"My parents wouldn't, and didn't, approve of me having a relationship with a boy three years older than me. Especially with someone I didn't really know. If there hadn't been Potions involved, I wouldn't even consider dating him. I wouldn't have wanted to disappoint my parents. As my parents said, when I told them about him, I was acting extremely out of character when it came to Viktor."
"That sounds like there might have been Potions involved, yes," Amelia said, nodding.
"Yes," Lady Potter agreed, "And even though I hadn't known Viktor for more than two months, I became the 'thing he'd miss the most' during the Second Task and I was his hostage for the task. I should have been Harry's hostage. Ron was his hostage, even though he had betrayed Harry, avoiding Harry, and bad-mouthing him for nearly a month after Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire. So Ron was Harry's hostage, and I was Viktor's hostage. Not Viktor's parents, not one of his friends. Me, who he'd known for two months. We'd barely kissed. We did nothing else besides share a few kisses, and have a few conversations. I was not qualified to be the person who Viktor would miss the most!"
"I assume Albus made Ron your hostage, Lord Potter?" Amelia asked
"Yes," Lord Potter said, "He thought that if I believed Ron was 'who I missed the most' that I would easily forgive him for everything he had done to me after my name came out of the Goblet of Fire.
"Right," Amelia said, "So I can also assume it was Albus who made you Krum's hostage. Why?"
"He wanted me to believe that Hermione had betrayed me," Lord Potter said, "That she was supporting Krum instead of me in the Tournament. Ron even said it himself during the Yule Ball. He accused her of 'fraternizing with the enemy', and accused her of helping Krum with the Tournament instead of me."
"I'm guessing Albus told him to say those things to Hermione in front of you," Amelia said, "so you'd believe them, and stop being friends with her?"
"Indeed," Lord Potter said. "Ron's done it before, after all. During our third year. Hermione gave the Firebolt that Sirius gave me to Professor McGonagall, so she could check it over for hexes and curses. And Ron got pissed at her, saying she betrayed me for basically stealing the Firebolt, and for a few weeks, Hermione and I didn't talk. I didn't say a word to start that fight, and still, we were avoiding each other afterward for weeks! All because of Ron Weasley!"
Amelia nodded and wrote more notes in her pad. "That would stand up in court, Lord Potter, if it ever becomes necessary. Especially when it comes to evidence toward Ron, Ginny and Molly trying to prevent you two – or your younger selves – from getting together. Thank you."
"There's also the fact that Albus hoped I'd get killed during the Second Task," Lady Potter continued, as if she was discussing the weather, "Albus compelled Krum to transfigure himself into a shark for the Task. His portrait confirmed this, by the way. He hoped Viktor would temporarily go insane as a shark, and kill me while trying to rescue me. Instead, he could only transfigure himself halfway, and kept his mind and thoughts. So he was able to rescue me."
Minerva swore, and Amelia gave a world-weary sigh.
"Well, can't use that since it happened in your timeline, and might not happen here," Amelia said, "But it is good information. It has its possible uses against Albus. So thank you."
"At the end of our sixth year," Lord Potter said, "Ginny was beginning to see the bad side of being my girlfriend. She was becoming afraid of being one of the targets of Voldemort and his Death Eaters because she was so close to me. So she suggested we fake a break-up, and we'd get back together after Voldemort was dead. I was still under the influence of Potions, so I happily agreed. Still, when I was at the Burrow, that summer, she kissed me. She was wanting to make sure that – even though we were acting like we weren't a couple anymore – that the Potions were still working, and that I only had romantic feelings for her. Not for someone like Hermione.
"I know it was in her plans to have sex with me if I had remained at the Burrow. Ginny told me, several months later after Hermione and I interrogated her, that if we had sex that summer, that she would have drank Fertility Draughts to make sure she ended up pregnant. Why? Because she was quite sure I'd be dead by the following summer, and she'd be raising my baby herself. She wouldn't be Lady Potter, but as Regent of the House of Potter, the mother to Heir or Heiress Potter, she would be able to get access to my Family Vaults. That wasn't just Ginny's plan, by the way. She cocked that up with Molly too."
Amelia nodded, writing down more notes. "I assume something happened. Something happened that prevented this event from taking place?"
"Yes," Lord Potter said, "you'll see what happened in the memories we're giving you. Basically, Hermione, Ron and I were on the run. We didn't go back to Hogwarts for our Seventh Year. Everyone thought Ron was terribly ill with spattergroit, which is why he didn't go back to Hogwarts. But I became Undesirable Number One, and Hermione became Undesirable Number Two."
"Notice how only Ron was supposed to be 'terribly ill', and Harry and I were marked as fugitives," Lady Potter said, "Originally it was because of truancy, then it became worse. Molly and Ginny came up with that idea. Couldn't let their son, and brother, become a criminal, could they? They gave him an alibi, and didn't give either of us one. Shows how much they actually cared about us."
"Indeed," Amelia said.
"Instead of going back to Hogwarts for our Seventh Year," Lord Potter said, "we were on the run doing important things to end the war. But still, even when we were in the middle of this important quest, Ron still made sure to dose Hermione and I."
"And I'm guessing there was a point where he failed to dose you?" Amelia asked.
"He ran out of Potions," Lady Potter said, "Of course, he couldn't tell us that. Nor could he say 'I need to return to the Burrow to get something that I desperately need'. So he staged a fight. And he left us – of course, he tried to get me to come with him. I refused."
"A few days after he left us," Lord Potter said, "The Potions started to wear off. Hermione was getting depressed, because she thought she was still in love with Ron. Then a song came over the radio, a wonderful song, and I asked her to dance. During the dance, we suddenly remembered that at one point in time, we actually did fancy each other. We confessed our feelings for each other."
"The Bond," Amelia said, grinning, "Like a lot of magic, especially Bonds like that, it was sentient. It realized the Potions had left your system, and realized it needed to do something to protect the two of you."
"Yes," Lady Potter said, "We kissed, and our Bond began, though we wouldn't know it until the next morning. Thankfully, I'd researched different Bonds in the past and knew what Soul-Bonds were. So when we could hear each other's thoughts, and internal rants, and speak telepathically to each other, I knew exactly what was going on."
"So there you go," Lord Potter said, "In these memories we're giving you, we have Ron and Ginny's confessions about their crimes. So I'm sure you can use that."
"Indeed," Amelia said. "Since they haven't actually dosed either of you yet, I can't charge them with future crimes. However, I have enough to arrest Molly – for the Statute of Secrecy Breach – and I can interrogate her about her plans for the two of you. I can use Veritaserum, and she'll tell me of how she's involving Ron and Ginny in the plans. That should be enough for me to come back to Hogwarts, and take Ron and Ginny into custody. I can arrest them for Conspiracy."
"Well, I would request you to do something about Ron and Ginny in the near future, Director," Lady Potter said, "Because I am sure Ron and Ginny are panicking at the fact that the future Harry and Hermione are married."
"You believe they move those plans forward?" Amelia asked.
"Yes," Lady Potter said, "Maybe even the Yule Ball. They might even believe, if they give Harry and Hermione Attraction Potions, that Harry and Hermione will ask them to go to the Yule Ball. That was actually one of Ginny's original plans – she confessed that when she was interrogated with Veritaserum. She had begged her mother to give Harry an Attraction Potion so he would ask her to the Yule Ball. Her mother refused because he was in the Triwizard Tournament. She didn't want the Potion to affect his ability in the Tournament, and get him killed because of it."
"Well, that does give us enough evidence that Ginny might, indeed, be attempting to do the same thing," Amelia said.
"What Ron and Ginny don't know," Lady Potter said, "is that my husband and I gave Harry and Hermione bracelets. Are you familiar with Lily's enchanted bracelets, Director?"
"Yes," Amelia said, smiling, "She gave me one. I do remember them."
"We knew there were some in the Potter Family Vault," Lady Potter said, "So a house-elf loyal to my husband retrieved the bracelets for us, and we gave them to Harry and Hermione. So they'll be protected from the Potions."
"Very smart of you two," Minerva said, "That makes me feel much better. Oh, and I'm afraid you're probably right about your theory, Lady Potter, concerning the Attraction Potions. I was walking by the Owlery earlier today and saw Ginny walk out of the Owlery, looking very satisfied."
"She wrote to her Mum about us," Lady Potter said, grimacing, "I bet, Director, if you go to the Burrow tonight or tomorrow, you'll find evidence of Potions."
"I have already decided to visit the Burrow tomorrow to arrest Molly for the breach of the Statute of Secrecy," Amelia said, "The Attraction Potion takes a week to finish. If she wants to deliver them as soon as possible, she'll have begun them today, or tomorrow. There will be evidence, I'm sure of it."
"Good luck," Lord Potter said, and Lady Potter and Minerva echoed him. .
"Thank you," Amelia said, "Now, I believe I have enough evidence to get started on Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley. So is there anything else you wish to tell me that I won't find in the memories?"
"The Horcruxes?" Lady Potter asked, "She'll find out about them in the memories, but…"
"We need time," Lord Potter said, "I want to retrieve the Diadem and bring it to Keeper Ragnok. That will give him more evidence for when we inform him about Hufflepuff's Cup in Bellatrix's Vault. We can also visit Grimmauld Place with Sirius, and get the Locket.""Good idea," Lady Potter said, "I imagine Amelia will return to us in the future to discuss the Horcruxes when she finds out about them in the memories. So we don't need to discuss them at the moment.""I think that's all for now," Lord Potter said.
"Alright, then I have a few questions for you," Amelia said, "Barty Crouch, Junior told me that Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew are hiding behind a Fidelius Charm. I'm hoping that, if you are able to tell me where they are hiding, that it will overcome the enchantments of the Fidelius Charm. Mind you, I'm counting on Time-Travel and the phenomenon of the Butterfly Effect, in hopes that this works!"
"Well, let's see if I can say it then," Lord Potter said, "The Riddle Manor in Greater Hangleton, England. Or it might be Little Hangleton. It is up the hill from the graveyard in Hangleton. The Gaunt family lived in Little Hangleton. Voldemort's mother was Merope Gaunt. His father was a Muggle, Tom Riddle, Senior. He's living in his father's old house."
"Hey, I wonder," Lady Potter said, "Maybe the Muggle's Yellow Pages has the address for the old Riddle Manor? Maybe that is how you can find it, and it won't be affected by enchantments."
"There were several theories that he's a Half-Blood," Amelia said, nodding, "Anyway, thank you, Lord and Lady Potter. I will see what I can do with that information."
"Be careful if you do go there, Amelia," Lord Potter said, "Voldemort might be a Homunculus, but he is still dangerous. He was able to use a wand when he killed the Riddle Manor caretaker – that happened this summer. He also has a giant serpent with him at all times: Nagini – she's a Maledictus."
"Thank you for that information," Amelia said, writing down more notes on her pad, "Now, if you will… please tell me the names of every Death Eater you know."
Lord and Lady Potter named several names of Death Eaters, and some of those names either caused Amelia to raise an eyebrow, or jerk her head up from her notes and look at the Bonded couple.
For example…
"Corban Yaxley, the Auror?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Lord Potter said.
And another…
"Albert Runcorn?" Amelia asked, "He works for me!"
"Unsure about whether or not he's a Death Eater, but he's a sympathizer," Lord Potter said, "Same goes for John Dawlish, and Pius Thicknesse."
"And then there's another name," Lady Potter snarled, after they were finished with the names, "Dolores Umbridge. Neither a Death Eater or Voldemort supporter, but – well, you'll see what she's capable of when you watch our memories."
Amelia grimaced. "I am quite familiar with Umbridge. I look forward to what I find concerning her in those memories of yours. Okay, next question: do you think your younger selves need the OPCC&I Exams, as soon as possible?"
OPCC&I stood for "Obliviate, Potion, Compulsion, Confundo and Imperius". It was a Standard Exam at St. Mungo's, and also at the Ministry of Magic, for several departments, including the DMLE and Auror Department. It wasn't standard, however, for Hogwarts. All because of Albus Dumbledore, who loved to use such things on his staff and students whenever he wanted.
"I want to say 'yes'," Lord Potter said, "However, it cannot happen here at Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey can't do it. Not while Albus is still here. We have reason to believe whatever oaths she's taken from Albus has overridden her Healer's Oaths. Albus will be in the Hospital Wing minutes after Harry and Hermione arrive, and he'll stop Madam Pomfrey from giving them such treatment."
Minerva gave a resigned sigh. "I have to, unfortunately, agree with Lord Potter. I've had to take monthly visits to St. Mungo's for those Exams, usually on a Saturday or Sunday, to make sure I'm in the clear. And unfortunately, I can't suggest such things to my fellow staff members, because my trips to St. Mungo's are private, and Albus knows nothing about them. I can't risk Albus discovering them."
"You've had a history of being influenced by such things by Albus?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, Director," Minerva said, "When we finish here, you and I can go to my old office, just down the corridor from here, where I've stored evidence of my appointments at St. Mungo's. I've hidden them there so Albus can't find them. He believes I don't use that office, and haven't done so for many years."
"Alright," Amelia said, "Well, how about I arrange for a Healer's appointment for Harry and Hermione, then? I can get a Healer I trust to do the Exams. It might have to wait until next weekend."
"That's fine," Minerva said, "If Mr. Potter and Miss Granger are under any kind of influence right now, I imagine that nothing worse will happen before they can get the Exams."
"Er… this 'influence' they're under," Lord Potter said, "Could it be responsible for Harry being… unsure about his feelings for Hermione, even though the fact that Hermione fancies him is basically smacking him in the face?"
"By that he means – well, us," Lady Potter said, "My husband and I, obviously being together and married."
Minerva groaned. "That might be the culprit, indeed, Lord Potter. There's a possibility that Harry, if not Hermione, might be dosed with Revulsion Potion – but only to a point where he is unsure about his feelings for Hermione. He's obviously fighting it – the Bond is probably helping him. So it must be a mild dosage at the moment."
"I agree," Amelia said, "Unfortunately the bracelets you've given them will only prevent future offenses from happening. Not the things they are currently under. I remember Lily saying that was a big risk with the bracelets that she couldn't overcome. I'll do my best to get that appointment between my Healer and those two as soon as possible, Lord Potter. I promise."
"I imagine you'll be having a few visits here in the near future, Director," Lord Potter said, "Especially if you'll be coming back in the future to speak to us, and also to Ron and Ginny, and perhaps Albus."
"Indeed," Amelia said.
"By the time Harry's appointment comes," Lord Potter said, "Amelia will know about the Horcrux in his scar. Hopefully she'll realize that we're wary about having that information revealed to just anybody."
"Yeah, I hope you're right," Lady Potter said.
"Well, I think that's all the information I need right now, Lord and Lady Potter," Amelia said, "But you can guarantee I'll probably want a follow-up meeting in the future."
"We look forward to it," Lord Potter said, "Good luck with the Weasleys, and the information we've given you."
"Speaking of," Lady Potter said; she handed the Secret Keeper Box over to Lord Potter.
Lord Potter stood up and walked over to Amelia, who stood up.
"Your middle name is 'Susan', right?" Lord Potter asked.
"Correct," Amelia said.
"Place your wand hand on top of the box, please," Lord Potter said.
Amelia placed her right hand on top of the Box.
"Amelia Susan Bones," Lord Potter said, clearly, "I, Lord Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, give you permission to open and use the contents of this Box for thirty days. Do you accept?"
"I, Amelia Susan Bones, accept your gift, Lord Potter," Amelia replied, just as clearly.
Lord Potter's ring, the Box, and Amelia's hand began to shine in a bright golden light. Amelia's eyebrows fluttered and then she blinked as the enchantment settled into her core.
"The box is yours for thirty days," Lord Potter said, offering Amelia the box, "All contents inside will return to the box an hour after they are taken out of it. I'm not sure how that will affect memories inside a Pensieve, so be cautious with that. Be careful who you share the contents with. If someone untrustworthy views the memories, or uses them for the wrong reasons, I will be most cross with you, Director."
"I promise to protect and use the contents inside this box with utmost honor and respect," Amelia said.
Amelia then took the Box in both of her hands.
"Thank you, Lord Potter," Amelia said, "I know how important the contents of this box are to you and your wife. I will keep my promise, I assure you.
"However, I just realized something. I need one last thing from you. Lord Potter. Have you put the memory of Molly's breach of the Statute of Secrecy in this box?"
Lord Potter's eyes widened. "No, I didn't. That completely slipped my mind."
"Well, fortunately, I brought some vials with me in case I needed to retrieve some copies of your memories," Amelia said, "I hadn't realized you'd already be prepared to give me such a gift. But if you can give me that memory of that day at King's Cross, I'd appreciate it."
"Are you sure you want it from me, and not my counterpart?" Lord Potter asked.
"You and your counterpart have the same memories, up until the point in time when you and your wife fell through time," Amelia said, "Some of your memories match with his, and fortunately, one of those memories is the one I'm requesting."
Lord Potter nodded. Amelia removed a vial from her robes, and offered it to Lord Potter, who focused on the requested memory of that first of September in 1991 when he was at King's Cross. He retrieved a copy of the memory, then placed it in the vial, corked it, and handed it back to Amelia.
"Thank you," Amelia, "That is all I need then."
"Good," Lord Potter said, "I believe this meeting is over then. I will drop the enchantments around us, if that is okay with everyone?"
Lady Potter, Amelia and Minerva nodded in agreement. Lord Potter dropped the enchantments, then turned back to the dining table. Sirius was now sitting at the table with Harry and Hermione. He stood up when he saw Lord Potter approach him. Sirius was wearing a similar outfit to what Lord Potter was wearing – a beige button-down shirt and jeans.
"Come here, older Godson," Sirius said, "I already hugged your younger version."
Lord Potter grinned, blinked back tears, and walked over to Sirius and hugged him.
"I missed you, Sirius," Lord Potter said, "I was… not myself after – well, after I thought you died."
"I understand, kid," Sirius said.
Sirius' stomach rumbled and he chuckled as he backed away from Lord Potter.
"Sorry," Sirius said, "I'm pretty hungry. Only had scraps from trash bins in Hogsmeade today."
"I can take care of that," Minerva said, "Sasha!"
Sasha, the house-elf appeared.
"Sirius Black here needs a late dinner," Minerva addressed her elf, then turned to Sirius, "Request to Sasha what you want for dinner."
Sirius grinned and started requesting several items of food, including chicken and roast potatoes. All his requested food appeared on a plate at the table, and a couple jugs of water and pumpkin juice also appeared.
"Thanks," Sirius muttered, as he returned to his seat, and began to dig in.
"Well, Sirius," Amelia said, "If I have it my way, by next weekend you'll have that trial you should have had all those years ago."
Sirius swallowed a piece of chicken. "Appreciate it, Amy."
"Just doing what should have been done in '81, Sirius," Amelia said.
"Thanks," Sirius said.
"Well, Minerva," Amelia said, "I believe I'm done here. If you can take me to your old office, I'd appreciate it."
"Of course, Amelia," Minerva said, "Sirius, I will meet with you tomorrow sometime. I have classes, but – well, I'll just say that you should expect me to find you tomorrow. Try to remain in these Quarters between now and then. No exploring around the castle. You might be under the protection of Sanctuary, but… well…"
"Crap!" Lord Potter said, "If Minerva's expecting Sirius tomorrow, then we can't take him to Grimmauld Place."
"Maybe we can ask him to Summon Kreacher, and we can get Kreacher to give us the locket?" Lady Potter said.
"Good idea," Lord Potter said, "I'll think about that and decide tomorrow before we leave Hogwarts."
"I understand," Sirius said, "I'll be a good boy."
"I'll likely keel over if that actually happened, Black," Minerva said, with a smirk.
Sirius barked a laugh. Minerva and Amelia bid good evening to Sirius and the two pairs of 'Doppelgangers', then left the room. Meanwhile, Leon cleared his throat in his portrait.
"Mr. Black, a room has been prepared for you, for the remainder of your stay," Leon said, "Your room is through that door."
Leon pointed at a door between the bathroom and Lord and Lady Potter's bedroom that had literally just appeared without anyone in the room noticing.
"Thanks, Leon," Sirius said, before taking a gulp of pumpkin juice, "Sit down and join us, Lord and Lady Potter, so we can reminisce about – well – stuff."
Lord and Lady Potter sat down at the dining table.
"How much about the future have you told these two?" Sirius asked, nodding to Harry and Hermione.
"Not much," Lord Potter said, "They know up to what happened at the First Task, and a few other bits of information. But nothing more when it comes to the whole story. Harry knew you had – well – I told him I thought you died."
"I'm glad you didn't die, Sirius," Harry said.
"Me too, kid!" Sirius said, "It was a mighty close one there, though."
"You were playing with Bellatrix, Sirius," Lord Potter said, "Don't deny it."
Sirius grimaced and took a drink of juice. "I won't deny it. Mind you, it was my first major skirmish in several years. I was having a lot of fun. I'd been cooped up in my old house for months, mind you."
"I know," Lord Potter said, "But you could have watched your surroundings. Did you really have to stand in front of the Veil of Death during a battle, Sirius?!"
"Yeah, that was a pretty dumb mistake, huh?" Sirius said, sighing, "Well, tell me about Moony. What happened to him after I fell through the Veil?"
"He was pretty depressed after all of that," Lord Potter said, "But – well – he wasn't alone with his grief. There was someone else who was also grieving about you that he could talk to – Tonks."
"Nymphadora?" Sirius asked, then his eyes widened, and he grinned. "Wait… are you telling me?! No! Did Remus and Tonks get together?!"
"That's… complicated," Lord Potter said, "They seemed close around the following Christmas, but the next time I saw them – in June the following year, they had an argument. Remus tried to tell Tonks he was too old for her. Tonks didn't care. And next thing I knew… they kissed. Sometime between that day, and – well – before my birthday, they were married. But… well… I think they married for a specific reason."
Sirius' eyes bulged. "Moony got Tonks pregnant?!"
"Yeah," Lord Potter said. "Edward 'Teddy' Lupin was born the following year, and Remus named me Godfather. And then Remus and Tonks died during the final battle where I defeated Voldemort. Andromeda took custody of Teddy, but I did my godfather duties and visited him and babysat him from time to time."
Sirius' eyes were moist, as were Harry's, and Hermione had tears running down her face. Harry and Hermione didn't know Tonks yet, but they did know Remus. So to hear that he died in their future, as did his wife, and that he had been a father to an infant son was emotional for them.
"You're not telling Remus and Tonks any of this, Sirius," Lord Potter said, "The way they got together… it was by chance. If they do fall in love… it would be fate bringing them together. I don't think Remus even knows Tonks right now."
"He knew her when she was little," Sirius said, "Back before you were born, James, Lily, Remus and I – we babysat Tonks from time to time. Even after James and Lily were married, they took time to babysit her when Andromeda asked them to."
Harry snickered. "Wait! Remus married a girl he babysat when she was little? How old was she back then? Did he change her diapers?!"
Sirius guffawed, Hermione rolled her eyes, and Lord and Lady Potter just grinned.
"She was a bit older than that, Harry," Sirius said, wiping away mirthful tears, "Probably a couple years or so past having to wear diapers. But still… I get your point. They did seem friendly the last time I saw them together. There were no hints of romance yet… but they were friendly. Wait, scratch that. I do seem to recall Tonks having a bit of a fancy for Remus, but Remus was oblivious to it, of course, as he always has been when it comes to women. Those two together – married – Tonks wore the pants in that marriage, let me tell you that!"
Lord Potter laughed, Lady Potter shook her head, and Harry and Hermione snickered.
"Should we tell Sirius about when Remus almost abandoned his pregnant wife?" Lord Potter asked.
"Not right now," Lady Potter said, "That would just depress Sirius. He doesn't need that right now. He did just learn Remus died in the future, leaving behind a baby boy. To find out that he also tried to abandon his wife, and fought with you – that he hit you! No, he doesn't need to know that right now."
"True," Lord Potter said.
"Sirius?" Lord Potter asked, "Do you know where Remus is at this moment in time? Because – well – between that day he left Hogwarts, after he resigned, up until the day he picked me up at the Dursleys next summer – I never saw him during this time. I won't mention letters. He might have written me a letter or two, but I might have not gotten them. They might have gotten – er – lost in the mail."
Sirius sighed. "That is a very good question. I'm not sure where Moony is at this moment in time. But I will do my best to get a hold of him."
"He might show up when you get a trial," Lady Potter said.
"True," Sirius said, "I suppose if the truth gets out to the public about you two traveling through time –"
"Which it will since I'm now the Fourth Champion – again," Lord Potter interrupted.
"Right!" Sirius said, "When that news gets out, and Remus hears about it, he might show up. Maybe. Like I said, I don't know where he is. He might not even be in Great Britain at this moment! He might be on some type of holiday, thanks to the paycheck he got for being a Professor here. Don't worry about him for now. He'll show up."
Sirius shifted uncomfortably. "But well – keep in mind, he did get outed as a werewolf in June. According to what I remember him telling me about this point in time, Remus wasn't exactly in the best mind-set around this time because of him getting outed. He really didn't tell me where he was for much of this year. However, as I said, it is likely he's away from Great Britain at the moment. He needed to get away from the bad publicity."
Lord Potter nodded. He hadn't considered that.
For the next hour or so, Sirius and the two pairs of 'Doppelgangers' talked about innocent topics, and the younger Harry and Hermione got to know Sirius better since this was their first real opportunity to talk to him since they had seen him in the Shrieking Shack. Harry learned stuff that Lord Potter would not have learned until the following summer, such as the fact that Sirius had lived with Harry's father and grandparents for a couple years after he ran away from home, and also stories about his days at Hogwarts with James, Lily and Remus.
Eventually, Hermione realized that it was, indeed, Sunday and that she and Harry had classes the following day, so they needed to go to bed. So after saying goodnight to Sirius, and Lord and Lady Potter, they headed off into their separate rooms.
"So… while your younger selves are in classes tomorrow," Sirius said to Lord and Lady Potter, "What's on the agenda for you two?"
"We have an appointment with Keeper Ragnok tomorrow at ten-o-clock in the morning," Lord Potter said, "Then we're going on a shopping spree. We need clothes that we aren't borrowing from wherever Leon summoned them from. After all, we did arrive with just our wand. We were lucky we were wearing bathrobes at the time!"
Sirius laughed. "Yes, exactly what were you two doing before you were yanked through time?"
"We were on our honeymoon," Lord Potter said, "We'd just gotten married the day before. We were having dinner after having taken a bath together. We were lucky we weren't – er – consummating our marriage further when we got thrown through time!"
Lady Potter smacked the back of her husband's head. Sirius laughed again.
"I wondered if you two would get together at some point," Sirius said, "Mind you, I knew if Molly had her way, you'd be married off to her two youngest. I noticed she kept seating you together beside Ron and Ginny respectively during dinner at Grimmauld Place!"
"Yeah, about Molly and Grimmauld Place, Sirius," Lord Potter said, "Something has been on my mind for a while now. Why did you let Molly run you rampant in that house? Why did you let her take over like she owned the place? It was your house!"
Sirius sighed and shook his head. "Believe me, kid, I'm still trying to figure that one out. I reckon I might have been dosed with Potions, or hit with some kind of Charms. Compulsion Charms, maybe. Ways to make me more compliant with Molly and Albus, especially when it came to you, Harry. They didn't want you and I alone in the same room together. They didn't trust what I'd talk to you about."
"Well, yeah, I figured that last bit myself," Lord Potter said, "I mean if it wasn't for Molly keeping us apart so much, you might have been able to tell me more about the Potter legacy. I wasn't able to learn about much of the Potter legacy until after I turned seventeen."
"Believe me, I know," Sirius muttered, narrowing his eyes, "Bloody Molly Weasley. She must have realized I had plans for you that summer. I did want to talk to you about your legacy. I wanted to do my duties as Godfather! I never got the chance! Next time I see that bitch, I'm going to have words with her. I don't care if I'm a complete stranger to her. She has no right to treat you as if she's your mother! Lily Potter was your mother, Harry. The best mother you could have ever had, and Molly Weasley was spitting on Lily's grave every time she tried to mother you!"
"I think you mean 'smother' him, Sirius," Lady Potter muttered.
"That too!" Sirius exclaimed, then he let out a huge yawn.
"I think that means it is time for you to go to bed, Sirius," Lady Potter said. "My husband and I need to get to bed before too long anyway. We have a busy day tomorrow."
"Yeah, I suppose so," Sirius said, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
He stood up, and walked a few steps toward his bedroom, then turned back. "Wait… when you say you two will be going to bed 'before too long', does that mean… straight to sleep or will you –?
"Go to bed, Sirius," Lord Potter interrupted, sounding quite annoyed, "Say another word, and I'll likely be sleeping on the couch because of you!"
Sirius barked a laugh. "Well I wouldn't want that to happen! Good night, Potters!"
Sirius then blinked and frowned. "Wow, I haven't said those words in – well, it's been quite a while."
Lord Potter gave his godfather a warm smile. Sirius sighed and headed into his bedroom then shut the door behind him.
"Been a long day," Lady Potter said.
"Indeed," Lord Potter agreed. "But pretty successful. I'm the Champion – again. We met with Amelia, gave her the memories, and set her on the right path to investigate a few things."
"And somehow Sirius came into the mix," Lady Potter said, grinning, "And – oh yeah – he's also from the future – if only about a year-and-a-half or so. Yes, a very long day. I suppose we should head for bed ourselves, huh?"
"Unfortunately, I'm a little too wired to go to sleep just yet," Lord Potter said, with a smirk, "Will you help tire me out, sweetheart?"
Lady Potter rolled her eyes. "I suppose I can do that. But only a couple rounds or so. Then we're going to sleep. We need to be up early if we're going to talk to Sirius about the locket, and retrieve the Diadem, before we head to Gringotts."
Lord Potter nodded in agreement, then stood up and headed toward their bedroom, his wife following in his footsteps.