Confrontations and Conversations (Part Three)

Harry had only been sitting at the table for a minute or two before Daphne walked in. She looked around with an approving nod and moved to sit next to him. "This is good. Silencing charms on the walls, anti-eavesdropping wards, no windows and no portraits. We might have to use this room more often. My father had to spend quite a bit for a setup like this. I wonder why there's one in Hogwarts."

Harry shrugged. "I didn't even know there was a room in this corridor until yesterday."

Shiva walked in then and quirked her mouth in confusion. "You know, I could've sworn there was a storage room here with blank rune stones and carving implements. I guess that was another section? Is there a second tapestry of that idiot with the dancing trolls?"

"You've been here longer than us, Shiva," Harry pointed out.

"Well yeah, but still…"

"This is a most unusual way to open a door," Hermione huffed as she walked in behind Shiva. "I understand the need to protect one's clandestine meeting room but it still seems silly."

"I would agree, Miss Granger," Amelia Bones said with a small chuckle as she opened the door. "You know, when Susan said to use this area I thought she was mistaken. When I was in school I was sure this was a hidden bedroom not a meeting room."

"Oh?" Tonks said with a grin stepping in behind her superior. "And just why were you looking for a hidden bedroom, Madam Bones?"

Amelia shrugged and looked at Tonks with an unreadable expression. "Well, Auror Tonks, if you must ask I don't think you are old enough to know."

Tonks' hair flashed to purple and she burst out laughing. "See this is why I love you, Boss! Wotcher, Harry, Hermione, Shiva, girl I haven't met."

"Hey, Tonks," Harry said waving. "This is Daphne Greengrass. Daph this is She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Tonks."

Tonks frowned. "Yeah, let's go with a different moniker shall we? How about Thy-Forbidden-One Tonks?"

"You need at least four words for a hyphenated name, Tonks. Everyone knows that," Harry laughed.

"So says the great, Boy-Who-Lived?" Tonks snorted waggling her eyebrows at him.

"Nope. So says the great, The-Boy-Who-Lived. Can't forget the article."

"Alright people, I actually do have things to discuss you know." Amelia moved to sit at the table and Tonks sat next her shaking her head and laughing with Harry. Her hair stayed purple.

"What can we help you with, Madam Bones?" Shiva asked trying to get the others back on track.

"Before we start," Amelia said bringing out her wand, "may I check everyone for listening charms?" Receiving head nods all around she quickly cast several charms and nodded happily at the results.

"Well it looks like we're clean. Though, Harry, I detect some residue of a listening charm on you. It seems like it was stripped as you walked in here though so there's that."

Everyone's face on Harry's side of the table darkened. Hermione scowled, Daphne frowned, Harry growled and Shiva looked ready to hit something. "I don't suppose you could tell whose signature it was?" Shiva asked through clenched teeth.

"Unfortunately, no," Amelia apologized. Shiva nodded and waved the woman to continue. "Alright, let's begin. Harry, Professor Babbling, you both trust Miss Granger and Miss Greengrass?"

"We do," Harry said.

"Very well. I asked to meet you in person because Tonks has brought something to my attention that apparently not only affects you, but that you were instrumental in discovering to begin with."

Hermione frowned. "You mean, Sirius Black? All we truly have is character testimony, logic and circumstantial evidence. It's not enough to overturn a conviction even if it is enough to reopen the case. I really think we need to see the trial files in order to actively move forward."

"That's exactly the problem, Miss Granger." Amelia sighed and leaned forward to meet the eyes of each of them in turn. "There was no trial for Sirius Black."

Harry's eyes widened while Shiva cursed under her breath. Hermione just hung her head and muttered, "This really shouldn't surprise me I suppose."

Daphne had the most marked reaction of any of them. She jumped to her feet and slammed her hands on the desk glaring at Amelia. "Do you mean to tell me, Director Bones, that the Heir Black was sent to Azkaban without even the semblance of a trial?"

"That is exactly what I mean to tell you, Miss Greengrass."

"That's-that's-I can't even-how did such a thing happen!?"

"Daphne?" Harry asked turning to look at the girl.

Shiva shook her head and laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. "House Black is a very old family, Harry. That their Heir was imprisoned without a trial is a huge offense to the House and would set a dangerous precedent for all the other older families."

"And what of the less important families?" Hermione asked with narrowed eyes. "Or of Muggle-borns? Would imprisoning people like me without trial cause any fuss all?"

Daphne gasped and immediately twisted to Hermione and wrapped her in a hug. Harry's eyebrows rose at the display from the normally reserved Slytherin but remained quiet. "Hermione, I am so sorry. That's not what I meant! I just – this type of thing only happened centuries ago! It's not supposed to happen anymore! If they could do that to the Heir Black imagine what they could do to the rest of us!"

"If it's any consolation guys," Tonks said her hair having shifted to a more muted blue, "we think it only happened because everybody was so certain that my cousin was guilty. Coupled with the attitude of the war just ending and wanting to have the remaining horror show over and done with…well, nobody really wanted to look too closely at things."

"Well it obviously wasn't very cut and dry was it?" Harry said with a scowl. "We tore apart the entire thing by just asking a few questions!"

"Questions that no one cared to ask before, Mr. Potter." Amelia removed her monocle and sighed. "Investigations in the magical world do not always proceed the same way as in the Muggle world. I have been trying to change that since I've taken up the mantle, but there are only so many changes our society will accept at once."

Harry's scowl deepened. 'Then I'll drag this world into the 20th century kicking and screaming if I have to.' Out loud he said, "So you believe that Sirius Black is innocent as well then, Madam Bones?"

She nodded. "I do. Though apart from Tonks and myself we are rather lacking in support for that opinion."

"But – "

Shiva held up a hand and Harry stopped. She continued instead. "Is that why we are having a secret meeting? Do you feel like any efforts we make to prove his innocence could be sabotaged?"

Amelia sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Honestly I'm not sure. I don't think sabotage is truly likely, but obstruction? That I would place good money on."

Tonks snorted and her hair flickered to red. "It's already being obstructed. Before I went to Madam Bones I tried to talk to my first boss, Head Auror Scrimgeour. I was laughed out of the office and politely told to drop it or I could be fired for any minor complaint."

Harry's eyes widened. "What the bloody hell are you still doing working with people like that, Tonks?"

"Harry," Shiva coughed and looked at him sheepishly. "Don't forget that Dumbledore threatened me with the same thing regarding you."

"He did?" Amelia frowned at Shiva. "Regarding Mr. Potter's guardians I assume?" Shiva nodded. "What is that man playing at…?"

"Do you think Dumbledore is behind Black not receiving a trial?" Daphne asked finally somewhat calm again.

"Not that I know of, no. Why? What makes you suspect him?"

"I'll give you the full accounting afterwards," Harry said. "Why don't you think it was Dumbledore spearheading this?"

"My predecessor that's why," Amelia said. She shook her head. "Bartemius Crouch was a good man in principle but he had a vendetta against the Death Eaters and he was obsessed with getting justice against them. A lot of his later actions in the war were extremely questionable and sadly it doesn't surprise me overmuch that he sent Black to Azkaban without a trial. He likely thought the man's family would simply buy his freedom if one were to be allowed. I am ashamed to admit he had motive to believe that – seeing as it happened to others." Harry nodded thinking of Lucius Malfoy.

"So what do we do?" Hermione asked.

"I am primarily attempting to get the Kiss On Sight order revoked. If that happens I am confident I can arrange a hearing for Black and the truth will out."

"And if you can't get that revoked?" Daphne asked. She looked between Amelia and Tonks. "What happens if Black is found by someone else and that is still in effect?"

The uncomfortable looks on the two Aurors faces were enough to answer that question.

"What if we get proof?" Harry asked quietly. All eyes turned to him. "There's gotta be something right? We think that he might have come here hunting either Peter Pettigrew or looking to protect me. Either way, he's probably around. If I can find him to talk to him…"

Tonks shook her head. "I'd really prefer you didn't, Harry."

Shiva bumped her fist into his shoulder. "As your guardian, I agree. We still don't know sure for sure that he is innocent, kid. And even if he is…"

"He may not be entirely sane," Amelia finished. "Very few survive so long in Azkaban with their mind fully intact. If you do get word on where Sirius Black is hiding tell us and we will come take care of it. I give you my word that he will receive both a trial and fair proceedings. Tonks tells me you have a way of contacting her at a moment's notice?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, ma'am. We all wear Comm Stone earrings I invented." He pointed to his ear showing the little rune stone. "They work like Muggle mobiles. I'm still trying to get one that can be untethered, but these work fine linked together for the moment."

"Excellent. When you do succeed in making others, let me know. The Aurors could certainly use that and I'm sure I could shift some money around in our budget to afford some." Harry nodded to her. "Alright, now let's discuss your issue with Dumbledore. Why exactly was he the first name you jumped to regarding this situation? While I'm not particularly fond of him or his methods myself I can attest he has always been a staunch supporter of what is right."

"Where do I start?" Harry snorted. "First off, did you know my parents had wills?"

Amelia frowned. "I had assumed those were destroyed the same night your parents perished. They should have been read otherwise."

"Well apparently, Dumbledore sealed my dad's will to prevent that," Harry explained. "We're almost certain it was because his and mum's wills both said that I wasn't to go to my relatives and Dumbledore felt I should."

"That…" Amelia shook her head. "That is unsettling indeed, but in his position as Chief Warlock at the time such a thing, while frowned on, was within his rights…"

"Yeah I know. I looked it up. Very few of my problems with Dumbledore are actually illegal but the pattern established is…bad."

"Well, what else then, Harry?" Tonks asked.

Harry sighed and started holding up his fingers as he listed the rest. "He left me on the Dursleys' doorstep with only a letter rather than explaining in person. He left me with the Dursleys period despite knowing that they hated my mum and magic in general and also despite my godmother and godfather both being alive and well at that point. He claimed my magical guardianship yet never bothered to check on my well being at the Dursleys. While I was still a toddler, he established a marriage contract with Ginny Weasley even if he never signed it – which confuses me a bit there though I imagine it was to use as leverage against either me or Molly Weasley at some point in the future."

Harry leaned back and switched to his other hand. "As my magical guardian it was his duty to inform me about my future responsibilities as a Head of House yet I didn't even know House Potter was a thing until Susan and Hannah officially apologized last year and Neville told me a bit. He should've told me about my accounts, but until this summer I didn't even know I had more than the trust vault nor did I know about the properties I apparently own. We're pretty sure he redirected my mail – which I can honestly understand a bit to begin with – but there was no reason for him to keep doing so by this point."

Harry nodded towards Hermione and Daphne. "For things during school; he flat out lied to me about my scar. Hermione has pointed out that the 'protections' on the Philosopher's Stone during our first year seemed almost tailor made to test me, her and Neville. That fact calls into question exactly why he flew to the Ministry on a broom the night Quirrelmort tried to steal it when he could've simply Flooed or apparated there. Last year he didn't do a thing when Lucius Malfoy blocked us getting mature mandrakes for the petrified students. He also tried to read my mind using Legilimency shortly after the Chamber incident."

Harry paused to center himself before continuing. "Even with all that, the only thing that was technically illegal was the mail blocking and the Legilimency. Both though have official explanations with the Legilimency being shortly after the Chamber of Secrets and the mail being preventing me from receiving cursed mail as a toddler. And we can't even prove that one was him."

Amelia was glowering by the end of Harry's rant and Tonks' hair had turned a mousy brown. "You would likely be able to make a case for neglect concerning your relatives and the lack of information about House Potter however it would be difficult against someone with the amount of goodwill that Albus has. At best you'd probably just receive an apology and a confession that he was overworked with his many positions." She scowled. "You're absolutely right though. That is a very disturbing pattern of a man seemingly horribly focused on you."

Shiva nodded. "That's what we thought too. It's why we haven't gone to you or anyone else to bring up charges. There is very little that is concrete that we can point to and he has too much power to try anything without something truly major."

"Harry," Daphne said softly, "tell them the rest."

"The rest?" Hermione asked giving Daphne a calculating look.

"I'm not a fool, Hermione. I can put dates together too you know. It's not hard to figure out that that marriage contract was signed shortly after Harry's placement…and the other attacks and arrests." Daphne gave a sad smile in response to Hermione's wide eyes. Harry just chuckled. His friend was not in Slytherin for nothing – unlike Draco Malfoy.

"What's she talking about, Harry?" Tonks asked turning toward the lone male in the room. Her eyes were wide and she was sitting a little slumped in her chair.

"Well," Harry said, "the timing is just suspicious. I honestly think that the others are making a bigger deal of this then it likely is. My parents died October 31st. I was placed with the Dursleys November 1st. My godfather, Sirius Black was arrested and shipped to Azkaban November 3rd. My godmother, Alice Longbottom was attacked and rendered catatonic November 4th. The marriage contract for me was drawn up and signed by Molly Weasley November 5th. I agree it all looks a bit suspicious but as much as I dislike Albus Dumbledore and hate how he seems determined to control my life I don't think he's evil. And only someone evil would have deliberately arranged to have the Longbottoms attacked and Sirius Black framed."

Amelia was quiet for some time while the others just sat back. Shiva and Hermione had already heard this and weren't surprised. Daphne was holding her chin and considering the potential options. Tonks simply stared blankly up at the ceiling.

"Mr. Potter," Amelia finally said, "do you truly think Dumbledore had nothing to do with those events?"

"I think he saw opportunities and used them," Harry shrugged. "Like I said, I don't like him, but I don't think he'd deliberately hurt the others just to control me."

"That…" Amelia sighed and shook her head. "It is still disturbing. Now I am very glad I asked for this meeting to be kept quiet. I agree there is very little that we could actually bring to bear on him. I will make some quiet inquiries and see what I can find. In the meantime attempt to keep your head down around the esteemed Headmaster. You…may wish to find alternate schooling arrangements, Mr. Potter."

Hermione's eyes widened and she twisted to stare at Harry while Daphne nodded tiredly. Harry just shook his head and ignored his two friends. "Not possible, ma'am. I already talked about it with Shiva over the summer. Dumbledore is still my magical guardian so he would have to approve any change in schools."

Amelia gave a soft nod. "Damn. Very well. Should something occur that requires immediate Auror attention please don't hesitate to contact Tonks. If you get a chance it might be a good idea to craft one of those stones for me as well. I would also take it as a personal favor if you made one for Susan."

"I can do that." Harry smiled at her. "Thanks for listening by the way. There are very few adults who do."

Amelia nodded. "Of course, Mr. Potter. I always endeavor to listen to legitimate concerns. I believe we should adjourn for now. I'll keep you informed of anything we discover on both fronts. Please do the same." She stood up to head to the door. "Tonks, I'll meet you back at the office?"

Tonks jerked out of her reverie. "Yeah, Boss. I'll meet you back there in a few minutes."

"I've got to go finish grading some papers. Feel free to stop by later, Harry," Shiva winked at him as she followed Amelia outside.

"Harry," Hermione said, "can we talk when you get back to the Common Room?"

"Sure, Hermione," he replied. "I have something I wanted to ask you anyway." She nodded and hurried out.

"Jeez, Harry, you can clear a room can't you?" Daphne said with a small giggle. "We need to talk about Tracey by the way. I…could use some advice."

"From me?"

"Well I can't exactly talk to her without getting a second opinion now can I?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

"Whatever," Harry said waving her off. "Just give me a minute to talk with Tonks, yeah?"

"By all means." She gave a playful grin. "Should I give you two the room?"

Tonks' face turned red as did Harry's. "In case you forgot Little Miss Greengrass, Harry Potter here is only 13 so whatever you are implying I suggest you take a U-turn."

"Yeah, sure, Miss I Have A Contact Earring," Daphne said laughing. "Don't mind me; I'll just be over in the corner then reading."

"Sorry about that," Harry sighed turning to Tonks.

"It's fine, Harry." Tonks snorted and her hair flashed a quick blue before settling on purple. "She does kind of have a point. I am the only person outside your immediate group of friends who has a Comm Stone."

"Yeah, but you're my friend too, Tonks," Harry said. He frowned at her in concern. "Are you okay? You didn't really look too good throughout that meeting. Especially near the end…"

"It just sucks having your dreams and idol crushed, squirt."

"Squirt?" Harry said raising his eyebrow at her.

"Well 'Harry' doesn't exactly lend itself to an easy nickname now does it? And you've made it clear that Shiva already stole the 'kid' moniker so I'm left with 'squirt'. You're shorter than me. It works short term."

"Uh huh. We'll see. Stop dodging the question."

"Actually I didn't," Tonks shrugged. "Dumbledore was kinda the guy I always looked up to as a kid. The last few minutes rather effectively destroyed that."

"And your dreams? I take it the other Aurors aren't treating you well?"

"I rock the boat. It's kinda my thing," she smirked at him. "It nothing intentional anymore really beyond the hair and occasional pranks. I put in a few ideas for improved security and got shot down because of lack of seniority or funds. The thing with my cousin is just exacerbating things. It just sucks not being taken seriously by anyone except Bonesy."

"I'm sorry, Tonks. I feel like this is partly my fault for pushing you to begin with." He grimaced.

"Harry," she said with a snort, "you're one of the few things that still make me laugh these days. My problems with my coworkers are because they are arseholes who see me mostly useful for my powers rather than my brains. It's not much different from school honestly so I should be more used to it."

"I still say you should do what makes you happy."

"Well the faster you get your eventual rune shop set up the faster that might happen, squirt." Tonks laughed with him and gave him a quick hug. "Alright I gotta head out. Remember, call me if you find my cousin and I'll grab Bonesy and be right over."

"Take care, Tonks." Harry waved as she headed outside. He turned back to Daphne and sat down on the armchair across from her ignoring her grin. "Were these chairs here when we walked in?"

"No clue. I only noticed them when I was looking for an out of the way corner so you two could chat. Granger better be careful. You look like you're moving on to the older women."

"You're the second person to say that to me," Harry grumbled. "And you do realize Hermione is almost a year older than me right? Hell almost all of you except Luna are older than me."

"I rest my case," Daphne laughed.

"Yeah, yeah laugh it up, Greengrass. Are we going to talk about me and my potentially nonexistent girlfriend or are we going to talk about you and your potential girlfriend?"

Daphne grimaced. "That really doesn't bother you?"

"Shiva has had ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends," he commented with a raised eyebrow. "Tracey has mentioned several times that she is interested in girls only. I was right next to you when Diarymort mentioned she loved you. I have yet to shun any of you, Daph."

"I know," she said sighing, "but from my end this is all very…weird. And it is exceptionally odd talking about it with a boy, let alone a Gryffindor."

"I could go get Hermione you know," he said with a reassuring grin. "Or we could wait til Luna comes back which would solve both problems."

Daphne snorted. "No thank you. Luna is sweet enough but there is absolutely no chance of me having this conversation with her unless she drops the act entirely."

"You know it's not that easy, Daph. But we're getting sidetracked. Have you mentioned to Tracey what Diarymort said? That you know?"

"No, I haven't," Daphne shook her head. "Tracey's smart though. She knows something's changed. I've been trying to keep an open mind about it and honestly the idea has some appeal. She has been my best friend for nearly as long as I can remember…It could be…nice."

"So what's the problem then?" Harry asked.

"It's twofold really. The first and most obvious is that she is my best friend. What if it doesn't work? What if it ends badly and I lose her in the process? I would rather not start a relationship at all than lose her as a friend."

"You could both agree to move back if things start to fall apart. That your friendship would always be the most important relationship you have. It's pretty much what I'm going to say in a few minutes."

Daphne stared at him before shaking her head. "Gryffindors charge ahead indeed," she muttered. "Well good luck, Harry. I don't know if that approach would work for me but you are right I suppose that it would be something to bring up to her and work out amongst ourselves."

"I'm not sure that's what I said…but sure let's go with that." Girls made so little sense to Harry. He could've sworn she just made up a solution he had in no way been close to saying. "What's the second main problem?"

"Harry," Daphne sighed, "you weren't raised as a pureblood. More specifically as a pureblood Heiress. The expectations for Luna, Neville, Susan and myself are far different from people like Tracey and Hermione."

"Oh? Where do I fit into that expectations thing?"

"Well unlike us, you have never shown the slightest interest in the same sex. So you have nothing to worry about – despite Colin Creevy following you around like a drooling lost puppy at times."

"Wait Neville has – "

"Focus, Harry. We are talking about expectations here." Harry scowled at her comment. She had so done that on purpose. "As a pureblood Heir or Heiress to a Noble House, we are expected to provide an Heir to continue the bloodline. Luna, Susan and Neville are all last of their lines and so they must provide an Heir or be essentially shunned from high society for allowing their lines to die. I have slightly more leeway since I have a sister yet…I would not let that burden fall to Astoria. Tori has always been a wild child and, while she may frustrate me, I do love her dearly and would never force her into a Line Continuation arrangement."

"So," Harry said furrowing his brow, "you don't want to try and date Tracey because you need to have a baby in the future?"

"Well that is horribly simplifying it but…yes." Daphne shrugged. "I must provide an Heir at some point. Tracey lacks the rather necessary equipment for that. Magic can do quite a lot but it can't change your bits. Even your friend Tonks, while she could morph into a male form with the appropriate plumbing to enjoy the act, she could never actually impregnate a woman."

"Daph," Harry said, "you do realize that we are teenagers yeah? While I love a fairy tale ending as much as next wizard, there's no guarantee that who we start dating now is going to be who we marry."

"I know. But there is still a stigma against homosexual relationships involving Heirs and Heiresses. My father is difficult enough as it is. I do not relish the day he learns I entered into a relationship without the potential for an Heir of my own." She frowned and crossed her arms staring off into space.

Harry rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Daph, there are other ways to get pregnant."

"I have no interest in using those sorts of potions or rituals Harry and blood adoptions freak me out."

"I have no idea about anything you just said," he gave a rueful chuckle. "I was talking about Muggle means. I saw a program about it over the summer. They have treatments meant for couples who have trouble having kids but I imagine it'd be just as easy to use with two girls as long as you find a willing male donor." His face went a little red remembering that television show though he managed to keep the blush mostly in check.

"Hmm, you know that's not a bad idea. And there is always the old fashioned way if the donor understood that it was just a onetime thing…" Daphne eyed him and Harry suddenly felt uncomfortable, like he was a piece of meat.

"Err, Daph? Why are you looking at me like that?" His blush began to spread.

"No reason, Harry," she said grinning and patting his arm. "I was just considering your idea. Thank you for that by the way. It has some merit. It would also keep my father off my back long enough to see if the relationship could even work to begin with."

"Um, sure. Glad to help." He breathed a sigh of relief as Daphne turned back to the fire. When had a fire been lit anyway?

"You did. Harry," Daphne leaned over and gave him a short hug, pulling back almost before he even realized she had done it. "Thank you."