Chapter 31: A Tragic Revelation
Harry held up his hands and it quieted down very quickly "as Lord and Lady Gryffindor my wife and I own Hogwarts so it is in our hands what happens here! A new Hogwarts will open in January but to attend will require a whole new attitude! Nomatter what table you sit at, whether first or twenty first generation magic user everyone will be treated equally by all."
Harry continued, "Voldemort is dead, his death eaters are dead including the minister of magic and Dumbledore is in prison for crimes committed for the so-called greater good. A fellow student just got splattered into a wall trying to murder my wife, the chess master ended up a pawn in someone else's game and another young life went unfulfilled"
Harry had tears running unashamedly down his face as a crying Hermione joined him at the podium, with her arm round his waist offering support
He continued, "it's now a different world, January brings a different year and Hogwarts will be a different school, new buildings, staff and courses. If you want to be part of this please bring the proper attitude on the first day of term, if not we wish you well with your alternative arrangements."
"A word of warning anyone returning with the intention of causing disruption please be aware a zero tolerance policy will be in operation, if you fire a curse illegally at someone you will be charged, no more loosing points or cleaning toilets."
Harry was now more in control of his emotions "the tri-wizard cup was supposed to promote inter school relations, we say rubbish and its scraped"
Hermione now quieted down the crowd as she took over "the new contest will feature teams of three competing for a shared prize of three thousand galleons and be open to everyone of age! All teams must contain a student from each school and the team to beat will be Fleur, Victor and Cedric with the tasks set by the two most devious men we know. Talk with students from other schools, form your teams and give the names to Professor Flitwick"
Harry continued without missing a beat "The students staying over Christmas will be housed in alternative accommodation and the Yule ball location will be kept secret so if attending make sure Headmistress McGonagall knows where to send the timed portkey"
"Aren't you competing Harry?" asked Cedric this opened the floodgates
"Are you really married?"
"How did you kill he who must not be named?"
"Did you use dark magic?"
"Quiet down and we'll answer most of your questions. Yes we're married, no I can't compete as we've left Hogwarts and here's the spell that finished Voldemort!"
They both thought of wakening up in bed together as the golden stag and doe exploded into the hall bigger and brighter than before.
"Voldemort was made up of dark magic and hate! Our patronus, as you can see are purely light magic and powered by love pure poison to him."
Minerva took over making sure everyone was now aware of the arrangements which left Harry wondering how quickly Ron had been forgotten, apparently the ball was more important.
They joined the group in Minerva's classroom and Hermione sealed the door with just the slightest touch of deja vu as everyone took a seat.
Harry said "there's no easy way to say this both your parents were arrested on very serious charges and here is the memory of their trials."
They watched Arthur's trial and Ginny went ballistic! "Sold like a piece of meat, the bastards, wait till I get my wand on them" the said wand had to be removed from her person
When Molly's trial was played Ginny broke, the hurt far outweighed even her anger she was inconsolable and only Harry got any response out of her as he held out his arms she flew into them burying her head in his chest and wrapping her arms around clinging on tight as she sobbed.
Hermione looked to the twins who were both crying, "I hate to ask guys but we really need to know the answer"
The twins held up their wands and in tandem swore on there magic they had no knowledge of any plots or funding.
Ginny gestured for her wand to do the same but couldn't speak as she was crying so hard,
Harry sat pulling the tiny redhead onto his lap as she refused to let him go "Ginny your word will always be good enough for us"
She managed a "didn't know" between sobs which became like a mantra that she repeated over and over.
Harry held her tightly while Hermione stood with her arm around her husband feeling his relief at the answers they received.
Hermione explained the bonds effect on the contract and their discussion with their older brother's.
Harry said "guys your fees are paid till summer by which time you're of age you can return here September or open your business with our backing, you have choices, Ginny will be taken care of and we're just so sorry about Ron" this caused Harry to begin sobbing as both girls held him tightly.
Sirius tried taking to him "Harry it wasn't your fault he'd been told to split you pair up and must have panicked when you both walked by, you haven't had time to adjust to the extra power yet so anyone attacking Hermione was always going to be in serious trouble."
"It's not just that Sirius I'm telling everyone what to do when I barely know myself, my decisions could get people killed. There are innocent people going through hell right now because of my orders. I am trying to lead them down a different path but so were Dumbledore and Voldemort! Where's the line from me to them and how will I know if I cross over?"
A voice came from the tiny redhead on his lap "you'll know because Hermione will slap you round the head and I'll kick your arse Potter! My parents robbed you, tried to have you raped and murdered yet your still here caring about us, you think tom or the other prick would? I wonder how long I would have lived after you were gone? Dumbledore wanted total control of the baby and little grieving Ginny would have met with an accident just like you!"
This set everyone in the room thinking and they all silently agreed with the grieving redhead
"My manipulative mother was either too blinded by her own greed to see what Dumbledore was up to or she knew and didn't give a shit about her darling daughter. Given that she was going to have me potioned and pregnant by fifteen my money would be on the latter."
.....
Want to read ahead by more than 60 chapters. Then join my p@treon Right Now.
Link: p*atreon.com/BookReaderBoy (Remove the *)
Also Free members get 2 advanced chapters for Free as well.