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Hidden Family	By : vinsmouse Category: Harry Potter Crossovers > General - Misc Views: 17507 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Biggles, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

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Chapter XXXV

4th March, 1993

Hogwarts Great Hall

Those few who noticed the subdued countenance of two young Ravenclaws were soon to understand their demeanour. The flapping of wings heralded the arrival of the morning mail and with it the Daily Prophet. Papers dropped upon tables, the rustling of turning pages indicating the opening of that day’s paper. The sound of numerous gasps gave those few mentioned earlier their answer.



                                                         HOGWARTS PROFESSOR ARRESTED!



BY: RITA SKEETER

The headline screamed. The story that followed saw many faces growing pale, particularly those of first through third year boys across houses.

In shocking news it was announced late last night that famed author and current Hogwarts Defence Against The Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart has been arrested. What crime could a man of such sterling reputation have committed you ask? As it happens Mr. Lockhart has committed many crimes, some of which will be truly shocking and upsetting to the reader.

This reporter has learned that Lockhart was arrested following a complaint filed by a Hogwarts student with the DMLE. Questioned under veritaserum Mr. Lockhart admitted to the use of the unforgivable Imperious curse upon many young boys. Why you ask would a grown man make use of such a vile curse against innocent children? Dear reader it is with utmost regret and horror that I must provide the answer to this question. It seems Mr. Lockhart has a taste for youthful flesh. While under the aforementioned curse the boys are forced to perform many acts of a lewd nature upon and with the famed Lockhart.

Why was this never before reported you ask? Quite simply dear reader because Lockhart, following each assault, obliviated and healed his victims. Yesterday evening Lockhart again attacked a student, but this time he made a mistake. The child he chose for this assault was none other than our own Harry Potter, the famed boy-who-lived.

“How could she just tell everybody like that?” Hermione fumed. “Poor Harry, he’ll hate that everybody knows what happened to him.” She felt sick at the thought of what her friend must have felt and would feel when he realized the whole of the Wizarding world was aware of the crime committed against him.

“Unfortunately Hermione there is no way to prevent reporters from telling the world all they know,” Draco responded. He, like Hermione, was made sick by what he was reading, but knew there was nothing to be done.

Luckily for Mr. Potter and countless boys who would have fallen victim to Lockhart, Harry was able to resist the pull of the imperious curse. As Lockhart prepared to subject our saviour to the same degrading attack as he had others young Harry valiantly fought the effects of the curse. Just in time he threw off the curse and when his professor then raised wand to further attack, commenting he would have to do this the hard way, our young hero subdued the vile man with a quick stupefy. Escaping the castle he flooed to his residence where Madame Amelia Bones was contacted and all was revealed.

Under direct questioning Lockhart fully admitted to this and many other crimes. Apparently, though he claims many accomplishments within the pages of his books, the only two spells Mr. Lockhart ever excelled at were the aforementioned imperious and obliviate curses. The many accomplishments of his books were actually achieved by other wizards and witches, whom Lockhart obliviated of said accomplishments. This left him free to claim their deeds for his own.

With this news many questions are raised. How many boys have been victimized by Lockhart? Were all of his young victims students at Hogwarts? Did Headmaster Albus Dumbledore know of Lockhart’s proclivities when he engaged him as DADA professor? Why did the wards of Hogwarts not alert the Headmaster of these attacks? Prior to Lockhart’s arrest the man had contacted Dumbledore, reporting that young Potter had attacked him without cause. Dumbledore was on the verge of proceeding with the issuance of punishment when Madame Bones’ fortuitous arrival revealed the truth. Why was Dumbledore so anxious to punish an innocent student? Did he need to protect his professor lest his own part in Lockhart’s attacks be revealed? It is the hope of this reporter that in the coming days such questions will be asked by those in positions of power and that appropriate action will be taken against all guilty parties, regardless of their name or position.

“Hermione, Draco, is Harry alright?” Neville asked, breaking the two Ravenclaw students from their perusal of the paper.

When he had read the article Neville had felt awful for his friend. Sympathy for his friend warred with the relief that he had never served detention with Lockhart. Glancing around the Great Hall he could easily pick out the boys who had. Pale faced and horror stricken they sat in shock as they learned from the Prophet what had likely been done to them. One broke, jumping from his seat and running from the hall. As if it were a signal the other likely victims followed after him. Neville suspected the hospital wing would soon be flooded with boys seeking the answer to a question they had never expected to ask. During the mass exodus Neville made his way from the Hufflepuff table, joining his friends at Ravenclaw.

“I haven’t spoken to him but Amelia told us that he is alright. He’s at home right now and I suppose will remain there today at any rate.”

“He will return though?”

“I think so,” Hermione bit her lip. “I think it will depend a lot on what happens with Dumbledore.”

Neville’s eyes widened. “You don’t really think he knew what Lockhart was getting up to?”

“I don’t know Neville,” Hermione honestly responded. “After last year and what happened with that diary I just don’t know how far the man can be trusted.” Though the diary incident wasn’t common knowledge the three Ravenclaw students had of course told their friend in Hufflepuff. The school only knew that it had been a basilisk, left by Salazar Slytherin, responsible for the attacks that saw its victims petrified.

“Neville, you didn’t...” Draco stopped. He wasn’t sure how to ask the question.

“I didn’t? No, I never had a detention,” he quickly assured as he realized what Draco had been asking. “And...”

“No, I never had detention with him either,” Draco supplied.
4th March, 1993

Hogwarts Board Room

The board members had been properly outraged upon receiving notice from Madame Bones as to events at Hogwarts. The morning paper had added fuel to the fire of indignation and horror. The meeting was called to order and after a short discussion Professor McGonagall was called into the room.

“Good morning Professor,” the head of the board greeted the Scotswoman.

“Good morning,” McGonagall politely replied though she felt it was anything but good.

“I’m sure you know why you were called here.”

“Yes sir.”

“We would like to hear, in your own words, what transpired last evening in the Headmaster’s office.”

“At which point would you like for me to begin?” Minerva wanted to be clear about what they were asking.

“I think,” Lucius Malfoy answered, “we would all like to know what was discussed prior to the arrival of Madame Bones as well as what occurred with her arrival.”

There were nods and noises of agreement around the room.

“Very well Lord Malfoy.” Minerva paused, gathering her thoughts. “I was in the Headmaster’s office discussing some paperwork when a house elf alerted us that a professor had been attacked. We hurried to the Defence professor’s office where we found Lockhart on the floor having been stupefied. Lockhart was revived by the Headmaster and the three of us retired to the Head’s office to discuss matters.”

“Professor McGonagall why is it that a house elf alerted staff to an attack upon a professor but had never alerted staff to an attack upon students? I refer not only to the attacks carried out by Lockhart but the basilisk attacks as well, “Lady Longbottom sternly questioned.

“I would assume because the victims were found before a house elf was able to discover them. As to the attacks from Lockhart I cannot tell you why no house elf alerted staff to them.”

“Is it possible such reports were made and ignored?” another Governor asked.

Minerva blanched. “I sincerely hope that isn’t the case sir.”

“As do we all Professor,” Malfoy smoothly interjected. “Please continue with your narrative.”

“Once in Albus’ office tea was ordered and the Headmaster questioned Lockhart as to what had happened. Lockhart claimed that a student, Harry Potter, attacked him for no reason. He claimed that the child objected to the detention he had been assigned due to fighting and when Lockhart attempted to enforce the detention Mr. Potter attacked him. He seemed worried about the attack becoming public knowledge which I realize now must have been due to the fear of discovery. At the time both myself and Albus believed that it was embarrassment over being bested by a second year student. Albus asked a great many questions as to the demeanour of the child not only during the detention but at other times during the year. Just before Madame Bones arrived Albus expressed a hope that Lockhart would testify during any subsequent custody hearings concerning Mr. Potter.”

“Custody? I fail to see in what way a custody hearing would have been justified, even had Mr. Potter attacked Lockhart without cause,” Lady Longbottom interrupted.

“Albus expressed concern, or so he said,” Minerva now had her doubts, “as to the suitability of the child’s grandfather to properly raise him. He said that with the child’s behaviour and choice of friends it was obvious the grandfather was failing to steer Mr. Potter in the direction of the light. He was concerned that Mr. Potter would follow the dark side of magic and intended to use the attack on Lockhart in order to attempt to wrest custody from the grandfather, placing the child with a light family such as the Weasley’s.”

“Were the Weasley’s mentioned by name or do you only use them as an example?” Lucius enquired.

“Albus mentioned them specifically.”

“Did the Headmaster at any point examine Lockhart’s wand?”

“No sir.”

“Did he question him under veritaserum or require an oath to his honesty?”

“No ma’am.”

“And when Madame Bones arrived?”

Minerva quickly and succinctly explained the events after the arrival of Madame Bones. This ended her questioning and she was dismissed by the Governors with the admonishment that she was not to discuss the meeting with anybody, including the Headmaster.

Lucius wanted nothing more than to call for a vote right away. He was, understandably in his mind, concerned that Dumbledore would manage to talk his way out of any trouble resulting from the attack. However, he realized the other Governors would not be willing to condemn the man without hearing from him first. Lucius would just have to do his best to ensure Albus was unable to charm the members.

Albus entered the room with no idea of the contents of Minerva’s interview. He had opened his mouth to ask a question but his deputy had breezed past him before he could form a word. Clearly he would gain nothing from her. It saddened him that even an old friend like Minerva apparently blamed him for Lockhart’s actions. How was he to know the man was a paedophile?

“Good morning Albus,” the Board of Governors chairman greeted the elderly wizard.

“Good morning Governors,” Albus sat down. “Before you ask your questions I wish to apologize to this body for allowing myself to be fooled by Gilderoy Lockhart. True he fooled many but as the head of this school I should not have allowed myself to become one of those many.”

Lucius smirked. There had been great debate, and many bets, over the years as to which house Dumbledore had belonged to in school. Nobody had come close to discovering the answer but Lucius had been convinced, now more than ever, that Dumbledore had indeed been a Slytherin. He could see many of the members looking impressed by the man’s words.

“That is all very well Headmaster but for myself I wonder why you simply accepted the man’s word for the circumstances which saw him attacked by a student?” Lucius’ question quickly reminded the board of what they had learned from Professor McGonagall.

Albus sighed. “I do wish I had asked more questions but honestly it never occurred to me that any wizard could perform such dark acts upon a child. I suppose it is a fault of following the light, it is simply impossible for me to imagine the lengths dark wizards will go to in pursuit of their goals.” With those few words the Headmaster skilfully and with seeming innocence reminded the board of Malfoy’s former associations. He was confident they would not be so quick to listen to the man now.

“While it is regrettable that you lack imagination Headmaster I must wonder, indeed we all wonder why you so readily accepted the man’s word? Did you not think to examine his wand for spell work? Or perhaps a few drops of veritaserum in his tea,” Lady Longbottom interrupted. While no fan of Malfoy she would not allow Albus to derail the legitimate questioning in an effort to deflect attention from his own failings.

“He is, was a teacher and a respectable member of society I could not in good conscience slip veritaserum into his tea,” Albus was shocked by the suggestion.

“You make a good point Albus, but what of examining his wand?” Lady Longbottom persisted. The rest of the board seemed content to allow her to direct the questioning.

“I was so shocked to hear that a child, especially Harry Potter, could attack a teacher that I unfortunately forgot proper procedures.”

“Anybody might,” a board member was heard to mutter.

“Be that as it may, this isn’t the first time you have neglected to fulfil your duties as Headmaster,” Lucius put in.

“It was my understanding today’s questions would concern the events surrounding Mr. Lockhart,” Albus demurred.

“The accusations against Lockhart are only the last in a long list of poor decisions and judgements on your part Headmaster. In only the past two years we have had a teacher possessed by the Dark Lord, the hiding of an important artefact within the school guarded by many dangerous creatures and traps. This was followed by the attacks of this year by Slytherin’s basilisk and another artefact of the Dark Lord finding its way into our school,” Lucius subtlely reminded the old man that Hogwarts was not his personal fiefdom. “How do you explain these failings Headmaster?”

“As you are all aware Voldemort was a very powerful and intelligent wizard, fooling many during his lifetime. Thinking, as most did, that he was truly gone it never occurred to me that he might possess a teacher. I will admit I shouldn’t have brought the stone into the school but my intentions were pure.” Purely self-serving but the board didn’t need to know that.

“You seem to be quite easily fooled Albus,” Lady Longbottom intoned.

“Aren’t we all at times?”

Lucius could read the faces of the other members as easily as a book. If he didn’t do something they would no doubt vote to allow the old man to remain in his current position. “Mr. Chairman,” he addressed the head of the board, “I have here a letter my son received this morning.”

“What bearing does your son’s correspondence have on these proceedings Lord Malfoy,” the chairman asked.

“I hesitated to make the contents known but I feel that it would be best if the board were to hear the letter. It does directly affect our decision as to the Headmaster’s position with this school.”

A vote was taken and while not unanimous the majority agreed to hear the letter. Albus had a very bad feeling about this letter.

“Dear Draco,” Lucius read. “I am safe at home for now. My grandfather told me that there was to be a board meeting today. Both he and I hope the board will realize that Albus Dumbledore, former hero of the Wizarding world though he may be, is no longer qualified to serve as Headmaster of the Wizarding world’s most prestigious school. If indeed he ever held such qualifications.”

Lucius smiled as Albus winced over the wording of the letter. He wondered if it were the former hero section or the questioning of his qualifications that hurt the most.

“I hesitate to use my own position as the boy-who-lived. I wouldn’t want to fall into the trap which ensnared our Headmaster. However, I cannot allow the board to issue a decision without first hearing of at least one result should they choose to retain Dumbledore as Headmaster. Please let your father know that should Dumbledore remain as Headmaster I will not return to Hogwarts as a student. I will, in the interest of avoiding rumours, be forced to contact the press in order to give my reasons for leaving Hogwarts. Thank you Draco for passing my message to your father and I hope to see you soon. Your friend, Harry Potter.”

Albus was seething. How dare that little brat use his fame in this way? “Esteemed Governors surely you wouldn’t allow a student, no matter how famous, to dictate your decisions?” If he knew these people like he thought he did they would bristle at the question. The result of their indignation might well be his retaining his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts.

“I believe it is time for a vote,” Lucius said, making a motion. The motion was seconded and Albus was asked to leave the room. Luckily, Malfoy thought, Dumbledore’s final question to the board wasn’t enough to override their fear of the publicity and fallout that would occur should Harry Potter leave Hogwarts citing Albus’ continued employment as the reason. It was with a unanimous vote that the Hogwarts Board of Governors reached the decision to terminate Dumbledore’s contract with the school.

The suggestion that Minerva McGonagall be elevated to head was easily defeated. After all the woman had been more than willing to go along with Dumbledore’s plans prior to Madame Bones’ arrival. Clearly she was too enthralled by Albus’ reputation and aura of power to go against him. In a surprising move the board voted to approve as new Headmaster Lucius Malfoy himself. A few had objected on the grounds that he had been a Death Eater. Lucius quickly reminded them he had been imperioused and as further proof bared his arms to the members, showing smooth, unblemished skin. This put a halt to objections on those grounds and he was easily voted in. It was decided that McGonagall would be given the option of continuing as deputy. Should she refuse the position would be offered to Filius Flitwick.

TBC...
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