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Death\'s Design, Fate\'s Plan	By : Illiandyandra Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Harry/Hermione Views: 37062 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, and all the characters associated there with belong to JK Rowling, Scholastic, and a bunch of people who are not me. I make no profit from this story and suing me would only yield a whole bunch of well-loved books.

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Death’s Design, Fate’s Plan

An Answer to Reptilia28’s Death Challenge

NC-17

Feedback:I, like most authors, enjoy positive reviews. Constructive Criticism is also appreciated.

Spoilers:Any and All Books through Chapter 37 of Deathly Hallows

Summary:My take on Reptillia 28’s Challenge from Portkey, (Really hope no one minds.) Harry dies well before his time and is sent back to clean up the mess he left behind.

Bashing Warning:This story will contain character bashing and eventually death.

AN:

Chapter 6

*****The Rest of Mine*****

As the quartet of Harry, Hermione, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black made their way to the public floo in Hogsmeade, Sirius was explaining the actions he’d taken in the week and a half since his freedom. “Kiddo – I’m so sorry for making you live through that night once—let alone however many times you’ve seen it in your dreams. We thought we were being so clever. A double blind kind of thing. Make the secret keeper someone no one will suspect, keep him hidden, and me I’m the obvious choice, so I’ll be out and about making sure everyone believed the fiction. And since they could torture me all day long and not only would I not tell them anything…I couldn’t tell them anything.”

“In more ways than one. I’ve done some research since I found out about you, who you really are. As Harry’s god father, if you all did the magical binding; which I’m sure as purebloods you did, you are incapable of doing him any harm. Part of the oaths you take preclude you form knowingly doing harm or causing ham to be done to him.” Hermione said, in full lecture mode. “I’ve been trying to figure out how or why you would choose another to be the secret keeper when your oaths would have created an added layer of protection.”

Harry took in the looks of shock and dismay, the looks of total stupefaction on Sirius and Remus’s faces. “You had no clue about that did you?”

“No,” Sirius said baffled. “And that’s something that I would have always known. I had Godparents. They are as much a part of pureblood culture as they are muggle, or normal Wizarding culture…maybe more so since pureblood Wizarding culture still holds to dueling traditions and we have dark wars every twenty or so years.”

“That supports my theory…is there a way to check for minute obliviations? Someone would have taken just a few significant memories. Details that you rarely think about, rather than full remembrances.” Hermione postulated.

Harry looked at Hermione, shock written all over his face. He never thought that she would be the one to pick up on the conspiracy first. Not that he doubted her extreme intelligence simply that those who clung to authority as tightly as Hermione often did, were usually the last to see a conspiracy, let alone theorize about one.

“But who? Peter was completely pants at obliviation, he could never have done the type of detailed work you are talking about. Not to mention that his couldn’t have held for 10 minutes let alone for over 10 years. The delicacy of the spellwork it would take to pick out such tiny details…recurring details. No Peter could never have managed this.” Remus said.

“It would have been Dumbledore then.” Hermione said matter of factly. All three males looked at her in abject shock. “What? I’ve read about the fidelius charm. None of the principal participants can cast the spell. That counts out Lily, James, and Peter. Had Professor Flitwick cast the charm, Sirius would have never spent an entire day in Azkaban. And there are other discrepancies with the time line of that night…what you all hold as truth.” Hermione reasoned further.

“What discrepancies?” Remus asked. He lead them to the clearing by the Shrieking Shack and cast silencing spells and notice me not charms around them to guarantee their privacy.

“Well first of all McGonagall says that she watched the Dursleys for a full day before Dumbledore got there. She says that while everyone was celebrating, her first thought was to go and make sure that Lily’s sister was safe. Lily asked her to do so if anything ever happened to her. Anyway she said that after making sure that Petunia and her family were in fact safe, she was getting ready to leave when Dumbledore showed up. She asked him not to leave Harry there since they were the ‘worst type of muggles’ she’d ever seen. Now when have you ever know Minerva McGonagall to have that strong a negative reaction to people; yet she still allowed Harry to be left there, that makes no sense to me. Then there is the fact that while she and Dumbledore were talking Hagrid showed up with Harry. So where was baby Potter for the 24 hours between his parent’s death and when Hagrid delivered you to your aunt’s home. Hagrid firmly believes that he got you and the motorcycle from Sirius and took you immediately to your Aunt’s house. Further still how could Dumbledore have laid these protective wards on the house when he was only there for half an hour total? I’ve researched wards extensively trying to figure out why Harry has to keep going back to ‘those people’.” The way Hermione snarled ‘those people’ had Harry, Remus and Sirius backing away for a moment. “Wards, especially blood wards are not easy to lay. They can take up to a week to lay effectively, unless you have many people doing them. And even more any ward that protected Harry from wizards who mean him harm would protect him from the occupants of the home as well.”

“One second...you say there were 24 hours of lost time…but when I got to Godric’s hollow, James and Lily hadn’t yet grown cold. Hagrid was barely a quarter hour behind me. He said he was taking Harry directly to Dumbledore. He should have gotten Harry to Surrey in under an hour.” Sirius exclaimed; his voice hitching as he mentioned the condition of the bodies of his best friends, his brother and sister.

“Exactly. Even more, how did Dumbledore know to send Hagrid to get Harry? How did he know something was wrong? Sirius, you found out because you wanted to check on Peter, then not finding him you wanted to check on the Potters. But how did Dumbledore know they were dead in order to send Hagrid in the first place. Why send Hagrid at all? All of the people in your lives knew that you were Harry’s godfather. Then there is the question of how Harry’s story became so well known over night. According to McGonagall, Vernon Dursley noticed the celebrations while he was at work and it was on the muggle news about shooting stars and owls during the day time. How did everyone know about what happened in Godric’s Hollow so quickly? How did Harry become so famous, and James and especially Lily’s sacrifices become barely a footnote in history?” Hermione asked urgently. She so desperately needed to share these questions that had been plaguing her for over a year.

“He wants an Icon. He wanted Harry to become a living, breathing Icon for the light.” Remus said.

“It’s worse than that. Living breathing Icons can be tumbled, tarnished. He wants the best kind of Icon…he wants a martyr.” Sirius said his voice quivering with rage.

***The Truth of Arthur Weasley***

Minerva McGonagall was puzzled when Arthur head popped into her floo. She had that thought that she didn’t realize that a schoolgirl crush necessitated the intervention of her family head. “Arthur, of course you may come through.” She said aloud before she mumbled to herself, “Ginny must be further gone than I believed.” As she led him to the room she asked, “Did you have to take the afternoon?” he nodded grimly, so Minerva changed the subject, filling him in on the Hogwarts events of the week, including the happenings of Monday morning and her observations of Ginny’s behavior. She unwarded the door and let Arthur have control of its seal. McGonagall returned to her office hoping that her friend would be able to get his daughter sorted out.

As Arthur entered the room he couldn’t help but notice the clear division. Physically Ginny was pacing, raving and ranting, while the boys were seated watching her closely. The way they were watching her was about the way Arthur imagined a rodent would watch a snake in close quarters. Emotionally the boys all seemed scared and rather worried while Ginny seemed to be in the midst of an angry tantrum. Arthur sealed the door and brought his presence to the attention of his children. “Well then, what seems to be the trouble?” He asked. Ginny ran up and threw herself into his arms immediately.

“Daddy, the boys are letting outsiders come between us.” She started. “Hermione stole MY Harry and they are acting like I’m in the wrong for demanding that she give him back!”

“Ginevra Molly Weasley! First of all Harry is not a toy or possession. Secondly Harry and Hermione have become good friends to your brother. If not for Harry, you’d not be here not to throe this fit.” Arthur began.

Ginny cut him off victoriously, “Harry saved me!” she crowed. “He loves me so much he came down into the Chamber and rescued me.”

“From your own folly.” Arthur reminded gently. “Ginny, you’ve known for a very long time that Harry is meant for another. I allowed you to look at the Libri de Diligo Plurimus Verusso that you could put that silly crush behind you. Harry’s name is in the book. Your name is not beside it. You know that means he is destined for someone else. From what Professor McGonagall told me about Monday morning, Harry was and is destined for Hermione; and she for him.”

“Pfffttt, McGonagall, what would she know about love. She’s just an old spinster who spends all her time taking care of other people’s children.” Ginny said crossly.

“Ginevra Molly Weasley. First of all Minerva McGonagall is a widow. Not that it is any of your business. She lost her husband in the war with Grindlewald and her daughter was so powerful that Voldemort killed her himself not long before the twins were born. You will keep a civil tongue in your head and treat her with the respect she had earned and rightly deserves. Further more you will keep your tongue in your head about matters that not only do not concern you but that you know nothing about.” Arthur’s voice was colder than any of his children present had ever heard it.

Ron and the twins exchanged looks. “Umm Dad, what was that…Libri de…thingy you said?”

“The Libri de Diligo Plurimus Verus, or the Book of Love Most True. It is the book of Soulmates. Marriages or partnerships blessed and destined. The book was created before the time of Merlin. The name of the male half of a couple, or the dominant half of a partnership, shows in the book the moment the younger of the two is born. The female name can only be seen by the couple themselves. Theory says that it was done this way to protect the girl from being done away with by a rival or the rival’s family. I must say, I’m very happy that Harry and Hermione have found each other and so early. They could never be truly happy with any other.”

“No!” Ginny yelled petulantly. “I’m going to be Mrs. Harry James Potter. And nothing is going to stop me.” She flounced to the sofa that was as far from her brothers and father as she could get.

The boys looked around at each other. Each boy silently passing the responsibility for sharing what they had learned. Finally Percy took a deep breath and launched in. “Dad, during her ranting, Ginny said something that all four of us agree, and I’m sure that Bill and Charlie would concur as well, means that you should go to St. Mungo’s and have a full potions screening done.” He began.

From there Ron and the twins relayed to their father exactly how far Ginny was willing to go to have her desire. Furthermore they relayed what she’d let slip about Arthur.

“Let me think for a minute.” Arthur told the boys, as he casually silenced their still mumbling sister. What they’d just told him made so many things click into place for him. Why he always felt more like himself on the afternoon of days like today, where he’d been unable to eat the lunch Molly always sent with him to work. Why mornings when he’d missed dinner he awoke wondering why he felt so different than usual. Why he’d gone from barely noticing Molly Prewett to her being all he could think of overnight. Yes it made sense…a dark, troubling sense…but sense none the less. “I’ll send your mother an owl saying that I have to work late tonight. I’ll leave here and have the screening done.” Arthur looked at his boys. He knew that for their sakes he had to make sure they knew what would happen. “If you are sure that you know exactly what this entails. You know that St. Mungos’ will HAVE to report their findings, should they find something. I’m not trying to put the responsibility of this on you. If there are … if they find potions then the responsibility is solely your mother’s, but I do not want you to blame yourselves later because you didn’t think this request through.”

“No dad, just like you love us enough to stay dosed up, we love you too much to let you. Go and get checked out. Get fixed up. We know that no matter what happens between you and mum-you’ll always love us.” Ron said in what could be the deepest thing he’d ever said in his entire life.

“Though we all know you love Fred and I most…” George started cheekily.

“After all you always save us from mum when…” Fred continued seamlessly.

“When we blow stuff up!” the twins finished together.

Arthur chuckled. The twins handed him quill and parchment from their bags. They’d had classes right up to lunch. He dashed off a quick note to his wife, careful to keep the note’s tone consistent with his usual working late notes. After he’d sent it off, he immediately began to have doubts. “It would seem that I will need Percy to accompany me. As long as I am under the effects of the potion-or more than one- I appear to be incapable of going through with anything that will rectify the situation.”

“Of course Dad, I will help. Our potions text does say than many mood altering and mind control potions include compulsions that would make it ‘difficult’ to determine that you have been dosed, let alone get the help that you need.” Percy said his voice filled with determination.

“What should we do about Ginny?” Fred asked quietly.

“For the moment, keep track of her. Enlist Minerva if you need to. But most importantly, keep her away from Harry and Hermione.” Arthur suggested brusquely.

“Yeah…it would suck for Hermione to have helped save her last year, only to lose it and kill her this year. Hermione is scary when she’d mad.” Ron attempted to joke.

Arthur, Percy, and the twins smiled at his effort. “Well best be off then. Ginny, I want you to stop worrying about Harry and Hermione. Pay more attention to your studies. You still have quite a bit to make up from last year. Fred, George, Ron…owl me if you have need. I love all of my children…and I love you all equally.” He carefully unwarded the door, and escorted the younger children to the stairs leading to Gryffindor tower before he and Percy returned to McGonagall’s office. He quickly gave her a vague reason why he needed Percy to leave the school. She allowed them to use her floo to go directly to St. Mungos’ without question.

***Meetings With Goblins***

Sirius had arranged to have luncheon with the Potter account managers in an effort to avoid all the stares he was sure Harry would draw in Diagon Alley. Entering the bank by floo was a new experience for both Harry and Hermione. Once they righted themselves from Harry’s tumble out of the floo, they felt a warm wave of magic flow over them. When it was gone, so too was all the soot and dirt from their clothes and skin.

Sirius and Remus smiled at the smiles of pleased surprise on their wards’ faces. “Come on. We do not was to keep Tearing Claw or Serpent Tooth waiting.” Sirius led the foursome to one of the two tellers at the large desk far apart from the rest of the bank’s teller windows. “Black, Potter and guests for their 1:00 meeting with the Potter Account Managers.” This was the first time Harry could remember hearing any deference in Sirius’s voice.

Apparently something of Harry’s thoughts must have shown on his face. “It is a very stupid, very short lived wizard who doesn’t treat the Goblins with all due respect. Not only are they fierce warriors, but they control the economy of Wizarding Britain.” Remus told the teens.

The group was shown to a nicely appointed reception room that was set up for a luncheon meeting. A board room table was set with four places on one side and two places facing them on the other side of the wide oval. There was a small buffet with selections of salads and sandwiches. It held another surprise for the muggle raised teens. “They have pop…Cokes even, and healthy options;” Hermione said breathlessly. “I knew the Goblins were smarter than wizards!” She crowed happily.

“We are glad you think so, my lady, we Goblins have always believed it to be true;” said one of the two Goblins who entered the room. “Lord Black, it has been far too long since we’ve spoken. Are you sure that I cannot tempt the Black Accounts away from Hook Claw. Brother he may be…but I told him he was a fool for not pushing harder for a trial for you.” He continued before introducing himself as Tearing Claw.

Sirius just smiled. “He wanted me out of the way so he could manage the Black accounts as he desired. But I’m in no way complaining about his management…in the last 12 years he’s more than doubled the principle. I doubt any could have done better. Besides, there were some very powerful wizards against him, TC, he did what he could.” Sirius returned warmly.

Serpent Tooth nodded his head in acknowledgement of the truth of that statement. “I am Serpent Tooth.” He said by way of introduction.

“Thank you for taking time to meet with us today. I’m sure that you are both very busy.” Harry said a bit nervously. He wasn’t even sure he was allowed to talk in this situation. He’d never even found out about all this in the last timeline. The six people shared a meal, making small talk and sharing information about their cultures.

Serpent Tooth gave Harry a long look. “You know, Lord Potter, I held you when you were just an infant. You giggled like a schoolgirl for some reason.” The Goblin told the boy conversationally.

“Really…Wow. That’s wicked.” Harry said happily. “Please call me Harry. I’m pretty sure that having seen me in nappies gives you that right.” The

“Very well the, Harry. Let’s get down to business.” A LARGE ledger appeared in front of Harry. “This is a record of your holdings. It is actually the entirety of the Potter and Malory family legacies. We have combined the estates simply because you are the last of both lines.”

“Malory Family?” Harry asked confused.

“Many muggleborns are actually descendants of defunct or dormant Wizarding lines. In such cases the families vaults are locked down, interest deposits only, until there is an heir found. Your mother was such a descendant of the Malory clan.” Tearing Claw explained.

“Okay…but what about Aunt Petunia and Dudley?” Harry asked.

“One Petunia Evans Dursley responded to our letter of November 1981, ‘Neither I nor my family wish anything at all to do with any of that unnaturalness.’ End quote.” Serpent Tooth’s disdain was clear. “That could not include you because you are not of her direct line and because your mother’s claim to the Malory fortunes exceeds hers. First because your mother manifested magic and second because while Petunia and Lily share a mother, they do not share the same father. Mr. Mathis Evans was descended from the Malory clan, and while his wife Rose was also descended from a magical family; the Gaunts, they were a very cadet branch of the Slytherin line; that family had no resources of note.”

Harry filed that bit of information away. He could not deal with the thought of being even distantly related to Tom Riddle. He had too much to get done, and he wanted it all done as soon as possible. He could deal with that bit of genetic trivia after he’d killed the megalomaniacal son of a bitch.

“The notice actually only concerned a small inheritance of 300 galleons your mother left to your aunt. She wanted Petunia to have some funds that were untouchable by Vernon Dursley, should she ever be in need. We attempted to carry out those wishes. Petunia did not accept.” Tearing Claw elucidated.

“Half Sisters….that explains so much.” Remus and Sirius exclaimed in stereo.

“Your mum was HOT, Harry. I’m talking a true babe.” Sirius began.

“And Petunia looks like a horse.” Remus said. “Not to be mean…but you’ve had to notice that your aunt fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.” Everyone, even Serpent Tooth gaped at Remus’ turn of phrase. “What I worked with a muggle from the southern United States, Georgia I believe. And that was his way of saying someone was extremely unattractive. Every time he said it I found myself thinking of Petunia Evans.”

Harry carefully avoided making eye contact with any of the other people in the room. He concentrated every single fiber of his being on keeping his amusement tamped down. So he was shocked when the first laughter erupted not from Sirius, or even the jovial Tearing Claw, but from Hermione followed quickly by the taciturn Serpent Tooth. From there the others fell like dominoes. Eventually they calmed down and Tearing Claw reopened the discussion of the Malory legacy. Harry found out that his parsel magic was not, as Dumbledore believed, an effect of his first run in with Voldemort. It was in fact, a genetic gift that manifested in all magical male Malorys.

He learned of the holdings and inheritance portion of the Malory and Potter legacies. Then as they were nearing what Harry assumed was the end of an hour long meeting, Serpent Tooth began a discussion of Harry’s titles. “While you are usually –informally- addressed as Lord Potter; in actuality, you are Lord Potter, Duke of Gryffindor, Marquis of Haverston. You are a part of the Magical Noble line; hence why the House of Potter is one of the rare Most Ancient and Most Noble. The house of Malory, from which you have added the title Marquis of Haverston, is the next rung down the hierarchy, Most Ancient and Noble. Currently you are also the Heir apparent of the Duchy of Norcross…the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. The Black family is higher on the Muggle Nobility line, but lower on the Magical Nobility hierarchy. Perhaps that is the best possible segue to allow Lord Black to address the changes he has made within the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black.

The smile Sirius gave the room at large could best be described in two words, beaming and smug. “Well, first of all, my dear cousin Bellatrix can no longer lay claim to being from a Most Noble and Most Ancient house. I have case her out. She is disinherited and can only claim the status of pureblood through the very much lesser Ancient House of Lestrange. Andromeda has been re-inherited, though she was never formally cast out. But she now has her dowry and a future inheritance, should she out live me. Narcissa is being given a choice…one Lucius knows nothing about. If she can prove that she is not a marked Death Eater, and she is willing to renounce any and all ties to Voldemort and his warped ideals; I will dissolve her marriage, take back her dowry and welcome her back into the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. A lineage far superior to that of the merely Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy.”

“Sorry to interrupt Sirius, but where exactly do the Malfoys fit into the hierarchy?” Hermione asked. “I was able to find most of the purebloods with in Streigler’s Book of Family lines at Hogwarts, but the Malfoys were not included.”

“That’s because they have only just reached the seven generations of British ‘pure’ birth they need to meet the criteria of that book. They are considered to be an Ancient and Noble House in France. However since we recognize the dignitaries and lineages of all European nations here, they can still call themselves the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy.” Sirisu explained.

“It is the same for the Lupin family. We were originally from Austria. There we are the Most Ancient and Noble House of Lupin. However, about 8 generations back, the oldest Daughter of the line came to England and set up a matriarchal Lupin line here. Unfortunately we are currently a matriarchal line without a matriarch. The last girl born to the line was my Aunt Jillian. But she was not magical, so my grandfather took her to London and left her there. He didn’t have the power to cast her from the family officially, but unless she had a magical daughter of her line, or I do, the line will go dormant soon.” Remus added educationally.

“Yes. But your line is Most Ancient and Noble…you are linked into both the Magical and the old muggle noble lines. But the Malfoy family is only considered Ancient and Noble. They are at the very bottom rung of the French magical nobility, and not even in the now defunct muggle noble line.” Sirius explained. “Should Narcissa be marked, she’ll go the same route as dear Bella. However there is a marvelous loop hole in her marriage contract. You see my family still feel the Malfoys were limey French bastards. So there is a clause in the document that allows me, as family head, to reclaim all of Narcissa’s Dowry and any and all interest and profits that have resulted from said dowry; should Lucy engage in any treasonous or seditious activities.”

Harry looked around confused. The adults and Hermione all looked pleased and rather viciously happy. “So what exactly does that mean?”

“Well Madame Malfoy’s Dowry was quite large, the dowry of Andromeda Black was added to Narcissa’s to make up for the slight cast upon the original contract by Andromeda marrying another. It was one million galleons and a property. It should have not even been needed and used as a dowry for any daughters of the union. However, much of the Malfoy fortune was lost between the financing Grindlewald by Abraxas and then Voldemort by Lucius. Since 1981 he has relied HEAVILY upon the principle of the dowry account. Furthermore he has heavily mortgaged both the Dower Property and Malfoy Manner itself.” Serpent Tooth informed Harry and Hermione.

Tearing Claw threw them a rather devious smile. “The Dower Property was, of course, mortgaged back to the House of Black; however I took the liberty of buying the Mortgage on Malfoy Manor in the name of the Potter family. In fact we have purchased several mortgages at a nice 14 and ½ percent per month interest rate.” Tearing Claw said gleefully. “That includes the Notts, the Flints, the Bulstrodes, the Crabbes, the Goyles, and the Parkinsons. Unfortunately the Lestranges mortgaged their home while the Potter vaults were still in flux; the Greengrasses hold that mortgage at paltry 12 and a half percent a year.” He groused.

“Woah, even if the principle of the loan is only 1000 galleons, then they are paying 145 every month in interest alone. When you consider that the upper ranks of the Ministry are roughly 160-175 galleons a month, and the fact that none of those families have anyone working at that level. Then given the fact that those families do earn Wizengamot stipends, but do not work directly for the Ministry. Now the Wizengamot stipend is currently only set at 150 galleons for regular members well, except for the Chief Warlock who gets 300 galleons a month. But anyway the entire stipend would be taken for the interest. That doesn’t even touch the principle. Then given the probable amount of a mortgage, that stipend would only be a drop in the bucket. Even more so if the residual interest is being compounded annually. MY GOD, you could bankrupt the Death Eaters!” Hermione expounded excitedly.

“Very good Lady Potter, as of August first, Lord Potter is allowed to do just that. Lord Black may of course already move against the Malfoys. Since Sir Lucius’s service of Voldemort fulfills the definition of treasonous or seditious acts against the Crown and Ministry of Magic of Great Britain or Ireland.” Serpent Tooth said smugly.

“Actually since Sir Lucius is actually currently in arrears on both his mortgages, I believe that the contractual dissolution of the marriage could happen first, destroying the Malfoy’s financially. Then, should she be marked, you can still disown your cousin Narcissa.” Tearing Claw advised.

Sirius gave a wicked grin. “The question then becomes what should be done about Young Draco. A Malfoy by name, he is still a Black by blood. With his parent’s marriage dissolved he’d merely be a bastard of the House of Black, unable to be the primary heir of either line. If he is still redeemable, I suppose I could help him to obtain a mastery and become something useful.”

“That little shit is completely gone.” Harry hissed.

“Just last weekend he tried to hit Harry from behind with a curse. I swear if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought it was a green one. But wouldn’t the Headmaster have known that an unforgivable was fired on the grounds?” Hermione said testily. “Still it tripped Harry up…he could have hurt himself falling if Ron and I hadn’t been there to catch Harry.”

“Well then, he can fend for himself. Little bugger. Harry is far more important to me than some little albino with delusions of grandeur. Andromeda is back in the family…maybe she and Ted can take him.” Sirius said dismissively.

Hermione looked around the room thoughtfully. Harry could see she was biting her bottom lip in her usual thinking face. She looked at Serpent Tooth sharply, suddenly. “Serpent Tooth, Did you just call me Lady Potter?” she asked in an overly polite tone.

***Potions, Potions Everywhere***

Around the time Harry’s group was finishing their late lunch with the Goblins, Arthur and Percy were arriving at St. Mungo’s. Per Ministry policy, Arthur whipped off a note on St. Mungo’s Stationery sending it to his secretary letting her know that he was ‘out of pocket’ for the afternoon. Thinking for a moment, Arthur dashed off another quick note giving Amelia Bones a heads up on his suspicions and advising her that she may be receiving a report from the hospital soon. Sirius had told Arthur how fair and efficient she had been when she was dealing with his exoneration. Arthur also remembered the former Puff from school. Once he and Percy were shown to the back Arthur succinctly introduced his dilemma to the healer.

“Mr. Weasley, you do realize that if we do find any potions that you have not knowingly taken, we will cast forensic spells that will tell us who administered the potions, who made them, and who…if anyone…they are keyed to; correct? Are there any potions in your system that you have knowingly and with deliberate intent consumed?” Asked the head healer in the room, a petite strawberry blonde who’d introduced herself as Healer Constance Floyd.

“Well after Ginny, my youngest, was born I began taking a very special infertility potion. Severus makes it special for myself… and my two oldest sons. It is the only thing that works to combat the Weasley over abundance of Fertility.” Arthur said, blushing as hard as his youngest son ha ever managed.

“We are compelled by law and oath to report all findings concerning any nefarious or suspicious potions to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.” Said Healer Floyd with compassion.

For just a moment, Arthur looked conflicted. He steeled himself and replied, “As a former Auror, and current head of a sub-department of the DMLE, I not only realize but I completely understand. And yet there is a large part of me that wants to leave here and tell you that I do not need to be tested. So please let’s do this quickly?”

“Would him being petrified or stupefied affect the results? Can you not put him out so that he isn’t being torn in two different directions?” Percy asked. His father was glancing at the door and battling something within himself.

Healer Floyd noticed the same things. “That may be for the best.” A quick jab of her wand and Arthur was supine on the examination table. She began her exam efficiently, nodding to her mediwitch after only a few minutes. The mediwitch began to cast a series of spells herself. In the corner of the room an old fashion muggle typewriter sprang to life. The typewriter created a ‘printout’ of the results of the diagnostic and forensic spells being cast by the healer and mediwitch. The two medical staffers shared a troubled look. “There are layers of potions in his system.” Healer Floyd muttered to her mediwitch. Finally after just over half an hour the machine gun rattle of the typewriter ceased.

The two medical witches crossed to the typewriter and pulled off a very long sheet of parchment. After reawakening Arthur, Healer Floyd began a rundown of the findings of the diagnostics. “We have found a total of five different types of potions in your system. Two of these are keyed to two separate individuals. The diagnostics and forensics took so long simply because most of the potions have built up in your system for so long we had to use special spells just to see how far back the initial contamination occurred.”

She took a deep breath before she continued. “We found the Infertility potion; you began taking it a bit over 12 years ago. And allow me to say that Potion Master Snape’s work is rather amazing…I would never have thought of using some of the ingredients he used in such a way. Remarkable. But that’s why he’s a Potion Master. Around 15 years ago someone began to dose you with a repulsion potion. This potion is, most likely, responsible for your hair loss and paunchy midsection. It may show up in other ways as well. If you’ve noticed a lack of charm, or the inability to flirt as you may have before; that would be an effect of this potion. Around the same time you were given a loyalty potion that is keyed to a different individual than the Loyalty potion that has been in your system for 30 years. For the last twenty years you have been given compulsion potions keyed to the same two individuals as the loyalty potion. That combination would make it nigh on impossible for you to disagree with those two people. Even if you know they are wrong, you would be unable to gainsay them. The last potion has been in your system for a bit over 30 years. It is a love potion, though not Amorentia---no, it’s something far more subtle than that. The four unknown potions were all brewed and administered by the same person. The person every mood altering potion is keyed to.”

Percy was flabbergasted. “Merlin’s Sweaty arse…who? How?” he sputtered.

Well I can say that not only did Potion Master Snape not know of the other four potions. I do not believe that he would take the time to develop that potion for you if he wanted you dead the first time you got a semi serious injury.” The healer said brusquely.

“What?” Arthur and Percy asked aghast.

“The compulsion potion mixed with the repulsion potion, when affected by one of the ingredients in your infertility potion would have made you unable to be healed by magical means if you had gotten any deep cuts or punctures. The interaction would act as an anti-coagulant. You’d bleed profusely and your blood would not clot well, even on its own.” She answered them honestly.

“So then…what do we need to do to get him well?” Percy asked concerned. “And who else were the compulsion and loyalty potions keyed to?”

“We’ve already sent a copy of the read out to the DMLE. They have a typewriter over there that automatically receives a copy of what our report in cases like this. The printout gives us and them the information about the brewer, doser, and any keys. However it has been proven that it is best to tell the victim of their assailants only after the perpetrators have been arrested.” The mediwitch explained kindly.

“As far as your father’s treatment, We will need to keep him here for 7-10 days. He would be on a basic flushing and detox program. At least 7 days of flushing draughts, every 4-6 hours. We have to make sure that all of the potions are out of your system. Then we can reintroduce the infertility potion.” Healer Floyd explained.

“I—is there any way I can begin the process first thing in the morning? I need to get my oldest son back here to act as Family Head while I am indisposed.” Arthur asked.

“Yes, but I would suggest that you not eat or drink anything in your home. In fact…I suggest that you find somewhere else to stay this evening. Is there anyone who can ensure that you come back in the morning. Your son may not be enough to combat all the potions will do to convince you that we are all against you and that you have no need for treatment.”

“Yes, I have a friend…cousin actually who has a house here in London. He has NEVER gotten along with Molly. He will make sure that I am back her tomorrow morning, first thing. Maybe with bells on.” Arthur chuckled at the thought. Together he and Percy thanked the healers, signed out, and headed to Gringotts to speak with Bill’s supervisor.
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Death\'s Design, Fate\'s Plan