Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Love Has No Age
Chapter 57:- Promise Fulfilled
A/N: Malehorntaildragon, GML, Callandor cheers for the work put in.
**
McGonagall led Harry and the rest into the classroom none of them had been in and it looked to Harry that it had been a long time since lessons had been taught in here. It was larger than Dumbledore’s office but not by much, he surveyed the room and his eyes instantly locked onto Draco’s. He and Goyle were sitting to one side with Professor Snape, but Draco was the only one who seemed to notice their arrival. Harry could sense Gabrielle’s unease as she gripped his arm suddenly, and he stepped forward, blocking her view of her tormentor. Reacting to the emotions in the bond, Ginny and Luna moved in closer to her, directing angry glares at Draco as they moved.
Trying to ignore the Slytherins Harry saw a second group of chairs on the opposite side of the room and headed for them. Once they were all seated he dared to look at the front of the room. Sitting almost side by side was the man from the Ministry and Dumbledore, there was a large table in front of them and arrayed upon it was a number of very large pieces of parchment.
“Good evening Miss Delacour and friends, it is nice to see you here on time. This shouldn’t take too long so if all parties are present we will start straight away?”
Instantly, Susan and Hermione shared a glance. Earlier in the week it had been decided that those two would do most of the talking. Initially Hermione thought that it would be up to her but she had relented when it was obvious that Susan knew as much if not more about these types of proceedings than she did. But as they shared a glance they knew things had already started badly. If this had been a proper investigation then they should be a few hours here, not /‘shouldn’t take too long’/.
“As requested....” Mr Cavendish looked at Dumbledore once before he continued. “I have looked into the matter and have come to the only conclusion that is possible. It is with regret that I must therefore...”
Susan heard the words being said and everything suddenly fell into place, this wasn’t the investigation that they all thought it would be. This was just a sentencing! If she didn't do something quickly it would all be over before it even started.
“Excuse me Mr Cavendish...” she called out in polite yet strong voice.
Mr Cavendish stopped what he was saying and looked at the girl, rarely had he even been interrupted and never by one so young. He looked closely at the girl and saw something there, something like himself at that age. If he didn't want to get this over with he would have relished the challenge before him, but the Ministry had been clear, he had to clear this up quickly and it needed to look good in the papers, too. The country needed a good story and a story of how the Ministry was keeping the country safe. This attack had almost felt like a early Christmas present to some in the Ministry, this show of justice could show how strong and tough they were and a new, young, Veela to ‘give away’ couldn’t be missed as well. Whether they gave her back to her parents or let some influential person ‘buy’ her, it would all be good for the Ministry in these dark times. There were a few old laws about Veela but few outside the upper echelon of the Ministry knew of them. If none of those laws were invoked then she would truly be something they could use. The only person who might know of them and be present was Dumbledore but Cavendish didn’t expect him to intervene and even if he did it would still be a major day for the Ministry.
He took yet another breath before he responded as he tried to focus on the meeting fearing that he might need his wits about him.
“You are?”
“Susan Bones.”
Mr Cavendish didn't show a reaction, he had been trained not to but the name stuck. He hadn’t met this girl, yet, but he, if her Aunt hadn’t died early, she would have almost certainly been introduced to him, perhaps over the coming summer. It was time he took on another assistant and Susan’s name had been bandied about as one likely to work for the Ministry. As one of the foremost minds in politics, she would excel wherever she found herself, and the competition for her application would prove to be fierce.
“You are a friend of....” he almost said the word Veela but checked himself, his mind still wasn’t focused properly.
“Yes and I was also there on the scene!”
“Oh?” he questioned leading Susan down a small narrow path, he wanted to see how good she really was.
Susan’s wanted to instantly reply but the calm assurance in the way Cavendish was speaking made her check herself. Seeing Susan pause Hermione immediately jumped in not realising the trap.
“You haven’t asked any of us anything. How can you have finished your investigation?”
“And you are?”
“Hermione Granger.”
“Another friend?”
“Yes and like the rest of us we were there!”
“In the room whilst it was happening?”
“Well no but we were the first in there.”
“That matters not, I’m only interested in what happened in the room the actual attack.”
“But we know!”
“No you don’t, only five people know exactly what happened in that room and I’ve spoken to each of them. Four of them say the same thing and last one say’s something different.”
“They’re lying!” protested Hermione.
“This isn’t my first investigation, Miss Granger. Don’t you think I can figure things out for myself? I have spent a week investigating this, I may not have spoken to you but that doesn’t mean I have done nothing. I just concentrated on what was relevant, not what you think I should have.” Replied Cavendish with a little venom. He knew a little about Miss Granger, she may be smart but so was he and he didn't take kindly to this young girl telling him what he should and should not be doing.
“I...um....sorry sir.”
“Very well, as it seems you wish to have your say I will listen but believe me I don’t think anything you can say will change what I have found. So please tell me your story if it will make you feel better…”
Hermione looked at the rest before she started relaying what she had seen. Through the recitation Mr Cavendish hardly moved, he made a few marks on a parchment he was holding and the end he paused a long time before he said anything. He knew he had heard some of the truth but what he had found out put into question most of what they had told him. It wasn’t going to change the outcome, in fact it almost leant more credence in what the Ministry was doing in trying to protect its people.
“Thank you Miss Granger a very....interesting story but unfortunately it does not help.”
“But they lured her there and tried to rape her.” Insisted Hermione.
“So you say and I would caution you with what you say.” Automatically responded Cavendish, yes Miss Granger was smart but her mouth would lead her into trouble one day. In his normal range of work such an allegation would have been seized upon and vigorously attacked, and without evidence, would leave whatever argument she tried to make far weaker because of it. His eyes glanced at Susan, strangely she was quiet, her early comments had seemed well thought through, very much like Miss Grangers but she seemed to know when to talk and more importantly when to wait.
McGonagall looked shocked at Mr Cavendish’s warning, she was supposed to look after her students and this was not some sort of formal setting so she had to speak.
“Mr Cavendish I know of you, but these students have my upmost respect I’m sure everything they are saying is true.”
The calm assurance of the Deputy Headmistress forced Cavendish to remember where he was. He had to give these people a little leeway, they passionately believed in something, so he would just slowly show them the error of their ways.
“Very well if they don’t mind I have a few questions....Who was the first into the room.?”
“Um...I was.” replied Harry.
“And what did you see.”
“Not much, I just saw Gabrielle in the corner she was....”
“Yes I know about that but what else did you see or do? Did you pick anything up or move anything unusual?”
“No sir.”
“Any of you?”
The small group looked at each other, this was clearly not what they were expecting. Eventually Susan spoke, and relayed what she had done.
“So you checked the other students and recovered a shoe and a wand?”
“Yes, Gabrielle’s wand.”
“Where was it?”
“Under a desk a little away from where she was.”
“Did you see any note?”
“No.”
“See any evidence of a note, ash or anything?”
“No.”
“Professor McGonagall did you.”
“Well no I was too busy with the students.”
“Professor Snape?”
“No!” He instantly replied not elaborating any further.
“So none of you saw anything that can collaborate Miss Delacour’s story.”
“No, but...” protested Hermione.
Mr. Cavendish held up his hand to stop Hermione from speaking anymore.
“I know you want to help but I have to go on facts and they are clear. I know you won’t like it but simply put there is only one explanation, she is a Veela and she attacked those boys for no reason.”
“She is not a Veela!” exploded Hermione and Susan together.
“The injured students had congregated in that classroom to discuss their Defence against the Dark Arts, Professor Snape has verified that Mr Malfoy asked in about using his classroom for this meeting earlier in the day.”
Everyone save Gabrielle turned and looked at Draco and Snape. If Harry could hate Snape any more he would, for some reason Snape was protecting Draco and suddenly he felt very cold as thought everything was about to go horribly wrong.
“Whilst they were there Miss Delacour entered the room which then locked and protected itself due to either a spell cast by Miss Delacour or one of the boys in the ensuing fight. The locking spell was a safety measure placed by Professor Snape to prevent anything nasty from escaping. I am unsure why she went to that room or the purpose of the attack and Miss Delacour has so far not told me of the reason…”
“I went there because of a note.” Replied Gabriele in a quiet voice but fearing that everything was happen according to how this man wanted it to.
“Once more the fictitious note.”
“Are you calling her a liar?” instantly voiced Harry
“No but I have no evidence that what she is saying is true but I have evidence that she has attacked and seriously injured four students. Two of whom are unlikely to return to their homes for Christmas this year. We are not talking about simple spell damage here. This is not some prank gone wrong, but a very serious assault.”
Harry and the rest all looked at Gabrielle, shock was clear on most of their faces and a little worry upon Hermione and Ron’s. None of them had seen Crabbe or Nott in the week but they didn’t think they were still hospitalised.
“So you see this is the only conclusion that I can come up with. She had managed to put four senior students into hospital, some of them very seriously injured; her story that she was attacked does not sit right, if she had that much power then never would she be in danger. The idea of rape is clever but as I said with that much power it could never happen so in the end it is a weak lie. So as I started to say a little while ago there is no other alternative. Miss Delacour is a Veela and therefore subject to the regulations.....”
Before he could continue a clear voice stopped him.
“Mr Cavendish please can you explain how you came to the conclusion that she is a Veela?” Asked Susan and a light and pleasant voice, hiding her inner fury at the man.
“If you insist, the actions in the room and a little background knowledge tell us everything. It is hard for anyone not there to know what happened but by the damage produced it is the only explanation, I will step you through it. First of all she is a very beautiful young lady.”
“Does beauty determine a person’s heritage?” asked Susan. This was the fight they had prepared for and so she felt confident.
“No but it is a marking characteristic of that race.”
“But in that case any beautiful young girl would be a Veela.”
“No...There are other factors which help to lead me to my conclusion that was just the first.”
“Which is very flimsy but please continue.”
He looked at her quietly for a few moments. This girl had not only moved the debate to this topic, but she had somehow turned this around so that he was defending himself to /her. /Remarkable.
“I have asked several professors about her and their reports make interesting reading. First is Herbology, where she has a remarkable habit of keeping herself clean. Professor Spout assured me that at no time had Ms. Delacour ever looked dirty or even a hair out of place. Veela, as magical beings, have this ability to always look their best, and would be difficult, near on impossible for a human to do so.”
“But once more any person who takes pride in there appearance could be classed as a Veela. You said it was rare or should I say near on impossible but it can be done. I remember many a lesson in where I have come away looking perfectly clean. I could have been that Professor Sprout just never saw Gabrielle when she was dirty.”
“Yes but as I said as a whole it’s harder to ignore, a beauty and never a hair out of place. We are getting closer to a textbook definition of a Veela working in society. But there are other reports each speak of poor magic. Speaking to the other professors about her they say she is quiet, almost mouse like, in all classes. All of her written homework is perfect yet her practical work shows little to no power or control....”
“I never said that!” interrupted Professor McGonagall.
“But others have....”
“But poor magic is not a Veela trait.”
“That is correct but this poor ability in using magic belittles what happened in the room. If in class she has problems performing quiet basic spells how could she have performed such advanced or dangerous magic to put those boy’s into hospital?”
“Just because she isn’t good in class does not condemn her! Everything you have said may be true but none of it proves she’s a Veela.” continued to retort Susan.
“Ah I see you have been doing your research but so have I. You mentioned a little while ago that you picked up her wand and returned it Gabrielle. Please tell me did it feel warm? Did your arm tingle?”
“Well no!”
“Exactly. None of the spells cast in that room were performed by a wand. She defeated those students with wandless magic, not only wandless magic but with fireballs of a blue colour. Have you ever cast a blue fireball without a wand, or seen it done? A blue flame that can burn through a shield, cause burns and other more magical injuries? ”
“Well no.”
“Any of you?”
Harry looked at the rest and shook his head.
“Anybody in this room?”
McGonagall wanted to say yes but it would have been a lie. Everything the man was saying seemed right but how could he come to such a horrible conclusion.
“But that is still no proof, she could have done that if she was a witch.” Answered Susan.
“True but as I said the Professors reports lead me to believe that she has no great power. Blue fireballs are known to be cast by Veela when they want to. Putting that together with everything else leads us to only one conclusion.”
Hermione spoke this time before Susan.
“So from only a few reasons you are going to condemn a witch to be a Veela and execute her for being at this school.”
“Young lady no one is talking of such extreme measures.”
“Very well then you will ‘merely’ enslave her. There is too much doubt in this situation for it to be right or just.”
“You speak with passion but as I said I’ve done my research. I have contacted the French ministry and they have been very co-operative. They have given me enough information about her family to easily show that she is a Veela.”
“But the French Ministry doesn’t class her as one so how can you?” asked Hermione
“They haven’t had such an attack. Miss Delacour’s mother is as close to a Veela as anybody can be. I’m sure if they really investigated they would find the truth.”
“Leave Mama out of it, it’s me we are talking about.” Responded Gabrielle, not wanting to see the rest of her family being brought into this sham.
“No the evidence is clear she has to be a Veela and so…”
Now Susan took over once more.
“No she doesn’t have to be. Your proof is circumstantial; her lack of getting dirty is nothing and her looking beautiful is nothing. You mention that extreme power to disable the four boys and the use of blue fire is all because she is a Veela. But we can list case after case where witches and wizards have shown great power when they have been pushed into a corner and that is exactly what happened.”
“Once more you speak eloquently but it changes nothing.”
“But it does. We are making a case for reasonable doubt. As I said we have answered all of your evidence with another explanation but you are refusing to see the truth. Hermione mentioned that there are documented cases about increases in power some include the throwing of fireballs. Look at Pepper verses Green or Bovington against Brown or Grenerg verses Billacook. In each one of them, it was proven that a witch or wizard suddenly increased in power when under extreme stress or attack. This increase was the cause of them casting wandless or otherwise very powerful spells some of which they knew nothing about.
So what we are saying then, is that a greater crime has been committed here and one you haven’t even looked into. If what she is saying is true then there is a conspiracy to cover it up! That is something you should be looking into not trying to make her into something for the Ministry to sell. You have mentioned her family but I see that you have skipped over her sister, yes the one who was in the Tri-Wizard tournament, there is no way for her to have competed if she was a Veela. But you have overlooked that, if Gabrielle is a Veela then so should her sister but the Ministry passed her. So one of you is wrong, you or the Ministry official that passed Fleur, and I put it to you that it is you who have made the mistake. You have pursued one story, one that has been given to you and found ‘evidence’ to back that single story up. If the Ministry truly wanted to do this right they would have looked into a lot more. You didn't even question any of us, you just took Gabrielle’s story and threw it out. Even the most customary questions of it to parties not directly involved would have indicated that something was strange.
“The door locking with a powerful spell ‘just by chance’, was that looked into or was the word of one Professor taken? The fact she was given a note by a first year Slytherin, someone the boys could have forced into doing. You claim to have reached your conclusion by looking at the situation as a whole, but there are many simple factors you have not investigated that would significantly alter the result of this inquiry. Have you even considered the use of veritaserum in taking testimony?”
Draco sat appalled at what he heard, everything had been going perfect, soon he would be able to lay claim to Gabrielle but suddenly it was going wrong. Not just wrong but disastrous, the suave Mr Cavendish once on his side was now listening to that girls words and Draco could see the decisions racing through his head. He wanted to say something but knew if he did the delicate web of lies he had mange to spin would collapse.
Mr Cavendish wanted to reply but stopped himself, everything he had said was true he firmly believed in everything but Susan’s words had jolted him. She had come up with differing answers to every piece of evidence he had. He was an expert at this type of investigation but he was being shown up for lack of doing his work, something that had never happened before. He had promised the Ministry a good story and in fact the press were waiting for his report right this minute. He knew some of his conclusions were poor but the blue flame had been the clincher. There was no other explanation but Susan had come up with one, but not just that she had mentioned cases which proved her point and further more he remembered working as junior on one of them many years ago.
He had to find a way out of the hole he dug himself. If he didn’t give the press the story they were after his job would be the least of things he would lose. The idea of rape was good and it did explain what happened and if Draco was anything like is father had been then that was the truth or part of it, but would the paper take that story up. There was no evidence and those that had committed the attack were in the hospital. The Ministry wanted to show how tough they were in protecting not only the country but also the children, this would finish them. Try as he might he could not see what to do but then a small thought came to his mind. He quickly looked at a scrap of parchment and saw his salvation, he felt sorry for the girl but someone had to be sacrificed to save his career and the Ministry. Looking up and straight into the eyes of Susan he started his response.
“You my young lady are good, very good indeed. I was sorry to hear about your Aunt but please don’t let that stop you from entering the Ministry. We need people like you, and if you want a sponsor I would be willing to sponsor you right now. Yes you are right there is enough doubt that I can not class her as a Veela….” Mr Cavendish heard the collective outpouring of air as everyone who was holding their breath let it out at once. He saw smiles shared between them and a few touched hands, it hurt him knowing that in a moment, he would dash it all.
“…I still think that she is but there is enough reasonable doubt that I can not continue. I also feel what she has been saying will need to be looked into, so Headmaster if you don’t mind I would like to spend the next few days and some in the New Year looking into the matter.”
“Of course you may I too will be looking into everything as well.” Replied Dumbledore looking around the room.
“So as this is not a case of dangerous animals lose in the school I will hand the punishment over to you Headmaster but the Ministry urges you to expel the girl to show strong discipline in this current time of crisis.”
“No!” cried Harry having thought that they had won. They had proved Gabrielle was a witch, a normal person, but now what was happening her fate was with Dumbledore, the man she didn’t trust, and Harry doubted he would save her.
Dumbledore saw how he had been manoeuvred into this very difficult situation. He needed Harry to develop but was Gabrielle right for him? A lot of people were telling him that she was, none less than Fawkes herself, but his feelings told him otherwise. Harry would be much better with Fleur or someone else. Harry had started down the road of discovery, did he truly need Gabrielle anymore? As he continued to think this through Snape spoke up.
“Headmaster you have to expel her.”
“You can’t say that!” replied McGonagall.
“Yes I can, it’s not two of your students still in hospital going to miss Christmas.”
“They brought it on themselves, if what was said to be true then that is the least of their problems.”
“But if it is not then you have to do this Headmaster.”
“Hmmmm…..I don’t think so Severus.”
“Why, because she a lovely Gryffindor, if you don’t expel her you will have more to deal with!”
“What do you mean?” asked McGonagall.
“Simply stated, if she can get away with this then what will be next? Maiming? Murder?”
“Now Professor Snape.” Interrupted Dumbledore.
“I’m just saying what will happen if the students see her getting away with this. If she does then there will be more attacks and perhaps one of them would be fatal.”
“That’s assuming Professor Snape that Gabrielle attacked them and wasn’t attacked.” Replied McGonagall.
Dumbledore knew that Snape’s words were more than just a warning, and McGonagall words could also be true, but something different was going on in that man’s mind. He always hoped that Snape was what he thought him to be but now he was not sure, this term Professor Snape had been different, almost belligerent but this was by far the greatest public display. There was another plan going on here and one he must see to as well. Dumbledore turned his mind back to the problem, expelling Gabrielle would solve many problems and stop a few more but it would damage his relationship with Harry. He had spent all term working to improve it and at a stroke he could destroy it. He had seen the way the two sat together there was definitely something between them he could feel the magic.
No he could not expel her as much as he wanted or needed to it would damage the relationship with Harry he had managed to build up this term, yet he must get her away from Harry more.
“No Professor Snape she hasn’t gotten away with it but I will not expel a student for defending themselves.
“Defending themselves….”
“Yes defending themselves, but no matter, serious injury has been done and so serious consequences must be paid. She can stay at Hogwarts but she’ll have detention.
“DETENTION!” screamed Draco.
“Headmaster I implore you.” Asked Mr Cavendish in a much calmer and measured voice.
“No she will have detention for two months, every day from the beginning of term. She will be allowed to do her homework in detention time but that is all. She will also be banned from any social and sports club for the rest of the year. So you see she hasn’t gotten away with it.”
Harry felt his face fall slightly, he had expected something but nothing like this Dumbledore was literally cutting Gabriele off from everyone for two months. He looked over at her and could see the unformed tears in her eyes she knew that their time together would be seriously limited but Harry had to muse at least she was still at the school.
“Unfortunately I don’t think the Ministry agrees with your punishment Headmaster.”
“That may be, but as I have said before I run the school and the Ministry can do nothing about it. Until the governors decide to remove me the punishment stands.”
Mr Cavendish shook his head a moment before he spoke.
“You are right I can not interfere with your running of the school. But for the safety of the public I must act.”
“Safety of the public?” asked Susan.
“Yes safety, as I said you were very good but you didn’t see the large picture. NO the Ministry can not let a dangerous witch be on the lose.”
“Dangerous Witch….what about Voldemort!” asked Harry.
Almost everyone in the room shuddered when Harry spoke his name but he stood his ground waiting an answer.
“Yes Mr Potter the Ministry is dealing with him and his time will come but we can deal with this dangerous witch now before another person in this country gets injured.”
“NO!” shouted Susan at last understanding the end game.
“Yes the Ministry will revoke her visa; she will be deported back to France. We will make every effort to keep our people safe but not only that we do show compassion. I have already spoken to the Head of Beauxbatons and she was surprised that Miss Delacour didn’t start with her this year but I’m sure a recommendation from the Minster of Magic and you, Headmaster, would allow her to continue her studies at that fine school.”
Dumbledore nodded, “I will be more than happy to provide Miss Delacour with any help she requires during her transition to Beauxbatons.” If Harry blamed him for it then everything was lost. He hoped that with Harry’s new found responsibility that he wouldn’t.
Mr Cavendish turned back to Susan.
“See we all get what we want, you get the investigation, she stays a witch and she stays in school, not this school, but in a school never the less.” The Ministry wouldn’t get to sell her or use her but that was a minor loss. The publicity would be still be good.
“And what do you get?” asked Hermione quietly still stunned at the sudden turn and seeing Susan slowly shaking her head in bewilderment.
“Me? I get my story and the Ministry can show how tough it is, we all win.”
“Everyone except me.” Murmured Gabrielle.
Harry looked at her and tried to think of something to say or do, she looked back at him as if trying to transmit a message but Harry didn’t see it his heart had literally dropped out of his body. They had saved Gabriele but they were still going to lose her. Gabrielle looked over her shoulder her at Susan and Luna. Both the girls gave her the smallest of nods before Susan collapsed in silent sobs only to be gathered into the arms of Luna. Hermione glanced at Ron and saw on his face the look of confusion, they had just won, but it was though Susan was reacting to a loss. Yes Gabrielle might be deported but she would not be a Veela. A slight tremble of foreboding washed over her as she started to understand that it wasn’t over yet. Something new was about to happen and it was going to upset a lot of people.
“Mr Cavendish, thank you for seeing reason but doing this harms me more than you can imagine.” Said Gabrielle slowly.
“I’m sorry, truly I am but I have to do something.”
“So must I.”
“No Gabrielle, you mustn’t we’ve won we can work this out.” Pleaded Harry but Gabrielle ignored him for what she hoped to be the very last time in her life.
“I would like to say something that is pertinent to your investigation.”
“Very well but as I said you’ve won.”
“Yes but we are wrong, I am a Veela.”
“NO! Gabrielle don’t do this we won!” cried Harry.
“I’m a Veela and I can prove it. You can ask of me anything you wish ask me to perform any test and I will pass. I’m not a strong Veela but I am one and wish to be treated as one.”
“Miss Delacour, what are you doing? Do you know what you are saying?” suddenly questioned McGonagall, but Gabrielle just looked at the man who could grant her, her wish.
“It’s an interesting statement but it make’s no difference you are a witch, duly proved and noted.”
“No I’m a Veela!” she replied once more but this time she focused. She focused every fibre of her magic for this one display, she had to show him he was wrong. She drew to her everything she could magic flowed into her hand and she felt the flame. It wasn’t large it wasn’t even threatening but it was there a smallest of tiny blue flame flickering in the centre of her hand.
“See I’m a Veela.”
Mr Cavendish looked at the flame, it was small but it was there, a simple action had proved to him that he had been right. Susan’s argument had been good but this was physical evidence, he didn’t want to use it but the young girl was determined, he didn’t know why and in fact never wanted to know but he had no choice now.
“Very well you leave me no choice.” He drew a wand before he spoke once more. “You are a Veela and so therefore are under Ministry control for attacking a wizard and being present upon a controlled property. Further more you are liable for any damages to the said Wizard or Wizards and will be sold to cover their costs, and the cost of damage done to the school. You will remain as such for the rest of your life, you cannot be released from this designation do you understand?”
“Yes.” She replied and a ribbon of light flowed form Mr Cavendish’s wand to her.
Gabrielle turned towards Harry and tried to tell him with her expression that yes she had to do this. It would mean she was his, her every dream. She could read Harry’s face every part was willing her not to complete what she was doing. She turned back and braced herself.
“I understand and agree.” She replied
A second ribbon of light encircled Gabrielle and joined with the first it fully engulfed her before ending in a blinding flash.
“Well now that all over with I hope that no more of my time will be wasted. I would have been much better if she had just done this in the beginning.”
“Now Mr Malfoy, reparations will be decided at a later date but, there still will be an investigation into your actions. So I bid you all good night, as I must escort Miss Delacour to the Ministry, Headmaster someone will be along to pick up her belongings tomorrow.”
Dumbledore sat in silence, watching what was about to happen. Whether he agreed with it or not what was about to happen he was interested in seeing it. Obviously Gabrielle had come up with this plan all along and but the look she gave the others most of them knew it. Ideally as he waited for the next action he wondered if Harry had argued to much agaist it all, he wasn’t sure that he would have done if it had been him there instead, a pretty girl bound to you not only in love but in law? No he didn't know what he would have done.
For another in the room his smile was of pure victory, Draco had feared for everything, not only had he feared losing but and investigation might bring forth what had been truly happening within the Slytherin halls this term. But the pathetic loyalty of the girl was her undoing why she had done it he wasn’t completely sure but he wasn’t going to let those mudbloods and muggle lovers win he would get in first.
“Mr Cavendish, according to the law any Adult is able to purchase a Ministry controlled Veela if a suitable price is agreed. As you said reparations are due and I would be willing to take her in compensation, I will also pay the other three injured parties out of my own funds any reparations they require. You are law bound to accept any reasonable offer for her and also I’m the injured party so hand her over.”
Gabrielle looked imploringly at Harry but he still looked too shocked.
Dumbledore waited for somebody to say something. If he had to he would, as much as he didn’t want Gabrielle near Harry he didn’t want her near Draco one bit, it would be a death sentence for the girl.
Professor McGonagall was still shocked, but her mind still thought of Gabrielle as one of her students and so she spoke up.
“Mr Malfoy as usual you are wrong you can not own Gabrielle.”
“But I’m the injured party he cannot refuse.”
“But you are not an adult.”
“But I’m the head of the Malfoy family!”
“You are only the acting head and that still doesn’t make you an adult. Your father still lives and in doing so has relegated you to still being a child.”
“But…but…but…”
Mr Cavendish silently nodded as he heard McGonagall speaking before he stepped into add the weight of the Ministry behind the decision.
“Professor you are right and I thank you for pointing it out. Even if you were an adult Mr. Malfoy I would have still be in my right to deny you the sale. For you see there is a by law, it states that the wizard purchasing her has to prove themselves able to control the Veela in question. Two of your numbers are still in the Hospital; she would have killed you within a week. The point of my being here is to protect the students of this school even if I have to protect them from themselves.”
“But…You…it’s…” spluttered Draco still not believing.
Mr Cavendish looked at Dumbledore and waited a moment. He suspected that he, as the Headmaster, would buy Gabrielle, he would be able to. It wouldn’t be much of a life to start with but eventually she might become a teacher or something here at the school. Not much of a life but definitely better than what awaited her, yet the Headmaster said nothing. Seeing that nothing more was coming Mr Cavendish gathered up his parchments turned and made a step towards the door.
Gabrielle looked at Harry and could feel the stunned shock still racing through him. It was though most of him was working on autopilot his mind still wasn’t fully in control.
“Harry…you promised.” She pleaded in a low voice. If he didn’t say something soon then it would be over, her dream would be lost and this last gamble would have failed.
Mr Cavendish managed to take another step before a voice stopped him. It sounded almost emotionless but he listened to the words.
“I will buy her, I’ll pay whatever you ask.”
He turned and looked for the source of the voice. He looked into the tight face of Harry Potter. He could see little emotion on the boy’s face but there was something, a growing power or energy. Some people at the Ministry spoke of Dumbledore in hushed tones. They spoke of seeing the Headmaster in full fight his eyes blazing with power and much, much more. Looking into the face of Harry Potter and his Killing Curse green eyes he had an urge like he wanted to run and hide. It was though he had hurt Harry and it was now time to pay.
“Him….Him….he can’t buy her.” Protest Draco still unbelieving the cold and humiliated way they dismissed him.
“I think you find that he can.” Replied Dumbledore quietly.
“Do you understand what you are saying?” asked Mr Cavendish carefully.
“Yes I will buy her from you and you are duty bound to accept.”
“That I am.”
“But how is he acceptable?” called out Draco.
“Because I’m an adult.” replied Harry not taking his eyes off Cavendish.
“Your wand please.” Asked Mr Cavendish and he drew out his own once more. He saw Harry slowly draw his wand, like most teenage wands it looked dirty and poorly looked after but it seemed to glow almost like Harry’s magic was trying to escape it.
“Very well I will get in contact with you about the exact price but I’m sure you can afford it. So…”
Cavendish touch Harry’s wand with the top of his own and flash of magic saw twin intertwined ribbons of magic flow down into the wand and then into Harry.
“I’ll prepare the paperwork tomorrow and owl it to you; all you have to do is sign the forms and send in the money. After that, she’ll be officially be registered to you.”
“Hey you can’t do this, he may be an adult but you don’t know if he can handle her.” Draco spat angrily.
Mr. Cavendish looked at Draco oddly. “I’m beginning to believe that the attack injured your head far more severely than originally thought. You seem to be forgetting the fact that Mr. Potter within the last two years alone, took on a full fledge Dragon, Dementor, Acromantula, and You-Know-Who. That in itself is more than enough proof that he can handle her.” He peered at Draco closer trying to make out some unforeseen injury, shrugged his shoulders, and turned back to Harry.
“Well that’s everything, congratulations Mr. Potter.”
“Thanks.” Harry said with no emotion on his voice.
Harry continued to stand completely still, as everyone filed out of the room. He ignored Draco and Professor Snape, but he couldn’t ignore his new property could he?
***
A/N: Malehorntaildragon, GML, Callandor cheers for the work put in.
**
McGonagall led Harry and the rest into the classroom none of them had been in and it looked to Harry that it had been a long time since lessons had been taught in here. It was larger than Dumbledore’s office but not by much, he surveyed the room and his eyes instantly locked onto Draco’s. He and Goyle were sitting to one side with Professor Snape, but Draco was the only one who seemed to notice their arrival. Harry could sense Gabrielle’s unease as she gripped his arm suddenly, and he stepped forward, blocking her view of her tormentor. Reacting to the emotions in the bond, Ginny and Luna moved in closer to her, directing angry glares at Draco as they moved.
Trying to ignore the Slytherins Harry saw a second group of chairs on the opposite side of the room and headed for them. Once they were all seated he dared to look at the front of the room. Sitting almost side by side was the man from the Ministry and Dumbledore, there was a large table in front of them and arrayed upon it was a number of very large pieces of parchment.
“Good evening Miss Delacour and friends, it is nice to see you here on time. This shouldn’t take too long so if all parties are present we will start straight away?”
Instantly, Susan and Hermione shared a glance. Earlier in the week it had been decided that those two would do most of the talking. Initially Hermione thought that it would be up to her but she had relented when it was obvious that Susan knew as much if not more about these types of proceedings than she did. But as they shared a glance they knew things had already started badly. If this had been a proper investigation then they should be a few hours here, not /‘shouldn’t take too long’/.
“As requested....” Mr Cavendish looked at Dumbledore once before he continued. “I have looked into the matter and have come to the only conclusion that is possible. It is with regret that I must therefore...”
Susan heard the words being said and everything suddenly fell into place, this wasn’t the investigation that they all thought it would be. This was just a sentencing! If she didn't do something quickly it would all be over before it even started.
“Excuse me Mr Cavendish...” she called out in polite yet strong voice.
Mr Cavendish stopped what he was saying and looked at the girl, rarely had he even been interrupted and never by one so young. He looked closely at the girl and saw something there, something like himself at that age. If he didn't want to get this over with he would have relished the challenge before him, but the Ministry had been clear, he had to clear this up quickly and it needed to look good in the papers, too. The country needed a good story and a story of how the Ministry was keeping the country safe. This attack had almost felt like a early Christmas present to some in the Ministry, this show of justice could show how strong and tough they were and a new, young, Veela to ‘give away’ couldn’t be missed as well. Whether they gave her back to her parents or let some influential person ‘buy’ her, it would all be good for the Ministry in these dark times. There were a few old laws about Veela but few outside the upper echelon of the Ministry knew of them. If none of those laws were invoked then she would truly be something they could use. The only person who might know of them and be present was Dumbledore but Cavendish didn’t expect him to intervene and even if he did it would still be a major day for the Ministry.
He took yet another breath before he responded as he tried to focus on the meeting fearing that he might need his wits about him.
“You are?”
“Susan Bones.”
Mr Cavendish didn't show a reaction, he had been trained not to but the name stuck. He hadn’t met this girl, yet, but he, if her Aunt hadn’t died early, she would have almost certainly been introduced to him, perhaps over the coming summer. It was time he took on another assistant and Susan’s name had been bandied about as one likely to work for the Ministry. As one of the foremost minds in politics, she would excel wherever she found herself, and the competition for her application would prove to be fierce.
“You are a friend of....” he almost said the word Veela but checked himself, his mind still wasn’t focused properly.
“Yes and I was also there on the scene!”
“Oh?” he questioned leading Susan down a small narrow path, he wanted to see how good she really was.
Susan’s wanted to instantly reply but the calm assurance in the way Cavendish was speaking made her check herself. Seeing Susan pause Hermione immediately jumped in not realising the trap.
“You haven’t asked any of us anything. How can you have finished your investigation?”
“And you are?”
“Hermione Granger.”
“Another friend?”
“Yes and like the rest of us we were there!”
“In the room whilst it was happening?”
“Well no but we were the first in there.”
“That matters not, I’m only interested in what happened in the room the actual attack.”
“But we know!”
“No you don’t, only five people know exactly what happened in that room and I’ve spoken to each of them. Four of them say the same thing and last one say’s something different.”
“They’re lying!” protested Hermione.
“This isn’t my first investigation, Miss Granger. Don’t you think I can figure things out for myself? I have spent a week investigating this, I may not have spoken to you but that doesn’t mean I have done nothing. I just concentrated on what was relevant, not what you think I should have.” Replied Cavendish with a little venom. He knew a little about Miss Granger, she may be smart but so was he and he didn't take kindly to this young girl telling him what he should and should not be doing.
“I...um....sorry sir.”
“Very well, as it seems you wish to have your say I will listen but believe me I don’t think anything you can say will change what I have found. So please tell me your story if it will make you feel better…”
Hermione looked at the rest before she started relaying what she had seen. Through the recitation Mr Cavendish hardly moved, he made a few marks on a parchment he was holding and the end he paused a long time before he said anything. He knew he had heard some of the truth but what he had found out put into question most of what they had told him. It wasn’t going to change the outcome, in fact it almost leant more credence in what the Ministry was doing in trying to protect its people.
“Thank you Miss Granger a very....interesting story but unfortunately it does not help.”
“But they lured her there and tried to rape her.” Insisted Hermione.
“So you say and I would caution you with what you say.” Automatically responded Cavendish, yes Miss Granger was smart but her mouth would lead her into trouble one day. In his normal range of work such an allegation would have been seized upon and vigorously attacked, and without evidence, would leave whatever argument she tried to make far weaker because of it. His eyes glanced at Susan, strangely she was quiet, her early comments had seemed well thought through, very much like Miss Grangers but she seemed to know when to talk and more importantly when to wait.
McGonagall looked shocked at Mr Cavendish’s warning, she was supposed to look after her students and this was not some sort of formal setting so she had to speak.
“Mr Cavendish I know of you, but these students have my upmost respect I’m sure everything they are saying is true.”
The calm assurance of the Deputy Headmistress forced Cavendish to remember where he was. He had to give these people a little leeway, they passionately believed in something, so he would just slowly show them the error of their ways.
“Very well if they don’t mind I have a few questions....Who was the first into the room.?”
“Um...I was.” replied Harry.
“And what did you see.”
“Not much, I just saw Gabrielle in the corner she was....”
“Yes I know about that but what else did you see or do? Did you pick anything up or move anything unusual?”
“No sir.”
“Any of you?”
The small group looked at each other, this was clearly not what they were expecting. Eventually Susan spoke, and relayed what she had done.
“So you checked the other students and recovered a shoe and a wand?”
“Yes, Gabrielle’s wand.”
“Where was it?”
“Under a desk a little away from where she was.”
“Did you see any note?”
“No.”
“See any evidence of a note, ash or anything?”
“No.”
“Professor McGonagall did you.”
“Well no I was too busy with the students.”
“Professor Snape?”
“No!” He instantly replied not elaborating any further.
“So none of you saw anything that can collaborate Miss Delacour’s story.”
“No, but...” protested Hermione.
Mr. Cavendish held up his hand to stop Hermione from speaking anymore.
“I know you want to help but I have to go on facts and they are clear. I know you won’t like it but simply put there is only one explanation, she is a Veela and she attacked those boys for no reason.”
“She is not a Veela!” exploded Hermione and Susan together.
“The injured students had congregated in that classroom to discuss their Defence against the Dark Arts, Professor Snape has verified that Mr Malfoy asked in about using his classroom for this meeting earlier in the day.”
Everyone save Gabrielle turned and looked at Draco and Snape. If Harry could hate Snape any more he would, for some reason Snape was protecting Draco and suddenly he felt very cold as thought everything was about to go horribly wrong.
“Whilst they were there Miss Delacour entered the room which then locked and protected itself due to either a spell cast by Miss Delacour or one of the boys in the ensuing fight. The locking spell was a safety measure placed by Professor Snape to prevent anything nasty from escaping. I am unsure why she went to that room or the purpose of the attack and Miss Delacour has so far not told me of the reason…”
“I went there because of a note.” Replied Gabriele in a quiet voice but fearing that everything was happen according to how this man wanted it to.
“Once more the fictitious note.”
“Are you calling her a liar?” instantly voiced Harry
“No but I have no evidence that what she is saying is true but I have evidence that she has attacked and seriously injured four students. Two of whom are unlikely to return to their homes for Christmas this year. We are not talking about simple spell damage here. This is not some prank gone wrong, but a very serious assault.”
Harry and the rest all looked at Gabrielle, shock was clear on most of their faces and a little worry upon Hermione and Ron’s. None of them had seen Crabbe or Nott in the week but they didn’t think they were still hospitalised.
“So you see this is the only conclusion that I can come up with. She had managed to put four senior students into hospital, some of them very seriously injured; her story that she was attacked does not sit right, if she had that much power then never would she be in danger. The idea of rape is clever but as I said with that much power it could never happen so in the end it is a weak lie. So as I started to say a little while ago there is no other alternative. Miss Delacour is a Veela and therefore subject to the regulations.....”
Before he could continue a clear voice stopped him.
“Mr Cavendish please can you explain how you came to the conclusion that she is a Veela?” Asked Susan and a light and pleasant voice, hiding her inner fury at the man.
“If you insist, the actions in the room and a little background knowledge tell us everything. It is hard for anyone not there to know what happened but by the damage produced it is the only explanation, I will step you through it. First of all she is a very beautiful young lady.”
“Does beauty determine a person’s heritage?” asked Susan. This was the fight they had prepared for and so she felt confident.
“No but it is a marking characteristic of that race.”
“But in that case any beautiful young girl would be a Veela.”
“No...There are other factors which help to lead me to my conclusion that was just the first.”
“Which is very flimsy but please continue.”
He looked at her quietly for a few moments. This girl had not only moved the debate to this topic, but she had somehow turned this around so that he was defending himself to /her. /Remarkable.
“I have asked several professors about her and their reports make interesting reading. First is Herbology, where she has a remarkable habit of keeping herself clean. Professor Spout assured me that at no time had Ms. Delacour ever looked dirty or even a hair out of place. Veela, as magical beings, have this ability to always look their best, and would be difficult, near on impossible for a human to do so.”
“But once more any person who takes pride in there appearance could be classed as a Veela. You said it was rare or should I say near on impossible but it can be done. I remember many a lesson in where I have come away looking perfectly clean. I could have been that Professor Sprout just never saw Gabrielle when she was dirty.”
“Yes but as I said as a whole it’s harder to ignore, a beauty and never a hair out of place. We are getting closer to a textbook definition of a Veela working in society. But there are other reports each speak of poor magic. Speaking to the other professors about her they say she is quiet, almost mouse like, in all classes. All of her written homework is perfect yet her practical work shows little to no power or control....”
“I never said that!” interrupted Professor McGonagall.
“But others have....”
“But poor magic is not a Veela trait.”
“That is correct but this poor ability in using magic belittles what happened in the room. If in class she has problems performing quiet basic spells how could she have performed such advanced or dangerous magic to put those boy’s into hospital?”
“Just because she isn’t good in class does not condemn her! Everything you have said may be true but none of it proves she’s a Veela.” continued to retort Susan.
“Ah I see you have been doing your research but so have I. You mentioned a little while ago that you picked up her wand and returned it Gabrielle. Please tell me did it feel warm? Did your arm tingle?”
“Well no!”
“Exactly. None of the spells cast in that room were performed by a wand. She defeated those students with wandless magic, not only wandless magic but with fireballs of a blue colour. Have you ever cast a blue fireball without a wand, or seen it done? A blue flame that can burn through a shield, cause burns and other more magical injuries? ”
“Well no.”
“Any of you?”
Harry looked at the rest and shook his head.
“Anybody in this room?”
McGonagall wanted to say yes but it would have been a lie. Everything the man was saying seemed right but how could he come to such a horrible conclusion.
“But that is still no proof, she could have done that if she was a witch.” Answered Susan.
“True but as I said the Professors reports lead me to believe that she has no great power. Blue fireballs are known to be cast by Veela when they want to. Putting that together with everything else leads us to only one conclusion.”
Hermione spoke this time before Susan.
“So from only a few reasons you are going to condemn a witch to be a Veela and execute her for being at this school.”
“Young lady no one is talking of such extreme measures.”
“Very well then you will ‘merely’ enslave her. There is too much doubt in this situation for it to be right or just.”
“You speak with passion but as I said I’ve done my research. I have contacted the French ministry and they have been very co-operative. They have given me enough information about her family to easily show that she is a Veela.”
“But the French Ministry doesn’t class her as one so how can you?” asked Hermione
“They haven’t had such an attack. Miss Delacour’s mother is as close to a Veela as anybody can be. I’m sure if they really investigated they would find the truth.”
“Leave Mama out of it, it’s me we are talking about.” Responded Gabrielle, not wanting to see the rest of her family being brought into this sham.
“No the evidence is clear she has to be a Veela and so…”
Now Susan took over once more.
“No she doesn’t have to be. Your proof is circumstantial; her lack of getting dirty is nothing and her looking beautiful is nothing. You mention that extreme power to disable the four boys and the use of blue fire is all because she is a Veela. But we can list case after case where witches and wizards have shown great power when they have been pushed into a corner and that is exactly what happened.”
“Once more you speak eloquently but it changes nothing.”
“But it does. We are making a case for reasonable doubt. As I said we have answered all of your evidence with another explanation but you are refusing to see the truth. Hermione mentioned that there are documented cases about increases in power some include the throwing of fireballs. Look at Pepper verses Green or Bovington against Brown or Grenerg verses Billacook. In each one of them, it was proven that a witch or wizard suddenly increased in power when under extreme stress or attack. This increase was the cause of them casting wandless or otherwise very powerful spells some of which they knew nothing about.
So what we are saying then, is that a greater crime has been committed here and one you haven’t even looked into. If what she is saying is true then there is a conspiracy to cover it up! That is something you should be looking into not trying to make her into something for the Ministry to sell. You have mentioned her family but I see that you have skipped over her sister, yes the one who was in the Tri-Wizard tournament, there is no way for her to have competed if she was a Veela. But you have overlooked that, if Gabrielle is a Veela then so should her sister but the Ministry passed her. So one of you is wrong, you or the Ministry official that passed Fleur, and I put it to you that it is you who have made the mistake. You have pursued one story, one that has been given to you and found ‘evidence’ to back that single story up. If the Ministry truly wanted to do this right they would have looked into a lot more. You didn't even question any of us, you just took Gabrielle’s story and threw it out. Even the most customary questions of it to parties not directly involved would have indicated that something was strange.
“The door locking with a powerful spell ‘just by chance’, was that looked into or was the word of one Professor taken? The fact she was given a note by a first year Slytherin, someone the boys could have forced into doing. You claim to have reached your conclusion by looking at the situation as a whole, but there are many simple factors you have not investigated that would significantly alter the result of this inquiry. Have you even considered the use of veritaserum in taking testimony?”
Draco sat appalled at what he heard, everything had been going perfect, soon he would be able to lay claim to Gabrielle but suddenly it was going wrong. Not just wrong but disastrous, the suave Mr Cavendish once on his side was now listening to that girls words and Draco could see the decisions racing through his head. He wanted to say something but knew if he did the delicate web of lies he had mange to spin would collapse.
Mr Cavendish wanted to reply but stopped himself, everything he had said was true he firmly believed in everything but Susan’s words had jolted him. She had come up with differing answers to every piece of evidence he had. He was an expert at this type of investigation but he was being shown up for lack of doing his work, something that had never happened before. He had promised the Ministry a good story and in fact the press were waiting for his report right this minute. He knew some of his conclusions were poor but the blue flame had been the clincher. There was no other explanation but Susan had come up with one, but not just that she had mentioned cases which proved her point and further more he remembered working as junior on one of them many years ago.
He had to find a way out of the hole he dug himself. If he didn’t give the press the story they were after his job would be the least of things he would lose. The idea of rape was good and it did explain what happened and if Draco was anything like is father had been then that was the truth or part of it, but would the paper take that story up. There was no evidence and those that had committed the attack were in the hospital. The Ministry wanted to show how tough they were in protecting not only the country but also the children, this would finish them. Try as he might he could not see what to do but then a small thought came to his mind. He quickly looked at a scrap of parchment and saw his salvation, he felt sorry for the girl but someone had to be sacrificed to save his career and the Ministry. Looking up and straight into the eyes of Susan he started his response.
“You my young lady are good, very good indeed. I was sorry to hear about your Aunt but please don’t let that stop you from entering the Ministry. We need people like you, and if you want a sponsor I would be willing to sponsor you right now. Yes you are right there is enough doubt that I can not class her as a Veela….” Mr Cavendish heard the collective outpouring of air as everyone who was holding their breath let it out at once. He saw smiles shared between them and a few touched hands, it hurt him knowing that in a moment, he would dash it all.
“…I still think that she is but there is enough reasonable doubt that I can not continue. I also feel what she has been saying will need to be looked into, so Headmaster if you don’t mind I would like to spend the next few days and some in the New Year looking into the matter.”
“Of course you may I too will be looking into everything as well.” Replied Dumbledore looking around the room.
“So as this is not a case of dangerous animals lose in the school I will hand the punishment over to you Headmaster but the Ministry urges you to expel the girl to show strong discipline in this current time of crisis.”
“No!” cried Harry having thought that they had won. They had proved Gabrielle was a witch, a normal person, but now what was happening her fate was with Dumbledore, the man she didn’t trust, and Harry doubted he would save her.
Dumbledore saw how he had been manoeuvred into this very difficult situation. He needed Harry to develop but was Gabrielle right for him? A lot of people were telling him that she was, none less than Fawkes herself, but his feelings told him otherwise. Harry would be much better with Fleur or someone else. Harry had started down the road of discovery, did he truly need Gabrielle anymore? As he continued to think this through Snape spoke up.
“Headmaster you have to expel her.”
“You can’t say that!” replied McGonagall.
“Yes I can, it’s not two of your students still in hospital going to miss Christmas.”
“They brought it on themselves, if what was said to be true then that is the least of their problems.”
“But if it is not then you have to do this Headmaster.”
“Hmmmm…..I don’t think so Severus.”
“Why, because she a lovely Gryffindor, if you don’t expel her you will have more to deal with!”
“What do you mean?” asked McGonagall.
“Simply stated, if she can get away with this then what will be next? Maiming? Murder?”
“Now Professor Snape.” Interrupted Dumbledore.
“I’m just saying what will happen if the students see her getting away with this. If she does then there will be more attacks and perhaps one of them would be fatal.”
“That’s assuming Professor Snape that Gabrielle attacked them and wasn’t attacked.” Replied McGonagall.
Dumbledore knew that Snape’s words were more than just a warning, and McGonagall words could also be true, but something different was going on in that man’s mind. He always hoped that Snape was what he thought him to be but now he was not sure, this term Professor Snape had been different, almost belligerent but this was by far the greatest public display. There was another plan going on here and one he must see to as well. Dumbledore turned his mind back to the problem, expelling Gabrielle would solve many problems and stop a few more but it would damage his relationship with Harry. He had spent all term working to improve it and at a stroke he could destroy it. He had seen the way the two sat together there was definitely something between them he could feel the magic.
No he could not expel her as much as he wanted or needed to it would damage the relationship with Harry he had managed to build up this term, yet he must get her away from Harry more.
“No Professor Snape she hasn’t gotten away with it but I will not expel a student for defending themselves.
“Defending themselves….”
“Yes defending themselves, but no matter, serious injury has been done and so serious consequences must be paid. She can stay at Hogwarts but she’ll have detention.
“DETENTION!” screamed Draco.
“Headmaster I implore you.” Asked Mr Cavendish in a much calmer and measured voice.
“No she will have detention for two months, every day from the beginning of term. She will be allowed to do her homework in detention time but that is all. She will also be banned from any social and sports club for the rest of the year. So you see she hasn’t gotten away with it.”
Harry felt his face fall slightly, he had expected something but nothing like this Dumbledore was literally cutting Gabriele off from everyone for two months. He looked over at her and could see the unformed tears in her eyes she knew that their time together would be seriously limited but Harry had to muse at least she was still at the school.
“Unfortunately I don’t think the Ministry agrees with your punishment Headmaster.”
“That may be, but as I have said before I run the school and the Ministry can do nothing about it. Until the governors decide to remove me the punishment stands.”
Mr Cavendish shook his head a moment before he spoke.
“You are right I can not interfere with your running of the school. But for the safety of the public I must act.”
“Safety of the public?” asked Susan.
“Yes safety, as I said you were very good but you didn’t see the large picture. NO the Ministry can not let a dangerous witch be on the lose.”
“Dangerous Witch….what about Voldemort!” asked Harry.
Almost everyone in the room shuddered when Harry spoke his name but he stood his ground waiting an answer.
“Yes Mr Potter the Ministry is dealing with him and his time will come but we can deal with this dangerous witch now before another person in this country gets injured.”
“NO!” shouted Susan at last understanding the end game.
“Yes the Ministry will revoke her visa; she will be deported back to France. We will make every effort to keep our people safe but not only that we do show compassion. I have already spoken to the Head of Beauxbatons and she was surprised that Miss Delacour didn’t start with her this year but I’m sure a recommendation from the Minster of Magic and you, Headmaster, would allow her to continue her studies at that fine school.”
Dumbledore nodded, “I will be more than happy to provide Miss Delacour with any help she requires during her transition to Beauxbatons.” If Harry blamed him for it then everything was lost. He hoped that with Harry’s new found responsibility that he wouldn’t.
Mr Cavendish turned back to Susan.
“See we all get what we want, you get the investigation, she stays a witch and she stays in school, not this school, but in a school never the less.” The Ministry wouldn’t get to sell her or use her but that was a minor loss. The publicity would be still be good.
“And what do you get?” asked Hermione quietly still stunned at the sudden turn and seeing Susan slowly shaking her head in bewilderment.
“Me? I get my story and the Ministry can show how tough it is, we all win.”
“Everyone except me.” Murmured Gabrielle.
Harry looked at her and tried to think of something to say or do, she looked back at him as if trying to transmit a message but Harry didn’t see it his heart had literally dropped out of his body. They had saved Gabriele but they were still going to lose her. Gabrielle looked over her shoulder her at Susan and Luna. Both the girls gave her the smallest of nods before Susan collapsed in silent sobs only to be gathered into the arms of Luna. Hermione glanced at Ron and saw on his face the look of confusion, they had just won, but it was though Susan was reacting to a loss. Yes Gabrielle might be deported but she would not be a Veela. A slight tremble of foreboding washed over her as she started to understand that it wasn’t over yet. Something new was about to happen and it was going to upset a lot of people.
“Mr Cavendish, thank you for seeing reason but doing this harms me more than you can imagine.” Said Gabrielle slowly.
“I’m sorry, truly I am but I have to do something.”
“So must I.”
“No Gabrielle, you mustn’t we’ve won we can work this out.” Pleaded Harry but Gabrielle ignored him for what she hoped to be the very last time in her life.
“I would like to say something that is pertinent to your investigation.”
“Very well but as I said you’ve won.”
“Yes but we are wrong, I am a Veela.”
“NO! Gabrielle don’t do this we won!” cried Harry.
“I’m a Veela and I can prove it. You can ask of me anything you wish ask me to perform any test and I will pass. I’m not a strong Veela but I am one and wish to be treated as one.”
“Miss Delacour, what are you doing? Do you know what you are saying?” suddenly questioned McGonagall, but Gabrielle just looked at the man who could grant her, her wish.
“It’s an interesting statement but it make’s no difference you are a witch, duly proved and noted.”
“No I’m a Veela!” she replied once more but this time she focused. She focused every fibre of her magic for this one display, she had to show him he was wrong. She drew to her everything she could magic flowed into her hand and she felt the flame. It wasn’t large it wasn’t even threatening but it was there a smallest of tiny blue flame flickering in the centre of her hand.
“See I’m a Veela.”
Mr Cavendish looked at the flame, it was small but it was there, a simple action had proved to him that he had been right. Susan’s argument had been good but this was physical evidence, he didn’t want to use it but the young girl was determined, he didn’t know why and in fact never wanted to know but he had no choice now.
“Very well you leave me no choice.” He drew a wand before he spoke once more. “You are a Veela and so therefore are under Ministry control for attacking a wizard and being present upon a controlled property. Further more you are liable for any damages to the said Wizard or Wizards and will be sold to cover their costs, and the cost of damage done to the school. You will remain as such for the rest of your life, you cannot be released from this designation do you understand?”
“Yes.” She replied and a ribbon of light flowed form Mr Cavendish’s wand to her.
Gabrielle turned towards Harry and tried to tell him with her expression that yes she had to do this. It would mean she was his, her every dream. She could read Harry’s face every part was willing her not to complete what she was doing. She turned back and braced herself.
“I understand and agree.” She replied
A second ribbon of light encircled Gabrielle and joined with the first it fully engulfed her before ending in a blinding flash.
“Well now that all over with I hope that no more of my time will be wasted. I would have been much better if she had just done this in the beginning.”
“Now Mr Malfoy, reparations will be decided at a later date but, there still will be an investigation into your actions. So I bid you all good night, as I must escort Miss Delacour to the Ministry, Headmaster someone will be along to pick up her belongings tomorrow.”
Dumbledore sat in silence, watching what was about to happen. Whether he agreed with it or not what was about to happen he was interested in seeing it. Obviously Gabrielle had come up with this plan all along and but the look she gave the others most of them knew it. Ideally as he waited for the next action he wondered if Harry had argued to much agaist it all, he wasn’t sure that he would have done if it had been him there instead, a pretty girl bound to you not only in love but in law? No he didn't know what he would have done.
For another in the room his smile was of pure victory, Draco had feared for everything, not only had he feared losing but and investigation might bring forth what had been truly happening within the Slytherin halls this term. But the pathetic loyalty of the girl was her undoing why she had done it he wasn’t completely sure but he wasn’t going to let those mudbloods and muggle lovers win he would get in first.
“Mr Cavendish, according to the law any Adult is able to purchase a Ministry controlled Veela if a suitable price is agreed. As you said reparations are due and I would be willing to take her in compensation, I will also pay the other three injured parties out of my own funds any reparations they require. You are law bound to accept any reasonable offer for her and also I’m the injured party so hand her over.”
Gabrielle looked imploringly at Harry but he still looked too shocked.
Dumbledore waited for somebody to say something. If he had to he would, as much as he didn’t want Gabrielle near Harry he didn’t want her near Draco one bit, it would be a death sentence for the girl.
Professor McGonagall was still shocked, but her mind still thought of Gabrielle as one of her students and so she spoke up.
“Mr Malfoy as usual you are wrong you can not own Gabrielle.”
“But I’m the injured party he cannot refuse.”
“But you are not an adult.”
“But I’m the head of the Malfoy family!”
“You are only the acting head and that still doesn’t make you an adult. Your father still lives and in doing so has relegated you to still being a child.”
“But…but…but…”
Mr Cavendish silently nodded as he heard McGonagall speaking before he stepped into add the weight of the Ministry behind the decision.
“Professor you are right and I thank you for pointing it out. Even if you were an adult Mr. Malfoy I would have still be in my right to deny you the sale. For you see there is a by law, it states that the wizard purchasing her has to prove themselves able to control the Veela in question. Two of your numbers are still in the Hospital; she would have killed you within a week. The point of my being here is to protect the students of this school even if I have to protect them from themselves.”
“But…You…it’s…” spluttered Draco still not believing.
Mr Cavendish looked at Dumbledore and waited a moment. He suspected that he, as the Headmaster, would buy Gabrielle, he would be able to. It wouldn’t be much of a life to start with but eventually she might become a teacher or something here at the school. Not much of a life but definitely better than what awaited her, yet the Headmaster said nothing. Seeing that nothing more was coming Mr Cavendish gathered up his parchments turned and made a step towards the door.
Gabrielle looked at Harry and could feel the stunned shock still racing through him. It was though most of him was working on autopilot his mind still wasn’t fully in control.
“Harry…you promised.” She pleaded in a low voice. If he didn’t say something soon then it would be over, her dream would be lost and this last gamble would have failed.
Mr Cavendish managed to take another step before a voice stopped him. It sounded almost emotionless but he listened to the words.
“I will buy her, I’ll pay whatever you ask.”
He turned and looked for the source of the voice. He looked into the tight face of Harry Potter. He could see little emotion on the boy’s face but there was something, a growing power or energy. Some people at the Ministry spoke of Dumbledore in hushed tones. They spoke of seeing the Headmaster in full fight his eyes blazing with power and much, much more. Looking into the face of Harry Potter and his Killing Curse green eyes he had an urge like he wanted to run and hide. It was though he had hurt Harry and it was now time to pay.
“Him….Him….he can’t buy her.” Protest Draco still unbelieving the cold and humiliated way they dismissed him.
“I think you find that he can.” Replied Dumbledore quietly.
“Do you understand what you are saying?” asked Mr Cavendish carefully.
“Yes I will buy her from you and you are duty bound to accept.”
“That I am.”
“But how is he acceptable?” called out Draco.
“Because I’m an adult.” replied Harry not taking his eyes off Cavendish.
“Your wand please.” Asked Mr Cavendish and he drew out his own once more. He saw Harry slowly draw his wand, like most teenage wands it looked dirty and poorly looked after but it seemed to glow almost like Harry’s magic was trying to escape it.
“Very well I will get in contact with you about the exact price but I’m sure you can afford it. So…”
Cavendish touch Harry’s wand with the top of his own and flash of magic saw twin intertwined ribbons of magic flow down into the wand and then into Harry.
“I’ll prepare the paperwork tomorrow and owl it to you; all you have to do is sign the forms and send in the money. After that, she’ll be officially be registered to you.”
“Hey you can’t do this, he may be an adult but you don’t know if he can handle her.” Draco spat angrily.
Mr. Cavendish looked at Draco oddly. “I’m beginning to believe that the attack injured your head far more severely than originally thought. You seem to be forgetting the fact that Mr. Potter within the last two years alone, took on a full fledge Dragon, Dementor, Acromantula, and You-Know-Who. That in itself is more than enough proof that he can handle her.” He peered at Draco closer trying to make out some unforeseen injury, shrugged his shoulders, and turned back to Harry.
“Well that’s everything, congratulations Mr. Potter.”
“Thanks.” Harry said with no emotion on his voice.
Harry continued to stand completely still, as everyone filed out of the room. He ignored Draco and Professor Snape, but he couldn’t ignore his new property could he?
***
Sign up to rate and review this story