"Thank you, Professor," Hadrian said, flashing Professor Slughorn a smile of gratitude, as the gargoyle began to move once he said the password for him to get up to the Headmaster's office. Exuding worry and anxiousness, as if he didn't really want to do what he was about to, but feeling the need to do so nonetheless.
"I could accompany you if you wish, Mr. Peverell?" Slughorn asked, concerned by the emotions he could see coming from his student. Normally he was very well composed, after assimilating to school life and getting over the trauma that brought him here in the first place. He was quite a natural Slytherin, the hat had been quite right in placing him with the rest of his house. Normally his students didn't show much in the way of emotion which told Slughorn just how bad it may be.
"That's okay, professor, I know you'll have to get the class set up for today, I'll be fine," Hadrian said, visibly straightening up and putting a blank mask on his face giving Slughorn the impression he wanted to be seen as grown up. Giving him a nod, Hadrian began to ascend the stairs, it had surprised him how quickly he'd gotten a meeting with the Headmaster.
Knocking firmly three times on the door, he waited patiently for the elderly Headmaster - elderly he may be but powerful nonetheless - he didn't have to wait long before a firm voice beckoned him to enter. Twisting the knob Hadrian stepped into the Headmaster's office, once again caught off guard by just how different it was from what he had always known it as. Practically a replica of Gryffindor common room with a lot of expensive trinkets taking up all available space.
"Ah, Hadrian, it's good to see you," Dippet said, observing the teenager with pride. He had made the right call by allowing the child to attend Hogwarts. Not only was he astonishingly bright and top of his classes he had brought Tom out of his self imposed isolation. The young child seemed to always have his head buried in his books, never showing much in the way of emotion even if he was impeccably dressed and very polite. With Hadrian he was actually living his life not just reading from books, he knew both of them were going to be great one day, perhaps even taking great positions within the Ministry of magic. Definitely students to be proud of, it was just a shame that neither had guardians they could rely on.
"Hello, Headmaster," Hadrian said with a genuine grin on his face, he really liked Dippet, after Dumbledore it was a surprise he could like anyone in a position of power. "Thank you so much for agreeing to see me, especially so soon, I know you're busy but I don't have anyone else to go to." he admitted his brow furrowing and his grin fading into a grim line.
Dippet sat up straighter in his chair, "Sit down, Hadrian, and tell me in your own time." he told the child, "I am however, a little surprised, Professor Slughorn has always given the impression of being rather discrete and reliable."
"I would have went to him," Hadrian agreed his eyes shadowed, "But he knows the person I'm worried about…and I'm afraid he might not believe me…or that you might not either." swallowing thickly, having to stifle his amusement and guilt at the look of worry that was now appearing on Dippet's face. This was too important to screw up, he had to shine a negative light on Dumbledore now, before he got anywhere near the Headmastership then it would be next to impossible to get him removed from his position, he knew because there had been many attempts over the last six decades.
If Horace knew the person then the likelihood of him knowing too was extremely evident in his speech, he was not going to like what he heard at all. He braced himself as all sorts of thoughts flooded his mind, had a teacher hit him? It was something he'd abolished upon becoming the Headmaster of Hogwarts so it was considered forbidden. He didn't believe negative punishments helped students learn, they needed a positive environment. Was he being bullied? Threatened? Each and every thought seemed more ludicrous than the last. He remained silent to give Hadrian time to explain, trying to get it out before he was ready would mean things get muddled up. He would rather have a clear concise understanding.
Hadrian bit his lip before breathing out, "Do you think I'm going to join Grindelwald?" he blurted out, allowing some hurt to bleed into his eyes as he stared at the Headmaster. Oh, he knew Dippet had nothing to do with what Dumbledore was doing but he had to make it seem like he did. At least he thought so but it certainly wouldn't be the first time he'd been proven wrong.
"I beg your pardon?" Dippet asked perplexed, wondering where on earth he'd get such an idea from. He would never accuse any of his students of such a thing without explicit proof.
"Abraxas is friends with Tom and he's learning under his father to take over the position in the Wizengamot and how to look after his estate," Hadrian informed the Headmaster, who nodded, quite common for the first born male heirs to end up in such a position. "He was at the Ministry when he heard Professor Dumbledore and the Minister talking about gaining custody of emancipated teenagers, that they were vulnerable to Grindelwald, he said you it was a priority for you too, but you were busy here. Me and Tom are the only emancipated teenagers at Hogwarts, right now…is that why Professor Dumbledore doesn't like me?"
This was definitely news to him, Dippet thought, he definitely had not agreed with anything with Albus regarding emancipated teenagers. "Why would you think Professor Dumbledore doesn't like you?" he asked, trying to confirm if there was something much more sinister at work or if it was just insecurity on Hadrian's part. He didn't think Albus had done anything wrong but he would rather be thorough and nip the problem in the bud.
"My first week at Hogwarts….professor Dumbledore gave me an entire years worth of homework to complete in a fortnight…I didn't think anything off it, I thought it was normal, but Professor Slughorn was so angry and none of the other teachers did it." Hadrian explained in a rush, flushing red in shame, "The detentions I received they were unfair, others do the same thing…but it was me who he picked on. I… during one of the first detentions he asked me about wanting to help me with my family tree, persistently despite the fact I said I didn't need help. The second detention he…he brought Healer Chang to the Transfiguration classroom and told her he thought I was under the influence of a controlling charm…he never outright said anything but…I'm sure he thought it was Tom…and he keeps watching me all the time I mean ask my friends, I promise I'm not making this up! The way he stares makes me really uncomfortable…I can give you the memories if you need them…I shouldn't have said anything should I have?" he was muttering mostly to himself now, anxiety wafting off him.
"Hadrian, calm down," Dippet instructed coming out from behind his desk, tapping his wand to his desk a platter appeared, and Dippet handed over one cup of tea to the child, hoping giving him something to do would prevent any panic attacks. "Drink this slowly, take deep breaths," whether he believed it or not he had to get the Auror's in to investigate. Right now he was on the fence; he wasn't going to accuse either of lying.
It wasn't even ten minutes later that two familiar Auror's stepped through the Floo network, both of them were surprised by the changes that Hadrian had undergone. The last time they had seen the teenager, two years ago, he had been extremely short, thin, and malnourished, he definitely had come into his own.
"How can we help you, Headmaster Dippet?" Prewitt asked professionally, both of them standing at attention.
"Mr. Peverell has come to me with some serious concerns regarding one of my professors, Albus Dumbledore…it seems he's been displaying an inappropriate amount of attention to him." Dippet informed them grimly, straightening up a look of concern on his face, what if he had been trusting someone…depreciable with his students? The thought made him feel sick quite frankly.
Moody shifted, glancing at Prewitt not liking the implication at all, "He asked me about Hadrian's case and family back when I was first investigating it." it was obviously closed now, both bodies had been brought back after cremation and been released per Hadrian's request that he didn't want to see it as a constant reminder of what happened to him. He had not blamed him the slightest, who would want to keep the ashes of those who had abused him? Normally they didn't cremate wizards and witches; they were usually buried but with the war and bringing them back it were easier to do so being cremated.
"You mentioned it," Prewitt confirmed, he also knew that the messages were recorded and would be called up as proof during their new investigation. This wasn't what they had wanted in face of boredom when they weren't called out all day. In fact Aaron had been annoyed at being called so close to their home time.
"Has he ever touched you?" Aaron asked, he didn't want to ask that, it was disgusting, he'd been taught by Dumbledore himself, and even he knew the man played favourites.
Hadrian's eyes widened, stomach rebelling, "T-touch?" he squeaked out, shivering in revulsion as if the thought had never crossed his mind. He began to shake his head vehemently, causing all to relax. "He…he didn't want to touch me did he?" bewildered.
"We will find out," Prewitt said, it could be anything, hell Dumbledore could have been grooming him for all they knew. He kept emotion firmly away from him during cases where it came to people he knew. Whether he liked Dumbledore or not an allegation had been made and he'd made a vow when he became an Auror to investigate all crimes to his best abilities - nothing official - but the promise he made was no less important to him.
"Would you be willing to give us the memories of those…impropriate times?" Aaron enquired, busy writing everything down but made sure to look at Hadrian seriously, teenager or not, he was there to help and wanted the boy to know it.
"Yes," Hadrian agreed softly, removing his wand readying it for what was to come.
"You bring the vials?" Aaron then asked his partner, they always had a few of them on their person for the memories. It was going to be a long, long case. They would need to speak to quite a few of the students, which would require the parents consent and presence here at Hogwarts or the Ministry. Admittedly Hogwarts would be much easier getting the truth from the students without fear that they were in trouble themselves. Then if they had a case they would need to arrest Dumbledore and begin investigating and setting up a court date for him.
"Yes," Prewitt muttered, digging into his bag until his arm disappeared almost fully into it, before too long he pulled out six vials in a crate.
"You know how to extract memories, Mr. Peverell?" Aaron asked, glancing briefly at the wand in his hand.
"I do," Hadrian replied, "I love to read."
"Very well, extract all the memories you have," Aaron stated, kneeling down accepting the uncorked vial from his partner, he was already writing on a piece of paper hastily but ensuring it was readable.
Hadrian slowly extracted each memory, allowing Aaron to guide his hand to deposit the memory into the vial. Which was promptly sealed with his magic, then passed up to Prewitt, he looked a lot like Fred and George. He wondered briefly if he was the one who fathered Molly, Fabian and Gideon Prewitt or if it was another Prewitt out there.
They needed more than just the one crate, seven vials in total, all sealed with their magic and tagged with permanent sticking charm. Nobody other than both of them would be able to view the memories, keeping them secure; once the case was complete the memories would be returned to Hadrian Peverell since they couldn't keep the actual memories.
Even with the memories Hadrian had to recount the experiences with his own words, explain how he felt regarding them. Hadrian also gave the names of people who he knew would be able to say Dumbledore constantly stared at him. It took them well past midnight to get everything they required and be satisfied enough that they'd done all they could. Only then did Dippet request that Hadrian be allowed to get some sleep, to return to his dorm.
Which Hadrian had gratefully done.
"What does this mean for Albus right now? What do I do?" Armando asked the two Aurors quite frankly freaked out over everything he'd heard that night.
"He cannot work with children until this has been cleared up," Moody informed Dippet grimly. "I suggest you suspend him with or without pay it's entirely up to yourself. If he's found guilty then he will need to be fired, if he's not guilty well it's entirely within your rights to re-hire him back to full time employment. Either way he will probably be in the Ministry first thing tomorrow for questioning."
Dippet sighed tiredly, nodding resignedly, yes he had suspected as much, which meant he needed to find a new Transfiguration teacher very quickly. He had a few good friends who he trusted to take over for however brief a time they could it would help him greatly while he found a long term substitute teacher, he knew how long it would take for such a case to be cleared up months. "Thank you for coming so quickly, gentlemen, please feel free to use the Floo." it was a long trek otherwise to get back to the Ministry.
The Auror's said their own goodbyes and promptly left.
--------0
"What the hell…." Lestrange muttered blearily opening his eyes at the constant buzzing coming from the common room…it was the owl chute…it only began making a noise when it was full. It had only ever happened a few times, mostly on big birthdays. Groaning in annoyance when it became obvious that nobody was going to answer it. Then just like that it shut off, sighing in relief, he turned around and burrowed back into his warm bed.
Another despairing groan left more than just his lips when the door was thumped on three times before someone came in.
"Lestrange, Tom, Nott, Avery…you've got mail and it's marked urgent from the Ministry of magic," the mail was tossed onto their trunks before the Head boy Orion Black was gone again.
"The what?" Avery called out; scrambling out of his bed, by now everyone had opened the curtains on their beds and summoned the letter causing Avery to roll his eyes for not doing the same. "Why the hell would we get mail from the Ministry?" his voice rising with worry even though he'd deny it until his dying breath.
They all heard Hadrian suddenly laugh, there was a menacing undertone to it, "Don't worry you're just being called as a witness of sorts." chuckling darkly.
"Witnesses?" Avery, Nott and Lestrange glanced at one another before ripping open their letter wondering if it had something to do with what Tom and Hadrian had been talking about at the welcoming feast.
"It doesn't say anything," Aiden insisted scowling at the useless letter, literally gave them no idea what was going on. Just that they were to go to Headmaster Dippet's office at nine o'clock, he was anyway, and that his mother would be there.
"He's right, Hadrian what is this about?" Thaddeus questioned, not even blinking at the sight of Tom and Hadrian lying together, it was a common occurrence but one that was yet to get comfortable. Just because they were used to it, it didn't mean they were comfortable, and not because they were both men, but rather the fact it was Tom and Hadrian.
Hadrian glanced at Tom before replying with, "You'll see." their eyes gleaming viciously.
Avery swallowed, yes; someone was going to be in a word of hurt soon. He didn't even spare them an ounce of pity.
"Mines says eight thirty," Lestrange muttered, reluctantly crawling out of his bed, he needed to shower and get dressed, if he was anything less than impeccably dressed he'd never hear the end of it from his parents.
"Mines is nine," Aiden mused, "So half an hour then," what on earth had Hadrian done? What were they getting involved in? It must have something to do with Dumbledore he was almost one hundred percent on that front.
----------0
Two Days Later
Albus Dumbledore, Deputy Headmaster and Transfiguration Professor sat down to begin eating his breakfast feeling utterly perplexed. There was something going on in Hogwarts, but for the life of him he didn't know what. There were Auror's talking to many of the students in the past two days, but when he asked Armando and the Aurors individually, they had told him it was 'need to know' and it went without saying that they believed he didn't need to know. He hated being in the dark, but Armando was vehemently against telling him anything. He had tried to listen in on them and the Aurors with the students to try and figure it out but they must have been looking for eavesdropping charms since it had cut off before he could hear a thing.
He had just finished filling his plate with a full English breakfast (slightly late to breakfast all the students were already seated and eating) when the doors of the Great Hall opened, emitting the red clad Aurors, he like everyone else watched them curiously. Had they completed their investigation into whatever it was they were investigating? Who was it they were investigating? Hopefully today would be the day he got his answers. Yet as they advanced, completely bypassing the students it dawned on him…a teacher? This surprised him, but as he gazed at them a sinking feeling went through him, it couldn't be…swallowing thickly when they stood at his chair, and he craned his neck to see them more clearly.
"Albus Dumbledore you are under arrest, you do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you may rely on in court. Anything you do say will be given in evidence." Aaron Moody stated sharply, remaining professional, his wand already out, he summoned the wizard's wand preventing any would be escapes.
"I beg your pardon?" Albus exclaimed, calmly standing up, nothing gave away his sheer panic. "Just what exactly am I being charged with?" making no effort to hide just how baffled he was by what was going on. Glancing at Armando betrayal written across his face, he knew, he had known there was some sort of case against him and he believed it? He had been a good teacher for years, how could anyone think he could break the law?
"You want the students to know the list of your crimes?" Prewitt asked hiding his incredulity. Binding Dumbledore's hands together in front of him, whether they were running or not they had to be subdued, it was textbook.
Albus paused, reluctantly conceding the point, feeling very much exposed, he wasn't in control here and he didn't like it. He knew it was in his best interests to cooperate or it was just another crime added to the others, and it was others Prewitt said 'crimes' not 'crime' which was concerning. "Very well," he murmured quietly, wishing he could disappear. Instead he stood up straighter; refusing to show weakness, he had to find out what he was being accused of quickly.
With that the two Auror's escorted Albus Dumbledore from the Great Hall, amidst the students all whispering frantically with each other, the most common question the Auror's could decipher was definitely 'I wonder what he did' from all houses.
"It's a good question," Aiden murmured, his eyes twinkling in delight, barely able to conceal his glee, anyone that knew him would know just how amusing he was finding this entire thing. On the outside though it looked as if he was just as curious as everyone else. "Do you know he's being accused of?" he asked Hadrian, turning to face him.
"Actually I don't," Hadrian admitted after swallowing the piece of bacon he had been munching just seconds prior. "We won't know unless Abraxas tells Tom or the papers reveal it, they do have their resources." and from what he read they were much more professional than Skeeter was known to be. In other words they made sure they actually told the truth. Nobody in the newspaper knew he was their boss, in fact nobody outside of his goblin knew he owed over half the newspaper and they were still trying to buy out the other half. If he had anything to say about it there would be no Skeeter or anyone like her.
Aiden groaned in dismay, hopefully Abraxas would get in touch soon then, which he probably would as soon as word got around the Ministry. He was dying to know what sort of crimes he was being charged with, the questions he'd been asked didn't really give much away in terms of understanding what exactly he was being charged with. "How can you be so calm?" he grouched, they didn't look like they were happy with the outcome, in fact they were giving nothing away.
Hadrian pursed his lips as he glanced at Avery, "Dumbledore is extremely…convincing, he might be back at Hogwarts before we know it, it just depends on whether he can worm himself out of the trouble he's in." he spoke truthfully, "So until his trial is over with…I'm not about to get my hopes up."
"You really think he'll get away with it?" Lestrange asked incensed by the very idea.
"He could, that's all I'm saying. Don't underestimate his ability to weave a good tale," Hadrian added, wiping his mouth with his napkin. Putting it on his empty plate, he picked up his bag ready to go to his first class for the day.
---------0
The Ministry of Magic - Auror Department
"I'll put him in interview room one," Prewitt said to his partner who nodded, and quickly made his way to their office, which they shared with dozens of other Auror's it was a communal room. Prewitt continued on to the interview room, which he found empty, he led Dumbledore by the arm and sat him down on the chair taking a seat of his own, spelling the room to record everything that was said.
"Interviewing suspect Albus Dumbledore, present in the room Auror Prewitt and just entering Auror Moody," Prewitt added as his partner came in with every scrap of evidence they had. Both the memories and of course the interviews they'd conducted with the students and teachers which had been written down. "For the purpose of the interview please state your name." he added to Dumbledore.
"Albus Dumbledore," he said, a mask of concern on his face hiding his brewing fury. "What is it that I am being charged with?" he asked observing them over his half-moon glasses with disappointment. They had been his students; they should know he would never break the law.
"To begin with, wilful child endangerment," Prewitt said, reading the paperwork. They had spoken to many students and teachers, and they had been shocked to hear that Dumbledore had taken Hadrian Peverell to Hogwarts instead of St. Mungo's, according to the healer Dumbledore had ignored her concern and forced her to get aid from a healer from St. Mungo's and it had taken both of them a month to heal him. He could have died; the healers should have been called to the scene. "Exploitation of a Minor, fraudulent statements to the Ministry, stalking, dereliction of duty, attempted line theft, false accusations of a minor and harassment." he had tried to exploit Hadrian, he had falsely accused Tom Riddle of controlling spells on Hadrian, fraudulent statements to the Ministry, lying in an attempt to gain custody of Hadrian and they suspected Tom Riddle as well. He had been stalking both of them, he had been abusing his position as a teacher, and trying to gain control them with his unhealthy obsession on Hadrian being a Peverell spoke volumes. Harassment by giving him detentions he definitely didn't deserve only to speak to him pertaining matters he had no rights to even broach.
Dumbledore paled drastically, swallowing thickly, his mind reeling, this had not been what he expected, at least not a list that size. How on earth was he going to get out of this? His panic mind saw how thick the stack of parchments was and the vials, which were most certainly memories. His breathing came out more erratic than he would have liked, but Dumbledore just couldn't prevent all his natural reactions, especially against such severe accusations.
"Do you waiver your right to legal aid?" Prewitt asked professionally, after glancing at his partner, the first reaction when they learned what they were accused of spoke volumes. He paled, panicked, and his breath came out in trembles, there was a big chance he was guilty.
"No," Albus managed to get out from his numb throat and lips. He needed time to think it through, legal aids were students who were practicing law, and in other words they were pathetic. He knew more about the law than they ever would in a single lifetime, but if it brought him time to calm down and think rationally he would use it. "I would like legal council," his heart pounding away like a drum, he was worried they could hear it.
Moody and Prewitt sighed resignedly, that meant it would be ages before they could question him. Questioning or not, they had enough there to get the trial date set up. Both of them came to the same conclusion and stood up, they would just get the trial sorted then. "Your legal aid will be here within ten to fifteen minutes," with that both of them exited the room, shutting it down so nobody and nothing could get to him, and he most certainly wouldn't get out, even if he did the Auror stationed at the corridor would prevent him getting away. The door was switched to occupied so the other Auror's knew they couldn't put anyone in there.
"I'll go get whoever is here," Prewitt said, going down the other end of the corridor to the small office where the pre-law students were situated. They hadn't expected Dumbledore to want their help. Oh, they were far from stupid, he was obviously buying himself time to try and come up with a defence, which was his right he supposed.