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An Arrest
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 05-15-11 16:48
Harry was not on the rota to work today but when Albus Dumbledore's head appeared in the fireplace requesting Harry in an official capacity and this is followed shortly after, when Harry was scurrying around to make himself professionally presentable, by Kingsley Shacklebolt also appearing for a fire chat, Harry didn't mind in the least.
He apparates to just outside the school gates. Hagrid's there waiting, a grim smile on his face. Though pleased as always to see Harry the circumstances of Harry's being at the school are sinister. After exchanging greetings, the two walk in silence to the castle. Professor Dumbledore hadn't sent Hagrid to fetch Harry for any reason other than the two are good friends and at the base of the stairs leading up to the office, when Harry realizes Hagrid's not coming up as well he says, "Lunch my house tomorrow."
"Thanks, 'arry. 'Round noon?"
"Yeah, perfect."
"Be thar with bells on."
Harry pats Hagrid on the arm as he starts up the stairs. With the lower stair entrance open and awaiting him, he physically walks up rather than activating the circular stairway to carry him to the threshhold of the headmaster's office. There he finds the door already open though he still, as a matter of courtesy, knocks on the jamb even as Albus sees him there and with a wave of his hand says, "Harry, come in. Please shut the door behind you." With another gesture he indicates the other man in the room. "You remember Ethan Somerset."
"Ethan," Harry says with a nod of acknowledge, not reaching out to shake hands because Ethan is cradling a sleeping baby. "I'm so sorry about Rosamond." Then, though it means little to the grieving man and isn't really the most appropriate of times, Harry tells him, "You two picked a fine name for your daughter. It's a favorite of mine."
Ethan snuggles the baby slightly closer, eyes dropping to look down at his slumbering child, understanding that he's not expected to say anything in return.
When Harry had entered Professor Dumbledore had risen from behind his massive desk. He sits again and indicates that Harry should also take a seat before speaking.
"We believe with one hundred percent certainty that the boy I mentioned to you last night is behind Miss Bogg's death. The map proved most enlightenting." Dumbledore opens the map, which had been neatly folded on the desk in front of him, and taps a spot on it for Harry to see.
Harry rises to bend over the map, looking where indicated. "Hattie Harsnip? That's an odd name for a boy," he comments sitting back down.
"That is the thing. The boy's name is Penn Ellison."
"Polyjuice potion then?"
"That is an easy conclusion to reach but in this instance, no. Ethan, tell Harry what you were telling me."
"You know my history, right?" Ethan begins.
"Yes, though not the exact details of everything."
"Hattie Harnip is the one who kidnapped me as an infant and is directly responsible for me being in Project 25. Because of me, she went to Azkaban. I visited her there a number of times, trying to get straight answers out of her about my biological family. She told me about something she called soul extraction. There was a dark arts book that Penn Ellison's aunt, Meadow O'Guinn, stole. I got it back but I now think that's only because she'd gotten from it what she wanted."
"The soul extraction information."
"Yes, exactly."
"I have already given Kingsley Miss O'Guinn's name," Professor Dumbledore tells them both.
"So, this soul extraction worked and now this boy Penn is Hattie Harsnip?"
"That's what we firmly believe," Dumbledore confirms. His eyes go to the still open map. "Severus will be here in mere moments with the boy. Londy!"
The familiar House Elf appears, giving a smile in Harry's direction before moving to Ethan's side. With reluctance Ethan hands over the sleeping Lilly and the elder professor says, "We thought it best the baby not be here when Hattie Harsnip in the form of Penn Ellison arrives, though Ethan is understandably relecutant to part even for a short time with his daughter."
Londy and the baby vanish, making Harry yet again somewhat envious that House Elf magic allows her to apparate within the confines of Hogwarts. Not more than two seconds after she and Lilly are gone, Severus Snape raps on the office door. Harry is the one getting up to answer it, giving Snape the barest of nods. They are not the enemies they once were but anyone would be hard pressed to refer to them as friends.
Harry gets his first look at the boy. Nothing much to look at upon first glance. Small for his age. Pale. Dark hair cut short. Upon second glance there's more to the story. There's a hardness in his dark eyes and a knowing glint that suggests a level of maturity far beyond that of the outward appearace of a preteen.
The lips curl up in a smirk at the sight of Harry. "I was under the impression I was coming to receive thanks for saving an infant only to find myself in the presence of the famous Harry Potter."
Ethan's own mouth turns into a snarl and he starts to get up but is stayed by the firm hand of Albus Dumbledore on his shoulder.
Severus gives the boy a further push into the room then shuts the door to stand with his back against it.
Harry's already got the magical restraints ready and as he binds the form of a smallish eleven year old boy he says, "Hattie Harsnip, you are under arrest for the murder of Rosamond Boggs."
The eyes widen in surprise. Harry supposes that Hattie Harsnip was expecting Penn Ellison to be named and charged. This is confirmed by the question, "How did you know?"
"Soul extraction, Hattie. You bragged to me about it," Ethan snaps.
The smirk is back and an oh so smug expression. "You didn't believe me, yet here I am."
Harry asks, "Why did you kill Rosamond Boggs?"
He's expecting Harsnip to deny it. Most do even when faced with irrefutable proof of their misdeeds. Instead, the smirk gets even smirkier if that's possible. The answer is directed at Ethan, not Harry. "Revenge. You took me away from my husband, from my life, and I very much liked my life. I was all set to gain power from the prophecy and you ruined that as well."
Ethan snarls, "I took from you? You took my life from me, Hattie."
"Oh please. You had an excellent life. You even got to serve a great lord. Then after all that ended, you still got a life and a damned fine one it turned out to be. If Meadow hadn't come through with the soul extraction I'd have died in Azkaban while you roam around out here free and happy."
Harry says, "I'm taking your statements as confirmation of Meadow O'Guinn's involvement."
Harsnip rolls those glinting eyes at him. "The great Harry Potter isn't the bright Harry Potter is he? I guess that's what you kept that slag Hermione Granger around for. I hear she's got quite the brilliant mind. Too bad I didn't know about her potential when she was born. She'd have made an excellent candidate for one of the projects."
"What do you mean one of them?"
"As if the dark lord had just the one side project Ethan was in. All gone to waste now. More's the pity."
Harry takes firm hold of Harnip's arm. "Have you heard enough?" he asks for both Ethan's and Dumbledore's sakes.
When both affirm they have Dumbledore tells him, "I've a portkey to the Ministry ready so you won't have to walk through the castle. Students might see and right now they are upset enough as it is without watching Penn Ellison being escorted away for murder."
"That's a good idea, thank you."
"Penn's wand," Severus says, as if only then remembering he's got it. He hands it to Harry.
"Thanks."
Dumbledore hands the portkey item to Harry, a broken quill and a second later it glows blue and he feels the familar tug. Gripping tighter to the boy's arm, Harry and his prisoner are whisked away to the Ministery where Hattie Harsnip as Penn Ellison will be formally charged and booked with the murder of Rosamond Boggs. As they leave, Harry also can't help wonder about the prophey Harsnip mentioned. Having been pegged as the subject of one himself he can't help but be curious. That, however, will have to wait for another day.
In The Commons
Author: Saffron
Date: 05-15-11 20:55
The morning isn't even over yet and Saffron wants nothing more than to curl up and take a nap. From noon on, yesterday was bad. Today is a little better but students and staff are still reeling from the death of Rosamond Boggs. Saffron hadn't been up as much during the late night hours with students as some had but Niccola was overly fussy and the new baby was extremely active, at one point vigorously kicking for nearly an hour. At times Saffron doesn't know how she managed to hide her pregnancy with Nic when this one has left her tired so much.
Adding to everything is Saffron upset with herself that she hadn't foreseen anything dark looming for Rosamond or Ethan. The knowledge that her gift of divination hasn't worked right for years, not since the brain tumor, is of little comfort. She still gets flashes and still makes prophecies from time to time. It's also little comfort that the better she knows someone, the less likely she is to have prophetic dreams or visions about them.
Not being privy yet to the scene in the headmaster's office, Saffron does not know that Penn Ellison is really Hattie Harsnip inhabiting the body of a dead boy. She does know that there are questions surrounding Rosamond's death and that it most like was no accident. Penn Ellison is suspected so as she stands by one of the tall windows in the common commons Saffron help help but think that it's also little comfort to be able to say she does not know Penn Ellison that well. With him being a first year and her not being head or assistant head of Slytherin House Saffron's contact with him has been fleeting. A word or a nod when passing in the hall or going to and coming from meals. That sort of thing.
She closes her eyes for a moment, resting her forehead against the cool window pane, hands resting on her pregant belly. No sooner has she done this when a worried voice asks, "Professor, are you okay?"
Eyes fluttering open, Saffron fixes a smile on her face as she turns to address Estella Primrose. "Just a case of a very active baby. I'm starting to think this one won't wait until the end of June."
"Still not going to tell if it's a boy or a girl?"
"Not just yet but I promise that before end of term, I'll let you know."
"And your sure you're all right."
"I'm sure, thank you. I'm the one who should be asking that question."
"I'm fine. Sad, but fine. I can't stop thinking about their baby growing up without her mum."
"It will be difficult for Lilly. I don't know whether it's best she will have no personal memory of her mother or not. I do know how hard it is when there are memories involved."
"Oh, you mean your own mother ?"
"Yes, that's right. My sister and I were young when she died. I used to wish I hadn't known her at all, that it would be easier that way but now I'm so glad I have those memories and cherish them."
"For awhile I thought I'd never see my mum again, or my dad for that matter. After the Happy Haven breakout I was so excited to learn they were both all right. You know, I think I'm going to write them a letter this minute and tell them I love them."
"That would be quite nice," Saffron replies, wondering how many other students have had the sudden urge since noon yesterday to owl their parents or other loved ones just to say they care. Niccola, who'd fallen asleep in a patch of sunlight streaming through one of the windows takes the moment to stir.
Saffron moves to check on her. Nic is pretty well potty trained now but she will have the occasional accident. She's dry and she's also wants nothing to do with Saffron at the moment, preferring instead to go check out the ice cream two boys have just sat down with. Following along behind, Saffron has to say, "Don't stick your fingers in other people's food, Niccola."
Saffron summons the booster seat Nic prefers now over the hight chair. "Come sit down and Mummy will get you your own ice cream."
One of the House Elfs who works the commons is suddenly at Saffron's side. "What flavor would Niccola like?"
Nic is straining still to put fingers in one of the boy's ice cream so Saffron asks him, "What flavor is that?"
"Fudge ripple."
"Niccola, if you stop squirming and stop trying to get other people's food, Bertie here is going to bring you some fudge ripple."
Nic gets that obstinant look on her face that usually preceeds her deciding to try her parents' patience but just as quickly the expression changes to a grin. "Okay."
Bertie is quick and half a minute later Nic is happily eschewing a utensil to dig fingers directly into her ice cream as Mummy, now talking to another student, does not for once remind her to use the spoon.
(Evelyn) With Luke
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 05-16-11 07:26
Although the environment in the castle was not good the weather seemed to want to change that. It was a sunny Saturday and Evelyn decided to go outside to the grounds for a while. She had not been there when Rosamond Boggs died, but still it was very disturbing to know someone had recently passed away in the castle.
Evelyn wondered if her next DADA class would be given by Professor Somerset. She hoped so. He was a good teacher. But she would also understand if he wouldn’t be able to teach.
Evelyn sat near a tree, her back turned to the castle. She observed the calm surface of the lake and started to wander what she would do if someone tried to kill her. Would she be able to defend herself? Ev took her wand out of her pocket, and held it tight in her hand. What spells did she know that could protect her? There was Petrificus Totalus. Maybe that could help.
Suddenly she started to hear steps behind her and without really thinking she turned around very fast, pointed the wand to the person in front of her and said with conviction:
“Petrificus Totalus!”
The person fell on the ground completely still. Evelyn stood up and went to take a look at her victim. Her eyes opened wide and she started to laugh when she saw her cousin Luke on the ground. Soon she broke of the spell and helped him to stand.
“What was that about?”
“Sorry, I thought you wanted to harm me.”
They sat together on the grass and soon they were talking about Rosamond. Luke had been there, he saw the body. But he didn’t seem really interested in discussing this with any teacher. Somehow Luke ended up sharing his thoughts on the matter with Ev. He was saying it was the first time he saw a human corpse and that he hoped it to be the last.
“Maybe she tumbled down the stairs, maybe she didn’t. I just Thank Merlin the baby was fine.” Luke told. Then he lowered his voice and whispered: “I heard Penn Ellison found her.”
“Penn?” Evelyn asked and Luke nodded.
Evelyn never managed to sympathize with that boy. Although they were in the same year and house and attend the same classes, there was something about him that annoyed her. Probably it was the fact he did so well in classes. She had jealous. He was a little bit superior in everything he did and the problem was he was aware of that. Evelyn and the others tried to be friends with him but he seemed to prefer being alone. He was a solitary figure and soon he became a joke among the other first year Slytherins. Vinny Xardel once said that if Penn died no one would really notice. She wondered where Penn was now. She hadn’t seen him at the Slytherin table this morning. He would be probably at the library now, studying.
“You’re his friend?” Luke asked.
“No, not really. We once had to be together at Potions, but that was it. Where is Ed?” Evelyn asked, changing subject.
“He is with Alcmene at our common room, doing some homework it seems.”
“Have you done yours yet?”
“No, I’m not really in the mood for that now. Maybe tomorrow.”
Evelyn nodded, feeling the same way. Somehow Rosamond’s death affected both of them. The cousins then started to talk about Quiddicth and how eager they were for the next match against the Beaxbatons Academy. Quidditch was always a safe topic and made her forget all about Penn and Rosamond for a while.