November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry was lost in his thoughts about Dumbledore which was broken by Minerva.
"Harry," she said. "What do we do?"
Harry now out of his reverie answered, "Let them leave. It is their choice. It is not something we should meddle with."
Minerva nodded and they walked towards the room which Harry had selected for his office.
"Harry," said Minerva. "As you had asked, I have been looking into the accounts of Hogwarts…"
"Though, I have not been able to do a detailed investigation… Albus Dumbledore, without any doubt had siphoned a lot of money."
"A lot of money which should have been allotted to the school for maintenance… for the broom or for new books in the library… for new instruments for astronomy simple vanished from the account."
She continued, "I have sent a letter of request to Gringotts for help in finding the trial of the money."
Harry nodded, "This was expected. A premiere school such as Hogwarts should have never been so dirt poor. It should have been common sense to figure out these things after looking at the facilities the students were provided here."
"But it seems that as if the common sense was eaten here by Dumbledore," scoffed Harry. "Parents are now protesting and taking notice of the happenings in Hogwarts but when Dumbledore was the headmaster, no one got worried even after a troll breached the Hogwarts or the students were petrified."
Harry had not even finished when the eyes of both, Harry and Minerva widened in realisation. And both of them that their thinking was in same direction.
The realities of why she remained so blind to Dumbledore's actions resonated in front of Minerva's eyes. Why she allowed for trolls and Cerberus to be placed in Hogwarts. Why she allowed Harry to be blamed for the petrifaction despite knowing Harry was innocent? Why she herself did not take the initiative to find the reason for the attacks? Everything came smacking into her face.
"Madam McGonagall," said Harry in grave tone. "Contact professor Narcissa and madam Pomfrey."
"Have them test the students and the professors for unknown substances and potions in their bodies. And you will personally overlook every test. I don't want a false report on my table."
Minerva nodded in a grave manner. With each passing day whatever the great image Dumbledore had build was falling to new a low.
"Snape," said Harry. "Would have been more than happy to oblige if Dumbledore had made any such request."
Minerva nodded, "Yes."
"Harry," she continued. "The largest discrepancies in money have been found in potions department."
"The other professors never received their share of money. It vanished before the money reached them. But potions department received a lot of money."
"Money for instruments like cauldrons, masks, gloves of dragon hides, etc; even when students had to bring it of their own. Money for class renovation each year… huge amount of money for ingredients when a student was not allowed more than 3 attempts in a single potion."
Harry nodded not surprised, "Snape was Dumbledore's stooge after all."
"I will have Narcissa and madam Pomfrey investigate," said Minerva and walked away.
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November 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Around 2 hours later, Harry was seated on a large wooden chair. In front of him was placed a large wooden table and though the pair of chair and table looked simple, it had been a luxurious and costly affair.
Around the room, wooden shelfs were placed and though it was empty for now, it would soon be filled with books and documents.
This was Harry's personal office in Hogwarts. With the help of his loyal elf, the abandoned room had been turned into an office suited for his stature in a couple of hours.
Costly and ancient articrafts from his vaults had been used as decoration in the office. A large glass window gave him the view of the Hogwarts ground and the lake next to it.
Harry looked around the room in satisfaction when a knock on the gates greeted Harry's ear.
"Come in," said Harry.
The gate was pushed open and Amelia Bones walked in. She also looked around the office in amazement and took her seat after few moments.
"Quite an office, you have built yourself," Amelia complimented. "At least, no one would be worried about where to find you know."
"That was the purpose," said Harry. "Even if I am not in the office, I will know if someone arrives here."
"How is the process of setting up the duelling club going?" Asked Harry.
"Much better than expected," said Amelia with a smile.
"After your actions, I had expected a lot of backlashes… especially to this club but it seems that the students have started to use their brains," said Amelia in reference to Harry's order of the test on the students and the professors.
"More than 70% students have registered themselves for the club."
Harry nodded.
"Any news about the response in the ministry to my killing of Dolores?" Asked Harry.
Amelia nodded, "Well… the reaction has been… um.. you can use the word complicated."
"At first, when Lucius returned back to ministry from Hogwarts, he was in rage. He wanted to form a team of aurors and take Hogwarts by force."
"Well, though, this idea had not many takers, Lucius was hell bent on this and Fudge was almost convinced by this."
"But one of my sources told me that something happened and Lucius left ministry in haste. He returned back only after an hour," said Amelia.
"After which he was very calm and he himself ditched the idea of attack on Hogwarts."
She continued, "Not only this… he pushed back any idea of any action even against you. Though, a formal case has been registered against you with the DMLE, they would not be taking any action."
"It seems that," said Amelia with a contemplating look. "It was dark lord's order which changed Lucius' mind."
Harry also nodded in agreement and he was not too worried about the plans of dark lord's plan. He had a golden goose in Barty Crouch who would be laying most of dark lord's plan for him.
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