The New Me

Disclaimer: Don't own it. JK R does.

Warnings: Er...can't think of any. See chapter 1.

A/N: Hi! Sorry for the long wait, but things have been crazy. I'm not very happy with this chapter, but I hope you'll like it anyhow.
Thank you for all your great reviews, I love them! Virtual cookies to all who guessed right! Here's chapter 11. Please don't hate me.

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Chapter 11

Harry stared in shock at his Professor, before snapping out of his stunned silence to answer.

“Yes, and I had my revenge.”

“When did you find out that it was Lucius Malfoy and Walden MacNair that had done that to you? And how old were you when it happened?” Snape still seemed to be in shock from seeing his memory, as he got up and poured himself and Harry a glass of Firewhiskey each from a hidden cabinet in the wall.

Harry accepted the glass and took a small sip before answering.

“I knew it was Lucius the first time I met him, in Flourish and Blott’s before second year. He didn’t recognise me, but I knew it was him. I didn’t find out who the other man was until the war. And that was my present for my seventh birthday.” Snape paled even further, if that was possible. He seemed to be ready to throw up any second, and only his iron control on his emotions held the sensation at bay.

“Has it happened since then?” Snape asked quietly. Harry sneered, an exact replica of the elder Malfoy’s famous one, only more cruel and more degrading.

“Of course it’s happened. When I got my Hogwarts letter the first time, my uncle nearly beat me to death. I was in a coma for three days after that. And it’s only gotten worse since then, not that anyone would have cared, since I was supposed to have this ‘perfect’ life and ‘be treated like a king’ by my relatives.”

Snape actually blushed as Harry repeated the words he had used in the past to describe Harry’s home-life.

“Mr Potter…Harry. Does the Headmaster know about your home situation? Does he know what your relatives do to you?”

“Oh, yes. The old goat fucker is perfectly aware about what they did to me. Knew since the beginning what bastards they were, but sent me there anyway. Even tried to get me to go back after I left as soon as I turned 17, said I wasn’t safe anywhere else.”

“What?” Snape let the word spill from his lips with a great rush of air, as if he had been bracing himself for the answer, yet could not believe it.

“Yes, Albus fucking Dumbledore is a conniving old bastard that thinks he is the greatest person and leader in the world, that no one should question his motives. But guess what? I am done with following his lead, and the old fucker will get what is coming to him.”

“Sweet Merlin, this is just so…not all that surprising, actually. The Headmaster has always thought of himself as the ultimate leader for the light. He…” Snape stopped speaking, due to the fact that an official looking owl had just arrived through the special hatch that the four founders had installed so that owls could deliver their letters anywhere inside the school. The large tawny owl landed on Harry’s shoulder and hooted at him to untie the letter. Doing so, Harry thanked the owl, and it took off again through the hatch. Harry opened the envelope to find a letter and a small bottle cap inside. He gingerly pulled the letter out, careful not to touch the bottle cap.

Dear Mr Potter,

We would like to request the presence of you and Miss Hermione Granger tomorrow morning, at 10 AM sharp, for the trial of Mr Ronald Weasley. Please note that the portkey enclosed in this letter will activate at 9:55 AM, and will be able to take you back to Hogwarts after the trial.
Best wishes,

Amelia Bones
Head of Magical Law Enforcements

“Oh, great. Just what we needed now, Mione’s going to be upset when she finds out later.” Harry sighed as he tucked the letter back in to the envelope and put it in his pocket.

“May I leave now, professor? I have to go tell my sister that she’s going to have to testify against her abuser tomorrow morning.” Harry said without looking at Snape.

“Go. But we will discuss this situation further, Mr Potter. Come see me after classes on Monday, I will expect you at 4 o’clock sharp.”

“Fine. I’ll see you then, Professor.” Harry turned and was almost out the door, when Snape spoke again.

“Does he know?”

“Who?”

“Does Draco know you killed his Father?”

"Yes."

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Hermione was sitting in their private common room studying when Harry returned from his detention with Professor Snape. She looked up from the book she was reading to smile at him, the smile fading as she saw the serious look on his face.

“Harry? What’s wrong?”

“We’re going to the Ministry tomorrow, apparently. I just received an owl requesting our presence at Ron’s trial tomorrow morning at 10. The portkey activates at 9:55.” Harry sighed heavily as he sat down next to Hermione. She had a slightly stunned look on her face as she processed what he had just said.

“Mione? Are you going to be ok? Do you want me to get you anything, some water or something?”

“N-no, no I’ll be fine. Tomorrow, huh? That was fast.”

“Yeah. I think maybe because of who are involved, they decided to speed things up a bit. It can’t be good for Mr Weasley’s public image; one son turning out to be a Death Eater, and the other one turning out to be an abuser. I haven’t seen anything about it in the Prophet, come to think about it, maybe they’ve managed to keep a lid on it?”

“Maybe…well, we’d better get some sleep then, if we’re going to have to deal with that tomorrow. Good night, Harry.” Hermione got up from the couch and made her way up the stairs.

“Night, Mione. Sleep tight.” Harry called to her as she stepped inside her room. He sighed deeply to himself as he made the way to his own room and threw himself on the bed, fully clothed.

‘Tomorrow’s going to be a tough day for both of us. I just hope Mione can cope, she deserves to move on from all this.’

With that, he drifted slowly off to sleep, not caring that he hadn’t put on his pyjamas or gotten under the duvet. With all that had happened that day, he was just exhausted.

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Getting up the next morning proved more difficult than Harry would have wanted it to be. He felt sluggish, and his head was pounding, which didn’t improve when he realised that he had managed to sleep in his clothes.

Grumbling to himself, he quickly stripped, strewing his clothes all over the room, and got in to the large shower. Turning the water on as hot as he could bear it, he stood under the spray, feeling his tensions slowly flow away with the water.

He grabbed his shampoo bottle and squeezed a fair amount of his cinnamon fragrant shampoo in his hand, working it into a lather that he massaged in his hair. Standing under the spray of water once more, he carefully rinsed all the suds away before picking up his shower gel. Opening the bottle, he took a deep breath, drawing in the scent of apples. He gently scrubbed himself all over, over his strong arms, chest and flat stomach. He sighed contently as the last of the tension disappeared from his muscles. He quickly worked his conditioner through his hair before rinsing off and turning off the shower.

Grabbing a large green towel he dried himself, and cast a drying charm on his hair before brushing it until it lay smoothly down his back.

Walking naked into his closet, he grabbed a pair of black silk boxers and a pair of socks from his dresser, before turning towards all the clothes that hung on the racks. What to wear?

He finally decided on a pair of black dress trousers and an emerald silk shirt that showed off his body to perfection. Grabbing a black cloak to wear over it and a pair of dragon hide boots, he walked back out in his room to grab his wand before meeting Hermione in the common room. They had forty minutes to grab some breakfast before they had to leave.

“Morning, Mione. Are you feeling ok? You look great.” He said as he stepped down the last steps of the stairs and into the common room. Hermione was standing in front of the tapestry, wearing a dark blue dress that went to her knees, a matching cloak in a lighter blue, black pumps and a discreet make up. Her hair was styled up in an intricate knot with a few strands framing her face. She looked very proper, in a pureblood upper class sort of way.

“Morning, Harry. Thanks, you ready to head to breakfast? We don’t have much time before we have to leave, you know.”

“We have about half an hour, but let’s just eat in the kitchen, I’m sure the house elves would be happy to fix us something.” Hermione nodded her consent, and they stepped out in to the Slytherin common, stunning the few students there to silence.

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Walking passed the wards on the school, after having breakfast in the kitchen, Harry retrieved the portkey from his pocket and held it out for Hermione. The clock was about to strike 9:55.

“Are you ready?” At Hermione’s nod he started counting down.

“3…2…1.” As soon as he finished, the sensation of a hook behind his navel told them that they were on their way.

Seconds later they landed in a room in the Ministry especially designed for portkey and Apparition arrivals.

“Mr Potter, Miss Granger. Good to see you’ve arrived safely. This way please.” Madam Bones said before turning around and leading the way down a corridor.

“How are you today, Madam Bones?” Hermione asked as they made their way to the Wizengamot courtroom.

“I am quite alright, dear. Sorry to have to meet again under these circumstances, though. Here we are, why don’t you go sit down over there, and we’ll start momentarily.” Madam Bones said, pointing towards two comfortable looking chairs standing on one side of the room.

Making their way over, both Harry and Hermione took the chance to look around the court room. Harry of course recognized it, it being where he had had his own hearing two years ago, but Hermione had never seen it before.

It seemed the entire Wizengamot was gathered here today, and they could see that Mr Weasley seemed pale but determined to do his job – even if that meant sending his youngest son to Azkaban prison.

“Come to order, please. We are here today to decide the fate of Ronald Bilius Weasley on the charges of long-time abuse and threatening to take the life of another. Let the accused be brought before this court.” Mr Weasley said with a commanding voice. The doors opened and Ron was lead in between two Aurors. He looked pale and ragged, dressed in the prisoners’ uniform and with his hair dirty and hanging in his eyes.

When he caught sight of Harry and Hermione, a look of rage appeared on his face, and he tried to get free from the Aurors and attack them. Thankfully the Aurors stunned him and placed him in a chair with straps holding his arms and legs still before enervating him.

“Now that we are all here, and under some form of order, Mr Weasley; how do you plead to the charges laid before you?” Madam Bones asked.

“Not guilty, Madam. I never did any of things they said I did. I wouldn’t lay a hand on Herm, I love her.” Ron cast a glance in Harry and Hermione’s direction, his eyes narrowing as he saw Harry clasping Hermione’s hand in his.

“Very well, Mr Weasley. We will now hear the statements of Miss Granger and Lord Potter. Miss Granger, if you please?”

“Wait a bloody minute! What do you mean he’s Lord Potter? He sure as hell wasn’t no Lord before!” Ron shouted angrily. Madam Bones looked at him with contempt before answering in a steely voice.

“He became Lord of the Potter family when he reached his majority on his seventeenth birthday. May we continue now? Miss Granger?”

“Yes, Madam Bones?”

“When were you first submitted to the abuse from Mr Ronald Weasley?”

“I would have to say that it began when we had been seeing each other for 2 months, I had been studying together with Ernie MacMillan for Arithmancy, he needed help with one of his essays. Ron walked in to the library just when Ernie said something that made me laugh, I’ve forgotten what it was, but Ron became very upset and wanted me to leave with him at once. Naturally, I thought something serious had happened. This was in the beginning of our sixth year at Hogwarts, and Voldemort hadn’t been defeated yet so I thought it had something to do with him. Instead Ron dragged me to the Room of Requirement and proceeded to accuse me of seeing Ernie behind his back, being a slut and calling me all kinds of vile things. I got angry and started yelling back at him, trying to get him to stop being so silly, of course I wouldn’t cheat on him, and definitely not with Ernie since he prefers men to women.”

“What happened then, Miss Granger?”

“We didn’t speak for two days, but then he apologised and said that he was just worried to loose me. I forgave him.”

“When did the abuse escalate to physical violence?”

“He slapped me the first time, after we had sex the first time. That was about six months into the relationship. At that point I was so used to him calling me names that I hardly reacted, I think that’s what made him slap me in the first place. He seemed as shocked as I was and immediately apologised and swore never to do it again, as long as I behaved and never looked at another. Three days after that, he punched me in the back for not getting back to the common room quick enough after classes ended. From there it just escalated; he found a reason to hit me every day, but always taking care that no one found out, threatening to kill me if I told anyone. Especially if I told Harry. He knew how close Harry and I am, even though we didn’t tell anybody about the ritual we had performed at the beginning of sixth year.”

“I’m sorry, what ritual was this?” One of the Wizengamot members asked curiously.

“We performed a ritual that would make us brother and sister, the Ritual of Sacred Kinship, I believe it’s called.”

“Where could you possibly have found that ritual? It has not been performed in 300 years, and with good reason!”

“That does not matter. Continue with this trial, or we are leaving.” Harry said with an ice-cold voice, that left no room for doubt.

“Yes, of course, my Lord. Please continue, Miss Granger.”

“I hid behind a mask for the larger part of sixth year, pretending that everything was alright when it wasn’t, trying not to let anything show. I think the only one who noticed something was wrong was Harry, but too much was going on around him that he couldn’t be sure. I finally escaped Ron after Harry defeated Voldemort, and my parents wanted me to come home. I broke up with Ron when I arrived home and heard what a prick he was being about Harry, how he didn’t have to be his friend anymore because Voldemort was finally dead. My parents and I then left for a holiday in America, where we stayed until it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Ron found me on the Hogwarts Express and punched me in the eye, and slapped me in the face. He accused me of being together with Harry because of all the articles about Harry and I being a couple. Then he threatened to kill me if I told anyone and if I didn’t get back together with him. Then he stormed off and left me alone. Harry found me a little while later. He took pictures of my injuries before healing them, and convinced me that I should tell the Aurors. We approached Professor McGonagall as soon as we arrived at Hogwarts, and she called the Aurors and Mr Weasley.”

“Thank you, Miss Granger. Is there anything that you would like to add, Lord Potter?”

“No, Mione had the first hand knowledge of what was going on, and I was too screwed up to notice much last year.”

“Screwed up? How do you mean?” One of the members asked suspiciously. Harry gave him a cool glare before trying to save his statement. He did not want these people to find out what had been going on in his life.

“I mean that last year was spent training to defeat Voldemort, and I’m sure you remember just what he did to get my attention. Surely you cannot have forgotten the Leeds massacre?” The members of the Wizengamot seemed slightly ashamed at Harry’s words, several blushes rose on their cheeks.

“No, no of course not. You are free to leave Lord Potter, Miss Granger. We will notify you of the outcome of this trial as soon as we have reached a verdict. The portkey will take you back to Hogwarts, please follow Jameson, he will take you to the room where you arrived. Good day to you.” Madam Bones said, pointing to a short man standing at the door wearing black robes and a red cloak.

Both Harry and Hermione nodded to the Wizengamot before following Jameson out the door and through the corridors. They said nothing as they reached the Apparition room and grabbing the portkey.

“Are you ready?” Hermione nodded and he counted down. The hook behind the navel told them they were on their way, and they soon arrived at the side of the lake at Hogwarts.

“And where, might I ask, have you two been?”

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Both Harry and Hermione froze at the sound of the Headmaster’s voice.
Turning around to face him, they came face to face with what seemed to be the entire school. Harry furrowed his brow and glared at Dumbledore before answering in a voice that seemed to be dripping with contempt and hate.

“That is really not any of your business, old man. We had permission from our Head of House to go, and that is all you need to know.”

“I will not be spoken to in that tone, Mr Potter! Apologise and answer my question!” Dumbledore was getting red in the face from frustration. Harry just smirked.

“Too bad. I’ll do no such thing, so just forget about it.”

“W-what! Detention, Mr Potter! One week with Mr Filch, starting tonight!” The Headmaster spluttered. His face became even redder when Harry just laughed bitterly.

“Fat chance, you old goat-fucker.” Here the entire audience gasped. “Stay out of my life from now on, Dumbledore, you’ve done enough damage as it is. And stay out of Mione’s life as well. We don’t need your manipulations anymore.” Dumbledore looked ready to have an aneurism. Harry, deciding he had had enough of the old goat for one day, turned to Hermione.

“Come on, sis, let’s go down to our room. You look like you could use some rest, you must be tired.” They started walking towards the school, the crowd parting in front of them. Suddenly, a magical burst came from behind them, and without thinking, Harry threw up the most powerful shielding charm he knew. It was powerful enough to withstand the Killing Curse.

Turning around, they found the Headmaster lying on the ground, knocked out by his own Stupefy.

“You really think he ought to have learned, don’t you? It’s not like I didn’t defeat the biggest and baddest Dark Lord of the century, after all.” Harry said with a pitying voice.

“Was there any particular reason for knocking the Headmaster out, or did you just do it for your own amusement, Mr Potter?”

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A/N2: Well, there you have it! Please review and tell me what you think, and what you would like to see in this story!
Until next time
//LoveGD