Harry was happy for his success at mastering occlumency as he hid his reaction. "That's awful," he said, making sure to sound both shocked and disgusted.
Filius nodded. "Yes," he agreed. "Now, let's not speak more about it until we reach the headmaster's office. He wants the entire situation sorted out."
Filius thought the situation, although bad, was clear. He had seen Ginevra's obsession with Harrison and didn't doubt she had been the one to send him the potion but he didn't know where she would have gotten it. Although not dumb like her year older brother, Ginevra didn't seem the type to have the ability to brew such a complex potion. The situation itself was awful: young Ronald had thrown himself at Ginevra and kissed her quite forcefully. Thankfully that's all he had done, but the damage was done. Still, Filius didn't see why Dumbledore was insisting on a meeting between the Weasleys and Harry - it just added to his belief that the old man was abnormally invested in his young student's life. Harry had done nothing! Thankfully, Filius had seen to it that Sirius would be present as well as Severus, who had done the initia l testing.
Harry followed his Head of House and wondered what Ron had done—probably an overly soppy love poem or song like he had written for Lavender in his last life. Reaching the gargoyle, Harry watched as Filius gave the password. "Pumpkin pastries."
The Headmaster's Office
Entering the room, Harry was surprised to see both Sirius and Lucius sitting together with Severus standing behind them like a shadow. Both men were dressed in expensive robes, looking like the Lords of two Ancient and Noble Houses that they were. They contrasted drastically to Molly Weasley, who Harry was seeing properly for the first time in this life. The matriarch of the Weasley clan was dressed like she had always done: she wore a loose-fitting dress with a knitted shawl over it.
Seeing his guardian, Harry approached and gave him a smile before Sirius pulled him into a hug.
Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, looking grandfatherly in yellow robes with silver suns. Seeing Harry enter, he picked up his lemon drops.
"Excellent, it's good that we are all here," he said before holding the bowl out to the young boy who had become the biggest pain in his side since Tom Riddle. "Lemon drop?" he offered.
Harry rolled his eyes at Sirius before looking at Dumbledore. "No, thank you. I've yet to have dinner."
Dumbledore frowned, the expression only becoming more pronounced when Ron immediately reached forward and snatched a handful of the sour sweets.
"Very well then, let's get straight to business," he said. "I'm sure you all know why we are here."
Lucius took that moment to intervene. "Actually, professor, I for one do not understand why we are here."
Dumbledore frowned. He hadn't expected Filius to contact Sirius so quickly or for the animagus to arrive with Lucius in tow. However, he should have realised their partnership - the two of them had been spending a lot of time together recently. Both of them most likely working together to undo all of his hard work and decades of progress. "Yes, well—"
"Why is he here?" Molly Weasley demanded, pointing a finger at Lucius and looking at him like he was a bug under her shoe.
"He was invited to come with me as both a member of our extended family and the Head of the school governors," Sirius said, managing to sound snobbish, something Harry knew he struggled with.
Molly looked like she had sucked on a lemon before she harrumphed.
Dumbledore sent her a sharp look before turning back to Harry. "As I was saying, we are here about the situation about some chocolates," he said, playing down the seriousness of the matter.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "I see."
Lucius, however, wasn't done. "I do not understand why you have called this meeting. The situation is quite clear. Why haven't you contacted the DMLE?"
Molly let DMLE?!"
out
a
small
shriek.
"The
Dumbledore hushed her. "What I'm sure Mrs. Weasley meant was that contacting the aurors isn't necessary."
Sirius growled. "Not repeated.
necessary?" he "Yes. Surely you agree, Sirius? What with your past pranks."
"That's Lord Black to you," Sirius snarled.
Molly turned. "After all he's done for you, you no good—"
Sirius, looking like he was about to lose control, went to stand before Harry placed a hand on his arm. "Headmaster, I too do not understand why this meeting is taking place without law enforcement. The use of love potions is illegal."
Dumbledore bit his tongue before taking a deep breath. "Yes, however—" "There is no alternative here, professor. The law is the law," Harry said. "Surely you do not think yourself above it?" Harry made sure to ask the question as innocently as possible and watched as all of those standing in his corner smirk, even Flitwick.
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